PIFA 2013 Continues Throughout April

As a city of "firsts," Philadelphia is no stranger to the spotlight. From the first Zoo to the first library, park, bank, university and many others, Philadelphia's history is filled with cultural highlights. Now, in tribute to the 2013 Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts and its If You Had a Time Machine.... theme, several PIFA partner organizations are showcasing many illustrious Philadelphia moments in time during the festival, continuing in locations throughout the city until April 27.

In a unique convergence, several Philadelphia-centric moments celebrate the conjunction of art and science - such as highlighting the unveiling of ENIAC, the world's first computer, and a collaborative, multimedia work featuring the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra that blends the time/space continuum, Icarus at the Edge of Time, presented in partnership with the Philadelphia Science Festival.

With a diversity of programs geared to all ages and areas of interest, the "Expressly Philadelphia" events are not to be missed, including:

February 14, 1946: Unveiling of ENIAC the First Electronic General-purpose Computer
Network for New Music
The Arc of Curiosity
Rose Recital Hall, Upenn's Fisher-Bennett Hall, 3340 Walnut Street
April 5, 2013 at 8:00PM
When scientists at Penn invented ENIAC, the first all-purpose digital computer, composers immediately believed in its potential as a path towards new sounds and new ways of writing music that would express
the passions and predicaments of today's world. Follow that path with us as we trace the arc of a composer's curiosity, and discover the many ways that electronic sound can join traditional instruments to become part of our own musical landscape. Program includes: Mario Davidovsky, Synchronisms #12 (Philadelphia premiere);John Chowning, Stria; Paul Lansky, As If; James Primsoch, Chamber Concerto (Philadelphia premiere); Judith Shatin, Penelope's Song. Pre-concert events include introduction to the ENIAC and talk with the composers.THE ARC OF CURIOSITY is the opening concert of THIRD SPACE, a Network for New Music mini-festival of performances and other events taking place from April 5 - April 12, 2013. Using electronic sound and images in combination with traditional instruments, composers create something entirely new for these performances--a blended "third space" that is solely expressive, an extension of the human imagination.
Ticket prices: $20, $10 for students, $15 for seniors

May 10, 1876: Opening of the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia
Please Touch Museum
PRESIDENT ULYSSES S. GRANT AND THE GREAT CENTENNIAL BANANA MYSTERY!
Innovation Studio at The Kimmel Center
April 10 - 14, 2013 at 11:00AM, 1:00PM & 4:00PM

President Ulysses S. Grant is the guest of honor to America's first world's fair, as well as to the amazing 100th birthday party the nation is throwing for itself. This uniquely entertaining, highly interactive, child-friendly production features President Grant leading the audience through a romp of truly Centennial proportions as he strives to solve a slippery centennial banana mystery. (Recommended for children 3-7)

Ticket price: $7.50

January 1, 1901 - Completion of Philadelphia City Hall
Jebney Lewis
We Make the City: Philadelphia, the Dawn of a New Century
Tuesday, April 11, 2013 - Sunday, April 21, 2013 at 11:00AM & 3:00PM
Tier 2 Lounge of The Kimmel Center

Artist and educator Jebney Lewis takes audiences on a fact-finding exploration of City Hall, the Wannamaker Organ, and the buildings of South Broad Street and learn about the early days of the Mummer's parade, the unveiling of the world's largest operating musical instrument, and the symbols and stories behind the tallest masonry structure on earth. After the tour, the group returns to the Kimmel Center to work on a collaborative public art project to construct a miniature Center City that will be on display for the last two weeks of the festival. Appropriate for families, ages eight to 12.

Ticket price: $5

November 8, 1682 - William Penn's Landing and Founding of Philadelphia
Historical Society of Pennsylvania
ArkHIVE
Reading Room at Historical Society of Pennsylvania
1300 Locust Street Philadelphia, Pa.
Saturday, April 13, Sunday, April 14, Monday April 15 at 4:00pm, 6:00pm & 8:00pm

Interdisciplinary artist Sebastienne Mundheim and White Box Theatre travel through time into the archive of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania with this site-specific work integrating puppetry, sculpture, dance, soundscape, and light into a visually lyrical exploration of history-keeping and the founding of Philadelphia. Fusing academic research and poetic reflection, Mundheim creates immersive environments that engage audiences of all ages.

Ticket prices: $20, $10 for students, $15 HSP member

Icarus at the Edge of Time
Philadelphia Science Festival featuring The Philadelphia Youth Orchestra (Co-produced by The Kimmel Center)
Verizon Hall at The Kimmel Center
April 24 at 7:30PM

A futuristic reimagining of the Greek myth, Icarus at the Edge of Time is a mesmerizing tale set in outer space about a boy who challenges the awesome might of a black hole. This stunning, full-orchestral multimedia work brings a powerful modern twist to the classic myth, taking audiences of all ages on a whirlwind voyage through space and time, to the very edge of understanding. Icarus is adapted by physicist Brian Greene and Tony-Award winning playwright David Henry Hwang from Greene's young people's book of the same title and features an original orchestral score by American composer Philip Glass and animated film directed by British filmmakers Al+Al.

Ticket prices: $36-$44

December 5, 1833: Founding of the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society
Painted Bride Art Center
If She Stood
Painted Bride Arts Center
230 Vine Street, Philadelphia, Pa.
April 26-27 at 8PM & April 28 at 3PM
If She Stood is a theatrical piece commissioned by the Painted Bride Arts Center, created by theater artist Ain Gordon and collaborator Nadine Patterson, the work will explore the founding of the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society and muse on the women of 19th century Philadelphia who decided to take a stand against slavery, boycotting of goods produced by the labor of enslaved people and for the protection of newly freed men and women, and education.
Ticket prices: $25, $18.75 for students and seniors

Tickets to PIFA 2013 events are available for purchase at PIFA.org, (215) 546-PIFA (7432), or at the Kimmel Center Box Office located on Broad and Spruce streets, Philadelphia, Pa. (open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., later on performance evenings). Prices vary for performances and events. For a complete visual timeline of all PIFA 2013 events with program details, visit www.PIFA.org.

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