The ‘heartbeat’ of Philly arts, Leroy Johnson, 85, has died

The surrealist who made “Twin Peaks,” “Blue Velvet” and “Lost Highway” got his start as a painter at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

The principal dancer with the Alvin Ailey Dance Company became its international star, and later its leader.

Fernandez Smith was a Philadelphia native who sang through the U.S. and Europe during her operatic career.