West Philly
Submitted by JEPsculpture on April 21, 2008 - 12:38pm.
In "slip," things seen and unseen are explored by Philadelphia's contemporary dance company Moving Research. Six dancers share the space around a sculptural installation, moving in and out of sight of the viewer, eluding capture and stasis. Audience members follow the dancers or choose to stand and watch the dance as it flows past them. Each viewing experience is unique and personal. To see all the dancers' movements simultaneously is at most times impossible. Choreographed by Meg Foley, the dance weaves and slips through itself and the audience.
Performances at Studio 34: Yoga | Healing | Arts in West Philadelphia: May 8, 2008, 8:30pm; May 10, 8pm; May 11, 3pm; May 16, 8pm; May 17, 8pm, and May 18, 3pm. Photo by JJ Tiziou.
Submitted by JEPsculpture on April 2, 2008 - 1:59pm.
How Philly Moves is a public art proposal for SEPTA's 46th and Market station celebrating Philadelphia dance with photography by Jacques-Jean Tiziou and sculpture by James Peniston.
Our proposal has been selected as a finalist; it is one of five under consideration for funding. If selected, we will undertake a photographic survey of the way Philly moves and create a permanent installation of sculpture and images in the newly renovated SEPTA station. But we need help:
We're looking for dancers! Whether you're a social dancer, student or professional performer, all ages, styles and levels of experience will be celebrated. Sign up and be photographed! Email us at info@howphillymoves.org and show us how you move. You'll be able to use the photos afterwards.
Shoot dates:
And if you'd like to help support this endeavor, email volunteer@howphillymoves.org.
Please help us spread the word!
For more information, see howphillymoves.org.
Submitted by orleans on January 4, 2008 - 1:31pm.
If you are a Philadelphia resident who is unemployed, employed part-time, or under-employed, JEVS/Orleans Technical Institute has a FREE Job Placement Program available throughout January to May.
Applicants must be Philadelphia residents 18 years of age or older who are seeking full-time employment. The program will do a complete assessment of skills and work history to help determine a job that will be a good match. Participants must also meet the low-income government guidelines but not receiving cash assistance from welfare.
All participants will attend an intensive two-day job readiness program where they will learn to set up an email account for jobs and practice interviewing skills. The staff will prepare an effective resume and cover letter. They will also learn how to do a thorough Internet job search to help assist in their employment goals. Successful participants who find employment will be eligible to receive a gift card for $50.00 after their first month of employment.
The program is located at 1330 Rhawn Street in Northeast Philadelphia, accessible to public transportation from anywhere within the city. If you would like to join this excellent source of job searching support, please call Stephanie Scotton at at 215-728-4709 for more information.###
Submitted by JHFlash on November 17, 2007 - 10:45am.
What's wrong with this picture?
Within two blocks of Overbrook High School on Lancaster Avenue in West Philadelphia, no less
than 3 billboards glorify a contract killer. The babe on the billboard adores a man aiming a handgun.
This is not the place or time to be selling a movie called HITMAN. West Philadelphia is beset with
hand gun violence. The map below shows the frequency of aggravated assaults committed with a
gun in the year 2006 near Overbrook High and the HITMAN billboard shown above.
What's wrong with Clear Channel Outdoor, the Philadelphia-based advertising company that
posted these billboards?
Clear Channel Outdoor,Tell Clear Channel what you think about their billboards:
Clear Channel Outdoor
9130 State Road
Philadelphia, PA 19136
Phone: 215.827.1100
FAX: 215.827.1101
Encourage Philadelphia City Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell to demand removal of the HITMAN
billboards from the streets of Philadelphia. Ask her to introduce legislation banning public
advertising that depicts illegal use of handguns.
Until these billboards are gone, the City of Brotherly Love isn't.
John Hansen-Flaschen
www.jflashphoto.com
Submitted by stand strong on November 2, 2007 - 4:30am.
Updated below
Hi everyone. I just want to pass the news on about an incident that happened yesterday in West Philadelphia.
At around 2p or so (not sure of the time, but early afternoon), I effectively witnessed a purse snatching at 45th and Pine Streets. I tried to chase after the guy but a block and a half later, he ended up getting away in a car that he had parked down on 44th Street.
The police were summoned, a good description of the assailant as well as his vehicle were given, and the woman wasn't hurt in any way. Scared and shaken, but 100% unharmed, thank god.
So if you live in the area, let this just serve as yet another reminder of the criminal elements that wander our streets. The fact that it was done in broad daylight with several people in the immediate area and with complete disregard to that fact or the woman's health sure be a troubling indicator for anyone who lives in Garden Court or anywhere else from Spruce to Baltimore, 40-50th.
So if you're out and about, whether alone or in groups, secure your belongings, be alert, save the long phone calls for when you're indoors or in a more protected area, and try to keep the volume down on those earphones.
And please spread the word around. If you blog, please give your readers a heads-up to this as the more informed people can become, it is my belief that ultimately, the safer they can be as well.
More details and my thoughts on it are available at Phillybits.
Update
I spoke to an officer today from an adjacent district. He had heard about the robbery yesterday but wasn't involved with it. However, he was able to tell me that yesterday's incident wasn't the only one and earlier in the day, apparently at around 12-12:30p, there was an initial incident.
Same M.O. - Guy snatches a purse and runs to a different location to get into his car and drive off.
This is all from my own observation yesterday and subject to change due to possible other witness descriptions, etc. (But I'm 95%+ positive on my descriptions)
Late model, dark green Chevy Impala
Tinted windows
Delaware tags (555... [possible 512, 502, 052, etc] from my experience. Could also be switched plates, of course.)
Young dark-skinned black male, early to mid 20's I'm guessing.
Was wearing dark colored sweats style outfit, possible hoody and possible light colored undershirt, although that might've been the loot he was trying to conceal.
Submitted by 52Shows on September 10, 2007 - 11:10am.
I’ve never been a huge fan of Elvis Costello. But on the other hand, I don’t particularly dislike him either. So, when a friend offered me a pair of tickets to see Costello live at the Mann Music Center, I jumped on them. The idea of just about any pop/rock star backed by a full orchestra is enough to pique my interest. Plus, the Mann – with its open-air seating – is the perfect venue for a late summer concert.
Unfortunately, this was not the perfect late summer concert. It was a snooze-fest.
From the opening “arrangement” of “All This Useless Beauty,” the entire show felt like musical theatre… marred by indulgent intros, long schmaltzy interludes, and missed opportunities. I guess what I was expecting was some really original and robust orchestral accompaniment to Costello’s eclectic brand of rock. Instead, the show was all orchestral “arrangements” of Costello’s song – some written by other musicians, some by Costello himself. Despite the fact that there seemed to be an anecdote to introduce each arrangement, suggesting that great care and thought went into them, every song felt like it had been shoe-horned into its new format. The musical choices were predictable and disappointing, such as the Perry Mason-esque intro to “Watching the Detectives.”
And then there was “Veronica.” Since (yes, I’ll own it) this is the Elvis Costello song that I know best, I was really looking forward to hearing what he and the orchestra were going to do with it. The answer: not a damn thing. Costello plaid acoustic guitar and Steve Nieve played the piano. That was about it. No drums. No horns. The orchestra joined them for a few bars toward the end of the song, but otherwise sat there looking hamstrung and restless. I wondered if they just didn’t even have sheet music for it. And then, when Costello was done singing the orchestra opened up with what sounded like an overture of “Veronica” but felt like an afterthought.
The only song that didn’t disappoint was “She,” the song Costello wrote for Notting Hill and which I’m pretty sure was originally written for an orchestra. It was beautiful. But not beautiful enough to keep me in my seat… as soon as that song was finished I bolted. Unfortunately, the highlight of this show for me was getting out ahead of the traffic.
Cross posted from 52 Shows, a live music blog for regular folks.
Submitted by stand strong on July 28, 2007 - 1:43pm.
(Cross-posted at my blog, Phillybits.)
If you clicked through thinking there was a typo, there's not. There were literally shouts ringing out throughout West Philadelphia today as the Anti-Violence ride kicked off with some 20 or so individuals, not including the 6-10 police officers on bike as well as police escort vehicles riding to promote an anti-violence message throughout neighborhoods in and around West Philadelphia.
The ride, schedule for 9a, got off around 9:30 as police discussed the route they wanted to take which meandered through Walnut Hill, up and down blocks from 43rd to Cobbs Creek, up Walnut, down Spruce....it was all over the place.
