The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, April 2-8, 2026
Self-exploring through exhibitions, Philly jazz, and more
Philly Jazz Month opens, new exhibitions open for the spring, and more. Kyle V. Hiller rounds up.
Previews
4 minute read
Ensemble Arts Philly and the Shubert Organization present The Sound of Music
Familiar music, timeless message
Back on tour in a lavish new production, The Sound of Music combines evergreen entertainment with a potent anti-fascist stance. Cameron Kelsall reviews.
Reviews
3 minute read
Alison Zeidman presents Ready to Die? A Comedy Show About Dead Parents & DIY End-of-Life Planning
Death comedy jam
Comedian Alison Zeidman’s show makes light of losing your parents too soon and preparing for end-of-life, tying stand-up with a workshop around death and dying. Kyle V. Hiller previews.
Previews
3 minute read
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The BSR April 2026 repertory movie roundup
Nickel Boys, The Silence of the Lambs, and Black Belt Theatre
Martial arts on 16mm, revisiting a groundbreaking film from 2024, and a classic thriller turns 35. Stephen Silver previews.
Previews
4 minute read
The Month in Philly Dance for April 2026
Saying it through dance
Camille Bacon-Smith rounds up what’s happening on the dancing stage in Philly for April.
Previews
4 minute read
A fake photo of Philly’s No Kings 3 march went viral. Stay sharp as protests grow.
Hear from BSR writers who joined the latest No Kings march.
On March 28, 2026, an estimated 40,000 people took to the Parkway for the third nationwide No Kings march. A fake image of the protest quickly went viral. Here’s a real view, from Alaina Johns and BSR writers who were there.
Editorials
6 minute read
The BSR Podcast: Talking with Jelly's Last Jam director Tyrone L. Robinson
Darnelle dives into Bristol Riverside Theatre's new production of Jelly's Last Jam
Director Tyrone L. Robinson joins Darnelle Radford in the virtual studio to take you behind the scenes of the regional premiere of the Tony-winning musical Jelly's Last Jam.
Podcast
1 minute read
Academy of Natural Sciences presents the 2026 Confluence Film Festival
“Seeding the Future”
The third annual Confluence Film Festival returns to the Academy of Natural Sciences, centering around the theme “Seeding the Future.” Erin Dohony previews.
Previews
3 minute read
BSR Classical Interludes, April 2026
Springing into the music
The first half of April’s classical music concerts in the Philadelphia area, including performances from Artcinia, the Jasper Chamber Quartet, and the Lenape Chamber Ensemble. Gail Obenreder previews.
Previews
4 minute read
Meg Saligman presents The Ministry of Awe
Dozens of artists turn capitalism upside down inside a historic Philly bank
The Ministry of Awe, a wild, self-guided experience from Philly artist Meg Saligman and dozens of local creators, has taken over a Frank Furness bank in Old City. Anndee Hochman reviews.
Reviews
5 minute read
After a season of cold, ice, and ICE, the city needs us outside
Why “walkability” was always the wrong word
This winter, snowstorms buried the Philadelphia sidewalks. Cold, ice, and ICE forced people indoors. What gets lost when we can no longer be on the move outside? Julien Suaudeau considers.
Essays
6 minute read
Meet 10 Philly film clubs welcoming cinephiles from across the region
Philly’s film freaks are ready to step out of the shadows
Film doesn’t usually top the list of Philly’s cultural offerings, but these local clubs are looking to change that, with screenings in every genre around the city. Dive in with film writer Elijah Fischer.
Features
5 minute read
Philly is covered with anti-fascist sticker art. Here's a gallery.
Street art in Philly says no Trump, no ICE, and justice for all
Walk around Philly this spring and they are everywhere: anti-fascist stickers. They're angry, whimsical, artful, edgy, urgent, thoughtful, and funny. Check out this gallery spanning many city neighborhoods, and keep your eyes open.
Editorials
6 minute read
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Also on BSR
The National Constitution Center presents America’s Founding
From aspiration to nation
The National Constitution Center joins the 250th celebrations with America’s Founding, featuring immersive new galleries that take us inside life in Philly before and during the Revolution. Pamela J. Forsythe reviews.
Reviews
6 minute read
The Wilma presents James Ijames’s The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington
The first First Lady goes on trial
As the celebration of America’s Semiquincentennial draws near, the Wilma revives James Ijames’s polemical satire The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington. Cameron Kelsall reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
A video update on the Readers Decide campaign
Alaina and Neil talk about what's at stake in the last days of our March fundraiser
Neil and Alaina chat for 10 minutes about the latest on our Readers Decide campaign, including some interesting stats and what donors have been saying. You have until March 31 to join the campaign!
Editorials
less than a minute read
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, March 26-April 1, 2026
Orisha/Santos, Botany of Nations, and Can’t Forget About You
New exhibitions explore works from Africa and East Asia, Inis Nua and Players Club of Swarthmore open comedies on stage, and more. Kyle V. Hiller rounds up.
Previews
3 minute read
The BSR Podcast: Hit the Philly theater scene with DemBruceGals
Keeping theater in the family
DemBruceGals are becoming a fixture of our local theater scene. These five Philly sisters have made it their mission to see as many shows as possible and share the journey with their followers. They join Darnelle in the virtual studio.
Podcast
1 minute read
The Philadelphia Orchestra presents Marin Leads Rachmaninoff and Schumann
Celebrating Women’s History Month with new work by Ukrainian composer Iryna Aleksiychuk
Women conductors still face an uphill fight for representation in the classical music world, but Marin Alsop is changing that. She appeared in Philly for a March program including Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. Linda Holt reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
Theatre Exile’s Philly GRIT presents Bastion Carboni’s A Vacation
A travel influencer takes his wildest trip yet
A Vacation, a Philly GRIT solo show from local performer and director Bastion Carboni, follows a travel influencer who is in over his head at his latest controversial destination: Purgatory. Alaina Johns reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
TheatreXP presents Donald Margulies’s Lunar Eclipse
An authentic look at aging together
TheatreXP crafts an intimate production of Lunar Eclipse by Pulitzer-winning playwright Donald Margulies, about an aging couple looking to the stars as they grapple with loving and letting go. SaraKay Smullens reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
BalletX presents its 2026 Spring Series
Philly’s contemporary ballet company deserves its growing national profile
BalletX’s 2026 Spring Series is a creative master class, featuring three works by cofounder Matthew Neenan that show the company’s impressive arc. Melissa Strong reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
BSR Classical Interludes, more in March 2026
Birthday keys and a violin deal with the devil
A baroque birthday celebration, contemporary choral music, and music from the Italian renaissance. Gail Obenreder previews.
Previews
3 minute read