WXPN and World Cafe Live: 10th Anniversary |
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October 14, 2014, Volume 61, No. 09 |
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Photograph by Marguerite F. Miller |
Ten years ago this month, WXPN-FM 88.5—Penn’s listener-supported radio station—along with World Cafe Live—a multi-level music and restaurant venue—opened their doors at 3025 Walnut Street with the intention of changing the landscape for artists and audiences. This innovative partnership—between the University of Pennsylvania and Hal Real, the local entrepreneur behind Real Entertainment and a life-long pianist—provided state-of-the-art broadcast facilities and recording studios and a performance space/eatery under the same roof. These landmark ventures both reside in the historic 1921 Art-Deco style building that was restored by developer Carl Dranoff, creating a revolutionary concept that had been years in the making.
WXPN, which had been known for years as the home of the popular radio show, World Cafe hosted and produced by David Dye since 1991, gained a “Club House” for music lovers to enjoy live music. It is now heard on more than 250 public radio stations around the country. As WXPN’s general manager Roger LaMay said at the opening celebration, “It’s all about the music.”
That sentiment is also reflected in the many murals inside the building and beyond. As part of its commitment to the community, WXPN partnered with the Mural Arts Program to create the Sounds of Philadelphia mural series, designed to celebrate Philadelphia’s diverse music legacy. This series pays tribute to both Philadelphia’s musical heritage and the cultural influence of music in the region.
There are three interior murals in the lobby, Sphere Music and Tower of Babble designed by master muralist Paul Santoleri, and another, From Africa to America: The Roots of American Popular Music, by master muralist Parris Stancell, extends from the lower level to the second floor.
Beyond the building, the next mural, South Philadelphia Musicians, by artist Peter Pagast is located at 1231-33 East Passyunk Avenue; it was dedicated during Mural Arts Month (October) in 2005.
Subsequently, more murals were created including The Wonders of Radio by David McShane at 43rd and Locust Streets (2009) which was the final installation in the series. It was designed to celebrate 20 years of Kids Corner hosted by Kathy O’Connell, another popular ’XPN show which has since celebrated its 25th anniversary.
The other murals in the series include the Healing Power of Music by Parris Stancell at 16th and Girard (2008). It pays homage to ’XPN’s Musicians On Call program that brings musicians to local hospitals where they perform at patients’ bedsides.
Uptown Theater, by Peter Pagast at 2240-2248 N. Broad Street (2007) features an iconic Art Deco venue where many entertainers’ careers were launched, including Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder.
The Dixie Hummingbirds, by Cliff Eubanks at 859 N. 15th Street (2005) celebrates the pioneering force of the modern gospel quartet near where they often performed.
To see these murals, visit: www.xpn.org/inside-xpn/mural-arts-collaboration
WXPN offers weekly Free at Noon live concerts and broadcasts, hosts annual events such as the XPoNential Music Festival and a 5-K Run to benefit Musicians on Call; it also streams shows at www.xpn.org
World Cafe Live is open seven-days-a-week, offering more than 500 shows a year, between the upstairs dining/listening eatery and bar and downstairs in a 300-person flexible-style concert space. There is now also a World Cafe Live in Wilmington, DE. For more info. see: www.worldcafelive.com |