Pop-up performance kicks off Solstice in the City celebration [photos]

    French street performers marched among the skateboarders at Paine’s Park Friday to promote the Kimmel Center’s Solstice in the City celebration.

    Six members of La Compagnie du Transe Express, dressed in mockups of 18th-century military uniforms, pounded drums and leered as they marched a spontaneous, winding route up and down the steps and ramps of the park. Boarders courteously wove around them, and some stopped to take photos.

    The pop-up performance was meant to tease the Kimmel Center’s celebration of the of the longest day of the year.

    Solstice in the City takes place Saturday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. In addition to Transe Express, performers include Brooklyn indie rock band Real Estate, San Fermin, and Beverly. The French company’s closing performance will be their own take on the traditional solstice drum circle, said the Kimmel Center’s Jay Wahl.

    • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

    After the drummers had marched off Friday, skateboarders Monty Boyer, Harry Hamaker and Jared Whalen sat in the shade and parsed what had just happened.

    “That was sick,” said Boyer, meaning it in the best possible way.

    “Their makeup was kinda Oompa-Loompa-ish,” observed Hamaker.

    “I thought they were Hessians,” countered Whalen.

    WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

    Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

    Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal