September 9, 2008
Pioneer Awards
Tonight the Kimmel Center hosts the Rhythm and Blues Foundation's 20th Anniversary Pioneer Awards. The blue carpet will be unrolled for the arrivals of this evening's stars, starting at 5pm. Here's a list of the some of the artists to be honored tonight:
Lifetime Achievement - CHAKA KHAN
Individual Artist Awards - TEENA MARIE, BILL WITHERS and SUGAR PIE DESANTO (read the Inquirer's profile of Sugar Pie DeSanto)
Group Awards - KOOL & THE GANG and THE WHISPERS
Sidemen Award - THE FUNK BROTHERS
Legacy Award - DONNY HATHAWAY
Leadership Award - AL BELL of STAX RECORDS
The evening's hosts include:
DIONNE WARWICK, BONNIE RAITT, JERRY BUTLER, & WAYNE BRADY
Let us know what you thought of the show. And if you took any pictures of the blue carpet arrivals, be sure to share them with the Kimmel Center's Flickr.
June 20, 2008
Summer Solstice Celebration 2008
I barely know where to start about Solstice 2008. Tomorrow, starting at 3pm (2:30pm, for the outdoor street festival) the Kimmel Center celebrates the longest day of the year. Take a look at the schedule for more information about the performances and artists, but this is one time I can confidently say, we've got something for everyone.
There's family entertainment all afternoon like Baby Loves Disco, Wii Bowling, and storytellers, and then there's music, dancing, Quizzo, a story slam, Spinderella, and much, much more all night. There will even be animals from the Philadelphia Zoo. Plus, an outdoor arts fair by InLiquid. And, of course, there's all kinds of music--opera, classical, jazz, world, taiko drummers, bagpipes.
I hope you managed to make it, and if you did, please share your experiences in the comment section. Check out the photos from Solstice 2007.
May 18, 2008
Christoph Eschenbach and Friends
The 2007/2008 season marks the end of Maestro Eschenbach's tenure as Music Director at the Philadelphia Orchestra. To mark this occasion and to celebrate the Maestro's time in Philadelphia, he will give a recital this afternoon, featuring the talents of many members of the Orchestra as well as soprano Rinat Shaham. Works will include Beethoven, Dvorák, Schoenberg, and Schumann, and Eschenbach will perform on the piano as well as conduct.
How was the recital?
May 16, 2008
Dan Zanes and Friends
Dan Zanes returns to the Kimmel Center with some friends for a Nighttime Pajama Party. Zanes has been making family music ever since he released Rocket Ship Beach in 2001. His recent album, Catch That Train! brings together the Kronos Quartet, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Father Goose, and children from South Africa's Agape Orphanage. Soon to be released is Zanes' Nueva York!, a collaboration with friends from the Latino world on family songs all sung in Spanish.
Hope you enjoyed the show!
May 3, 2008
Jazz Up Close: Western Europe
Tonight Danilo Pérez closes this season's Jazz Up Close series (Jazz Goes Global) by taking us to Spain to see how jazz and flamenco have melded and blended, creating a whole new style. Joined by guitarist Juanito Pascual, bassist John Patitucci and percussionist Jamey Haddad, Pérez shows us just how universal a language jazz has become.
How was the concert?
Note: Next year's Jazz Up Close will take a deep look at Miles Davis' Kind of Blue
May 2, 2008
Hairspray, May 2-4, 2008
This show has had an interesting life, from John Waters' original film to the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical to the 2007 hit film adaptation of the musical, Hairspray has been speaking (and singing) to audiences for twenty years. This weekend's touring production has heart to spare. I hope you'll let us know what you thought of the show.
April 29, 2008
Orchestre National de France
The Orchestre National de France makes its Kimmel Center debut tonight under the direction of Kurt Masur and featuring pianist David Fray. The program features two pieces by Beethoven as well as Dvorák's "New World" Symphony, notes on the program are available here.
How was the concert?
