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Athena, Resonant Philly, ConsentFest!, and cinéSPEAK Under the Stars this week
The Weekly Roundup, May 18-25
Kyle V. Hiller
This week brings us offerings from cinéSPEAK, Yes!, the Woman’s Coalition for Empowerment, and Theatre Horizon. First up is Sistah Soul Series, a live musical installment series; Athena takes a swing at glory and friendship; cinéSPEAK screens independent stars; ConsentFest! brings an engaging festival around sex education, and Opera Philadelphia considers accessibility in music.
Sistah Soul Series
Friday, May 20, 4-6pm, and throughout the summer
LOVE Park, 1599 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Philadelphia
The Women’s Coalition for Empowerment hosts its live musical installment series, showcasing BIPOC creatives from the Philadelphia area, throughout the summer. The first installment is this week and will continue once a month through August.
Athena
May 19-June 5
Theatre Horizon, 401 DeKalb Street, Norristown
I wanted to take fencing my sophomore year of college, but I ended up transferring. Perhaps I can relive whatever residual late-teen curiosity I had back then with Athena, a production about two 17-year-old competing fencers who face the danger of becoming friends. It’s a comedy about “the ruthless pursuit of glory … and friendship,” and the world could use more friendship stories.
cinéSPEAK Under the Stars at Clark Park
May 20-June 10
The Bowl at Clark Park, 4300 Chester Avenue, Philadelphia
CinéSPEAK is running it back with its second annual Under the Stars at Clark Park series. Starting Friday, May 20 and every Friday through June 10, the West Philly-based independent cinema and film publication will screen independent films outdoors, including Kathryn Ferguson’s Nothing Compares. The festival also promises DJs, food trucks, and more.
ConsentFest!
Saturday, May 21, 2-6pm
The Lawn at UCity Square, 3701 Filbert Street, Philadelphia
ConsentFest! is an outdoors, all-ages celebration of consent in all its forms. Presented by Yes!, a Philly nonprofit that provides anti-oppressive, consent-based, pleasure-focused sex education to all ages, the afternoon will feature games, activities, food, art, vendors, and more.
Resonant Philly
Saturday, May 21, 10:30am and 2pm
FringeArts, 40 N. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia
This new program from Opera Philadelphia, Music: Not Impossible, and Art-Reach asks “what if we were to reimagine the way people experienced music?” Resonant Philly considers people with disabilities and how to hold musical space in innovative, inclusive ways. The relaxed performance is designed for people with autism and includes audio description, sign language, and wearable tech that uses vests, wristbands, and ankle bands to translate sound waves into vibrations on the skin.
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