Overbrook Garage Studio, 6411 Overbrook Ave, Philadelphia
Free · BYOB and bring a snack to share
EAC’s VOCES Series spotlights a different facet of Latin American culture and traditions each season. This year’s VOCES Series will feature dance traditions from Latin America, the Latin Caribbean, and the Latin Diaspora.
Elba Hevia y Vaca, Teatro Esperanza Artist in Residence
Priscila Bell Lamberty, Galeria Esperanza Artist in Residence
SALSA
Ashley Rivera & Elian Gomez, Dancers
Siempre Salsa All Stars
featuring vocalist Carlos Sanchez,
and four-time Grammy winning artist, Willie Torres
TEATRO ESPERANZA
9/19/26, 3:00pm
$20 General Admission, Free for Students & Seniors (60+)
September 19 @ 3:30 am - 04:00 pm
Teatro Esperanza
4261 North 5th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19140
Tel: (215) 324-0746
Experience live performances and interactive activities featuring our Resident Companies and regional arts and cultural organizations. Enjoy exclusive 50% off ticket offers, fun giveaways, tours of Marian Anderson Hall, a kids’ activity zone, and more.
Our annual kickoff to Philadelphia’s arts and culture season doubles as a birthday party for the Kimmel Center as we celebrate its 25th anniversary!
11:00 AM | Philadelphia Orchestra String Quartet
11:25 AM | Opera Philadelphia
11:50 AM | Philadelphia Ballet Brass Quintet
12:15 PM | Philadelphia Independence Awards
12:30 PM | Broadway performances from MAMMA MIA! and Alicia Keys’ Hell’s Kitchen
12:55 PM | Batala Philly*
1:20 PM | Philadelphia Youth Choral Ensembles
2:00 PM | The Philly Pops
2:30 PM | Encore Broadway performances
11:50 AM | Chocolate Ballerina Company
12:10 PM | PHILADANCO!
12:30 PM | Project Moshen Dance
12:50 PM | International Ballet Exchange
1:10 PM | Living Arts Dance
1:30 PM | Née Danse/Theatre
1:50 PM | Tango Therapy Project
2:15 PM | Ñuuxakun, Polish Folk Dance Ensemble & Mutya Philippines Dance Company*
12:00 PM | Aurora Classical
12:30 PM | Settlement Music School
1:00 PM | Project 440
1:20 PM | Curtis Institute of Music
1:40 PM | Georgia E. Gregory Interdenominational School of Music
2:00 PM | East Passyunk Opera Project (ePOP)
2:20 PM | Jazz Bridge Project
2:40 PM | Piffaro, the Renaissance Band
11:30 AM | Venue Tour
12:00 PM | Organ Demo with Organ Pumps**
12:30 PM | Venue Tour
1:30 PM | Venue Tour
2:00 PM | Organ Demo
2:30 PM | Venue Tour
Galería Esperanza features a new exhibition, residency, and commission by Priscilla Bell Lamberty
Esperanza Arts Center’s 2026–2027 season features the origins and evolution of diverse dance traditions across Latin America, the Latin Caribbean, and the Latin Diaspora. Throughout the season, audiences will explore cultural expression through movement and music from Puerto Rico, Brazil, Spain, Cuba, Argentina, Bolivia, and the Dominican Republic through interactive performances and workshops, as well as in-depth conversations and Q&As with internationally celebrated dancers and musicians.
In addition, for the first time since its inception in 2018, EAC will connect programs on the Teatro stage with exhibitions in Galería Esperanza through a newly commissioned work by Galería Artist-in-Residence Priscilla Bell Lamberty, inspired by Latin American dance traditions.
The centerpiece of EAC’s 2026–2027 season will be folkloric, popular, classical, and contemporary dance performances and choreography by Ashley Rivera & Elian Gomez, Sarah Chung & Damian Lobato, La Lengua del Tambor, Pasión y Arte de Flamenco, and Philadelphia Ballet, including world premieres by Christina Castro Tauser and Suzzette Ortiz, and Teatro Esperanza Artist-in-Residence Elba Hevia y Vaca.
A stellar collection of musical ensembles will highlight the inextricable and often complex connection between dance and music, with performances by Siempre Salsa All Stars, Timbalona Collective, Network for New Music, Oscuro Quintet, Grupo Opcion, Philly Rhoda de Samba e Choro, and a dance-inspired Latin Jazz program curated by Grammy Award-winner Pablo Batista.
Major support for EAC’s 2026–2027 season is provided by William Penn Foundation, The Presser Foundation, Philadelphia Cultural Fund, Musical Fund Society, Creative Philadelphia, Steven R. Gerber Trust, NewMusicUSA, PECO, NAMM Foundation, and the Institute of Museum & Library Services.
EAC is thankful for our season partners and sponsors: Artistas y Músicos Latino Americanos, Philadelphia Ballet, Artcinia, Free Library of Philadelphia, Piffaro, Philadelphia Film Society, Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society, Network for New Music, Tamo en Cine, and Rumba 106.1 Philadelphia.
Food and beverages are available for sale in the Teatro lobby throughout the season courtesy of EAC’s official concession partner, Helados Chupi Chupi.
Ashley Rivera & Elian Gomez, Dancers
Siempre Salsa All Stars
Featuring vocalist Carlos Sanchez and four-time Grammy-winning artist Willie Torres
TEATRO ESPERANZA
4261 N. 5th St.
Philadelphia, Pa 19140
September 19, 2026 | 3:00 p.m.
$20 General Admission | Free for Students & Seniors (60+)
General Admission Seating | ||||
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VIP Seating (First 5 Rows + 1 Free Drink) | ||||
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Celebrating Mexico’s Independence!
A free family-friendly dance event
Commodore Barry Arts and Cultural Center
6815 Emlen St.
Philadelphia, PA
Sunday September 13th
Josh Lee and the Extended Family
NOTSOBIGBAND IS BACK WITH OUR RESIDENT BAND!!! SUNDAY!!!
Join us Sunday, September 13th as we kick off some exciting months in bigband with the Extended Family! They’ll play the classics as well as originals inspired by the swing era. You don’t want to miss it!!
1440 W. Ritner St. (corner of 15th and W. Ritner Sts)
Donation at the door; cash or Venmo
Hosted by the Mexican Cultural Center, promoting Mexican culture, arts, and education. Learn more about the event by visiting www.mexicanculturalcenter.org.
Parking on-site will be limited due to construction on the I-95 CAP. However, many great ways to access the Waterfront include walking and biking along the Delaware River Trail, rideshare, and public transit. To ensure a seamless visit, guests can visit the Know Before You Go guide for parking recommendations, directions, FAQs, and more