Essays

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Page 25
Rizzo's mural has the dubious honor of being Philadelphia's most vandalized. (Photo via Creative Commons/Wikimedia.)

Calls continue for Mural Arts Program to remove its Frank Rizzo mural

Golden opportunity

As the grassroots campaign to take down the Frank Rizzo mural continues, the Coalition Against the Rizzo Mural considers critical questions about how Mural Arts’ actions fit in with its values.

Coalition Against the Rizzo Mural

Essays 5 minute read
Montana let go of his apprehensions and leaned in. (Video still courtesy of Gunnar Montana.)

How performance artist Gunnar Montana learned to stop worrying and love the Eagles

Giving football a sporting chance

Sometimes artists and art lovers have a tough time relating to sports fans. The Super Bowl changed all that — at least for a little while — for performance artist Gunnar Montana, and he has the viral video to prove it.
Gunnar Montana

Gunnar Montana

Essays 3 minute read
(Illustration by Hannah Kaplan for BSR.)

From the Burlington-Bristol bridge you can see forever

Life is a dream

Sometimes your past haunts you; other times it takes you right where you need to be. Kile Smith considers.
Kile Smith Illustration by Hannah Kaplan

Kile Smithand Illustration by Hannah Kaplan

Essays 5 minute read
Apparently, Wolff's books ward off fire as well as fools. (Illustration by Hannah Kaplan for BSR.)

Michael Wolff's fire hazard and fury at the Free Library of Philadelphia

Fireproofing the Free Library

When Michael Wolff spoke at the Parkway Central Library, the staff wasn't prepared for the crush of listeners. Wolff has a way of really surprising people. Alaina Mabaso considers.
Alaina Johns Illustration by Hannah Kaplan

Alaina Johnsand Illustration by Hannah Kaplan

Essays 5 minute read

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Valley Forge Military College professor and Soldiers Theatre artistic director Sean Chambers in action. (Photo by Stephen Silver.)

Soldiers Theatre and the power of educational arts programs

Artists and warriors

As battles rage over government funding for arts programs, one professor at Valley Forge Military College knows what a difference those programs make for participating cadets. Stephen Silver visits.
Stephen Silver

Stephen Silver

Essays 3 minute read
(Illustration by Hannah Kaplan for BSR.)

Broad Street (Christmas) run

Where N. Broad meets the North Pole

Christmastime is tough on musicians, what with all the rehearsals, concerts, composing, copying, arranging, and more. Who has time to slow down and shop for a tree? Kile Smith considers.
Kile Smith Illustration by Hannah Kaplan

Kile Smithand Illustration by Hannah Kaplan

Essays 5 minute read
The "McGlinchey twins" as young children. (Photo courtesy of Gina Pisasale.)

Another response to People's Light's 'Aladdin: A Musical Panto'

When did it cross your line?

People's Light's resident dramaturg says context matters, and when it comes to the company's 'Aladdin: A Musical Panto,' the lenses audiences use matter too. Gina Pisasale considers.
Gina Pisasale

Gina Pisasale

Essays 5 minute read
"What was I to make of this world?" (Illustration by Hannah Kaplan for BSR.)

Adventures in cultural appropriation

Lift every voice

When it comes to composing music, who owns the cross-cultural inspirations behind it? Kile Smith considers.
Kile Smith Illustration by Hannah Kaplan

Kile Smithand Illustration by Hannah Kaplan

Essays 4 minute read
AIDS Library co-founder John Cunningham takes in the art and messages at 'Still Fighting for Our Lives.' (Photo by Holly Clark)

William Way AIDS Library's 30th anniversary and 'Still Fighting for Our Lives'

30 years of AIDS awareness

'Still Fighting for Our Lives,' a new gallery exhibition, remembers the fight against the HIV epidemic and commemorates 30 years of William Way LGBT Community Center's AIDS Library. Adryan Corcione reviews.
Adryan Corcione

Adryan Corcione

Essays 3 minute read
Artist Sonya Clark joins a participant during her performance piece, 'Unraveling.' (Photo by Alaina Mabaso.)

PAFA presents Sonya Clark's 'Unraveling'

Philly takes down a Confederate monument

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts hosted a Forum on Art and the Election, featuring a panel and a timely piece that let Philadelphians combat a painful symbol. Alaina Mabaso was there.
Alaina Johns

Alaina Johns

Essays 5 minute read