Edited to list encores:
End of first half, David Fray: Bach's Sarabande from from 6th Partita
End of concert: Dvorák: Slavonic Dance in H-Moll
April 28, 2008
Keyboard Conversations with Jeffrey Siegel
Tonight is Jeffrey Siegel's last concert in his Keyboard Conversations series. He will return again next season with three new concerts. To conclude this season, Mr. Siegel will perform an All-Liszt program.
April 25, 2008
Feist
Feist returns to the Academy tonight special guest Hayden. The last time Feist played the Academy, she was relatively unknown and opening for Bright Eyes. Now, she's winding up a huge year with The Reminder and the enormous hit "1-2-3-4."
For fun, here's a link to Feist and The Constantines performing "Islands in the Stream."
How was the rest of the show?
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
This weekend, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns to Philadelphia and celebrates their 50th Anniversary. Under the artistic direction of the legendary Judith Jamison (a Philadelphia native!), the company will perform some of the most famous works from their repertoire, like Revelations (Ailey's signature work), Love Stories (a collaboration with Philadelphia's Rennie Harris) and a new take on Firebird.
You can also read two conversations with Judith Jamison here.
How was the show?
April 19, 2008
The Movie Music of Spike Lee and Terence Blanchard
Terence Blanchard is a world-renowned film composer and trumpet player; he has scored eight of Spike Lee's films, including the recent acclaimed documentary, When the Levees Broke. Tonight's concert features Terence Blanchard and his Quintet performing music from Spike Lee's films, along with the talents of Patti Austin, Raul Midón, and Musiq Soulchild.
April 17, 2008
Dave Brubeck and Freddy Cole
Last night legendary jazzmen Dave Brubeck and Freddy Cole performed in Verizon Hall. Mr. Cole is the youngest child of the Cole family which included Nat "King" Cole. Growing up in Chicago, he remembers visits from Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Lionel Hampton. Freddy Cole eventually went on to study at Juilliard and earn his master's degree in music from the New England Conservatory.
Dave Brubeck has been recognized as a force in jazz for decades. He has performed and recorded with legends both young and old and was inducted into the International Jazz Hall of Fame in 1996. The Brubeck Institute in Stockton, California has as its mission to build on Dave Brubeck's legacy and his lifelong dedication to music, creativity, education, and the advancement of important social issues including civil rights, environmental concerns, international relations, and social justice.
What did you think of the show?
April 13, 2008
Jerry Blavat's Doo Wop Reunion
The Geator is back for a evening of street corner memories. Little Anthony and the Imperials, Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge, and Kenny Vance and the Planotones reprise their soulful hits. Due to illness, Harvey Fuqua of the Moonglows will not be performing.
How was the show? Did you feel like slow dancing?
April 12, 2008
Dame Gillian Weir, organ
This afternoon's organ concert is our last of the regular season, but please keep your ears open for news about a summer organ series happening in July. Dame Gillian Weir is making her Kimmel Center debut today, and exceptional artistry should bring the best sound from the Cooper Memorial organ. Dame Gillian is known for being the pre-eminent interpreter of Messiaen, and she was also the first solo recitalist in London's Royal Albert Hall following the organ's refurbishment. She has a long and acclaimed discography as well. I hope you'll tell us what you thought of the show.
Bonus: Here's a link to Dame Gillian's Pipedreams conversation just a few weeks ago.
April 9, 2008
Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
The most recorded chamber orchestra in the world, The Academy of St Martin in the Fields, performs tonight in Verizon Hall. The Academy is known for its Mozart recordings with Sir Neville Marriner including the multi award winning soundtrack to the film 'Amadeus'.
Sir Neville Marriner, the founder of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, will conduct tonight's performance. Sir Neville will be joined by twenty-one year-old pianist Yuja Wang who has firmly established herself as one of the most significant pianists of her generation. Wang is a Curtis Institute of Music senior who has already performed with the world’s leading orchestras including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, and the St. Petersburg Philharmonic.
What did you think of the show?