Unfortunately, I couldn't complete the entire ride and it was at Cobbs Creek and Baltimore Ave that I ended my ride and headed back for home. However, I did take some pictures along the way and I'd like to share them. All of them should be clickable-to-enlarge, although a few of them I uploaded before first reducing their overall size, which helps the upload process go faster.
All the pictures are in the order that I took them, left to right, top to bottom and I'll give a brief description where necessary. So let's get started.....
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This was where we started, at The Enterprise Centerr in the middle of the 4500 block of Ludlow St. It took a little while for the police to figure out their route, which is why we got off to a late start around 9:30. Inside the community center were refreshments and literature about local community groups, raising awareness among our youth, as well as other upcoming events.
 
Here we are heading East on Ludlow to 45th St., where we took a right and proceeded to Walnut where we began heading West.
 
A couple shots of the group coming up Walnut from in front as well as behind me.
 
We hit 52nd St and started heading South and then turned East again on Chestnut, although we may have already been on Spruce St because...
 
...here, on Spruce St. just East of 46th St., we all pulled over and had to wait because when we left, we had actually left another portion of riders back at the community center and when they met back up with us, we headed out again. However, what's interesting to point out is that a couple of motorcycle riders (not sure what MC group they were affiliated with) were heading South on 46th when they saw us all pulled over, asked what we were doing, and then joined in the ride. There's a video a little farther down of the most vocal rider, too.
 
We then turned South on 43rd St., came up the hill and then turned on West on Osage.
 
 
We headed back up to 52nd St. where we turned North this time. I took the remained of my pictures here as I wasn't sure exactly when I'd be turning back but I want to point out that along the way, people were calling out "Good morning!" and expressing support and thanks along the way, some by waving, some by honking car horns. And it was really nice to see people showing an interest in what we were doing since I can only imagine that a lot of people, hearing slow moving sirens, bike bells, and shouts and hollers out to people might make them scrunch up their face and say "What the f&*&?" but really, that's not what happened.
People on the street really liked the idea of the bike ride and overall, the entire ride received a very warm welcome from onlookers and so it would seem to me that despite the riff between the citizens of the neighborhoods where crime is prevalent and the police that are trying to enforce it, there is overall consensus that crime is bad and people do want it to stop. Speaking for myself, I'd like to take part in more of these rides and I'd like to also see some more organization in them, perhaps with pre-planned routes that can be downloaded and printed, flyers to pass out to encourage more people to take part, a more active local blogosphere in getting the message out, and perhaps some more local media coverage as I didn't see any either at the starting point or anywhere on the route.
In the next sets of pictures are some shots of some murals I captured along the way as well as happy people on the street waving, cheering, giving peace signs and expressing more support. There's also the shot of (what the officer said was UCD workers) clearing out an empty lot. I don't know what they're planning for the lot but I bet a nice playground would be a welcome addition.
 
 
 
 
Lastly, I want to close with this quick 12 second clip. This was the highly vocal motorcycle driver who had clinged onto our group back on Spruce St. At every turn, at every corner, whenever people were within ear shot, looking down from their balconies or watching us pass by while sitting on the porches and curbs, here was this gentleman and I think he helped get the message across appropriately. I'll let him speak for a moment or two.
(Click through to see video since it won't transfer over.)
If you couldn't hear what whe was saying, he said "Put the guns down! Put the guns down! Turn 'em in! Turn 'em in!" He shouted this everywhere we went, as well as shouted to 'save the children' and 'do it for the children.'
That's the kind of message I think that needs to be spread and if only we had an army of guys just like him, going out and perhaps - putting other plans aside to take part in this in a spontaneous manner, we might began to help create a major mindset change amongst the people of this city towards crime in our neighborhoods.
I'll try to post some more information later regarding other rides but I just wanted to get this one out before it got too late. I'd like to thank the organizers (whose names I didn't get; note to self: carry pen and paper next time), the police for the escort, and of course, everyone who took part in the ride. It was a really fun time, it was motivating, carried a very positive message, and had a very positive feel all throughout.
Submitted by jasontconnell on October 31, 2006 - 1:20am.
