For a PDF version of this press release, click here.
Share it!
@KimmelCC (Twitter)/@KimmelCulturalCampus (Facebook/Instagram), @WawaWelcomeAmerica (Facebook) @July4thPhilly (Instagram/Twitter), and @AvenueoftheArtsInc (Facebook)/@AvenueoftheArts (Instagram/Twitter) celebrate Independence Day w/ a FREE block party on 6/25 from 11AM-7PM.
Press Contacts:
Lauren A. (Woodard) Hall
484-832-1963 (cell)
lhall@kimmelculturalcampus.org
KIMMEL CULTURAL CAMPUS ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH WAWA WELCOME AMERICA FOR AVENUE OF THE ARTS BLOCK PARTY, PART OF FREE INDEPENDENCE DAY FESTIVITIES
JUNE 25, 2022, 11:00 AM– 7:00 PM
Kimmel Cultural Campus also proudly announces its supporting partnership of Wawa Welcome America’s Gospel on Independence concert on June 26, featuring gospel legend and Grammy Award-winning singer Yolanda Adams, alongside the Welcome America Mass Choir
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Philadelphia, PA, May 31, 2022) –– The Kimmel Cultural Campus, in association with Wawa Welcome America and The Avenue of the Arts, will host a day of FREE festival-style performances and engaging activities on the Plaza stage under the soaring 150-foot glass roof, as part of the Avenue of the Arts Block Party. This celebration takes place on Saturday, June 25, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Block Party guests can extend the outdoor festival vibe inside the air-conditioned Plaza with a lineup of Broadway cast appearances and celebrated local artists. The day includes family-friendly activities like Disney’s The Lion King mask making, a baton-making station, and an “instrument petting zoo” presented by The Philadelphia Orchestra, where visitors can get up-close with orchestral instruments. Guests can try their skills on a replica of the giant piano made famous in the classic Tom Hanks movie, Big. Plus, guests get a shot at winning free tickets, merchandise, and exclusive giveaways!
The lineup on the Kimmel Plaza stage includes:
- Local multidisciplinary artist and former Kimmel Theater Residency Alum M’Balia Singley and Jams for Junior Jawns, the ultimate family musical experience, coming to you live from the 215 with original songs and old school favorites suitable for the little jawns, the big jawns, and all the in-between jawns.
- Kuf Knotz & Christine Elise, fusing hip-hop and soul with bluesy beats supported by the classical harp. And you can dance to it.
- DJ Chris Blues and The Parkside Experience, featuring 10 line-dancers leading participants in interactive instruction
- Teaching artists from Disney’s The Lion King presenting two interactive dance workshops
- A performance from cast members of Moulin Rouge: the Musical!
- A performance from cast members of Jagged Little Pill
- Songstress, activist, and lover of all things sparkly Cookie Diorio, blending genres, from showtunes to Gospel to pop
- Considered Philly’s greatest groove band, Philly Gumbo presenting their distinct blend of New Orleans R&B, funk, reggae, blues, and soul
Courtesy of Garces Events, guests are invited to visit a pop-up beer garden outside the Kimmel building on Spruce Street, with additional concessions inside and available for purchase. Indoor refreshments include a beer cart from Yards Brewery; a champagne cart from Volvér, Chef Jose Garces’ restaurant located inside the Kimmel Center building; and food for sale at the concessions bar in the Kimmel Plaza. Concessions for the day will be coordinated with Levante Brewing, as well as Chef Garces’ restaurants Village Whiskey and Buena Onda. Volvér will be open its normal Saturday hours.
“We are excited to be part of Wawa Welcome America again this year, inviting our Philadelphia neighbors into our home to experience performances from gifted local artists and Broadway powerhouses; refreshments from our friends at Garces; and family-friendly activities,” said Matías Tarnopolsky, president and CEO of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc. “Our talented team has curated events designed to bring us together through the power of the arts, with music every one of us can enjoy – from R&B and reggae to New Orleans jazz and Broadway. The party continues the next day, as we support the uplifting Gospel on Independence performance on Independence Mall.”
