6abc Love the Arts: Mann Center's Summer Concert Series

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The Mann Center's summer concert series is in full swing now, and both July and August are chock full of shows with appeal for everyone!

This is the Mann Center's 41st anniversary season and it's filled with a lineup of musical performances, movie nights, and a one-of-a-kind festival honoring the first African-American to go into space.

The month of July kicks off with a mash-up of artists like The Moody Blues, Charlie Wilson, and Diana Ross.

"This is Diana Ross' third appearance here in the last decade," said Catherine Cahill, President & CEO, Mann Center for the Performing Arts. "And when she is on that stage you feel that you are right there with her."

On July 19th the Philadelphia Orchestra takes the stage in the annual Tchaikovsky Spectacular.

"Complete with cannons, fireworks, and a spectacular ending," Cahill said. "It really is magical and people just love it. It's a real family tradition."

On July 25th the New Frontiers festival celebrates the 75th birthday of Philadelphia native Guion Bluford, Jr., the first African-American in space,

"We are doing the world premiere performance of a work we've commissioned from our festival artistic director Nolan Williams Jr," Cahill said.

The festival continues on August 19th with a free day dubbed Super Solar Saturday.

"We're going to have troopers from Stars Wars on our grounds, we're going to have face painting, we're going to have moon bounces. And then concluding that afternoon is a free showing of Hidden Figures," Cahill said.

And Movies at the Mann is back with the sights and sounds of Jurassic Park and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, both performed live by the Philadelphia Orchestra .

"The music is actually stripped from the movie itself and the orchestra plays live and perfectly in sync with what's happening on the screen," said Cahill.

The Mann Center's summer season runs thru September 25th. For tickets and show times go to TheArtsInPhilly.org.

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