Recognizing the Mann Center for the Performing Arts upon celebrating its 25th Anniversary.

WHEREAS, The Mann Center for the Performing Arts was founded in 1935 under the name Robin Hood Dell Concerts, as the summer venue for the concert presentations of the world famous Philadelphia Orchestra; and

WHEREAS, The Center moved into its present outdoor facility in 1976, and subsequently was designated the Mann Music Center. Reflecting the Center’s plans to broaden its role in service to the overall community and the region’s other performing arts organizations, the Center was renamed the Mann Center for the Performing Arts in the Spring of 1997; and

WHEREAS, The Mann remains the summer home of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and, in addition, the Center serves as a venue for specialty performances including contemporary, pops, jazz, ballet, opera, and musical theater; and

WHEREAS, The Mann has always been dedicated to making our great orchestra accessible to the people of Philadelphia, and, under the “Philadelphia Plan,” initiated in 1948, the Mann has maintained a free general admissions policy for the annual orchestra series, providing in excess of 270,000 free admissions annually; and

WHEREAS, The Mann Center for the Performing Arts is a premier cultural arts venue that truly fulfills the needs of its diverse greater Philadelphia population, and, thus, it is absorbed into the cultural fabric of the region. The Center’s presentation of exciting and diverse programs have caught the imagination of its patrons who regard the Center’s annual offerings as their primary summer performing arts entertainment, while also attracting new patrons who will return to the Center to experience its many program offerings; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize the Mann Center for the Performing Arts upon celebrating its 25th Anniversary.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Mann Center for the Performing Arts as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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