New day-long jazz fest features 17 bands at four venues in the heart of the city

The first-ever Center City Jazz Festival brings the Philly jazz sound to Chris’ Jazz Cafe, Fergie’s Pub, MilkBoy Philadelphia, and Time Restaurant for a full day of performances on April 28. Across five blocks over ten hours, more than 50 musicians will perform for jazz fans and new audiences alike, renewing Philadelphia’s reputation as a destination for great jazz music. Launched by visionary trombonist Ernest Stuart and fueled by a successful Kickstarter campaign, the Center City Jazz Festival fills the void left by the recently disbanded West Oak Lane Jazz Festival and the closing of Ortlieb’s Jazz Haus.

“THE CHEYNEY PLAYERS,” ALONG WITH THE 3RD REGIMENT INFANTRY OF THE UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS, will bring African American history to life at Mother Bethel AME Church located at 419 South 6th Street on Sunday February 12, 2012, during the 11am worship service. “The Cheyney Players,” under the direction of Jan Ellis-Scruggs, is a student drama organization on the campus of Cheyney University, Pennsylvania’s oldest African-American college (www.cheyney.edu).

Walnut Street Theatre’s Independence Studio on 3 is proud to bring back the spirit of Philadelphia’s own Ethel Waters with her life stories and memorable songs in Ethel!  Written by and starring Broadway’s Terry Burrell, this world premiere begins with previews on February 21^st, opens February 23^rd and runs through March 11^th in the intimate Independence Studio on 3.

ETHEL! She was saucy. She was talented. She was a star. Ethel Waters grew up in difficult circumstances in Chester, PA in the early 1900s, but she found a way to make a life for herself. She used colorful language, rough men and good old American street skills to work her way into a career that led to hit records, Broadway shows and even an Academy Award nomination. It's time to have fun with great stories and incredible songs, including "Dinah," "Heebie Jeebies," "Taking a Chance on Love" and "Stormy Weather."