The Owlery

The features blog of The Temple News

Monthly Archive: June 2015

Monday

29

June 2015

0

COMMENTS

Out and About: June 29, 2015

Written by , Posted in Uncategorized

Poetry workshop with Leonard Gontarek
1435356439887
Students can work with Philadelphia poet, Leonard Gontarek, to better learn a “sense of place” within poetry. The workshop is focused on developing a rich, textural voice, and is suitable for poets of all levels. More information can be found at: http://www.madpoetssociety.com/events/.
When: July 1, 8, 15, 22 at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Walnut Street West Library, 40th and Walnut Streets
Cost: Free, but must register at gontarek9@earthlink.com

“Projections” by Keith Sharp
keith_sharp_projections
In this new body of work opening this First Friday, July 3, artist Keith Sharp returns to nature. “Sharp used photographs of natural scenes, a digital projector, and a laptop to project natural images onto the sides of houses at night or onto himself that he then extracted and in which he placed the figure back into the natural scene being projected.” More information is available at http://www.3rdstreetgallery.com/exhibitions/2015/projections. 
When: Friday, July 3 at 5 p.m.
Where: 3rd Street Gallery, 45 N. 2nd Street
Cost: Free

Wawa Hoagie Day
1656061_842693052439313_7941018699414714424_n
As part of the Wawa-sponored event, Wawa Welcomes America, visitors to the Independence Mall will receive free lunch. This special event is part of Wawa’s salute to to the military and first responders throughout the nation. More information is available at: http://www.visitphilly.com/events/philadelphia/wawa-hoagie-day/
When: Thursday, July 2 at noon to 1:30 p.m.
Where: Independence Visitor Center, 599 Market Street
Cost: Free

Independence Day Parade
july-4th-independence-hall-parade-900VP
(photo by G. Widman for Visit Philadelphia)
This well-known parade kicks off Philadelphia’s July 4th festivities with a nod to the city’s historic past. With more than 6,000 participants beginning at Independence Hall, the parade continues down some of Philadelphia’s oldest streets with “floats, marching bands and antique cars” in tow. More information is available at http://www.visitphilly.com/events/philadelphia/independence-day-parade-july-4th-in-philadelphia/.
When: Saturday, July 4 at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Starts at 5th and Chestnut Streets
Cost: Free

Party on the Parkway
4th-of-july-fireworks-art-museum-parkway-900VP-587x0
(photo by G. Widman for Visit Philadelphia)
One of the largest free concerts in the country celebrates in America’s birthplace on Benjamin Franklin Parkway with “food, fun and entertainment all day long.” The daytime celebration includes food and refreshments from vendors and food trucks, as well as “interactive fun.” The festivities lead up to the grand finale of fireworks and a special performance from local favorite, The Roots. More information can be found at http://www.visitphilly.com/events/philadelphia/july-4th-festival-concert-and-fireworks/.
When: Saturday, July 4, noon to 11 p.m.
Where: Benjamin Franklin Parkway, from 20th Street to Eakins Oval
Cost: Free

Monday

22

June 2015

0

COMMENTS

Out and About: June 22, 2015

Written by , Posted in Art, Arts & Entertainment, Food, Nightlife, Theater, Uncategorized

Tchaikovsky with Fireworks
fireworks smaller
The residency at the Mann Center begins with this Philadelphia favorite. Cristian Măcelaru, conductor, and Hai-Ye Ni, primary cello, will perform some of Tchaikovsky’s most beloved work, like Swan Lake, while fireworks light up the sky. More information is available at http://www.manncenter.org/events/2015-06-23/tchaikovsky-fireworks-philadelphia-orchestra. 
When: Tuesday, June 23 at 8 p.m.
Where: The Mann Center lawn, 52nd and Parkside Street
Cost: $20-$35 on Ticketmaster

Dinner and a Movie at Headhouse Square
Muppets-Take-Manhattan-1024x584
The Shambles is hosting a new, free movie series over the summer. The monthly series also features an ever-changing list of local restaurants and food trucks to complete the outdoor event with alfresco dinner. The Muppets Take Manhattan will kick off the screening series. More information can be found at http://southstreet.com/dinner-movie/.
When: June 24 at 6 p.m.
Where: Headhouse Square Shambles, 2nd and Lombard Streets
Cost: screening is free; food is pay-as-you-go