My brother and I already bought loads of candy for about 3 lucky kids out there who'll get one Reese's Piece each, and the rest are for us. KitKat, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (my favorite), f#@%ing Reese's Sticks, other Reese's peanut butter and chocolate mixtures (best invention EVER), Snickers, Twix, etc, etc, etc. Loads of candy bars who are getting free advertising.
Also, I put up a comic in honor of this special day, over at Addicted Comics. Don't forget to fall in love with that site and send me secret love letters every day. If you can't read the words, just right click and view the image by itself. They're usually in the form of...
http://www.addictedcomics.com/files/addicted000#.JPG
- where # is the episode number. I think the second one is lowercase "jpg" instead of uppercase. I can only keep things consistent for so long.
Submitted by stand strong on September 21, 2006 - 1:44pm.
Not citing any official statistics, but my girlfriend and I have noticed a large increase in car break-ins recently. We live in W. Phily and have noticed, especially up and down Pine St., as well as on various cross-streets between 40th and 50th (E + W) and Chestnut and Baltimore that there have been an alarming abundance of break-ins on cars, especially out-of-state cars. Typically, a rear side window is smashed out, although I've seen some front windows as well. Usually stolen goods appear to be stereos as well as the contents of the glove-box.
It doesn't help that a majority of these cars are those left in the area by individuals looking for a parking spot that doesn't have a meter; hence, they leave there car in the same spot for days, sometimes weeks at a time.
So if you park frequently in W. Philly, please do not leave any valuables in your car, don't leave anything in sight, and if you have removable faceplates for after-market stereos, take them with you unless you want to come back to a car, minus one window and driving tunes.
Also, there have been red flyers posted on poles up and down Pine alerting people to an increase in physical crime, specifically robberies. If you're walking that area at night, please try to walk with at least one other person and pay close attention to your surroundings. If someone tries to engage you, either for directions, money, the time, whatever, please be cautious as there are mean people who really don't want your help; they simply want your money and other personal effects.
Of course, if you do get stuck in a sticky situation, try to remain calm, don't fight back unless you absolutely have to, and just give them whatever they want. Your life is not worth your cellphone, your iPod, or whatever money and credit cards you have on you. Those are all replaceable and we'd rather have back again to you enjoy your travels in our neighborhood, our restaurants, bars, and eateries.
Thank you.
-- Phillybits
Submitted by SaveArdmoreCoalition on September 8, 2006 - 6:15pm.
This is VERY interesting...see how eminent domain was reported to have been used here -
Black Bottom Blues | Revisiting the neighborhood that Penn and Drexel gobbled up.
(click on title for full text, this is just a brief excerpt)
Don't think for a second it hasn't all come at a very hefty, very human price.
University City's surge in retail and construction has been a boon for the neighborhood's institutions of higher learning, and for longtime residents who've seen the values of their homes rise. But some old-timers still fondly remember the Black Bottom: a tight-knit working-class neighborhood obliterated in the decades following World War II by the expansion of Penn and Drexel, which were aided and abetted by the city.
“The Black Bottom is a textbook example of institutional racist development policies,” says Billy Yalowitz, a Temple assistant professor and director of community arts who's created performance pieces about the neighborhood's history. “There's still enormous resentment among the thousands of people exiled from the destruction of that neighborhood in the '50s and '60s, and that resentment is palpable in the community surrounding the university.”
The Black Bottom, named for its largely African-American population and for its socioeconomic location at the “bottom” of West Philly, stretched from 32nd Street to 40th Street, and from University Avenue to Lancaster Avenue—encompassing most of the present-day campuses of Penn and Drexel. As Penn grew, the university bought up and leveled entire blocks, often through shady legislation and business deals, displacing an estimated 5,000 residents.
“They started buying up properties and not doing anything with them,” says Walter Palmer, a Penn professor who teaches about the destruction of the Black Bottom. “They just let those properties sit there deteriorating, creating an eyesore, and then people were pressured to sell. They had the use of eminent domain to hang over the homeowners' heads, so they could drive the prices down to where they wanted them.”
“We came across very clear documentation of practices including land banking, redlining, coercion to move under false pretenses, unscrupulous real estate practices,” says Yalowitz, “all the mechanisms of urban renewal practiced all over the country, and especially targeting poor communities of color.”
Click here for the full story.
Submitted by danielua on May 15, 2006 - 12:23pm.
