The City of Brotherly Love is going to be dishing out lots of musical hugs and kisses over the coming months as Philadelphia plays host with the most to an exciting collection of renowned international artists.
The wonderful Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is home to an abundance of fantastic performing arts throughout the year, and right now the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA) is underway, taking place across the venues of the Kimmel Center’s impressive campus, as well as select locations throughout the city, through April 23.
A 16-day celebration of art and community, PIFA showcases innovation and a breadth of local and international performances and installations, all curated by the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts – located along the stretch known as the “Avenue of the Arts”, in the Center City part of Philadelphia.
TicketsatWork.com is delighted to offer special ticket deals for a quartet of terrific shows included in the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts.
Knitting Peace (American Premiere)
Cirkus Cirkör
Merriam Theater at the Kimmel Center
April 9 – April 10
Save 15% on seats
Swedish circus troupe, Cirkus Cirkör, brings the American Premiere of Knitting Peace to PIFA 2016 in pursuit of an answer to one question: “Is it possible to knit peace?” In this contemporary circus performance, daring trapeze artists soar in graceful poses set to live music as they interact with elaborately woven and strangely entangled knitted structures and props.
Architecture in Motion (Philadelphia Premiere)
Diavolo
Merriam Theater at the Kimmel Center
April 13 – April 14
Save 15% on seats
Diavolo brings two works to PIFA 2016, which explores the distinct relationships between the dangers of our environment and the human body, as observed through abstract and recognized structures. The company reinvents dance, re-imagines theater, and redefines thrills as performers take movement, athletics, and daring to the extreme, creating abstract narratives through surreal architectural landscapes.
Global Artistry (World Premiere)
PHILADANCO
Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center
April 15 – April 17
Save 15% on seats
This dance work speaks of PHILADANCO’s legacy of breaking barriers and building bridges across cultural divides.
Sneaker Suites (East Coast Premiere)
Antics
Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center
April 20
Save 20% on seats
Los Angeles-based hip-hop dance troupe, Antics, brings the East Coast Premiere of Sneaker Suites to PIFA 2016. The dance theater work is a collaboration between Antics and poet/activist Mark Gonzales in which a collection of pieces ignite a conversation about the material culture of today. Through a multi-layered performance encompassing dance, poetry, voiceover, and theater, audiences will discover the iconic importance of sneakers in hip-hop culture – exploring the empowerment and the exploitation of the most important fashion items in the world and unraveling the complexities of its roots in materialism.
If the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts doesn’t cure your appetite for song and dance, the Kimmel Center is hosting even more excellent shows throughout the spring and summer.
Downtown Philly is the place to be for jazz music and Broadway tunes, plus critically acclaimed singers and thrilling dance groups. There is even a naughty magic show!
Kelli O’Hara
Merriam Theater at the Kimmel Center
Jun 14
Save 20% on seats
Kelli O’Hara has established herself as one of Broadway’s great leading ladies. Her portrayal of Anna Leonowens in the critically acclaimed revival of The King and I recently garnered her a Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical, along with Drama League and Outer Critics nominations.
La Verità
Merriam Theater at the Kimmel Center
May 13 – May 14
Save 20% on seats
La Verità is a thrilling cirque-style tribute to a backdrop painted by the surrealist artist Salvador Dali. Ideas and images collide in this decadent Vaudeville-inspired spectacle: acrobats play instruments, sing, juggle, contort, and can-can among unfurling flowers, distorting shadows, ladders suspended in empty space, blindfolds, feathers, and sequins. Art lovers will marvel at a recreation of Dali’s gigantic, hand-painted backdrop onstage.
If/Then
Academy of music / Kimmel Center
Jun 21, 2016 – Jun 26, 2016
Save 20% on select seats
If/Then is a contemporary Broadway musical about living in New York today — and all the possibilities of tomorrow. With unforgettable songs and a deeply moving story by the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award® winning creators of Next to Normal, the show simultaneously follows one woman’s two possible life paths, painting a deeply moving portrait of the lives we lead, as well as the lives we might have led.
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
with Wynton Marsalis (Tribute to Miles Davis)
Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center
May 15
Save over 25% on seats
The diverse, label-defying Miles Davis, who would have turned 90 this year, remains the pinnacle of transformative expression, musically and beyond. From Birth of the Cool to Miles in the Sky, the famously versatile Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis will offer fresh perspective on some of Davis’ groundbreaking concepts and timeless masterpieces.
Meghan Hilty
Merriam Theater at the Kimmel Center
May 17
Save 20% on seats
Megan Hilty is likely best known as the actual ‘Bombshell’ star of the NBC-TV series “Smash”. She has also appeared on Broadway as Glinda in Wicked and opposite Allison Janney and Stephanie Block in the musical comedy adaptation of 9 to 5 as well as a guest star on many television dramas and comedies. A wonderful vocalist as well as gifted actress, Megan will return to Broadway this winter in the new revival of the slapstick farce classic “Noises Off” with Andrea Martin.
Riverdance: The 20th Anniversary World Tour
Academy of music at the Kimmel Center
Jun 14 – Jun 19
Save 20% on select seats
Drawing on Irish traditions, the combined talents of the performers propel Irish dancing and music into the present day, capturing the imagination of audiences across all ages and cultures in an innovative and exciting blend of dance, music and song. Of all the performances to emerge from Ireland – in rock, music, theatre and film – nothing has carried the energy, the sensuality and the spectacle of Riverdance.
The Naked Magic Show
Merriam Theater at the Kimmel Center
May 6
Save 15% on seats
Following sold out shows and rave reviews in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the USA the world’s boldest and cheekiest magic show “The Naked Magic Show” is coming to Philadelphia.
The show features magic, mirth and mayhem as these two hot and hilarious magicians say ‘abracadabra’ and take magic to a whole new level. Left without sleeves or pockets, their sassy magic is baffling and entertaining, bringing a new meaning to “now you see it”. This R-rated magic show strips away the top hats and capes, promising full frontal illusions. Good magicians don’t need sleeves and great magicians don’t need pants. This show proves just that. 18+ only.
If you’re planning to be in Philadelphia anytime soon be sure to check out all the amazing concerts on TicketsatWork.com – plus the equally sensational savings for tickets!
By: Jeff Hyatt
TicketsatWork Blog 