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A sign of simplistic depersonalized display, judgment, and categorical rules. (Photo by the author)

Are we living in a 'Handmaid's Tale' world?

Why get distracted by a fictional future?

Accusing conservative pundits of lusting after Atwood’s misogynistic dystopia makes the risky realities of contemporary American women’s lives less potent.

Alaina Johns

Nov 17, 2015 Essays 5 minute read

“Annabritt Playing Guitar I” by David Wright. (Photo via Creative Commons/Flickr)

On taking up guitar as an adult

Missed notes

Playing music in middle age isn’t an impulse to risk your life. It’s a chance to show your soul.

Anndee Hochman

Nov 10, 2015 Essays 6 minute read

Helen Mirren, at 70, is still regarded by many as sexy — should we emulate her? (Photo by See Li via Creative Commons/Wikipedia)

Does sexy have an expiration date?

I will, on occasion, pull together an outfit purely for the fun of pleasing myself aesthetically, but when I'm dressed that way, I don't assume anyone is deciding whether I'm “toothsome” or not — I figure that, at nearly 50, I'm pretty much invisible, and at this point I don't care if people are assessing me or not.

Maria Thompson Corley

Oct 22, 2015 Essays 4 minute read

Could Josh become another Adam Lanza? (photo via biography.com)

A troubled student on the day of the Sandy Hook massacre

December 14th

Each day a teacher stands in front of another fragile soul, not ignoring behaviors and signs, but often helpless to do anything. We want to support the student and help him or her reach an educated, productive adulthood; we also know that weird is often not wrong, especially in the arts. Would any of us really want to see our 20-year-old selves categorized and judged, again, especially in the arts?

Susan Beth Lehman

Oct 04, 2015 Essays 4 minute read

Sure, HE had a good time. (Pope Francis and President Obama, photo courtesy of the White House)

Pope Francis's visit to Philadelphia

I fled the pope and I liked it

When the great Papal Visit of 2015 drew perhaps a tenth of the crowds predicted and local businesses became victims of the hype, now we must decide whose fault it all is.

Alaina Johns

Sep 29, 2015 Essays 5 minute read

Serena Williams in 2012. (photo by Charlie Cowins via Creative Commons/Flickr)

The many kinds of success of Venus and Serena Williams

Raising champions

That Serena and Venus are excellent, well-adjusted, and curious about things outside their area of expertise is phenomenal. That they are best friends on top of that is even more amazing; the investment Oracene Price and Richard Williams made in their children has paid many important dividends.

Maria Thompson Corley

Sep 12, 2015 Essays 5 minute read

The swoonworthy Cary Elwes (with Robin Wright) in “The Princess Bride” (© 1987 – MGM)

'The Princess Bride': An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes

Sometimes “as you wish” isn’t

I planned to ask Cary Elwes a question at his recent appearance at the Keswick, but the moment the house lights went up and I readied myself to get in line, my brain emptied out. Being in the same room as an artist you’ve loved so much, for so long, can be overwhelming.

Jillian Ashley Blair Ivey

Aug 26, 2015 Essays 5 minute read

Rafael Pondé and El Caribefunk at the Clubhouse

Musicians vs. writers

You thought writers were obsessed with their craft? They’ve got nothing on professional musicians.

Alaina Johns

Aug 23, 2015 Essays 5 minute read

Neither rain nor — well, rain. . . . (photos by the author)

Philadelphia Dîner en Blanc 2015

Dinin’ in the rain and lovin’ it

What makes Dîner en Blanc so enticing? Is it the exclusivity? Or the inclusiveness? There’s something about being part of a global phenomenon that I just can’t resist. Even if it did rain on my parade this year.