Dinner with the European Masters of Cheese
WorldTour_22x28_final-JPG-475x600
Designed to honor Daphne Zepos, a trailblazer in the global cheese community, this one-of-a-kind event allows participants to speak with some of the world’s greatest cheese experts and makers. “It will be a night of learning about all things cheese and enjoying a selection of delectable dishes prepared by Di Bruno Bros” with a line-up featuring José Luis Martin, Giorgio Cravero, Phillipe Goux, Betty Koster, Todd and Maugan Threthowan and Stacey Hedges. More information can be found at http://blog.dibruno.com/2015/06/11/special-event-alert-cheese-experts-of-europe-unite/.
When: Thursday, June 25 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: 1730 Chestnut Street, second floor
Cost: $75 for entry and dinner

Supper, People on the Move
supper on the move jennifer baker
 (photo by Jennifer Baker)
Featuring new work by choreographer Silvana Cardell, this performance is inspired by migration and “explores the complex experience of dislocation.” The dance focuses on the human experience throughout the world and the journey of immigrants. In addition to the performances at Crane Arts, there is an accompanying exhibit at Independence National Historical Park focusing on area immigrants with a free screening of the dance performance. More information can be found at http://supperdance.com.
When: Thursday, June 25 at 8 p.m. (opening)
Where: Icebox Project Space at Crane Arts, 1400 North American Street
Cost: $20/$15 for students at https://supper.ticketleap.com/dance/dates

Poor Richard
PR_FB_Cover_WEB_31a6caf3-b801-4e9f-8e71-ecbb36aa52cd_grande
Philadelphia artists Kelly Franklin and Carol Jarvis explore the wit and timelessness behind Benjamin Franklin’s phrases written under the pseudonym “Poor Richard.” The opening reception for the show, a translation of Franklin’s “text with symbolism and a deep-rooted love of nature,” is this Friday. Both artists will be attendance. More information can be found at http://www.paradigmarts.org/blogs/news/35323585-kelly-p-franklin-carol-p-jarvis-press-release.
When: Friday, June 26 at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Paradigm Gallery, 746 S 4th Street
Cost: Free

Tuesday

16

June 2015

0

COMMENTS

Out and About: June 15, 2015

Written by , Posted in Art, Arts & Entertainment, Food, Music, Nightlife, Uncategorized

Author Talk with Stephanie Feldman
9780062228925
The Barnard Club of Philadelphia will host Feldman, a fiction author, for a discussion on her career. Feldman will read a brief except from her 2014 publication, The Angel of Losses, and take questions – “the perfect event for book lovers, aspiring authors and publishing professionals.” More information can be found at http://www.headhousebooks.com/events-NEW.
When: Thursday, June 15 at 6 p.m.
Where: Head House Books, 619 S. 2nd Street
Cost: Free

Summer Reading List
7ef256_29bded5855514d2ba74750a0d748ff68.jpg_srz_p_964_356_75_22_0.50_1.20_0.00_jpg_srz
Arch Enemy Arts is kicking off the summer show season with an exhibit centered on “the most beloved classic novels of all time.” The exhibit will open this Friday, featuring the work of multiple artists inspired by a particular book. More information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/368688316653240/.
When: Friday, June 19 at 6 p.m.
Where: Arch Enemy Arts, 109 Arch Street
Cost: Free

Philadelphia Latino Film Festival
11218796_821004631319511_2891254647609175299_n

Previously known as the Filadelfia Latin American Film Festival, the event showcases “the extraordinary and innovative work of established and emerging Latin American and Latinx filmmakers.” The Festival includes screenings, discussions, workshops and lectures, all designed to connect diverse communities “through the universal language of film.” The event opens this Friday night. More information can be found at http://www.phlaff.org.
When: Friday, June 19 at 5:30 p.m. to Sunday, June 21 at 9 p.m.
Where: Various locations
Cost: $12 – $150 at http://www.phlaff.org/tickets

Manayunk Arts Festival
MAFPosterFinalExtraSmal.a8cbf1ea822724e075a3260bed04eeb4126
One of the region’s largest outdoor festivals returns this coming weekend with over 300 artists and vendors. In addition to the opportunity to see and purchase art in mediums like fiber, glass, ceramics, photography, painting and mixed media, many of Manayunk’s restaurants will offer alfresco dining along the street. More information can be found at http://www.visitphilly.com/events/philadelphia/manayunk-arts-festival/.
When: Saturday, June 2o from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, June 21 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Main Street and Levering Street
Cost: Free entry

Make Music Philly
cropped-Philadelphia2
Returning for its third year, Make Music Philly offers organized concerts and informal performances by professional and amateur musicians of all ages. The special event is Philadelphia’s only free, “do it yourself” music festival. More information can be found at http://makemusicphilly.org.
When: Various times, check http://makemusicphilly.org/listings/
Where: Various locations, check http://makemusicphilly.org/listings/
Cost: Free

Monday

15

June 2015

0

COMMENTS

Arden Theatre’s passionate plight

Written by , Posted in Arts & Entertainment, Theater, Uncategorized

By Grace Maiorano

As Clara yearns for the return of her lover, Giorgio, she describes in a letter how “sometimes I think that when you watch a person sleep there’s a transparency that lets you see their soul …”

Unfortunately, one could see a few souls in the audience.

