The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, January 30-February 5, 2025
Walk Around Philadelphia, The Drag, and kicking off Black History Month
Opening spaces for Black History in February, exploring the city with Walk Around Philadelphia, and EgoPo’s production of a roaring 20s censored classic. Kyle V. Hiller rounds up.
Previews
4 minute read
Wilma Theater presents Inua Ellams’s The Half-God of Rainfall
The mythos of a slam dunk
The Wilma Theater presents The Half-God of Rainfall, a contemporary epic poem that blends oral storytelling, Yoruba and Greek mythology, and basketball. Kiran Pandey previews.
Previews
2 minute read
Philadelphia City Council prepares for the “lived nightmares” of the new Trump administration
Will Philly stand as a Sanctuary City in the MAGA era?
Two days after Trump was inaugurated again, City Council held a hearing on how Philly can protect vulnerable residents from the new administration, drawing testimony from civil-rights advocates. Alaina Johns tuned in.
Editorials
6 minute read
The BSR February 2025 repertory movie roundup
Honoring David Lynch, Valentine's Day flicks, and more
Fire Walk With Me, When Harry Met Sally, Parasite, a “Girls and Guns Double Feature” and more screen this month. Stephen Silver previews.
Previews
5 minute read
Urban Movement Arts' WORKINONIT! opens new creative avenues for adult dance students
Opening up the dance floor
Urban Movement Arts is making space for dancers of all stages. Katherine Desimine profiles WORKINONIT!
Profiles
3 minute read
Arden Theatre Company presents Michael Hollinger’s Holy Grail of Memphis
The past is not through with us
Philly playwright Michael Hollinger’s Holy Grail of Memphis, premiering at the Arden, follows the white owner of a historic Memphis music studio where the lost recordings of a Black blues legend are hiding. C.M. Crockford reviews.
Reviews
3 minute read
Getting behind the scenes with the Hammer and Nails Conference
Encouraging young women of color
This new conference, hosted by Camden Rep, looks to cultivate and educate young girls of color interested in careers in film and theater. Dara McBride previews.
Previews
2 minute read
Remembering beloved WRTI jazz announcer Bob Perkins
The coolest cat in the world
Composer Kile Smith worked with Bob Perkins in the studio at WRTI. He remembers the legendary Philly jazz announcer as an unwitting mentor who imparted the knowledge and the feeling of great music for 25 years at the mic.
Essays
5 minute read
FringeArts and Ninth Planet present Arielle Julia Brown’s fallawayinto: Corridors of Rememory
A beacon of possibility
FringeArts and Ninth Planet present Arielle Julia Brown’s fallawayinto: Corridors of Rememory, a word premiere multimedia play that honors the life and legacy of Donna Nicole Booker. Kiran Pandey previews.
Previews
2 minute read
Tectonic Theater Project presents Moisés Kaufman and Amanda Gronich’s Here There Are Blueberries
A picture’s worth
Here There Are Blueberries, a touring production of Moisés Kaufman’s Tectonic Theater Project now onstage at McCarter Theatre Center, grapples with how to present the history of the Holocaust. Cameron Kelsall reviews.
Reviews
3 minute read
The Institute of Contemporary Art presents Carl Cheng: Nature Never Loses
Designed to destruct
The Institute of Contemporary Art hosts the first major museum survey of innovative interdisciplinary artist Carl Cheng, who has challenged ideas of art, science, culture, and nature for 60 years. Pamela J. Forsythe reviews.
Reviews
6 minute read
The African American Museum in Philadelphia presents Shaheed Rucker: (re)Covering the Iconic
Reimaging Jet magazine covers with Black Philly-area icons
AAMP continues to lead the Philly area in showcasing Black art with Shaheed Rucker: (re)Covering the Iconic, featuring notable portraits in the striking style of vintage mid-century media. An Nichols reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
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Penn Live Arts presents Agora de la danse’s Koros
Contemporary dance in virtual reality
Montreal’s Agora de la danse, a venue and incubator for contemporary dance, brought its virtual-reality experience, Koros, to Philly for the first time with a weekend of showings at the Annenberg Center. Melissa Strong reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
The BSR Podcast, Season 9, Episode 10: EgoPo reimagines Mae West's The Drag
Kicking off a season of "Queer Revolutions"
BSR Podcast host Darnelle Radford sits down with director Rebecca Wright, playwright AZ Espinoza, and performer/composer Pax Ressler to hear all about this timely revival of a queer story from the Roaring 20s.
1 minute read
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, January 23-29, 2025
CultureFest!, Good Mother Myths, and more
Kicking off the Lunar New Year with Penn Museum, getting crafty at Art Star, and dispelling Good Mother Myths. Kyle V. Hiller rounds up the week.
Previews
3 minute read
BSR Classical Interludes, more in January 2025
Tunes to keep you warm
Music from familiar names, and a different kind of Curtain Call, are all in tow to close out the month of January and move into February. Gail Obenreder previews.
Previews
4 minute read
Living in America today feels like having a mental illness. Here’s how to protect your sanity.
Symptoms of humanity
Coping with fear of disasters, irrational thoughts, constant crisis, and crushing sadness is just an ordinary day in America. Folks who have been in psychiatric treatment have always known how this feels. Alaina Johns has survival tips.
Editorials
6 minute read
Walnut Street Theatre presents Alfred Uhry’s Driving Miss Daisy
Not much has changed
With an uneven production of a politically limp script, Walnut Street Theatre continues its commitment to institutional whiteness with Driving Miss Daisy. nat čermák reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
The Philadelphia Museum of Art presents Naoto Fukasawa: Things in Themselves
A world-renowned designer gets his first major US solo show at the PMA
Naoto Fukusawa is one of the world's most sought-after designers, and the PMA hosts his first major solo exhibition in the US, featuring a range of irresistibly practical objects. Pamela J. Forsythe reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
Philadelphia Orchestra open rehearsals take music-lovers of all ages behind the scenes of the symphony
A symphonic sneak peek
What goes on as the Philadelphia Orchestra, under the
direction of Yannick Nézet-Séguin, prepares for a performance of Mahler’s Symphony
No. 9? Linda Holt visits to learn more about a program that brings donors
and students together behind the scenes.
Features
6 minute read
The Good Mother Myth: Unlearning Our Bad Ideas About How to Be a Good Mom, by Nancy Reddy
The poetry behind parenting
Local poet Nancy Reddy’s new book promises refreshing perspectives around parenting and an opportunity to unlearn outdated practices and notions. Jill Brooke previews.
Previews
3 minute read
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, January 16-22, 2025
Celebrating MLK Day and more this week
Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. with events around the city and plenty of shows, performances, and exhibits to choose from this week. Kyle V. Hiller rounds up.
Previews
6 minute read