Monday, March 17, 2025

March 23, 2025 7:00PM Not So Big Band Concerts: Josh Lee and The Extended Family Tribute to Count Basie

 


THE EXTENDED FAMILY HONORS COUNT BASIE!!! SUNDAY, MARCH 23RD!!

Come out for another installment of Notsobigband featuring Josh Lee and the Extended Family as they pay tribute to Count Basie and his Music. Help us celebrate 90 yrs of Basie’s great legacy with the music from the Old Testament band!

Doors 7pm, show 7:30pm
$10 Suggested Donation, 1440 W Ritner Street, Philadelphia Pa

See you there

March 23, 2025 5:00-7:00PM Oberlin Steel Pan Ensemble at Cherry Street Pier

 

Oberlin Steel is visiting and bringing hot Calypso and Soca tunes! They are a student led steel pan ensemble based at Oberlin College & Conservatory in Ohio, and committed to sharing the infectious joy of pan music with the Oberlin community and the world beyond. Raise your spirits with Caribbean vibes, everyone’s welcome!

Free admission

March 23, 2025 4:00PM Suzzette Ortiz: Music with a Latin Twist in Lawncrest

 


We are thrilled to welcome back the extraordinary pianist and multi-instrumentalist Suzzette Ortiz! Prepare to be captivated by a dynamic blend of original compositions and familiar melodies, all infused with her signature Latin flair. Suzzette’s music is a vibrant reflection of her life’s journey, offering not only a personal narrative but also a space for her fellow musicians to collaborate, express themselves freely, and create something truly special together.

About Suzzette:

Suzzette Ortiz, hailing from Bayamon, Puerto Rico is a gifted pianist, singer, arranger, recording artist and composer. From her humble beginnings in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, to her remarkable achievements on the world stage, Suzzette's dedication to music has left an indelible mark. Suzzette’s latest album is an all-original Latin Jazz album entitled “Renacer,” (Re-birth). Her music not only portrays Latin Jazz, but world music as well. It is a reflection of the people she has encountered and the places that she has visited. Learn more

Tickets: $5 -$15

Church of St. William

6200 Rising Sun Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19111

March 23, 2025 5:00PM High School All star Latin Ensembles at Esperanza

 


March 23, 2025 8:00-9:30PM "Take Me to Fendika" Documentary Screening at Studio 34 Yoga

 


Take Me to Fendika is a documentary short film that tells the story of world-renowned Ethiopian dancer Melaku Belay and the cultural center that he runs in Addis Ababa. Fendika is a dynamic art space where artistic tradition is being renewed and where the cutting edge of Ethiopian modernity is being defined on the stage. Take Me to Fendika takes viewers on a journey to meet some of Ethiopia's most exciting artists who have invented their own jazz language informed by centuries of unique musical innovations.
Cisco Bradley is an American historian known for his work on music, migration, and cultural production. He is a professor at the Pratt Institute, where he teaches the history and aesthetics of music from the African diaspora and runs the Music and Migration Lab. Take Me to Fendika is his first documentary film. It is a collaboration with filmmakers and artists in the U.S., Ethiopia, and Sweden. The film focuses on the Fendika Cultural Center and founder, dancer Melaku Belay, as well as a number of active musicians in Addis Ababa.
Accessibility statement: Located on the 2nd floor up a steep flight of stairs. 
Tickets: $10 - $20 sliding scale

Sunday, March 16, 2025

March 22, 2025 7:00-10:00PM Music Behind the Bars: Iftar Dinner and Live Music

Music Behind the Bars
Iftar Dinner followed by former Syrian political prisoners reuniting to perform live in a powerful act of resilience.
Saturday, March 22nd @ 7 PM
310 W Master St Philadelphia, PA

Thirty years ago, a group of political prisoners formed a band inside the cells of Syria’s notorious Sednaya Prison—dubbed the "Human Slaughterhouse" by Amnesty International in 2017—to resist the oppressive noise that deepened their suffering. Using makeshift instruments crafted from food scraps, clothing threads, and other prison materials, they whispered and played their songs in secret. For the first time, 34 of these songs were documented through Eylaf Bader Eddin’s research on Sijniyya, a newly coined term for Syrian prison songs within the country’s cultural field. Now, decades later, several of these musicians have reunited to perform live, using replicas of the instruments they originally built in prison. This concert sheds light on the resilience and creative resistance that emerged within Syria’s prison system. Davidson College and its community are invited to witness this extraordinary U.S. premiere, followed by a discussion.

