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Ensemble Arts Philly Is All New Yet Very Familiar

Introducing Ensemble Arts Philly. A few words for a new brand that represents quite a bit. We’re so spoiled here in Philly to have every kind of professional arts program…

Ensemble Arts Philly

Introducing Ensemble Arts Philly. A few words for a new brand that represents quite a bit.

We're so spoiled here in Philly to have every kind of professional arts program and entertainment option, happening year round in our city. We have way more trouble choosing which shows to buy a ticket for than trying to find something to enjoy. We spend our evenings seeing Hamilton at the Academy of Music, or The Philadelphia Orchestra playing the music of  one of our favorite films at Verizon Hall, and there's always another fun show coming up just weeks or even days away.

The Kimmel Cultural Campus and The Philadelphia Orchestra are a great team, covering everything from Broadway to jazz to comedy every night of the week. Now, both organizations are represented in Ensemble Arts Philly. Their all new presenting brand. Nothing much has changed, except the umbrella that all of this fun now falls under. There's a new logo and website to go with it, and each individual brand stays the same.

Head to the all new www.EnsembleArtsPhilly.org page to find your favorite performances and events. See those events across three venues including the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Academy of Music, and the Miller Theater. The line up this season is pretty amazing too. Check the website for a full list, but there's Aint Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations, Philadanco!, Mrs. Doubtfire, Disney's Frozen, Funny Girl, Mamma Mia!, and lots more.

The new brand name will also represent the free programming, community service partnerships, digital rush ticket opportunities, complimentary tickets to partnering charitable organizations, and educational activities that the organization is known for. These events happening both inside and outside the venues. It will also include their new Musical Theater Program: Set The Stage for 5-7 graders. (I would have LOVED this as a kid!)

“From the return of Hamilton to the premiere of MJ The Musical, Ensemble Arts Philly is the platform for bold and innovative performances and partnerships,” said President and CEO Matías Tarnopolsky. “The Philadelphia Orchestra’s name and GRAMMY® Award–winning identity will not change, and its 125-year-old brand will remain strong. Ensemble Arts Philly is the presenting brand for signature presentations including Broadway, jazz, dance, family, and comedy programs.”

Get your tickets to a show at Ensemble Arts Philly, and see a wide variety of genres all under one new name. You can also purchase tickets for all of these genres in one transaction, including The Philadelphia Orchestra and Broadway. This helps to ensure that tickets are purchased from one reputable official channel.

Our Ensemble Arts Philly era is upon us Philadelphia. To read the Ensemble Arts Philly FAQ, visit https://www.ensembleartsphilly.org/faq

These 8 Movies Turn 20 in 2024

2004 was a fantastic year for films across all genres. The ten highest-grossing films in the world that year include Shrek 2, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Spider-Man 2, The Incredibles, The Passion of the Christ, The Day After Tomorrow, Meet the Fockers, Troy, Shark Tale, and Ocean's Twelve. Though the majority of the films selected below didn't make the top ten world box office, we included hits that are either long-forgotten or classic gems.

The Best of 2004

In 2004, there were a lot of films in the romantic genre that have set a precedent in its category. The Notebook, 13 Going on 30, and 50 First Dates all premiered this year. The early 2000s would be nothing without apocalyptic movies about the future, with films like The Day After Tomorrow and I, Robot. Family-fun films also were in abundance in 2004, with The Polar Express, Napoleon Dynamite, National Treasure, and The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie.

Wes Anderson, Hayao Miyazaki, Peter Segal, Sam Raimi, and Steven Soderbergh all had amazing offerings this year. Anderson released his fourth film, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. Hayao Miyazaki's seventh Studio Ghibli film, Howl's Moving Castle, remains one of our top three films of all time by the director. Segal directed the Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler romantic comedy 50 First Dates this year, with another Sandler film the year before: Anger Management. Meanwhile, Sam Raimi made his last good Spider-Man film with the sequel. Soderbergh's Ocean's Twelve wasn't nearly as awesome as the first installment, but we found ourselves thoroughly entertained when the heist flick came out twenty years ago. No matter what type of movie is your go-to, 2004 has a movie out there for every walk of life that we find ourselves going back to today.

Take a look below at our top eight picks of the best movies that came out in 2004:

13 Going on 30

This movie taught us how to do Michael Jackson's "Thriller" dance! We fell in love with Mark Ruffalo with his role in the film as Garner's long-lost love interest, and it is just one of those feel-good movies that'll get a couple tears out of you with every re-watch.

Howl's Moving Castle

Christian Bale stars as our beloved wizard, Howl. The actor agreed to play any role in the Miyazaki film after watching 2001's Spirited Away. During the recording, Bale was preparing for his role as Batman in 2005's Batman Begins.

White Chicks

We couldn't tell you how many times we watched this hilarious film starring the Wayans Brothers, but when we can recite almost the entire movie, it has to be a lot of times. You either hate or love this movie, but Terry Crews reciting Vanessa Carlton's "1000 Miles" has got to be one of many pop culture moments captured in the film. He even did that scene in just one take!

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

Bill Murray stars as the titular character, Steve Zissou, who is based on real-life underwater filmmaker, Jacques-Yves Cousteau. Murray was so invested in his role, he became a certified diver, logging over forty hours during filming. Life Aquatic remains one of our top three favorite Wes Anderson films of all time.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Though this movie is beautiful, funny, and heart-wrenching, it is one that you watch just once. Seeing Jim Carrey in a serious role alongside Kate Winslet was a perfect match. The film explores the idea of someone erasing you completely from their memories.

National Treasure

Nicolas Cage became our national treasure after this action-adventure flick came out. Watching this movie as a kid filled us with wonder about our country, with Cage stealing the Declaration of Independence. Cage is a self-proclaimed history buff and acquired a 70-million-year-old dinosaur skull in an auction that cost him $276,000. The artifact turned out to be stolen in 2015 and had to return it to the Mongolian government.

50 First Dates

Upon our first watch of 50 First Dates, we had no idea how much it would tug on our heartstrings and make us cry every time we'd hear "Wouldn't It Be Nice" by the Beach Boys. Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler gave The Notebook a run for its money this year, and we'd have to pick this film over the Nicholas Sparks story.

Spider-Man 2

After Spider-Man 2, Sam Raimi dropped the ball with the third installment. However, we got much enjoyment out of this sequel which sees Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man face off between a new villain, Doc Ock, played by Alfred Molina.

Kristen Herrmann is the Program Director and Weekday Morning Show Host on BEN FM. She has been a fixture on the radio in Philadelphia since 2005. As a content creator for BEN FM, Kristen specializes in all things Philadelphia, kids, family and favors the quirky stuff.