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Annual @KimmelCC (Twitter) @KimmelCulturalCampus (Facebook/Instagram) #gala to take place June 8, supporting 100% free arts education programs, with performance by 10-time #Grammy winner @ChakaKhan and presentation of annual “Center Stage Award” to #Philadelphia philanthropist Brook J. Lenfest. More info @ kimmelculturalcampus.org
Press Contact:
Lauren (Woodard) Hall
484-832-1963 (c)
Lhall@kimmelcenter.org
KIMMEL CULTURAL CAMPUS TO HOST
GALA SUPPORTING 100% FREE ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS,
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2022
With R&B star Chaka Khan, 10-time Grammy Award winner
Second annual Center Stage Award will be presented to
Philadelphian and philanthropist, Brook J. Lenfest
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Philadelphia, PA, February 10, 2022) –– The Kimmel Cultural Campus announces an annual black-tie Gala on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, to raise funds to support FREE education and community programming, ensuring that all Philadelphians have access to the transformative power of the arts.
The Gala will be complete with a red-carpet welcome, celebratory cocktail reception, and dinner at the Kimmel Center, followed by a performance from 10-time Grammy Award winner Chaka Khan at 8:00 p.m. at the Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Academy of Music. During the highly anticipated Gala event, Brook J. Lenfest – Philadelphian, Chairman of NetCarrier, Inc., developer, real estate investor, Board Member of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc., and supporter of cultural institutions and education throughout the city – will be honored as the recipient of the Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Center Stage Award, presented by Keith Leaphart.
“The Center Stage Award celebrates Philadelphians making strides to promote positive change for the next generation through mentorship and a commitment to education,” said Matías Tarnopolsky, president and CEO of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc. “Our 2022 honoree, Brook J. Lenfest, understands the powerful and positive impact of arts education. Through his passionate support of cultural and educational institutions throughout the region, the youth of today have increased access to the transformative power of the arts.”
Funds raised at the Gala – honorarily chaired this year by Marguerite Lenfest – will continue to support the Kimmel Cultural Campus’ 5-year Strategic Growth education expansion plan, a program with a goal to expand 10-fold, educating, engaging, and inspiring 100,000 students per year by 2023. In-school, in-the-community, and digital programs focus on jazz, musical theater, and technology, while other opportunities provide a wide range of hands-on, in-depth experiences like matinees, student networking events, and neighborhood workshops. 100% supported by contributions, the Kimmel Cultural Campus offers access to quality arts experiences and multi-year opportunities to see, make, and understand the performing arts at the Kimmel Cultural Campus and in Philadelphia’s communities.
This annual Gala supports the Kimmel Cultural Campus in continuing to pursue its vision to transform lives daily through the arts.
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KIMMEL CULTURAL CAMPUS ANNUAL GALA
Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Commonwealth Plaza & Academy of Music
Kimmel Center – 300 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19102
Academy of Music – 240 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Wednesday, June 8, 2022
- 4:45 p.m. – Advance red-carpet interviews, by request
- 5:00 p.m. – Red carpet VIP guest arrivals, cocktails, and hors d’ oeuvres
- 6:00 p.m. – Dinner; A private, casual dinner will be provided for media
- 7:15 p.m. – Presentation of the Center Stage Award to Brook Lenfest
- 7:30 p.m. – Event attendees depart for Chaka Khan performance at Academy of Music
- 8:00 p.m. – Chaka Khan performance begins at the Academy of Music
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About Brook J. Lenfest
Brook Lenfest serves as Chairman of NetCarrier, Inc., a leading integrated communications service provider. Mr. Lenfest is an accomplished real estate investor and developer with projects in Pennsylvania, Florida, Wyoming, and Barbados. He is also a venture capital investor and serves on the Board of multiple companies.
Mr. Lenfest's conviction to giving back to the local community is focused through educational and cultural support. The Brook J. Lenfest Foundation is a charitable foundation established by Brook J. Lenfest in 2000. It is dedicated to making people aware of positive life choices and providing support and opportunities for those motivated to pursue them. In keeping with its mission, the Foundation focuses mainly on education, job training, and mentoring programs. Through his Foundation Mr. Lenfest is the lead and founding funder of Mastery Charter Schools and has scholarship programs at Pennsylvania State and Temple Universities in cooperation with Mastery Charter Schools and Philadelphia Futures.
Mr. Lenfest is a competitive sailor and avid art collector, with particular expertise in the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist schools. His contributions to the Philadelphia Museum of Art are part of the museum's permanent collections. Mr. Lenfest resides with his wife, Anna, in the suburbs of Philadelphia.
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About Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan is one of the world’s most gifted and celebrated music icons. A singer, songwriter, actor, author, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and activist, Chaka has influenced generations of music creators during her four decades as an artist. A ten-time GRAMMY® Award winner, she has the rare ability to sing in a number of musical genres, including R&B, pop, rock, gospel, country, world music, and classical. She is revered by millions of fans as well as her peers for her timeless, unmatched vocal style and image. The late, great Miles Davis noted that Chaka “sings like my horn.” And none other than the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, has said that Chaka “is a one-of-a-kind, premier vocalist.”
During her legendary career, Chaka has released 22 albums and racked up ten Number One songs on the Billboard charts, seven RIAA-certified gold singles, and ten RIA-certified gold and platinum albums. Chaka’s recordings have resulted in more than 2,000 catalog song placements.
“I am so humbled by the love, support and gracious spirit of my fans worldwide and the continuous support my peers have shown over the years,” says Chaka. “Throughout my career, I have been through the fire a few times over and I’m still here as a living testament to God’s love and grace.”
Still at the height of her astounding vocal powers, Chaka Khan is creating new projects and earning new honors. Her latest single “Like Sugar” has earned high marks from tastemakers; the track is from her brand-new album-length project Hello Happiness, from the first quarter of 2019. In addition, Chaka made history once again, as she was named Grand Marshal of the 2019 Tournament of Roses Parade, making her not only the first African American Grand Marshal in the traditional New Year’s Day celebration’s 130-year history, but the first Grand Marshal to perform during the parade.
Chaka Khan has received a steady stream of accolades for both her artistry and philanthropy. Her awards include the Soul Train Legend Award (2009), the BET Lifetime Achievement Award (2006), the GRAMMY® Honors Award from the NARAS Chicago Chapter (2006), and the World Music Award Lifetime Achievement Award (2003). Previously nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame four times – twice as a solo artist and twice with Rufus – she was nominated again as a 2019 inductee candidate.
To learn more about Chaka Khan’s career, visit her website at https://chakakhan.com
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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.
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 5, effective January 17; children under 5 will be required to show a negative PCR test or negative rapid result. While rapid tests (taken within 48 hours of event) are accepted, PCR tests are preferred (taken within 72 hours of event). Our position on vaccine mandates for children under the age of 5 may change as the larger population gets vaccinated.
This policy is subject to change based upon guidance from the CDC and local health authorities. For more information on our Safe & Clean Commitment and the most up-to-date information about our policies, please visit kimmelculturalcampus.org.
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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