Nutter to announce Arts and Culture Office head
July 18, 2008
Today Mayor Michael Nutter is expected to make a long-awaited announcement - the re-opening of the city's Office of Arts and Culture. Former Mayor John Street closed the office, and during his campaign - Mayor Nutter promised to re-open it. The art community looks forward to the announcement with great anticipation. WHYY's Elizabeth Fiedler reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Spectrum to host final season in '08-'09
July 17, 2008
Photo Credit: Cavalier92, Creative Commons License
After more than forty years, the former home of the Flyers and Sixers will be demolished to make way for commercial development. Owner Comcast-Spectacor, announced that 2008-2009 will be the Spectrum's final season. WHYY's Shai Ben-Yaacov reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Future of the Mann
July 16, 2008
The Mann Center for the Performing Arts summer season features the Philadelphia Orchestra and artists ranging from Sheryl Crow to the Gipsy Kings and Julie Andrews. Catherine Cahill left the Brooklyn Philharmonic in June to take over as the Mann CEO. She talked with WHYY Morning Edition's Brenda Jorett about the future of the Mann. Listen to the mp3 »
More work scheduled at the Academy of Music
July 15, 2008
Renovation of the chandelier at the Academy of Music on Broad Street has been underway for a year. Now, some even bigger work on the landmark building has gotten started. From WHYY's Arts and Culture desk, Alex Schmidt got a tour with the project's director. Listen to the mp3 »
Philadelphia dances the weekend away
July 12, 2008
This weekend, Philadelphians can expect to see dance performances taking place in some unexpected locations. From WHYY's Arts and Culture Desk, Alex Schmidt reports. Listen to the mp3 »
U-Arts students head to the Del. beach for inspiration
July 11, 2008
Painters from the University of Arts in Philadelphia are lined up along Delaware's coast this week. The artists are creating unique oil painting right on the First State's beaches. WHYY's Stella Payne takes a look at the work. Listen to the mp3 »
Summer games and skin cancer
July 11, 2008
John Dane III is heading to the Beijing Olympics today, preparing for the keelboat sailing event in which he and partner (and son-in-law) Austin Sperry will participate in the Yellow Sea in August. Dane is also spokesman for the Melanoma Research Foundation chairmed by Randy Lomax. They talked with WHYY Morning Edition's Brenda Jorett about skin cancer and the summer games. Listen to the mp3 »
Black Womyn at the Film Fest
July 10, 2008
Philadelphia's Gay and Lesbian Film Festival kicks off today. From WHYY's Arts and Culture desk, Alex Schmidt reports on a featured movie by a local filmmaker.
Listen to the mp3 »
More Info: Tiona M productions
Black Womyn blog
Centennial District of Fairmount Park in line for major federal cash
July 8, 2008
Senator Bob Casey has introduced a bill to appropriate $45 million from the federal government for Fairmount Park. If the bill passes, the money will fund capital improvements to the Centennial District, the slice of the park running from the Art Museum to the Mann Center. Casey would like to see the area become a cultural destination for tourists nationwide. WHYY's Peter Crimmins reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Learn more about the Centennial District: WHYY Experience: Centennial District Video
 Stories about "Patriats, Pirates, Heroes and Spies"
July 8, 2008
Historic Philadelphia Inc. has compiled some of the organization's favorite stories from colonial times in the book, "Patriats, Pirates, Heroes and Spies." WHYY Morning Edition's Brenda Jorett talked with president and CEO Amy Needle and storyteller Lorna Howley. There's more information at www.historicphiladelphia.org.
Listen to the mp3 »
Photo credit: Miles Kennedy for Historic Philadelphia, Inc.
