WHYY’s arts and culture reporter Peter Crimmins first became interested in radio in the fourth grade, when he smuggled a contraband crystal-diode radio into the Boy Scout summer camp. Subsequent radio projects were more successful.
Crimmins has been reporting on arts and culture for WHYY News since 2010, as well as filing award-winning radio and print stories locally and nationally. He started his career in the San Francisco Bay Area, cutting his teeth at community station KALX and producing syndicated radio programming for Ben Manilla Productions. He lives in Fishtown with his wife and two dogs.
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Made in America will be back on the Parkway this Labor Day weekend
This will be the 10th anniversary of the concert of top-tier hip-hop, rock, and electronic musicians presented by rapper Jay-Z.
5 years ago
Philly kids to color world’s largest drawing, made by a local artist
The Franklin Institute brings back Dyymond Whipper-Young’s record-breaking sketch so her students can color it in.
5 years ago
Rwandan preschoolers receive customized picture books, designed by Philly teenagers
Rwanda lacks picture books for kids. A Philly high school design class made one just for them.
5 years ago
District attorney diverting youth from the juvenile justice system into arts classes
The Philly District Attorney’s office has begun diverting young people into an after-school arts program for a chance to expunge their records.
5 years ago
Sculptures to sprout along the Delaware River waterfront all year
Works by Tracey Emin and Sam Moyer will launch an ongoing program to present major public artwork along Philadelphia’s waterfront.
5 years ago
Delaware Art Museum to reboot a major Black arts show, 50 years later
A nearly forgotten exhibition of contemporary Black artists circa 1971 will be recreated by the Delaware Art Museum.
5 years ago
![Asked if his run for DA was a vendetta for being fired, Vega vigorously denied the idea. He had never before wanted to run for office, the former homicide prosecutor said, but the escalating murder rate in the city drove him into the political ring. “I see the numbers of murders that have been happening since [Krasner] took office. Just this past year, 499 murders,” Vega said. “As a father, a single dad, a person of color — we suffer the most. I decided to run for office.” Krasner countered that the rise in gun violence is not related to his policy reforms. “In 50 major U.S. cities last year the increase in gun violence was 42%. The increase in Philly is 40%, which is terrible, but what is happening is not unique to Philly,” Krasner said. “The FOP and their candidate — my opponent — are weaponizing a national tragedy.” Other issues got little air time, and there was little difference in the candidates’ responses. Each tread similar ground when asked about the opioid crisis in the Kensington neighborhood, saying aggressive prosecution of those living with addiction should be a low priority, with the city instead offering social services and diversionary programs to avoid criminal proceedings and jail time. Krasner also said his office has been working with the FBI on wiretapping investigations to identify and arrest major dealers and those involved in drug trafficking, though he declined to elaborate.](https://whyy.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/krasner-vega-1-360x280.jpg "krasner-vega")
Final Philly DA debate: Vega touts putting police in prison, Krasner says opponent lied in court
The two Democratic candidates for district attorney traded jabs and accusations during a live broadcast on WURD, Philly’s only Black-owned radio station.
5 years ago
Upper Darby’s own Todd Rundgren will be inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame considers artists who have been making records for at least 25 years. Rundgren has had a career more than twice that long.
5 years ago
A grand Chestnut Hill home-turned-convent could become part of the Woodmere
The Sisters of St. Joseph would prefer that the next owner be the museum, just a stone’s throw away, if it can raise the money to acquire the property.
5 years ago
Listen 1:59
Murals honoring Black activists now wrap the Municipal Services Building
Mural Arts Philadelphia has extended the work of artist Russell Craig across three sides of the Municipal Services Building.
5 years ago
New scholarship program to help foster children get through college
When kids leave foster care they have to make a decision: A job, or college? A new scholarship program tries to tip the scales toward education.
5 years ago
Pennsylvania Ballet spreads its wings at the Cherry Street Pier
A collaborative dance and visual art installation at the Cherry Street Pier put the classical dance company in front of audiences again.
5 years ago