Pictured: Paul Kuhn (Photo by Rebecca Gudelunas)

West Philly’s Curio Theatre is returning for its 2023 Spring season to turn Shakespeare on his head!

Following their hit run of Spymonkey’s Oedipussy, Curio takes on the UK company’s hilarious Shakespearian bloodbath, The Complete Deaths. Prepare to see all 74 onstage Shakespearean deaths in 90 minutes (75 if you count the ill-favored fly killed in Titus Andronicus), including Roman suicides in Julius Caesar, the death fall of Prince Arthur in King John, the carnage at the end of Hamlet, snakes in a basket in Antony & Cleopatra, Pyramus and Thisbe, young Macduff, and more.

The Complete Deaths was first presented as a Spymonkey co-production with Brighton Festival and Royal & Derngate, Northampton in 2016.

“During the pandemic, we looked back on the shows we have done, and which ones brought us and our audiences the most joy,” Curio founder and co-artistic director Paul Kuhn said “And without a doubt, it was Spymonkey’s work. The way this piece literally requires laughter, joy, and teamwork – we just felt like the world needs so much more of that right now. We did a training this summer with Aitor Basauri from Spymonkey, and I laughed so hard that I had to be taken to the hospital. Thank god I made it back!” Continue Reading

Decluttering can bring many benefits, including improved mental health, increased space, and a clean home. Junk removal companies can help residents in West Philly get rid of unwanted items and organize their living spaces. This article will explore the benefits of decluttering and why you should consider using a professional junk removal company to do so.

The Benefits of Decluttering

Decluttering can bring many benefits to your life, including:

Improved Mental Health

• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Improved focus and productivity

Increased Space

• More room for the things you love
• Better use of storage space

Enhanced Aesthetics

• A clean and organized home is more inviting
• Improved appearance can boost your mood and energy levels.

How to Get Started with Decluttering

Decluttering can seem overwhelming, but with a clear plan and a little bit of patience, you can transform your living space. Here are some tips to help you get started: Continue Reading

3.0 University Place (an artist’s rendering). Image courtesy of University Place Associates (UPA).

Construction of 3.0 University Place, an eight-story commercial lab and office building at 41st and Market, is nearly complete, according to an announcement by University Place Associates (UPA), a commercial real estate development firm.

The building is scheduled for completion and will be ready for tenants in April. The 250,000 square-foot research hub will feature lab and office space on the upper floors, as well as a 14,000 square-foot green roof. It also features 25,000 square feet of retail space that developers aim to fill with a restaurant, an urgent care center, and a café in the coming months.

“We believe this location would be perfect for a restaurant, which is something the community has expressed a high interest in having in this neighborhood,” said Anthony Maher, President of UPA. The plan for the building also includes “plenty of outdoor café seating, an expansive sidewalk on all perimeters, and ample parking,” according to Maher. Continue Reading

One of the proposed designs for the new sprayground at 48th and Woodland.

After a series of community meetings hosted by the Philadelphia Parks and Rec and Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, the redesign project for the 48th and Woodland sprayground is moving forward. Parks & Rec is currently in the design stage for the new spray park, and is asking community members to share their thoughts on proposed changes.

The playground site at 48th and Woodland will be updated with new water play equipment that is tied to the theme of learning. One of the main goals of this redesign project is to create a sprayground where children can combine learning and fun.

Parks and Rec is also planning to install new amenities, like a shade structure, which was the top request at the first community meeting. New seating will also be installed. Continue Reading

Ice Cave owner Po Chang and dessert chef Jessica Wang in 2016 (Photo by Rana Fayez)

UPDATE (3/11/2023): Ice Cave has reopened under new ownership. More details are coming soon.

(2/16/2023): The local favorite, Ice Cave dessert shop, is closing after more than six years of operation.

The family-owned business opened its first shop serving Taiwanese shaved ice treats in 2016 at 4507 Baltimore Ave., and then moved across the street to 4520 Baltimore in 2020. Ice Cave received a lot of support from the community during the move and was able to survive through the COVID pandemic.

The reason for the shop closing is personal. The owners, Po Chang and Jessica Wang, are moving away from Philadelphia and want to spend more time together as a family, which has been very difficult while running the business. Here’s a part of the message posted on Ice Cave’s Facebook page by Chang: Continue Reading

The mayor’s race is heating up and candidates will be in West Philly next month for a forum at the University of Pennsylvania.

The Philadelphia Crosstown Coalition, a non-partisan non-profit corporation, is hosting a Philadelphia Mayoral Candidates Forum on March 28, 7-9 p.m., at Penn (Houston Hall, 3417 Spruce St.). Voters can learn where the candidates stand on several issues and discuss how they plan to implement their vision for the city.

All candidates will be asked to respond to the same set of questions prepared beforehand.

The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. For more information and to reserve your spot, go here.

If you can’t make it to this event, the Crosstown Coalition will be hosting another mayoral forum on April 12 in Center City.