 Philly Cambodians reconnect with Buddhist heritage as monks
July 8, 2008
At a Cambiodian Buddhist temple in South Philadelphia over the weekend, 10 boys shaved their heads and eyebrows, donned orange robes, and became Buddhist monks. For two weeks these Philadelphia-raised kids will devote themselves to prayer and meditation in order to connect themselves to their Cambodian heritage. WHYY's Peter Crimmins reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Pennsylvania Dutch preserved in new dictionary
July 5, 2008
This holiday weekend, many people are heading out to Lancaster where some of the last speakers of Pennsylvania Dutch can be heard. Though Pennsylvania Dutch dictionaries have been compiled in the past, the most comprehensive yet - at 11 volumes - has now been published. From WHYY's Arts and Culture Desk, Alex Schmidt reports. Listen to the mp3 »
More info: The Center for PA German Studies at Millersville University
New song about being an "American"
July 3, 2008
On July 4th a new song is being released exclusively in Philadelphia by one of R&B's legendary producers. The founder of Philadelphia International Records, Kenny Gamble, hopes the song - called "I Am An American" - will become part of America's patriotic repertoire. WHYY's Peter Crimmins reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Civil War museum gets ready to shut its doors
July 3, 2008
Though the Civil War was fought outside Philadelphia, the city was a hub of important union activity. As WHYY's Alex Schmidt reports, Philly's Museum dedicated to the war is getting ready to shut its doors for a couple years. Listen to the mp3 »
Competition for the "Chinatown Bus"
July 3, 2008
This Fourth of July weekend, Philly area residents will be getting out of the city to hit New York and other east coast destinations. Used to be if you wanted a deal, there was one great option... but not anymore. From WHYY's Arts and Culture desk, Alex Schmidt reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Betsy Ross, Ben Franklin to wed despite historical inaccuracies
July 3, 2008
Today the man who portrays Benjamin Franklin will marry the woman who portrays Betsy Ross. It's a real wedding - presided over by Mayor Michael Nutter in front of Independence Hall - but it could confuse the historical accuracy of the real Franklin and Ross. WHYY's Peter Crimmins reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Local hot dog eater gears up for the big game
July 3, 2008
Competitive eating has grown in popularity in recent years. Live competitions airing on cable draw participants and viewers from around the world. This July 4th, one Philadelphia-are man will take on one of the biggest eating contests in the world. WHYY's Heather McClain asks, "how does he prepare?" Listen to the mp3 »
Making Septa rides easy
July 2, 2008
Septa is seeing increased ridership in response to soaring gasoline prices - and now a group of philly tech guys have taken it upon themselves to make it even easier for Delaware Vallley commuters. From WHYY's Arts and Culture desk, Alex Schmidt reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Free art is the right price for one Philly museum
July 1, 2008
With summer here and gas prices through the roof, long distance leisure activities are taking a back seat. At least one local institution has gotten a new competitive edge. From WHYY's Arts and Culture Desk, Alex Schmidt reports. Listen to the mp3 »
"Corporate" art revealed to the public
June 30, 2008
Have you ever been standing in line at your bank and noticed a masterpiece of modern art? A new exhibit at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts shows rarely seen work that has been under stewardship of corporate America. WHYY's Peter Crimmins reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Indian Modernism at the PMA
June 27, 2008
The first ever American retrospective of the father of Indian modernism, Nandalal Bose, opens at the Philadelphia Museum of Art today. From WHYY's Arts and Culture desk, Alex Schmidt reports. Listen to the mp3 »
 Sitting down with the "Poet of Poverty"
June 27, 2008
A new documentary film looks at Camden through the words and letters of a catholic priest. WHYY's Susan Phillips has this story about Father Michael Doyle who has served Camden's poor for the past forty years. Listen to the mp3 »
More info: YouTube: View the trailer
 "Where The Wild Things Are" author event explores sexuality
June 25, 2008
The largest retrospective exhibit of "Where the Wild Things are" author and illustrator Maurice Sendak is on display at the Rosenbach Museum. A rarely revealed angle of Sendak's work is explored at an event today. From WHYY's Arts and Culture desk, Alex Schmidt reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Africans in colonial Mexico spotlighted
June 24, 2008
A landmark traveling exhibition examining the African presence in Mexico opens at the African American Museum in Philadelphia on Wednesday. From WHYY's Arts and Culture Desk, Alex Schmidt reports. Listen to the mp3 »
100k "green" house set to rise up in East Kensington
June 23, 2008
An ambitious construction project in East Kensington called the "100K House" is attempting to build a green house from scratch for just $100,000 in constructions costs. From WHYY's Arts and Culture Desk, Alex Schmidt reports. Listen to the mp3 »
More info: Follow the progress of the 100K House on the builders' blog at 100khouse.com
Spots awarded as U.S. Olympic gymnastic team finishes trials
June 23, 2008
Flipping and twisting athletes made their way through Philadelphia this weekend at the U.S. Olympic Gymnastic trials.
