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The international percussion master @PabloBatista joins the FREE “Nightlife at the Kimmel” @KimmelCulturalCampus (Facebook/Instagram)/@KimmelCC (Twitter) on Monday, June 29. Visit kimmelculturalcampus.org for more info.
Press Contacts:
Lauren A. Hall Hannah Palermo
484-832-1963 267-765-3724
lhall@kimmelculturalcampus.org hpalermo@alliedglobalmarketing.com
KIMMEL CULTURAL CAMPUS HOSTS A PARTNERED PRESENTATION WITH MALPICA & AFROTAINO, AS PART OF FREE NIGHTLIFE SERIES
Evening features master percussionist Pablo Batista
June 29, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Philadelphia, PA, May 23, 2022) –– The Kimmel Cultural Campus, in a partnered presentation with MALPICA and AFROTAINO, hosts COCINANDO featuring Pablo Batista at Nightlife at the Kimmel on Monday, June 29, 2022, at 8:00 p.m.
“Rounding out our June programs is Pablo Batista, Grammy Award winner across multiple genres and distinguished touring artist,” said Susan Nicodemus Quinn, Senior Director of Education & Community Engagement on the Kimmel Cultural Campus. “Our Philadelphia neighbors are invited to share in his artistry, celebrating local and regional artists and their talents.”
“MALPICA is thrilled to have the opportunity to join forces with AFROTAINO to co-curate this special evening with Pablo Batista as part of the Nightlife at the Kimmel series,” said Jesse Bermudez, Latin music and cultural producer. “This act embraces both the legacy and well as the emerging practices as they celebrate Latino culture."
Part of its new, free programming added to its already full roster of more than two thousand events, the Kimmel Cultural Campus is proudly working with MALPICA & AFROTAINO, REC Philly, and Jazz Philadelphia for Nightlife at the Kimmel – to spotlight the best artists the region has to offer. This new series – alongside the other FREE programs entitled Lunchtime Unplugged and Happy Hour Sessions – offers an attractive pre- and post-show addition for ticket buyers and passersby, bringing to life the iconic glass domed Plaza with local talent.
More about the artists:
PABLO BATISTA
Master percussionist Pablo Batista has performed, recorded, and toured internationally for 30 years with some of the biggest stars in rhythm and blues, jazz, Latin, pop, and gospel. These have included artists as diverse as Alicia Keys, Patti Labelle, Kirk Franklin, Jill Scott, Gerald Levert, Jeffrey Osborne, Phyllis Hyman, Teddy Pendergrass, Diane Reeves, Norman Brown, Manny Oquendo and Libre, Eddie Palmieri, and Musiq. A drummer of unusually diverse talents, he is highly regarded for his professionalism, tireless work ethic and ability to listen and integrate his playing into almost any style at the highest level of musicianship. He holds the rare distinction of having performed on Grammy®-winning releases in jazz, R&B, and gospel, but he has also been a guest with the Philadelphia Orchestra Percussion Ensemble.
Pablo Batista brings the funk en clave to Philly’s deep musical playbook with virtuosity and versatility, no matter the size or style of the performance.
Pablo’s Latin Jazz Ensemble thrills audiences with irresistible, original interpretations of classics from Dizzy, Trane, Lee Morgan, Stanley Clarke, mentor Grover Washington, Jr. and contemporary out-of-town jazzers like Art Blakey, Chick Corea, Michel Camilo and more.
About MALPICA
Mr. Jesse Bermudez has been involved in the Latin music scene in Philadelphia with a diverse background in the arts for over 40 years. He’s worked with artists around the country and abroad, bringing a wealth of experience in artist representation, stage production, festival productions, concerts, consulting for Latino entertainment, Master of Ceremonies/voiceovers and on-air personality.
Mr. Bermudez was founder of the Asociacion de Musicos Latino Americanos (AMLA) in 1982, and in 1986 he founded the first Latin Music School, now currently under Artistas y Musicos Latino Americanos the AMLA School of Performing Arts. Mr. Bermudez also created many educational programs with music for public and parochial schools in Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley.
Mr. Bermudez has received numerous recognitions for his work with local and national organizations, including National Congress of Puerto Rican Rights, WPVI Channel Six “Puerto Rican Panorama”, Stockton Barthol Foundation, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau Multicultural Award, Latin Beat Magazine Philly Salsa Award, Honoree of La Feria del Barrio, Liberty Bell from the Navy Defense Department, Champion of the Children Award Institute for Arts and Education, Painted Brides first Artist of the City Award, Delaware Valley’s Most Influential Latinos Latin Leaders Awards, and The Philadelphia Music Heritage Award. In 2012, Mr. Bermudez received a Lifetime Achievement Award from NALAC National Association of Latino Arts and Culture.
