BOOKING

Gina Renzi, Executive Director:
gina@therotunda.org
215-573-3234
E-mail is preferred

PLEASE NOTE:
We generally book Thursdays-Sundays 3-6 months in advance, and weeknights 1-2 months in advance. We •occasionally• have cancellations or open slots with less advance notice.

We book public events only. We do not book private events or parties/socials.

Love The Rotunda? Hate The Rotunda?

Tell us!

Take The Rotunda Survey!

CLICK HERE!!!

This survey's goal is to profile the people who attend/perform at/organize Rotunda events, while gaining feedback from them. With the results, we will have concrete evidence of The Rotunda's impact on art, culture, and community. At the same time, the results will help us to understand what we're doing well and what we need to improve.

Please take the survey, pass the link to friends and have them take it as well, etc. There are hard copies available on the front desk at The Rotunda, for the web-less. We can also mail or fax blank surveys to those interested in participating.

UPCOMING EVENTS (updated frequently, so check back often!)

Semi-permanent Art Installation

Collective Imprints

The Collective Imprints art installation is a collectively-produced work of visual art that celebrates the life and history of The Rotunda, local history and folklore, and visions for future neighborhoods and communities.

This piece will remain on permanent display at The Rotunda (in a most interesting place), reminding audiences and performers that The Rotunda is a vital connector that inspires genuine dialogue and social change.

Collective Imprints, the first project of its kind in Philadelphia, is unique in that it employed dialogue, movement, music-making, and holistic collaboration from all participants. The general public was welcome to brainstorm, move, make music, draw, paint, and collaborate on designs. Never before has such a long term multi-faceted and inclusive project been open to the general public in this city. We believe that future projects will be born of this, fostering long lasting connections between disparate communities.

History
Collective Imprints was conceived in early 2007 by, among others, local community artist, muralist, and activist Michael B. Schwartz, and launched its first collaborative session on November 6, 2007. The work did not stop until the paint was dry last week.

The project started off with eye-opening and inclusive conversations about notions of belonging, place, community, activism, The Rotunda's mission, the arts, power of the people, and more. We also brought movement into the work as we explored new ways of brainstorming, using exercises shared by West Philadelphia multi-faceted artist Jodi Netzer. In addition, Bill Feiger, of Stares to Nowhere and other local acts, shared his musical instruments from around the world as we used sound and music to evoke even more ideas.

Shortly thereafter, we began to draw and paint images based on ideas spawned during conversations and movement exploration. Nearly 150 people participated, seeking to strengthen connections within the greater Rotunda community while building a sense of ownership and interconnectivity to the surrounding area.

Participants ranged from 5 year old school children to college students, teachers, doctors, professors, truck drivers, homemakers, and much more. On Martin Luther King, jr. Day alone, nearly 80 people spent their Day of Service working on Collective Imprints!

Support for this project was provided in part by The Puffin Foundation Ltd. and the 40th Street Artist-in-Residence program.

Mon.

May 12

7-8:15pm

$10

every Monday

Every Monday, join us in the practice of Yoga instructed by Maryte Curran.

Maryte teaches Vinyasa Yoga, which means movement is matched to the breath. The class also includes guided meditation. This class is perfect for both beginmers and people who have some yoga experience. We welcome all shapes, ages, and anyone who is looking to achieve spritiual and physical fitness.

The requested fee is $10.00 per class. A large portion of each class payment will be donated directly to Rotunda programs.

Instructor Bio
Maryte was first introduced to Hatha Yoga 9 years ago. Two and a half years ago, she became more consistent, practicing on a daily basis. In May 2006, she completed a teacher training workshop at Studio B in Northern Liberties, and is continuing to take yoga workshops.

Wed.

May 14

8pm

FREE

Fri.

May 16

8pm

FREE

Sun.

May 18

7pm

Suggested Cost: $12; $6 seniors & students; no one turned away for lack of funds

Peace and Justice:
Finding Our Way Together

Improvisational theatre based on personal stories, told by audience members in the moment..come tell, listen, and watch!!

asking..
What’s in your heart when you consider peace and justice?
What’s your vision for what’s possible for our city and neighborhoods?
What does peace mean to you?
How have you been impacted by peace and/or violence?
What are the seeds you are sowing?

