Yesterday, our team got the terrible news that our longtime colleague Roberta Fallon, cofounder of ArtBlog and lifelong cheerleader for Philly's arts scene, has died. You can read more about her in this tribute in the Inquirer (that link is accessible to all). ArtBlog, which shuttered last June after more than 20 years of covering our arts scene, was BSR's kindred spirit, and I wrote for Roberta in the early days of my career as a critic. The last time I saw her was about a year ago, when we appeared on a journalism panel together. Our team is grieving her loss, and sending our warmest wishes to the huge community that loved Roberta.
We also want to send a huge thank you to everyone who joined us for last week's webinar on arts PR. It was our liveliest session yet, and a recording is available to anyone with a $25 donation to BSR. Email Neil at [email protected], and we'll get you set up with access. We're getting great feedback on these sessions, so look for more in 2026.
This week, our writers are heading to Arthur Ross Gallery for a look at the end of a fascist regime in Spain, and to Theatre in the X, whose first Christmas show is running in South Philly. We also have a reflection by Julien Suaudeau, host of Hidden City's "Song of Philadelphia" podcast. A rabid Eagles fan who grew up in Paris before settling in Philly, Julien wonders why Philly fans are so quick to turn on their team after a bad game (or three).
Thanks are also due to our newest donors, who stepped up after yesterday's mailer explaining that BSR has no CEO with a six-figure salary. We're just a scrappy team of freelancers working extra gigs on nights and weekends because we believe in independent journalism -- even though it's getting harder and harder to fund. Every reader who becomes a donor makes a difference.
Alaina Johns
BSR editor-in-chief
