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Holiday magic returns to @KimmelCC (Twitter) @KimmelCulturalCampus (Facebook/Instagram) with returning favorites and new traditions. The season of giving kicks off with @WMGK Turkey Drop and runs through @philorch #NewYearsEve celebration. Info at kimmelculturalcampus.org
Press Contacts:
Lauren A. Hall
484-832-1963
lhall@kimmelculturalcampus.org
CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS ON THE
KIMMEL CULTURAL CAMPUS WITH A MAGICAL LINEUP OF EVENTS
AND GIFT IDEAS FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST
From vibrant sounds of The Philadelphia Orchestra to genre-defying hip-hop violinists, and the tradition of A Soulful Christmas and George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 11, 2021) – The Kimmel Cultural Campus celebrates the holiday season safely and with an array of offerings, designed to appeal to a range of ages and artistic tastes, alongside The Philadelphia Orchestra and the Campus’ esteemed Resident Companies.
“Holiday celebrations across the world all have something in common: togetherness,” said Matías Tarnopolsky, president and CEO of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc. “As our neighbors across Philadelphia gather together safely with family and friends once again, we embrace being a ‘home for the holidays’ for moments of shared joy, filling our city with vibrant cultural experiences that foster a spirit of giving and inclusivity.”
The seasonal celebration kicks off with the annual WMGK John DeBella Turkey Drop, taking place across the region and broadcasting live from the front of the Kimmel Center on Broad Street (November 23). Later that week, Broadway returns to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway with the 6ABC Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade (November 25), with performances from an array of Campus programs, including Anastasia (November 23 – 28), Beautiful – The Carole King Musical (February 22 – 27), and Philadelphia Ballet.
Returning to the stage is the annual A Philly POPS Christmas: Spectacular Sounds of the Season (December 4 – 18), led by Music Director and Principal Conductor David Charles Abell, with West End & Broadway star Scarlett Strallen and Philadelphia native & Broadway legend Hugh Panaro. Philadelphia Ballet’s George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® (December 10 – 31) takes the stage at the Academy of Music, while The Philadelphia Orchestra presents several holiday-related events, featuring Holiday Organ Celebration (December 5); Family Christmas Favorites (December 18 – 25), Messiah (December 22 – 23); The Glorious Sound of Christmas® (December 16 – 21); and the annual New Year’s Celebration (December 31 – January 2).
A beloved holiday favorite returns to the Campus' Merriam Theater this year in A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage! (December 4). Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and the whole Peanuts gang produce their own Christmas play, ultimately learning the true meaning of the season. Classically trained string instrumentalists Black Violin return with the Give Thanks Tour (December 11), featuring a performance lineup of songs focused on giving back to others and being wholeheartedly thankful, while The Hot Sardines bring yuletide classics to the Perelman Theater stage with Holiday Stomp (December 2). Beloved annual holiday celebration, A Soulful Christmas, returns to Verizon Hall (December 14), under the direction of Soulful’s Creator, Artistic & Music director Dr. J. Donald Dumpson, for a joyful evening of gospel music and beloved holiday songs; more intimate this year to ensure the health and safety of participating artists, this year’s special guest & honoree is Kathy Taylor, Texas-based gospel singer and Minister of Music. And fan-favorite Tuba Christmas returns (December 12), the FREE gathering featuring regional tuba, sousaphone, and euphonium players, this year taking place at Cherry Street Pier.
With something for arts lovers of all ages, the Kimmel Cultural Campus is deeply committed to the health and safety of guests, artists, and staff and proudly certified by GBAC, the gold standard for infection prevention programs. Masks are required to be worn at all times while on Campus, and proof of vaccination alongside photo ID must be provided for those over 12. Guests under 12 will be required to show a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of an event.
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BELOW IS A FULL, DETAILED LIST OF HOLIDAY-RELATED PROGRAMMING ON THE KIMMEL CULTURAL CAMPUS:
20TH ANNUAL WMGK JOHN DEBELLA TURKEY DROP
November 23, 2021, 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. • Kimmel Cultural Campus’ outside Broad Street doors of Kimmel Center
Hosted in partnership with John DeBella and set up in front of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, all are invited to bring monetary or frozen turkey donations in support of CityTeam, ensuring fellow Philadelphians will receive a Thanksgiving meal this year; FREE hot chocolate and hot coffee will be provided by Garces Events.
