The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, May 15-21, 2025
PrideFest, FirstGlance Film Festival, Dancing Divas, and more
Highlights from the upcoming week include an HBCU festival in West Philly, Pride in New Hope, international and local film screenings in Old City, and more. Kyle V. Hiller rounds up.
Previews
3 minute read
Does Philly’s proposed 2026 budget cut arts and culture? City arts leaders explain.
Arts supporters must raise their voice in every budget cycle
Recent reporting showed Philly’s arts and culture budget is getting yet another proposed cut from the mayor, but arts leaders say the truth is more complicated, and they urge public advocacy. Alaina Johns looks closer.
Features
6 minute read
The PMA’s BOOM sparks a closer look at women in the art and design of the 1940s
What did the transformative decade of WWII mean for women artists?
BOOM, a new exhibition at the PMA surveying American art and design in the global tumult of the 1940s, also offers a chance to reflect on evolving roles for women in American art history. Wendy Univer considers.
Essays
7 minute read
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Tony Lawton’s Goldfish premieres at the FirstGlance Film Festival
From the stage to the screen
Local theater artist Tony Lawton talks about his new film that debuts in Philadelphia this week. Stephen Silver previews.
Previews
4 minute read
Celebrating a history of LGBTQIA+ activism and community with Homecoming
Exploring themes of home
In a humble Victorian in Lansdowne, visitors can explore the comforts and complexities of queer domestic life this spring, through the work of 20 LGBTQIA+ artists. Dara McBride previews.
Previews
2 minute read
BSR Classical Interludes, more in May 2025
Music takes flight
More classical music happening in May 2025, including performances by Choral Arts, Tempesta di Mare, and a world premiere that honors the life of aviator Hazel Ying Lee. Gail Obenreder previews.
Previews
3 minute read
Woodmere Art Museum presents Eye of the Beholder: Two Philadelphia Collectors’ Visions of Beauty in Art
The collectors’ art of resistance
Eye of the Beholder, now on view at Woodmere Art Museum, curates picks from the collections of two luminaries of the local art scene with an eye for goodness and beauty. K.A. McFadden reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
Philadelphia Ballet presents August Bournonville’s La Sylphide
The oldest surviving Romantic fairytale ballet
Philadelphia Ballet rose to the challenge of August Bournonville’s difficult technique in a new production of La Sylphide, the oldest surviving ballet of its kind, plus an outing with Harald Lander’s modernist Etudes. Camille Bacon-Smith reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
Drexel University’s Paul Peck Alumni Center Gallery presents Kurt Vonnegut Jr. As a Visual Artist
When words fail, draw
A timely new exhibition of drawings by Kurt Vonnegut, many of which have never been displayed publicly, offers a new perspective on the iconic author that resonates in our own time. Pamela J. Forsythe reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
Philly arts organizations speak up after the Trump administration revokes their NEA grants
“We’re all banding together. Otherwise, we’re not going to exist.”
The Trump administration is clawing back hundreds of thousands of dollars of NEA grants already promised to arts groups around the country. These cuts are hitting hard in Philly, but artists tell Anndee Hochman they will not stop their work.
Features
6 minute read
The Performance Garage presents Megan Mazarick’s soapbox
Deconstructionist dance winningly asks, “What is your platform?”
Dance artist Megan Mazarick concluded her Performance Garage DanceVisions residency with the world premiere of soapbox, an engaging interdisciplinary dance/theater piece considering digital-age identity. Melissa Strong reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
Could the Wanamaker Building become a hub for Philly’s 250th anniversary events?
Let’s meet at the Eagle for the Semiquincentennial
When plans got underway for Philly’s celebration of America’s 250th birthday, organizers didn’t know that the beautiful and historic Wanamaker Building would go empty with the closure of Macy’s. Walt Maguire asks if 2026 events could fill it up.
Essays
4 minute read
Quintessence Theater Group and Playhouse Creatures Theatre Company present Naomi Wallace and Marcus Rediker’s The Return of Benjamin Lay
Benjamin Lay’s life is a call to action for us today
Quintessence brings the story of a revolutionary Quaker activist back to Philadelphia with a powerful production of The Return of Benjamin Lay, especially timely as the federal government moves to defund the arts. Alix Rosenfeld reviews.
Reviews
3 minute read
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The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, May 8-14, 2025
Endlings, The Return of Benjamin Lay, and Art Star Craft Bazaar
New performances at Hedgerow and Quintessence open this week, a multidisciplinary concert at Curtis, a legendary story of a Pennsylvania Quaker, and an experimental technology workshop at PMA. Kyle V. Hiller rounds up.
Previews
4 minute read
Ukrainian-born Conductor Dalia Stasevska leads Philadelphia Orchestra performance with pianist Emanuel Ax
The music finds us
Pianist Emanuel Ax’s return to Philadelphia, paired with Dalia Stasevska, makes for a soul-searching performance in the midst of conflict. Lowry Yankwich previews.
Previews
3 minute read
The Philadelphia Artists’ Collective presents Eli Lynn’s CATO (Remixed)
A Founding Fathers favorite, with a modern twist
For Damon Bonetti’s last outing as PAC’s producing artistic director, the company presents CATO (Remixed), based on a play that helped inspire the American Revolution, in the building that hosted the First Continental Congress. Jill Ivey reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
BalletX’s Festival at the Mann presents Maslow’s Peak, by Jennifer Archibald
Lord of the Flies becomes a full-length ballet
For its annual Festival at the Mann production, BalletX presented a monumental new piece inspired by William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, harnessing all the possibilities of a large outdoor stage. Camille Bacon-Smith reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, May 1-7, 2025
Sonic Sunsets, Variety Pack, and Mother’s Day at Theatre Exile
A new season at BalletX, a flowery festival in Germantown, film screenings at Scribe, and more this week. Kyle V. Hiller rounds up.
Previews
4 minute read
BSR Classical Interludes, May 2025
Maurice Ravel’s 150th birthday and the works of Lucia Dlugoszewski
Music happening in the Philly area in the first half of May, including a few concerts for Mother’s Day. Gail Obenreder previews.
Previews
3 minute read
The BSR May 2025 repertory movie roundup
Fifty years of the Holy Grail, Blue Velvet, Strange Darling, and a visit from Joe Bob
Movies in the Philly area coming in May, including half-century-year-old classics, and a second chance for a contemporary cult darling. Stephen Silver previews.
Previews
4 minute read
The month in Philly Dance: May 2025
New from BalletX, The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble, Malandain Ballet Biarritz, and more
A BalletX dance festival, a dedication to Lucia Dlugoszewski, and more dance into May. Camille Bacon-Smith rounds up.
Previews
3 minute read
New accessibility options at Ensemble Arts open doors to audiences who are often excluded
“We want to make every person in the diverse region feel welcome”
Ensemble Arts Philly, which runs venues including Marian Anderson Hall and the Academy of Music, is increasing its welcome to patrons who are often excluded, including Deaf and autistic folks. Anndee Hochman learns more.
Features
5 minute read
PHILADANCO! presents Relentless Resident Visions
Two world-premiere dances meet earlier works that resonate today
PHILADANCO! marked its 55th anniversary with world premieres by Tommie-Waheed Evans and Ray Mercer, plus works from the early aughts that are relevant today, including a tribute to Alvin Ailey. Melissa J. Strong reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read