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Cultural Exploration Takes Center Stage at the Mann's 2015 Young People's Concert Series

Press Release

Cultural Exploration Takes Center Stage at the Mann's 2015 Young People's Concert Series

CULTURAL EXPLORATION TAKES CENTER STAGE AT THE MANN’S 2015 YOUNG PEOPLE’S CONCERT SERIES

 

Free Series for Young Philadelphians Features Diverse Performances in the

Heart of Fairmount Park

Series Begins July 13

 

PHILADELPHIA (June 29, 2015) – Thanks to the Mann’s 2015 Young People’s Concert Series, summer Mondays just got a whole lot better. This July and August, young Philadelphians are invited to experience free musical performances motivated by cultures from around the globe on the Mann’s main stage.  From classic ballet ensembles, to urban hip-hop moves, to original poetry performances, each concert is designed to inspire and excite the young audiences through diverse, artistic productions. 

“Philadelphia has a rich cultural diversity, and each year the Young People’s Concert Series explores that diversity and expands the horizons of our young people,” said Rhoda Blount, Vice President of Education and Community Engagement for the Mann. “Here at the Mann, we thoroughly enjoy bringing the world’s cultures together on the same stage to create once-in-a-lifetime experiences.”

Part of the Mann’s year-round educational programming which reaches more than 50,000 young people annually, the Young People’s Concert Series plays a vital role in the community by fostering high-quality, culturally diverse performing arts programs and making these programs accessible to all children, free of charge, in a welcoming atmosphere.

The series kicks off on July 13 with Inca Son where audiences will embark on a journey through the Andes Mountains of Peru with lively performances of traditional South American Music and dance. Then on July 27, audiences are invited to enjoy the fusion of classical ballet, modern dance, and urban hop-hop during a performance by the Rock School for Dance Education. The performers will move and groove across the Mann stage during this exhilarating dance explosion. Rising Stars of Tomorrow, an unforgettable performance by the city’s most talented eight to 21-year-old artists, returns once again to the Mann stage on August 3.  Each year the Mann’s young audiences are captivated and inspired by seeing their peers perform with such creativity and passion.

As a part of the Mann's 2015 community festival Liberty: Unplugged!, there will be a special Young People’s Concert Series performance on August 10 titled, Three Kings. A project that grapples with the issues of freedom from slavery, voting rights, and human rights by focusing on the messages and movements of three men who have transformed our political and social landscape: Frederick Douglas, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Nelson Mandela. This concert builds on Liberty: Unplugged!’s goal of creatively using the arts to explore the lessons of history and inform the voices of the future. Danse4Nia Dance Company, Sharon Katz & The Peace Train, Philly Youth Poetry Movement, Universal Praise Dance Ministry and others will grace the Mann’s stage, connecting historic movements to modern day issues.

“Since 1997, the Mann has provided this important educational programming to young Philadelphians who otherwise may not have significant exposure to the arts,” said Catherine M. Cahill, President and CEO of the Mann. “We see firsthand what a vital role culturally diverse programing plays in our community and are immensely proud to have established a relationship with so many talented young performers.”

All Young People’s Concert Series performances begin at 11 a.m. on the Mann’s main stage. To learn more, visit http://manncenter.org/content/young-peoples-concert-series-2015.

 

About the Mann

The Mann Center for the Performing Arts’ Education & Community Engagement Program is the region’s largest free education program, impacting more than 50,000 young people annually and more than 550,000 since 1997.  The Mann’s Connecting Arts-N-Schools program offers city-wide schools a wide array of multicultural performances in music, theater and dance.  This gives thousands of students the opportunity to experience the sights, sounds and rhythms of live performances – often for the very first time.

 

As one of the most important outdoor music centers in the country, the Mann presents premiere artists in a world-class, entertainment destination in association with AEG Live.  Each summer season, renowned symphony orchestras, iconic rock stars and the latest touring artists in indie rock, hip hop, R&B and pop take the stage here, and today’s success is a nod to the venue’s storied history.  The Mann has been the summer home of The Philadelphia Orchestra since the 1930s and presented critically acclaimed performers in every decade since then.  Located in the heart of Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park, the Mann hosts more than 170,000 visitors annually.  Signature concert experiences are surrounded by Philadelphia’s stunning skyline and include seats beneath the Mann’s acoustically acclaimed pavilion; picnics, blankets and music under the stars on its famous lawn; and dining in Crescendo, the venue’s spectacular tented restaurant.  For more information, visit www.manncenter.org.

 

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