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The Paul Robeson House & Museum in West Philadelphia is celebrating the 125th birthday of the legendary Renaissance man – a football star, singer, actor, lawyer, social activist, orator and linguist – next month with an impressive series of special guests and events.

Robeson fearlessly used his bass-baritone voice for both singing and speaking for the rights of Black people in America and oppressed people all over the world. For his advocacy of those considered outsiders, he became a pariah in his own country. The goal of these celebrations is to “pull Robeson out of the shadows.”

The headliner is Sweet Honey in the Rock, a legendary group whose songs and message are in the same vein as Robeson’s. Harry Belafonte, who considered Robeson his mentor, is the honorary chair of the 125th Birthday Celebration of Paul Robeson. Actor Danny Glover is the honorary co-chair. The celebration is being held from April 8-15, 2023, in conjunction with the Paul Robeson Alliance, a collection of Robeson-related organizations from across the country. Continue Reading

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

The holiday season is here, which means time for shopping for holiday wreaths, greens and decorations and, of course, buying gifts for your loved ones. During this season, it’s important to support neighborhood businesses and makers, many of whom have been struggling in the past couple of years. Plus, there will be several holiday markets and other shopping events scheduled in the area.

Holiday Wreaths & Greens, Plants and Ornaments

For those who are looking for holiday wreaths and greens, Bartram’s Garden is holding its annual Handmade Holidays event this Saturday, Dec. 3, Noon – 5 p.m. Bartram’s signature evergreen wreaths and other holiday greens and plants are still available for purchase online. All orders will be available for pick-up at the event on Saturday, from Noon to 2 p.m. In addition, the event will include a make-and-take wreath-making workshop from Noon to 4 p.m.. For more information, go here.

Some local plant shops have holiday plants, gifts and ornaments available. Check out these two Black women-owned businesses: Plant & People (1431 N. 52nd St.) and Freebird Greenery (4711 Pine St.). Continue Reading

The popular Cedar Park buy local shop, VIX Emporium, is celebrating its 15th Anniversary this Saturday (Nov. 19) with a pop-up out front and special discounts and giveaways inside the store, located at 5009 Baltimore Ave.

The pop-up, featuring West Philly artist and entrepreneur Tracy Feldman, will be held from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tracy, who is the owner of the brand Atomic Pop Vintage, will present some of her own 60s and 70s inspired art prints, as well as some vintage goodies from her Queen Village shop.

Inside, guests are invited for special one-day AnniVIXary XV discounts. VIX will also give away its 2023 West Philly calendars to each customer, while supplies last.

“Thanks to all of our supporters for 15 great years on Baltimore Avenue!,” VIX owner and long-time West Craft Fest organizer Emily Dorn wrote in a special email message. Continue Reading

Philly’s non-profit music venue World Cafe Live is inviting local community members – parents, students, and patrons – as well as fans of music everywhere, to join them on Saturday, Nov. 12 and experience a selection of WCL’s upcoming programming.

This event will be completely free to the public, fit for everyone! At 10:30 a.m., WCL’s Artistic Director of Education & Engagement, Josh Campbell, will host a Coffee & Conversation where he’ll talk about what his organization has been building for its guests and community.

At 11:00 a.m., Guachinangos will present one of WCL’s flagship Bridge Sessions, diving into son jarocho and cumbia traditions in the venue’s legendary Music Hall. This will transition directly to an interactive songwriting workshop with a WCL teaching artist, so attendees are encouraged to stick around for the fun. Admission will be on a first come, first served basis and RSVP is required (click here to register).

“We pride ourselves on being a place where artistry meets [social] impact and are hoping to expand this impact with an upcoming Community Open House on November 12th, 2022,” writes Jacinda Arellano, Program Manager.

For more information about World Cafe Live and its programming, visit: https://worldcafelive.com.

West Philly’s Theatre in the X is partnering with Drexel University to present their new production Pac and Biggie Are Dead at Drexel’s Mandell Theater. The play, written by Biko Eisen-Martin, is a spin-off of Tom Stoppard’s classic, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, starring rap’s two iconic artists. Theatre in the X’s production, directed by Carlo Campbell, presents classic moments in hip hop, drama, and Black history.

Playwright Biko Eisen-Martin explains that the play “draws from the ethos of hip hop, African cosmology, and western staples of theatre.”

Pac is played by Joseph (Ankh Fyre) Xavier-Mack, and Nazeer Harper is cast as Biggie. Other cast members include: Richard Bradford, Abe Kaplan, Bryce Zenon, Matthew Lacy, Wendi Smith, Monet Debose, Rodd Dean, and Nieemah Powers. Continue Reading