Features

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Gay and Landau, at far left, stand in front of a crowd in a bright, gilded corridor of City Hall turned into a gallery

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.
Alaina Johns

Alaina Johns

Features 6 minute read
In a gold-lit room with an arched doorway, six people pose gracefully, some with hula hoops.

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.
Anndee Hochman

Anndee Hochman

Features 6 minute read
A few dozen diverse high-school students pose smiling together in the opulent red and gold house of the theater.

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.
Anndee Hochman

Anndee Hochman

Features 5 minute read
Smith, in a large burgundy blazer, sits next to Adams, in a peach, orange & gray striped shirt. They both smile.

Multiple truths: A conversation with Chasing Chasing Amy filmmaker Sav Rodgers

Exploring love, queerness, and becoming yourself through the lens of late 1990s favorite Chasing Amy

Filmmaker Sav Rodgers did not mean to show his own journey, including his transition and his own love story, but his documentary Chasing Chasing Amy explores much more than the hit film. He speaks with Adryan Corcione.
Adryan Corcione

Adryan Corcione

Features 5 minute read
Vintage black & white photo of the very tall Williams in a lavish sequined dress, a white woman reaching up to her shoulder

Unique Black bodies fascinated Philadelphians of the past

Diverse bodies have a long history in Philly that continues today

In honor of Women's History Month, Constance Garcia-Barrio honors four Black women who appeared in Philly in the 19th and 20th centuries, drawing crowds to their unique bodies, and reflects on acceptance of diverse bodies today.
Constance Garcia-Barrio

Constance Garcia-Barrio

Features 6 minute read
David, a white man with glasses and short gray hair, works behind the register in a coffee shop. He wears a blue t-shirt.

Blind filmmaker David Y. Block is finally telling his own story

The life behind Born Blind

David Y. Block, a blind journalist and filmmaker, has been telling other people’s stories through his documentaries for years. But as he tells Anndee Hochman, now he’s learning to turn that lens on himself.
Anndee Hochman

Anndee Hochman

Features 5 minute read
Francis, a Black woman seen speaking in profile. She wears a colorful headscarf, beaded necklace, and denim jacket.

What to do if you’re grieving on Valentine’s Day

Tips for navigating loss as everyone celebrates love

Valentine’s Day can bring romance, tenderness, and fun, but it can also be a painful time if you’re experiencing grief. Constance Garcia-Barrio connects with Philly grief experts and resources to help you through this day and every day.
Constance Garcia-Barrio

Constance Garcia-Barrio

Features 6 minute read
Photo from above and behind the Anderson Hall stage showing the practicing orchestra and a mostly empty house of red seats

Philadelphia Orchestra open rehearsals take music lovers of all ages behind the scenes of the symphony

A symphonic sneak peek

What goes on as the Philadelphia Orchestra, directed by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, prepares for a performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 9? Linda Holt visits to learn more about a program that brings donors and students together behind the scenes.
Linda Holt

Linda Holt

Features 6 minute read
8 people, many using vintage typewriters, visit happily inside the small typewriter store with more visible out the window

The analog revolution is happening at Passyunk Avenue’s Philly Typewriter

Why is Philly the world’s best city for a typewriter company?

Bryan Kravitz and Bill Rhoda never thought their South Philly typewriter shop would thrive in the 21st century, but it did, especially after the pandemic pause brought a surge of new customers hungry for tactile technologies. Erin Dohony visits.
Erin Dohony

Erin Dohony

Features 6 minute read
Collage of headshots of the five BSR team members

The 2024 BSR Year-End Recommend: books, films, TV, music, and more

Build your 2025 lists with personal tips from the BSR team

The BSR Year-End Recommend is back for 2024! Our team shares their favorite movies, books, TV shows, podcasts, newsletters, music, and more.
Alaina Johns

Alaina Johns

Features 8 minute read