His recording of Papo Vazquez and the Mighty Pirate Orchestra, recorded live at the Painted Bride arts center, was nominated in 2008 for a Grammy for Best Latin Jazz recording.
Mr. Bermudez was successful developing an official yearly week of salsa in Philadelphia: Siempre Salsa Philly (first week of July).
The City of Philadelphia named July 8, 2015, the “Jesse Bermudez Day” for outstanding contribution to Latin music and community involvement, and he has received 3 lifetime achievement awards.
Bermudez continues to advocate, making Latin music part of the fabric of the city of Philadelphia through his radio show “Sonido Diferente” 1310 on MEGA, which was transmitted live for 4 years, and before that on WNWR Radio 1540 for 2 years; those programs featured the young talent, music and important information to the Latino community.
He has been and still is an agent of unity and change locally, across the nation and internationally.
About AFROTAINO
RAHSAAN LUCAS
A NYC-born, Philadelphia-based arts/culture resource building bridges in the 21st Century via cross sector strategic partnerships. Through his intercultural marketing & entertainment solutions agency AFROTAINO, he has developed expansive promotional strategies for brands & corporations, produced large scale events, and presented international talent in concert halls & venues in the US & Caribbean. AFROTAINO’s work has been spotlighted & praised by renowned media publications & platforms like NPR, NBC Latino, Univision, Telemundo, VEVO, Latido Music, to name a few.
His experiences in the music, arts & entertainment industries, and niche marketing, combined with vision & drive have shaped him into a resourceful creative professional, always adaptable in our ever-changing business landscapes. He has worn many hats as part of his work and continues to evolve within it.
Rahsaan has always explored new ways of melding artistic expression, progressive cultural trends, and win-win business opportunities into fun, unforgettable moments that make us all better people.
MARÁNGELI MEJÍA RABELL
Marángeli Mejía Rabell is a Puerto Rico-born, Philadelphia-based connector, cultural organizer & producer, arts & culture curator, and programmer whose work is centered on co-creation, capacity building, leadership development, cross sector collaborations and honoring our roots as a tool for social change and community self-actualization.
Marangeli’s practice is focused on community media practices, cultural organizing, intersectionality, accessibility, and diversity. As Co-Founder/Creative Partner of AFROTAINO and Director of the Philadelphia Latino Film Festival she co-curates, designs and executes arts & culture programming, collaborations, and multidisciplinary projects. She has served as the Philadelphia Latino Film Festival Director for over five years supporting the groundbreaking work of Latinx filmmakers. Under Marángeli’s leadership, PHLAFF has evolved into an international film festival that brings the best of US-based Latinx and Latin American stories to wide audiences. Throughout Marángeli’s career, she has centered Latinx creators, stories and culture to bring about positive change and new representation. She brings strong skills in developing and leading projects, campaigns and programs that combine business and community objectives and over three decades of experience establishing systems and metrics to measure collective impact. She is a recent graduate of the inaugural cohort of the National Arts Strategies Leadership Coaching Training Program.
Collaborations include: Pepon Osorio’s reForm at Tyler Contemporary, BrideNext, a Building Audience Demand project with Marty Pottenger and serving as a Guest Curator for the Mural Arts Program for the first cycle of their Neighborhood Portraits Project.
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Additional Nightlife at the Kimmel events include:
- Monday, May 30 – A partnered presentation with MALPICA & AFROTAINO, this evening of COCINANDO features Flaco Navaja & The Razor Blades.
- Wednesday, June 6 – A partnered presentation with REC Philly, this evening features Girls.Like.nicethings with Chill Moody.
- Wednesday, June 15 – A partnered presentation with MALPICA & AFROTAINO, this evening of COCINANDO features Yasser Tejeda & Palotré.
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For the most up-to-date listings and information about the new programming – including Family Fundays, Happy Hour Sessions, Lunchtime Unplugged, and Nightlife, please visit www.kimmelculturalcampus.org.
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Safe & Clean Commitment
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). Children under 5 are no longer required to show a negative PCR test or negative rapid result when accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult.
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 Miller Theater (formerly 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 The Philadelphia Orchestra and seven esteemed Resident Companies: 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