Creative economy

101 results
Page 1
Coles, a Black man, sits at an illuminated, colorful soundboard in a dim studio

Capturing the Philadelphia sound with Samori Coles

A Lil’ Drummaboy with big dreams

Coming ahead of his new podcast launch, Lil’ Drummaboy Recordings founder Samori Coles talks about the history behind the studio, his aspirations in expanding the space, and what makes Philly music special. Lowry Yankwich profiles.

Lowry Yankwich

Profiles 4 minute read
Portrait snapshot of Ongoza, a Black woman, wears matching white floral top and head wrap against a cloth backdrop

Creative menstrual hygiene with Maisha Ongoza and the PASHI project

Sewing together affordable, accessible solutions

Maisha Ongoza of the Pan-African Sisterhood Health Initiative talks about the project and its efforts to provide reusable menstrual pads, carry pouches, masks, and panties to schools and organizations in Africa. Crystal Sparrow profiles.
Crystal Sparrow

Crystal Sparrow

Profiles 3 minute read
Rainey with another dance partner in mid move, holding them up in a rehearsal space.

Performance Garage presents When Yesterday Meets Tomorrow: Being Black in Ballet Today

Dancing into the conversation

Performance Garage presents a free panel discussion on being Black in ballet with 2023-2024 DanceVisions resident artist Meredith Rainey, choreographer Tommie-Waheed Evans, and founder of Memoirs of Blacks in Ballet Theresa Ruth Howard. Melissa Strong previews.
Melissa Strong

Melissa Strong

Profiles 4 minute read
Knittel, wearing neon green zebra leggings, tussles with laughing audience members while falling on her back during a show.

Dive into the 2023 Philly Fringe Festival with avant-garde necromancer Sarah Knittel

Philly Fringe 2023: How did we get here?

Sarah Knittel—not a Fringe queen, but certainly a mage or wicked-cool duke—gets us ready for the 2023 fest by sharing her Fringe journey as a self-producing artist.
Sarah Knittel

Sarah Knittel

Essays 8 minute read

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A group of four Black cosplayers in costume poses emphatically, joyfully, in a bright indoor space

Five reasons to attend the East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention

For the geek at heart

An Nichols previews the 2023 East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention and how it works towards cultural awareness, youth literacy, and building safe spaces for geekdom.
An Nichols

An Nichols

Previews 3 minute read
Conyers poses with a student, who is holding a diploma, for a snapshot in an indoor space, a piano behind them

Tuning youth advocacy in music with Joseph H. Conyers and Project 440

A different frequency of learning

Joseph H. Conyers, founder and vision advisor of Project 440, talks about teaching music to children and young adults, community, and learning more than just the instruments. Maria Thompson Corley profiles.
Maria Thompson Corley

Maria Thompson Corley

Profiles 3 minute read
A logo with SoLow Fest written over a spiraling, faded background

Putting on a show with the 2023 SoLow Festival

Exploring the concept of “mess”

The SoLow Festival is an accessible local arts festival that doesn’t put financial pressure on the artists. This year, it’s exploring the concept of rest. C.M. Crockford previews.
C.M. Crockford

C.M. Crockford

Previews 1 minute read
A man helps a young girl on an aerial trapeze fabric outdoors, the Ben Franklin bridge in the background

Running away to Philadelphia School of Circus Arts

Rooting early passion for the circus

Lisa Grunberger takes a look at circus arts, the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, and Fringe's Hand to Hand Festival through the eyes of their youngest fans.

Lisa Grunberger

Profiles 3 minute read
A portrait shot taken on indoor staircase, Kosha Dillz wearing a T-shirt with a performer’s face on it

The return of the Jewish New Media Festival

A triumphant comeback story

The festival is back after a four-year hiatus, with Kosha Dillz and Karen Cinnamon leading the way. Stephen Silver previews.
Stephen Silver

Stephen Silver

Previews 3 minute read
An old portrait of Coates, sepia toned.

Remembering Florence Van Leer Earle Nicholson Coates

Looking back at a Philly poet legend

April is National Poetry Month, and Emily R. Zarevich recalls historic poet Florence Van Leer Earle Nicholson Coates, who paved the way for future generations of poets in Philadelphia.
Emily R. Zarevich

Emily R. Zarevich

Profiles 3 minute read