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Celebrate the fusing of classical music and modern beats with Black Violin’s “Give Thanks” Tour @KimmelCC (Twitter)/@KimmelCulturalCampus (Facebook and Instagram) on 12/11. For more information, visit kimmelculturalcampus.org.
Press Contacts:
Lauren A. Hall Hannah Palermo
484-832-1963 267-765-3724
lhall@kimmelculturalcampus.org hpalermo@alliedglobalmarketing.com
KIMMEL CULTURAL CAMPUS PRESENTS
BLACK VIOLIN’S GIVE THANKS TOUR,
MIXING MODERN BEATS AND CLASSICAL MUSIC
DECEMBER 11, 2021
“Black Violin upends cultural and musical stereotypes... an unexpected blend of classically trained musicianship and hip-hop beats and inventiveness."
- The Miami Herald
"The duo elicits brilliant music with poignant messages for the world."
- Essence
“Their music will keep classical music alive for the next generation”
- NPR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 4, 2021) – The Kimmel Cultural Campus presents Black Violin: Give Thanks Tour in the Kimmel Cultural Campus’Merriam Theater on Saturday, December 11, 2021, at 8:00 p.m. In 2020, the hip-hop-meets-classical duo Black Violinreleased Give Thanks, their debut holiday album, produced by Phil Beaudreau. Give Thanks employs playful storytelling, whimsical strings, and hard-hitting rhythms to highlight the unifying pillars of the holiday season: giving back to others and being wholeheartedly thankful.
Deeply committed to the health and safety of guests, artists, and staff and proudly certified by GBAC, the gold standard for infection prevention programs, the Kimmel Cultural Campus is requiring masks to be worn at all times, as well as proof of vaccination for those over 12. Guests under 12 will be required to show a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of the event.
“We are committed to presenting an array of artists that reflect the broad and diverse interests of our communities,” said Matías Tarnopolsky, president and CEO of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc. “This holiday season, join us for the genre-bending Black Violin in a special performance highlighting themes of unity and thankfulness, reminding us all of how grateful we are to experience the arts, together, once again.”
Black Violin is led by classically trained string players Wil B. (viola) and Kev Marcus (violin). Joining them onstage are DJ SPS and drummer Nat Stokes. Attendees can expect to dance along to hits from the band’s Grammy nominated Take the Stairs album, as well as holiday favorites from their Give Thanks album.
Give Thanks follows Black Violin’s 2019 full-length Take the Stairs, which debuted in the top ten across multiple genre charts: #1 in Current Classical, #1 in Classical Crossover, #7 in Heatseekers, and #9 in Current R&B/Hip-Hop.
For 17 years, Black Violin has been merging string arrangements with modern beats and vocals. Members Kev Marcus and Wil Baptiste first met in orchestra class at Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, becoming classically trained on the violin and viola through their high school and college careers.
Other featured performances on the Kimmel Cultural Campus include PHILADANCO! Fast Forward… to the Future (December 10 – 12, 2021, Perelman Theater), A Soulful Christmas (December 14, 2021, Verizon Hall), STOMP (December 28, 2021 – January 2, 2022, Merriam Theater), and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (January 28 – 30, 2022, Academy of Music).
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999 or online at www.kimmelculturalcampus.org. In-person ticket sales can be conducted daily from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. at the Academy of Music Box Office, located at 240 S. Broad Street. See www.kimmelculturalcampus.org for more information.
BLACK VIOLIN: GIVE THANKS TOUR
Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Merriam Theater
December 11, 2021, 8:00 p.m.
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Safe & Clean Commitment + Flexible Ticket Policy
The Kimmel Cultural Campus is proudly certified by the Global Biorisk Advisory Council – the gold standard for cleaning, disinfection, and infection prevention programs.
We will always put the safety of our guests, artists, and staff first, and we have worked closely with partners, producers, artists, guests and other performing arts centers around the nation to develop the most comprehensive plan to safely reopen our doors. We are committing to a healthy and clean environment with increased disinfection, enhanced ventilation, and will enforce recommended health authority guidelines, including masks and proof of vaccination.
For more information on our Safe & Clean Commitment, please visit kimmelculturalcampus.org.
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Masks are required to be worn at all times when on the Kimmel Cultural Campus, except when actively consuming food or beverage in designated locations. Prolonged periods of mask removal are not permitted.
All attendees for public events must show proof of full vaccination at the time of entry, with valid photo ID and copy of vaccination card (physical or photo). Proof of negative COVID-19 tests will not be accepted, with the exception of children under the age of 12; children under 12 will be required to show a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of the event. This policy is subject to change based upon guidance from the CDC and local health authorities.
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KIMMEL 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 Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, and SEI Innovation Studio), 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 the proud Kimmel Cultural Campus Season Sponsor. Read Kimmel Cultural Campus' vision statement, world view, and mission statement here. Learn more about our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and how it encompasses our mission, co-workers, and programs here.
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For photography, please visit https://kcccpress.smugmug.com