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A Century of Music Under the Stars

Celebrate the Mann's legacy with A Century of Music Under the Stars

A Century of Music Under the Stars book cover

Explore the new book featuring behind-the-scenes stories of the Mann Center and Robin Hood Dell

About The Book
Everyone has a memorable story about attending a performance at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts or the Robin Hood Dell—“the Mann” and “the Dell” to their many patrons. Lavishly illustrated with more than 200 images, meticulously researched, and engagingly written by historian Jack McCarthy, A Century of Music Under the Stars reveals the fascinating inside story of Philadelphia’s premier outdoor concert venues on the eve of the Mann’s 50th Anniversary.

The Dell, which opened in 1930, and the Mann, which opened in 1976, were initially built as summer homes for The Philadelphia Orchestra. As McCarthy deftly recounts, the Mann Center evolved to host the world’s top artists across many musical genres. Contemporary audiences have gathered on the Great Lawn for concerts by performers including James Taylor, The Roots, Phish, Diana Ross, John Legend, and others.

The venues, however, are more than just the music; they are about the beautiful natural setting, communal atmosphere, and spectacular view of the Philadelphia skyline. A Century of Music Under the Stars is a revealing and celebratory look back at beloved Philadelphia cultural icons. This informative and illuminating history will provide happy memories for generations of music lovers.

Available now.

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Upcoming Author Events

Event Location: Falls of Schuylkill Library | 3501 Midvale Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19129
Event Time: 5:30PM

Join us for an inspiring evening with Jack McCarthy, author of A Century of Music Under the Stars: A History of the Mann Center for the Performing Arts and Robin Hood Dell. McCarthy will share tales of the performing arts center's rich history and enduring legacy.

Event Location: Virtual | Hosted by Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia
Tickets: Get Tickets - $15 (General Ticket), $10 (Preservation Alliance Members)
Event Time: 6:00PM

In this talk, Jack McCarthy highlights the fascinating stories behind Philadelphia’s two premier outdoor concert venues: the Robin Hood Dell, which opened in 1930, and the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, which opened in 1976. Based on his new book published by Temple University Press, A Century of Music Under the Stars: A History of the Mann Center for the Performing Arts and Robin Hood Dell, McCarthy recounts how both venues were built as summer homes for The Philadelphia Orchestra, but the Mann Center evolved over the years to host the world’s top artists across many musical genres and to offer a wide range of educational and community engagement programs.

Advance Praise

"Playing the Mann Center for the Performing Arts has been a part of my itinerary for a long time. It’s a special venue for me. Philly is really lucky to have places like the Robin Hood Dell and the Mann Center for the Performing Arts. They certainly set us apart from other cities. A Century of Music Under the Stars is a terrific keepsake of these and other memories.”—Daryl Hall, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee

"The Robin Hood Dell and the Fredric R. Mann Center for the Performing Arts are among the city’s cultural jewels, as McCarthy has so eloquently articulated in this meticulously researched contribution to the documentation of the city’s robust history...For lovers of Philadelphia’s history and for those fascinated with how things once got done here, A Century of Music Under the Stars weaves a valuable and insightful tale.”—Sam Katz, History Making Productions

“In A Century of Music Under the Stars, Jack McCarthy captures the shifting identities of two major summertime performing arts centers in Philadelphia that were home to symphonic concerts when symphonies furnished mainstream American entertainment. This much-needed history traces these iconic venues from that era into the present as they adapted to changing tastes and expectations.” —Joseph Horowitz, author of Classical Music in America: A History of Its Rise and Fall
Audience watching The Philadelphia Orchestra perform at the Dell,1930

Audience watching The Philadelphia Orchestra perform at the Robin Hood Dell, 1930.

Image of construction of the Mann featured in The Philadelphia Inquirer, 1975.

Construction of the Robin Hood Dell West featured in The Philadelphia Inquirer, 1975.

Inquirer coverage of the Robin Hood Dell West opening 1976

Opening night of the Robin Hood Dell West featured in the front page of The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 15, 1976. 

Audience watching The Philadelphia Orchestra perform at the Robin Hood Dell, 1930.

Construction of the Robin Hood Dell West featured in The Philadelphia Inquirer, 1975.

Opening night of the Robin Hood Dell West featured in the front page of The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 15, 1976.