Al-Bustan will provide an Iftar Dinner prior to the musical performance.
Cost: (+fee)
Students - $15; General Admission - $20; Generous Donation - $50

Tickets

Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture

310 Master Street Philadelphia, PA 19122

March 22, 2025 3:00-5:00PM Harlem Samba + Philly Salsa with Edmar Castaneda and Curtis Stewart

 


Azúcar! Samba meets Salsa in an electrifying performance hosted by Grammy-nominated artists Edmar Castañeda and Curtis Stewart. Experience the heartbeat of New York’s Samba and Philadelphia’s Salsa (Orquesta del Barrio) , celebrating the rich cultural legacies of Brazilian and Puerto Rican communities. Featuring Harlem Samba and Siempre Salsa Philly.
Saturday, March 22, 2025 | 3:00 PM
Teatro Esperanza
4261 N. 5th St.
$20 General Admission | Free for Children & Seniors (60+)

March 22, 2025 3:00PM Philly Grooves: Black Histories on Vinyl at The Free Library

03/22/25 | Philly Grooves: Black Histories on Vinyl

3:00 p.m. in the Music Department


Join us for our third vinyl listening session as we enjoy the sounds of Marian Anderson, Paul Robeson, Bessie Smith, Pearl Bailey, John Coltrane, and Patti LaBelle on the Music Department's vinyl collection. These icons are all featured in the Black Histories of Philadelphia exhibition on the 2nd floor. 


The opportunity to listen to these soundtracks on original vinyl recordings adds a special touch. You are invited to experience the rich sound quality and historical context that vinyl offers. These records can usually be played in the department on our listening stations, while using headphones.

Black Histories of Philadelphia looks at some of the stories of people and places that make up Philadelphia’s countless histories. 


Some stories are kept, some fade over time, and others are misrepresented or silenced. The people featured in this exhibition created change through determination and innovation. They overcame obstacles and fought for their successes, just as community members today fight to keep their legacies alive. 

Explore these stories of Black Philadelphians and the efforts to preserve their enduring impact.


The Black Histories of Philadelphia exhibition is a collaboration of the Children’s Literature Research Collection, the Map Collection, and the Print and Picture Collection. The exhibition is located in the Second Floor West Gallery of Parkway Central Library. To learn more visit freelibrary.org/specialcollections. 

March 22, 2025 8:00PM Angélique Kidjo at Penn Live Arts

 


Angélique Kidjo is a five-time Grammy® award-winner and world music superstar. Blending traditional West African music, jazz, R&B and funk, Kidjo is a force of nature on stage, using the “earth-shaking power and resonance” (The Arts Desk) of her voice to make connections across genres, generations and geopolitical boundaries. “To be able to witness Angélique Kidjo in her element is a gift,” wrote Alicia Keys on Kidjo’s inclusion in TIME’s 100 most influential people list. “It doesn’t matter where you are—you hear her, and you become alive. She electrifies people.”
Tickets: $59 - $109

Penn Live Arts - Zellerbach Theater
Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6219
For tickets, call 215.898.3900.

Saturday, March 15, 2025

March 21, 2025 7:00PM Not So Latin Concerts: Alejo, Patricio, Anna, and Federico

 

A LEGENDARY DOUBLE HEADER!!! MARCH 21ST!!

When can you hear TWO incredible groups in one night?? Right here at Notsolatin! Its Alejo De Los Reyes and Patricio Acevedo along with Anna Rossi and Federico Diaz in whats to be an unforgettable night of music!!

Doors at 7, show at 7:30. See you there

Thursday, March 13, 2025

March 19, 2025 7:00PM Not So Latin Concerts: Jam Session hosted by Josh Lee , featuring Liam Sutcliffe

 


THE SESSION IS BACK!! WITH SPECIAL GUEST LIAM SUTCLIFFE!