There has been much press about liberal PHiladelphian's starting to run as committeepeople all around the City. Getting inside the machine, if done right, can be good for a number of reasons. But, how about the PA Democratic Party? Well, Chris Bowers, of MyDD, found out that in his district, the majority of the state committee seats are not even filled. So, he, and his friend, have decided to do something about it.
Basically, two progressive guys saw seats on the Dem state committee are not even going to be filled, so they decided to run. All they need is 100 votes a piece, and they win, and there is some new blood on the State Committee. This would be an immediate plus for the State Party.
The question is, do YOU live in his West Philly district? If not, can you email a few people that do live there? The instructions, the district boundaries, and everything else you need, is below, in an email from Chris.
Second, as you may have heard by now, along with Kevin Scott, I am running for state Democratic committee here in the eighth senatorial district of Pennsylvania. We are running a write in campaign. Five positions in our district are open, and we need 100 write-in votes to win. The election will be on Tuesday, May 16th. This email contains all of the information you need to help support our campaign.
The Toolkit
First, I have attacked our campaign flyer to this email. Please print and distribute it to any family and friends who live in the district.
Second, if you are unsure whether you or anyone you might know lives in the district, you can see a map of the district here:
http://www.seventy.org/maps/mapimages/8thPaSen.pdf
If the map does not provide enough information for you, you can use this nifty tool at the committee of seventy:
http://www.seventy.org/map/
Next, if you have a blog, you can direct readers to my announcement post, which explains my rationale for running:
http://www.mydd.com/story/2006/5/11/132550/883
Of course, you can also send that link over email, and you can print or repost as much of the article as you like.
Finally, here are the instructions for casting the write-in votes:
1) Find the box marked "Member of Democratic State Committee" (third from the bottom of the ballot).
2) Press the "write-in" button for that section of the ballot. The square red button at the top of the machine will start blinking.
3) Press the blinking red button. The black shutter next to it will automatically open, showing the paper.
4) Write or stamp Christopher J. Bowers in that box (you must write my name in full).
5) Pull down the black shutter, closing it.
6) Repeat steps 1-5 with the name Kevin W. Scott (you must write Kevin's name in full).
NOTE: If you have any difficulties, poll workers will gladly assist you, even if you have already begun the voting process.
Please distribute this information to your family and friends in the district. The election is on Tuesday, May 16th, so there is not much time. A friendly reminder to people the day before Election Day, and on Election Day itself, also wouldn't hurt.
I appreciate your support from the bottom of my heart. Feel free to email me with any questions or concerns.
For a more progressive Pennsylvania,
Chris Bowers
Submitted by Albert on May 11, 2006 - 2:17pm.
Chris Bowers, currently a committeeperson running for re-election for the first time in Ward 27 Division 23, has announced his candidacy for State Committee for the 8th Senatorial District [.pdf] which is roughly West Philly south of Chestnut St.
It's going to take 100 write in votes to get him, and his fellow committeeperson Kevin Scott into the State Committee seats and they are there for the taking as only one out of the six seats are filled for the 8th.
description:
On February 13 International House Philadelphia honors its departing film program director, Michael Chaiken, with an evening of free films by legendary documentarians Albert and David Maysles. As of February 1, Chaiken assumed the position of program director at the Maysles Institute in New York.
What does this mean for International House Philadelphia's film program? Read on!
NetFlix, multiplexes and the big studio blockbusters may claim the lion’s share of movie viewers, but repertory, foreign and experimental films remain alive and well in Philadelphia thanks to International House Philadelphia. A glimpse at upcoming programs for 2006-2007, including some US firsts, reveals that Philadelphia’s leading venue for non-mainstream films intends to keep it that way.
Whitehead Retrospective Documents 60s Culture
International House marks the 40th anniversary of the film career of Peter Whitehead with a showing of the first ever US retrospective of the legendary filmmaker’s work in early 2007. Presenting extraordinary insight into the pop-political counterculture movements of the late 1960s, Whitehead’s work included filming the Rolling Stones in drag, Allen Ginsberg at Royal Albert Hall, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s protest against the Vietnam War and Robert Kennedy’s presidential campaign.
The series will include rare and previously unseen material from Whitehead’s extensive archive, as well as a new interview/documentary produced especially for the series.