For more information call 215-844-7566

Suggested Cost: $12, $6 seniors & students; no one turned away for lack of funds
A portion of the money raised from this show will go to support a series of playback theatre trainings in June 2008 in Serbia and Bosnia.

playback for change: sarah halley, pamela freeman, bianca adger, eric brunner, jessie cocks, nirva lafortune, ron
kravitz, aviva perlo, patrick seyler, jacob winterstein

Mon.

May 19

7-8:15pm

$10

every Monday

Every Monday, join us in the practice of Yoga instructed by Maryte Curran.

Maryte teaches Vinyasa Yoga, which means movement is matched to the breath. The class also includes guided meditation. This class is perfect for both beginmers and people who have some yoga experience. We welcome all shapes, ages, and anyone who is looking to achieve spritiual and physical fitness.

The requested fee is $10.00 per class. A large portion of each class payment will be donated directly to Rotunda programs.

Instructor Bio
Maryte was first introduced to Hatha Yoga 9 years ago. Two and a half years ago, she became more consistent, practicing on a daily basis. In May 2006, she completed a teacher training workshop at Studio B in Northern Liberties, and is continuing to take yoga workshops.

Fri.

May 23

Doors@7pm

FREE

Fri.

May 30

8pm

$10

Sat.

May 31

7pm

FREE

PhillySka.com
presents

Hub City Stompers
Tri-State Conspiracy
Drive-Thru Pharmacy
1 more TBA

Mon.

June 2

7-8:15pm

$10

every Monday

Every Monday, join us in the practice of Yoga instructed by Maryte Curran.

Maryte teaches Vinyasa Yoga, which means movement is matched to the breath. The class also includes guided meditation. This class is perfect for both beginmers and people who have some yoga experience. We welcome all shapes, ages, and anyone who is looking to achieve spritiual and physical fitness.

The requested fee is $10.00 per class. A large portion of each class payment will be donated directly to Rotunda programs.

Instructor Bio
Maryte was first introduced to Hatha Yoga 9 years ago. Two and a half years ago, she became more consistent, practicing on a daily basis. In May 2006, she completed a teacher training workshop at Studio B in Northern Liberties, and is continuing to take yoga workshops.

Admission is $10

About the Paul Green School of Rock Music:
We proceed from the belief that the best way to learn to do almost anything is by doing it. And, we feel that this is particularly true about learning to play music.

Our goals at the Paul Green School of Rock Music are: to help our students realize their potential as artists, to put them on stage in front of as many people as possible and to help foster a new generation of incredible musicians.

From the moment a student joins one of our schools they are PLAYING music; loud, on professional equipment with other musicians. Before long, our students are playing live rock concerts. These are not your old fashioned wait -through-fifty-other-students mangling-their-songs- until-your-child’s- turn-arrives recitals, but real rock concerts at real rock venues in front of real rock audiences.

Shows are picked for their educational merit and content (for example: Queen teaches harmony, punk develops performance and stage presence and Zappa offers a crash course in musicianship). Thus, if they fail, they fail at aiming at the best. And, when they succeed, which is more often than not, they have accomplished something extraordinary.

Sun.

June 8

1-4pm

$5-$7

MORE EVENT INFO IS COMING SOON!
EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WEEKLY EVENTS

Vinyasa Yoga

EVERY MONDAY

7-8:15pm

$10

Every Monday, join us in the practice of Yoga instructed by Maryte Curran.

Maryte teaches Vinyasa Yoga, which means movement is matched to the breath. The class also includes guided meditation. This class is perfect for both beginmers and people who have some yoga experience. We welcome all shapes, ages, and anyone who is looking to achieve spritiual and physical fitness.

The requested fee is $10.00 per class. A large portion of each class payment will be donated directly to Rotunda programs.

Instructor Bio
Maryte was first introduced to Hatha Yoga 9 years ago. Two and a half years ago, she became more consistent, practicing on a daily basis. In May 2006, she completed a teacher training workshop at Studio B in Northern Liberties, and is continuing to take yoga workshops.