WHYY's Shai Ben-Yaacov was there throughout the weekend and reports that two well known women earned their trips to Beijing. Listen to the mp3 »
Shai also talked to Olympic gold medalist Paul Hamm about his selection to the men's team. Listen to the mp3 »
Teens from Philly in national poetry spotlight
June 21, 2008
Philadelphia teenaged poets are getting national attention in the American Poetry Review. The current issue of the nation's longest-running poetry quarterly features 10 poems developed in local workshops. WHYY's Peter Crimmins reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Bartram's art comes to his garden in Southwest Philly
June 20, 2008
Philadelphian and pioneering botanist William Bartram's artistic side is the focus of a new exhibit at Bartram's Garden in Southwest Philadelphia. From WHYY's Arts and Culture Desk, Alex Schmidt reports. Listen to the mp3 »
City Council pays tribute to Art Museum's D'Harnoncourt
June 19, 2008
Before breaking for summer recess on Thursday, Philadelphia City Council paused to honor the director of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Anne D'Harnoncourt. D'Harnoncourt died June 1 at the age of 64 after serving as director for 26 years. The Museum opened free to the public for the day as part of an appreciation for its fallen leader. WHYY's Susan Phillips reports.
Listen to the mp3 »
What Anne Did
June 19, 2008
Today, two and a half weeks after her death, the Philadelphia Museum of Art holds a formal public tribute to Anne d'Harnoncourt. Mayor Michael Nutter and several others are slated to speak. Indeed Philadelphia lost a champion of the city, education and the community. From WHYY's Arts and Culture desk, Alex Schmidt looks back at d'Harnoncourt's contributions, and forward to the future. Listen to the mp3 »
Philadelphia in spotlight with Olympic gymnastic trials
June 19, 2008
The U.S. Olympic gymanstics trials get underway today in Philadelphia. Today, the men will take the floor for the first round of competition. WHYY's Shai Ben-Yaacov reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Case closed in Barnes collection move to Center City?
June 18, 2008
With a new development in the ongoing series of Montgomery County lawsuits, there could be silence on the issue of the Barnes Foundation's move to Center City. From WHYY's Arts and Culture Desk, Alex Schmidt reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Saying "Flag Day" with a Post-It
June 14, 2008
If you thought you knew office supplies, think again. In honor of Flag Day, the Betsy Ross House is creating the world's largest American flag made up of Post-Its. The staff at the House got a crash course in the science of sticky notes. WHYY's Peter Crimmins reports on some vital adhesive-backed, note pad information. Listen to the mp3 »
Gorbachev Receives Liberty Medal
June 13, 2008
The National Constitution Center today announced the 20th recipient of the annual Liberty Medal. From WHYY's Arts and Culture desk, Alex Schmidt reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Philly Cultural and Tech buzz
June 11, 2008
Tonight, a first of its kind event: ignite Philly's goal is to clue people into what's going on in the city's cultural and tech communities, and beyond. From WHYY's Arts and Culture desk, Alex Schmidt reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Fishtown arts is rounding out
June 5, 2008
With a new opening on Frankford Avenue, the Fishtown arts corridor is rounding out. From WHYY's Arts and Culture desk, Alex Schmidt reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Spoiling for a fight over privately-owned land in National Parks
June 3, 2008
There are more than four million acres of privately-owned land within national park boundaries. Now, park advocates are trying to get money from Congress to buy up that land and return it to the public. However, that may not always be in the public's best interest. From WHYY's Arts and Culture Desk, Alex Schmidt reports on a public land conflict brewing in Philadelphia's backyard. Listen to the mp3 »
What do you think? At The Sixth Square, you can discuss the plan to develop a piece of Valley Forge Park.
