Museum's Garden Jamboree initiates its second season, featuring West Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra
The West Philadelphia Orchestra is set to perform at the Penn Museum's Garden Jams on July 30, as part of a series of outdoor music events running every Wednesday in July. This community-based ensemble, known for its diverse repertoire and local engagement, will offer a unique blend of traditional West African music, Philadelphia's music landscape, and influences from various cultures, including Balkan, Ashkenazi Jewish, and European.
The event, held in Stoner Courtyard, across South Street from Franklin Field, aims to invite the community to visit the museum in different ways. Tena Thomason, the associate director of public engagement for the museum, stated that one of the goals of the series is to reach out to new audiences and bring them in through music.
The West Philadelphia Orchestra's name is a nod to the culture it celebrates through its music, as orchestras are also commonly referred to as brass bands in that part of the world. The band, which has been together for almost 19 years, has branched out from its Balkan roots to incorporate Ashkenazi Jewish and other European influences.
Elliot Beck, the drummer for the West Philadelphia Orchestra, has Ashkenazi Jewish roots and finds a connection to his heritage through the group. Beck has been the drummer for the West Philadelphia Orchestra for the last five years.
The West Philadelphia Orchestra's setlist for this event promises a mix of traditional Balkan folk tunes, klezmer remixes, New Orleans brass band music, and George Michael's "Faith," showcasing their versatility and commitment to bringing a wide range of music to the community.
This particular iteration of the event, which includes late-night museum access, is only in its second year. The event was community-based and aimed to tie live performance arts into the community. Carm Almonor, a political science professor at Seton Hall University, attended the event last year and expressed appreciation for the community-based live performance arts.
Los Bomberos De La Calle will celebrate Afro-Caribbean music on July 23, following the West Philadelphia Orchestra's performance. Vertical Current, a jazz, soul, and funk band, will perform next week, continuing the series' celebration of diverse musical styles.
Penn Museum has been hosting outdoor music events since 2010, with the goal of attracting new audiences and encouraging them to return. The courtyard was filled with attendees who spread out on the cobblestone and grassy sections, some bringing blankets or folding chairs, and others finding shade on available benches. The museum's goal with events like this is to attract new audiences and encourage them to return.
- Visitors at the Penn Museum's Garden Jams, which run every Wednesday in July, can enjoy a blend of home-and-garden ambiance and entertainment, as they listen to music from diverse ensembles like the West Philadelphia Orchestra, who will be performing on July 30.
- During the West Philadelphia Orchestra's performance on July 30, music lovers can expect a lifestyle filled with a mix of traditional Balkan folk tunes, klezmer remixes, and other eclectic genres, as they enjoy an evening of live music in the museum's Stoner Courtyard.
