Sun Ra Arkestra will play among the forests of their Germantown home base

On Sunday September 26th, prepare to see Sun Ra Arkestra as you’ve never seen them before: playing live in the forests of Germantown as part of a curated sonic experience dedicated to the growth of future trees. “Summoning the Future Forest with Sun Ra Arkestra” is a “participatory intra-galactic forest performance” hosted by the Philadelphia Horticultural Society’s new “S(tree)twork” project, whose goal is to rethink the public’s relationship with trees. 

Sun Ra’s performance is part of S(tree)twork’s series of public programs and workshops, all aimed at motivating the Philly public to plant trees across the city. The initiative aligns with the city’s goals of mitigating climate change by planting trees in low-canopy areas and vulnerable communities. 

97-year old Marshall Allen will lead Sun Ra with a symphony of musicians through the forests surrounding Awbury Aboretum, located steps from the Washington Lane regional rail station. The group’s legendary Afrofuturist jazz sound will precipitate what S(tree)twork calls “a sonic summoning of cosmic frequencies conjuring a future canopy.”

To see Sun Ra Arkestra play among the trees, make a trip down to the Awbury Arboretum this Sunday between 4 and 6 p.m.; more information can be found here. Sun Ra Arkestra also plays The Music Hall at World Cafe Live on October 2nd. Tickets and more information can be found on the XPN Concert Calendar.