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An Unfinished Herstory, CultureFest!, ROSE, and more
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, March 7-13, 2024
Kyle V. Hiller
It’s International Women’s Day this week, on top of March being Women’s History Month, so of course there are plenty of events celebrating and honoring women artists past, present, and future. A screening of ROSE pops up at the Weitzman alongside its new portrait installation, and a night of performances by and for women is happening at Neighborhood House, while Penn Museum will feature its celebrations with CultureFest!
ROSE
Thursday, March 7, 7pm
Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 South Independence Mall East, Philadelphia
In the spirit of International Women’s Day, the Weitzman is hosting a screening of ROSE from debut director Aurélie Saada. Rose, a 78-year-old woman, has just lost her beloved husband of 50 years, and she is confused as to how to move on to the next step in her life while her large Tunisian Jewish family cares for her. Along the way, she develops a new yearning for adventure—from ordering vodka at the bar, dancing to Sephardic tunes, making makroudhs, or flirting with a younger, handsome bartender—and discovers that it’s never too late to stop living.
The screening is preceded by a 2023 Sundance Film Festival short film selection, Under G-D, which explores the national Jewish response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022.
Their Portraits: Philadelphia Artists Honor October 7 Hostages
March 8-April 14, 2024
Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 South Independence Mall East, Philadelphia
After you check out the screening of ROSE, take another trip to the Weitzman for its new installation. Their Portraits honors the 240 hostages taken from Israel by Hamas through portraits by eight local artists. The artist reception is on Sunday, March 17, from 2pm to 4pm, where the artists will be in attendance. The installation was initiated by Philly artist Sivia Katz Braunstein who, after sheltering with her family in a safe room on the kibbutz, learned about the events that transpired on October 7, 2023. She collaborated with a group of women artists in the city who volunteered their time to paint portraits of each hostage.
An Unfinished Herstory
March 8, 7:30pm
Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 North American Street, Philadelphia
Née Danse/Theatre presents An Unfinished Herstory, a tribute to the strength, resilience, and creativity of women in the arts. Taking place on International Women’s Day, the show will host a robust lineup of performances from different genres and mediums, from music to dance, theater, poetry, and more.
CultureFest! Celebration of Women Artists
Saturday, March 9, 10am-4pm
Penn Museum, 3260 South Street, Philadelphia
The all-day festival will spotlight artists and creative practitioners working in a variety of art forms. Visit for storytelling, music, art, and dance, and a marketplace to support the artists as well.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Saturday, March 9, 8pm
Zellerback Theatre, 3680 Walnut Street, Philadelphia
Billed as the undisputed kings of South African a cappella, Ladysmith Black Mambazo visits Philly this weekend, and the Grammy Award-winning group will perform a variety of South African classics and gospel favorites.
The Lehman Trilogy
March 13-April 7, 2024
Arden Theatre, 40 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia
The new Tony Award-winning play weaves nearly two centuries of family history into a three-hour journey exploring the history of the Lehman family. Beginning on a September morning in 1844, a young immigrant from Bavaria stands on a New York dockside dreaming of a new life in the new world with his two brothers. Together, their firm collapses and triggers one of the largest financial crises in history.
At top: A new art installation at the Weitzman shows portraits drawn by local women artists honoring the lives of October 7 attack hostages. (Image provided by the Weitzman.)
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