December "Free at the Kimmel" Offers Something for Everyone
December 3, 2008
Tuba Christmas
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 December 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 December 2008:
Saturday, December 6, 2008 | 11am
Commonwealth Plaza | PNC Grow up Great
Leana Song
Join us as members of this diverse ensemble teach African rhythms to scores of Philly youth, spreading awareness of the world’s rhythm. This is the third performance in the PNC Grow Up Great series which presents child-friendly programming at 11am on the first Saturday of every month in Commonwealth Plaza, unless otherwise noted. Visit www.kimmelcenter.org/family for more information.
Saturday, December 6, 2008 | 6pm
Commonwealth Plaza | Free at the Kimmel
ArtJaz Gallery Exhibit
Experience the messages of jazz and more in this exhibit of paintings and mixed media. The exhibit will be featured in Commonwealth Plaza prior to the ticketed performance by the Fred Hersch Trio, part of the Jazz Up Close Series in Perelman Theater.
Monday, December 8, 2008 | 6:30pm
Commonwealth Plaza | Free at the Kimmel
Gloria Galante Trio
Join us for a free musical performance by the Gloria Galante Trio featuring harp, percussion and bass on the Commonwealth Plaza stage prior to the ticketed performance by Daniel Barenboim in Verizon Hall.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 | 6:30pm and Post-show
Commonwealth Plaza | Free at the Kimmel
Swaray African Safari Ensemble
In Partnership with the African Cultural Alliance of North America
Join us for a free musical performance by the Swaray African Safari Ensemble
in the Commonwealth Plaza prior to and following the ticketed performance by the Soweto Gospel Choir in Verizon Hall. The Swaray African Ensemble will lift spirits with their soulful voices of African praise.
Saturday, December 13, 2008 | Noon
Commonwealth Plaza | Free at the Kimmel
Kimmel Center Youth Jazz Ensemble’s Winter Concert
The Kimmel Center Youth Jazz Ensemble introduces a professional-level musical experience to gifted young artists providing them the opportunity to train with accomplished jazz musicians and teachers, and to perform in the Kimmel Center and its concert halls. Join us as these students perform their first concert of the season!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008 | 6:30pm
Commonwealth Plaza | Free at the Kimmel
Marc Silver & The Stonethrowers
Join us for a free musical performance by Marc Silver & The Stonethrowers on the Commonwealth Plaza Stage prior to the ticketed performance by Béla Fleck & the Flecktones in Verizon Hall. "A little bit of folk, a little bit of country and a whole lot of three-part harmonies add up to make this a band you don’t want to miss."—Philadelphia Metro
Wednesday, December 17, 2008 | 5:30pm
Broad Street Entrance | Free at the Kimmel
Temple University Horns
The Kimmel Center will host Temple University Horns as part of the annual Center City District lighting of the Avenue of the Arts. The streets will be filled with breathtaking bursts of color on and ongoing entertainment and food. Members of the Temple University Horn ensemble will perform classical and holiday traditional selections in front of the Kimmel Center's Broad Street entrance.
Saturday, December 20, 2008 | 12:30pm
Commonwealth Plaza | Free at the Kimmel
TUBACHRISTMAS
Toot your own horn at the seventh annual TUBACHRISTMAS celebration in the Kimmel Center’s Commonwealth Plaza, as part of the Free at the Kimmel series. The holidays come to life as over 50 regional tuba and euphonium players join together to perform holiday classics free to the public and for all ages.
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 December 24, 25 or 31.
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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