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@KimmelCenter expands FREE programming with weekly gospel performances from regional choirs in Commonwealth Plaza throughout the holiday season, running 11/30 – 12/22. More info @ kimmelcenter.org.
Press Contact:
Lauren Woodard
215-790-5835
LWoodard@kimmelcenter.org
FOLLOWING SELL-OUT OF ANNUAL PHILLY-FAVORITE,
A SOULFUL CHRISTMAS, IN RECORD TIME,
KIMMEL CENTER CULTURAL CAMPUS ANNOUNCES
FREE GOSPEL ON THE PLAZA CHOIR PERFORMANCES
THROUGH HOLIDAY
Local choirs take the Commonwealth Plaza stage
for five new, weekly, community performances,
November 30 – December 22, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Philadelphia, PA, October 23, 2019) – Following the sell-out of annual Philadelphia-favorite and 6th consecutive A Soulful Christmas in record-breaking time, the Kimmel Center Cultural Campus announces Gospel on the Plaza, a series of FREE Gospel performances by Philadelphia choirs on the Commonwealth Plaza stage throughout the holiday season. Performances begin Saturday, November 30 and run through Sunday, December 22. All hour-long concerts will be full of Gospel favorites and sounds of the seasons, featuring local choirs every week, with specific choirs to be announced at a later date.
“The selling out of A Soulful Christmas further emphasizes that there is a strong appetite for Gospel programming on our Cultural Campus,” said Anne Ewers, President & CEO of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. “That’s why in 2018 we partnered with WDAS for a FREE community broadcast of A Soulful Christmas, furthering our commitment to the Philadelphia-area faith community. The FREE Gospel expansion is an added invitation for guests to experience additional family-friendly programming.”
“As part of our ongoing commitment to engage guests with interactive, experimental, and accessible programming in our Commonwealth Plaza and beyond, Gospel on the Plaza is an opportunity for our Cultural Campus to extend the reach of one of our most beloved annual events,” said Ed Cambron, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. “FREE programming makes our monthly programs so accessible, from the Latin music & dance party La NOCHE, to PNC Grow Up Great for our littlest musical theater & jazz lovers, to experiencing new artists at Sittin’ In.”
The Kimmel Center Cultural Campus has a commitment to serving the diverse and inclusive communities of the Greater Philadelphia area all year long. Recognizing diversity is a major strength of the region, the Kimmel Center is dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels welcome and valued onstage and off. Designed to reflect the broad and diverse interests of Philadelphia audiences, FREE programming ranges from jazz to Latin music, Broadway showtunes to organ demonstrations, community chat-backs to seasonal happenings. For additional & the most up-to-date information on these FREE events or any Kimmel Center Cultural Campus event, please visit www.kimmelcenter.org.
In its 7th year, A Soulful Christmas brings together regional choristers for an uplifting communal gathering of holiday spirituals and gospel favorites, honoring Reverend Dr. Norman Hutchins and led by Artistic & Music Director Dr. J. Donald Dumpson. Last year’s A Soulful Christmas performance was further distributed throughout the region in a FREE broadcast on Christmas Day, produced in partnership with WDAS. The Kimmel Center Cultural Campus is committed to continuing this tradition, expanding the reach of the successful event, and is looking for a 2019 broadcast partner.
Other featured upcoming performances at the Kimmel Center Cultural Campus include: The Kingdom Choir(November 1, 2019, Merriam Theater), Black Violin: Impossible Tour (November 8, 2019, Academy of Music), and A Soulful Christmas (December 10, 2019, Verizon Hall).
GOSPEL ON THE PLAZA
Kimmel Center Cultural Campus’ Commonwealth Plaza
Saturday, November 30, 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 4, 6:00 p.m.
Friday, December 13, 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 17, 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 22, 6:00 p.m.
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.kimmelcenter.org.
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