Philadelphia Tribune - Index

Philadelphia Tribune - Summer Sojourner 2008 - Index

integrates funk, Afrobeat, bebop, traditional
Latino and Caribbean musics, reggae, and
R&B to create a sound that is uniquely their
own.
“This much-anticipated series is an opportunity
for audiences to hear and see some of
the best performers in R&B music today –
for free,” says program director Keeya
Branson-Davis, who played an integral role
in developing the 2008 series. “Each performer
in the series was selected for their
incredible ability to interpret R&B music in
their own unique style. All of the performers
are true artists who will deliver stellar performances
that will become memorable
experiences for everyone who attends the
concerts this summer.”
July is also a great time to explore Latino
culture at the Hispanic Fiesta, July 12 and
13, from noon to 8 p.m. It will be held in the
Great Plaza located at the waterfront and
Market Street. This is part of the PECO
Multicultural Series which kicked off in mid-
June with the Islamic Festival, continues in
August with the ACANA African Festival,
and will conclude with the Mexican Festival
on Sunday, Sept. 14.
“All of us at PECO are thrilled to return
again to the waterfront to support multicultural
festivals,” says Dennis O’Brien, president
of PECO. “Penn’s Landing is a
Philadelphia summertime tradition, and the
PECO Multicultural Series is a fun way for
us to celebrate the wide range of diversity
represented in our service territory.”
The Hispanic Festival is presented by
Independence Blue Cross and Council of
Spanish-Speaking Organizations (CON-
CILIO). This event started as a Puerto Rican
extravaganza in 1981. Since then it has
expanded to include many Latino, including
African Latino, cultures. Consequently, the
weekend’s line-up includes musical and
dance forms like mariachis, salsa, meringue,
bachata, zamba, cumbia, and flamenco in
addition to cuisine from the Spanish-speaking
Caribbean islands, Central America, and
South America.
Snoop Dogg will perform as an opening
act to 311 at The Festival Pier Tuesday, July
15 at 7 p.m. Fiction Plane will also be performing
that evening on the stage located on
the waterfront at Spring Garden Street.
General admission seats for this event cost
$49.50 and the doors one hour before show
time.
“We are proud to host an exciting live concert
schedule on Festival Pier, produced by
Live Nation,” says Brooks. “It continually
adds to the outstanding line-up of great con-
Continued on page 14
This overpass leads to Penn’s
Landing, Philadelphia’s premier
waterfront destination.
Singer Kevin
Michael is a
part of the
summer line
up at Penn’s
Landing.
Maysa will bring her eclectic sound
to the waterfront this summer.
SOJOURNER SUMMER 2008
7
Lalah Hathaway
will perform along
with Ledisi in
July.
Philly favorite Gerald
Veasley will join the all-star
line up for the jazz series.
Photo/Abdul Sulayman