Despite those drowsing attendees, the Arden Theatre’s anomalous portrayal of Stephen Sondheim’s Passion evoked a compulsively twisted nature of unforeseen love, unlike his serendipitous tale of West Side Story. The show, running through June 28th, is another segment in the theatre’s series of Sondheim spectacles.

The set design of Passion is primarily composed of large black panels that attempt to serve as scene-changers, but in actuality maintain a one-dimensional space housing similarly one-dimensional characters.

The single-sided individuals, as well as the basis of the story, could agitate any feminist. The play’s foundation centers upon women’s objectified roles in life, stitched together with lyrics like, “a woman is a flower whose purpose is to please,” and “as long as you’re a man, you still have opportunities … whereas, if you’re a woman … you are either a daughter or a wife.”

The story is set during 19th century Italy in a remote military base. The strapping, yet vapid, character of Giorgio, played by Ben Michael, is forced to leave his erotic affair with a lustful married woman, Clara, played by Jennie Eisenhower, to fulfill his military duties.

The musical maintains its ideology of superficial concepts with Giorgio’s hollow demeanor, confirming that as long as the male is attractive, women can overlook the rest.

The actor who played Giorgio, Ben Michael, appeared to excel in this empty role, occasionally appearing aloof on stage. But, this worked well, considering his character’s disposition.

“As far as acting, the lead man got better as the play went on,” said theatre-goer, Mary Lou Bremser. “Maybe he just needed to warm up.”

At the outpost, Giorgio finds himself the subject of an almost-fatal infatuation when a mundane, ill, and much-less-seductive woman, Fosca, played by Liz Filios, develops an ungodly obsession for him that disturbs her mental state. She will nearly – quite literally – drop dead at the declaration of his unrequited love.

The clichéd theme resurfaces again through Fosca’s interest in books, which is merely omitted by her lackluster sexuality, a clearly obvious contrast to the character of Clara.

Through a series of letters, Giorgio attempts to convince Clara that Fosca’s fixation couldn’t possibly deter the relationship with his beloved mistress on the home front, but as Fosca lurks in the corners on the stages, she lurks in the corners of Giorgio’s mind.

Inevitably, the passion turns into a plague. As the story comes to a close, Fosca’s passive, yet persuasive, ways subtly erode Giorgio into a submissive state. He declares his own love for her, kills her cousin, and promptly winds up in a mental hospital by the end of the musical.

One of the production’s more impressive points is its effective use of lighting, especially noticeable in narrative scenes throughout the musical, like letter-reading dialogue and storytelling.

In the “Sunrise Letter” scene, Clara’s face is beautifully lit with pinkish-orange shades that bring life to the imagery she creates of a sunrise with her angelic voice and Sondheim’s timeless lyrics.

Passion is peppered with the sporadic tenor sounds of fellow militants who sing their way through scene transitions. Through barbershop-sounding harmonies, they mostly reiterate plot points and underlying themes in order to keep some of those drowsing audiences members in check.

“Watching the show was a little itchy at times,” said theatre-goer, Lynette Lazarus. “It may have been better with the special effects.”

Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties, the production’s videography elements, which were created to embellish the set, were not shown during this particular performance.

If there is anything one can take away from this production, it’s the understanding that unlike the characters and the set design it occupies, women are multidimensional beings free from the ideas this musical suggests.

Grace Maiorano can be reached at grace.maiorano@temple.edu.

Tuesday

9

June 2015

0

COMMENTS

Out and About: June 8, 2015

Written by , Posted in Art, Arts & Entertainment, Food, Music, Nightlife, Uncategorized

Philadelphia Open House


238 (1)
Philadelphia Hospitality is offering an up-close and personal look at some of the city’s most famous landmarks. The private tours are held across the region, in locations like the Mutter Museum, Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia Naval Yard and the English gardens at the Woodlands. More information can be found at http://www.philahospitality.org/openhouse
When: June 9 – June 14, times vary
Where: Various locations
Cost: $25-55

June Garden Sips at Magic Gardens

GS_Homepagebox-01-270x222
Support Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens with an evening of “relaxing, socializing, and getting artsy.” The fundraiser will feature refreshing summer cocktails, vinyl music provided by BridgeNet Sound, and throwback crafts like gimp keychains. More information can be found at http://www.phillymagicgardens.org/events/june-garden-sips/
When: June 10, 6-9 p.m.
Where: Magic Gardens, 1020 South Street
Cost: $10 + drinks