More info: American Revolution Center website
National Park Service: Valley Forge
Bringing art to life inside classrooms
June 3, 2008
Starting this summer, Philadelphia's public and Catholic schools will get a federally funded injection of art. The National Endoment for the Humanities' Picturing America program will provide each of Philadelphia's 480 public and parochial schools with a collection of large-scale reproductions of classic American paintings and photographs. Teachers say the art will bring life to classrooms that badly need it. WHYY's Bill Hangley has more. Listen to the mp3 »
A tale of and by two schools in Germantown
May 31, 2008
This weekend and next, two high schools - one affluent and the other struggling - are collaborating to stage a play. Germantown Friends School and Germantown High School are only 4 blocks apart, but their worlds are different by far. WHYY's Peter Crimmins reports. Listen to the mp3 »
More info: The Sixth Square: Discuss this story on WHYY's Arts and Culture Blog!
Professional women's soccer returning to Philadelphia
May 28, 2008
Construction on the 18,000-seat Chester soccer stadium is about to get underway. As WHYY's Alex Schmidt reports, there are some new plans in the works for the year it will open. Listen to the mp3 »
More info: Philadelphia Daily News: Women's soccer team could share space in Chester
Celebrating 12 decades of real Indiana Joneses
May 27, 2008
You may have caught a movie over the holiday weekend. Perhaps you saw the new Indiana Jones movie. Philadelphia has been the homebase for some of the real Indiana Joneses - at the University of Pennsylvania's Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. This year, the museum has been open for 12 full decades. From WHYY's Arts and Culture Desk, Alex Schmidt went to see an anniversary exhibit. Listen to the mp3 »
Arctic Film Fest caps conference at Academy of Natural Sciences
May 23, 2008
The community of experts on the history of Arctic exploration isn't the largest but right now many of them are gathered at Philadelphia's Academy of Natural Sciences. On Saturday, an event could open the field to the layperson. From WHYY's Arts and Culture Desk, Alex Schmidt reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Temple's art school closes out last year in the burbs
May 22, 2008
Coming this fall, the Tyler School of Art in Elkins Park will be moving into the city to join the rest of Temple University's main campus. Today, the last class graduates from the suburban campus. From WHYY's Arts and Culture Desk, Alex Schmidt reports. Listen to the mp3 »
 Australian Olympic horseback rider will compete to qualify as an American
May 20, 2008
The Olympic Games in Beijing are just around the corner, and some athletes in the area have a good chance of qualifying in a variety of sports. One local horseback rider has a decent shot, having qualified for the last three Olympics. Only this time, he'd be competing, for the first time, as an American citizen. WHYY's Shai Ben-Yaacov reports. Listen to the mp3 »
More info: Olympian Phillip Dutton's website
Going once, going twice, going three times?
May 19, 2008
The fabled Esherick House in Chestnut Hill, designed by architect Louis Kahn, is still for sale after things didn't go as planned on the auction block on Sunday. From WHYY's Arts and Culture Desk, Alex Schmidt reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Listen to Alex's previous feature about the Esherick House auction. here »
Courtesy Todd Eberle and Wright Auction House |
Icon For Sale
May 15, 2008
Architecturally historic homes may be worthy of preservation. But the market set up to sell them as real estate doesn't usually take that into consideration. Now there's a new avenue open to buyers and sellers of these homes - and a historic Philadelphia house is a test case. From WHYY's Arts and Culture desk, Alex Schmidt reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Behind the scenes preview of The Please Touch Museum
May 8, 2008
 The Please Touch Museum will open in October at its new site... Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park. Construction and renovation work is continuing toward the opening date. From WHYY's Arts and Culture Desk, Alex Schmidt took a hard-hat tour.
