Live Performances

FREE LIVE PERFORMANCES

Saturday, June 26
Morris Day and the Time
8:00 p.m.
Penn’s Landing, Columbus Boulevard and Chestnut Streets

Sunday, June 27th
Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir
4:30 p.m.
Penn's Landing, Columbus Boulevard and Chestnut Streets

Jeffrey Gaines
6:00 p.m.
Penn’s Landing, Columbus Boulevard and Chestnut Streets

Friday, July 2
Peter Nero and The Philly Pops
8:30 p.m.
Independence Hall

Saturday, July 3
Wachovia, A Wells Fargo Company, presents the Philadelphia Orchestra Free Neighborhood Concert at Penn's Landing
8:00 p.m.
Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street

Sunday, July 4
Life, Liberty and You Concert: The Goo Goo Dolls, The Roots, Chrisette Michele, Chuck Brown, and Green River Ordinance
8:00 p.m.
Eakins Oval, Benjamin Franklin Parkway

The Goo Goo Dolls

Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced that rock legends and Grammy-nominated performers, The Goo Goo Dolls, will headline the July 4 musical finale for the 2010 Wawa Welcome America! festival –the largest free concert in America.

Longtime and new Goo Goo Dolls’ fans will enjoy popular hits such as “Iris,” “Name,” and “Better Days” while also being treated to music from their new album, Something for the Rest of Us.

“Every year, the Wawa Welcome America! Festival reaches new heights with programming, events and talent,” said Mayor Nutter. “We are thrilled that visitors and local residents will be treated to the Goo Goo Dolls for the premiere celebration of America’s birthday.”

Wawa Welcome America! is Philadelphia’s July Fourth celebration featuring ten
patriotic days showcasing all that America’s birthplace has to offer. Visitors and local residents will enjoy more food, fun and entertainment than ever before including three days of Wawa Welcome America’s signature culinary event, Taste of Philadelphia and the three spectacular fireworks shows over the course of ten days, culminating on the evening of the 4th of July.

“This year’s calendar is filled with all of the pageantry, family fun and world class music that people expect from Wawa Welcome America – only bigger, bolder and better,” said Melanie Johnson, City Representative and Executive Director for the festival.

The Roots

1987. Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts, second day of school. A student named Ahmir Thompson walks into the principal’s office seeking a lunch pass. At the same time, a freshman named Tariq Trotter stumbles in, gripped by school guards who caught him engaging in “extracurricular” activities with a ballerina in the ladies bathroom

1999. Commercially, things come together with the release of Things Fall Apart. The album soars close to platinum, selling 900,000 copies, and included the Grammy-winning hit single “You Got Me,” featuring Eve and Erykah Badu, written by Jill Scott. Even as they are excelling in the stores, The Roots showcase their strength on stage with the double concert album The Roots Come Alive. At the same time that their commercial base expands, they create one for other people. Along with the Jazzyfatnastees and Jaguar Wright, they organize the musical salon Black Lily which gives Beanie Sigel, Bilal and Musiq their first shine.

2006 and on. This period may be more important than the rest, because if you really understand The Roots, you’ll know they are as much about what they have done as what they haven’t. The brilliance of The Roots is not that they are “real musicians” or that they make insightful literary references in their album titles, but the shifts they constantly make, which make them analogous to time--always moving. It’s the list of what the band has yet to explore that ?uestlove creates and crosses off while The Roots record an album (speed metal, electronica, drum and bass, Stones-style rock-- done, done, etc.). The real secret in watching The Roots progress is in what you think they will do vs. what they do. It’s the gap, the space between things that they bridge-- tried/not tried, expected/unexpected--like the silence between beats which makes music.
 

Morris Day and the Time

Following a day of dining on the best local cuisine, visitors to the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing can unwind under the stars and jam to June 26 Taste of Philadelphia headliner Morris Day and The Time.

