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Up Next! Youth Jam Sessions

Free Show
Saturday, April 12, 2025
Doors: 11:30am | Show: 12pm
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. A rotating youth ensemble will serve as the house band, kicking off the afternoon with a featured set including hand-selected guest artists before opening up the jam.

 

Produced in collaboration between World Cafe Live and The School District of Philadelphia’s MIC’d Up initiative, Up Next! aims to engage students in music industry careers both on and off the stage. 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. A team of professional musicians and educators will also be on-site to facilitate performances. This program is supported by the Philadelphia Music Alliance.

This session is presented by The Philadelphia Music Alliance.  Up Next is a partnership of The School District of Philadelphia’s MIC’d Up Program and World Cafe Live, with support from The Philadelphia Music Alliance.

Featured Musical Guest & Speaker: Chill Moody

Chill Moody is a West Philadelphia native and one of the city’s top lyricists and performers, earning the title of “Best Rapper” in Philadelphia Magazine’s annual Best of Phillyissue. His impact on the local and national music scene led to his appointment as Philadelphia’s Music Ambassador by City Council. Beyond music, Chill’s lifestyle brand, nicethings, has expanded into a multi-industry powerhouse, including a clothing line, consulting firm, record label (nicethingsMUSIC), and nicethingsBEVERAGES, featuring nicethingsKOMBUCHA, nicethingsBEER, and the newly launched nicethings Tequila Transfusion. In 2023, he became the inaugural Community Artist in Residence at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, where he curated concerts, contributed to educational programs, and performed throughout the season. His latest venture, Moody’s Klubbhouse, is a Philly-centric artist discovery series spotlighting performances and interviews with emerging talent. He also founded We Golf Now, a nonprofit dedicated to introducing Black and Brown youth to the sport and business of golf.
Kayla Childs, also known as “Black Buttafly”, is a 26 year old New Jersey native hailing from New Brunswick. Her musical roots are in Gospel, Jazz, and Soul music with influences ranging from Patrice Rushen, Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, J Dilla, and Ahmad Jamal. She is a rising pianist, songwriter, and producer attending Rutgers University pursuing her degree in Jazz Performance and Music Technology while currently living and playing in Philadelphia, PA. Kayla has performed in venues such as World Cafe Live, Keystone Corner, Pitchfork Festival (Chicago, London, Paris), The Beacon Theatre, and Nublu Jazz Festival. She is a band member of Omarʼs Hat, UPENDO, & Instrumental band “Astrium”. Kayla has traveled the Across the U.S. and Europe touring professionally. She has played and recorded with artists Ms. Lauryn Hill, Pete Rock, Lenny White, KeiyaA, RES, Ivy Sole, Orion Sun, Duendita, Hannibal Burress & Grammy Award Winning Artist, Jermaine Holmes. She is an inspiring artist looking to impact the world through her soulful sounds and vulnerable vibes.
Free Show