Kimmel Center Presents 2008-09 Season Sponsored by Citi
Seventh Anniversary Season Marked with More Than 65 Free at the Kimmel Performances, Nearly 20 Artist Chats, and Several Organ Postludes as well as Free Themed Tours Throughout the Week

Kimmel Center Presents' Free at the Kimmel events continue in January through the seventh anniversary season with more than 90 free events and performances to take place throughout the center's spaces this year. Free at the Kimmel includes: Free in the Plaza with local artists performing classical, jazz, pop, country, world, dance and family fare on the Commonwealth Plaza stage; as well as Artist Chats with Kimmel Center Presents performers; Education Events in the Merck Arts Education Center; and Organ Postludes on the Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ in Verizon Hall.

Free themed tours, including Building & Theater Tours and Art & Architecture Tours, are conducted throughout the week by experienced volunteer guides. Updates and complete schedules are available at www.kimmelcenter.org/free. All artists and programs are subject to change.

Free at the Kimmel events are made possible through the Wachovia Gateway to the Arts Community Access Program supported by a generous grant from Wachovia Foundation.

Below is a full schedule of the Free at the Kimmel events in January 2009:

Thursday, January 1, 2009 | 8am-6pm
Commonwealth Plaza | Free at the Kimmel
New Year's Day Celebration
The Kimmel Center ushers in the New Year with indoor festivities for all parade goers to enjoy while partaking in Philadelphia's oldest holiday tradition, the annual Mummers New Year's Day Parade. The Kimmel Center opens its doors to the New Year from 8am to 6pm, and welcomes the community to warm up indoors with Free at the Kimmel entertainment for children and adults.

Thursday, January 1, 2009 | 10:30-11:30am
Commonwealth Plaza | Free at the Kimmel
Yosi
Wiggle like a worm in a "Hole in the Ground." Act like "Six Little Monkeys." Enjoy a bowlful of "Chicken Noodle Soup." Get on a chugging "Train Medley," and make "Friend's Around the World!" Yosi's lively and humorous children's concerts feature songs from his multi-award-winning albums, which can be heard on WXPN - Kids Corner, and Sirius and XM Satellite Radios.

Thursday, January 1, 2009 | Noon-1pm
Commonwealth Plaza | Free at the Kimmel
Steve Pullara and His Cool Beans Band
Ring in the first day of the New Year with Philly's own award-winning Steve Pullara and His Cool Beans Band! Your whole family will be engaged in their popular live interactive concert. Cool Beans songs are well known on Kids Corner, WHYY-FM and Sirius Radio. Bring your dancing shoes and experience them live in Commonwealth Plaza!

Thursday, January 1, 2009 | 1:30-2:30pm
Commonwealth Plaza | Free at the Kimmel
The Hardly Able String Band
Experience the Mummers up close and personal as The Hardly Able String Band of veteran Mummers perform on bass, accordion, saxophone and banjo.

Saturday, January 3, 2008 | 11am
Commonwealth Plaza | PNC Grow up Great
Miss Amy: Kid's Fitness Rock & Roll
Miss Amy has captivated audiences with her original songs that include movements from actual health & fitness disciplines (dubbed "Fitness Rock & Roll"). Participants at Miss Amy's concerts get a workout without even knowing it! This is the fourth performance in the PNC Grow Up Great series which presents child-friendly programming at 11am on the first Saturday of every month in Commonwealth Plaza, unless otherwise noted. Visit www.kimmelcenter.org/family for more information.

Sunday, January 18, 2009 | 6pm and 11pm
Commonwealth Plaza | Free at the Kimmel
Geator Dance Party with DJ Mark the Spark
Party with the Geator and DJ Mark the Spark as they spin tunes from the good old days in the Commonwealth Plaza prior to and following the ticketed Jerry Blavat's Roots of Rhythm and Blues event in Verizon Hall. The 6pm party will be broadcast live on WLVT-FM 92.1.

Saturday, January 24, 2009 | 6:30pm
Commonwealth Plaza | Free at the Kimmel
First Person Arts Story Slam
First Person Arts Story Slams are real-life storytelling competitions. Each slam has a theme which elicits stories from the life experiences of Philly storytellers. Who are these local tale spinners? Everyone with a story and a little sense of competition is encouraged to participate. Join us for a free First Person Arts Story Slam in the Commonwealth Plaza prior to the ticketed evening with Ira Glass in Verizon Hall.

Tuesdays-Sundays | 1pm
Commonwealth Plaza Information Desk | Free Themed Tours
Building & Theater Tour
Join us for a themed tour which includes a history of the Kimmel Center; architectural and construction highlights; and visits to Commonwealth Plaza, Perelman Theater, Verizon Hall, Merck Arts Education Center and the Dorrance H. Hamilton Garden. This tour is approximately one hour in duration.
Please note: Building & Theater Tours will not be offered January 1.

Saturdays | 10:30am
Commonwealth Plaza Information Desk | Free Themed Tours
Art & Architecture Tour
Join us for a themed tour which includes an in-depth look at the Kimmel Center's architecture, a walk along the Avenue of the Arts to view the Center in the context of the cityscape, and a tour of artworks on display throughout the Kimmel Center, including the Moore Galleries and the recently installed Percent for Art collection. Tours are led by experienced volunteer guides and are free of charge. This tour is approximately 90 minutes in duration.