6ABC DUNKIN’ THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE
November 25, 2021, 8:30 a.m. (Performance times vary) • Benjamin Franklin Parkway
This annual Philadelphia tradition will feature appearances from upcoming Broadway 2021-22 shows, including Anastasia (coming to the Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Merriam Theater, November 23 – 28, 2021), Beautiful – The Carole King Musical (coming to the Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Academy of Music, February 22 – 27, 2022), and Resident Company Philadelphia Ballet.
THE HOT SARDINES: HOLIDAY STOMP
December 2, 2021, 8:00 p.m. • Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Perelman Theater
Ring in the holiday season at The Hot Sardines Holiday Stomp. Full of brass and dazzle, the hot jazz band will infuse Yuletide classics with their unique and swinging sound. Energized arrangements of holiday tunes include: “White Christmas,” “Santa Claus Got Stuck in My Chimney,” and “Please Come Home for Christmas.”
Over the last few years, The Hot Sardines have emerged from the Brooklyn neo-speakeasies where they got their start to make a global name for themselves playing hot jazz as it was in the era when live music was king, bridging generations and captivating 21st-century audiences. The group, led by frontwoman Elizabeth Bougerol and piano player Evan Palazzo, has been described as “potent and assured” (The New York Times) and “simply phenomenal” (The Times of London), notching more than a year on the Billboard Jazz chart and 25 million streams on Spotify (over 90 countries).
The Hot Sardines have released two albums on Universal Music Classics to rave reviews and a No. 1 slot on the iTunes Jazz chart in the U.S. and internationally. These mischief-makers of hot jazz have been described as “one of the best jazz bands in New York today" by Forbes.
The Hot Sardines Holiday Stomp is part of the Kimmel Cultural Campus’ 2021-22 Jazz Series.
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS LIVE ON STAGE
December 4, 2021, 1:30 p.m. & 5:00 p.m. • Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Merriam Theater
Everyone’s favorite holiday classic comes to life in the touring production A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage! Join Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and the whole Peanuts gang as they produce their own Christmas play and ultimately learn the true meaning of the season. A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage is a present the whole family can enjoy!
Adapted from Charles M. Schulz’s timeless story of the spirit of Christmas, A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage features the unforgettable music of Vince Guaraldi, as well as a concert of beloved holiday carols performed by the Peanuts characters. There’s no better way to discover the magic of the season!
A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage is part of the Kimmel Cultural Campus Family Discovery Series, sponsored by Dietz & Watson.
A PHILLY POPS CHRISTMAS: SPECTACULAR SOUNDS OF THE SEASON!
The Philly POPS
December 4 –18, 2021, Times Vary. • Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Verizon Hall
All the glitter and warmth of Philly’s favorite holiday tradition is back for another dazzling season! It’s Philly’s favorite holiday tradition — this year featuring Music Director and Principal Conductor David Charles Abell, West End & Broadway star Scarlett Strallen, and Philadelphia native and Broadway legend Hugh Panaro! The POPS is back for another unforgettable holiday celebration! This year’s program will also feature the young virtuoso pianist Charlie Albright, whose excitable, energetic style is sure to wow.
This all-new original program will feature the perennial POPS favorites: The Philly POPS Festival Chorus, The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas Gospel Choir, and The Philadelphia Boys Choir for another can’t-miss holiday extravaganza.
HOLIDAY ORGAN CELEBRATION
The Philadelphia Orchestra
December 5, 2021, 2 p.m. • Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Verizon Hall
The iconic Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ fills Verizon Hall with the rich sound of the holiday season, joined by musicians of The Philadelphia Orchestra for an afternoon of Christmas favorites.
GEORGE BLANCHINE’S THE NUTCRACKER®
Philadelphia Ballet
December 10 – 31, 2021, Times Vary • Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Academy of Music
It simply isn’t the holidays without a trip to the Academy of Music for a performance of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®. For decades, this amazing production has been Philadelphia’s most beloved holiday tradition. Set to Tchaikovsky’s famous score, the incredible dancing and lavish sets and costumes bring to life the story of a young girl’s magical dream – a dream that never loses its appeal.
BLACK VIOLIN: GIVE THANKS TOUR
December 11, 2021, 8:00 p.m. • Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Merriam Theater
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. For 17 years, Black Violin has been merging string arrangements with modern beats and vocals and building bridges in communities along the way.
The band’s Give Thanks Tour employs playful storytelling, whimsical string melodies, and hard-hitting beats to highlight the unifying pillars of the holiday season: Giving back to others and being wholeheartedly thankful. Fans 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.
