Alumni from the Yale Russian Chorus, a storied all-male singing group that specializes in Russian and Slavic songs, will perform at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church (3916 Locust Walk) on the Penn campus on Saturday, April 18.
A small group of students studying Russian at Yale started the chorus in the 1950s, during the early days of the Cold War when more Americans were trying to understand the culture and people of the then Soviet Union. The group took its first of many trips to Russia in 1958 where members performed impromptu concerts on Moscow street corners. They were soon dubbed “Yale’s singing ambassadors.”
Under the musical direction of co-conductors Brock Holmes and Bruce Lieberman, Saturday’s concert will be a rare opportunity to enjoy seldom-performed Russian and Eastern European musical masterpieces for male-voice choir. “Expect powerful music, thrilling solos, exceptional ensembles, and top-notch musicianship,” according to a press release from the chorus.
The chorus sings folk and religious music in Russian, other Slavic and East European languages, and occasionally in English. Its repertoire includes works by Kastalsky, Rachmaninoff, and Tchaikovsky. Continue Reading
Spring programming began today at The Porch, the popular public space adjacent to the 30th Street Station. Starting today, there will be more food trucks and lunchtime entertainment, including live music, dancing and Free at Noon concerts. Here’s what will be happening at The Porch this month.
Gourmet Food Trucks (11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.)
Mondays: Say Cheese, BrazBQ Tuesdays: Farm Truck, Sum Pig Wednesdays: Taco Mondo, Whirly Pig Thursdays: Spot Burger, Mac Mart (April 2, 9, 23), Phoebe’s BBQ (April 16, 30) Fridays: Pitruco Pizza, Mucho Bueno
Lunch Entertainment
Tuesdays (12 – 1 p.m.): Accordion player Dan Nosheny. Wednesdays (12:30 – 1:30 p.m.): David Falcone, fingerstyle acoustic guitarist and vocalist fusing Celtic, traditional and classical sounds. Thursdays (12 – 1 p.m.): April 2 – Hoop dancing; April 9 – Bujee Magoo, stilt walking performers. Continue Reading
Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll (Photo courtesy UCD)
Here’s some great news to drive your cold spring weather blues away. The University City District has announced the return of their signature events, including the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll, University City Dining Days and 40th Street Summer Concert Series!
The Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll, where dozens of neighborhood businesses present a variety of $1 items and deals, including food, beer, event tickets and vouchers, will return on Thursday, June 25. The second Dollar Stroll is scheduled for September 24. Dollar Strolls take place along Baltimore Avenue, between 43rd and 51st streets, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
In addition to the Dollar Stroll, another popular event is coming back this summer – the 40th Street Summer Series will be held the last Saturday of the month, from May to September, in the campus green space near 40th and Locust. We’ll post more information on the performances when it becomes available.
More than 30 of University City’s best restaurants will participate in the 11th annual University City Dining Days, which runs July 16 through the 28th. As usual, the deal includes three courses for three prices.
There is also a rumor that UCD will bring back its summer film series, which was a big hit back in the summer of ’13. We are still trying to nail down the details on that though. We’ll keep you posted.
There’s a chance to see some guitar virtuosos from all over the world this Sunday (Feb. 8) when the International Guitar Night will return to Crossroads Music. The International Guitar Night tour founder and guitarist Brian Gore will be joined on stage by classical innovator and fellow Californian Andrew York, Brazilian jazz master Diego Figueiredo, and contemporary Iranian-Canadian steel string prodigy Maneli Jamal. This will be an evening of contemporary guitar music.
The concert starts at 7:30 p.m., and tickets ($10-$30; $5 for children under 12) are still available. To purchase your ticket online, click here.
Underground music lovers are mourning the closing of the DIY music venue the Golden Tea House at 40th and Baring. Venue organizers, who have kept the Golden Tea House going for 2-and-a-half years, announced today on Facebook that gigs it now has on the books will be moved elsewhere.
“The why and the how aren’t really important but suffice it to say that it was one of the more predictable inevitable causes,” the Facebook post reads. West Philly has been the home to dozens of underground music venues over the last few decades. Some last only a few weeks before they are closed.
The Golden Tea House even made it into The New York Times, WXPN’s The Key notes, when the newspaper printed a photograph last spring of the album release party for The Menzingers (see video below). One would have thought that publicity might have spelled the end for The Golden Tea House, but it continued to thrive, hosting shows that drew crowds that snaked down the block waiting to get in.
The venue’s neighborhood has also changed a great deal in recent years as a number of residential building projects have popped up nearby.
If you’re looking for something fun to do on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day check out the events below happening in West Philly and elsewhere in the city. For more events, check our Events Calendar. Please note that subway trains will run all night for party-goers on New Year’s Eve.
Happy New Year, West Philly!
Wednesday, Dec. 31
Bach Christmas Oratorio
Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral, 13 S. 38 Street
4 – 8 p.m. Choral Arts Philadelphia and the Bach Collegium present Johann Sebastian Bach’s Christmas Oratorio in its entirety on New Year’s Eve. Some Choral Arts members and artistic director, Matt Glandorf, are West Philly residents. Tickets ($45 general admission; $15 students; $30 seniors) can be purchased online or at the door.
New Year’s Eve with Philly Bloco
World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St
10:30 p.m.
Philly Bloco’s 20+ members return with their raucous mash-up of Samba, Funk and Reggae for a very special New Year’s Eve dance party at World Café Live. Get ready to dance! Doors open at 9:30 p.m. 21+. Tickets ($35) and more information are available here.
West Philadelphia Orchestra’s New Year’s Eve Blowout + Balkan Feast
Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St
9 p.m. – 4 a.m.
Four bands and a DJ will be performing on the main stage and at the black box theater: West Philadelphia Orchestra, Johnny Showcase & The Mystic Ticket, Mercury Radio Theater, You Do You, and Late Night DJ Set from DJ Lebeet. $30 general admission; $40 VIP. 21+. VIP tickets include Balkan Buffet prepared by WPO! Food will be served at 9 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online or at the Underground Arts box office. Continue Reading
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