Stars Come Out To Celebrate Philly Music History As Philadelphia Music Alliance Presents 2017 Walk of Fame Gala & Induction Ceremony
Jill Scott, Sister Sledge, Labelle (Patti LaBelle, Sarah Dash, Nona Hendryx), McFadden & Whitehead, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, The Soul Survivors, Chris Schwartz & Joe Nicolo (Ruffhouse Records), and WOGL’s Bob Pantano to be Honored in Style at Grand Evening Gala Wednesday, Oct. 4 at the Fillmore Philadelphia
Hosted by FOX 29 Good Day Philadelphia co-host Alex Holley with Special Guest Appearances by CeCe Peniston, Schooly D, Melanie Fiona, Malina Moye, Kindred the Family Soul, Kenny Gamble, WDAS’s Patty Jackson, “The Geator” Jerry Blavat, and More!
Additional Live Performances by the National Touring Cast of Calling All Divas, Rock to the Future, and the Urban Guerrilla Orchestra
Charity Auction to Include Billboard Music Awards Tickets, ‘Soul Train’ Cruise, and More High Profile Items
PHILADELPHIA (September 28, 2017) – For the first time in two years, the Philadelphia Music Alliance (PMA) will be hosting a stellar evening gala to celebrate its newest group of inductees on the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame.
The PMA proudly presents the 2017 WALK OF FAME GALA on Wednesday, Oct. 4, honoring Jill Scott, Sister Sledge, Labelle (Patti LaBelle, Sarah Dash, Nona Hendryx), McFadden & Whitehead, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, The Soul Survivors, Chris Schwartz & Joe Nicolo (Ruffhouse Records), and 98.1 WOGL “Saturday Night Dance Party” host Bob Pantano, returning to the glorious Fillmore Philadelphia, site of the momentous 2015 affair. The gala is set to begin at 6 p.m. A limited number of gala tables are still available at www.pmawalk.org.
Afternoon ceremonies inducting the Walk of Fame’s Class of 2017 and unveiling its plaques will be held the same day, at Noon, along the Avenue of the Arts in front of the Kimmel Center, with live music by the School District of Philadelphia’s All City Show Band.
FOX 29 Good Day Philadelphia co-host Alex Holley will be hosting the grand evening gala, with special guest appearances by CeCe Peniston (“Finally”), Schooly D (“the first gangsta rapper” – Ice-T), two-time Grammy-winner Melanie Fiona (“Fool for You”), Malina Moye (“The Female Jimi Hendrix” – Guitar World), Kindred the Family Soul, Sound of Philadelphia legendary co-creator Kenny Gamble, WDAS air personality Patty Jackson, “The Geator” Jerry Blavat, Senator Anthony Williams, City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, and more surprises to be announced. The array of live performers and presenters also will include the National Touring Cast of Calling All Divas, Rock to the Future, and returning as the evening’s house band, the world-renowned Urban Guerilla Orchestra. All proceeds from the gala go toward the new PMA Music Education Fund.
“The 2017 honorees represent powerhouse vocals, signature anthems, soulful vibes, and production firsts within the R&B, pop and rock genres, with an emphasis on powerful and decorated women in music,” said PMA vice chair Mia Tinari, in making the announcement.
“This year, we are fortunate to be able to illustrate, through our honorees, the soul of the city, and why Philadelphia continues to be the number one city in the nation for extraordinary and award-winning talent,” added PMA executive Board member Randy Alexander.
“Our inductees, this year, span the decades, through the power of soul, from the 1930s to the present,” added PMA Board Chairman Alan Rubens.
In addition, the PMA is honoring Anne Ewers with the Platinum Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Philadelphia Music Community. The Platinum Award is given to an individual, organization or company that has been a leader and champion in supporting the music making community in a significant way. As president & CEO of Kimmel Center, Ms. Ewers oversees operations of the Kimmel Center and the Merriam Theatre and manages the Academy of Music and launched the city-wide Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts, drawing over 1 million attendees and driving $100 million into the region’s economy.
The exclusive event, with catering by Wolfgang Puck, will include a charity auction with high profile items including:
- Two (2) tickets to the Billboard Music Awards 2018
- A veranda cabin for two (2) on StarVista Live’s “Soul Train Cruise” starring Eddie Levert of The O’Jays, the Pointer Sisters, Jeffrey Osborne, the Spinners, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr., and much more
- A veranda cabin for two (2) on StarVista Live’s “Rock and Romance Cruise” starring Styx, Michael McDonald, War, Atlanta Rhythm Section, America, The Guess Who and many more
Major sponsors include Live Nation, FOX 29, Independence Visitor Center, Philadelphia Distilling, The Kal and Lucille Rudman Foundation, All Nite Limo Service, and Vinedrea Wines.
About the Philadelphia Music Alliance
The Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame, recently proclaimed an official landmark by Philadelphia City Council, is a living tribute to Philadelphia’s rich music history and a vital force unifying the city’s diverse cultural communities along the Avenue of the Arts, with a renewed commitment to shed new light on the City’s cultural legacy and incredible contribution to the world of music past, present and future as a major tourist attraction. This agenda to recognize more local music greats in all genres is part of the community based, non-profit organization’s overall mission to encourage the creation, celebration and historical preservation of Philadelphia music, and the foundation of a renewed commitment to schedule induction ceremonies each year.