MONTHLY/REGULAR SERIES
(calendar slots subject to change)

2nd Thursdays

8pm

Andrew's Video Vault

Usually unspooling double or triple features, Philly based film director Andrew Repasky McElhinney screens rare treasures from his collection on the giant "screen" at The Rotunda the second Thursday of every month.

Free Screenings Continuous From 8pm (with some exceptions; please check individual listings)

[most]2nd Fridays

9pm
(business meeting 8pm)

The Philadelphia Science Fiction Society (PSFS) conducts open business meetings and welcomes guest speakers coming from the realm of Sci Fi and Fantasy. PSFS is a non-profit organization that meets monthly to discuss and promote science fiction and fantasy in literature, the arts, and popular culture.

Varies

8pm

$10

MELANGE, Live
An Eclectic Musical Journey
was conceived and developed by Executive Producer, Penni Gould, a singer/actor who grew frustrated with the aloof Philadelphia theater/cabaret culture and decided to take matters into her own hands by creating the perfect "performer centered" venue. She and her long time friend, noted pianist and Musical Director, Carla Mariani decided to embark on the project together, combining their unique creative talents to develop a totally new theatrical concept: "self-esteem enhancing theater".

At Melange Theatre, "Live", it's all about the performer. The theater company exists to promote the careers of its participants and to spoil them with total attention to their needs...a "first" to be sure. After a nurturing audition, participants are invited to perform whenever they need or want to. No hassles, no hoops, no limitations, no bottom line except for allowing entertainers the freedom to do what they do best--entertain!

Melange Theatre, "Live" was founded and created to provide talented people with a stage on which to experiment, gain exposure, develop or maintain a following, network with other east coast entertainers, gain publicity, market merchandise, and maintain a performance level in times of "performance famine"... In short, to have a great time performing in a no stress, non-competitive environment. At the heart of Melange Theatre's philosophy is the rationale that talent needs to be valued, respected, nurtured, encouraged and given the opportunity to mature, develop and grow without financial encumbrance; A tall order for today's profit intensive theatrical environment.

At Melange Theatre, "Live", the magic happens fueled solely by the energy of pure bliss that comes from producing something important and beneficial without a profit motive. This is truly "theater for the joy of theatre". The talented professionals that perform at Melange Theatre, "Live" come from all over the country and the world. They are from diverse backgrounds and levels of experience, but they all have one thing in common: extreme talent and the burning desire to entertain.

TO AUDITION: please contact Penni Gould: 215-923-1790 pgould@melangetheatre.info;
Carla Mariani: 215-732-5443 carlasclefs@aol.com

3rd Fridays

8pm SHARP

GATE

As one of the oldest series at The Rotunda, GATE showcases the newest in music and more. Featured is live music (of local, national, and international artists) from such genres as ambient, experimental electronic, free improv, found sounds, field recordings, IDM, tech-ambient, noise, post-rock, psychedelic, dark ambient, hard-to-define sounds and new music styles, and neo classical.

In addition to music, video art, oil projections, slides, 16mm films, performance art, interactive presentations (such as those from MIDI jumpsuits or audience participation), visual art, and more can be found at a single GTMBA event.

GATE serves as one of the most cherished monthly events of its kind, not only for the talent that it showcases, but also for the community it fosters, as musicians delving into new music can interact with and learn from each other.

GATE (originally named Gate to Moonbase Alpha)is the creation of Aharon Varady, who moved out of Philly a few years ago. Aharon also created The Philadelphia Ambient Consortium, which offers numerous resources for fans and artists of ambient and other experimental genres and subgenres. Nowadays, GATE is curated by Scott Cole.

For more info, and booking, please contact gatebooking@gmail.com

3rd Saturdays
(except May 10, 2008)

6:30pm

$7 ($5 if you bring clothes or food for the needy)

Philly Youth Poetry Slam
 
An effort to develop the youth talent in the Philadelphia area by mentoring young poets in the art of performance and slam poetry, giving the youth an opportunity to perform on a national level as representatives of Philly in the National Youth Poetry Slam. 

