Philadelphia photographer Joseph Minardi has a new book out on the architects and architecture of West Philly.
Historic Architecture in West Philadelphia, 1789-1930s includes more than 500 images of the buildings and houses we walk by every day. The book chronicles the transition of West Philadelphia from open farmland to the streetcar suburb. It also includes vignettes of the architects who helped shape the area, from Powelton Village to Cedar Park.
Philadelphia’s 8th Annual Black Women’s Arts Festival (BWAF) is taking place this week, July 27-31, at several city venues, including West Philly’s The Rotunda (4014 Walnut Street), which will host a series of events starting Thursday, July 28. This year’s festival’s theme is Healing & Joy, celebrating the healing and creative arts.
On Thursday there will be a free clothing and book swap from noon to 5 p.m. Women are encouraged to bring gently worn clothing and books for others to take and enjoy.
On Friday and Saturday there will be day-long events with a wide range of scheduled music performances, workshops, lectures, presentations, fashion shows and exhibitions from noon to 11 p.m. (both days free until 8 p.m., with some exceptions).
Finally, on Sunday, July 31, there will be another all-day event starting at 11:00 a.m. with music and dance performances by a variety of artists. Highlights of this day include dance classes by Shandra Staley – modern dance class at 1 p.m. and African dance class at 3 p.m. ($8 in advance; $10 at the door), and stage performances by Zoe Flowers and O, at 6 and 7:05 p.m. respectively.
For more information about the schedule and participants visit the festival’s schedule of events page.
Curio Theatre Company has announced that its 2011-2012 season will include a free performance of “Lord of the Flies” in Clark Park, Kurt Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse-Five” and Dario Fo’s “Accidental Death of an Anarchist.”
The company has announced that discounted ticket packages are available for the upcoming season that amounts to a free ticket to one of four productions.
Curio’s season kicks off on September 2 with a special staging of Nigel Williams’ adaptation of “Lord of the Flies” in Clark Park as part of the Philly Fringe Live Arts Festival. The run also includes performances on Sept. 3, 7, 8 and 9 that are free and open to the public.
Its regular schedule includes:
• “Eurydice” – Oct. 12 through Nov. 12
• “Accidental Death of an Anarchist” – Dec. 7 through Jan. 7
• “Slaughterhouse-Five” – Feb 2 through March 3
• “The Tempest” – April 19 through May 19.
Click here for more information or to buy season tickets.
Cyro Baptista, a great Brazilian percussionist, is likely to bring the house down when he performs tonight at the second concert of the 40th Street Summer Series (free live outdoor music concerts).
Baptista is known for his highly entertaining “Beat the Donkey” shows which feature a blend of music from all over the globe, martial arts, tap dance, samba, jazz, rock and funk and Baptista’s innovative percussion on instruments created by himself. Per Baptista’s website, “There is an undeniable aura of fun and humor whenever Cyro Baptista takes the stage.”
Tonight Baptista will present compositions from his album “Banquet of the Spirits.” Percussionist Adam Rudolph and multi-instrumentalist Joseph Bowie will open the show.
The concert will begin at 6 p.m. on the field behind Walnut West Library (40th & Walnut). Upon the conclusion of the show there will be a daredevil fire dance and fire breathing performance for those who stick around.
Actor, mockumentarian and (now) documentary filmmaker Harry Shearer will be at the International House (3701 Chestnut St.) on Friday, July 22, to screen and discuss “The Big Uneasy,” his film about the real reasons behind the flooding and devastation of New Orleans.
Shearer’s work has ranged from the role of Derek Smalls in “This is Spinal Tap” to the voices of Principal Skinner, Mr. Burns and Ned Flanders on “The Simpsons.” He writes about “The Big Uneasy”:
“Media coverage of tragedies can become so pervasive that we no longer remember the tragedy anymore, we only remember the coverage. So if I say “New Orleans” and then say “flood” you immediately think “Katrina.” As in Hurricane. This is not your fault; it’s a reflex now, like your leg kicking upward when the doctor taps it. Only that tap is causing you to kick me, and my fellow New Orleanians, squarley in the crotch. The reason I made this film is because the hurricane did NOT cause the flood, despite what you have heard on the news. However, poor science and even poorer management did.”
The film begins at 7 p.m. and is 98 minutes long. Here is a trailer:
As part of PM @ Penn Museum Summer Nights program, West Philadelphia Orchestra is performing tomorrow from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the museum’s Trescher Garden.
Fourteen musicians playing a wide range of instruments, including trumpets, baritone horns, saxophone, sousaphone, clarinets, violins, and drums, create an interesting blend of Eastern European folk sound and jazz, punk, and soul.
Just a reminder: tickets for Penn Museum Summer Nights concert series are only $5 and include museum admission. For more information go here.
Check out a cool fan video of one of West Philadelphia Orchestra’s performances.
Philadelphia photographer Joseph Minardi has a new book out on the architects and architecture of West Philly.
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