Star Rhapsody
Tuesday, June 6, 2017 and Wednesday, June 7, 2017
Curated musical performances at The Franklin Institute Fels Planetarium featuring the Clef Club Ambassadors Big Band and Philadelphia Performing Arts: A String Theory Charter School Concert Choir
Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute is renowned for its cutting-edge astronomical presentations on the planetarium’s immersive dome, measuring 60 feet in diameter. The Mann took the FI planetarium experience to another level with two days of live music programming that featured Philadelphia Performing Arts: A String Theory Charter School Concert Choir on June 6th and the Clef Club Ambassadors Big Band on June 7th. Each performed curated musical sets synced with breathtaking visuals that immersed attending students in an out-of-this-world experience!
Star Rhapsody was presented in partnership with The Franklin Institute, The Clef Club of Jazz, and String Theory Charter School.
Photo Credit: Jordan August and courtesy of NEWorks Productions
Star Party
Friday, April 28, 2017
An evening of live music and stargazing presented in partnership with The Franklin Institute at Global Leadership Academy
Star Party was the biggest star party in the region, as local astronomers brought their gear for a spectacular tour of the cosmos. Stargazing wasn’t the only item on the agenda; attendees also had a chance to launch an Alka-Rocket and to participate in a cool citizen science project! The night included continuous, hands-on telescopic observing all evening, lots of fun activities, and special music by students of Global Leadership Academy and KIPP DuBois Collegiate Academy.
Photo Credit: Jordan August
"Philly's Native Son in Space"
July 12, 2017 thru August 4, 2017
A mixed art exhibition mounted at Philadelphia's City Hall honoring Colonel Guion Bluford, Jr.
“Philly’s Native Son in Space" was a mixed-media art exhibition curated in tribute to Colonel Guion Bluford, Jr., a pioneering NASA astronaut, Philadelphia native, and the first African American in space. The exhibition featured works by young artists from three partner schools: Global Leadership Academy, Universal Bluford Charter School, and Overbrook High School (Col. Bluford's alma mater).
Photo Credit: Jordan August
Gravity Gabbing and Grooving
Wednesday, May 3, 2017 and Thursday, May 4, 2017
In-school assembly series featuring Derrick Pitts, Chief Astronomer and Planetarium Director for The Franklin Institute, and the Festival commissioned dance work by Rock School for Dance Education
The New Frontiers in-school assembly, Gravity Gabbing and Grooving, featured a presentation on the history of Black pioneers in aerospace and the performance of FLIGHT, a commissioned festival dance work by The Rock School for Dance Education which honored Col. Bluford and celebrated the themes of ambitious exploration and discovery.
Photo Credit: Jordan August and courtesy of NEWorks Productions
A Space Odyssey
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Mann Center Main Stage
feat. The Philadelphia Orchestra with community choirs from throughout the Philadelphia region
Cristian Maceleru, conductor
Leah Hawkins, soprano
Frank Mitchell, baritone
This concert featured the world-class Philadelphia Orchestra performing a mixed program of space-themed and space-inspired music. The concert was highlighted with the world premiere of Nolan Williams, Jr.’s Hold Fast to Dreams, a commissioned work honoring the legacy of Col. Guion Bluford composed for orchestra, choir, soloists, and spoken word. Derrick Pitts, Chief Astronomer and Planetarium Director for The Franklin Institute, served as narrator. Community choristers from the Intermezzo Choir Ministry, Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia, Sounds of Joy, and The St. Thomas Chancel Choir of the historic African Episcopal Church all joined in the celebration.
Photo Credit: Jordan August
Super Solar Saturday: Family, Friends & Art Day
Saturday, August 19, 2017
Conceived & artistically directed by Nolan Williams, Jr.
Mann Center Campus | Fairmont Park, Philadelphia, PA
On this day, the Mann campus was transformed into a space-themed park with space-inspired face painting, hands-on science experiments, global performances, roving life-sized Star Wars characters, and more. Highlights included:
The Space Shuttle/Please Touch Museum Traveling Exhibition
The Please Touch’s Museum Imagination Playground is an innovative exhibition that encourages learning, social development, movement, and, above all, fun. Using a portable set of blocks, big and small, the Please Touch Museum's educators and staff facilitated guided play to encourage families to imagine and build vehicles and tools needed for space travel.
Science 2 the Max Audience Engagement Presentations
Attendees had a chance to participate in interactive science experiments related to matter, static electricity, Newton’s three laws of motion, chemical reactions, and forensic science. The experiments were led by Science 2 the Max, an educational organization that specializes in teaching science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (S.T.E.A.M.) through exciting, interactive play, science experiments, and child-friendly entertainment.
These Science 2 the Max presentations were all aligned with Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey Common Core Standards and Next Generation Science Standards.
Live Global Performances
Local artists were presented on three performance stages.
Star Wars Enactors
Throughout the day, ten fully costumed Star Wars iconic-character enactors roamed the campus engaging attendees. These enactors were volunteers from the Garrison Carida® chapter of the 501st Legion, an organization that serves Pennsylvania and Delaware, participating in a wide array of charity and non-profit events throughout the community.
Free Community Screening of HIDDEN FIGURES
The day concluded with a FREE community screening of HIDDEN FIGURES. This Golden Globe®-winner and Academy Award®-nominated film reveals the untold story of NASA mathematicians Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn, and Mary Jackson, three ingenious African-American women who worked behind the scenes to help launch astronaut John Glenn into outer space.
Super Solar Saturday was a prelude to the Great American Eclipse presented in partnership with The Franklin Institute.
Photo Credit: Jordan August
New Frontiers Back to School Youth Rally
Monday, August 21, 2017
The Kennedy Center
NEWorks partnered with the Kennedy Center and Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington to host a range of science activities on the grounds of the Center in observance of the Great American Eclipse. The day culminated with a Millennium Stage program that featured inspiring youth performances by StepAfrika, Split this Rock, Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel, and The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington.