Penn Museum’s Summer Nights Concert Series Kicks Off June 21

Wednesday Evenings Pair Local & International Music with
Access to World-Renowned Collection of Art & Artifacts

PHILADELPHIA, PA—This summer, discover an outdoor concert experience that in-the-know Philadelphians have been enjoying for years. The Penn Museum’s eighth annual Summer Nights Concert Series brings an eclectic lineup of performances—including Creole Zydeco, Calypso, ‘20s Jazz, Middle Eastern folk, and more—to the relaxing garden setting of the Museum’s Stoner Courtyard. Admission is just $10 (free for PennCard holders, Penn Medicine and CHOP employees with ID; Penn Museum Members, and children under 6 years old). Concerts are presented every Wednesday evening, June 21 through September 6, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.

The series is geared to visitors of any age, from friends meeting after work to families with children. Museum general admission is included with concert admission, and galleries stay open to 8:00 pm. At the 6:30 pm set break, attendees may take a short guided gallery tour. Outside, kids can color and play at a craft station.

The Pepper Mill Café offers a garden bar with wine, beer, non-alcoholic beverages, and light foods for sale. Attendees are welcome to bring their own picnics, blankets, chairs, and even dogs (but no alcohol, please). Concerts move indoors during inclement weather.

The 2017 Wednesday Evening Summer Nights Lineup

June 21
The Mid East Ensemble
Kicking off the season, the Mid East Ensemble is led by accomplished percussionist Joe Tayoun, and features acclaimed local, regional and international musicians performing a lively arrangement of classical and folk Arabic, Turkish, and Armenian music.

June 28
West Philadelphia Orchestra
Enjoy this eclectic ensemble made up of some of Philly’s finest and wildest musicians, with music that is rooted in Eastern European folk traditions, and blended with free jazz, punk, and blues, among other genres.

July 5
Red Hot Ramblers
An authentic 1920's jazz ensemble in every way, the Red Hot Ramblers exemplify red-hot syncopation, stompin' rhythms, and lyrical melodies associated with the Jazz Age. Their snappy on-stage appearance will make you think you've stepped back in time to the Roaring '20s.

July 12
Zydeco-A-Go-Go
With Creole Zydeco and Cajun 2-steps, this group combines funky New Orleans rhythm and blues and vintage Louisiana rock ‘n roll into a spicy gumbo of irresistible dance music.

July 19
Philadelphia Songwriters Project: 2017 Winners Concert
The Philadelphia Songwriters Project showcases up-and-coming musicians, with a diverse array of sounds that engages audiences with their lyrical and musical nuance. This performance features all four winners of the Project's annual songwriting contest.

July 26
Conjunto Philadelphia
Conjunto Philadelphia is a musical ensemble based in the Philadelphia area performing the music of Pre-Revolutionary Cuba. The group's main aspiration is to maintain the authenticity of the music while performing it in a way that pays homage to Cuba's deep and treasured musical history.

August 2
Animus
Bill Koutsouros' internationally acclaimed ensemble offers an exciting fusion of ancient and modern music with traditional elements of Greek, rock, Middle Eastern, blues, Indian, jazz, and African music.

August 9
Ensemble Novo
This six-piece Brazilian jazz group of Philadelphia features vibraphone, electric and nylon string guitars, bass guitar, drums, percussion, and saxophone. Inspired by the music of Brazil, the group creates a spacious, welcoming sound.

August 16
The Kyle Lacy Band
The Kyle Lacy Band takes you home to the roots of 1950's rock 'n' roll while creating something new. Armed with an elegantly raucous voice, a 50's grit guitar style and a keen knack for "in the moment" lyrical honesty, Kyle uses his hepcat showmanship to keep his audience grooving down to the last beat.

August 23
Trinidelphia
Fusing Trinidadian Soca and Calypso with Latin jazz, reggae, salsa, and American top 40, Trinadelphia has developed a sound all their own. Their unique and rhythmic arrangements of jazz and popular songs cast the steelpan in fresh new light, pushing the stylistic and artistic boundaries of an often-typecast instrument.

August 30
Gretchen Elise Band
Gretchen Elise is a Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter with an engaging passion for life and the unexpected. Flirting with reggae, soul, hip hop, and dance music while grounded in her jazz-based passionate, fluid voice, her songs tell compelling stories guided by undivided attention to a good groove.

September 6
Farah Siraj
Named Jordan's “Musical Ambassadress,” Jordanian virtuoso Farah Siraj balances a career that spans the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. Farah performs her original compositions, fusing influences of Middle Eastern music, flamenco, jazz, bossa, and pop, with lyrics in Arabic, Spanish, and English.

About the Penn Museum

The Penn Museum (the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology) is dedicated to the study and understanding of human history and diversity. Founded in 1887, the Museum has sent more than 300 archaeological and anthropological expeditions to all the inhabited continents of the world. With an active exhibition schedule and educational programming for children and adults, the Museum offers the public an opportunity to share in the ongoing discovery of humankind's collective heritage.

The Penn Museum is located at 3260 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (on Penn's campus, across from Franklin Field). Public transportation to the Museum is available via SEPTA's Regional Rail Line at University City Station; the Market-Frankford Subway Line at 34th Street Station; trolley routes 11, 13, 34, and 36; and bus routes 21, 30, 40, and 42. Museum hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and first Wednesdays of each month until 8:00 pm. Open select holiday Mondays. Museum admission donation is $15 for adults; $13 for senior citizens (65 and above); free for U.S. Military; $10 for children and full-time students with ID; free to Penn Museum Members, PennCard holders, and children 5 and younger.

Hot and cold meals and light refreshments can be purchased with or without Museum admission in The Pepper Mill Café; the Museum Shop and Pyramid Shop for Children offer a wide selection of gifts, books, games, clothing and jewelry. The Penn Museum can be found on the web at www.penn.museum. For general information call 215.898.4000. For group tour information call 215.746.8183

Photos: The Penn Museum’s Summer Nights Concert Series brings an eclectic weekly lineup of performances to the relaxing garden setting of the Museum’s Stoner Courtyard. Pictured left to right are Farah Siraj; West Philadelphia Orchestra; and Zydeco-A-Go-Go (photo: Penn Museum); Concertgoers can dance and enjoy the relaxing outdoor concert space every Wednesday evening at the Penn Museum's Summer Nights Concert Series (photo: Penn Museum); guests can grab a drink from the garden bar and grab a seat next to the courtyard fountain, every Wednesday evening in the Penn Museum's Summer Nights Concert Series (photo: Penn Museum).