2024 Impact Report
Executive Summary
This year marked a major milestone for World Cafe Live—our 20th anniversary—celebrating two decades of unforgettable music and meaningful community impact. In 2024, we continued our mission of fostering music education and engagement through dynamic, innovative programming. Our Bridge Sessions connected with over 2,300 students and participants, offering interactive live music experiences that explored themes of culture, identity, and social change. Songwriting Residencies expanded opportunities for students to create and explore original music, highlighted by the Emmy-winning documentary, “Stand Up & Shout: Songs from a Philly High School.” We also launched Up Next! Youth Jam Sessions, offering young musicians a space to collaborate and gain industry experience.
Our concert programming remained vibrant as ever, with over 500 ticketed events drawing in more than 56,000 guests. Free signature series like Jazz Jam, Philly Rising Open Mic, and Viernes Calientes continued to thrive, showcasing a diverse mix of emerging and established artists. Special events like Kids Rock Philly and the 20th Anniversary Spotlight Celebration raised vital funds for our music education and community programs. Our annual Beta Hi-Fi Emerging Artists Festival provided a vital platform for up-and-coming Philadelphia talent.
The success of this milestone year would not have been possible without our sponsors, donors, and supporters. We thank you for your support and look forward to continuing our mission of inspiring, educating, and connecting through music. With two decades now behind us, we are excited to continue to expand our impact and strengthen our role as a home for live music and music education in Philadelphia and beyond.
Education & Youth Programming
Bridge Sessions
Our signature Bridge Session program provide unique creative opportunities for schools and human service organizations. Our flagship education program, Bridge Sessions welcome participants to the venue for a fully interactive live music experience. Sessions are offered on a variety of rotating topics, exploring the connection between music and the human experience through language, culture, identity, history, social change, media, and the human body. Attendees get to actively participate in live music-making and engage in a Q&A session with the artists, leaving feeling inspired and empowered.
2024 Bridge Sessions // Dates & Details
Voices of Protest with Funkatorium > March 12, 2024
Explored how soul music of the late 1960s and early 1970s impacted social justice movements, past and present. Participants learned how to write a protest song.
Language of Rhythm with Luke Carlos and Josh Jacob Winterstein > April 3, 2024
Built understanding of how rhythm and music relate to spoken language, with students writing collaborative group poems.
The Art of the Emcee with Rae.Dianz and Blckteeth > April 9, 2024 & Zach O’Neill > November 19, 2024
Immersed participants in emceeing with a focus on rhythm, rhyming, cultural context, delivery, and wordplay.
La Ruta del Fandango with Guachinangos > April 16 & October 1, 2024
This bilingual session explored Son Jarocho and Cumbia traditions through music and history, featuring artists from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Soul Cyphers with James Weldon > April 30, 2024
Introduced hip-hop and the art of improvisation through cyphers.
World of Percussion with Alex Shaw, Nezih, and Kwasi > May 2, 2024
Explored over 100 percussion instruments and global rhythms with hands-on activities.
The Body As An Instrument with Allison Tartaglia, Bethlehem Robinson, and Ami Yares > May 14 & November 13, 2024
Explored percussion, singing, and mindfulness, using the body as a musical instrument.
Dreaming in Color with Zigg TheArtist > October 17, 2024
Shared the journey of an independent artist, encouraging students to dream big and believe in their art.
Immigrant Groove with People of Earth > October 22, 2024
Performed pan-Caribbean music and shared personal stories about immigration and cultural connections in America.
Vibes & Vibrations with Nate Zavetis, Omar Torrance and Sianni > December 3, 2024
Explored how moods and emotions affect music creation through soundscapes, sampling, and beat-making.
Public Bridge Session for Families
As part of our 20th Anniversary celebration, on October 26, 2024 we opened the doors for families to experience our Bridge Session program – which is typically reserved for school groups. This piloted public Bridge Sessions as an experience that’s more community and family focused and welcomed approximately 100 guests.
This free event highlighted our very first Bridge Session, World of Percussion with Alex Shaw and Daryl Burgee. The event also featured DJ Caesar from Radio One, interactive resource tables by the Free Library of Philadelphia, Opera Philadelphia, Radio One, Rock To The Future, and Project 440, musical arts & crafts, and World Cafe Live’s food & beverage offerings.
Songwriting Residencies
Since 2013, World Cafe Live has delivered in-depth residencies, providing opportunities for students to participate in songwriting, percussion, storytelling, music production, and performance. These residencies explore the art of music-making through programs that connect with real-world issues while prioritizing essential skills like creativity, collaboration, and communication.
