February 29, 2012
Get up-close-and-personal with Bruce Springsteen's longtime drummer Max Weinberg at the National Museum of American Jewish History. (Photo courtesy NMAJH)
The National Museum of American Jewish History and National Constitution Center have teamed up to bring Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band drummer Max Weinberg to the museum for a tell-all night about his personal experiences from playing his first Bar Mitzvah at age 7 to playing professionally with The Boss.
Aside from his affiliation with Bruce, the legendary musician has just formed his own group, the Max Weinberg Big Band, and has performed with “The Max Weinberg 7″ on Late Night with Conan O’Brien.
Nicknamed “Mighty Max” by The Boss himself, Max continues to earn acclaim for his talent and strong work ethic in his 38th year of performing with The E Street Band, which he has called “the attainment of everything a twelve year old drummer from the suburbs of Jersey ever dared to dream.”
Guitarist Steven Van Zandt told Rolling Stone, “There’s no drummer that could replace Max…. [N]ot only is Max a great drummer, Max reads Bruce’s mind. You can’t learn that. That’s impossible to learn. You could spend months rehearsing and you’ll never get that.”
Tickets are on sale now ($18 for NMAJH and NCC Members, Special pre-sale offer: NMAJH Members $15 before March 5th, $25 for general public.)
And tickets to the Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band concert at the Wells Fargo Center the day after Max’s appearance at the Jewish Museum are available as well; more info on that concert here.
Be sure to also check out the Constitution Center’s blockbuster Bruce Springsteen exhibition for a behind-the-scenes peak at the group’s storied past.
Max Weinberg at the National Museum of American Jewish History
When: Tuesday, March 27, 7:30 p.m.
Where: 101 S. Independence Mall East
Cost: $18 for NCC Members, $25 for general public
More info: www.nmajh.org
February 29, 2012
Remember the Mural Arts’ new Roots Mural that is coming later this year to 6th and South Streets? It’s a big deal. Not just for the Mural Arts Program but for The Roots as well. And the group knows as much. In an interview with WHYY, Black Thought, aka Tariq Trotter The Roots frontman, placed the honor above receiving a Grammy: “Grammy-shrammy — I’m not excitable about many things in life. This is something I’m very excited about. I’m a Philadelphian.” Well said, Tariq. We’re pretty excited too. [Newsworks]
February 23, 2012
Catch a free concert every Saturday evening in the Kimmel Center Commonwealth Plaza. (Photo courtesy Kimmel Center)
The Kimmel Center expands its popular Free at the Kimmel offerings with a new series: “Live from the Plaza Stage.”
The program offers an opportunity to catch local up and coming performing artists on a weekly basis.
Shows run from 6-7 p.m. every Saturday, and to sweeten the deal, the Kimmel offers happy hour specials of $1 off beers and $2 off wines at its PECO and Annex bars, plus raffles and ticket giveaways to Kimmel Center Presents and Broadway season shows.
The performances continue through June 16, and are a great way to sample emerging artists in the realm of pop, jazz, instrumental, world music and dance. They’re tomorrow’s stars, but you can catch them today, for free.
“Live from the Plaza Stage” Series
Where: Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad Street
When: Saturdays through June 16, 6–7 p.m.
Cost: Free!
More info: www.kimmelcenter.org
February 23, 2012
11th Hour Theatre Company takes you on a raucous journey through rock and roll history — without having to leave your seat. (Photo courtesy 11th Hour)
11th Hour Theatre Company’s “Philly Rocks” concert is back for its seventh year, at World Cafe Live this Monday, February 27.
This year, 11th Hour will take audiences back to the 60s with some of the greatest songs of that decade. Think The Beach Boys, Dion, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Dusty Springfield, Jefferson Airplane, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and many more.
Audiences will also get a sneak peek at 11th Hour’s spring production, The Marvelous Wonderettes.
For the last six years, Philly Rocks has sold out, so don’t miss out!
Quizzo starts at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $25 and $15 for students and industry. Tickets are available online or by phone at (267) 987-9865.
11th Hour Theatre Company’s “Philly Rocks”
When: Monday, February 27, 7 p.m.
Where: World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut Street
Cost: $25; $15 for students and industr
More info: www.11thhourtheatrecompany.org
February 22, 2012
It's an easy drive from Center City to Glenside, well worth it to see Bobby Keys, the man behind the music of The Stones and other legendary groups. (Photo courtesy Keys)
Rolling Stones sax player Bobby Keys and his group The Suffering Bastards, a super-group of musical legends rarely seen outside of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, will perform at the Keswick Theatre on Saturday, March 10 at 8 p.m.
Many of the greatest rock hits of the past five decades bear the unmistakable thumbprint of Keys, one of America’s most accomplished rock & roll icons.
His discography includes album-defining contributions with the Stones (Exile On Main Street, Sticky Fingers), work with each of the four Beatles and Elvis.
His group The Suffering Bastards is comprised of an all-star cast of renowned Nashville musicians. Together, they recreate spot-on renditions of hits from Keys’ storied career, as well as new compositions for an upcoming album.