“When “The Bird” plays on the radio, people of all backgrounds and generations turn the volume up and jam,” said Mayor Michael Nutter. “I’m sure they’ll have the crowd moving to their hits.”

The funk pop ensemble, formed under the tutelage of musical legend Prince, released four albums which included hits such as “The Bird” and “Fishnet.” The group’s signature style and energetic stage performances have thrilled audiences around the globe for nearly three decades.

Following the concert the sky will light up with a dramatic fireworks display over the Delaware River—the first of three fireworks displays during the Wawa Welcome America! festival.

Wawa Welcome! America’s signature culinary event, Taste of Philadelphia will kick off on Friday, June 25 and continue Saturday and Sunday, June 26 and 27.

Peter Nero and the Philly Pops

“Philadelphia’s Independence Day celebration would not be complete without the patriotic tunes of Peter Nero and the Philly Pops,” said National Constitution Center President and CEO David Eisner. “We are grateful to Amway Global for their support of this Philadelphia tradition and look forward to working with Historic Philadelphia, Inc. and all of our Independence Mall partners to make this year’s festivities memorable.” 

The Philadelphia Orchestra

After wowing international audiences as part of its recent Tour of Asia, The Philadelphia Orchestra has returned home to reaffirm its commitment to Philadelphia with the 2010 Free Neighborhood Concert Series. Wachovia, a Wells Fargo Company, continues its commitment to The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Neighborhood Concerts as presenting sponsor for the seventh consecutive year. All Neighborhood Concerts are free and open to the public.

“Each citizen of this great community should have the opportunity to experience the music of The Philadelphia Orchestra,” said Philadelphia Orchestra President and CEO Allison Vulgamore. “By expanding the concert experience beyond its traditional setting, we are bringing the Orchestra to your neighborhood for a casual summertime treat that you can

make your own with family and friends. We are proud to call Philadelphia our home and each year we look forward to bringing our amazing musicians into the community to perform free concerts for longtime supporters and new listeners alike.”

On Saturday, July 3, at 8:00 PM, The Philadelphia Orchestra joins the citywide Wawa Welcome America Independence Day celebrations with a free Neighborhood Concert at the RiverStage at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing. The program, led by the Orchestra’s assistant conductor, Danail Rachev, will feature beloved patriotic works. Following the concert there will be an exciting fireworks display, presented by the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation. The Orchestra previously performed Neighborhood Concerts at Penn’s Landing in 2004 and 2006.

“The sounds of a Philadelphia Orchestra concert on a warm summer night is music to all of our ears,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “Everyone in the Philadelphia region should take some time to kick back, relax, and experience an amazing performance by this world class musical ensemble.”

Chrisette Michele

It has been two years since sultry voiced singer Chrisette Michele released her stunning gold-certified debut I Am. Blessed with a gorgeous instrument and described as a “soulful songbird” by Entertainment Weekly, the Long Island native proved to the world that she could live up to the hype. Nominated for a BET Award for Best New Artist as well as two Grammy’s, I Am was both a critical success and a fans delight.

Since the release of her I Am, Chrisette has always toured endlessly with her band: the Truth and other R&B singers, Raheem DeVaughn, and Solange Knowles. “To me, nothing is more important than touring,” she says. “Communicating with the audience through song can be magical. Singing in the studio is one thing, but you must be able to bring it to the stage too.”

While angst and heartbreak is part of Chrisette Michele’s persona on her sophomore project, the power and strength of her material gives Epiphany the sound of a future classic. Without a doubt, this is the first great album of 2009.

Chuck Brown

Affectionately known as the Godfather of Go Go, Chuck Brown created the Go Go sound. He combined Latin beats, African call and response chants and American Jazz, throwing in a touch of soul with a continuous drumbeat. This nonstop dance music is and has been a trademark of original creative music from the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., and has gained Chuck Brown worldwide fans.