“Wawa Welcome America is a celebration of Philadelphia in Philadelphia, and we are so excited to host one of many outstanding festival programs on Broad Street in partnership with the Kimmel Cultural Campus and Avenue of the Arts,” said Michael DelBene, president & CEO of Welcome America, Inc. “With activities outside and in, we hope to see residents and guests alike out and appreciating the amazing talent, food, and culture of our great city.”
“The 2022 Wawa Welcome America festival offers an impressive lineup of diverse events taking place throughout the city, and we are thrilled to host a day of fun along Broad Street,” said Laura Burkhardt, Executive Director of Avenue of the Arts, Inc. “Alongside a lineup of events happening all day inside the Kimmel, there is so much excitement happening outside, too – from a zipline to local food trucks, live performances to a 120-foot slide, and more!”
On Sunday, June 26 at 7:00 p.m., the Kimmel Cultural Campus is once again acting as a supporting partner of the Wawa Welcome America Gospel on Independence performance. Join fellow Philadelphians for a moving and uplifting performance starring gospel legend and Grammy Award-winning singer Yolanda Adams, alongside the Welcome America Mass Choir under the direction of Austin Woodland and Zak Williams, showcasing talented singers from across the city with a special performance by The Tenors. This year's performance, hosted by WDAS Patty Jackson, is an Ode to Freedom, celebrating the 200th Anniversary of Harriet Tubman. For more info, visit welcomeamerica.com.
Additional information regarding the Kimmel Cultural Campus’ participation in the Avenue of the Arts Block Party to be announced at a later date. For the most up-to-date information about this FREE event, please visit our website at www.kimmelculturalcampus.org. Special thanks to Dietz & Watson, the Lead Sponsor of the Kimmel’s Wawa Welcome America activities.
Avenue of the Arts Block Party street closures include Broad Street from Locust to Pine and Spruce Street from 15th to Juniper. Wawa Welcome America and Avenue of the Arts will have performances on the PNC Mobile Stage near Locust Street from 11 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., as well as at their Amphitheater near Spruce Street from 12:00 p.m. on. For more info about the Avenue of the Arts Block Party and all other events associated with Wawa Welcome America, visit welcomeamerica.com.
# # #
KIMMEL CULTURAL CAMPUS PARTICIPATES IN AVENUE OF THE ARTS BLOCK PARTY
Kimmel Center building on the Kimmel Cultural Campus
300 S. Broad Street
Saturday, June 25, 2022, 11:00 a.m.– 7:00 p.m.
FREE
Tickets
This is a FREE event. Tickets are not required to attend.
# # #
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.
# # #
ABOUT WELCOME AMERICA, INC.
Welcome America, Inc. is a 501c3, non-profit organization engaged in a public-private partnership with the City of Philadelphia. Welcome America, Inc.’s goal is to promote American history, education, and the City of Philadelphia as global tourist destination. Each year, Welcome America, Inc. produces Wawa Welcome America, a multi-day festival featuring art, culture, community engagement and entertainment - it is the nation's premier Independence Day celebration! Welcome America was founded in 1993, and celebrates its 27th festival in 2019.
Wawa Welcome America is presented by Title Partner, Wawa, Inc. and presenting Broadband Communications Partner Comcast NBCUniversal with NBC10 and Telemundo62 as the local broadcast partners. With additional support by the City of Philadelphia, Live Nation, CHASE, Independence Blue Cross and Visit Philadelphia.
For more information, visit www.welcomeamerica.com.
GARCES
Garces is a Philadelphia-based hospitality group specializing in personal dining experiences rooted in the rich cultural traditions and culinary vision of renowned Latin-American chef Jose Garces. Taking a heartfelt and creative approach to time-honored recipes and dishes, Garces, in partnership with New Orleans-based Ballard Brands, operates numerous restaurants including Amada, Distrito, Garces Trading Company, Village Whiskey, Volvér, The Olde Bar, Buena Onda, and Amada and Distrito in the Ocean Resort Casino. The group also operates Garces Events, a full-service catering and event division; the Garces Foundation, a philanthropic organization dedicated to Philadelphia’s underserved immigrant community. For more information, visit GarcesGroup.com.
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.
# # #
For photography, please visit https://kcccpress.smugmug.com
For a PDF version of this press release, click here.
www.facebook.com/WawaWelcomeAmerica
www.twitter.com/July4thPhilly
www.instagram.com/July4thPhilly