On November 3, Philly voters will decide the fate of our city’s office of arts and culture
A “yes” on ballot question 2 will make Creative Philadelphia a permanent office, and send a message on arts funding
On November 3, Question 2 on the Philadelphia ballot will ask voters if we should make our city arts and culture office permanent, instead of subject to the whims of the mayor. Alaina Johns speaks to city leaders about the measure.
Features
5 minute read
The Readers Decide Revenue Drive could mean a big move for BSR
BSR readers will decide if we expand our team in 2027
For more than 20 years, BSR has run entirely on the power of part-timers who have no training in fundraising. We want to change all of that, so we need to hire a revenue consultant, with our loyal readers' help.
Editorials
4 minute read
Icebox Project Space transforms into a micro mall through November 15
Presented by Collective Futures, the reimagined art gallery boasts a free salad bar on Wednesdays, VCR rentals, and more
Icebox Project's Timothy Belknap says malls are a "dream space," and hopes Icebox Mall invites people to slow down and into a nostalgic, communal space. BSR's Wi-Moto Nyoka previews.
4 minute read
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Four generations of a Japanese American family visit Noguchi to Asawa: Designing Postwar America at the Barnes
Remembering Japanese American internment, and the artists who emerged to shape U.S. culture
When never again is now, we must remember Japanese American incarceration during WWII. Rob Buscher visits Noguchi to Asawa: Designing Postwar America at the Barnes with family members who live that history.
Essays
7 minute read
Temple University Special Collections Present Philadelphia Unfolded
A pop-up family album for Philly’s intrinsically diverse history
With Philadelphia Unfolded, renowned pop-up book artist Colette Fu combines her work with a trove of vintage photographs showing Philadelphians from the 19th century to today. Pamela J. Forsythe reviews.
Reviews
5 minute read
Piffaro presents At the Sign of the Crumhorn
Resonating beyond the Renaissance
For its 2026-27 season opener, Piffaro devoted a fascinating program to the innovative 16th-century composer, musician, and genius musical distributor Tielman Susato, in a concert captured for streaming. Gail Obenreder reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
Wharton Esherick Museum presents Jennifer Johnson: All the Time in the World
A centennial celebration of an iconic artist’s remarkable home
Wharton Esherick broke ground on his studio in Malvern 100 years ago, and the museum’s centennial celebrations culminate in a triumphant exhibition of ceramics by local sculptor Jennifer Johnson. Emily Schilling reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
Philadelphia Artists’ Collective and Theatre Ariel present Israel Zangwill’s The Melting Pot, adapted by Jesse Bernstein
A forgotten play speaks to America today
Philadelphia Artists’ Collective and Theatre Ariel present their adaptation of Israel Zangwill’s The Melting Pot, a 1908 melodrama that asks provocative questions about identity and belonging. Cameron Kelsall reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
Your Classical Music Guide: November 2026
Classical Interludes includes a free opera screening, Danzas del Ecuador, music at Bunker Hill, and more
Philly's November line-up of classical events runs the gamut, from Jorge Oviedo’s newly commissioned Kawsay to Italian Songs, Solos, and Sonatas set inside a period drawing-room salon. Gail Obenreder rounds up.
Previews
4 minute read
Your guide to November 2026 Philly theater
Playwright Jonathan Spector, the Philly debut of Boop!, a new Pippin, and more
November brings big acts, local debuts like Boop!, a twist on Pippin, and more. Cameron Kelsall has your theater guide.
Previews
3 minute read
Delaware Theatre Company presents Sam Kissajukian’s 300 Paintings
One man’s journey from comedian to painter to star solo artist
Australian comedian, storyteller, and visual artist Sam Kissajukian brings his globally popular show about living with bipolar through the power of art to Delaware Theatre Company. Gail Obenreder reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
The November 2026 repertory movie roundup
Rocky, Noir City, ‘I Shot Andy Warhol’ and more
Ringing in 50 years of "Rocky," Autumn cult classics, a film noir festival, and a film about Warhol. Stephen Silver rounds up.
Previews
5 minute read
The Month in Philly Dance: November 2026
Sashay into November
Here's what is happening in the world of Philly dance throughout November. Camille Bacon-Smith previews.
Previews
4 minute read
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Also on BSR
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup: October 28-November 3
Step into Halloween with Philly’s oldest Fall Fest, escape to the Hairport, lucha libre, and more
The season is ripe for spooky costume contests, face-painting while watching lucha libre, and more this week. BSR's Vicky Diaz-Camacho rounds up.
Previews
4 minute read
Opera Philadelphia and Fisher Center LAB present Suddenly Last Summer, adapted from Tennessee Williams
A surprising adaptation explores trauma and truth
The Philly premiere of Suddenly Last Summer, developed by Opera Philadelphia and the Fisher Center LAB, was a shocking cultural experience audiences will not soon forget. Linda Holt reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
Documentary about Philadelphia gay rights activist, KIYOSHI, makes world debut at Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival
"Social justice is intertwined"
Longtime activist gets his first feature length film, set to kick off 19th Annual PAAF. Evan Schares previews.
Previews
3 minute read
Philly artist Wi-Moto Nyoka finds community through horror
"I’m looking for my tribe," says The Black Girl Lives! founder
Wi-Moto Nyoka is a interdisciplinary artist whose work spans jazz, film, and theater. She speaks with Erick Barragán Ramírez about her journey.
Profiles
3 minute read
Little Movie Store is set to open in South Philly’s analog media haven
Reviving movie rental culture with the city’s first movie rental store in a decade
Shop owner Dylan Wise says opening a movie rental shop was "a dream." Ahead of its grand opening on October 24, 2026, Elijah Fischer previews.
Previews
4 minute read
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, October 21-28
Vibing Out to Germantown's Final Art & Sound, Handcrafting Calaveras, Soft Crash, and More
As summer events fade out, summer events make their final bow. This weekend's roundup includes the Southeast Asian Market at FDR Park, Germantown's Art & Sound show, and other events focused on building connections. Vicky Diaz-Camacho rounds up.
Previews
5 minute read
Hedgerow Theatre presents Stephen King’s Misery, adapted by William Goldman
Horror in Media
Hedgerow Theatre celebrates spooky season with William Goldman’s stage adaptation of Stephen King’s Misery. Gauri Mangala reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
The Print Center presents The Long Ride Home: Black Cowboys in America
Ending the myth of the all-white cowboys
Master Philly photographer Ron Tarver explores a historic culture that is too often overlooked, with The Long Ride Home: Black Cowboys in America, on view through November 14, 2026 at The Print Center. An Nichols reviews.
Reviews
5 minute read
Azuka and Simpatico present Priyanka Shetty’s #Charlottesville
Witnessing a far-right rally
Priyanka Shetty’s powerful solo show based on hundreds of interviews with residents of Charlottesville, VA after the violent 2017 “Unite the Right” rally gets its Philly premiere. Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer reviews.
Reviews
5 minute read
The 2026 Philadelphia Film Festival opens with The Only Living Pickpocket in New York and La Bola Negra
PFF’s 35th anniversary starts with a bang
The 35th annual Philadelphia Film Festival opens with an extremely New York movie and the latest from the Spanish directing duo Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, coming soon to Netflix. Stephen Silver reviews.
Reviews
5 minute read