TUBA CHRISTMAS
December 12, 2021, 1:30 p.m. • Cherry Street Pier
There’s nothing more comforting than hearing the holiday classics. This December, the holidays come to life as regional tuba, sousaphone, and euphonium players join together in a FREE performance for people of all ages. Additional details to be announced at a later date.
A SOULFUL CHRISTMAS
December 14, 2021, 7:30 p.m. • Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Verizon Hall
The Kimmel Cultural Campus’ beloved annual holiday celebration, A Soulful Christmas, returns, with the joyful evening of gospel music and beloved holiday songs. To ensure the health and safety of participating artists, the event will be more intimate- with a smaller number of singers participating socially distanced on an extended stage inside its Verizon Hall.
The performance will feature the Heritage Chorale, under the direction of Soulful’s Creator, Artistic & Music director Dr. J. Donald Dumpson, as well as community and church-based choirs. This year’s show features the Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ and the Finale of Lights.
The honoree/special guest for this year’s concert is Kathy Taylor, a nationally known Texas-based gospel singer and Minister of Music. An accomplished National Recording Artist, Kathy Taylor has received resounding critical acclaim for her outstanding, soul-stirring, and inspirational performances. She has ministered before Queen Elizabeth, former President Bill Clinton, Senator Hillary Clinton, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Cicely Tyson, Maya Angelou, and many others.
The 2021-22 season performance of A Soulful Christmas is sponsored by PECO.
THE GLORIOUS SOUND OF CHRISTMAS®
The Philadelphia Orchestra
December 16-21, 2021, Times Vary • Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Verizon Hall
Bramwell Tovey – Conductor
The Glorious Sound of Christmas has been a Philadelphia Orchestra tradition since the Philadelphians and Eugene Ormandy released the now-iconic recording in 1962. Make these concerts part of your holiday tradition with these jubilant and family-friendly concerts.
FAMILY CHRISTMAS FAVORITES
The Philadelphia Orchestra
December 18-25, 2021, 11:30 a.m. • The Philadelphia Orchestra Digital Stage
Celebrate the season with the Philadelphia Orchestra, in this performance featuring timeless holiday favorites. Digital Stage concerts begin with a performance premiere, followed by on-demand access for one week.
MESSIAH
The Philadelphia Orchestra
December 22-23, 2021, 7:00 p.m. • Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Verizon Hall
In 24 days of feverish writing, Handel created his immortal Messiah. Conductor Julian Wachner leads the Orchestra in a holiday presentation of this masterwork in what is certain to be a revelatory performance.
NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATION
The Philadelphia Orchestra
December 31, 2021 – January 2, 2022, Times Vary • Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Verizon Hall
Join us for a “joyful” welcome to 2022 as Yannick and the Orchestra ring in the New Year with Beethoven’s iconic Ninth Symphony. Composer-in-Residence Gabriela Lena Frank draws inspiration from Beethoven and her Peruvian culture in Pachamama Meets an Ode, challenging us to look at gifts from the past with new and searching eyes.
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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.
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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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THE SHUBERT ORGANIZATION
The Shubert Organization is America’s oldest professional theatre company and the largest theatre owner on Broadway. Since the dawn of the 20th century, Shubert has operated hundreds of theatres and produced hundreds of plays and musicals both in New York City and throughout the United States. Shubert currently owns and operates 17 Broadway theatres, six off-Broadway venues, and the Forrest Theatre in Philadelphia. Under the leadership of Robert E. Wankel, Chairman and CEO, The Shubert Organization continues to be a leader in the theatre industry. Notable productions and co-productions include Cats, Sunday in the Park with George, Dreamgirls, The Heidi Chronicles, Jerome Robbins' Broadway, Amadeus, Children of a Lesser God, The Grapes of Wrath, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Spamalot, The Elephant Man, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, School of Rock, Dear Evan Hansen, Come From Away, and more. Shubert delivers innovative ticketing solutions via its Telecharge interface, API distribution, and private-label technology, offering unparalleled distribution and marketing to the theatre industry and beyond. Its consumer-facing brands – Telecharge for retail ticket sales and Broadway Inbound for group buyers, tour operators, and the travel industry – sell millions of tickets each year. The Shubert Foundation, sole shareholder of The Shubert Organization, Inc., is dedicated to sustaining and advancing live performing arts in the United States. The Foundation provides general operating support to not-for-profit theatres and dance companies. Foundation grants in 2019 totaled $32 million.
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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