Join us once again at 7pm for another installment of the Notsolatin Jazz Jam. Come one, come all with your horns, voice or just come to listen!

It all starts at 7pm, see you there

March 19, 2025 6:00-10:00PM Minas Duo at Four Seasons Hotel

 


March 19, 2025

Four Seasons Hotel

6:00-10:00pm

1 N. 19th St

Philadelphia, PA 19103

No cover charge


Minas Duo


Orlando & Patricia perform at the beautiful Skyhigh Lounge and restaurant, at the Four Seasons Hotel, on the 60th floor of the Comcast Building. The most incredible view of North, East, and South Philadelphia. Cuisine by Chef Jean-George

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

March 18, 2025 7:00PM Not So Latin Concerts: Andrew Burke - Music for Cell PHones

 


MARCH 18TH ANDREW BURKE AT NOTSOLATIN!!!

Andrew Burke presents Music for Cell Phones, a series of multimedia works written for phones. Nicola Caminiti (alto saxophone) and Eliana Fishbeyn (piano) will open the show with a fully improvised acoustic duo set.

Also in the band:
David Acevedo (cell phone); Sean Bailey (clarinet); Andrew Burke (cell phone); Michael Watkins (voice)

Doors at 7, show at 7:30. See you there!
1440 W Ritner St, Philadelphia

March 18, 2025 7:00-8:30PM The Smooth Show at Settlement Music Germantown

 


Jazz Bridge Board Member Kevin Valentine proudly hosts “Jazz in Germantown,” Third Tuesday’s Neighborhood Concerts at the Settlement Music School Germantown Branch, 6128 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19119.
Please join us on March 18, 2025 as we welcome the Smooth Show. Concert starts at 7:00 pm and ends at 8:30 pm.
Tickets: $15 in advance ($20 at the door). Students and children FREE!
The Smooth Show is a Philadelphia-based band that blends jazz, funk, R&B, hip-hop, and soul to create a unique sound — and, more importantly, a fun time! Stephen Mitnaul (alto saxophone) is the creator of The Smooth Show. After relocating from Columbia, SC, he gained notoriety in Philadelphia through years of playing on the open mic scene — eventually earning his first feature performance in June 2015. And despite performing with various musicians from the open mic scene, audiences routinely lauded Stephen’s performances as “so smooth;” hence, The Smooth Show moniker was born. However, Stephen knew he needed to identify consistent musicians to be part of a band in order for The Smooth Show to truly have a signature sound.
The band members of The Smooth Show became connected to each other through the church. Clayton Carothers (drums) became a mainstay of the band after he joined in 2016, and David Criswell (keyboards) became a mainstay of the band in 2017.
The Smooth Show performed predominately as a trio until Lloyd Billups (bass guitar) joined the band in 2019 — creating the captivating & engaging quartet that The Smooth Show is recognized as today. The moments of improvisation are a featured component of their performances, and these moments highlight both the talent & joy these men have when playing music together.
Settlement Music School (Germantown Branch)

Monday, March 10, 2025

March 16, 2025 5:00PM Not So Latin Student Musician Fundraiser Concert

 


We’re asking for your support!!!

Our beloved Patricio Acevedo is a teacher of so many bright students at Camden Creative Arts High School and they need your help!

They are taking a trip to Virginia for a competition and kindly ask for donations to make it all happen. And you can see them live at Notsolatin on Sunday, March 16th!! Any donation helps!!

See you there!
DOORS AT 5PM
1440 West Ritner Street, Philadelphia PA

March 16, 2025 2:00PM Kahlo Quartet Celebrates Latin Heritage in Port Richmond

 


Artcinia favorite, The Kahlo Quartet, is back! The Kahlo Quartet's mission is to bridge the classical cannon with Latin American music. Join us as the string quartet plays pieces from Brazil, Venezuela, Panama, and more!


Audrey Lee, violin

Manuela Isabel Romero Gonzalez, violin

Freddy Contreras, viola

Andrea Beltran Landers, cello


About Kahlo Quartet:

The Kahlo Quartet began its journey around a shared vision that everyone should have access to meaningful musical experiences, and a shared mission to create a bridge between the typical classical canon and Latin American music. Now based in Philadelphia, the Kahlo members work regularly with community partners in pursuit of these core values. For the Kahlo Quartet, success is measured by audience connection and community impact.

