Big Hurrah
“Legitimately good music—lyrically complex, instrumentally nuanced… exploring love, relationships & social justice”
—Philadelphia Citizen
LiveConnections Big Hurrah
Monday, November 18, 2019*
5:30-9:00PM
World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia
PARTY TIME! 🎉
Join us for LiveConnections’ annual party, an evening of exceptional artistry, amazing food and drink, and all of the “feel good” moments you could want.
This year’s program will spotlight the album WAKE UP EVERYBODY with collaborative performances by students from Hill-Freedman World Academy and artists Andrew Lipke, Luke Carlos O’Reilly and Kristal “Tytewriter” Oliver.
We’ll also be presenting our 5th Annual Connector Award to Dyana Williams, for exemplifying the power of connection through music.
Our Young Connector Award goes to Kawish Sadaqat and Mehwish Sadaqat, both participants in our “Immigrant Songs” program, for their creativity, leadership and ability to foster connections among people.
A raffle will feature special prize packages showcasing the best of Philly’s entertainment, wines from around the world, and VIP live music experiences.
And in the spirit of LiveConnections’ interactive programming, guests will have opportunities to have a personal poem written by Yolanda Wisher, make their own tin-can drums with Josh Robinson, and parade with members of Alo Brasil.
All proceeds benefit LiveConnections’ FREE music education programs.
Tickets
$100 advance (must be purchased by November 17)
$125 day-of
$500 Family Sponsor, including 4 tickets + donation
Ticket includes food, non-alcoholic beverages and draft beer/house wine (cash bar for other drinks). General admission seating. No printed tickets are necessary; please check in at the registration table when you arrive. No refunds.
5th Annual Connector Award
Dyana Williams, radio host & artist coach
The Connector Award honors someone who shares LiveConnections’ vision for crossing boundaries and who works to build bridges, create collaborations and fuel innovation. Our 2019 awardee exemplifies the power of connection through music. Dyana Williams is an award-winning radio host, currently hosting “Afternoon Delight with Dyana Williams” on Radio One Philadelphia’s Classix1079. She is also the entertainment correspondent for “Chasing News” with Bill Spadea that airs on Fox29 in Philadelphia. Named “The Ambassador of African-American Music,” Williams’ activism helped establish June as Black Music Month. Williams also does artist development and has provided media strategies for celebrities including Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes, Alessia Cara, Janelle Monae and The Zac Brown Band, among many others. A past president of the Philadelphia GRAMMY chapter for two years, she remains on the board of The Philadelphia Chapter of the Recording Academy. She also serves on the board of the National Museum of African-American Music in Nashville, as well as on the board of visitors of her alma mater, Temple University’s Klein School of Media and Communication. Dyana has co-produced the Marian Anderson Awards at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, and has honored James Earl Jones, Jon Bon Jovi, Berry Gordy, Patti Labelle, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. She is the proud mother of three adult children Caliph, Isa and Princess Idia Gamble, and “Nana Dyana” to Luke Gamble.
[Read more about Dyana’s work in the New York Times.]
Young Connector Award
Kawish Sadaqat & Mehwish Sadaqat
We are pleased to present our 3rd annual Young Connector Award to sisters Kawish Sadaqat and Mehwish Sadaqat for their creativity, leadership and ability to foster connections among people. Kawish and Mehwish took part in LiveConnections “Immigrant Songs” residency, showing remarkable leadership throughout the rehearsal and recording process. Mehwish was also part of the choir from Northeast High School that participated in our “A Song Everyone Can Sing” initiative. They are both active in their community, volunteering for HIAS PA and Oxford Circle Christian Community Development Association. Kawish and Mehwish moved to the U.S. from Pakistan in 2018. They both graduated from the honors program at Northeast High School and are currently first-year students at Holy Family University.
Sponsorship
Boost visibility for your brand while supporting high-impact, community-forward music education. Sponsorship packages range from $1000-$25000, and include tickets and recognition at the Big Hurrah, employee engagement opportunities at World Cafe Live, and fun perks throughout our 2019-2020 season. Learn more>
FAQ
Do I need printed tickets?
No printed tickets are necessary. Please check-in at the registration table when you arrive to get your nametag and swag bag.
What kind of food will be served?
There will be butlered appetizers and small plates, featuring a variety of meat and vegetarian options. Plus dessert!
Is there an open bar?
Draft beer, house wine and non-alcoholic beverages are included in the ticket price. A cash bar is available for other drinks.
Are there reserved seats?
$10,000 and up sponsors will have reserved seats on the mezzanine. We also reserve seats on the floor for our family sponsors (available for $500). Everything else is open seating, with theater-style chairs on floor-level and any remaining mezzanine seats available.
What is the order of the evening?
Doors open at 5:30pm. Food and drink will be served and raffle tickets will be on sale. At around 6:45pm we will present an exciting 75-minute program featuring LiveConnections artists and students collaborating on a variety of fun and inspiring music. Following the program, dessert and coffee will be served.
Besides the great music, what else will be happening?
Before the show, you’ll have the chance to make your own drum with LiveConnections teaching artist Josh Robinson and past Philly Poet Laureate Yolanda Wisher will create “Custom Poems,” as a gift for you or a friend. Back by popular demand, LiveConnections Raffle highlights some of the best that Philly has to offer. Guests at the Big Hurrah can purchase raffle tickets for food, wine, music and art experiences around Philly.
What is the suggested attire?
We’re laid-back people, so we suggest “classy casual attire” – whatever you’d wear for a night out on the town. Formal wear not required.
Who will be there?
The guest list includes a cross-section of the people who make up LiveConnections’ community: artists, students and teachers, supporters, business and civic leaders, LiveConnections board and staff, and music-lovers of all sorts.
Is this event accessible?
We aim to create a welcoming experience for all guests. World Cafe Live is ADA accessible, with an elevator and accessible restrooms on all floors. Theater-style seating will be available for the duration of the event and can easily be moved/arranged for wheelchairs or mobility devices. ASL interpretation will be available. Audio description and/or large print programs may be available upon request; please inquire at least 2 weeks in advance. Although we encourage an atmosphere of quiet listening out of respect for the artists, we understand that some guests may need to vocalize or move. The performance will be amplified and there may be moving lights, but we do not anticipate any sudden loud noises or bright flashing lights. We invite guests to bring their aides free of charge; please contact us in advance to RSVP. And of course, feel free to contact us in advance with any other requests.
Who does the event benefit?
All proceeds support the work of LiveConnections: inspiring learning and building community through collaborative music-making. LiveConnections is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, EIN 26-2666641.
Getting Here & Parking
How do I get to World Cafe Live?
World Cafe Live is located on Walnut Street just west of 30th St, 2 blocks away from 30th Street Station and an easy walk for subway or regional rail commuters.
Where can I park?
Metered street parking is available around World Cafe Live on Walnut Street, Lower Walnut Street (also known as Jones Way and only accessible from 31st Street), Chestnut Street and 31st Street. After 5:30pm, the AFSCME parking lot on Lower Walnut Street becomes available for free parking for World Cafe Live guests. In addition, there are lots/garages at Penn Park (31st & Lower Walnut Street), Cira Green (on 30th between Chestnut & Walnut) and the Left Bank (past WCL on Walnut Street). Consult each lot for fees/restrictions.
