Past Parkway Presents performances
The 2023 Parkway Presents season was made possible, in part,
thanks to generous support from PNC Arts Alive.
2023 Parkway Presents: September in Shakespeare Park
All performances are in Shakespeare Park and are free to attend
We Are the Seeds, Tchin, and
Native Nations Dance Theater
A night of Indigenous storytelling, artmaking, and dance
Thursday, September 14th
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Join the Parkway Council for an evening of performances by the Native Nations Dance Theater and renowned Indigenous storyteller Tchin. Throughout the program, We Are the Seeds will facilitate a rattle-making art activity that will be particularly appealing to children and their families.
This event is supported, in part, by the Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy.
Airea D. Matthews and
Sham-e-Ali Nayeem
Thursday, September 21st
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Airea D. Matthews’ first collection of poems is the critically acclaimed Simulacra, which received the prestigious 2016 Yale Series of Younger Poets Award. Matthews has served as Philadelphia poet laureate since 2022.
Author of the poetry collection, City of Pearls (UpSet Press 2019), Sham-e-Ali Nayeem is an Indian Muslim American poet, artist, and public interest lawyer of Hyderabadi descent.
Both poets will read from their work.
Hafez Kotain Percussion Ensemble
Tuesday, October 3rd
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Hafez Kotain is an accomplished master percussionist with fluency in both Arab and Latin rhythms. His ensemble, Hafez Kotain Ensemble Percussion, collaborates with American and international artists and organizations, bringing people together and building cultural bridges “one beat at a time.” In 2022, Hafez was selected as an immigrant Everyday Genius by Da Vinci Art Alliance and I Belong Philly. He is also a recipient of the prestigious 2013 Pew Fellowship in the Arts.
2023 Parkway Presents: Summer at the Oval
All performances are at Eakins Oval and are free to attend
SNACKTIME
with Killsing and Rachel Andie
Friday, July 7th
6:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Killsing and Rachel Andie open for headliner and Philly-favorite SNACKTIME! SNACKTIME is a seven-piece brass-heavy band with funk, punk, jazz, pop, and R&B influences. The band captures the soul of Philly, spreading a message of unity and love, while placing equal emphasis on music, food, and community. This opening night concert is sure to set the stage for a summer filled with fun, laughter, and love for our city!
Raul y su ClaveAché
Friday, July 14th
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Logan Square’s own Raul y su ClaveAche is a Cuban music powerhouse created by Raul Cisneros, a much acclaimed British-Cuban percussionist, producer, director, and songwriter. The band is known for its authentic Cuban sounds and energetic performances of traditional melodies and original compositions by Cisneros.
The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble
Friday, July 21st
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble produces original works of choreography while preserving the tradition of improvisation in American rhythm tap, bringing innovative percussive dance to diverse audiences. Founded in 2011, the Philadelphia-based ensemble centers the work of women in tap through performance, education, and community outreach.
Tangle Arts Movement: Tiny Circus
Sunday, July 30th
2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Tangle Movement Arts is a Philadelphia-based circus arts company with a contemporary twist, whose performances mix traditional circus-like trapeze and acrobatics with dance, theater, and live music to tell a multi-dimensional story. Devised collaboratively with an emphasis on queer and female experiences, Tangle's pop-up summer shows and Fringe Festival creations have been a Philadelphia favorite since its inception in 2011.
West Philadelphia Orchestra
Friday, August 4th
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
West Philadelphia Orchestra is a brass band inspired by the Romani brass "orkestars" and "fanfares" of Eastern Europe. Known for stellar musicianship and dynamic live shows, the band’s sound is large, loud, and extremely danceable.
Ghostly Circus
Friday, August 11th
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Contemporary circus theatrics mix with gravity-defying aerialists, bold and bright fire performers, and light sculptors. Ghostly Circus is site-specific fire and aerial theater company inspired by and performed within historical landscapes.
Project Positive
Friday, August 18th
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Project Positive is a Philadelphia-based dance organization that utilizes Hip Hop to inspire, educate, and entertain. The organization’s core value is P.E.A.C.E (Positive Energy Allows Constant Elevation), and they work to engage youth to keep them focused on their goals and off the streets.
KyoDaiko
Thursday, May 18th
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Founded in 2005, KyoDaiko is a community taiko drumming ensemble based in Philadelphia. KyoDaiko’s membership comes from a wide variety of backgrounds and continues to grow with new students and continuing players.
Los Bomberos De La Calle
Thursday, May 25th
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Los Bomberos De La Calle is a Bomba & Plena music and dance group led by Anthony Mendez. The goal of the group is to bring “good soulful vibes” to the community as well as to educate everyone about this authentic and original music that tells the stories of the Puerto Rican people from the past to present.