The power and energy of a Brown performance became available to the public for the first time on DVD and companion CD in 2002. Entitled “Put Your Hands Up! The Tribute Concert To Chuck Brown” the concert features performances by Chuck, EU, Back Yard, 911, and guests Little Benny, Maiesha, Whiteboy, Go-Go Mickey, Big Tony and others. Directed by MTV director/producer J. Kevin Swain (2 Pac, Erykah Badu, Outkast, etc.). The 2 DVD set is mixed in 5.1 surround sound and recorded on Chuck’s home turf at the 9:30 Club, allowing viewers to experience the unique excitement of a Chuck Brown concert in DC. Included on the DVD is the short documentary “From The Belly Of The Drum” featuring interviews with industry notables like former Def Jam President Kevin Liles, BET’s Stephen Hill, Warner Bros. recording artist Meshell Ndegeocello and Island Records founder Chris Blackwell.

“Everywhere else, Hip Hop rules. But the sound of DC is Go Go, for one reason. His name is Chuck Brown.” -Jeff Chang, Author “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop, A History Of The Hip-Hop Generation”

Hezekiah Walker and The Love Fellowship Crusade Choir

Enjoy the powerful messages and inspiring sounds of gospel great Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir while indulging in scrumptious local cuisine as part of Wawa Welcome America!’s Taste of Philadelphia on June 27th at Penn’s Landing. The free concert starts at 11:00 am with a roster of talented and local musicians, and Walker and the Love Fellowship Choir take the stage at 4:30 pm. Performers include Jeffrey Gaines, gospel artist Wes Morgan, folksinger Birdie Busch, Enon Gospel Choir, Dancing Classrooms Philly, All Souled Out, pop cover band Love Junk and The Reel Feel. The concert is presented by Praise 103.9, Philadelphia’s Inspiration Station.

Known as “the Pastor of Hip-Hop,” Walker has opened the genre of gospel music to a broader audience by fusing traditional gospel and urban music and has worked with some of the biggest names in R&B and hip-hop such as Sean “Diddy” Combs and R. Kelly. As front man of The Love Fellowship Crusade Choir for the past 25 years, Walker has seen great success in the music industry. Hits include “The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow,” “Oh Lord We Praise You,” “Power Belongs to God,” and the Grammy-nominated “Lift Him Up.”

Jeffrey Gaines

Since Jeffrey Gaines’ self-titled debut was released in 1992, this expressive and dynamic singer, guitarist, and songwriter has been heralded for his soul-searching confessional lyrics and his powerful live performances. His accolades include Emmy nominations, POLLSTAR”S best live solo artist, and world-wide theatre, club and arena tours.

To quote ROLLING STONE, “Jeffrey Gaines is an ethereal soul….insistent, impassioned, full of self-knowledge. He is the voice of a new generation.”

We are pleased to re-release Jeffrey first record, “JEFFREY GAINES”, as it is a timeless work of art that has gained momentum with each passing year.
 

Jeffrey has been Special Guest on tours around the world with Sting, Live, Tori Amos, Joss Stone, Stevie Nicks, Tracy Chapman, Tom Petty, Melissa Etheridge, Gregg Allman and Sheryl Crow. He was also honored with an Emmy nomination for his song “I Want You To Want Me” and also was featured in AT&T’s "Let’s Talk" Campaign.

Green River Ordinance

A pop-rock act to keep an eye on in 2010,’ according to Billboard, you can catch Green River Ordinance (GRO) performing nonstop high-energy sets throughout the summer on the heels of their successful EMI/Virgin Records debut, Out Of My Hands. The band dropped its second single ‘On Your Own’ on April 12 and the song has already been heard on TV shows like The Hills, The Young And The Restless and So You Think You Can Dance and Drop Dead Diva. "On Your Own," the follow up to "Come On" reached Top 15 on the Adult Top 40 chart. The guys are touring this summer with Kris Allen and the Goo Goo Dolls