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
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 US 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
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
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
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
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 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
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 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
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
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Also on BSR
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
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
Philadelphia Theatre Company and Baltimore Center Stage present Bess Wohl’s Liberation
From 1970 to today, women face the same struggles
Bess Wohl’s Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning Liberation makes its local debut at Philadelphia Theatre Company. Cameron Kelsall reviews.
Reviews
3 minute read
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, October 7-14
Miguel Gutierrez, POST continues, a mac and cheese crawl, party with the Craft Coven, and more
Fall is in full swing, and this weekend is packed with happenings to entertain, inspire, and feed your spirit and body as the light dwindles and autumn colors creep in. Vicky Díaz-Camacho rounds up.
Previews
4 minute read
From El Paso to Philly, Vicky Díaz-Camacho chases the joy of creative expression
BSR’s new associate editor shares how the arts shape her life and work
After many wonderful years with Kyle V. Hiller, BSR is thrilled to welcome our new associate editor, Vicky Díaz-Camacho. She shares her path as a journalist and producer from El Paso to Kansas to Philly, and she has questions for you.
Editorials
5 minute read
The Mighty WMMR: An Oral History of Philadelphia’s Rock Radio Revolution, By Erin Riley
The story of Philly’s own pioneering rock station, from Dave Herman to Pierre Robert
In her new survey of Philly rock radio icon WMMR, longtime music director Erin Riley gets the station’s story in dozens of interviews with the pioneering personalities who drove its success. Pamela J. Forsythe reviews.
Reviews
6 minute read
Applied Mechanics presents Run Ben Run
Manifest density
With its latest ensembled-devised show, Run Ben Run, Applied Mechanics combines American history, pop culture, art criticism, and more in an interactive experience at Christ Church Neighborhood House. Jill Ivey reviews.
Reviews
3 minute read
Native Americans and Pennsylvania, by Daniel K. Richter
Pre-American history
A timely expansion of Penn history professor Daniel K. Richter’s book Native Americans and Pennsylvania brings new scholarship to the history of Indigenous life in what is now Pennsylvania. Pamela J. Forsythe
Reviews
5 minute read
Voice of a Century: The Life and Artistry of Marian Anderson, by Anthony Tommasini
A masterful biography of an iconic American voice
Pianist, author, and New York Times music critic Anthony Tommasini’s new biography of Marian Anderson is page-turning triumph. Gail Obenreder reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
Dovetail Projects presents All Legacies, its debut exhibition at Atelier Gallery in Brewerytown
A Philly platform for innovative disabled and neurodivergent artists
Founders of Philly independent press This Must Be the Place present their first show with a selection of paintings and a book release by artists Jaither West and Eric Stewart. Anndee Hochman previews.
Previews
3 minute read