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New Grass: EVER ENSEMBLE

  • The Woodlands 4000 Woodland Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA (map)
Ever Ensemble (l-r, Ruth Naomi Floyd, Ezgi Yargici, Iris Bu, and Val Gay) / Photo by L. David Hinton

Ever Ensemble (l-r, Ruth Naomi Floyd, Ezgi Yargici, Iris Bu, and Val Gay) / Photo by L. David Hinton

Please join us for a special performance by EVER Ensemble, a collective of dynamic Philadelphia-based performers who are dedicated to bringing people together through music. This performance is presented by Ars Nova Workshop and The Woodlands as a featured program in the New Grass series of summer programs.

With an eclectic mix of instrumentation including cello, flute, harp, keyboards and vocals, EVER Ensemble channels its passion for community engagement and wide-ranging love of music into an eclectic and socially conscientious experience. The Ensemble’s performances cast their repertoire, focused on the compositions of black and women composers, in a fresh light, allowing the quartet to serve as cultural ambassadors who gaps by expanding the musical palate of their audience. Just as the word “ever” transcends time, so does EVER Ensemble transcend musical genres and culture: one moment classical, another jazz, and still another pop or gospel or hip hop.

The Broad Street Review said of a recent performance, “Composed of four spectacularly talented women, the EVER Ensemble offered a program embracing a world of musical genres, including classical, hip-hop, Turkish, spiritual, and jazz… [expressing] a fresh, free spirit and an embracing relationship with the audience.”

The members of EVER Ensemble — vocalist and keyboardist Val Gay, flutist and vocalist Ruth Naomi Floyd, cellist Ezgi Yargici and pianist, keyboardist and harpist Iris Bu — have played together for several years, coming together as a unified entity in 2017. With diverse musical influences and backgrounds, the members of EVER Ensemble have individually performed for audiences across the globe while also working tirelessly to teach and advance their communities. Each member has dedicated her life to making and sharing music at the highest levels, maintaining musical curiosity and continuing to grow and develop while simultaneously fostering other musicians’ creativity.

Free with RSVP
All Ages

Please note before planning your visit to The Woodlands:

  • Guests can arrive by foot, bike, or public transit.

  • Limited on-site parking is available for some events.

  • Please bring your own lawn chair or blanket for outdoor seating.

Accessibility
Should you require accessible entry or seating for this program, please contact The Woodlands at info@woodlandsphila.org or 215-386-2181 at your earliest convenience.

COVID-19
Special COVID-19 admission guidelines are being followed to ensure a safe environment for all guests at The Woodlands.

  • Masks are required for all indoor spaces.

  • Please wear a mask and maintain social distancing while in line for the Stable Restroom.

  • Please respect other visitors and the Site Rules found on The Woodlands website.