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Kimmel Center For the Performing Arts
Rating Details »
Categories: Performing Arts, Music Venues [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Avenue of the Arts South, Washington Square West300 S Broad St
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 670-2388
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Thu, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- Yes
35 reviews for Kimmel Center For the Performing Arts
I came here last night for the Macallan whisky tasting and "learning" session. I put quotes around learning because is it really learning when you drink while you learn? Maybe.
It was a fine evening, as always when an event is held at the Kimmel. Great location of course - on Broad, gorgeous sights (City Hall, Avenue of the Arts, you know the deal). Great atrium - I can't say that enough. When walking through those glass doors, you just feel a certain aura around the building that just makes you feel elegant, even if you're wearing raggedy jeans (which you shouldn't when going to the Kimmel). The staff was helpful and courteous. We were in the Rose Garden, and it was immaculately set up. For a free event, it certainly didn't feel like it (besides the small amounts of whisky given out. I'd say less than 2 shots were given out total, but I'm not complaining).
Overall it was another great experience and I'm happy Philly has a wonderful performing arts venue as this. I always remember when it was first built, and even today, I get taken aback by its sheer awesomeness (awe some being the more adult version, not the TMNT version of awesome dude).
As a huge fan of the Philadelphia Orchestra, I have mainly attended events in Verizon Hall. I think this venue combines warmth of sound and atmosphere with a beautifully elegant and modern design. I am very happy to experience the orchestra here versus their old home at the Academy of Music.
However, the purpose of this review is give some thoughts on my experience in the various seats/sections throughout the house especially if you are going for an orchestra event. I am not a professional musician but a music lover who has dabbled in playing her flute for the past decade in an assortment of groups. So you can feel free to take or ignore my thoughts.
Rear third tier - The sound here seemed to favor the brass and wind instruments. The strings were not quite as resonant and any violin solo moments were a strain to hear. However, I have heard that this is where you can hear the most well melded sound surprisingly...so I will be revisiting this section!
Third tier box (almost above the orchestra) - I had these seats for a Rachmaninoff Concerto No.2 - boy what a visual treat! The sound here was wonderfully clear and surprisingly balanced. I highly recommend these seats if you like to be visually engaged, especially for a piano concerto!
Second tier rear box - Just a quick note on the box seats, they are individual velvet lined chairs with arms. I find these chairs a bit more rigid but I just personally prefer the flip seats in the orchestra section. The sound here was quite balanced and very warm. I could hear all the voices of the orchestra.
Orchestra level - I enjoy proximity to the orchestra as I love the visual and audio excitement. The three rows in the front row are going to be your most palpitating seats. I usually try to get these seats if I am taking a first time concert attendee, especially if they are not necessarily the biggest classical fans. The middle of the orchestra (rows J-M) have been my favorite seats. Just close enough to see the flying fingers and emotive faces but just back enough to hear the voices of orchestra and of course solos. That being said the rear section of the orchestra (not the boxes) are also just as wonderful of an acoustic experience, just a bit more distant visually and a tinge for the ears.
If you are a student (not just college undergraduate!) take advantage of the ezSeatu! It is a great deal and the ushers are usually quite nice in helping you find a decent empty seat.
A general tip - always always arrive at least 15 minutes before the concert start. It is much nicer to feel calm and settled in to your seat. You can really enjoy the entire concert experience this way. Plus, they are usually very strict on starting on time, at which you are usually locked out until a break in the set.
Hope this is helpful and enjoy!
I had tickets to see Anoushka Shankar some years ago. I got all dressed up with no knowledge of the cancellation. I was hoping to trade my ticket as well, but I couldn't. In the past. Oh, well.
Enough said, I had a better experience, with the dance I took my mom and grandmom to see. Very nice indeed.
This is a very nice place to take a loved one to a show for first date, birthday, holidays, whatever. They have appropriate intermission to allow late folks to be seated. Don't be the late folk.
