PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM FESTIVAL (2014)

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Saturday, February 22, 2014 | 2:00 – 4:00 pm

Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church, Sanctuary
A capacity crowd gathered for this community jubilee featuring sacred music rendered by Philadelphia's leading church gospel choirs, punctuated by inspiring reflections from four influential religious leaders. Tours of the Richard Allen Museum were also available. 

Friday, March 28, 2014 | 11:30 am – 2:00 pm

Union League of Philadelphia, Lincoln Hall

 In celebration of Women's History Month, Taste of Freedom honored local African American women who have made distinguished contributions to their professions and communities.

Friday, April 18, 2014 | 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Curtis Institute of Music, Lenfest Hall

Music students from Philadelphia universities were invited participants for this Master Class facilitated by Uri Caine, composer of the commissioned work The Passion of Octavius Catto, which had its world premiere performance for the Philadelphia Freedom Festival finale concert.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 | 4:00 – 6:00 pm
Temple University, Mitten Hall

Broadcast live by 900AM-WURD, this engaging discussion joined a diverse set of voices from Philadelphia's academic and activist communities to reflect on the life and impact of Octavius V. Catto.  A performance by the Cheyney University Concert Choir followed.

Voices of Our Children Catto Youth Freedom Project  
Friday, May 16, 2014 | 10:00 – 11:00 am
Church of the Advocate

400 Philadelphia students were invited to attend an engaging, celebratory program featuring local young spoken word artists, city-wide choirs and a dance troupe. Presented in partnership with Art Sanctuary's Celebration of Black Writing.

Saturday, June 7, 2014 | 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Mann Center,  Crescendo Restaurant

Local hip-hop artists and scholars who have experienced & studied racism in Philadelphia discussed how the power of music is reflected in their words. Performances by: Nina "Lyrispect" Ball & Hip-Hop Krewe. Presented in partnership with Art Sanctuary.

Philadelphia Freedom Festival Finale Concert featuring Marvin Sapp and The Philadelphia Orchestra
Saturday, July 19, 2014 | 8:00 pm
Mann Center, Main Stage

 The festival finale concert featured the world premiere performance of The Passion of Octavius Catto, a commissioned work by Philadelphia composer Uri Caine featuring The Philadelphia Orchestra (POA), soprano Barbara Walker, and the 300-voice festival community choir. The program also featured the world premiere of Nolan's spiritual arrangement, Mind Stayed On Freedom, and inspiring gospel songs rendered by chart-topping artist Marvin Sapp, the orchestra and choir, and praise dancers. André Raphel, conductor. Nolan Williams, Jr., conductor. 

A pre-concert event on PECO Plaza featured Catto re-enactor Robert Branch, the Mount Enon Children's Choir, and the "Trailblazers to Freedom Digital Interactive Media Traveling Trunk," presented in partnership with the African-American Museum in Philadelphia.

Monday, July 28, 2014 | 11:00 am
Mann Center, Main Stage

This free children's concert featured "Catto at the Bat," an original "baseball en pointe" piece by The Rock School for Dance Education, and negro spirituals performed by the Philadelphia Boys Choir. Four Greenfield performance treasures workshops followed, featuring the Philadelphia Boys Choir.

Throughout the seven-month festival, in-school assemblies were presented at Philadelphia schools featuring Octavius Catto re-enactor Robert Branch and "Catto at the Bat," the original "baseball en pointe" work by The Rock School for Dance Education. For many attending students, this was their first introduction to the untold story of Catto and their first experience of seeing the dance art of ballet.