Photo by Anete Lusina
FunTimes Magazine Culture & Entertainment, Week of April 3, 2023
April is raining in, along with some much-appreciated rays and days of sunshine. The first note of spring has been sounded by the harmonious horns of the jazz community as Jazz Appreciation Month kicked off in the United States. In Philadelphia, “Philly Celebrates Jazz” delivers 100+ indoor and outdoor concerts, films, parties, and readings to observe the city’s stellar music legacy. Get jazzed up by enjoying these low-cost or free activities. But before venturing out to these in-person events, please respect the ongoing pandemic safety protocols, and check individual event-attending instructions with the organizers. As a general rule: If you feel unwell, please do not attend in person.
A pizazz of jazz in the park
April 8, 2023. Celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month in April at Clark Park at the Jazz Genealogies: Spring Sounds and Vinyl Swap. It’s part of the Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy’s Philly Celebrates Jazz 2023 and Neighborhood Jazz Series in Philadelphia. Enjoy a listening session of curated jazz records like the “Sounds of Liberation: Unreleased,” featuring a reissue performance of the legendary, Philadelphia-founded Avante-garde Jazz Collective at Columbia University in 1973, and many more titles. Take part in a “Vinyl Swap,” and bring up to 10 records in good condition to exchange for records and books. Experience live music by Shugsline in an ensemble “exploring jazz genealogies, tracing the impact, development, and contributions of the genre in the context of modern styles of playing.” It’s all in the name of jazz and its impact to unite the community with just one be-bop beat. Free, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Clark Park, 4300 Baltimore Ave., https://www.eventbrite.com.
Dance sensation…
April 21-23, 2023. PHILADANCO! means one thing: High energy! Check out world premieres from famous choreographers Ray Mercer and Tommie-Waheed Evans and the return of revived company standbys by Milton Myers and Rennie Harris. Moving…Beyond Forward showcases PHILADANCO’s longtime choreographer and its trademark of power and speed. Mercer introduces a newly-constructed ballet, a premiere celebrating dance and PHILADANCO! women, and Tommie-Waheed Evans presents a world premiere exploring race and sexuality, showcasing the full dance company. Milton Myers revisits his classic work, “Rite of Passage” and “The Element in Which It Takes Place.” Rennie Harris will creatively reimagine his work, “Fear.” $29 to $49. Times vary depending on the date: 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Kimmel Center, Perelman Theater, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999 or kimmelculturalcampus.org.
King is a jazz queen
April 16, 2023. Denise King was just sweeping her front steps singing the classic “Summertime” in soft melodies that fluttered like butterflies when she caught the eye of a Philadelphia International Records musician. It was a by-chance musical connection. The rest is history. Fast forward years later, and see the songbird sweeping you away live in concert, Gospel Meets Jazz. King, along with The Freedom Center Choir Ensemble, have a treat in store for you. Free but registration is required; shows: 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Vendors: There are opportunities for you, too: 267-595-9321. CSN Productions (Studio 3015-A), 3510 Scotts Lane, 215-222-0418 or csnproductions.com/events.
If ‘Georgia” is on your mind, this is for you…
April 14-17, 2023. Movie buffs enjoy a virtual screening of the movie Ray (2004) as part of the City’s Philly Celebrates Jazz. Ray is directed by Taylor Hackford and stars Jamie Foxx, with Kerry Washington, Clifton Powell, Harry Lennix, Terrence Howard, Larenz Tate, Richard Schiff, and Regina King. Free courtesy of the City of Philadelphia’s Neighborhood Jazz Series. Click the link and use the passcode to access the free screening: Click Here to Stream (Passcode: BC0035DF3B5C403EBAF5B82C635B1710). E-mail: arts@phila.gov, 215-686-8446, or creativephl.org.
More than a morsel of jazz with Snacktime
April 14, 2023. Philadelphia band, Snacktime, will perform at Jazz at The Village of the Arts with Snacktime as part of The Village of Arts and Humanities’ weekly youth-arts programming in North Philadelphia. The event includes a conversation and Q&A when Snacktime will discuss jazz and the band’s successful career journey. Free, 4 p.m. The Village of Arts and Humanities, 2544 Germantown Ave., 215-225-7830 or https://www.facebook.com/villageofartsandhumanities.