Every part of the Kimmel Center is breath taking. Memorable is the top floor. There performing artists can be both seen and heard between shows. They fill the surrounding air and space, touching the heart. The theaters compliment what energy and joy an orchestra or other event holds. Both beauty and peace abound before, during and after each show.
Great place to see a show. Do yourself a favor and prepay for parking if you can. Clean, spacious self-parking garage right under Kimmel Center. Tons of restaurants in walking distance. Don't be fooled by the diagram when purchasing tix, 1st row parquet circle section is the same height as the back row of the box section in front of you, as is the case for each section. I spent most of the time staring at the back of some woman's huge noggin on front of me.
This is one of those review updates that you can only write because of the Summer Solstice Celebration at the Kimmel Center. The time was well past 3AM and I was camped out in their serene roof garden (during a time that I wasn't technically supposed to be, even on Solstice. sorry about that!) and watching people do cartwheels before my eyes. I also had the chance to gaze down upon the people who looked like ants from my view, as a jazz funk band played, and a lady danced burlesque for their enjoyment.
An hour earlier I was skankin' to Ruder Than You on the third floor as they played an old school Ska session, and people slept on couches around us in a satisfied stupor. Before that? we were dancing to a live hip hop band, watching a harp player perform (I love Gillian Grassie!), and checking out a drag show in the foyer of course!
When we arrived around 8:30 we quickly grouped together to find the one basement of the Kimmel Center that truly proved to be the hardest to find. But once we did it was worth it because we got to watch plenty of people just like you and I weave tales of what they experienced in the great outdoors during a First Person Story Slam. Overall there was a lot of beer, there was a lot of coffee, and there was a couple of breakfast sandwiches past 2am. And you best believe that their was a lot of dancing and music! And it's experiences like those that truly make the Kimmel Center Summer Solstice Celebration on of the best things out there that only happens once a year. It beats Groundhog Day any day of the week (sorry Bill Murray!).
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/25/2007
Although I've never actually been to an official Orchestra or theater performance here, I love The… Read more »
At least for the next few weeks check out the "Dangos" in the Kimmel Center lobby (officially known as Commonwealth Plaza). they are huge ceramic sculptures by the artist Jun Kaneko, who also designed the set and costumes for the Opera Company's season opener Madama Butterfly. The same artist also created the "Heads" which are now in the City Hall courtyard. These sculptures will only be around through mid-October! They really make the plaza space come alive - very cool...
I've seen some really cool shows here, like the solstice 24-hour event. But sound quality is subpar and they drop the ball in functionality of this building.
For one, they wanted it to be a civic center where center city people hangout during lunch time and passersby come to relax. It encourages neither. In fact, during the day, it's a ghost town and I'm surprised they even bother staffing the place.
But it is a beautiful building and they host some wonderful acts. Just don't be surprised if you feel somehow unfulfilled.
I love The Kimmel Center. I visited before construction was completed but have recently returned to enjoy the musical talents of Rufus Wainwright. For starters, I love natural light and exuberant amounts of glass...so the architecture of the building tickles my fancy.
According to other reviews, I've gathered that he played in the smaller hall. The staff was friendly and painlessly showed us to our seats. By seats, I mean benches upholstered with velvety red fabric. Saying I'm a fan is an understatement. It made it a lot easier to avoid the who's-getting-the-arm-rest debacle.
Rufus is pretty phenominal on his own, but I always enjoy concerts more when the acoustics are right-on. I sat in awe when I saw the grandiose organ they placed at the end of the concert hall. Rufus played his guitar & piano, but I would pay lots of money to see someone break it down on the big pipe organ (maybe Tori Amos?? HA).
I wish more artists played here.
