The Rotunda, University of Pennsylvania, and University City District present the 40th Street Summer Series - a free summer concert series every fourth Saturday in June, July, August, and September
at the 40th Street Field (40th between Walnut and Locust) - beginning with the world-renowned big band Sun Ra Arkestra on June 25
We are pleased to announce the expanded 2011 40th Street Summer Series. Every fourth Saturday in June through September from 6-8pm, the Summer Series will feature
FREE outdoor performances from exceptional internationally-renowned artists beginning with Philadelphia's own Sun Ra Arkestra on Saturday, June 25.
All concerts will be held on the beautiful green space just behind the Walnut Street Free Library at 40th and Walnut Streets. Complimentary (first come, first served) Rita's Water Ice will also be given out during the performances. UCD and The Rotunda are pleased to announce the artists for the first two Summer Series events:
Saturday, June 25, 6pm
SUN RA ARKESTRA
+ ELEGANT CAVALIERS
The Sun Ra Arkestra will kick off the Summer Series with a very special hometown performance which is sure to have audiences either dancing feverishly or contemplatively traversing the spaceways. This acclaimed big band always demonstrates the unrivalled expertise, joy and passion that have been the foundation for their musical journeys since Sun Ra founded the Arkestra in the mid-1950s.
Opening this performance will be the West Philadelphia drill team, the Elegant Cavaliers, under the direction of Ms. Dornetta Gary.
Saturday, July 23, 6pm
CYRO BAPTISTA'S BANQUET OF THE SPIRITS
+ JOSEPH BOWIE & ADAM RUDOLPH
Join us in July for the Philadelphia debut of Cyro Baptista's Banquet of the Spirits. One of the greatest Brazilian percussionists today, Cyro Baptista is best known for his ensemble Beat the Donkey and has worked closely with many of the world's most acclaimed musicians including Herbie Hancock, Paul Simon, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Wynton Marsalis, Yo-Yo Ma, Laurie Anderson and countless others. Expect to hear a delightful program of experimental Brazilian pop songs in addition to the music of John Zorn. A "pioneer in world music" (The New York Times), percussionist Adam Rudolph is joined by multi-instrumentalist Joseph Bowie for an opening duo set that is grounded in the cosmologies of Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and the African Diaspora.
Don't forget to mark your calendars for the last two 40th Street Summer Series events: Saturday, August 27 and Saturday, September 24.
More details coming very soon. For more information on these events visit universitycity.org