The
Mann Center for the Performing Arts is a nonprofit performing arts center located in the
Centennial District of
Philadelphia's West
Fairmount Park, founded in 1935 as the summer home for the
Philadelphia Orchestra. It has since hosted numerous world-class artists and touring companies such as the
American Ballet Theatre with
Mikhail Baryshnikov,
Marian Anderson,
Leonard Bernstein,
Buena Vista Social Club,
Ray Charles,
Judy Garland, the
Metropolitan Opera,
Mormon Tabernacle Choir,
Paul Robeson,
Itzhak Perlman,
Lang Lang,
Midori, and
Yo-Yo Ma. Major Philadelphia premieres have included the
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra,
Bolshoi Ballet and Orchestra’s production of Spartacus, and Britain’s
Royal Ballet’s productions of Romeo and Juliet and Swan Lake. Among the scores of award-winning popular artists presented by the Mann in recent years are
Jack Johnson,
Ed Sheeran,
Phish,
Tony Bennett,
Mary J. Blige,
Roger Daltrey,
Bob Dylan,
Furthur,
Arcade Fire,
Aretha Franklin,
Herbie Hancock,
Norah Jones,
Diana Krall,
Wynton Marsalis,
Willie Nelson,
Smokey Robinson,
Jill Scott,
James Taylor,
Damien Rice,
Alabama Shakes,
Bon Iver,
Lana Del Rey,
The National, and
Stevie Ray Vaughan. In 2010, 2011 & 2014, the Mann was nominated by
Pollstar, a concert industry trade publication, as "Best Major Outdoor Concert Venue" in North America. The venue has a total
seating capacity of approximately 14,000, with 4,700 seats under the roof and over 8,600 outside.