Went to a show in Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center last night. It was my first visit to the facility, and I was very impressed. It's probably the nicest indoor concert hall I have ever seen or heard. I doubt there is a bad seat in the house, but my seats were fantastic - to the right of the stage, up in the first tier balcony. I felt like I could reach out and touch the performer (they probably wouldn't have liked that though...). It was especially nice because no one was sitting in front of me blocking my view. The acoustics in the hall were fantastic. Outside the hall there were a couple concession areas selling some light fare (chips, cookies, small sandwiches ($5)) and alcohol. The beer was $5 - $6.
The Kimmel Center is a BEAUTIFUL building. I have never seen a show in Verizon Hall, but I saw PHILADANCO (the Philadelphia Dance Company) perform in the Perelman Theater and that was a good performance--it was for a field trip I took my freshman year of High School as part of an arts appreciation class so it wasn't a straight-up dance performance; it had an educational component to it where members of the audience were invited up onstage to take part in dance demonstrations and the dancers personally introduced themselves and did a Q&A session. I also came down with my mom's best friend and her daughter in 2005 for a preview of the national tour of "Wicked" (since my mom's best friend leads trips to shows for her job) and we got to hear the cast members who were the standbys on Broadway at the time for Glinda and Elphaba sing "The Wizard and I" and "For Good."
That being said, I would definitely come back and see another performance here!
The Kimmel is a strikingly beautiful building - everyone should go there at least once to see the orchestra and experience the space.
My boyfriend took me to see a ballet here a while ago, "Carnival of the Animals." I liked the theater a lot. I don't know the history, but it had an old-school charm. It was small, but beautiful.
And the audience was so much better behaved than the tourist-mobbed NYC theaters. I'm sure this place had its share of tourists too, but it was much more classy. I wore a dress to it, although nobody in NYC dresses up for the ballet, operah, etc. anymore, just because I wanted to dress up. But I actually didn't feel like I stuck out here, because everybody was well-dressed. Even some dresses. So unlike the jeans-clad audience at NYC.
I've always wanted to check out the Kimmel Center, but anxiousness has kept me away. I'm not really into classical music or avant-garde performances -- would I be bored? Would I be glaringly out of place? It was a little out of my comfort zone, so I stayed away.
Stupid.
I recently experienced an evening of culture for free, courtesy of my job. It was the perfect excuse to finally get to the Kimmel. I saw the Philadelphia Orchestra; the incredibly talented musicians put on an amazing performance. The Kimmel is a beautiful, modern venue with awesome acoustics. It was the perfect setting for a little arts and culture. What are you waiting for? Go go go!
First of all, let me say that the first time I ever went to the Kimmel Center was not for an event but to photograph its beautiful architecture. I'm not usually into architecture photography, but the light that streams through the glass is exquisite and begs to be captured on film! It's a gorgeous venue, especially The Garden on the top floor.
As far as how it is as a music venue, it is incredible. I saw Bela Fleck and the Flecktones in the Verizon Theater in December, and the acoustics were unbeatable. I've seen the Flecktones many times, including the Keswick Theater in Glenside and the American Music Theater in Lancaster, and the sound in the Verizon Theater was the best yet. I also had the pleasure of sitting in the front row on Victor Wooten's side, so that made the experience all the more enjoyable!
The lighting is subtle and complements the acoustics well. The ushers are polite and showed me right to my seat. Very classy place. I loved my experience here and will definitely return!
I FINALLY saw a show at the Kimmel Center, and like one reviewer below, I'm glad I waited to devirginize myself of this incredible building with Rufus Wainwright. That is, unfortunately, the only devirgifying or sexual reference I will ever be able to share with Rufus. Take a moment of silence before continuing, please, as Rufus and I would have beautiful, brilliant, melodramatic babies.
OK. Time to talk about why we're here. this building is. INCREDIBLE. From the outside, it's easy to tell that something spectacular is in there, but the grandness of it just can't even be conceptualized until you step inside. Even when crowded, there is so much space in this cavernous place that you never feel like you're on top of each other. Patrons feel free to walk around and my date and I took ourselves all over the building to check it out.
