40th St. Summer Series Brings Together Art and Community

University City Collaborative Presents “40th Street Summer Series”

The Foundation Community Arts Initiative, University City District, and University of Pennsylvania to bring together art and community

Contact: Gina Renzi, Coordinator, The Rotunda - 215 573 3234
Lori Klein Brennan, Sr. Director Marketing & Communications, University City District - 215 243 0555
Rhea Lewis, Director, Communications and Special Projects, Penn Business Services - 215 898 2698

For Immediate Release

May 20, 2004

(Philadelphia, PA) – From world music to puppet theatre, the arts will be on display in University City this summer when The Foundation Community Arts Initiative, University City District, and the University of Pennsylvania present the “40th Street Summer Series.” The series, beginning June 5 will take place each Saturday from noon to 3pm on the front plaza (Walnut Street side) of The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street. All Events are FREE and welcome audiences of all ages.

The events feature a lively array of groups who will perform or showcase their crafts. “We think the diverse events offered will appeal to many different segments of the University City community while attracting people from other areas of the City, introducing them to the Rotunda and the wonderful programming that we offer for all ages in a safe, alcohol-free environment,” says Gina Renzi, The Rotunda Coordinator.

Additional goals of Organizers also expect the “40th Street Summer Series” also include to increasing exposure to 40th Street merchants and driving traffic to these businesses. for the area goods and services, bringing more business to the 40th Street merchants. With the recent opening of Qdoba and Metropolitan Bakery and the expected opening of Marathon Grill, 40th Street now offers culture combined with quality food options, an up-scale grocery store, movie theater and other wonderful retail options.

University City District is pleased to participate in this event. Executive Director, Eric T. Goldstein says, “Free programming like this gives everyone an opportunity to become involved in some aspect of the eclectic cultural scene in University City. We hope these events draw residents and visitors from outside University City as well.”

“This event is a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate that University City is not just an academic center,” said Leroy Nunery, vice president of Penn’s Business Services. “The 40th Street area has historically been very vibrant as the intersection of Penn’s campus and West Philadelphia. This is the perfect setting for a summer arts series and the array of cultural events that will follow.”

Summer Series Event Listings

June 5
Native Nations Dance Theater Presents POWWOW
Native American dance and music
Part of day long POWWOW occurring 12pm-10pm inside of The Rotunda. Native Nations Dance Theater is Philadelphia's only indigenous dance company. POWWOW is also occurring on Friday, June 4. 10am-2:30pm inside (special educational programs for children; registration form required-obtain one from Native Nations web site), Grand Entry at 7pm. www.nativenationsdanceco.homestead.com/presentations1.html

June 12
Puppet Uprising #18
Puppet performances from: The Reflectors, Heard and Brown (teenage puppeteers), and Kim Mandel. + Accordion music from Lucy Snyder. + A Cheap Art Bazaar
Part of weekend-long puppet cabaret and cheap art bazaar occurring Friday night and Sat. night (7:30pm, inside). www.puppetuprising.org

June 19
Makin’ It Philly: A Skillshare Collective
Craft fair and skillshare
Patrons can buy arts and crafts as well as learn skills/crafts from Makin’ It members. Makin It' will focus the workshops and sales on garden basics, involving window boxes, container gardening, decorative garden accessories, composting, urban gardening, and more Makin’ It Philly: A Skillshare Collective is a not-for-profit organization that seeks to provide and inclusive forum for people to share skills and knowledge. Makin’ It Philly organizes workshops and other events with the belief that when we use our hearts and hands together, we build bridges between people and create a stronger community through shared action and knowledge.
Workshops/skill shares and some sales will occur on The Rotunda plaza. *Additional sales will occur along 40th Street, between Walnut and Locust. www.makinitphilly.org

June 26
Art Carnivalution
Ollin Yoliztli Calmecac (trans.: The School of the Blood Moving Inside the Heart; authentic Aztec dancers), improvised hand drumming and dancing accompaniment from various locals; Homespun carousel, created by Al Gory (a safe, electric carousel decorated with mechanical monkeys and snakes, which seats two people and is safe enough for adults and young children alike. Organized by Eric Broomfield of the popular jazz/improv/jam/psychedelic band The Hydrogen Jukebox.

July 10
Spiral Q Puppet Theater
Spiral Q will hold open *monster and alien* puppetmaking workshops for adults and children
Using various colors and styles of paper, Spiral Q staff will instruct in the art of building puppets using designs of monsters and aliens. Spiral Q Puppet Theater will be making amazing monster and alien paper puppet creations. In 10 minute, you can make your very own weird or scary puppet to bring home. After you make your puppet, there will be time to share your puppet creation with others." From 12pm-6pm inside, Nerdcon will be occurring. This is a fair including vendors of comic books, sci-fi, etc. The outdoor workshop will entertain children too young to enjoy Nerdcon, as well as further the theme of the day for older folks who attend Nerdcon. www.spiralq.org

July 17
Black Women’s Arts Festival (BWAF) 2004
Various Black female artists will perform song, dance, and poetry
From 12pm-10pm inside, BWAF will occur. Includes black female musicians, vendors, artist, filmmakers

July 24
TBD
TBD

July 31
Burlap Lute (90 minutes)
IB and the Thurobred-kidz, etc al (90 minutes)
Acoustical European Renaissance music, and bucket drumming/rapping from local children, respectively
Two completely different segments which simply show the diversity of The Rotunda's programming

August 7
World music and dance workshop
Belly dancing and other folk dances, plus world music.
Part of day-long workshops + evening event

More information on The Foundation Community Arts Initiative and our programming at The Rotunda: www.foundationarts.org, 215-573-3234

The Foundation is a community gathering place for the promotion of arts and culture. This center seeks to bring together the Penn student community with the people of West Philadelphia and the greater Philadelphia area. We work from the belief that art is a catalyst for change, and that arts events can lead to the formation of meaningful Penn-West Philadelphia partnerships. Visit www.foundationarts.org for more information.

University City District builds effective partnerships to maintain a clean and safe environment and to promote, plan and advocate for University City’s diverse, urban community. University City is the region’s leading community for technology, research, higher education and health care integrated with historic and desirable residential neighborhoods, vibrant commercial and cultural attractions, and strong transportation connections.

Release Date: Thursday, May 20th 2004