Summer is here and the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is keeping it fresh indoors with a continued line-up of sizzling FREE @ the Kimmel and ticketedperformances.
The Kimmel Center’s Commonwealth Plaza is the perfect location for gathering among friends and family to experience some of the popular Free @ the Kimmel programming, such as Sittin’ In Jazz Jams,and PNC Grow Up Great musical theater series. Urban dwellers may also experience a free folkloric Latino celebration and an interactive, innovative performance work in SEI Innovation Studio this summer.
“In the spirit of summertime celebration, we are bringing the party indoors at the Kimmel Center,” said Kimmel Center President and CEO Anne Ewers. “The summer season offers unique opportunities to engage Philly’s diverse community with more intimate performances by local Philly artists in our public spaces, in addition to introducing audiences to new, experimental work in SEI Innovation Studio.”
Sittin’ In Jazz Jam offers free entertainment on Wednesday, July 15 featuring pianist-organist-composer Luke O’Reilly with Philly Voices. Part jazz jam, the session features the hottest talent on the scene and morphs into a dance party and live showcase with a blend of edgy horns, choice vinyl, cutting edge emcee Ciarra,and The IIIVibe Collective. Philly-based vocalist Lee Mo will also join in the jam session, infusing it with gospel, jazz, and soul influences. Then on Wednesday, August 12, emerging electro-pop artist and singer-songwriter Kate Faust continues Sittin’ In as the host of the party.
The summer gets muy caliente with the Philly ¡En Vivo! free performance of Songs You Left Behind in SEI Innovation Studio on Friday, July 17. This informal evening of music and dialogue celebrates the cultural legacies of six Hispanic nations: Colombia, Dominican Republic, Panama, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela. Local community leaders will share the memories and songs they hold close to their hearts, and will invite audiences to join the conversation. Attendees will experience the folkloric music that reminds them of home, wherever that home might be. To reserve a free ticket, click here.
On Saturday, July 18, Philadelphia Dance Projects presents New York-based dancer and performance artist niv Acosta in SEI Innovation Studio. In his new serial performance work DISCOTROPIC (2015), niv Acosta explores the relationship between “science fiction, disco, astrophysics, and the black American experience.” This unique “informance” will be a special open participatory rehearsal, where the audience can choose to participate in the performance of the work, DISCOTROPIC: Ep. 1 train dance. A conversation with niv Acosta will follow, moderated by local choreographer Gregory Holt.
Families are invited to add PNC Grow Up Great to their summer fun on Saturday, July 25 and Saturday, August 15 in Commonwealth Plaza. Grow Up Great introduces children to the vibrant world of musical theater with singing, acting, dancing, and storytelling. Exciting guest artists will perform songs from Great American Songbook, ranging from Rodgers & Hammerstein to Porter and Gershwin. This interactive program explores children’s creativity as singing snowflakes, ducklings, shooting stars, and everything in between.
Audiences of all ages can also beat the summer heat by exploring “Fred” in Verizon Hall for a special 15-minute organ demo during the 1 p.m. free building tour on Saturday, July 25 and Saturday, August 8. Top organists from the American Guild of Organists perform and share the intricacies of The Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ, the largest mechanical action pipe organ in a concert venue in the United States. Visit kimmelcenter.org to plan your tour.
Below is complete list of new summer shows:
Songs You Left Behind
Presented by the Kimmel Center
SEI Innovation Studio
Friday, July 17 at 7 p.m.
FREE @ the Kimmel
*extremely limited availability
Philadelphia Dance Projects Presents niv Acosta
Presented by the Kimmel Center
DISCOTROPIC: Ep. 1 train dance
SEI Innovation Studio
Saturday, July 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Ticket price: $10
Sittin’ In Jam Session
Presented by the Kimmel Center
Commonwealth Plaza
Luke O’Reilly with Philly Voices, host
Wednesday, July 15 at 8 p.m.
Kate Faust, host
Wednesday, August 12 at 8 p.m.
FREE @ the Kimmel
PNC Grow Up Great
Presented by the Kimmel Center
Commonwealth Plaza
Saturday, July 25 at 11 a.m.
Saturday, August 15 at 11 a.m.
FREE @ the Kimmel
Organ Demonstrations
Presented by the Kimmel Center
Verizon Hall
Saturday, July 25 at 1 p.m.
Saturday, August 8 at 1 p.m.
FREE @ the Kimmel
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
Located in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia, The Kimmel Center’s mission is to operate a world-class performing arts center that engages and serves a broad audience through diverse programming, arts education, and community outreach. The Kimmel Center campus is comprised of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, SEI Innovation Studio, and the Merck Arts Education Center), the Academy of Music (owned by the Philadelphia Orchestra Association), and the University of the Arts Merriam Theater. TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, is the season sponsor of The Kimmel Center’s 2015-2016 Season. American Airlines is the official airline of Broadway Philadelphia. For additional information, visit kimmelcenter.org
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