Members Audrey Lee (United States), Manuela Romero (Cuba), Freddy Contreras (Venezuela), and Andrea Beltran Landers (Peru) are eager to explore the chamber music repertoire from their respective cultural backgrounds. Because storytelling through music is a living and changing art form, the Kahlo String Quartet actively seeks collaborations with composers around the world.

St. Anne Catholic Church

2328 East Lehigh Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19125

Sunday, March 9, 2025

March 15, 2025 10:00AM-4:00PM CultureFest! Holi at Penn Museum

 


Holi, also known as the Festival of Colors, is a Hindu celebration of the arrival of spring. Bring the whole family for a day filled with fun and cultural exploration as we immerse ourselves in this joyful Indian festival.

This lively festival with roots in Indian mythology is primarily celebrated in India and Nepal. Holi symbolizes renewal, the triumph of good over evil, and the celebration of love and unity, and it it is marked by throwing vibrant colored powders, dancing to festive music, and enjoying communal feasts with family and friends.

Join us for a day filled with traditional storytelling, colorful art-making, dynamic live music, and captivating dance performances. The highlight of the event will be the joyful color throw, where we embrace the spirit of Holi and its message of harmony and new beginnings.

CultureFest! Holi is presented in collaboration with Three Aksha Dance Company and the South Asia Center at the University of Pennsylvania.

Free with museum admission

3260 South Street Philadelphia, PA 19104

215.898.4000 


Saturday, March 8, 2025

March 14 & 15, 2025 Rennie Harris Puremovement at Penn Live Arts

 


Rennie Harris Puremovement 

American Street Dancer
Mar 14-15


Rennie Harris, “the most brilliant hip-hop choreographer in America” (The New Yorker) and our 24/25 season artist-in-residence, returns with the world premiere of a commissioned work, American Street Dancer, honoring the impact of street dance on the arts world. From the father of street dance, Master Juba, to the influence of this style on tap legends like Savion Glover, hip hop has contributed to theatre, film and culture globally, cementing its place in our history. Backed by a hip-hop orchestra of bucket and hand bone players, beat boxers and DJs, American Street Dancer will feature street and tap dancers celebrating styles from across the U.S. – jitting (Detroit), footwork (Chicago) and GQ (Philadelphia).

Featuring:
Rennie Harris Puremovement
Ayodele Casel
Michael Manson and House of Jit
King Charles and Creation Global
DJ Razor Ramon

  • Friday, March 14 @ 10:30 AM · Student Discovery
  • Friday, March 14 @ 8 PM · Tickets
  • Saturday, March 15 @ 2 PM · Tickets
  • Saturday, March 15 @ 8 PM · TicketsPenn Live Arts
  • Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6219
    For tickets, call 215.898.3900.

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

March 11, 2025 7:00PM Not So Latin Concerts: Sophia Kickohfel

 

SOPHIA KICKOHFEL AT NOTSOLATIN!!! TUESDAY, MARCH 11TH!

Come here the incredible Sophia Kickohfel trio as they make the trip from NY to grace our Notsolatin stage! She has performed around the world at venues including Jazz at Lincoln Center Shanghai, Carnegie Hall, the Library of Congress, Dizzy’s Club, the Dakota and New World Center for the Arts. Furthermore, Sophia studies jazz performance at the Juilliard School under the tutelage of Bruce Williams, Ben Wolfe, Dan Block and pianist Marc Cary. Sophia strives to create music that evokes empathy and a sense of community within the audience. In addition, she strives to minimize the gender disparities in jazz music through performance and education.

Doors at 7, show at 7:30. See you there.
1440 W Ritner Street

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

March 10, 2025 8:00PM-12:00AM Free Latin Dance Party with Orquesta Del Barrio at LIVE! Casino/Hotel

 




FREE EVENT!
Siempre Salsa Philly, ORQUESTA DEL BARRIO and special guest, DJ RUMBERO, invite you to leave your "winter blues" behind and warm up to the beat of " the world's best music and dance".

LIVE! Casino/Hotel

900 Packer Ave.

Philadelphia, PA