A Philly POPS Christmas Decks The Halls of The Kimmel Center this December

Philly's favorite holiday tradition is back! KeyBank presents: A Philly POPS Christmas: Spectacular Sounds of the Season returns to the Kimmel Center stage with ten performances from December 1-22.

Music Director-Designate and former Radio City Christmas Spectacular conductor Todd Ellison makes his POPS Christmas debut by conducting an all-new, festive musical program, featuring the 65-piece POPS orchestra, Hamilton star Mandy Gonzalez, organist Peter Richard Conte, The Philly POPS Festival Chorus, the Philadelphia Boys Choir and the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas Gospel Choir.

The program features timeless pop and classic Christmas tunes, such as "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and "It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas," as well as exciting new tunes. During the show, Jeff Kern, Philly POPS choral director and head of vocal studies at University of the Arts, will present his original choral arrangement of "Sleigh Ride," written for 300 voices.

Mandy Gonzalez, currently taking a star turn in Hamilton on Broadway will lead the POPS' popular Christmas sing-along and "We Wish You A Merry Christmas." As a nod to her Latina heritage, she will also perform "Feliz Navidad" and "Remember Me" from Disney's Coco. Gonzalez will appear with the POPS during 6abc's Thanksgiving Day Parade, where she will sing "Remember Me" to a live and televised audience of over one million people. Learn more about Mandy's special appearance at the 6abc Thanksgiving Day Parade at 6abc.com/parade.

This year's pre-concert entertainment will be from the More.fm choir competition (12/5 & 12/12), Calli Graver (12/8), Clearview Choir (12/14) and HOME: The Andrew Jackson Rock Band (12/15). In anticipation of the concert, Mandy will be visiting local schools that are impacted by our POPS in Schoolsprogram.

This year, the POPS has designated the December 5 show a "Sensory Friendly" performance. Sensory Friendly performances create a welcoming environment for individuals and families who have sensory sensitivities, cognitive processing differences or anyone who may benefit from a relaxed performance environment. All are welcome to these performances.

During the Sensory Friendly performance:

• ?Lighting will be mid-level.
• Guests are invited to move, get up to walk around and be who they are.
• Guests are welcome to vocalize and enjoy the performance as they wish in a shush-free environment.
• A cool down space outside of Verizon Hall (two locations) will be provided with bean bag chairs where guests may take a break from sensory stimuli.
• Noise canceling headphones will be available through Art-Reach, and guests may also bring their own headphones. Amplified sound will be kept mid-level.
• Concert hall doors will remain open, so guests can come and go as they please.
• Fidget toys and sensory stress toys will be available. Guests are also welcome to bring additional manipulatives, cushions, and extra support or comfort objects to the concert.

"A Philly POPS Christmas has become a tradition for Philadelphia families," said Frank Giordano, President and CEO of The Philly POPS. "We kick off the holiday season for over 20,000 people annually with our one-of-a-kind Philly POPS holiday cheer. And with the addition of our Sensory Friendly show, we look forward to welcoming everyone to this wonderful holiday sensation."

The event is made possible by Presenting Sponsor KeyBank.

Tickets: $35-160

www.phillypops.org/christmas

Alongside these Christmas concerts, the POPS continues its Salute Series by presenting Comcast NBCUniversal's I'll Be Home for Christmas: A Salute to the Military and First Responders-the annual benefit concert where the POPS hosts 2,000 members of the military, police and fire departments and their families for an invite-only Christmas Spectacular. The evening also includes recognitions for the exemplary commitments of select service members. Tickets are not for sale to the public for that concert.

Photo Credit: Bachrach Photography

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