Top 10 places to listen to music

By Carrie Caine
Collegian Staff
March 28, 2007

We’re not suggesting concerts to you, that’s Entertainment’s job. But if you enjoy listening to music and hanging out in the city of Philadelphia, then listen up. There are plenty of places to hear music in the city that are not your typical concert venues or the most familiar sites of concerts and other performances. Next time you find yourself with nothing to do on the weekend, venture off campus and into the city for some pretty cool sound.

10. The Parkway—Lineups at Live Aid and Live 8 were awesome, and had the added feel of a million other people pushing you around the Art Museum because they support awareness of poverty in Africa or the growing AIDS crisis. But in another 20 years or so, you’ll probably see the next wave of bands hit the Parkway for Live Ate. If you can’t wait that long, try the annual July 4 concert on the Art Museum steps.

9. Wiggins Park–“Wiggins Park?” you’re thinking, “That sounds like a name New Jersey came up with.” And you’re right. Located on the Camden Waterfront, this small outdoor arena is home to the annual WXPN It’s all About the Music Festival, which features live artists on a local and national level with extremely affordable tickets for the weekend of shows. The Camden County Board of Freeholders is a co-sponsor of the event and Camden County residents can obtain free tickets. Other performances at Wiggins Park are common throughout the spring and summer.

8. The Academy of Music—No list of Philadelphia music venues would be complete without such a landmark. Many of you probably remember childhood trips to the Nutcracker during the holiday season. The Opera Company of Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Ballet and Broadway at the Academy all have performances here throughout the year. For those of you in love with High School Musical, you can see it here in July. Though tickets can sometimes set you back quite a big, student rush seats are usually only around $10-$20.

7. Zanzibar Blue—This night spot and lounge is known not only for its jazz performances, but also for its delicious international cuisine. The cover for some performers, such as the upcoming Kim Waters, runs around $30, but you can enjoy music at the Sunday jazz brunch for the cost of the meal. Located in the Bellevue Hotel in Philadelphia, this is a popular destination for many Philadelphians.

6. Penn’s Landing—A quintessential Philadelphia landmark, Penn’s Landing has been home to outdoor summer concerts since the days of the founding fathers, but more recent concerts, such as when Guster played with Ben Folds Five and Rufus Wainwright, are always popular. Though the days of yesteryear are long past, you can look forward to years of Fourth of July concerts with fireworks at Festival Pier.

5. The World Café Live— Located in University City, the World Café features frequent live performances, as well as a creative dinner menu at prices that fit a college student’s budget. Most of the artists who play here are local, and tickets to their performances range from fairly cheap to free. With an upstairs and a downstairs venue, there’s usually something for every urban hipster.

4. The Kimmel Center— With orchestral, jazz, piano and Broadway music, the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts has been the greatest recent addition to the Avenue of the Arts. Current and upcoming performances include Monty Python’s Spamalot, The Philadelphia Singers, Avenue Q (perfect for all the English majors about to graduate without futures), Art Garfunkel and an Organ Recital Marathon.

3. The Theater for the Living Arts—A hallmark of South Street, the TLA is a 1,000 person standing-room-only locale that attracts a variety of artists, from those who probably wouldn’t sell more than 1,000 tickets to a concert to those who just like the cozier venue that allows audience-performer interaction (which is why Justin Timberlake played here a few years ago).

2. Jolly’s Piano Lounge—The owner of a popular Rittenhouse Square lounge closed, moved around the corner and renamed the Redhead Lounge after himself. For those of you who have always dreamed of gathering around a piano to belt out your favorite songs with a room full of strangers who suddenly feel like your best friends, this is the place for you.

1. The Electric Factory—Ben Franklin peering out of his spectacles from atop this concert hall with an approving grin is sign enough that this is exactly what he had in mind when he went outside with the kite and the key. Major artists have performed at the Electric Factory over the years, including Pink Floyd and The Who. You can bask in the afterglow with upcoming concerts that include performances from Lily Allen and Saves the Day.

cainec1@lasalle.edu