Listen to the mp3 »
Cinco de Mayo less important among city's Mexican immigrant community
May 5, 2008
While South Street may have been hopping with Cinco de Mayor parties, that probably wasn't the case in much of Mexico or in Philadelphia's Mexian immigrant community. From WHYY's Arts and Culture Desk, Alex Schmidt reports. Listen to the mp3 »
More info: Wikipedia: State of Puebla
City of Puebla
Cinco de Mayo
Mexican Independence Day
Preservation underway of history-making ship at Penn's Landing
May 1, 2008
 Some long-needed preservation work is underway at the Independence Seaport Museum on Penn's Landing. WHYY's Alex Schmidt went down into the depths to check out underwater restoration work on the Spanish-American war vessel - The Olympia.
Listen to the mp3 »
More info: Independence Seaport Museum website: Cruiser Olympia
Take a virtual tour of the Olympia
Pennsylvania's Swedish Roots Celebrated with Valborg
April 30, 2008
Spring is here and a museum in South Philadelphia is honoring the season in its own ancient way. WHYY's Alex Schmidt reports. Listen to the mp3 »
More info: Wikipedia: Swedish festival of Valborg
Art Auction to help AIDS Counseling Site
April 26, 2008
One of Philadelphia's chief gay and lesbian community centers and AIDS health counseling sites gets a hand from a former patient. WHYY's Alex Schmidt reports on an art auction benefitting the Mazzoni Center. Listen to the mp3 »
Playwright Explores Apartheid through Ancient Greek Play
April 25, 2008
An adaptation of the classic Greek play Agamemnon by a South African playwright makes its U.S. debut at Penn's Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. The peformance explores the theme of apartheid. WHYY's Alex Schmidt went to check out Molora. Listen to the mp3 Part I »
Listen to the mp3 Part II »
Art Museum Completes Trade to Secure The Gross Clinic
April 24, 2008
The Philadelphia Museum of Art has announced how it's going to pay for its share of Thomas Eakins' painting, The Gross Clinic. WHYY's Alex Schmidt reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Kimmel Center Clear of Debt - with a little Help from its Friends
April 23, 2008
The Kimmel Center opened to the public in 2001 with $30 million in construction debt. Now it has wiped the slate clean - and then some. WHYY's Alex Schmidt reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Arts Get a Little Play in the Presidential Race
April 15, 2008
Top issues on the campaign trail are often the economy, abortion and the military. The arts don't usually get to share much of the spotlight. WHYY's Alex Schmidt reports that this year is different. Listen to the mp3 »
 Remembering Richie Ashburn
April 11, 2008
Richie Ashburn became a Philadelphia sports icon with his brazing speed rounding the bases wearing number one and snaring fly balls in center field as a Whiz Kid. Many of us remember "Whitey" best as the "color man" paired with Phils broadcaster Harry Kalas from 1971 until Ashburn's untimely death in September 1997. Phillies longtime videographer Dan Stephenson, known as "Video Dan" has chronicled Ashburn's rise with the Phillies in "Richie Ashburn: A Baseball Life." He talked with WHYY Morning Edition's Brenda Jorett.
Listen to the mp3 »
Local Artist Featured at Philly Film Fest
April 6, 2008
The documentary "In A Dream" screened at the Philadelphia Film Festival over the weekend. It tells the story of a family of artists who are notorious - at least in Philadelphia. WHYY's Alex Schmidt spoke with the director. Listen to the mp3 »
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