The Owlery

The features blog of The Temple News

Art Archive

Monday

7

July 2014

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Aerial performance uses the Schuylkill River as its stage

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

Since 2010, producer and choreographer Alie Vidich has propelled dancers from the Strawberry Mansion Bridge in a performance art piece to advocate for Philadelphia’s watershed. Vidich will use the Schuylkill River as the backdrop for a performance called “Invisible River” on Saturday, July 12 and Sunday, July 13.

The show is used as a tool to promote the health of the river and educate constituents about how to create a more “sustainable, swimmable and drinkable river,” according to the Invisible River website. The shows are meant to take spectators on a journey that questions reality through music, nature and performance.

This year, the performance will feature newer elements, such as the opportunity for spectators to rent boats to watch the circus art inspired show for $25. From the shore of the river on Kelly Drive at 7:15 p.m. spectators can watch the aerial dance performance under the Strawberry Mansion Bridge for free. Dance choreographed by Vidich will take place on Peter’s Island and just north, past the tree installation on Kelly Drive, choreography by Olivia Jorgensen will be performed as well. Visit invisibleriver.org for directions, times and more details about the show.

Friday

2

May 2014

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More than 10 festivals to be celebrated on May 3

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

Spring is coming in full swing throughout Philadelphia this year with more than 10 festivals on one single day. On May 3, Philadelphia will celebrate the upcoming season in nearly every part of the city with events like the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival, The World’s Largest Bar Crawl and the South Street Headhouse District Spring Festival.

Last year, the South Street Headhouse District Spring Festival featured more than 20 local businesses and this year, it will return with double the amount of participants. The event will take place from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m from Front Street until 8th Street and will include the 2nd Street plaza between South and Lombard streets.

Well-known for not only their unconventional flavor combinations for hot dogs, but also their prominent illustrations within the restaurant Hot Doggity will be a part of the festival. Owner and chef Keith Garabedian said he loves the opportunity for the business to be part of any creative or fun local opportunities.

Keeping local culture in mind, Hot Doggity hired Philadelphia-based illustrator Hawk Krall as their residential artist. Considered as “Philadelphia’s preeminent hot dog expert,” Krall has been drawing food for well over a decade. His portfolio includes work for City Paper, Philadelphia Magazine, Lucky Peach and more.

Being a part of the South Street Headhouse District Spring Festival just another way for Hot Diggity to be a part of Philly culture.

“I think events like this show off the flavor of each neighborhood,” Garabedian said. “Philly really is a city of neighborhoods, each has its own atmosphere so it gives off its own vibe, its own crowd of people. Philadelphia over all is cool for people watching, but especially South Street I think.”

In addition, Spruce Hill – along with the Woodlands – will be hosting a festival of their own called the Go West! Craft Fest. Mt. Airy will also join in with Mt. Airy Day, Logan Square will hold Sister Cities Park International Festival and the Science Festival Carnival, the Graduate Hospital area will host Plazapalooza, Bella Vista will have Brauhaus Schmitz Maifest and Northern Liberties is hosting the Radio 104.5 Summer Block Party.

Although each neighborhood is bound to change over time, Garabedian believes that South Street has changed significantly just in the last few years.

“South Street has really changed and a lot of people don’t realize that,” Garabedian said. “So it’s a great opportunity to show that off. There’s a lot of great restaurants now – we got Serpico, Nomad Pizza, Percy Street Barbecue – it’s kind of the new dining destination in Philadelphia when it wasn’t like that before. There’s a lot of boutiques and cool new men’s shops, it’s a lot different than the South Street that people once knew.”

The event will not only include South Street restaurants and boutiques that will be holding pop-up shops and discounts.

Hot Diggity will have a mobile cart that will be offering some new flavor variations for their hot dogs as well as a farmers market special.

“It was great putting this festival together, it’s amazing how many local businesses want to do stuff, I’m just excited about bringing different groups of people, this is going to be a fun day,” Garabedian said.

The event is free and open to the public.

Saturday

19

April 2014

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‘Where the Wild Things Are’ gets revisited

Written by , Posted in Art, Arts & Entertainment

The children’s book “Where the Wild Things Are” can be revisiteat The Rosenbach Museum and Library until Nov. 2.

The museum honors illustrator of the book Maurice Sendak in its exhibit,”Sendak.” The exhibition digs deep beneath Sendak’s work, exposing his stance on political issues that appeared even in his work with children’s books. The exhibition contains about 10,000 objects, including letters, personal items, drawings, sketches and archival documents. The exhibit is included with the cost of museum admission.

