Penn, UCD, and The Rotunda to present four extraordinary large ensembles: Man Man side project Adventuredrum, a star-studded John Coltrane birthday celebration, Brooklyn Balkan brass wizards Slavic Soul Party, and Philadelphia Afro-futurists Sun Ra Arkestra
(Philadelphia, PA) – University of Pennsylvania, University City District (UCD), and The Rotunda are pleased to announce the 2012 season of the annual 40th Street Summer Series, the free outdoor concert series in West Philadelphia. Scheduled for the fourth Saturdays in June to September, the Summer Series will transform the 40th Street Field into an eclectic international center of sounds and good vibes. These free outdoor performances will feature exceptional internationally-renowned large ensembles including Slavic Soul Party, Sun Ra Arkestra, Adventuredrum, and the Warriors of the Wonderful Sound with Odean Pope and Dave Liebman.
All concerts will be held on the beautiful green space just behind the Walnut Street Free Library at 40th and Walnut Streets beginning at 6pm.
Complimentary (first come, first served) Rita’s Water Ice will also be given out during the performances.
All events will be hosted by none other than Paul S. Frosty Jackson of S Frosty Networks!
Acts for the remainder of the 2012 40th Street Summer Series are:
Saturday, August 25, 6pm
ADVENTUREDRUM
+ OLLIN YOLIZTLI CALMECAC
Adventuredrum is a new dance band led by Philadelphia composer and percussionist
Christopher Sean Powell, best known for his work in Need New Body and Man Man. This Philadelphia-based project brings together a who’s who of local musicians exploring rhythms constructed from sampled sound, exotic percussion, synthesizers and drum kits. Adventuredrum members include those who have collaborated with the West Philly Orchestra, Fugazi’s Joe Lally, Dirty Projectors, Grandchildren, Pattern is Movement, Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, and others. Merging new sounds and ideas with traditional drumming, this is a dance band for the future. These are the drums of tomorrow…today!
The mission of OLLIN YOLIZTLI CALMECAC is to investigate, understand and raise awareness of the MEXICAYOTL culture, which flourished in Mexico prior to the arrival of the Spanish in 1492. The organization also aims to provide new cultural outlets and opportunities for the Mexican community in Pennsylvania, and other places as well because Ollin Yoliztli Calmecac travel to present the dance and music, encouraging people to be a part of the preservation of some aspects of Aztec culture. We want to expose the Mexican community of today to the cultural heritage of native Mexico.
Aztec Dance has its origins in the cultures of ancient Mesoamerica., such as those of the Olmecs and the Chichimecs. These cultures have not been widely known since the virtual destruction of all the native cultures of the American continent since the arrival of the Europeans. In the Nahuatl language, Ollin Yoliztli Calmecac means: School of Blood Moving in the Heart.
Saturday, September 22, 6pm
A SPECIAL JOHN COLTRANE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
BOBBY ZANKEL’S WARRIORS OF THE WONDERFUL SOUND FEATURING DAVE LIEBMAN AND ODEAN POPE PERFORMING JOHN COLTRANE’S A LOVE SUPREME
West Philadelphia’s Bobby Zankel was drawn to the saxophone by the thrilling new sounds being explored in the 1960s jazz scene, in particular the music of John Coltrane. He studied with Cecil Taylor, eventually became involved with the avant-garde jazz scene of the early 1970s, performing alongside the likes of bassist William Parker and violinist Billy Bang. Zankel is now one of the leading lights of the local jazz community. His most influential work has been his ten years of composing for his long-standing big band Warriors of the Wonderful Sound which features many of Philadelphia’s best musicians. For this very special performance, he is joined by two saxophone masters: Odean Pope, best known for his two decades with the Max Roach Quartet; and Dave Liebman, who performed and recorded with Miles Davis from 1970 to 1974. In celebration of saxophone legend John Coltrane’s birthday, the Warriors and these specials guests revisit his seminal 1964 recording, A Love Supreme, which they will play in its entirety.
Visit the official website for the 2012 40th Street Summer Series: http://universitycity.org/40thstreet-summer-series
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