From 2022 through 2024, World Cafe Live partnered with Freire Charter Schools to bring a series of songwriting workshops to all three of their Philadelphia campuses. In 2024 alone, every student across the Philadelphia Freire Schools had the opportunity to participate in at least one workshop focused on the art of songwriting. In just one hour, students collaborated to create an original song—from brainstorming concepts and crafting beats to writing lyrics and recording vocals. These fast-paced, high-energy sessions encouraged creativity, teamwork, and self-expression, giving every student a voice through music.
One of our most impactful residencies was held at Hill-Freedman World Academy, where director and producer Amy Schatz documented the students’ creative journeys with an HBO documentary film crew. HBO Documentary Films in association with John Legend’s Get Lifted Films Co., then released “Stand Up & Shout: Songs from a Philly High School” in Fall 2023. This Emmy-award winning documentary, available to stream on MAX, captures the inspiring journey of students as they collaborate with their teachers and WCL teaching artists to write, compose, produce, and perform original songs. Together, they explore the creative process and experience the transformative power of music while bringing their album to life.
Pine Forest Summer Camp
During the summer, Teaching Artists Kristal “Tytewriter” Oliver and Andrew Lipke offered songwriting and music production workshops at Pine Forest Summer Camp in the Poconos. Eighteen workshops were offered to 200 campers from 7th to 12th grade from July 8 through 11, 2024.
Up Next! Youth Jam Sessions
World Cafe Live launched Up Next! Youth Jam Sessions in collaboration with The School District of Philadelphia’s MIC’d Up initiative, with the purpose to engage students in music industry careers both on and off the stage.
Up Next! is a free monthly open jam session providing a platform for Philly’s creative youth to learn, perform, collaborate, and grow. Every second Saturday, The Lounge at World Cafe Live offers an all-ages, alcohol-free environment, showcasing our city’s up-and-coming talent while building community across the local music scene. Up Next! Offers paying gigs to young musicians through a rotating youth ensemble that serves as the house band, kicking off the afternoon with a featured set. Special guest artists are hand-selected to facilitate sessions and offer valuable mentorship to participants.
Students will work alongside the WCL team to curate, promote, facilitate, and document each session, with opportunities in booking, marketing, videography, photography, artist relations, hosting, audio engineering, backline management, and other elements of live event production. This program is supported by the Save The Music Foundation.
The WCL Up Next! Stage at Kidchella
On Friday, June 21, 2024, World Cafe Live partnered with Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse and the School District of Philadelphia’s MIC’d Up (Music Industry Classrooms) program to sponsor the WCL Up Next! Stage at Kidchella, presented by Wawa Welcomes America. World Cafe Live sponsored student performers from the MIC’d Up All Stars representing six different schools across the city. The MIC’d Up All Stars, mentored by Luke Carlos O’Reilly, kicked off the children and community focused music festival at the iconic playground in East Fairmount Park. These talented young musicals were so impressive, that CBS 3’s own Ukee Washington had to sit in on the jam.
Venue Operations eXperience (VOX) Training Programs
World Cafe Live partnered with The National Independent Venue Foundation’s (NIVF) Venue Operations eXperience (VOX) training program, designed to support under-recognized groups in the live entertainment industry (POC, women, LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities). These programs provide hands-on training, mentorship, and intern opportunities to help participants build careers in live entertainment.
World Cafe Live hosted two interns during the summer of 2024. Throughout their time here, the interns gained hands-on experience in venue operations, working closely programming, production, and hospitality departments learning how interdepartmental collaboration makes at least two events on two stages happen 5 or 6 nights a week. Both interns were hired to part-time roles following their internships, furthering their career development.
Performance Residencies & Events
Jazz Jam
World Cafe Liveʼs long-running Jazz Jam is for musicians and listeners alike. In 2024, World Cafe Live partnered with Jazz pianist, composer, and producer Orrin Evans to curate Jazz Jam featured performers. Instrumentalists and vocalists are also welcome to sign up and sit in throughout the evening.
Jazz Jam Featured Performers
January – Michelle Lordi
February – Luke Carlos O’Reilly
March – Jonathan Michel
April – David Gibson
June – Marianne Solivan
July – Milton Suggs
August – Neil Podgurski
September – Duane Eubanks
October – Josh Lawrence
November – Andrew Rosenkilde
December – IMANI RECORDS HOLIDAY JAM
Viernes Calientes – Brazilian Fridays
Our first Friday dance party turned to a Brazilian sound with Dendê & Band. Every month, Dendê Macêdo and his band deliver Afro-Brazilian percussion and world rhythms to inspire the collective consciousness with hypnotic grooves to make the body move.
Philly Rising Open Mic
This monthly evening of musical collaboration, inspiration, and networking is presented in partnership with local art incubator REC Philly. Artists from every genre are welcome to step up to the mic along with a handpicked Featured Performer. 2024 welcomed artist, educator, and storyteller Rae.Dianz as our new host.