Drinks were average price for a concert venue. There was also a free show being played by a bluegrassy sort of band when the Rufus concert let out, and they were even pretty great with a crowd gathered for free in the lobby. I love that this place could so easily take a turn towards pretentious and snooty, but it didn't feel that way once while I was there.
The seating inside of the Verizon Hall was very comfy. I was on the first balcony and our view was amazing. The acoustics are probably the crispest I've ever heard anywhere, and looking around, I don't think there is a bad seat in that entire place.
I am dying for all of my favorite artists to play here, now. I'm checking the Kimmel Center website religiously in hopes of stumbling upon someone I even feel mediocre about, because I'm convinced the show can't help but be intimate and incredible in this space.
Love it!
This is my favorite building in Philadelphia. If I wasn't sure security would give me the boot, I'd live here. I'd set up a tent in the rooftop garden and make myself a home.
But really, the art is mesmerizing, the Philadelphia Orchestra's shows are wonderful and the walls and ceilings of glass are brilliant!
If you've never been, stop in sometime and wander around. Be sure to go upstairs so you don't miss any of the art!
The only reason I give it four stars is because of the cost. If anyone knows how to swing a deal at the Kimmel, please fill me in.
I sincerely enjoyed simply being in this center.
The entryway is spacious, filled with light, or the shadows from the evenings. The third level has a small arboretum with trees lining the walkway and they make a definite difference to the air quality, in my opinion.
There are closed-circuit TVs for the main orchestra hall, and seating outside for those waiting to enter between pieces. The smaller hall also has plenty of soft, red velvety seating and decent acoustics for the piano concerts and opera singers that I had a chance to listen to inside.
Staff is friendly, and the concessions and gift shop are fairly normally outrageous prices for souvenirs, but there are plenty of last-minute walk-up deals for tickets before the show (show up around 30-45 minutes before a night for great deals!), student deals and package deals, too. Parking is a bit inconvenient, but hopefully you don't have to take a car to the location, it's right off the Broad Street line.
I have supported the Kimmel Center for years. I love the variety of performances they offer and there is always something amazing about to happen, that you could easily go once each month.
My family and I had Box seats to see the Lion King here. Now, by Box Seats, they were on the upper first level, but had Brass Railings to separate them from the other seats. Kinda cool.
The Show ( Lion King ), was almost as wonderful here, as it was seeing it on Broadway. We also, saw Riverdance here and had side seats. The Theater is set up so perfectly, there is no such thing as a bad seat. Their large seats are comfortable and offers plenty of floor space to stretch out. You are entertained in a very clean and open circle.
Magnificent building. Getting around is very easy as well, when needing to use the Ladies room, instead of climbing stairs or walking around the entire theater looking, they are numerous and conveniently located. Lots of Bars set up and snack stands, as well as an award winning Restaurant and rooftop Bar & Lounge.
I've been to symphony houses in quite a few cities, and I have to admit that the Kimmel Center is my favorite venue by far! The interior is a study in architectural juxtapositions - spacious and intimate - at the same time. I have seen a few performances here, mostly world music and orchestral performances. I've always had great seats with wonderful views of the stage. The last performance I attended (17 March 2009) was for the Kodo Drummer's of Japan, and the seats were phenomenal - only 3 rows from the stage. It's a great venue and if you'd like to experience the performing arts in Philadelphia, I urge you to see something at the Kimmel! It's a great place!
So I came here with the family when I was home for the holidays. Took my chickadees to see the Vienna Waltz.
The architecture of this building is grand & magnificent. It definitely makes its presence in the Philadelphia skyline. It looks like it can touch the sky.
There are elevators and stairs - expect a long wait (i'm not exxaggerrating - expect 10-15 minutes)at the elevators & being glad that you used Dial once if you ever get in
(most of the patrons are quite old and opt for the elevators over the stairs so if you are a spring chicken - work your glutes)
They also have a gift shop located inside - nothing to see there really. Just a bunch of overpriced trinkets.
