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These exclusive tips for you, our subscribers, let you know where our team is heading on the Philly scene this month. There are three sections: FIND US, Neil’s Nod of the Month, and Recommended Reading. If you’d like to step up and support our work, a donation of $10 or more helps us pay our writers. Friends of BSR and Local Media Champions receive additional updates with insights on our coverage and exclusive recommendations from our team. Friends of BSR sign up for an automatic monthly donation of $5 (or make a one-time donation of $60). We think $5 a month is a pretty sweet price to keep Philly arts journalism alive! Local Media Champions support us with an automatic donation of $20/month.

FIND US

Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance's Annual Meeting
WHEN: October 14, 2025
WHERE: The Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University
WHY: We wouldn't miss this yearly opportunity to hear summaries of our sector and rub elbows with some of our beloved peer institutions. The theme this year is "Standing Together: Arts and culture in solidarity." That's sure to yield some interesting conversations. Say hi to Alaina and Neil if you're there!

FIND ALAINA

Opera Philadelphia's Il Viaggio a Reims
WHERE: The Academy of Music
WHEN: One more performance this Sunday, September 28
WHY: I enjoyed talking with new Opera Philadelphia leader Anthony Roth Costanzo at the end of the last season, and I believe his pick-your-price opera is the future of the arts. I'm excited for this production, the first of the company's 50th anniversary season, partly because of its ambitious visual elements, with great works of art coming to life. Here's a review by Linda Holt.

Yannick Conducts Tchaikovsky
WHERE: The Kimmel Center's Marian Anderson Hall
WHEN: October 24-26
WHY: BSR critic Cameron Kelsall is reviewing this one, and he's letting me tag along. I'm not a music writer, but I love to keep up with the orchestra, one of Philly's most important cultural institutions. The program is the Sibelius Violin Concerto, Jennifer Higdon's Concerto for Orchestra, and Tchaikovsky's Francesca da Rimini. Violinist Lisa Batiashvili visits. Look out for Cameron's review.

Alaina ran into BSR podcaster Darnelle Radford multiple times at Fringe.

FIND NEIL

PWYW Coworking
WHERE: Indy Hall Clubhouse
WHEN: October 3
WHY: I've been a proud member of Indy Hall's coworking community since right after I moved to town. I find so much camaraderie among solo, remote, and small-biz workers (among others!), especially when I get to be physically among them for a few hours and work in a gorgeous, vibrant setting. (Some BSR readers will remember the Clubhouse as the venue for our Power of Food Media panel in 2023.) Yes, I have a desk at home, but sometimes the change of scenery and company does wonders for the psyche.

Visitors to Indy Hall Clubhouse cowork at a large shared desk. Credit: Conor Clancy Photo

Neil's nod of the month

It's Spooky Season! I get a thrill out of seeing how various groups weave in horror, macabre themes, or otherwise mysterious treats into their programming in October. Melissa Strong will review an Evening of Horror at Philadelphia Ballet. I was not expecting that combination of words! And Josh Herren will review Curio Theatre Company's gender-bending remake, Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors.

I occasionally poke through the Broad Street Review archives with a specific phrase or title, never quite sure what I'm going to find from our 20 years of publication. Kile Smith's essay about gratitude and God and Wallace Shawn struck me less theologically and more humanistically this week. I like to think I make an effort to thank people, especially in a situation "where someone [else] is paid to do something." I could stand to do it more.