Recommendations of the Editorial team
Some of Pennsylvania’s best-known artists will celebrate America’s 250th birthday near the Liberty Bell in an event called One Philly: Unity Concert for America. Keystone State representatives include Christina Aguilera, Will Smith and Jazzy Jeff, The Roots, Jill Scott, Kathy Sledge and State Property. Artists who cannot claim to be “West Philadelphia, born and raised” are Seal and Infinity Song. Wanda Sykes, who lives near Philly, will host the six-hour concert taking place on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia – on July 4th, of course.
The event, which organizers describe as “a non-partisan celebration of unity, diversity and democracy,” is free and open to all. The concert’s organizers – including Questlove, Scott Mirkin and Shawn Gee – want to make One Philly the largest free concert in the country. Official hosts are the City of Philadelphia and ESM Productions. Plans to broadcast the event will be announced at a later date.
Gates open at 3 p.m. and the concert begins two hours later. A fireworks display over the Philadelphia Museum of Art is scheduled to end the evening at 11:45 p.m. All event information is available on the City of Philadelphia website.
Philly, where it all began
“Participating in the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary – in Philly, where the country’s history began – is an incredible honor,” Mirkin said in a statement. “Our goal is to deliver a production that feels global while still being deeply rooted in the spirit of Philly.”
“Our Fourth of July concert is a historic homecoming for many of our city’s brightest stars,” Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said in a statement. “By combining the vision of our mayor’s office and so many other city leaders, the global reach and production of Scott Mirkin, and the unparalleled musical legacy of The Roots and Live Nation Urban, the One Philly Unity Concert For America will celebrate the soul of Philadelphia and the spirit of our nation on a truly global stage.”
To mark America’s 250th birthday, ROLLING STONE asked great Americans to honor some of the gifts the country has given the world – including Barack Obama, Kid Mero, Chaka Khan and many more.
