Features

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Godfrey, an Asian American dancer wearing black, strikes an angled pose with one leg extended, their hand on the ankle

Philly’s trans and nonbinary artists push the gendered boundaries of dance

Why is the gender binary so entrenched in dance?

Both locally and nationally, dance is benefitting from increased visibility and representation of openly trans and/or nonbinary artists, but dance still clings to stereotypes of gender more than other art forms. Melissa Strong considers.
Melissa Strong

Melissa Strong

Features 4 minute read
Costanzo, a white man wearing a sequined Eagles tee, spreads his arms excitedly in front of a luxe red & gold curtain.

Opera Philadelphia’s Anthony Roth Costanzo wants art to be a civic right

A trailblazing opera leader on why pick-your-price tickets are back for the 2025-2026 season

When he first brought up pick-your-price tickets, Opera Philadelphia president Anthony Roth Costanzo says there were a lot of naysayers. He tells Alaina Johns how it all turned out, and why pick your price (starting at $11) is back for next season.
Alaina Johns

Alaina Johns

Features 5 minute read
About 2 dozen diverse smiling people, many holding jaranas, pose together on a large porch in summertime.

Music collective Son Revoltura brings Mexican folk traditions to the people of Philly

Son jarocho for everyone

Philly cultural collective Son Revoltura brings music that flourished for centuries in Veracruz to parties, protests, and local jam sessions that welcome everyone regardless of their musical experience. Thomas Hagen visits.
Thomas Hagen

Thomas Hagen

Features 4 minute read
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

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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