Kimmel Center Continues Summertime Series This Month

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 ticketed performances.

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 Behindin 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 workDISCOTROPIC (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 andSaturday, 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.

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