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A Five Month Festival Rises From The Ashes This Summer

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- This week the Mann Center kicked-off their five month community-based festival and on July 20, the Mann will premiere an orchestra score that transforms a 20th century ballet.

Titled Firebird: Re-imagined, the music is a multidisciplinary interpretation of Igor Straveinsky's score the 1910 ballet Firebird.

The performance features The Philadelphia Orchestra, South Africa's Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and larger than life puppets inspired by Broadway.

Nolan Williams is the artistic director for the festival and says the purpose is to expose the community international art and engage youth.

"Designed by an amazing puppet team out of South Africa," Williams said. "In imaginative ways, embracing the story of the Firebird phoenix, the idea of rising from the ashes."

Firebird includes performances at the Philadelphia zoo for students, an exhibit at the Free Library, and free performances for kids at The Mann.

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