S. Epatha Merkerson.

Law and Order and Lincoln star S. Epatha Merkerson will be in West Philly on Tuesday, March 12, to present her first feature film, The Contradictions of Fair Hope, at International House. Ms. Merkerson is an executive producer and co-director of the film. The event is part of Scribe’s Producer’s Forum Series, which brings distinguished independent filmmakers to Philadelphia.

The documentary, narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, covers a little-known aspect of American history; it examines how newly-freed slaves throughout the South formed “benevolent societies” to respond to hunger, illness, and the fear of a pauper’s grave. The film traces the development, struggles, and contributions of one of the last remaining African-American benevolent societies, known as “The Fair Hope Benevolent Society,” in Uniontown, Alabama.

The Contradictions of Fair Hope was released in 2012 and won Best Documentary awards at several film festivals, including the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival and the Festival International du Film PanAfricain in Cannes. S. Epatha Merkerson and writer Rockell Metcalf who will also participate in Tuesday’s event, believe that the film is, “an incredibly important teaching tool and a powerful call to action to return to a community of benevolence, mutual care and concern in America.”

Screening of The Contradictions of Fair Hope (2012, USA, 78 min) with Co-Directors S. Epatha Merkerson and Rockell Metcalf
Tuesday, March 12, 7 p.m.
International House (3701 Chestnut St)
Tickets: $10, $8 students/seniors, $5 for Scribe and IHP members
For more information and tickets click here.

Photo from last year’s Fun-A-Day show at Studio 34.

Some of your friends and neighbors worked hard to create a piece of art every day during the month of January, as part of the annual Fun-A-Day project and this Friday and Saturday (Feb. 15 & 16) all are invited to see the results of their work. Studio 34 (4522 Baltimore Ave) is hosting the Fun-A-Day art show from 7 to 11 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday nights and a Reading event from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Saturday. The event is free and open to the public.

The ArtClash Collective, a Philadelphia based group who has organized Fun-A-Day for nine years, invites community members of all ages to the show, hoping that it serves as an inspiration for those who attend. “We hope we can inspire you to make art!” reads a message on their website.

The Saturday event will include performances by Allison Polans, Gina Renee Fontana, and Second Opinion, beginning at 8:15 p.m. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page.

Because of the heavy snowfall expected in our area this weekend, the inaugural 30th Street Craft Market has been postponed for two weeks and will take place on Saturday, Feb. 23 (see new flyer below). Read more about this event here.

This is an exciting week for local kids, teens and adults who love theatre and are interested in acting, with a few new educational programs and events launching in the area. Here are the details:

New Drama/Acting Classes

The Community Arts program at the Woodland Presbyterian Church located at 401 S. 42nd Street is starting an eight-week (Feb. 7 – March 27) drama class on Thursday afternoons, 4:00-5:00 p.m. and children ages 5-14 are welcome to participate. Kids will play drama games, learn acting techniques and perform in a culminating production. A donation of $20/participant is suggested to help cover program costs. To register or for more details, please contact Carol Shih at carol.shih@woodlandpres.net.

Theatre and Me, LLC (Facebook page), a new company providing training and development for kids, teens and adults in the performing and creative arts, i.e. theatre, dance, voice, etc., is holding an Open House/Information Session about their upcoming classes on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2:30-3:30 p.m., at Dreaming Tree Music (4721 Pine St.). For more information, contact Marcus Siler at theatreandmewithmarcus@gmail.com.

New Kids Show at Curio

Curio Theatre has prepared an exciting new show for kids: Hansel and Gretel, the beloved fairy-tale by The Grimm Brothers was adapted for the stage by Rosemary Fox and will run on Saturdays at 2 p.m. on Feb. 9, 16, 23 and March 2. Tickets ($10) are available here.

Filmmaker and West Philly resident Angelo Leotta has recently made a film about Philadelphia. The film, which is a time lapse short, also features some scenes in West Philly. There’s something mesmerizing about it that makes you watch it again and again. Nice work, Angelo, and thanks for sharing it!

Time Lapse: Philadelphia from Angelo Leotta on Vimeo.

Haile Gerima, a renowned Ethiopian filmmaker and a leading member of the L.A. Rebellion film movement, will stop by West Philly to host the Philadelphia premiere of his film Teza at International House tomorrow (Friday, Jan. 25) and to teach a Master Class on Saturday at Scribe Video Center. Both events are part of Scribe’s Producer’s Forum Series, which brings distinguished independent filmmakers to present their work. Teza is also presented in conjunction with the nationally touring film series, L.A. Rebellion: Creating a New Black Cinema, which has been running at International House this month.

Teza examines the displacement of African intellectuals and has achieved widespread popularity. It won numerous awards at festivals and screenings around the globe, including the Special Jury Prize and Best Screenplay award at the 2008 Venice International Film Festival.

Here’s more details on both events.

Teza (2008, Ethiopia/ Germany/France, 140 min) with director Haile Gerima
Friday, Jan. 25, 8:00 p.m.
International House, 3701 Chestnut St
Tickets: $10, $8 students/seniors, $5 Scribe members, Free for students, faculty, and staff of the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University

Master Class with Haile Gerima
Saturday, Jan. 26, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Scribe Video Center, 4212 Chestnut St, 3rd Floor
Registration: $25, $15 for Scribe members
Tickets: $25, $15 for Scribe members