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Miniball, Confluence: Film Festival, and Eight Eight Time
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, April 3-9, 2025
Kyle V. Hiller
We kick off Earth Month at the Academy of Natural Sciences with the return of Confluence, a film festival that celebrates, honors, and observes what’s happening to our good ol’ planet. Then, Miniball returns, giving artists the opportunity to take big swings and big chances. Eight Eight Time is an exploration of Philadelphia through poetry and grand pianos, and new exhibits open at Paradigm and Chimaera galleries. And it wouldn’t be April without a Peep Show.
Be safe, Philly!
Eight Eight Time
April 3-5
Mandell Theater, 3220 Chestnut Street
Journey Arts hosts Kendrah Butler-Waters, Sumi Tonooka, Suzzette Ortiz, and Terry Klinefelter—four composer-pianists who will premiere a suite inspired by real-life stories shared by Philadelphians. Featuring poetry by Yolanda Wisher, Eight Eight Time was written for eight hands on four grand pianos.
Miniball 2025
April 3-7
FringeArts, 140 North Columbus Boulevard
FringeArts’ Miniball Festival is back, giving artists a chance to take risks and experiment on the stage, welcoming innovation and expression that might not get a platform in bigger-name festivals. Miniball starts with The Naughty Jawn, a variety show with drag, burlesque, music, and performance art to get things going. Other highlights include Queerobics, a joyful community-driven dance experience that invites everyone to move in a way that feels right for them; comedy show BARKO that builds chaos from nothing until it spirals into something twisted, surprising, and unforgettable; and Western Memory, which blends augmented reality with live, in-person interaction that pushes the boundaries of storytelling and immersive gameplay.
Confluence: Film Festival
April 3, 10, 17, and 24
The Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
April is Earth Month, and the Academy of Natural Sciences will host its second annual Confluence: Film Festival. Running each Thursday in April, the festival will feature local and regional filmmakers with works that address the theme of “regeneration.” This year’s festival is also a collaboration with BlackStar Projects, cinéSPEAK, the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival and the Philadelphia Latino Arts & Film Festival, so expect big things with all hands on deck.
Sarah Detweiler: Unmasquerade and Sean 9 Lugo: Storyteller
April 4-27
Paradigm Gallery, 12 North 3rd Street
Two new exhibitions open in the Old City gallery, featuring works from Philly-area artists. Sarah Detweiler: Masquerade is a collection of documents and abstracts that reflects on Detweiler’s experience getting diagnosed with ADHD in her forties, using kaleidoscope fragments to convey life with neurodivergence.
Storyteller from Sean 9 Lugo, known for his wheatpaste street art, captures paintings, illustrations, and collages to visualize childhood experiences.
A (Marshmallow) Peep Show
Saturday, April 5, 11am-2pm
Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey Street
Paper Doll Ensemble brings its A (Marshmallow) Peep Show to Plays & Players back this weekend. The afternoon fest features a variety of entertainment and activities, including a sneak peek at Paper Doll Ensemble’s new work in development PINKY PROMISE, which is set to debut at this fall’s Fringe Festival.
Echoes of Elsewhere
April 5-27
Chimaera Gallery, 3502 Scotts Lane #2113, Philadelphia
Photography, drawing, and painting blend together to make Echoes of Elsewhere, a new exhibition that features three artists whose work explores memory, transformation, and the unseen forces that shape our inner and outer worlds.
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