Contemporary Photography Exhibition

PPAC15002_6thAnnualCompetition_Postcard_R3.pdf-2
The Philadelphia Photo Arts Center will kick off its 6th annual exhibition with an opening reception this Thursday. Competition jurors include Whitney Richardson, photo editor at The New York Times, and Paige West, owner of Mixed Greens gallery. More information can be found at http://www.philaphotoarts.org/event/6thphotoexb/.
aWhen: June 11, 6-8 p.m.
Where: PPAC, 1400 N. American Street, #103
Cost: Free

The Pancakes & Booze Art Show

11230730_444710609039943_3165780427647497000_n
The LA-based pop-up arts show will be hitting Philadelphia soon. The event, complete with pancakes and beer, attracts “some of the best local artists, musicians, and performers.” More information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/pancakesandboozePhiladelphia/timeline and tickets can be purchased at http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=5832945&pl=uarts.
When: June 13 at 8 p.m.
Where: Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill Street
Cost: $5

Paul Romano: “Boundless”


A solo exhibition of Romano’s fantastical and often archetypical oil paintings will close this coming Sunday. The show “leans towards the melancholy,” despite the frequent use of flowers to represent “simple ideas like hope and growth.” But sometimes, “these growths are cancerous.” More information can be found at http://www.archenemyarts.com/#!paul-romano-boundless/cex
When: Now through June 14
Where: Arch Enemy Arts, 111 Arch Street
Cost: Free

Monday

1

June 2015

0

COMMENTS

Out and About: June 1, 2015

Written by , Posted in Art, Arts & Entertainment, Nightlife

Who Do You Love?: Moonstone Arts Center

allen-300x300
On Tuesday, June 9 at 6:30 p.m., Moonstone Arts Center will host its monthly panel discussion on a featured poet. Warren Longmire will lead June’s discussion on the life and works of Allen Ginsberg, joined by guests Marissa Johnson-Valenzuela, Molly Russakoff and Ryan Eckes. After the talk show-style conversation, audience members are invited to read one of Ginsberg’s poems, in addition to one of their own. Everyone is invited to attend, but those interested in reading must register by email to larry@moonstoneartscenter.com, with “Allen Ginsberg” as the subject line. Free. Philly CAM Studios, 699 Ranstead Street. 215-735-9600. http://www.moonstoneartscenter.org/who-do-you-love/

Ex Silento: Mixed Media Works by Caitlin McCormack and Casey Murphy

Ex_Silentio_Front
The Art Dept., a gallery in Fishtown, will open a new exhibition of McCormack and Murphy’s work, a “curious installment of intriguing oddities,” on Friday, June 5 at 6 p.m. McCormack, a fiber artist, creates delicate skeletons that depict the diminishing bloodline of her family. Murphy makes shadowboxes and hand-restored garments, “objects unearthed in the ruins of a lonely, Puritanical house.” Both artists will be in attendance at the opening reception and beverages will be provided by La Colombe. Free. The Art Dept., 1638 E Berks Street. 215-739-4146. http://www.artdeptphilly.com/upcoming-exhibitions/

Future Sensations

Pavilion 4 - Night
Saint-Gobain, one of the world’s largest building materials company, is celebrating its 350th Anniversary with a touring exhibition. This traveling art installment will be in Philadelphia – the only U.S. stop on its international tour – from May 30 to June 6. The immersive experience on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will stimulate the visitor’s senses with five distinct pavilions; some stand as tall as 70 feet. Food trucks like Poi Dog and Little Baby’s Ice Cream will round out the event, in addition to a beer garden featuring Parisian-inspired brews from Yards Brewery. Admission is free; food and beverage is “pay-as-you-go.” The Eakins Oval, 2451 Benjamin Franklin Parkway. FutureSensations@saint-gobain.com. http://www.futuresensations.com/plan-your-visit

Philly Photo Day Exhibition Walk-Through

PPAC15003_PhillyPhotoDay2015_PlaceholderAd_R3.pdf-1_WEB-680x521
All 1,903 photographs taken on Philly Photo Day in October are on display in an outdoor exhibition at Dilworth Park. The Philadelphia Photo Arts Center (PPAC) will host a walkthrough with executive director, Sarah Stolfa, on Wednesday, June 3 at 3 p.m. Stolfa will highlight some of the most interesting photos and discuss the PPAC’s plans for 2015 Philly Photo Day. Free. Dilworth Park, 1 S 15th Street. 215-232-5678. http://www.philaphotoarts.org/event/philly-photo-day-2014-dilworth-plaza/