The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, April 16-22, 2026
Never/Mind, Printmaking by the People, Philly Black Pride, and more this week
New work from James Ijames, printmaking for America in the past and the future, and more decorate this week. Kyle V. Hiller rounds up.
Previews
5 minute read
The 2026 Philly Theatre Week and Miniball pack Philly stages this April
Pay-what-you-can theater fills the city with a pair of spring festivals
This April, Philly Theatre Week and Miniball 2026 offer an exciting citywide roster of affordable shows, from Moliere to James Ijames, with memoir, comedy, clowning, historic drama, musicals, and more. Cameron Kelsall previews.
Previews
4 minute read
Huge changes to the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts will impact the Philly cultural scene
Local artists are fighting for the power to tell their stories
An overhaul to the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts will have a major impact on Philly’s creative sector, cutting diversity programs, operating dollars, and funding for apprenticeships and small companies. Camille Bacon-Smith looks closer.
Features
7 minute read
Advertisement
PHILADANCO! is Explosive! in its spring series
Exploring identity and community through dance
Camille Bacon-Smith previews PHILADANCO!’s spring series Explosive!, a program with new works from Nicole Clarke-Springer and Roderick George, and revisiting a piece from Thang Dao.
Previews
3 minute read
Curio Theatre Company presents John Bellomo’s Sacco & Vanzetti: A Tragedia Dell’Arte
The true story of two immigrants on trial in the 1920s echoes America today
Curio mounts the world premiere of local playwright John Bellomo’s Sacco & Vanzetti: A Tragedia Dell’Arte, restaging a famous 20th-century trial with a 16th-century flair that still feels fresh. Walt Maguire reviews.
Reviews
3 minute read
On the record with Aaron Pond and the People's Music Supply Recording Company
An instrumental movement
Multi-instrumentalist Aaron Pond’s record label is helping encourage and educate people of all levels who are interested in playing music. John Morrison profiles.
Profiles
3 minute read
Asian Arts Initiative and partners present No Arena: Making A Movement
Celebrating the power of the people
A new exhibition at Asian Arts Initiative explores the recent fight over the basketball arena proposed on the edge of Philly’s Chinatown, celebrating the power of ordinary people who activated to save the neighborhood. Krista Mar visits.
Features
4 minute read
Pier Players Theatre Company presents Peter Fenton’s I Think We’re Lost
A new take on Peter Pan isn’t quite ready to fly
Pier Players Theatre Company continues its mission for new work with the world premiere of I Think We’re Lost, but great actors and design can’t save a script not ready for the stage. Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
Brewce Longo showcases underground cinema at BloodSick Film Festival
Oh, bloody hell
Brewce Longo talks failed early attempts to feature films, friendships and festivals. Emily Kaldenbaugh profiles.
Profiles
3 minute read
BSR Classical Interludes, more in April 2026
Music for Earth Day, two dozen string basses, and celebrating 250
Network for New Music honors Earth Day, concerts play for America’s 250th, and more to close out April. Gail Obenreder previews.
Previews
4 minute read
The BSR Podcast: Catching up with James Ijames
Darnelle Radford talks with James Ijames about life post-Fat Ham
James Ijames joins the BSR Podcast to talk about how to bring a play to the stage, the formula for a Pulitzer Prize-winning piece, and life after Fat Ham.
Podcast
1 minute read
Philadelphia Artists’ Collective presents Royall Tyler’s The Contrast
Love at first laugh
Philadelphia Artists’ Collective presents The Contrast, a late-18th-century comedy of manners that holds the title of America’s first comedy. Kiran Pandey previews.
Previews
2 minute read
The Brandywine Museum of Art presents Abundance/Excess: A Contemporary Eye on Still Life
Breathing fresh life into historic genres
The Brandywine Museum of Art assembles contemporary artists who are reimagining the genre of still life, offering an unexpected view of the traditional in Abundance/Excess: A Contemporary Eye on Still Life. Gail Obenreder reviews.
Reviews
4 minute read
Sign up for our newsletter
All of the week's new articles, all in one place. Sign up for the free weekly BSR newsletters, and don't miss a conversation.
Also on BSR
The BSR Podcast: Talking with Alaina Johns and Kyle V. Hiller
What 20 years of arts journalism mean to us and the community
Editor-in-chief Alaina Johns and associate editor Kyle V. Hiller join Darnelle Radford in the virtual studio for a chat about the importance of arts journalism, how BSR has overcome adversity many times over, and what to look forward to this spring.
Podcast
1 minute read
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, April 9-15, 2026
Tea Party at the End of the World, Healing Verse, and 4DSOUND this week
How to find play in the end of times, poetry illustrates Germantown, and an immersive sound experience from Amsterdam collabs with Philly artists. Kyle V. Hiller rounds up.
Previews
4 minute read
Bristol Riverside Theatre presents Jelly’s Last Jam
Exploring the life of an American music icon
Bristol Riverside Theatre’s new production of Jelly’s Last Jam, a lavish musical about the life of Jelly Roll Morton, holds back in some ways and delivers in others. An Nichols reviews.
Reviews
5 minute read
BSR writers speak up after the Readers Decide campaign
“I have never seen readers respond so quickly.”
See for yourself what BSR writers had to say when they learned we met our $10K goal to close a spring funding gap with our Readers Decide campaign in March.
Editorials
4 minute read
Independence Seaport Museum presents Seeking Profit and Power: Philadelphia, China Trade, and the Making of America
The economy of an upstart nation
A swashbuckling new exhibition at the Independence Seaport Museum marks America’s 250th with a fascinating look at how trade with China shaped the young United States in its first hundred years. Pamela J. Forsythe reviews.
Reviews
6 minute read
Your April guide to 250th Anniversary events in Philadelphia
Declarations, fireworks, your photos, and more as spring fires up America’s birthday
April is overflowing with events continuing Philly’s 250 theme, including an exhibition about fireworks, art shows, a call for photos, circus arts, ceramics, a symphony, a Mummers dance workshop, and tons more. Walt Maguire rounds up.
Previews
12 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
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
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
The BSR Podcast: Talking with Jelly's Last Jam director Tyrone L. Robinson
Darnelle Radford 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