Top 10 Philly venues

By Lauren McGlone
Collegian Editor
September 19, 2007

Over the last few years, Philadelphia has been growing as a center of artistic and cultural diversity. To house touring music groups, Pennsylvania Ballet Company dancers and traveling Broadway plays, entertainment venues have been also growing in popularity. Here, Philly File highlights Philadelphia concert halls and theaters and their upcoming shows and events.

10. Trocadero—One way to put to rest those I-hate-Monday feelings is to catch a movie at the Trocadero. This theater at 1003 Arch St. offers Movie Mondays where $3 can get you into the movie and go toward a snack at the concession stand. Also, Sum 41 will take the stage at the Trocadero Sept. 21. Most shows accomodate guests aged 21 and older, and patrons may enjoy a variety of musical and comedy performances.

9. Theater of the Living Arts—Located at the center of South Street, the TLA offers standing-room-only concerts for smaller crowds. Transformed from an old one-screen movie theater, the TLA has been renamed renamed the Fillmore at the TLA. Before or after a concert, stroll around South Street for some shopping or dining.

8. Kimmel Center—One of the newer venues in Philadelphia, the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts features two theaters, Verizon Hall—2,500 seat center—as well as the Perelman Theater, a smaller recital hall. The Philadelphia Orchestra plays at the Kimmel Center year-round. The American Theater Arts for Youth program will feature several plays during the next few months, including Anne Frank, Babes in Toyland and A Christmas Carol. Also, the Moore College Galleries may be viewed during the operating hours of the Kimmel Center.

7. Liacouras Center—Located just a few miles away from La Salle’s campus, the Liacouras Center at Temple University hosts a variety of sports, music and cultural events. Gym Class Heroes will perform Oct. 6, followed by Pretty Ricky Oct. 7. The Philadelphia International Art Expo, the country’s largest African-American art expo, is free to the public Nov. 9-11.

6. Merriam Theater—Located at the Avenue of the Arts, the Merriam Theater opened in 1918 and has since entertained audiences with concerts, Broadway plays, comedy shows and ballets. The Merriam has also established an educational foundation for children, students and adults to connect with professional directors, dancers and performers. Company B and By Any Means Necessary will call the Merriam home this October.

5. Tower Theater—Located right outside Philadelphia in Upper Darby Township at 69th and Ludlow streets, the Tower Theater plans to host notable performers in the next few months. Comedian Jim Gaffigan will entertain Sept. 29 and American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson rocks the theater Oct. 18. Although it is located outside city limits, the Tower is easily accessible from most Philadelphia points.

4. Academy of Music—The country’s oldest opera house continues to host opera and ballet performances 151 years after its debut. The Pennsylvania Ballet Company will present Dracula Oct. 26-Nov. 3 and perform the Christmas favorite The Nutcracker this winter. The 2007-2008 Broadway at the Academy season is set to feature plays and musicals such as Rent, My Fair Lady, Rain, Annie, Hairspray and Mamma Mia. Theater-lovers can take advantage of the Academy’s subscription plans to save on ticket prices and receive discounts for local eateries.

3. Walnut Street Theatre—America’s oldest theater can be found at 825 Walnut Street in Philadelphia, entertaining audiences since 1809. Celebrating its 199th season, the theater is the most subscribed theater company not only in Philadelphia, but in the world. The Walnut Street Theatre offers an education program that strives to build and educate audiences, enrich communities, bring the arts into schools and provide a creative outlet for children. The Walnut offers a special student discount subscription of $60 for five shows. This season, the theater is featuring Man of La Mancha until Oct. 21. The play Peter Pan will run Nov. 6 to Jan. 6.

2. Wachovia Complex—Located at Broad and Pattison streets, two multi-purpose venues, the Wachovia Spectrum and Wachovia Center, offer a good deal of family, sports, music and other various events. Genesis will perform Sept. 18-20; Van Halen takes the stage Oct. 1 and 3; Bruce Springsteen visits Philly Oct. 5 and 6; and Maroon 5 plays the Spectrum Oct. 13. The upcoming basketball and hockey seasons provide for 76ers and Flyers games at the Wachovia Center.

1. Electric Factory—Converted from an actual electric factory in 1994, this venue at 421 N. 7th St. between Willow and Spring Garden streets is a hot spot for musical artists who play in Philly. Upcoming shows at the Electric Factory include Common Sept. 25, Queens of the Stone Age Sept. 29, The Roots Oct. 3 and Red Jumpsuit Apparatus Oct. 16.

mcglonel1@lasalle.edu