Celebrations Are In Order! The Kimmel Cultural Campus Returns!!

I do love how innovative the arts community has been over the last 18 months with digital engagement of audiences...but we are in the business of convening. Our job is to open the doors and to set the stage for people to enjoy the same moment at the same time, together. I get goosebumps when I think of hearing the stranger next to me let out a gasp at the same time as me as we watch a particularly dramatic dance move or react to a poignant moment in a play. It’s why we, in the biz, do what we do.

I couldn’t be more excited to see the return to live performing arts -- and to specifically see the Kimmel Cultural Campus open its doors to audiences once again this Saturday, September 18th for a reopening event that celebrates not just the work on our many stages, but more than 60 arts organizations from across the region! Through this event, we hope to celebrate our unity and shared love of the arts while witnessing countless awe-inspiring performances. We’re BACK, baby!!!

When we first decided to try to mobilize the entire arts community to participate in this day-long celebration of the arts, we thought we were taking on the impossible. But the Kimmel Cultural Campus’ DEI Advisory Committee and its Board felt strongly that this was an imperative part of our role in the arts community -- and I agree. With the help of some key partners like the Philadelphia Office of Arts Culture and the Creative Economy, The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, and Ready. Set. Philly!, we were able to get the word out far and wide.

Joining in our celebration are more than 60 arts organizations from all over the region and from every arts genre, which will add to the wonderful melting pot of performances we will enjoy throughout the day. I envision this day to be so much more than a comeback for the Kimmel Center; but more a pig-out session for lovers of the rich Philadelphia cultural scene. From Hip Hop Fundamentals, to InterAct Theater Company, to the African American Museum in Philadelphia and Philadelphia Ballet, the contributions are endless! Seeing all of the pieces come together and having it all tied up with the most beautiful bow (a FREE grand finale performance from The Philadelphia Orchestra featuring the amazing Yannick Nézet-Séguin) has been such a rewarding way to celebrate the “return to togetherness.” In a recent conversation with a member of our local media, one reporter commented, “Where did all these arts organizations COME FROM?! I’m an arts and culture reporter and I’ve never heard of so many of them!” That comment made my day. We are so thrilled to have such a variety of organizations taking part in this event, and we know that working together with them and shining the spotlight on them helps us to be the rising tide that lifts the promising future of the Philadelphia arts community.

In addition to a myriad of performances, the reopening event will also host the installation of the new home for the I “Heart” Philly statue - in front of the entrance of our main building. Previously at Love Park, guests will have the chance to pose in front of this iconic statue to get their next Instagram post. One thing in particular that I love about this piece of art is that it was commissioned for Immigrant Heritage Month in 2019, and seeks to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and history of our diverse Philadelphia community. So it symbolizes so much more than just a love for Philly. It symbolizes the unique power that our city has to come together and create something beautiful out of both our shared and individual experiences.

As I mentioned, closing out this event is The Philadelphia Orchestra’s free performance of Beethoven's Third Symphony. Free tickets are still available on Kimmel’s website. The concert will include Jessica Hunt’s Climb, a piece commissioned by the Orchestra to celebrate Beethoven’s 250th birthday in 2020. The deeply personal piece draws inspiration from Beethoven’s personal struggles, relating them to Hunt’s own experience living with chronic illness. The concert will conclude with Beethoven’s groundbreaking Symphony No. 3 ("Eroica"), considered by many to be the greatest not just of Beethoven's symphonies, but of all time. I am particularly inspired by this selection, as I do think it has an even stronger message that will likely hit us differently than it would have just 18 months ago.

All you Philly friends -- I do hope you come on by. I miss your guts! Come early and don’t forget your vaccine proof! We are doing everything we can to keep our guests, staff, and artists safe, so this is important. We will be checking for full vaccination proof at this and all future events at the Kimmel Cultural Campus. Everyone over the age of 12 will need to show proof via their vaccine card or a photo of it. Arts fans under the age of 12 need proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of the event. In addition to this, masks will be required at all times on the campus except for when actively eating or drinking (did I mention there will be goodies and cocktails from our good friends at Garces!?).