Philly Rising Featured Performers
January – Tim Ward, Jr
February – Lavonne Nichols
March – Luca Diadul
April – Joshua Mitchell
May – Ariel Rivera
July – Trey Coachman
August – Miguel Ducos
September – Cliff Hillis and Dennis Schocket
October – Kayla Adiletto and Bruce McCausland of Nylon Ghost
December – Jim Rezac
Jambaliva!
On August 31st WCL’s Executive Chef Rob Cottman shared his love letter to New Orleans cuisine
in an afternoon of bold flavors, live music, and drink specials. Guests enjoyed Chef Rob’s Southern Fried Cajun Salmon, Catfish & Grits, Seafood Boil, Crawfish Cornbread, Crabcake and Catfish Po’Boys, and much more. Yesseh Farraha-Ali and his band provided New Orleans-inspired music for the afternoon.
Kids Rock Philly
On March 3, 2024, hundreds of students from regional School of Rock locations take over the venue for this all-day festival, performing across both stages to fundraise for WCL’s free music education programs. Over $55,000 was raised for our music education initiatives.
Kids Rock Philly 2024 featured students from Cherry Hill, Deptford, Downingtown, Fort Washington, Newtown, Hockessin, the Main Line, and Philadelphia.
Beta Hi-Fi Emerging Artists Festival
Our multi-day summer music festival provides a platform for the Philly region’s best new talent. Handpicked artists perform for a rotating panel of judges, competing for cash and career development opportunities.
Host: Rae.Dianz
Judges: Oaks Korogodsky (The Side Chicks – 2023 Beta Hi Fi winner), Katie Hackett (The Lunar Year), Dan Drago (25 O’Clock Podcast), John Vettese (WXPN)
Artists:
7/24: Eva Rubin // Downdresser // Miguel Ducos
7/25: Sophia Boro // Athensville // Jim Rezac
7/26: ANGELCONCEPCION // Jess Urwiler // Tim Cole
Our 2024 winners include: 1st Eva Rubin // 2nd Tim Cole // 3rd Sophia Boro
Eva Rubin will perform as a co-bill in The Lounge with Will Orchard on July 16, 2025!
Concerts & More
In 2024, World Cafe Live hosted 503 ticketed concerts & events for 56,569 guests featuring over 540 bands & artists.
World Cafe Live partnered with WXPN to present 47 Free at Noon concerts.
World Cafe Live became the first music venue to participate in Art-Reach’s ACCESS program, providing $2 tickets for under-resourced Philadelphians. 2,392 ACCESS tickets were sold in 2024.
View concert photography gallery below.
Notable Concerts
Rosanne Cash, 1/26/24, Johnny Cash’s daughter and legendary singer songwriter in her own right played a sold out show in the Music Hall and later headlined XPonential fest in September.
Brigitte Calls Me Baby, 2/15/24, Chicago-based indie rock band who is currently the opening act for Morrissey.
Anthony Green – 3/12/24, an Intimate underplay for the lead singer of Philly band Circa Survive.
Medium Build – 6/20/24, Indie singer-songwriter on the rise played this sold-out show and has since gone on tour with Tyler Childers and Rainbow Kitten Surprise. He then performed at Coachella in April 2025.
Asian American Pie, 5/11/24, Local Philadelphia musicians Judah Kim and John Faye put together a showcase of the region’s brightest Asian American artists for a sold-out show in the Lounge in honor of AAPI Month (May).
The War & Treaty – 8/23/24, an electrifying sold out show from gospel/R&B band fronted by partners Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter. They have collaborated with artists such as Emmylou Harris and Zach Bryan. They’re the first black duo to be nominated for the Country Music Association Award for Duo of the Year and the first black duo to be nominated for the Academy of Country Music Award for Duo of the Year.
Bright Eyes, 9/16/2024, is an American indie rock band founded by singer-songwriter and guitarist Conor Oberst. Bright Eyes chose World Cafe Live for a short tour of smaller intimate venues to promote their new album release. Bright Eyes also played two dates at The Met, a venue with a capacity over five times larger than WCL’s main stage, for the Spring of 2025.
Jonatha Brooke, 10/2/2024, Jonatha Brooke played our very first show on Oct 2, 2004, and we were thrilled to welcome her back for WCL’s 20th Anniversary! Starting in the early ’90s as part of the duo The Story and later flourishing as a solo artist, Jonatha brings a rich history of evocative folk, melodic pop, and an edgier roots rock sensibility.
The Lone Bellow, 10/5/24, an American indie-folk band from Brooklyn, New York, known for their rich harmonies, emotional lyrics, and a mix of folk, rock, and country influences. Their music is often characterized by soulful, gospel-inspired vocals and heartfelt storytelling.
