Each month, we share our own calendars with YOU!

Welcome back to BSR in the Wild, our monthly subscribers-only tips on where our team is headed on the Philly scene this month. Thanks again to our supporters, Friends, and colleagues who joined us at the Indy Hall Clubhouse in January for our Party With The Critics to celebrate 20 years of Broad Street Review. We put together a video compilation from some of the remarks made that night. If you have photos or videos to share with us from that evening, please send them our way: [email protected] in whatever format you have.

Let's see what's coming up for us!

Party with the Critics drew a full house at Indy Hall. (Photo by Alaina Johns.)

FIND NEIL

Case Comedy
WHEN: Tuesday, February 3, 7:30pm
WHERE: Abyssinia, 229 S. 45th St., Philadelphia
WHY: A few times a year I make it to this scrappy but well-run comedy series. Each week has a different form, whether it's characters, traditional standup, storytelling, improv, etc. This particular show is a storytelling one and I'll be telling a story from my days of living in snowy Western New York!

FUN-A-DAY 2026: Philadelphia Community Art Show
WHEN: Friday and Saturday, February 6 & 7
WHERE: Studio 34 Yoga Healing Arts, 4522 Baltimore Ave., Philadelphia
WHY: My wife Kelsey has been drawing daily comics about our kid in this community-wide daily challenge. She and other artists will be showing off their January creations at this intriguing space. We attended last year's opening and I was blown away by creators' endurance and creativity.

Adam Teterus of Indy Hall greets guests at our 20th anniversary party. Credit: Allie Ippolito for Erin Blewett Photography

FIND ALAINA

Opera Philadelphia's Complications In Sue
WHEN: February 4-8
WHERE: The Academy of Music
WHY: Another exciting premiere from Opera Philadelphia. Music critic Gail Obenreder is reviewing, so look out for that, and she's letting me tag along for opening night. Pulitzer and Tony-winning playwright Michael R. Jackson tries his hand at an opera libretto, scored by 10 different composers who each tackle one decade in the life of the show's protagonist. Honestly, this production sounds pretty wild, and it's stacked with world-class talent. Will it all hang together?

Guest teaching journalism students
WHEN & WHERE: A February session at Temple University
WHY: I am doing a guest session for undergrad journalism students all about the work of being an arts editor. I'm always grateful for this chance to interface with aspiring journalists, and talk to them about the ethics, joys, and tough realities of this job from the editor's chair.

Pitch Perfect with Alaina Johns
WHEN: February 11, 12-12:45pm
WHERE: Zoom
WHY: I'm joining an online session of the Philadelphia Public Relations Association to talk about arts PR, the state of arts journalism, and how PR folks can land a successful pitch at BSR. It's free for PPRA members, and just $5 for non-members. Hope to see you there!

We are grateful so many BSR fans came to Indy Hall from all over the region.(Credit: Allie Ippolito for Erin Blewett Photography)

FIND NEIL

Headshots at the BRIC!
WHEN: Tuesday, February 17, 1:00pm
WHERE: Business Resource and Innovation Center at Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St., Philadelphia
WHY: The headshot I most frequently use, including on BSR's pages, was taken over six years ago. I'd say I'm due for a new one and the BRIC offers this free service regularly. I figured I'd go get an updated photo to use next to my name!

The 2026 Penn Nursing Story Slam
WHEN: Wednesday, February 25, 7:00pm
WHERE: Online
WHY: I've been part of the Penn Nursing storytelling series since its inception and this year I'm excited to host it online. "Nurses have the best stories," organizer Dr. Marion Leary likes to say. She's right. Come listen to some true stories from nurses who are sharing this year on the theme Human Touch in a Digital World.

FIND US

Writers Meetup
WHEN: February
WHERE: Become a Friend to find out!
WHY: Periodically we like to gather our writers for casual conversations over coffee. We invite Friends of BSR to join us. Become a Friend today and learn the details of this gathering!

Associate editor Kyle Hiller took the mic at our Party with the Critics and talked about his history with BSR. (Credit: Allie Ippolito for Erin Blewett Photography)

Neil's nod of the month

We'll see a review from An Nichols of a show that looks fascinating: Curio Theatre Company's production of Sojourner, a one-woman show starring Zuhairah McGill. McGill will portray Sojourner Truth, an apt performance for Black History Month, and quite an undertaking for over a week of shows!

Back in 2021, Kyle Hiller wrote "Americans have learned how to be divided, a land of isolated individuals, while being convinced that they are united." His essay from January of that year brought together threads of Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy, leadership, protest, and American schooling. Give it a read.