On February 4, Phase 1 construction of the Viaduct Rail Park will get a boost of star power from the
Bacon Brothers at a special
fundraiser concert at
Union Transfer.
Center City District (CCD) and
Friends of the Rail Park (FRP) are teaming up to present the show.
"Aren’t we all separated from
Kevin Bacon by just six degrees?" quips FRP leader Sarah McEneaney. "Both FRP and CCD were thinking about how we could get greater visibility for the project, and what better way to do that than engage a home-grown star who had
city planning in his DNA and was involved in the realization of the High Line in NYC?"
Nancy Goldenberg, vice president of planning and development at CCD and executive director of the Center City District Foundation, knew a high school friend of Kevin Bacon, and began to network. The outreach resulted in a visit to the Viaduct for Bacon and his sister Hilda -- they were enthusiastic about the site's potential and agreed to headline a fundraiser.
The older of the two brothers, Michael, is a career musician and Emmy-winning composer. Movie fans, of course, know Kevin from roles in films like
Apollo 13, Mystic River and many more. The two grew up in Philadelphia, and some of Michael’s first gigs were at the Electric Factory in the 1960s. They formed their band in 1995 and now tour across the country. The Bacon Brothers released their seventh album in fall 2014.
The show will also include a performance by Lititz, Penn., native Robe Grote (of
The Districts) and other well-known local musicians.
"Proceeds from the concert will support both construction and stewardship of the first phase of the park," explains McEneaney. "But the concert is much more about raising visibility and engaging an increasing number of new supporters. We’ve had enormous support from the City, State and several foundations for the project, but now we’re turning to the folks who benefit the most: the individuals who will use it."
This all-ages benefit is taking place at Union Transfer on Thursday, February 4 at 8 p.m. (doors at 7:15 p.m.). For tickets ($35-$125), click
here.
Writer: Alaina Mabaso
Source: Sarah McEneaney, Friends of the Rail Park
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