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Silent films, textile portraits, and surrealism
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, November 6-12, 2025
Kyle V. Hiller
This week’s roundup features two silent films that are over 100 years old. One of them opens the doors to the Wanamaker, which was almost completely lost to history. The Museum of the American Revolution, Muse Gallery, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art (which isn’t in the news for the best reasons right now) open new exhibits, and an annual prop sale is a chance to find some great steals for theater-makers.
Textile Portraits by Carolyn Harper
November 5-30
Muse Gallery Philadelphia, 52 North 2nd Street
Artist Carolyn Harper’s hand-sewn, large format quilts and hand embroidered batiks of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals opens in an exhibit this week. In a press release, Harper explains that “These are all people whom I know or have known, most residing within a Pennsylvania State Correctional Facility. Many have been imprisoned for decades, many for a crime they did not commit or took no active part in. The portraits are my attempt to show the humanity of those whom the world has forgotten.” A First Friday reception is on November 7 at 5-8pm, with an artist meet and greet happening on Saturday, November 8 at 12-6pm.
Not So Silent Cinema presents Häxan
Thursday, November 6, 7:30pm
Glen Foerd, 5001 Grant Avenue
The 1922 film Häxan (named Witchcraft Through the Ages in its US release) is a Swedish-Danish silent error film that epxlores the historical roots and superstitions surrounding witchcraft—from medieval witch trials to the modern age.
AmRev Presents: Ukrainian Independence on Stage and Screen
Friday, November 7, 5-8:30pm
Museum of the American Revolution, 101 South 3rd Street
In celebration of its new exhibition, the MoAR will host a night to view The Declaration’s Journey and screen the film The Sky Was on Fire: Ballet and War in Ukraine. The film follows the National Ballet of Ukraine stage director and other ballet artists who had to make a difficult decision after the Russian invasion of Ukraine: to flee or to stay and fight—and also to perform.
Dreamworld: Surrealism at 100
November 8, 2025 through February 16, 2026
Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
The PMA—in the midst of quite a situation—will open its new exhibit this weekend. Dreamworld celebrates the Surrealist movement, spotlighting makers who sought out new expressive forms to expand the reach of the art form.
Props and Frocks
November 8-9, 10am-5pm
Bill Harris and Jay Manas Playhouse Barn, 52 South Main Street, New Hope
Bucks County Playhouse hosts its third annual costume sale this weekend. The sale is open to the public, and features new and used clothes, shoes, and accessories from Playhouse shows.
The Phantom of the Opera
Monday, November 10, 6:30pm
Wanamaker Building, 1300 Market Street
Opera Philadelphia will host a free organ concert and film screening of the 1925 silent film. This comes as part of Opera Philadelphia’s Pipe Up! series, which opens the doors of the Wanamaker with a variety of performances showcasing music, dance, art, theater, film, parties, and opera. Seating is first come, first served, and doors will open at 6:30pm.
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