Ethiopian films, PHILADANCO, Mural Arts at AAMP, and spooky events for Halloween weekend

Halloween has arrived, and we’ve got a strong selection of events to choose from coming up. Annenberg hosts PHILADANCO for a livestream program, Scribe Video Center is screening films from Ethiopia, and Koresh Dance Company begins an artist talk series. Mural Arts teams up with the African American Museum of Philadelphia for a new exhibition, and Pennhurst Asylum, A Novel Idea, and Penn Museum have Halloween covered for you.

Rendering Justice with Mural Arts and AAMP

Mural Arts and the African American Museum in Philadelphia opens its new fall exhibition, Rendering Justice, on Wednesday, October 28. Running through January 3, 2021, the exhibition is an examination of mass incarceration curated by artist Jesse Krimes. The artworks are part of Mural Arts Philadelphia’s Reimagining Reentry program, which supports formerly incarcerated artists in the creation of public art projects. The display can be seen virtually.

Ethiopian Visions Film Series

Scribe Video Center is hosting a film series highlighting stories from Ethiopia. While the series already kicked off this past Tuesday, three more films are lined up in the coming weeks. Continuing on Thursday, October 29 at 7pm, Scribe will screen LAMB. The movie is set in the mountains of Ethiopia, telling the story of Ephraim, who is sent by his father to live among distant relatives after his mother’s death. The series then continues on Friday, November 6, and Thursday, November 12. Find out what’s in store.

PHILADANCO returns to Annenberg

The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts will stream a live performance from the Philadelphia Dance Company (PHILADANCO). The program will highlight social justice and current issues with a compilation of excerpts. Watch it live on Thursday, October 29, at 7pm, with an artist Q&A to follow. The program will be available on-demand through October 31.

A Halloween Reading on Passyunk

Join A Novel Idea on Passyunk on Friday, October 30, at 7pm for a virtual evening of haunted poetry and prose. Potions, Poltergeists & Prose: A Halloween Reading will feature a robust roster of writers, poets, and storytellers, and costumes are suggested along with donation. Proceeds go to the readers. Find out more online.

Monsters, Myths, and Legends

Get into the Halloween spirit (you haven’t already?) with Penn Museum’s Monsters, Myths, and Legends: Spirits and Storytelling. The virtual adventure seeks the origins of what makes a monster, and “discover the tools you’ll need to face off with some special guests that go bump in the night.” The mischief rolls in on Friday, October 30, at 7pm. See the full roster of storytellers and more online.

Artist Chats with Roni Koresh

The new series from the Koresh Dance Company features live conversations with artists and curators. Exchange ideas, respond to featured works, reflect on current events, and engage with questions. The first edition is Creativity in Times of COVID, and it goes live on Sunday, November 1, at 6pm, streaming on Facebook and Vimeo.

Image description: A colorful mural with abstract art influences, featuring elements including the Liberty Bell, Ben Franklin, the LOVE statue, a man in blue with a boombox, and more.