Mark your calendars, purchase your tickets and make your way to the Kimmel Cultural Campus next week when everyone in attendance will have the incredible opportunity to see Natalie Merchant grace the stage in Philadelphia. We can’t wait to see her live and take advantage of this rare occasion with such a talented artist.

KIMMEL CULTURAL CAMPUS, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WXPN WELCOMES, PRESENTS

AN EVENING WITH NATALIE MERCHANT: KEEP YOUR COURAGE TOUR

APRIL 21, 2023

“An artist with a singular voice and vision. Time has only amplified the power of Merchant’s music.”
— Mojo

“One of the most successful and enduring alternative artists to emerge from the eighties intact and uncompromised.”
— Vogue 

 The Kimmel Cultural Campus, in partnership with WXPN Welcomes, presents An Evening with Natalie Merchant: Keep Your Courage Tour at the Miller Theater (formerly the Merriam Theater) on April 21, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. This tour celebrates the April 2023 release of Merchant’s ninth solo studio album and first of new material since 2014’s self-titled record.

An eclectic album produced by Merchant, Keep Your Courage features two duets sung with vocalist Abena Koomson-Davis (Resistance Revival Chorus), contributions from the Celtic folk group Lúnasa and Syrian virtuoso clarinetist Kinan Azmeh, and horn arrangements by jazz trombonist Steve Davis. There are lush orchestrations throughout by seven composers, including Gabriel Kahane, Stephen Barber, Colin Jacobson, and Megan Gould.

“Natalie Merchant has captivated audiences for over four decades – as one of the most well- known alternative artists in the world – without end in sight,” said Frances Egler, Vice President of Theatrical Programming & Presentations on the Kimmel Cultural Campus. “We are honored to present her first public performance of her newest album in Philadelphia.”

Over her career, Merchant has attained a place among America’s most respected recording artists. She has earned a reputation for being a songwriter of quality and a captivating stage performer, while distinguishing herself as a social justice and environmental activist. Merchant

began her musical career as the lead vocalist and lyricist of the pop music band “10,000 Maniacs” and released one platinum, two double-platinum, and one triple-platinum records with the group: The Wishing Chair (1985), In My Tribe (1987), Blind Man’s Zoo (1989), Hope Chest (1990), Our Time in Eden (1992), and 10,000 Maniacs MTV Unplugged (1993).
Merchant left the group in 1994 and has subsequently released nine albums as a solo artist with combined sales of seven million copies: Tigerlily (1995), Ophelia (1998), Natalie Merchant Live (1999), Motherland (2001), The House Carpenter’s Daughter (2003), Leave Your Sleep (2010), Natalie Merchant (2014), Paradise Is There (2015), and Butterfly (2017).

Merchant has collaborated with a wide range of artists, including Billy Bragg, Gavin Bryars, David Byrne, The Chieftains, Cowboy Junkies, Philip Glass, Kronos Quartet, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Mavis Staples, REM, and Wilco. She served on the New York State Council on the Arts from 2007–2011 at the appointment of Governor Elliot Spitzer and was recently appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Library of Congress’ American Folklife Center by New York State Senator and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Merchant’s awards include: The Library Lion Award from the New York Public Library (2011), The American Society of Authors Composers & Publishers (ASCAP) Champion Award, and The John Lennon Real Love Award.

She is currently artist-in-residence with Head Start, developing a music and movement curriculum for pre-school ages children in the Hudson Valley.

Other featured upcoming performances on the Kimmel Cultural Campus include The Black Violin Experience (March 9, 2023, Miller Theater), The Second City Swipes Right: An Incomplete Guide to The Ultimate Date Night (March 10 – 11, 2023, Perelman Theater), Ranky Tanky with Ms. Lisa Fischer (March 11, 2023, Miller Theater), Immanuel Wilkins (April 6, 2023, Perelman Theater), Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour (April 8, 2023, Verizon Hall), A Live Conversation with Taye Diggs (April 22, 2023, Miller Theater), and Sing Hallelujah (April 26, 2023).

Tickets

Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999 or online at www.kimmelculturalcampus.org. In-person ticket sales can be conducted daily from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. at the Academy of Music Box Office, located at 240 S. Broad Street. See www.kimmelculturalcampus.org for more information.

KIMMEL CULTURAL CAMPUS

Located in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia, their mission is to engage the region’s diverse communities with art through performance and education. Our Cultural Campus serves more than 1-million guests per year and includes Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, and SEI Innovation Studio), the Academy of Music, and the Miller Theater (formerly the Merriam Theater) – representing more than 160 years of rich history for the performing arts along Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts. We are home to The Philadelphia Orchestra and six esteemed Resident Companies: Opera Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ballet, PHILADANCO, The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, and Curtis Institute of Music. With nearly 9,000 seats per night, we are the region’s most impactful performing arts center, and the second largest in the country. Our Cultural Campus serves as a preeminent and inclusive place to enjoy exceptional experiences that reflect the spirit of our region by cultivating a creative and socially responsible environment where our community shares experiences that are delivered with pride, integrity, and respect. As a 501 c 3 nonprofit organization, we collaborate on, present, and produce a broad range of relevant and meaningful events, they serve as an active gathering space for social and community events, we educate the region’s young people through access to quality arts experiences, and we provide support to artists in the creation of new work. Read Kimmel Cultural Campus’ vision statement, world view, and mission statement here. Learn more about our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and how it encompasses their mission, coworkers, and programs here.