If you were there, you were forewarned that it wasn't good for your cholesterol.
Still, over 50 people last week got the chance to taste "Butter" -- a song written and performed by Philadelphia's own Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble.
This summer, the University's Business Development Office has contracted the Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble to perform at the 36th Street Plaza on Walnut street every Thursday evening from 5-7 p.m.
Marketing Coordinator for the Business Development office Taylor Berkowitz -- who also coordinated the program -- hopes that the Jazz Series will bring vibrancy to the area.
"The office is trying to develop programs. We want to bring people from outside the [Penn] area [to the concerts]," Berkowitz said.
One of the members of the Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble certainly attempted to show his energy to the audience.
At the end of the piece entitled "Jungle," Warren Oree, an acoustic bassist and founder of the jazz group growled for a full 30 seconds into the microphone, to which an an audience member responded by yelling out "hot stuff!"
Whether it was students studying physics, Bookstore employees peering out the window to get a better view, or Philadelphia residents sipping coffee, everyone at the Plaza last week had a good time.ÿ
"This is the life," construction worker Chris Lang said while sitting in the shade and drinking a Cosi smoothie.ÿ
Lang happened to attend the performance while on a break from work.
During its inception last year, the Jazz Series was only presented twice a month.ÿBut Berkowitz says that the performances were so successful that her office decided to sponsor them every week this year.
"[Arpeggio] was only supposed to play every other week this summer," Berkowitz said.
The Series has already developed a following and its fans are growing in number.
Harris enjoys them so much that she tries to bring as many friends as possible to each one.
"The performances and being here are a good way to unwind after work," Paula Harris said.
"You'll be seeing more of us," first-timer Bunny Patrick, an employee at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and resident of New Jersey added.
Patrick was invited to last week's event by co-worker Harris a resident of Philadelphia -- who has been attending the summer Jazz Series since last year.ÿ
At the end of the evening, Oree thanked Berkowitz for organizing the Jazz Series.
"It takes courage to present jazz in America. It is not for the weak of heart," Oree said.
As the summer continues, Berkowitz says to expect more University-sponsored free-events. However, she does yet not know what kind of events they will be.
"Hopefully these events will involve music and arts,"Berkowitz said.
Berkowitz added that the events will take place on the new green space on Walnut Street between 35th and 36th streets.
