PHILADELPHIA, June 27, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Penn's Landing Corporation is proud to announce another exciting addition to the 2005 Summer Season calendar as Commerce Bank presents Screenings Under the Stars, a new outdoor film series with a "funny twist." Each Thursday night in July and August, a different popular film will be featured outdoors on a big screen beginning at 8:00 p.m., on the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, located on Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street. For featured presentations, please visit www.pennslandingcorp.com. As an added attraction, local comedians will entertain the crowd during the Laff Hour, every week before each movie sponsored by the Laff House. The entire evening at Penn's Landing, both comedy and films, will be FREE.
Laff House regulars, TuRae Gordon and The Legendary Wid will emcee and entertain as they offer a local comedian the chance to perform in front of a live audience at Penn's Landing. Philadelphia native, TuRae Gordon uses his brand of "Urban Realism" to bring audiences into his comedic world, and uses his bright personality and quick wit to plunge into theirs. This Temple University alumnus, Gordon quickly gained critical acclaim on campus & set his sights on the stages beyond north Broad Street.
The Legendary Wid, known as "the man with 1,001 props," will make the crowds laugh at the simplest objects he brings on stage. This South Philadelphia native and Laff House and Comedy Central regular, as seen on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, can be found entertaining Philadelphians wherever he goes.
Screenings Under the Stars are great date nights for couples at a great price, FREE! Seeing a spectacular film on the waterfront under the stars is a truly unique and memorable summer date. Couples will be reminded of the old-fashioned romance created by drive-in movies. Visitors can start or end their evening on South Street or in Old City, just a short walk from Penn's Landing.
"Commerce Bank is proud to be the first to present Screening Under the Stars," said Roger Bomgardner, senior vice president, Commerce Bank. "We are committed to partnering with innovative organizations that create unique and fun activities that help the local community to thrive."
The Laff Hour is sponsored by the Laff House, Philadelphia's "Original Comedy Club", showcasing comedians from around the country. For more information, please visit www.laffhouse.com.
Radio stations Q102 and Sunny 1045 will also be on hand each week to mix and mingle with the crowd and distribute great prizes! The complete line up for featured films for the Screening Under the Stars series can be found at www.pennslandingcorp.com
CN8, The Comcast Network serves as the official television partner of the "Screenings Under the Stars" series. CN8 (www.cn8.tv) is one of the nation's largest and most honored regional 24-hour diversified television networks - serving 6.4 million cable homes on the East Coast.
Commerce Bank, "America's Most Convenient Bank," is a leading retailer of financial services with more than 320 convenient stores in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware. In 2005, the bank plans to open 55-plus new locations and create 1,800 new career opportunities throughout its markets. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., Commerce Bancorp (NYSE:CBH) has $32 billion in assets and, in first quarter 2005, achieved a deposit increase of 29% and earnings per share growth of 22%. For more information about Commerce, please visit the company's interactive financial resource center at commerceonline.com.
Independence Blue Cross is the presenting sponsor of the 2005 Summer Season at Penn's Landing. The Penn's Landing family of sponsors for the 2005 Summer Season includes: USAirways, PECO Energy, Pennsylvania Lottery, Commerce Bank, Anheuser-Busch, and the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation.
Celebrating the 20th anniversary season, Penn's Landing is Philadelphia's Waterfront district, running along Columbus Boulevard from Washington Avenue to Spring Garden Street. The main site for the more than 50 festivals, concerts, and events at Penn's Landing is the Great Plaza, located along the Delaware River on Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street. For more information on event locations and event details, please call (215) 922-2FUN or visit www.pennslandingcorp.com. The Penn's Landing website is a virtual resource for the waterfront which can help plan a visit to easily park, play and stay all day at Penn's Landing.
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