Also, their restrooms are clean (as well they should be from a building of this caliber - should be well kept)
I haven't explored the whole building yet, but I'm sure I will be back there this year come holiday time.
As a post Valentine day present to my bride I took her to the Kimmel Center for a matinee to see Peter Nero and the Philly Pops
"Celebration of OL' BLUE EYES " The Center is beautiful and a great place to enjoy music. The Seats are not as comfortable as they should be but the un-obstructed views make up for having to scooch around to get comfortable. The sound is perfect for a classical concert or a rock band. Peter and the orchestra did an outstanding job transforming from classical to a big swing band the arrangements and delivery of many familiar tunes Sinatra made famous. Then came Steve Lippia
he looks nothing like Sinatra, but if u close your eyes or just look away from the stage, HE IS SINATRA I have never seen him perform until now but have seen my share of Sinatra wanna be's, Steve is by far the best Sinatra interpreter I have ever seen. The voice the word pronunciations the moves, and mannerisms
Brought flashbacks to when I saw Sinatra live at the old Spectrum..
If you get a chance go see it if you are a Sinatra fan or just curious.
What a gorgeous venue... expensive, but very, very nice... was treated to the Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt Show for my birthday and it was an excellent show... Lyle is a class act... he didn't do much, if any, country which he is known for... and he dialogued with John Hiatt as if they were sitting in your living room...
Upon first entering the Kimmel Center, the building itself is rather awesome. It has the grandeur of 19th Century theaters with 21st Century sensibilities and architecture. The outer shell of the Kimmel Center is a glass airplane hangar. On the inside reside TWO different theaters: Verizon Hall and The Perelman Theater.
Verizon Hall (possibly someday another sponsor name) is the grand concert hall which normally stages the Philadelphia Symphonic Orchestra and other major musical performances. I wasn't around Philadelphia to hear the initial caterwauling of the acoustical snobs, so I'll just let you know that from the third balcony, the sound of a sole violin playing a mezzo-piano note could be heard clearly and with great nuance from nearly 500 feet away.
What also struck me as amazing about the concert hall was that the sight lines were perfect no matter where you sat (excluding the marked obstructed view seats). There were not walls, safety railings, or other people's heads blocking the view. So from an architectural standpoint it was designed well in my opinion.
There are even seats which let you sit behind the orchestra. I would guess it's almost like sitting behind the dugout for a baseball game or sitting on the fifty yard line for a football game. Literally, your seat is 20 feet elevated from the back of the stage!
As mentioned in the other reviews, there are $10 rush tickets for most performances. NOTE: You must go between 5:30-6:30 PM to get them. Lines for popular events, so show up early if you can.
There are often free concerts that are given in the common space of the Kimmel Center on their open air stage. Check their website for updates.
I did not see the Perelman Theater, so I do not have a review at this time.
Overall, I was very pleased with this venue and will definitely go back for more performances.
The Kimmel Center is a beautiful, modern, state-of-the-art performance space that I think is just what this city needed. The acoustics are supberb. And the interior of the building is just breath-taking in its scale and simple style. They've also got world-class musical entertainment. This place is awesome.
I suggest parking in their garage, which has an elevator right into the lobby of the center. It's easier than hunting for a spot on Broad Street.
I love the architecture but not the space. Can't they make it more inviting? What if this place smelled like roasting coffee? What if they had places you'd want to sit and just chat for a while or curl up with that philosophy book u've been meaning to read for 3 years now? Our tax dollars built this place, shouldn't we expect more so that it's not just an elite institution that siphons tax money for the high heeled? What about putting in an evening bar?
makes you proud to be a philadelphian to have this kind of venue in your city. the show was fantastic. the artchitecture is breathtaking. the $8 mini glass of wine should have been cheaper. but oh well.
