Celebrate Hispanic Heritage All Season Long at The Kimmel Center with ON YOUR FEET! and More
By: BWW News Desk Sep. 15, 2017
The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is happy to announce season-long programming to celebrate the traditions and vibrancy of Latino culture in Philadelphia and beyond, kicking off during Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15, 2017).
Beginning with the premiere of the Center's brand new, free monthly Latin Music Series La NOCHE on Monday, September 18, Kimmel Center audiences are invited to experience dance, song, storytelling, and invaluable artistic contributions from across the Latin community throughout the year.
"We are thrilled to launch our brand new program La NOCHE during Hispanic Heritage Month," said Anne Ewers, President & CEO of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. "This program perfectly reflects our mission to bring broad and diverse, culturally-significant programming to our Kimmel Center Cultural Campus for the people of Philadelphia."
In addition to the monthly La NOCHE, free programming includes Songs You Left Behind, an evening of songs and storytelling (Saturday, October 7, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.), and the Kimmel Center's Three Kings Day holiday tradition (Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 5:00 p.m.). Other upcoming offerings include internationally-known musicians: singer Lila Downs (Sunday, October 22, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.); ensemble Juan De Marcos and the Afro-Cuban All Stars (Friday, January 12, 2018 at 8:00 p.m.); global phenomenon Tango Fire dance troupe led by superstar German Cornejo (Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at 8 p.m.); and the Broadway sensation sweeping the nation, On Your Feet: The Emilio and Gloria Estefan Story (April 10-15, 2018, at the Academy of Music).
Below are more details on the list of Hispanic Heritage offerings on the Kimmel Center Campus:
LA NOCHE (FREE)
Commonwealth Plaza
Monthly
La NOCHE is the Kimmel Center's new monthly free Latino Music Series, supported by PNC Arts Alive. One Monday per month, the Kimmel Center will open its doors to music and dancing for all of the Philadelphia Latino communities. Local musicians perform during the first hour, followed by rotating guest groups. The program kicks off Monday, September 18 with special guest Ocho Ocho Ocho.
8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.: The La NOCHE Band, led by master percussionist Arturo Stable, plays the Kimmel Center's version of Philly Latino Rhythm and Funk. The audience is greeted by Dance Host Kevin Ngo who inspires people to get up and move to the beats of salsa, bachata, rumba, and more.
9:00 p.m.: High-energy performance from guest bands featuring the best of what Latino music sounds like today: Ocho Ocho Ocho (9/18) & Battle of Santiago (10/2).
SONGS YOU LEFT BEHIND (FREE)
SEI Innovation Studio
October 7, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.
Songs You Left Behind is an opportunity for representatives from many Latino nations to share the pride of their homeland in the community. Now in its fourth year, returning favorite Songs You Left Behind honors representatives from various Latino cultures as they share songs and stories. Set in the Kimmel Center's intimate black box SEI Innovation Studio, the event reflects the important idea that songs from one's homeland are a source of pride and mean something. Wherever we're from, we all have songs that remind us of where we are from. This is the music of our childhood, sung by our families and neighbors, on the radio, and in our homes.
LILA DOWNS
Merriam Theater
October 22, 2017, 7:00 p.m.
Grammy and Latin Grammy Award-winning singer and activist Lila Downs will take to the Merriam Theater stage on Sunday, October 22, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. following the release of her latest album Salón Lágrimas y Deseo. Downs' performance bridges a variety of musical genres as she blends sounds learned during her dual upbringing in the American Midwest and Mexico. Her music mixes jazz, hip-hop, blues, and folk with South American and Mexican roots. Focusing her lyrics on the human condition and the fight of many for civil liberties, Downs is known as "Beyoncé as Sasha Fierce" (SF Weekly), producing music that "is a true original." (NPR).
THREE KINGS DAY
in collaboration with the Consulate of Mexico and the Mexican Cultural Center
Commonwealth Plaza
January 6, 2018, 5:00 p.m.
The Mexican Consulate and the Mexican Cultural Center invite you to celebrate one of Mexico's most popular holidays. Bring your family and join us for a reenactment of the story of the Three Wise Men. Enjoy an evening of activities, piñatas and a piece of traditional "Rosca de Reyes" bread.
JUAN DE MARCO AND THE AFRO-CUBAN ALL STARS
Merriam Theater
January 12, 2017, 8:00 p.m.
The Afro-Cuban All Stars (ACAS) is a unique orchestra; devoted to promoting the complete story of Cuban music. With each show the orchestra exposes Cuba's rich musical history interpreting all of its musical genres. Since their inception, many of the Afro Cuban All Stars' musicians have become international super stars, including the brilliant performers Ruben Gonzalez, Guillermo Rubalcava, and Manuel "The Guajiro" Mirabal.
TANGO FIRE
Merriam Theater
January 31, 2018
The art of Tango has never been so superb and dynamic, with multiple sell out performances across the globe over the past 12 years and a YouTube audience in excess of 20 million people worldwide, German Cornejo's extraordinary choreography and vision has captured the world's imagination. German Cornejo's Tango Fire encompasses and defines all that is Argentine Tango; dancing which sizzles with sensuality, accompanied by the unforgettable music and song of the great Tango masters including Piazzolla, Pugliese, and Gardel. As one of the world's most popular dance forms, this exhilarating show combines the rawness and sophistication, seductive and sultry side of Tango, evoking the intoxicating passion of late night Buenos Aires.
ON YOUR FEET!
Academy of Music
April 10-15, 2018
From their humble beginnings in Cuba, Emilio and Gloria Estefan came to America and broke through all barriers to become a crossover sensation at the very top of the pop music world. But just when they thought they had it all, they almost lost everything. From international superstardom to life-threatening tragedy, On Your Feet! takes you behind the music and inside the real story of this record-making and groundbreaking couple who, in the face of adversity, found a way to end up on their feet. Directed by two-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots), with choreography by Olivier Award winner Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys) and an original book by Academy Award winner Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman), On Your Feet! features some of the most iconic songs of the past quarter-century - and one of the most inspiring stories in music history. The Kimmel Center is a co-producer of One Your Feet! through the Independent Presenters Network.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, online at kimmelcenter.org, or at the Kimmel Center Box Office. Group sales are available for groups of 10 or more and can be purchased by calling 215-790-5883. See kimmelcenter.org for more information.
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 Merriam Theater. The Kimmel Center is also home to eight Resident Companies: The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Philadelphia, The Pennsylvania Ballet, The Philly POPS, PHILADANCO, The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and Curtis Institute of Music. With nearly 9,000 seats per night, The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is the region's most impactful performing arts center, and the second largest in the country. TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is the season sponsor of the Kimmel Center's 2017-2018 Season. American Airlines is the official airline of Broadway Philadelphia. For additional information, visit kimmelcenter.org.
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