In other Keys news, his long-awaited autobiography “Every Night Is A Saturday Night: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Life of Legendary Sax Man Bobby Keys” is set to be released, in addition to a new documentary about his life, as well as a number of high-profile tour dates throughout the US.
Tickets for Bobby Keys & The Suffering Bastards start at $20 and are available online.
Bobby Keys & The Suffering Bastards
When: Saturday, March 10, 8 p.m.
Where: 291 N. Keswick Avenue, Glenside
Cost: Tickets start at $20
More info: www.keswicktheatre.com
February 22, 2012
Pay tribute to one of the greatest singers of our time at Warmdaddy's tonight. (Photo courtesy Whitney Houston)
The loss of Whitney Houston, one of music’s most powerful voices, is felt especially in Philadelphia, home to a number of powerhouse divas.
Warmdaddy’s blues club is celebrating the legacy of Whitney tonight with a tribute featuring some of those local songstresses: Philly 360 Creative Ambassador Carol Riddick, Helen Bruner & Terry Jones, Jaguar Wright, Leah Smith, Jean Baylor and more.
Tickets, $10, will only be sold on a first-come-first-served basis the night of the show. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
There will be a complimentary buffet, half-off apps, $2 off drinks and half-off glasses or bottles of wine until 10 p.m.
Philadelphia Whitney Houston Tribute
Where: Warmdaddy’s, 1400 S. Columbus Blvd.
When: Tonight, Wednesday, February 22, Doors open at 5 p.m., shows at 7:30 and 9 p.m.
Cost: $10 donation
More info: www.philly360.com
February 16, 2012
Since 1976, the frequent annual appearances of the New York Philharmonic on PBS's Emmy-winning Live From Lincoln Center have made it one of the most watched orchestras in the world. And now you can see them live in Philly. (Photo by Allen McInnis courtesy New York Philharmonic)
The esteemed New York Philharmonic marks its first-ever Philadelphia appearance with music director Alan Gilbert at the Kimmel Center, February 24.
The program also features rising operatic star Joyce DiDonato, lending her lush vocalism to Berlioz’s song cycle Les Nuits d’été.
The concert is part of the Kimmel’s Great Orchestras series, which also features the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Monday, April 16.
Get tickets online.
New York Philharmonic at the Kimmel Center
When: Friday, February 24, 8 p.m.
Where: Broad & Spruce Streets
Cost: Tickets start at $34
More info: www.kimmelcenter.org
February 14, 2012
The Let's Move It! benefit concert is GrassROOTS’ signature event, raising funds for community organizations working with the disadvantagoed. (Photo courtesy GrassROOTS)
This Saturday, February, 18, “Black Thought,” co-founder and lead MC of Philly’s own The Roots, will host “Let’s Move it Philly!”, a charity concert party to raise funds for the GrassROOTS Community Foundation.
Guests will party to the sounds of Rich Medina, DJ Diamond Kuts, Nikki Jean, Money Making Jam Boys, Questlove and Black Thought of the legendary Roots Crew at the historic Sigma Sound Stage.
“Let’s Move It!” Philadelphia is the first step in a 13-city initiative that will address childhood obesity in the African American community. Almost one in every three children in our nation is obese or overweight; these rates are even higher in African American and Hispanic communities.
“Let’s Move It Philly!” aims to use hip-hop music as a means to spread awareness about this epidemic. Proceeds from the 2012 concert will benefit C.H.I.C.K.S. (Creating Healthy Informed Confident Knowledgeable Selves) a GrassROOTS after school program for girls at Harding Middle School in Frankford.
Doors open at 8 p.m. You can purchase tickets online.
“Let’s Move it Philly!”
When: Saturday, February, 18, 8 p.m.
Where: Sigma Sound Stage, 212 N. 12th Street
Cost: $30
More info: www.grassrootscharityconcert.eventbrite.com/
February 8, 2012
Hot off her spectacular performance in Sunday’s Super Bowl Halftime Show, Madonna announced she’s hitting the road this summer on a North American tour. Her first stop? The Wells Fargo Center in South Philly on August 28. Tickets go on sale Monday, February 13, making a perfect last minute Valentine’s Day gift for the Material Girl/Boy in your life. Madonna’s highly-anticipated new album, MDNA, will be released on March 26. [Madonna at the Wells Fargo Center]
February 6, 2012
The music of the silver screen hits Verizon Hall as the POPS play 'A Night at The Oscars.' (Photo courtesy Philly Pops)
Take a trip to Hollywood with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops’ “A Night At The Oscars,” on stage February 8-12 in Verizon Hill at the Kimmel Center.
Jodi Benson, the famous voice of Ariel in the Oscar-winning Disney movie The Little Mermaid, will join the POPS along with Philly-based Broadway and film star Sal Viviano for a passionate evening featuring the magnificent music of the cinema.
With two time Grammy Award-winning pianist Peter Nero at the helm, the Philly Pops always deliver a rousing performance.
Tickets are available online.
Peter Nero And The Philly Pops Present “A Night At The Oscars”
When: February 8-12
Where: Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce Streets
Cost: Tickets start at $28
More info: www.phillypops.com