Philly Music Fest – 10/24/24, Amos Lee headlined a sold out PMF last October…other Philly artists included Cosmic Guilt, Cadre Noir, Anna Shoemaker, and Super Infinity (Robbie from The Districts)
20th Anniversary Celebrations
October 2024 marked 20 years of concerts & events at World Cafe Live. We celebrated the occasion with several special events in the surrounding weeks.
Jonatha Brooke opened World Cafe Live on October 2, 2004, she joined us twenty years later on October 2, 2024 to celebrate.
We opened the doors for families to experience our Bridge Session program on October 26, 2024 featuring our very first Bridge Session, World of Percussion with Alex Shaw and Daryl Burgee, and many community partners.
WCL partnered with Wissahickon Brewery to create a 20th Anniversary Pale Ale.
World Cafe Live hosted its first fundraising gala with the 20th Anniversary Spotlight Celebration. This evening shined a light on World Cafe Live’s accomplishments over the past two decades. During the evening, we honored three exceptional members of our community for their contributions to music education at World Cafe Live.
Carole Haas Gravagno – Visionary Champion
Frank Machos – Collaborative Connector
Kristal “Tytewriter” Oliver – Innovative Educator
In a surprise moment, former Board Chair Lori Landew presented WCL Founder and CEO Hal Real with the inaugural Founder’s Award. This well-deserved honor recognized Hal’s significant impact on the music and education ecosystems, both locally and nationally.
The evening saw remarkable performances from talented student musicians featured throughout the event, including the Mic’d Up All-Stars who played during the Sponsor Cocktail Party in The Lounge, and a Brazilian percussion performance by Northeast High School students, led by WCL Board Member and Teaching Artist Alex Shaw. The energy and talent of these young musicians served as a powerful reminder of the vital role that music education plays in our mission.
Guests were able to interact with a 20th Anniversary Art Installation in the Mezzanine Lobby. Created by Rah Gerg and Steph McCullough, this artistic representation of the World Cafe Live ecosystem is made from archival concert photos, event posters, and promotional materials. This pando-esque installation came to life as guests entered, symbolizing how YOU contribute to the color and light of World Cafe Live.
The night concluded with an electrifying performance by Billy Allen & the Pollies, who had everyone on their feet, energizing the entire room.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors and donors. Over $145,000 was raised for World Cafe Live’s Education and Community Programs. The evening showcased the spirit of our community and the power of music to bring us all together.
Donors & Sponsors
World Cafe Live thanks its donors and sponsors for their generous support that funds the programs and projects presented in this report. The following list acknowledges annual gifts received in 2024.
If your name has been inadvertently omitted or has been listed incorrectly, please reach out to development@worldcafelive.org; we would like to make sure you are properly acknowledged for your support. This list does not include event sponsorships or donations.
Individual Giving
$25,000+
Joe Callahan
Carole Haas Gravagno
David & Jacqueline Griffith
David Haas
Tim & Katherine Weber
$10,000-$24,999
Stephen & Erica Barnes
Bill & Katie McNabb
Anne Sheppard & Hal Real
Greg & Mariann Reh
$2,500 – $9,999
David & Margaret Berger Bradley
Tony Brown
James & Lin Buck
Katie Everett
Paralee Knight
Jane Pepper
Gregory M. & Anne Walters
Jeffrey & Jenifer Westphal
$1,000 – $2,499
Irina & Robert Crowder
Herman & Helen Fala
Courtney & Aaron Johnson
Robert & Margo Keith
Stuart & Deborah Kurtz
Alex Unger & Lori Landew
Mark & Jill Loschiavo
Thomas McCaully
Marc Moghadam
Stuart & Kathy Novick
Robert M Penn
Catherine Samson
Mark Schultz
Mark Smith
David & Rebecca Thornburgh
Kevin & Mimi Walsh
$500-$999
Barry & Robin Abelson
Robert Baldwin
Andrew & Vivian Barnett
Mickey & Barbara Black
Val Chavenson
Rob & Sally Hyman
Betsy & Ben LeRoy
Barbara & Robert Perin
Darin Price
Caroline Rogers
You Mon Tsang
Dyana Williams
Thomas Williams
Institutional Giving
C. Eugene Ireland Foundation
The Christian R. & Mary F. Lindback Foundation
Christopher Ludwick Foundation
City of Philadelphia
Comcast NBC Universal Foundation
Independence Foundation
Joseph Kennard Skilling Trust
Nathan Speare Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts
PECO
Philadelphia Arts & Music Festival, Inc.
Powell Family Foundation
The Presser Foundation
Save The Music Foundation
The Scholler Foundation
The Les Paul Foundation
William Penn Foundation
Wyncote Foundation
