Independence Blue Cross Presents: Sizzling 2003 Summer Season at the Great Plaza and Festival Pier


PHILADELPHIA, May 1, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Summer of 2003 is hotter than ever on the Philadelphia Waterfront with exciting events planned for two locations -- the Great Plaza at Columbus Boulevard and Chestnut Street and on Festival Pier at Columbus Boulevard and Spring Garden Street. Stretching the festivities and concert performances to both ends of Penn's Landing, new attractions and events will add sizzle to the summer. Amongst the highlights of additions in 2003 is the Summer Concert Series Clear Channel Entertainment at Festival Pier, Ride the Ducks, the entertaining amphibious sight-seeing tours, and the re-opening of the new Moshulu restaurant including live entertainment on the ship's multi-level decks.

With a 2003 Summer Season packed with distinguished performers, programs, and annual favorites including Jam on the River, the popular Singer Songwriter Weekend, the PECO Energy Multicultural Series and Sippin' By the River. 2003 will also be a year of milestones for Penn's Landing as the WPEN Big Band Series will celebrate 25 years of Dancing Under the Stars and the WJJZ Smooth Jazz Summer Nights will return for their 5th season at Penn's Landing.

Kicking off the 2003 summer season is the 18th Annual Jam on the River taking place on Memorial Day Weekend on Saturday, May 24, Sunday, May 25, and Monday, May 26, 2003. With four stages of non-stop music, fabulous food, creative crafts, and interactive fun, this festival will be packed with entertainment. This year's line-up of fantastic talent includes performances by Chuck Berry, Al Green, the Disco Biscuits, the Old in the Gray featuring David Grisman, Peter Rowan, Vassar Clements, Herb Pedersen and Bryn Bright!

The U.S. Coast Guard Barque Eagle will visit the Philadelphia waterfront at Penn's Landing this summer, August 15-17, 2003. Eagle, the largest Tall Ship flying the Stars and Stripes and the only square-rigger in U.S. government service. Home ported at the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London CT, Eagle is the training ship for future U.S. Coast Guard officers. The summer training deployment takes it to exciting ports of call all over the globe. While sailing, more than 150 cadets and officer candidates train in the basics of leadership, seamanship and character.

Independence Blue Cross presents the 2003 Summer Season at Penn's Landing. Penn's Landing's family of sponsors for the 2003 Summer Season also includes: Commerce Bank, US Airways, Pennsylvania Lottery, PECO Energy, and Deer Park Water. Events will be hosted at both Festival Pier located at Columbus Boulevard and Spring Garden Street and also at the Great Plaza located at Columbus Boulevard and Chestnut Street. All events are FREE unless otherwise listed.



 2003 Summer Season

 MAY

 May 24, 25, 26 -- Jam on the River
 Jam on the River is the official kick-off to summer in Philadelphia.
 GREAT PLAZA
 Noon to 9:00 p.m.
 Admission Required
 Advance ticket sales April 21 until May 21
 For tickets call Ticketmaster at 215.336.2000 or visit
 www.jamontheriver.com

 May 31 -- Safe Boating Weekend
 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
 International Sculpture Garden / Esplanade

 JUNE

 June 1 -- Safe Boating Weekend
 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
 International Sculpture Garden / Esplanade

 June 2 -- Monday Night Gospel Celebration
 6:30-9:00 p.m.
 FESTIVAL PIER
 Chris Graham and Gamily
 Zachary Williams and Hype Praise

 June 8 -- Italian National Day
 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
 GREAT PLAZA
 (Part of PECO Multicultural Series)

 June 9 -- Monday Night Gospel Celebration
 6:30-9:00 p.m.
 FESTIVAL PIER
 Pastor Bryce Parham
 Bishop Ford and the Anointed Voices of the Ford Memorial Temple

 June 14 -- Islamic Heritage Festival
 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
 FESTIVAL PIER
 (Part of PECO Multicultural Series)

 June 15 -- Children's Expo-A Multicultural Book Celebration
 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
 FESTIVAL PIER

 June 16 -- Monday Night Gospel Celebration
 6:30-9:00 p.m.
 FESTIVAL PIER
 Otis Joseph and Zamar
 Tri-State Mass Choir

 June 21, 22 -- Irish American Festival
 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
 GREAT PLAZA
 (Part of PECO Multicultural Series)

 June 23 -- Gospel Music Concert Series
 6:30p.m.-9:00 p.m.
 FESTIVAL PIER
 Tony Moore and Jehovah's Chosen
 The Gabriel Hardeman Delegation

 June 26 -- Big Band Series
 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
 GREAT PLAZA
 Brian Pastor Orchestra

 JULY

 July 3 -- Big Band Series
 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
 GREAT PLAZA
 Craig Raymond and his Orchestra

 July 4, 5 and 6 -- All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival
 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.
 FESTIVAL PIER
 Admission proceeds benefit the Joshua Kahan Fund, fighting to cure
 Pediatric Leukemia

 July 5 -- Kids' Day
 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.
 FESTIVAL PIER
 Kid's Day 2003, part of the Sunoco Welcome America Festival. A
 celebration focusing on all the activities that kids love!

 July 5 -- Two Cities, Two States Concert
 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
 GREAT PLAZA
 This event will include two simultaneous concerts
 on both waterfronts.