This will include workshops, support, instruction, and supervision by recognized local talent to prepare the Philly team. The mission is to bridge the generation gap for performance poetry by connecting veteran performers, producers, and musicians with the talented youth of the city who are anxious to carry on the torch by continuing the legacy of their predecessors.

Youth must be 13-19 years of age to participate.

Final
Wednesdays

7pm

The Philadelphia Chapter of the Holistic Moms Network meets here on Final Wednesdays

This chapter is a diverse group of holistic parents from across the city of Philadelphia, welcoming all area moms (and dads) with an interest in natural health and mindful parenting.

This group's goal is to develop a dynamic and thriving local community of holistic parents with a wide range of interests and to explore a variety of topics related to holistic living and parenting. This chapter was created in July 2004 and has since grown into a wonderful community!

Interested moms and dads are invited to attend a trial meeting to learn more about this community.

Dads, grandparents, partners, and other caregivers are also welcome as members. Even future parents will find that this organization is a great place to learn and make new friends! Moms-to-be and new moms are encouraged to attend, ask questions, and seek to be informed.

*ON HIATUS

Final Thursdays

10pm-2am

The Gathering

Established in 1997, The Gathering is the longest-running Hiphop event in Philly, and welcomes b-boys/b-girls, pop-lockers, emcees, graffiti writers, DJs, men, women, and children of all ages to enjoy this organic, community-based celebration of Hiphop.

DJs spin Hiphop, breaks, and funk all night, and there are open cyphers, a tag wall, and a featured performance and graffiti panel each month.

Hosted by I be 4EVR and TuPhace

*ON HIATUS
Final Saturdays

5-7pm

Girls' DJ Drop in Like It's Hot! Class

Girls' DJ provides the technology (CD players, turntable, inputs for MP3 players), and wannabe DJs provide the music.

No experience required -- if you want to DJ, show up at 5pm to register for a 15-minute slot on the ones and twos, with graduates of the Girls' DJ 101 course providing expert guidance and sharing a trick or two with you.

Girls' DJ exists to boost positive participation in the music scene--so bring your favorite positive tunes. Please leave music that disrespects anyone on the basis of race, sexual orientation, gender, etc., at home. Instrumental versions of any songs welcome!

Come to DJ, come to hang out and have a good time, Girls' DJ style..

Ars Nova Workshop concerts

"It is essential to distinguish between music the sole purpose of which is to produce a uniform and deliberate effect, thus simulating a collective action of an intended kind, and music whose meaning is, in itself, expressing feelings, ideas, sensations, or experiences, and which, far from welding people into a homogenous mass with identical reactions, allows free play to individual subjective associations." -Ernst Fischer

Founded in 2000, Ars Nova Workshop (ANW) is a Philadelphia non-profit 501(c)3 jazz and experimental music presenting organization. Ars Nova Workshop intentionally programs events and concerts in alternative spaces, showcasing divergent traditions/perspectives and challenging artistic ambitions. ANW acts as an intermediary between musicians/composers and their audience. We encourage the recognition and greater understanding Ð while contributing to the advancement - of progressive music, art and social movements.

Serving a broad and diverse audience, ANW events function as a catalyst for ideas, discourses and new trends in contemporary music and its practices.

Our focus includes recognizing the contributions of jazz, free jazz and other 20th century composers and improvisers, as well as the work of emerging musicians. Ars Nova Workshop seeks to be a vital cultural resource for Philadelphia and to serve constituencies beyond the area through collaborations, artist and tour support, and education.

Overall, ANW aims to provide an engaging and appropriate environment for musicians and composers; to inform, inspire, and challenge audiences; to actively attract new audiences; and to be an accessible resource that elevates the role of jazz and experimental music in contemporary culture.

Ars Nova Workshop has presented nearly 200 peculier events in Philadelphia including Dave Douglas' Witness, the Tomasz Stanko Quartet, "Interstellar Space is the Place" with Rashied Ali and Marshall Allen, and Peter BrotzmannÕs Chicago Tentet, among other unique musical collaborations from leading figures in contemporary music.

Ars Nova Workshop is the recipient of numerous awards and has been documented in the Philadelphia Inquirer, JazzTimes, and Wire Magazine.