When I first saw this place in pictures when it first opened, I was impressed not only by the shape of Verizon Hall, but the size as well. Then, so many years later, I finally saw it in person. What a cozy little theater. The acoustics are certainly different. Not better, not worse. Different. Clearer. Some other day, for the hell of it, I'd like to sit in one the hall's tiers that wrap around behind the orchestra.
Being the new largest concert organ in the country, I naturally became curious about the Kimmel Center Organ. 111 stops is quite a lot, but are they the right stops? I read the specifications for myself. Rather nice, and even included some of my erm....favorite ranks. I won't embarrass myself and tell you anything more specific. I really regret that I haven't been able to attend any organ recitals.
Outside of Verizon hall, the Kimmel Center is a bit of a marvel to look at. Glass and steel accompany soft carpeted staircases and earthy wood paneling. Unfortunately, I never got the chance to visit the smaller Perelman Theater, but I hear it's quite nice. Given Verizon Hall and the Philadelphia Orchestra that plays in it, I would definitely say the Kimmel Center is worth a trip to Philadelphia, even from New York.
If we had a dollar for all of the people that bitched about how ill used and unpretty the street level public space is, we could redo it and have money left over. But Verizon is beautiful and though the purists will never stop carping about how near perfect are the acoustics at the Academy of Music, they are, the sound here has never spoiled a visit for me as they did make adjustments. And unless you're an acoustical engineer or simply a pain in the ass, they shouldn't spoil anything for you either. Bitching point, I don't think the PECO logo over the concessions goes far to promote a sense of cultural appropriateness. But it seems that culture and corporate are inseparable today. The rooftop Garden is great mostly for the views as the 4 room size HVAC units set smack in the middle do serious damage to the aesthetic as well as the ability to host certain affairs. And though I like the idea of massive glass construction, when I look up on entering I feel like I'm attending a food show at the Javits Center. Small price to pay. Ushers are terrific.
I remember when the Kimmel opened in 2001; acoustics snobs were quick to criticize the brand new facility-- but then, how could it possibly have lived up to all those expectations? Acoustics, moreover, are largely a matter of taste, and no new concert hall will ever satisfy the classical music traditionalists, who cling to some silly, fictitious idea of what is and isn't "authentic."
Beautiful 2,500-seat Verizon Hall is shaped like giant cello-- a concept that was supposed to create a unique and beautiful acoustic concept, and even if you're one of those stubborn traditionalists I mentioned above, the hall is worth seeing (and hearing) for its novelty.
And, even if you're on a budget, Student Rush and Community Rush make great classical music accessible to everyone. The two different programs allow you to buy leftover tickets at the venue on concert day, all for somewhere in the vicinity of $10. For popular shows, you'll have to arrive well before the designated sale time (check the website before going down), and you may still walk away empty handed. But MOST concerts will have these value tickets available.
The Kimmel Center houses in fact Three different theaters, often having simultanious performances of various genres. Verizon Hall is the home of the orchestra. The hall, modeled after a Cello, is a gorgeous place to hear them play. It is to be noted that many critics complain that the sound in the venue falls very flat, not doing the orchestra justice. However for the novice classical enthusiast, I doubt expectations will fall flat.
The Rush is great, and allows for people to receive 10 dollar tickets. Often the tickets are in the 3rd Tier, or upper balcony. If this was a rock show, I'd say cringe. But in a venue like this, many agree the sound is most balanced up there, so never you worry. And, you don't go to the orchestra for there dashing looks.
The Perelman Theater is an interesting venue. It houses two stages which rotate. This feature is most beneficial for the theater, as it allows them to house two shows, and swap during the day. It's an intimate space with flexible seating that is removed and rearranged for different shows.
Finally there is the Innovation Studio, which is the smallest space and comes in the form of a Black Box theater, under the main floor of the Kimmel Center. I've seen a bunch of great shows in the space, and is often a missed gem.
Throughout the place there are a number of free features, such as an indoor rooftop garden, and art galleries. Plus it has a bar and a restaurant. Overall, a lot is packed under the arching glass roof. Definitely can be a great value, and an opportunity for great entertainment.
