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cinéSPEAK, River Devil II, and a Pre-Fost Bloom
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, November 16-22, 2022
Kyle V. Hiller
A little warmth before the seasonal chill sparks throughout the city this coming week. cinéSPEAK screens some of its favorite short films, the Mijkalena Smith Quartet makes a triumphant improvisational debut, and Astral Artists hosts a roster of Latin American composers’ music. Then, get your learn on with Blue Stoop this season (and the next!), take a deep dive into Mediterranean history at the Penn Museum, and venture out on a spooky walk along the Manayunk Canal.
Stay warm, Philly!
cinéSPEAK presents Best of Fests
Thursday, November 17, 6:30pm
The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia
cinéSPEAK is hosting a screening of their favorite short films from up-and-coming Philly-based filmmakers. The event is free with donations accepted.
Pre-Frost Bloom
Friday, November 18, 7pm
Chi Movement Arts Center, 1316 South 9th Street, Philadelphia
New ensemble Mijkalena Smith Quartet premieres its first show this weekend. Combining improvisational chamber music with dance and sonorous story elements, the group has “used their time together as an opportunity to morph their classical training into a more experimental improvisational practice,” which has in many ways been a chance for “mutual healing.” The ensemble includes Philly-based dance artist Mijkalena Smith; bassoonist and aspiring music therapist Sonali Singh, low brass musician Michnari Robinson; and musician, educator, birder, and BSR contributor Aaron Pond.
Blue Stoop classes
Sign-ups through Thursday, December 1
Streaming live
If you’ve been feeling compelled to put pen to paper (or keyboard to doc file), our friends at Blue Stoop can help! Their spring 2023 writing classes are open for registration, featuring classes on writing memoirs, fiction, poetry, essays, and more. If you can’t wait until then, Blue Stoop is still offering classes for the fall, including Using Humor in Your Work with Arthur Tarley on Saturday, November 19 (register before November 18), and Lineation Elation for poets with Dilruba Ahmed on December 2. Be sure to check out their weekly Wednesdays on the Stoop, too.
LatinX Composers
Friday, November 18, 7:30pm
Teatro Esperanza, 4261 North 5th Street, Philadelphia
Also streaming live
Astral Artists is set to perform a variety of chamber music by Latin American composers, including the world premiere of a new work by Sergio Delgado Rodriguez.
Swim Pony presents River Devil II
Saturday, November 19, 3-5pm
Manayunk Canal Path, 2 Cotton Street, Philadelphia
Swim Pony Performing Arts, a multidisciplinary artist ensemble here in the city, is guiding a walk at the Manayunk Canal at dusk with the audio story River Devil II: The Return by Carmen Maria Machado. As part of their TrailOff project, audiences can experience the story synced to their movements as they walk the trail.
Eastern Mediterranean Gallery
Opening Saturday, November 19
Penn Museum, 3260 South Street, Philadelphia
Penn Museum opens its new exhibit, Eastern Mediterranean Gallery: Crossroads of Culture this weekend, a multi-sensory gallery with over 400 artifacts from the region that today includes Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Cyprus. The gallery opens this weekend with a celebration on November 19 and 20 from 10am-4pm, featuring activities, presentations, workshops, and performances.
Christmas Village and Holiday Market
November 19 through January 1
LOVE Park, Arch and 15th Streets, Philadelphia
Dilworth Park, 1 South 15th Street, Philadelphia
The Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market and the Christmas Village both return to the City Hall/Love Park circle this weekend. Get your holiday shopping started courtesy of dozens of local artisans, designers, and small businesses at the Holiday Market at Dilworth Park, and explore the traditional open-air German-style Christmas market across the street at LOVE Park. The Christmas Market will be open through Christmas Eve, with the Holiday Market closing on New Year’s Day.
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