Sun Ra Arkestra makes rare hometown appearance at University City concert series [Video]

On Saturday, the University City District announced that its 40th Street Summer Series concert would continue rain-or-shine.

This was great news to those who turned out to watch the Germantown-created Sun Ra Arkestra make a rare appearance in its hometown.

While a short, but heavy, rain shower came down during sound check, the sun broke through the clouds around 6 p.m.

That meteorological blessing created perfect conditions for an evening outdoor concert which drew more than 100 people to 40th and Walnut streets.

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Longtime fans

Among that crowd was Susan Lembo and Eric DeHaven. The couple came from Mt. Airy as DeHaven said he’s been a fan since he first heard them in Boulder, Colo. in the 1970s.

“This,” he said, “is one of the most extraordinary concerts that I have heard in a long time.”

Sun Ra Arkestra, an experimental jazz group with strong Germantown ties, was founded in 1958 by the late Sun Ra and is currently led by Marshall Allen.

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