Kimmel Center Announces New Programming for PIFA

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts announces new programming added to the 2018 Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA) lineup.

The Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia will perform a world premiere, reimagined jazz arrangement of Gustav Holst's The Planets conducted by Terell Stafford. It will be accompanied by spectacular images from NASA in The Planets: An HD Odyssey that will be projected on one large screen in Verizon Hall. Rare Essence, Washington, DC's premier Go-Go band for more than four decades, will perform an explosive high energy, dance throw down PIFA edition of the free program Sittin' In; and TILT Lampshade Bouquets - the beautiful and colorful Commonwealth Plaza installation from the French artistic studio. The 11-day festival is packed with more than 50 performances ranging from music and dance to 360-degree immersive spectacle experiences, and will attract regional visitors to Philadelphia from Thursday, May 31 through Sunday, June 10.

"Since its inception, the keys to The Kimmel Center's Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA) have been creativity, innovation, and community," said Anne Ewers, President and CEO of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. "We are so proud to see and hear our beloved Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia perform a world premiere arrangement of this iconic symphony."

Here is more detailed information about the new performances being announced today:

The Planets: An HD Odyssey featuring the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia

After the Houston Symphony's wildly popular UK tour that The Guardian called "an experience that is genuinely out of this world," the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia, conducted by Terell Stafford, will perform a world premiere jazz arrangement of Gustav Holst's The Planets alongside the Duncan Copp film The Planets: An HD Odyssey. Thanks to NASA and Jet Propulsion Laboratories, The Planets: An HD Odyssey features incredible images from space showing audiences up close and extraordinary views of our Solar System. Performed by a live Jazz Orchestra for the first time, experience the stunning sights of Mars, Mercury, Saturn, and more, with a live jazz soundtrack arranged by Joseph Block, a former student of the Kimmel Center's own Creative Music Program (Venus), Todd Bashore (Mars & Mercury), Jack Saint Clair (Jupiter), Mark Allen (Saturn & Uranus), and Nick Lombardelli (Neptune).

Rare Essence

Rare Essence, Washington, DC's premier Go?Go band for more than four decades, is an institution that has built a devoted fan base that spans multiple generations. They were dubbed "The Wickedest Band Alive" by rap pioneer Doug E. Fresh. During PIFA 2018, Rare Essence comes together in the Kimmel Center's Commonwealth Plaza to perform an explosive high energy, dance throw down PIFA edition of the free monthly program Sittin' In where guests are invited to rock out and relive the sounds that have been fueling dance parties for over 40 years!

TILT Lampshade Bouquets

French Studio TILT has been creating gorgeous large scale spectacles since its formation in 2001. Producing creative installations for various events worldwide, TILT will dazzle audiences with its Bouquet d'abat-jours (Lampshade bouquets) for the 2018 Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts. During the three previous PIFAs, the Kimmel Center's Commonwealth Plaza welcomed visitors to experience the magnificent light show from the Eiffel Tower, the 100-foot-long, 16-foot-wide time machine, and the beautifully choreographed live performance around The Kinetic Tree. Throughout PIFA 2018, Commonwealth Plaza will feature six beautiful, gigantic, and bright Lampshade Bouquets. There will be seating for guests to enjoy while they marvel in the beauty of these illuminated works of art.

Tickets to individual performances are on sale now and start at $19. Please check www.kimmelcenter.org/pifa for the most up-to-date pricing for each show. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.kimmelcenter.org/pifa or calling 215-893-1999.

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