October "Free at the Kimmel" Offers Something for Everyone
September 19, 2008
Kimmel Center Presents 2008-09 Season Sponsored by Citi
Seventh Anniversary Season Marked with More Than 65 Free at the Kimmel Performances, Nearly 20 Artist Chats, and Several Organ Postludes as well as Free Themed Tours Throughout the Week
Kimmel Center Presents’ Free at the Kimmel events continue in October through the seventh anniversary season with more than 90 free events and performances to take place throughout the center’s spaces this year. Free at the Kimmel includes: Free in the Plaza with local artists performing classical, jazz, pop, country, world, dance and family fare on the Commonwealth Plaza stage; as well as Artist Chats with Kimmel Center Presents performers; Education Events in the Merck Arts Education Center; and Organ Postludes on the Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ in Verizon Hall.
Free themed tours, including Building & Theater Tours and Art & Architecture Tours, are conducted throughout the week by experienced volunteer guides. Updates and complete schedules are available at www.kimmelcenter.org/free. All artists and programs are subject to change.
FREE AT THE KIMMEL events are made possible through the Wachovia Gateway to the Arts Community Access Program supported by a generous grant from Wachovia Foundation.
Below is a full schedule of the Free at the Kimmel events in October 2008:
Friday, October 3, 2008 | 6:30pm
Commonwealth Plaza Stage | Free in the Plaza
Aerial Photograph Quartet
Matt Davis is an accomplished composer, performer and educator. His current project, Aerial Photograph, combines the intimacy and complexities of small chamber ensemble compositions mixed with elements of the instrumentation and improvisation of jazz. Members of Aerial Photograph will perform selected original pieces as a quartet on the Commonwealth Plaza stage prior to the ticketed performance by the New York Philharmonic in Verizon Hall.
Friday, October 3, 2008 | 10:00pm
Verizon Hall | Organ Postlude
Nathan Laube is a rising star among young classical musicians. A native of Chicago, Laube began his music studies at age five, and at age 15, he was accepted as a full scholarship student at the renowned Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. Laube is currently a fourth year student at the Curtis Institute, where he studies with Alan Morrison (organ) and Susan Starr (piano). This free performance will take place on the Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ in Verizon Hall following the ticketed performance by the New York Philharmonic.
Saturday, October 4, 2008 | 11am
Innovation Studio | PNC Grow Up Great
Daria
Multi-cultural performer and internationally recognized folksinger Daria returns to the Kimmel Center just in time to celebrate her latest release, Grandchildren’s Delight. Why not bring your grandparents and share your favorite songs with them! This performance is the first in the PNC Grow Up Great series which will present child-friendly programming at 11am on the first Saturday of every month in Commonwealth Plaza, unless otherwise noted.
Thursday, October 9, 2008 | 6:30pm
Commonwealth Plaza Stage | Free in the Plaza
The Baird Sisters
Influenced by Appalachian mountain music, contemporary outsider folk, and Library of Congress recordings of their great-great uncle, I.G. Greer, sisters Laura and Meg Baird highlight their natural harmonies with intimate acoustic guitar and banjo playing; their collection of songs includes haunting versions of traditional favorites, ballads and original compositions. Meg is also a founding member of Espers and recently released her first solo album, Dear Companion, on the Drag City label. This free performance will take place on Commonwealth Plaza stage prior to the ticketed performance by John Sebastian and David Grisman in Verizon Hall.
Thursday, October 16, 2008 | Post-show
Perelman Theater Stage | Artist Chat
The first performance of Philadanco’s fall residency will be followed by an Artist Chat with founder and Artistic Director Joan Myers Brown, some of the evening’s performers and the Kimmel Center’s Director of Programming Tom Warner.
Sunday, October 19, 2008 | 6pm
Commonwealth Plaza Stage | Free in the Plaza
Usiloquy Dance Designs
Usiloquy Dance Designs is a Philadelphia-based contemporary Bharatanatyam Company that weaves an ancient classical Indian dance form with elements of different genres from around the world, creating a fresh, unique style of expressive dance. This free performance will take place on Commonwealth Plaza stage prior to the ticketed performance by Ravi Shankar and Anoushka Shankar in Verizon Hall.
Sunday, October 19, 2008 | 9:30pm
Commonwealth Plaza Stage | Free in the Plaza
Bhangra Party!
DJ Rahsaan of Afrotaino Soundsystem & DJ Mandip of Dutty Chutney will spin a tapestry of luscious grooves and bhangralicious beats, following the ticketed performance by Ravi Shankar and Anoushka Shankar in Verizon Hall.
Friday, October 24, 2008 | Post-show
Perelman Theater Stage | Artist Chat
The ticketed performance by Imani Winds in Perelman Theater will be followed by an Artist Chat with members of the group and the Kimmel Center’s Director of Programming Tom Warner.
Saturday, October 25, 2008 | Pre-show
Verizon Hall Stage | Artist Chat
The ticketed performance by Vincent Dubois on the Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ in Verizon Hall will be preceded by an Artist Chat with the artist and Michael Barone, host of American Public Media’s "Pipedreams."
Saturday, October 25, 2008 | 1pm and Post-show
Commonwealth Plaza Stage | Free in the Plaza
TBA
A free musical performance will take place on Commonwealth Plaza stage prior to and following the ticketed performance by Vincent Dubois on the Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ in Verizon Hall.
Sunday, October 26, 2008 | 6pm
Commonwealth Plaza Stage | Free in the Plaza
Philadelphia Songwriters Project
The Philadelphia Songwriters Project is a non-profit organization with a mission to serve as a resource for local and regional songwriters, providing a place to showcase their music, improve their work and advance their career. A free acoustic performance by several local songwriters will take place on Commonwealth Plaza stage prior to the ticketed performance by Joan Baez in Verizon Hall.
Tuesdays-Sundays | 1pm
Commonwealth Plaza Information Desk | Free Themed Tours
Building & Theater Tour
Join us for a themed tour which includes a history of the Kimmel Center; architectural and construction highlights; and visits to Commonwealth Plaza, Perelman Theater, Verizon Hall, Merck Arts Education Center and the Dorrance H. Hamilton Garden. This tour is approximately one hour in duration.
Please note: Building & Theater Tours will not be offered October 3 or 15, 2008.
Saturdays | 10:30am
Commonwealth Plaza Information Desk | Free Themed Tours
Art & Architecture Tour
Join us for a themed tour which includes an in-depth look at the Kimmel Center's architecture, a walk along the Avenue of the Arts to view the Center in the context of the cityscape, and a tour of artworks on display throughout the Kimmel Center, including the Moore Galleries and the recently installed Percent for Art collection. Tours are led by experienced volunteer guides and are free of charge. This tour is approximately 90 minutes in duration.
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