‘Midnight Oil,’ ‘Settle Down,’ and Philly Jewish comedy this weekend

Coming up this weekend, Scribe Video Center screens a documentary that speaks volumes for environmental justice right here in Philadelphia. Then, the Starfruit Project hosts a theater show on Black love, Tribe 12 offers a “government-mandated” Jewish comedy show, artist Tamara Della Anderson launches a mentorship collective alongside the graces of Philly theater artists, and D-Pad goes one more round. All just in time for the biggest snowfall the city has seen in years (allegedly—it hasn’t started snowing as of this writing).

Be safe, y’all. Support local and small businesses this holiday season (and beyond). Avoid large gatherings. Tell a friend that you love them. Black lives matter.

Running on Midnight Oil

Scribe Video Center will present an online screening of Bilal Motley’s documentary feature Midnight Oil on Thursday, December 17, at 7pm. The film chronicles the last days of the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery through the lens of refinery worker and first-time filmmaker Motley himself, as he struggles to reconcile with his colleagues and the growing concerns of surrounding communities of color long affected by the refinery. Watch the environmental justice story with a unique perspective online with a suggested $5 donation.

Settling down for the future

The Starfruit Project hostsSettle Down, a performance by Briyana D. Clarel, directed by Katrina Shobe. The theater show is “a thoughtful, funny, moving portrait of Black love, queerness, possibility, and what it means to seek happiness in a world that doesn’t want you to find it.” Watch the show online on Friday, December 18, at 7pm.

The Government-Mandated Jewish Comedy Show

Join local comedians Dan Vetrano, Sam Kap, Daniel Ostrov, and Jillian Markowitz, with host Ross Weisman, for a night of laughs on Saturday, December 19, at 8pm. The event is hosted by Tribe 12, an organization that connects young professionals to all things Jewish and Philadelphia. Registration is free, but tipping the performers is suggested. Live captioning, advanced materials by request, and a sign language interpreter will be available.

A Soul Full Celebration

Actor, writer, singer, educator, and activist Tamara Della Anderson is launching Gumbo Lab, a mentorship and professional development lab and virtual showcase for Black female, trans, queer, and femme theater artists. Collaborating with Philly-based, independent female-forward theater company Juniper Productions, Anderson is throwing a “fun-raiser,” A Soul Full Celebration, to support the lab’s first project. Four theater artists will be in attendance, including Philly’s own Ang Bey, Deja Morgan, and Starfire. Join in and show your support on Saturday, December 19, at 8pm.

Another round of D-Pad

Theatre Exile’s D-Pad has been extended through Sunday, December 20. The virtual performance stars Ang Bey as Alex, a game developer who is also a woman of color that has her success usurped by her male counterparts. Fight against the misogyny with the extended run, and check out BSR’s review of the performance while you’re at it!

Image Description: The logo for the show D-Pad. It’s light blue and yellow, with the title in black letters next to a shape like a video-game controller. On the right, a Black woman with her fists up kicks toward the viewer.