The Inaugural Holiday Extravaganza, A Very Philly Christmas

KIMMEL CULTURAL CAMPUS PRESENTS THE INAUGURAL HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA, A VERY PHILLY CHRISTMAS

DIRECTED & LED BY RENOWNED CONDUCTOR, ENRICO LOPEZ-YAÑEZ, AND FEATURING THE NO NAME POPS ORCHESTRA  

NINE SHOWS FROM DECEMBER 1 – 23, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 1, 2023) – The Kimmel Cultural Campus presents the premiere run of the new holiday spectacular, A Very Philly Christmas, inside Verizon Hall from December 1, 2023 through December 23, 2023. Enrico Lopez-Yañez, a conductor renowned for his showmanship and flair, leads The No Name Pops orchestra along with a talented cast of Broadway vocalists, dancers, and local choirs. And of course, expect a visit from the jolliest one of all, Santa! It’s a multi-generational, one-of-a-kind artistic experience this holiday season.

Philly does everything better, and that includes the holidays! You'll hear holiday classics and pop favorites in sparkling new arrangements; the No Name Pops deliver sizzling, swinging, and soaring renditions of your favorite holiday tunes, including "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," "All I Want for Christmas Is You," "Winter Wonderland," "Go Tell It on The Mountain," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Jingle Bells," (and some surprise new favorites).

Each holiday event is an extravaganza, with cameos from beloved Philadelphia mascots, a dancer kick line, incredible vocal performances, and magical moments for children of all ages. Some lucky kids may even be called up onstage with the performers! Plus, come early to write your letters to Santa, enjoy some fun and free pre-concert entertainment, and indulge in seasonal treats.

“We cherish our role as a home for the holidays where our community and audiences can enjoy the spirit of the season through the arts and experience the power of togetherness,” said Matías Tarnopolsky, president and CEO of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center. “Our new presentation of A Very Philly Christmas will keep audiences delightfully engaged from start to finish with music from the musicians of the No Name Pops, dance, laughter, and a distinct magic only found in Philadelphia.” 

"I am so excited to bring a brand new tradition to Philadelphia for audiences of all ages,” said conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez. “A Very Philly Christmas will transport you to a holiday wonderland through the magic of song and dance with a special Philadelphia spin!"

ABOUT ENRICO LOPEZ-YAÑEZ

Enrico Lopez-Yañez is the Principal Pops Conductor of the Nashville Symphony and Pacific Symphony as well as the Principal Conductor of the Dallas Symphony Presents. This season Lopez-Yañez has been named Principal Pops Conductor Designate of the Detroit Symphony, a position he will begin in the 24/25 season. Lopez-Yañez is quickly establishing himself as one of the Nation’s leading conductors of popular music and becoming known for his unique style of audience engagement. Also an active composer/arranger, he has been commissioned to write for the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Houston Symphony, San Diego Symphony and Omaha Symphony, and has had his works performed by orchestras including the Atlanta Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, National Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, Seattle Symphony, and Utah Symphony among others.

Lopez-Yañez has conducted concerts with a broad spectrum of artists including: Nas, Patti LaBelle, Ledisi, Itzhak Perlman, Stewart Copeland, Kenny Loggins, Trisha Yearwood, Kelsea Ballerini, Leslie Odom Jr., Renee Elise Goldsberry, Portugal The Man, Cody Fry, Hanson, The Beach Boys, Kenny G and more. Lopez-Yañez also conducts the annual Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4^th fireworks show which is televised annually on CMT reaching millions of viewers across the nation.

This season Lopez-Yañez will collaborate with artists including Ben Rector, Cypress Hill, Tituss Burgess, Vanesa Williams, Lyle Lovett, Jefferson Starship, Guster, Ben Folds and Arturo Sandoval. He will appear with the Minnesota Orchestra and Milwaukee Symphony as well as make return appearances with the Indianapolis Symphony, National Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, San Francisco Symphony and more. Previously, Lopez-Yañez has appeared with orchestras throughout North America including the Baltimore Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, Houston Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, and the Seattle Symphony among others.

Lopez-Yañez is the recipient of the 2023 “Mexicanos Distiguidos” Award by the Mexican government, an award granted to Mexican citizens living abroad for outstanding career accomplishments in their field. As an advocate for Latin music, he has arranged and produced shows for Latin Fire, Mariachi Los Camperos, The Three Mexican Tenors, and collaborated with artists including Aida Cuevas and Lila Downs.

As Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Symphonica Productions, LLC, Lopez-Yañez curates and leads programs designed to cultivate new audiences. Symphonica manages a wide breadth of Pops and Family/Education productions that “breathe new, exuberant life into classical programming for kids and families” (Nashville Parent Magazine). Symphonica’s productions have been described as “incredibly special – and something that needs to become the new norm” (Lima Symphony). As a sheet music publishing house, Symphonica Productions represents a diverse offering of genres and composers, including GRAMMY® nominee Clarice Assad, Sverre Indris Joner, Andres Soto, Charles Cozens, Vinicio Meza and more.

As a producer, composer, and arranger, Lopez-Yañez’s work can be heard on numerous albums including the UNESCO benefit album Action Moves People United and children’s music albums including The Spaceship that Fell in My Backyard, winner of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, Hollywood Music and Media Awards, Family Choice Awards and Kokowanda Bay, winner of a Global Media Award as well as a Parents’ Choice Award where Lopez-Yañez was lauded for his “catchy arrangements” (Parents’ Choice Foundation).

For more information visit: @enricolopezyanez or www.enricolopezyanez.com