By reopening its doors, the Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center has accomplished what so many others have not since the start of the pandemic.

And the acclaimed venue isn’t just welcoming guests back into the same theater that they’ve come to love over the past five years. It is inviting them to step into the future of Uptown! in a post-COVID-19 era.

Uptown! has revealed what it is calling its “Second Act,” which includes state-of-the-art COVID-safe renovations, an innovative new sound and multi-media system, an energizing branding campaign, and a star-studded lineup of music and performers.

“We are so excited to welcome guests back to Uptown! and have so many new features, shows, and events that we can’t wait to share with everyone,” said April Evans, executive director at Uptown!

A Grand Reopening Party will be held on Friday, Sept. 10 at 7:30 PM. It will feature music by critically acclaimed performers The Urban Guerilla Orchestra, who will present the “Sounds Of Philadelphia.” The Urban Guerilla Orchestra features world-renowned instrumentalists and vocalists who have worked with artists such as Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Aretha Franklin, Boyz II Men, Alicia Keys, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Kool & the Gang, The Roots, and countless others.

Tickets are on sale now.

Following the Grand Reopening, the theater will unveil a series of shows and performances by some of the most acclaimed bands and artists in the country, including

• Kasim Sutton, bassist for Todd Rudgren, (Sept. 12)
• Let’s Hang On: America’s #1 Frankie Valli Tribute Show (Sept. 18)
• KASHMIR: Tribute to Led Zeppelin (Sept. 24)
• Into the Mystic: Tribute to Van Morrison (Sept. 30)
• Eaglemania: The World’s Greatest Eagles Tribute Band (Oct. 2)

Check out the complete schedule of performances.

“We are pleased to say that our fall schedule is filled with a diverse lineup that includes something for everyone,” said Evans. “From rock and classical music to entertainment for the family to enlightening speaker series, we pride ourselves on offering our community well-rounded programming.”

As part of its reopening, Uptown! also promises that all performances will be held in the healthiest and safest environment possible. According to Evans, new COVID-19 safety measures were implemented throughout the building, including the installation of the iWave Air Purification Systems. This creates a healthier environment for patrons, thanks to technology known as Needle-Point Bi-Polar Ionization (NPBI).

Uptown! has also upgraded its technology systems, allowing for a new multi-media platform for the venue to offer special livestream capabilities for specific shows and provide added-value content for featured performers. This innovative feature will provide Uptown! with the opportunity to have its performances experienced on a global scale.

“We are really excited to explore the opportunities that our advanced platform can offer,” said Evans. “We understand that fans are now enjoying entertainment in a completely new way, and we are eager to meet their needs. Whether it’s a livestream option or providing exclusive virtual access to one of our performers, we are poised to make Uptown! an entertainment destination – wherever our fans may be located.”

To coincide with the venue’s exciting new additions, Uptown! has also unveiled a new, energizing branding campaign – entitled “Be UP on it!” – thanks to Philadelphia-based marketing firm Alice & Albert.

“Embodying a fresh, upbeat approach to the venue’s branding efforts, the new ‘Be UP on it!’ campaign is a movement that taps into the energy and excitement that we all feel when attending a live, in-person performance and the unique close connection they feel to the performers at Uptown!,” said Peter Farrell, founding partner of Alice & Albert. “This campaign is a call-to-action to get everyone to discover this special experience for themselves.”