Friday

28

March 2014

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Open Mic Night at The Arts Garage

Written by , Posted in Art, Arts & Entertainment

On Monday, April 7 at 7 p.m., The Arts Garage, located on 1533 Ridge Ave., will host an open mic night for poets called, “The Art of Conversation.” This interactive night of poetry focuses on audience engagement. Open mics take place on the first Monday of every month at the Garage. Admission is $10 and sign ups for open mic spots start at 7 p.m.

Wednesday

26

March 2014

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Philadelphia artists honor bicycling

Written by , Posted in Art, People, Tyler School of Art

In honor of the growing community of bicyclists in Philadelphia, the city’s Arts, Culture and Creative Economy Department will be holding an art reception on Wednesday, April 9.

The reception is being held to highlight the work of winners from last summers competition, which was held by the department. The competition challenged artists all over the world to create intricate and creative bike racks.

After the winners were selected, artists from the greater Philadelphia area were also encouraged to submit their own pieces to help represent the bike culture of the city and sustainability.

Two of the artists chosen from Philadelphia include Donnell Powell and Eric Mozes, 2012 graduates of Temple University, whose mixed media sculpture entitled, “Boundaries Therefore We Brake”, will be on display on the second floor of City Hall for the next four months.

The reception on April 9 will take place from 5 – 7 p.m. on the first and second floors, as part of the Art Gallery at City Hall.

Doors will officially open to the public starting at 6 p.m. but guests who arrive early may sign in at the northeast corner of the building, near the office of the Mayor.

Tuesday

18

March 2014

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Philadelphia History Museum hosts “Tell Your Northern Liberties Story”

Written by , Posted in Art, Arts & Entertainment

The Philadelphia History Museum is running an exhibit on the past and present of the Northern Liberties from now until Aug. 31.

On March 24, there will be an event called “Tell Your Northern Liberties Story” where attendees have the chance to tell their own stories of the area using voice, writing, photos or any other media.

The shared stories have the chance to be written about in the book “Stories of Northern Liberties” that will be available both at the library and exhibit. The event will be held at 6 p.m. at the Rodriguez Neighborhood Library at 6th Street and Girard Avenue.

Sunday

16

March 2014

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Stories of life in Northern Liberties to become book

Written by , Posted in Art, Arts & Entertainment

Northern Liberties has become an area that students, professionals and everything in-between flock to. Once an industrial neighborhood, it has now become a professional-hipster mecca. The Philadelphia History Museum is running an exhibit on the past and present of the neighborhood and new exhibits at museums usually call for different events around the city. On March 24 there will be an event called “Tell Your Northern Liberties Story.” Using your voice, writing, photos or any other media, everyone has the chance to tell their own stories involving Northern Liberties. The stories will have the opportunity to be added to the book “Stories of Northern Liberties” that will be available both at the library and exhibit. The event will be held at 6 p.m. at the Rodriguez Neighborhood Library at 6th and Girard streets.

Sunday

16

March 2014

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New exhibit focuses on minorities in baseball

Written by , Posted in Art, Arts & Entertainment

From now until Oct. 13 the exhibit, “Chasing Dreams: Baseball and Becoming American” will be on display at the National Museum of American Jewish History. Looking through old artifacts and collections, viewers will be able to see what it was like for a minority to be a part of “America’s favorite past time.” Whether it was the baseball player themselves, their family members or fans, life was different for the minority group and this will be displayed for the public.

Sunday

16

March 2014

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Annual Subaru Cherry Blossom returns

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

The Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival will return to Philly on Wednesday,​ running from​ April 2​-13.​ The​ ​festival will welcome spring with karaoke, sushi making classes, film showcases,​ ​discounted dinners and many more events all celebrating Japanese culture. The​ ​festival was started as an initiative to plant 1,000 cherry trees in Fairmount Park,​ ​which was accomplished in 2007. Since then, the initiative has expanded to include​ ​​​other regions in the area in the tree-planting project and over 50 events during the 4​-​​week festival.

Sunday

9

March 2014

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Barnes Foundation shows “Yinka Shonibare MBE: Magic Ladders”

Written by , Posted in Art, Arts & Entertainment

The Barnes Foundation will open a new exhibition, “Yinka Shonibare MBE: Magic Ladders,” by a British artist of Nigerian descent, Yinka Shonibare MBE. As an artist that plays with deconstruction and perspective, Shonibare uses life-sized mannequins to critique and challenge establishment in art in his newest installment. The exhibition is open every day 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.–9 p.m. and is closed on Tuesdays.