First Ever Tibetan Film Series Stops in Philly
This fall International House serves as one of the few stops for the first ever program of New Tibetan Cinema in the United States. The series focuses exclusively on the new wave of indigenous Tibetan films and filmmakers in China. Included will be Tibetan director Wanma Caiden's acclaimed debut film The Silent Holy Stones. The film received special mention at both the Pusan International Film Festival and the Vancouver International Film Festival, and was the winner of the 25th Golden Rooster awards, dubbed ‘China's Oscars’.
New York Connection Enrich Film Offerings
The Whitehead Retrospective and Tibetan Film Series will appear in Philadelphia largely due to Michael Chaiken who for the past five years charted the artistic direction of the film program at International House. As of February 1, Michael assumed the position of program director for the Maysles Institute in New York, the non-profit, community-based film and video center established in 2005 by award-winning documentarian Albert Maysles (Gimme Shelter, Grey Gardens, Salesman).
Michael continues to work with International House as a non-resident curator, and is using his role at the Maysles Institute, as well as his involvement in the New York film community, to further benefit International House Philadelphia. The Whitehead retrospective is co-sponsored by the Maysles Institute, and Michael is working with Columbia University to organize the Tibetan Film Series.
“I now have access to the Maysles’ archives, which contains amazing stuff I hope to share with International House. New York is also such a strong, thriving film community. The influences and connections will enable me to bring more to International House Philadelphia in terms of access and ideas,” Michael said.
“I was born and raised in Philadelphia and used to go to International House when I was in high school to watch films,” he added. “I really want to see it continue to thrive, so I’m thrilled to be able to continue working with this great organization.”
On Monday, February 13, International House pays tribute to Michael by hosting a free evening of rarely screened documentaries by David and Albert Maysles, hand selected by Michael. Included will be the Maysles' first feature, Showman, an unflinching portrait of Hollywood entertainment mogul, Joseph E. Levine. Meet Marlon Brando, one of the star's least-known films, features Brando playing himself as master of the put-down and prince of biting sarcasm. With Love from Truman is a candid portrayal of eccentric author and playwright Truman Capote shot during an interview following publication of his literary experiment In Cold Blood.
Home Away from Home for Film Organizations
In addition to its own highly acclaimed programming of international repertory, avant-garde and pop films, International House is home to Reelblack Presents, an ongoing screening series designed to promote discoveries and rediscoveries in African-American film. (reelblack.com). On February 14 Reelblack presents a special Valentine’s Day event at International House with
the showing of Aaron Loves Angela, directed by the late Gordon Parks, Jr. (Superfly). The film marked the debut of Fame star, Irene Cara.
International House also serves as the new home for Exhumed Films, an organization dedicated to bringing the most obscure and beloved genre films and cult film oddities to the big screen. Exhumed Films presents Monster-Fu March 4 at International House, featuring Hong Kong director Shan Hua’s Infra-Man and Japanese director’s Sonny Chiba’s Dragon Princess.
In addition, International House regularly screens films produced through Scribe Video Center, a Philadelphia-based non-profit organization. Its ongoing programs include Community Visions, a video production program for community organizations; Street Movies, a free outdoor neighborhood-based screening series, and the Producers' Forum screening and lecture series of visiting artists and media activists. Additionally, Scribe produces the Documentary History Project for Youth, an annual production workshop for middle and high school students.
Go International
“Film is an international language in and of itself, said Oliver Franklin, president of International House. “International House remains the best place to find that unique film experience which can serve as an avenue for greater cultural, political and social understanding.”
###
About International House
International House Philadelphia is the center for all things international in the Philadelphia area and is committed to encouraging the growth of mutual tolerance and respect among the peoples of all nations. An independent, non-profit organization, International House Philadelphia houses nearly 400 students, scholars and interns from over 80 countries who attend over 20 area colleges and universities. It provides a unique residential experience that supports their development as future leaders by offering a full spectrum of programs that enable them to work and interact successfully with people from all backgrounds.
To benefit residents and the Greater Philadelphia community, International House Philadelphia provides high quality international arts and cultural programs. It is also the nexus between international culture and international business, bringing globally recognized business and political leaders together with the local community. For information on International House Philadelphia, go to www.ihousephilly.org.
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