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Get into the holiday spirit with the @KimmelCenter annual tradition, “A Soulful Christmas”! Hundreds of singers from the region gather in celebration, plus 2019 honoree Gospel icon Bishop Norman Hutchins. 12/10. More info @ KimmelCenter.org
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KIMMEL CENTER CULTURAL CAMPUS ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF
ANNUAL HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
A SOULFUL CHRISTMAS,
LED BY ARTISTIC & MUSIC DIRECTOR DR. J. DONALD DUMPSON
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019
AN INSPIRING, UPLIFTING GATHERING OF REGIONAL
CHURCH AND COMMUNITY CHOIRS
“The spiritual energy of the room was undeniable.”
– THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
“…a beloved holiday tradition.”
– CBS 3
“There is no better way to feel the Christmas spirit.”
– MAIN LINE TODAY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Philadelphia, PA, November 4, 2019) – The Kimmel Center Cultural Campus is delighted to announce the return of A Soulful Christmas in Verizon Hall on Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. For its 7th consecutive year, the event will continue the tradition of honoring a remarkable gospel leader; this year’s honoree is the nationally-recognized, award-winning gospel pioneer, Bishop Norman Hutchins. The event will be hosted by Philadelphia radio icons: WDAS’ Patty Jackson, WRNB’s Dyana Williams, and WNAP’s Fred Blain.
Artistic and music director Dr. J. Donald Dumpson returns to direct the inspiring, uplifting communal gathering of regional choristers and clergy, performing holiday spirituals and gospel favorites and inspirational messages of good-will. The group is comprised of hundreds of singers from regional churches, including Arch Street Presbyterian Church Choir, Citywide Praise Dancers, Deliverance Evangelistic Church, Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Mount Carmel Baptist Church, The Pennsylvania Commonwealth COGIC Mass Choir, The Philadelphia Heritage Chorale, Philadelphia Heritage Youth Chorale – including individuals from AIM Academy Choir, Kensington CAPA High School, Girard College, Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, and Kimmel Center Resident Company Opera Philadelphia’s T-VOCE – Saint Raymond’s of Penafort Catholic Church Choir, and Universal African Dancers and Drummers.
“Since its inception in 2012, the Kimmel Center Cultural Campus’ A Soulful Christmas has become a beloved tradition synonymous with the holidays in Philadelphia, and it’s no secret that this is one of my favorites,” said Anne Ewers, President and CEO of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. “Each year, this event is simply wondrous to behold. It is an honor to bring together performers from across Philadelphia to present an awe-inspiring experience unlike any other.”
Honoree Bishop Norman Hutchins is among those that not only share their talent, but also realizes his God-given purpose in using those talents to bless, encourage, inspire, and minister to countless hungry souls. Hutchins in no uncertain terms is more than an award-winning gospel artist. A masterful writer and producer, he has scored some of traditional gospel’s most noted albums over the years, including God’s Got A Blessing (With My Name On It!), Jesus I Love You, and Emmanuel, earning nominations from the Stellar, Grammy® and Dove Award academies in the process.
Hutchins is also a community leader, Pastor, and successful entrepreneur. Thirty years after receiving his Doctorate in Church Administration, Norman continues to share his vision and anointing as he meets the countless demands of preaching, teaching, and singing the Gospel of Jesus Christ worldwide.
Norman served as the Executive Minister of Music for West Angeles Church of God in Christ, Bishop Charles E. Blake, Pastor. Norman Hutchins is now one of the pioneer’s and legends of Gospel Music.
Other featured upcoming performances at the Kimmel Center Cultural Campus include: Black Violin: The Impossible Tour (November 8, 2019, Academy of Music), Béla Fleck & The Flecktones (December 3, 2019, Verizon Hall), A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage (December 20 – 21, 2019, Merriam Theater), and DRUMline Live (January 10-11, 2020, Merriam Theater).
A SOULFUL CHRISTMAS
Kimmel Center Cultural Campus’ Verizon Hall
December 10, 2019, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets
All available tickets have been sold for this performance. If you need additional assistance, please email patronservices@ticketphiladelphia.org. See www.kimmelculturalcampus.org for more information.
The Kimmel Center Cultural Campus
Located in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia, our mission is to engage the region’s diverse communities with art through performance and education. Our Cultural Campus serves more than 1 million guests per year and includes the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Academy of Music, and the Merriam Theater- representing more than 160 years of rich history for the performing arts along Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts. We are home to eight esteemed Resident Companies: The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Philadelphia, 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, we are the region’s most impactful performing arts center, and the second largest in the country. Our Cultural Campus serves as a preeminent and inclusive place to enjoy exceptional experiences that reflect the spirit of our region by cultivating a creative and socially-responsible environment where our community shares experiences that are delivered with pride, integrity, and respect. As a 501 c 3 nonprofit organization, we collaborate on, present, and produce a broad range of relevant and meaningful events, we serve as an active gathering space for social and community events, we educate the region’s young people through access to quality arts experiences, and we provide support to artists in the creation of new work. TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, is our proud sponsor of the Kimmel Center’s 2019-2020 Season. American Airlines is the official airline of Broadway Philadelphia. For additional information, visit www.kimmelculturalcampus.org.
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For a PDF version of this press release, click here.