Every couple of weeks a small room in the Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library at 52nd and Sansom is converted into a shrine to the Japanese comic art genre of manga. Teens and ‘tweens (10-12 year-olds) stop by to talk manga, draw manga, read manga and even listen to music about manga.
Manga, which in Japan is read by all segments of society, has swept through this generation of American kids in Harry Potter-like fashion.
“It appeals to a wide range of what you’re looking for,” said Shaunda, a Philadelphia High School for Girls student. “If you’re looking for fantasy, they have fantasy. They’re got action and lots of romance.”
Librarians have welcomed the interest in manga and have dedicated more money to bolster library collections.
“Some of the stories are kind of fantastic,” said Blackwell librarian Jeanne Hamann.
She added that kids who grew up with Pokemon were sort of “primed” for manga.
Hamann also said interest in manga has opened a window into Japanese culture for many.
That was certainly evident at this week’s Manga Cafe. As fans sat at table drawing, reading and talking manga, Japanese music played in the background. Kids leafed through Japanese magazines and Japanese food was served.
See the slideshow below for a better look at the Manga Cafe.
The Curio Theatre Company is gearing up for another performance. This time West Philly’s own theater will tackle Tom Stoppard’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, an absurd, tragicomedic twist on Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
We see Hamlet’s story unfold through the eyes of the courtiers and spies Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two minor characters from the original work. But in this story Rosencrantz invents the hamburger and discovers gravity.
Liz Carlson directs the play, which features Eric Scotolati, CJ Keller and Brian McCann.
A recent post on the Curio Theatre blog describes the preparations for the run, which begins this week with a series of previews:
“It’s been an absolute inspiration to see Eric Scotolati, CJ Keller and Brian McCann work tirelessly to achieve the seeming effortlessness of Tom Stoppard’s rapier sharp wit; they’re at work when the rest of the cast comes in at the assigned time, and they remain at work when the rest of the cast leaves at the end of the night, perfecting every nuance and giving each movement the specificity it needs.”
Previews will run Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week. Performances begin at 8 p.m. each night.
A mural designed by Jeremiah Johnson that will be installed at Lea next week.
Organizers of the Henry C. Lea Elementary School mural arts program are looking for volunteers to help with the installation of murals in the school from April 18-22, the week of spring break for the school district.
A planning meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 12 at 5:30 p.m. at the school (47th and Locust), where volunteers and community members can learn more about the project. A wide range of talents are needed to prepare the areas in the school for the murals.
The program recruited artist Jeremiah Johnson last month to design the murals that will be installed next week.
Interested volunteers should contact Yvette Almaguer at yarecess – at – gmail.com.
Don’t miss the opening of the exhibit by the current 40th Street Artist-in-Residence Erik Ruin tonight at 6 p.m. at the 40th Street A.I.R. Gallery (aka Airspace Gallery, 4007 Chestnut Street). Ruin will present a floor-to-ceiling installation of shadow projections and prints titled “For the Sake of Future Days.” The central theme of the exhibit is the exploration of hopes and anxieties for the future of the world in the midst of adversity and transformation.
The Artist-in-Residence Program was founded in 2003 to assist West Philly artists with their career development. It awards one year of free studio space at 40th & Chestnut Streets.
The exhibit will run through April 29. Additional viewing hours are: April 15, 22, 29 at 3-7 p.m. For more information call 267-262-0208 or e-mail: erikruin(at)gmail.com.
Don’t, don’t, don’t forget the Go West! Craft Fest this Saturday at Cedar Park.
Go West! will run from noon to 5 p.m. and will feature a massive variety of handmade items, from sweet jewelry made from records or real fruit to West Philly inspired prints and painting. Profiles of selected vendors are available here.
The festival will also feature a kids program beginning at 3:30 p.m. with Jay Sands of All Around this World fame. Firehouse Bikes will sell used bikes all day long. Stop by the VIX Emporium afterward from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Every couple of weeks a small room in the Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library at 52nd and Sansom is converted into a shrine to the Japanese comic art genre of manga. Teens and ‘tweens (10-12 year-olds) stop by to talk manga, draw manga, read manga and even listen to music about manga.
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