Kimmel Events in January

The immensely popular Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE, based on the #1 PBS KIDS TV series, has delighted live audiences on stages across the country for three years. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE: King For A Day! will be at the Merriam Theater Friday, January 5, 2018 and Saturday and January 6, 2018. Daniel and all of his friends invite people of all ages to enjoy a brand new adventure in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe where Daniel learns what it takes to be King. The characters come alive on stage with new songs, teaching valuable lessons about kindness, helping others and being a friend. 

Les Misérables, part of Broadway Philadelphia’s 2017-18 season, presented collaboratively by the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Shubert Organization, will return to Philadelphia for a two-week engagement January 9-21 at the Academy of Music on the Kimmel Center Cultural Campus. Set against the backdrop of 19^th-century France, Les Misérables, the story of broken dreams, unrequited love, sacrifice and redemption, is still the world’s most popular musical, breaking box office records world-wide in its 32^nd year. It has been seen by more than 130 million people in 44 countries. 

Comedic genius Paula Poundstone will make her Kimmel Center debut at the Merriam Theater on Thursday, January 11, 2018 at 8:00 p.m. Ms. Poundstone has recently released her new book, The Totally Unscientific Study of the Search for Human Happiness, She is known for her sharp spontaneous wit and smart observational humor and can be heard regularly on NPR’s #1 show, the weekly comedy news quiz “Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me!”    Paula Poundstone won an American Comedy Award for Best Female Stand-up Comic and has released three performance CD’s. On July 8, 2017, she launched her own weekly podcast - Live from the Poundstone Institute. The podcast is produced in association with NPR station KPCC and is distributed by NPR. 

Juan de Marcos and the Afro-Cuban All Stars will bring the sounds of Cuba to the Kimmel Center Cultural Campus’ Merriam Theater on January 12, 2018 at 8:00 p.m. A unique orchestra, devoted to promoting the complete story of Cuban music, it incorporates the full spectrum of Latin dance music including salsa, mambo, cha-cha, bolero, and rumba. Beginning in the 1990’s the group has had several European tours.  The Afro-Cuban All Stars have been the subject of several documentaries and have received four Grammy® nominations. Over time, they have incorporated younger performers into the band and the musicians now range in age from 13 to 81.

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in association with Live Nation welcomes neuroscientist, philosopher, and five-time New York Times best-selling author Sam Harris to the Merriam Theater on Sunday, January 14, 2018 at 8:00 p.m. Harris will discuss topical and thought-provoking subjects during a live recording of his 2017 Webby Award-winning podcast Waking Up.  Harris’ writings and lectures cover a wide range of topics but generally focus on how a growing understanding of ourselves and the world is changing our sense of how we should live. Harris received a degree in philosophy from Stanford University and a Ph.D. in neuroscience from UCLA. 

  

The exceptionally funny The Second City improv troupe returns to the Kimmel Center’s Perelman Theater for performances on Friday, January 19, 2018 and Saturday, January 20, 2018, Their new show, Look Both Ways Before Talking will feature The Second City’s signature improv comedy, audience interaction, and original of-the-moment sketches and songs. The Second City has launched careers of generations of the brightest and funniest comics. Alumni include Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, Gilda Radner and Bill Murray. The company now has training centers in Toronto, Chicago and Los Angeles as well as four international touring companies.

Philadelphia rocker David Sweeny creates fun for the whole family with The Johnny Shortcake Show in the SEI Innovation Studio on Saturday, January 27, 2018 and Sunday, 28, 2018. This family-friendly performance is a dance party featuring songs for the young and old alike with original music. Themed around celebrating silliness, the show features soul music for children, teaches important life lessons and is like a big disco party. Johnny Shortcake is the captivating kid-centric personality of David Sweeny, who made a name for himself in the Philadelphia music and arts scene under his other persona – Johnny Showcase. This is a designated BBYO performance.

Philadelphia’s favorite radio DJ, Jerry Blavat, is back for his annual star-studded performance in Verizon Hall, Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 8:00 p.m. entitled Disco, Soul, and Doo Wop. The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts partners with Jerry Blavat every season for a variety show featuring special guests and beloved tunes. Attendees are invited to the Commonwealth Plaza for cocktails and dancing before and after every performance. This year’s show will feature performances by Philly’s Blue Magic; The Intruders; Ray Goodman & Brown; The Moments; The Clovers; Norman Fox & The Rob Roys; Eddie Holman; The Vogues; a special tribute to Jackie Wilson by his son, Bobby Wilson; and more.

International tango superstar German Cornejo and his world-renowned dance troupe, The Tango Fire Company of Buenos Aires will return to the Merriam theater in Tango Fire on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at 8:00 p.m. Choreographer and tango star German Cornejo will be joined by his senuous and passionate partner Gisela Galeassi. An amazing cast will join them, featuring World Champion Tango champions and dancing greats from tango houses in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Conceived in 2005, Tango Fire premiered in Singapore and then toured extensively.