 July 6 -- Children's Special Sundays
 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
 INTERNATIONAL SCULPTURE GARDEN
 Traci Hall & Company Dance Workshop for Children
 The Music of Rik and Wendi Bourne

 July 10 -- WPEN Big Band Series
 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
 GREAT PLAZA
 City Rhythm Orchestra

 July 12, 13 -- Hispanic Fiesta
 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m.
 FESTIVAL PIER
 (Part of PECO Multicultural Series)

 July 13 -- Children's Special Sundays
 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
 INTERNATIONAL SCULPTURE GARDEN
 The Magic of Eric Paul
 Steve Pullara & the Cool Beans Band

 July 17 -- WPEN Big Band Series
 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
 GREAT PLAZA
 Midiri Brothers Orchestra

 July 19, 20 -- Singer Songwriter Weekend
 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
 GREAT PLAZA
 Past headliners have included Los Lobos, John Mayer,
 Suzanne Vega, and Five for Fighting.
 Admission

 July 20 -- Children's Special Sundays
 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
 INTERNATIONAL SCULPTURE GARDEN
 Ilu Aiye Drum and Dance Esemble
 The Science Lab of Grand Hank

 July 24 -- Big Band Series
 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
 GREAT PLAZA
 Fred Hall Orchestra

 July 26 -- Southeastern Cherokee Celebration
 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
 GREAT PLAZA
 (Part of PECO Multicultural Series)

 July 27 -- Children's Special Sundays
 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
 INTERNATIONAL SCULPTURE GARDEN
 Al Angello: Comedy, Juggling, and Magic
 Gotcha Hoppin' with Janine Kelly

 July 31 -- Big Band Series
 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
 GREAT PLAZA
 Jonathan and his Orchestra

 AUGUST

 August 1 -- WJJZ Smooth Jazz Summer Nights
 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
 Mike Kwas
 Euge Groove

 August 2, 3 -- German Festival
 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m.
 GREAT PLAZA
 (Part of PECO Multicultural Series)

 August 3 -- Children's Special Sundays
 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
 INTERNATIONAL SCULPTURE GARDEN
 Traci Hall & Company Dance Workshop for Children
 The Music of Rik and Wendi Bourne

 August 7 -- WPEN Big Band Series
 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
 Carmen Dee

 August 8 -- WJJZ Smooth Jazz Summer Nights
 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
 Monette Sudler
 Gearld Veasley

 August 10 -- Russian Mosaic Festival
 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
 GREAT PLAZA
 (Part of PECO Multicultural Series)

 August 10 -- Children's Special Sundays
 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
 INTERNATIONAL SCULPTURE GARDEN
 The Magic of Eric Paul
 Zoo on Wheels: Who's Who at the Zoo

 August 14 -- WPEN Big Band Series
 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
 GREAT PLAZA
 Mike Trombetta's Metropolis Big Band

 August 15 -- WJJZ Smooth Jazz Summer Nights
 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
 GREAT PLAZA
 Doc Gibbs & Picante
 Special EFX featuring Chieli Minucci

 August 16 -- Festival of India
 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m.
 FESTIVAL PIER
 (Part of PECO Multicultural Series)

 August 17 -- Caribbean Festival
 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m.
 FESTIVAL PIER
 (Part of PECO Multicultural Series)

 August 17 -- Children's Special Sundays
 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
 INTERNATIONAL SCULPTURE GARDEN
 Ilu Aiye Drum and Dance Esemble
 The Music of Rik and Wendi Bourne

 August 21 -- WPEN Big Band Series
 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
 GREAT PLAZA
 Phil Giordano Orchestra

 August 22 -- WJJZ Smooth Jazz Summer Nights
 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
 Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble
 Steve Cole

 August 23, 24 -- African American Cultural Extravaganza
 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m.
 GREAT PLAZA
 (Part of PECO Multicultural Series)

 August 24 -- Children's Special Sundays
 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
 INTERNATIONAL SCULPTURE GARDEN
 The Science Lab of Grand Hank
 Gotcha Hoppin' with Janine Kelly

 August 28 -- WPEN Big Band Series
 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
 GREAT PLAZA
 Walter Jay Orchestra

 August 29 -- WJJZ Smooth Jazz Summer Nights
 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
 GREAT PLAZA
 Fortune Vinson Cruz
 Spyro Gyra

 SEPTEMBER

 September 1 -- Labor Day Concert with the Philly Pops
 GREAT PLAZA
 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

 September 14 -- Mexican Independence Day Festival
 12:00 noon to 7:30 p.m.
 GREAT PLAZA
 (Part of PECO Multicultural Series)

 September 21 -- Phashion Phest
 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
 This annual fashion event showcases the latest looks for fall while
 guests enjoy a cocktail reception and fabulous food.
 Admission.

 September 22 -- 9th Annual Sippin' by the River
 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
 A wine and beer tasting event that benefits the Philadelphia Chapter
 of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation.
 Admission.

Independence Blue Cross is the presenting sponsor of the 2003 Summer Season at Penn's Landing. Penn's Landing's family of sponsors also include: Commerce Bank, US Airways, Pennsylvania Lottery, PECO Energy, and Deer Park Water.

Penn's Landing is Philadelphia's Waterfront district, running along Columbus Boulevard from Washington Avenue to Spring Garden Street. The two main sites for the more than 75 festivals, concerts, and events at Penn's Landing are the Great Plaza, located along the Delaware River at Columbus Boulevard and Chestnut Street, and Festival Pier, on Columbus Boulevard and Spring Garden Street. For more information on event locations and event details, call (215) 922-2FUN or visit www.pennslandingcorp.com.

The Penn's Landing Corporation logo is available at: http://media.primezone.com/prs/single/?pkgid=349



            

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