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Hitting all the wrong notes in just the right way: Janaka Stuckey performs his ‘Ascend Ascend.’ (Photo by Eric Frommer.)

Atlas Obscura presents Janaka Stuckey’s ‘Ascend Ascend’

The edgelord poet

Atlas Obscura presents a mildly amusing performance of Janaka Stuckey’s necrophilous ritual poetry. Aaron Pond Reviews.

Aaron Pond

Jan 20, 2020 Essays 3 minute read

It’s a good time to remember what Martin Luther King, Jr. and Anne Frank had in common. (Image via Wikimedia Commons.)

Kellman Brown Academy presents the Anne Frank Center’s ‘Letters from Anne & Martin’

Portrayals of promise

As both MLK Day and National Holocaust Remembrance Day approach, the Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect presented its ‘Letters from Anne & Martin’ in South Jersey. Daralyse Lyons was there.

Daralyse Lyons

Jan 19, 2020 Essays 5 minute read

The men behind ‘Music for the New Revolution’: Rodney Whittenberg (left) and David Heitler-Klevans. (Photo by Rodney Whittenberg.)

Philly podcast ‘Music for the New Revolution’ spotlights today’s protest music

Musician David Heitler-Klevans and filmmaker/composer Rodney Whittenberg bring the 'Music for the New Revolution' podcast to Philly, getting everyone ready for the 2020 election and beyond. Suzanne Cloud chats with the creators.

Suzanne Cloud

Jan 14, 2020 Essays 4 minute read

The world is not always what you were taught, and that's just fine. (Photo by Aaron Pond.)

On facing the music: A post-educational diversity statement

The meritocratic mythos

Music-maker Aaron Pond tried to fit in with students of the "masters," but learned he was expendable and illegitimate. So he found his own way. What’s yours?

Aaron Pond

Dec 30, 2019 Essays 5 minute read

What do you do when it feels like you’re balancing an upside-down world? Kathy Ruttenberg’s ‘Topsy Turvy’ was part of an installation between New York's Barnard College and Columbia University titled 'Dreams Awake.' (Photo by Anndee Hochman.)

A Barnard College parent in Philly grapples with the death of Tessa Majors

A mother in the aftermath

News of a fatal stabbing in Morningside Park rocked Anndee Hochman’s family—her own daughter is a classmate of the victim. How do parents and their children cope with the nightmare of violence?

Anndee Hochman

Dec 27, 2019 Essays 4 minute read

Oh come, all ye not-faithful… Enjoying a post-Catholic Christmas in Philly. (Photo by Michelle Nugent.)

What do former Christians hold dear over the holidays?

Christmas and the post-Catholic atheist

Sure, there are plenty of reasons for a queer feminist atheist to look back bitterly on a Catholic upbringing—but exiting a life of faith isn’t so simple. Michelle Nugent considers.

Michelle Nugent

Dec 23, 2019 Essays 4 minute read

Where moms learn why you do comedy. (Image courtesy of ‘Ur Mom Is Funny.’)

Good Good Comedy Theatre presents ‘Ur Mom Is Funny’

Pairing performers with parents

Good Good Comedy’s monthly variety show ‘Ur Mom Is Funny’ highlights family dysfunction, hysterical challenges, and heartfelt moments with hosts Pete Steele and Hannah Trav. Erin Dohony gets the story.

Erin Dohony

Dec 17, 2019 Essays 4 minute read

She’s just a dead Frenchwoman: John Jarboe as Edith Piaf in ‘All I Want for Christmas is a Dead Chanteuse.’ (Photo by Kristin Ross.)

The Bearded Ladies present ‘All I Want for Christmas Is a Dead Chanteuse’

A revolutionary holiday

If we’re having Christmas in July, why not Bastille Day in December? The Bearded Ladies sang of revolution in a holiday-ish cabaret at World Café Live. Brad Rothbart reviews.

Brad Rothbart

Dec 10, 2019 Essays 4 minute read

Both students and teachers were challenged to understand the others’ point of view in ‘Philly Education Stories.’ (Photo by M. Asli Dukan.)

Teacher Action Group and Simpatico Theatre present ‘Philly Education Stories’

Tearing down school walls

When is theater-making activism? Philly’s Teacher Action Group and Simpatico Theatre teamed up to devise ‘Philly Education Stories,’ a performance co-created by teachers and students. Josh Herren considers.

Josh Herren

Nov 23, 2019 Essays 5 minute read

Reclaiming the old tradition of performance art: Ali Asgar in ‘Roopbaan Reimagined.’ (Image courtesy of Louis Kang and Asian Arts Initiative.)

Asian Arts Initiative and Qunify present Ali Asgar's ‘Roopbaan Reimagined'

You live in America in 2019

A unique performance from Bangladesh native Ali Asgar found the true roots of performance art while reimagining an ancient folktale for today. Brad Rothbart reviews.