I don't understand what Philadelphia had against Christoph Eschenbach! In his short tenure I came from New York to see him conduct maybe two dozen times (and as an added bonus I got to get away from the horrible Lorin Maazel in my own city) -- his Mahler and Bartok and Shostakovich and Prokofieff and Schubert and Bruckner were all amazing. But perhaps people wanted a bigger celebrity who's less challening/more accessible... For one performance (Messiaen's "Eclairs sur l'au-delà") the ushers were ACTUALLY giving out ear-plugs to the audience (can you believe it?), so it's apparent what the natives like and don't like, want and don't want... After a performance of Brucnker's 9th symphony I honestly heard at least a dozen people complaining about how much they hated this kind of modern music -- it was written in 1881!... Anyway, Christoph Eschenbach was too damn good for Philadelphia, they didn't know what they had and they don't know what they've lost -- thankfully he'll be back from time to time, and therefore so will I -- the concert hall (Verizon Hall) is amazing (better than Carnegie Hall, in my opinion), the acoustics are incredibly clear and warm, so as long as there's interesting programming (unlike Charles Dutoit's "short popular classics") I'll definitely be coming back... The orchestra is terrific, especially Christopher Deviney and Nitzan Haroz... The gift shop is great, the bathrooms are nice and clean, the ushers are extremely helpful, and beers at the concession stand are cheap.
What an incredible building!! I am only sad it took me so long to finally make it to an event in this magnificent venue. As I walked in I was instantly in awe. Five stars for the architectural design alone, no contest. It took me more than a few minutes to find my way up to the rooftop garden & I have to admit, it was a little disappointing once I did find it (not as "gardeny" or "green" as I was imagining) but all the same it is a lovely touch in an already outstanding building.
I was visiting Verizon Hall to see my beloved Pink Martini perform their loungy-latin-Hollywood-glamtastic tunes with their fabulous singer China Forbes & equally fabulous 13 man orchestra. Anyway enough about the performers!
I was lucky enough to have been able to snag the 2nd orchestra box from the stage & wow was it ever nice not to have to be all smashed into the rows of seats in the rest of the orchestra section. The boxes were spacious enough & there were no worries that someone's big-ol' head was going to be obstructing your view. My one complaint about the boxes were the chairs. They were quite uncomfortable (like a bad dining room chair w/ minimal padding) & frankly seemed rather cheap to me. Was I wrong to expect something a little more luxurious? Oh well...maybe the Metropolitan Opera has been spoiling me.
I have heard an abundance of complaints about the acoustics inside Verizon Hall, but as I have also heard, most of those issues seem to have been fixed since the early times of the Kimmel.
One thing that I did notice throughout the evening was an obvious & distracting noise coming from what seemed to be above. It was disturbing not only me but the performers as well...not a good thing. The only way I can think of describing the sound was that it was like the sound of uncooked rice or noodles being poured onto a tiled floor.
There were a couple small bars in the lobby/common area of the Kimmel Center where you can get yourself coffee, tea, snacks, alcohol & the like. I highly recommend against their wine however. If you're a wine enthusiast, just trust me on that one. ;)
The Kimmel also houses their own restaurant - Cadence - which I did not dine at but is nicely located on the second tier of the Kimmel's common area & has a great view both inside & out of the Kimmel.
This is a beautiful venue - I've been here for graduations and performances (by the local Philharmonic). There's plenty of seating and the instruments sound sharp and true no matter where you sit. There's also a restaurant, lounge, and cafe (Cadence) that's fun to hang out at.
I haven't actually been to a performance here, but did have a chance to briefly tour the building and was very impressed. Everything is brand new and very fancy. The best part is the roof deck, which is at the top of the building and is actually inside and sort of like a conservatory (the building's ceiling is glass). You can see all of Philly and there are trees and plants up there - it would be a great location for a party or event.
