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Poetry, new theater seasons, and body liberation
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, September 18-24, 2025
Kyle V. Hiller
The week comes with even more new seasons opening. People’s Light kicks their season off with The Unexpected 3rd, while Spinner sees its world premiere this week. Primary Trust comes to Philadelphia along with PTC’s 51st season, too. Then, there’s an author conversation around photography and queer culture, teach-in tour groups in Old City, and a performance combining movement and sound from collaborators with nearly 40 years together.
wild and broken
September 17-18, 7pm
The Art Room Studio, 2329 South 3rd Street
wild and broken is a duet by movement artist Leah Stein and percussionist Toshi Makihara—a collaboration with over 35 years in the making—as they embody sound and movement together in performance.
Seeing Better: A Conversation
Thursday, September 18, 6pm
The Athenæum Of Philadelphia, 219 South 6th Street
To write her novel Housemates about a young queer Philly photographer, Emma Copley Eisenberg shadowed expert large-format photographer Jade Doskow. The novel asks questions about Philadelphia visual and queer culture, the possibilities and dangers of artistic mentorship, what photography can offer as an art form, and what large-format photography can teach us about how to see the world better. The event is free but folks are encouraged to register ahead of time.
The Unexpected 3rd
September 17-October 19, 2025
People’s Light, 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern
The world premiere of The Unexpected 3rd: A Radical, Rollicking Rumination on the Optimism of Staying Alive—which is quite the title—opens the 2025/26 season at People’s Light this week. The performance invites audiences of all generations to reflect on what it means to grow older in a culture obsessed with staying young.
Spinner
September 17-October 5, 2025
Delaware Theatre Company, 200 Water Street, Wilmington
Delaware Theatre Company opens its 2025/26 season with the world premiere of Spinner, a new play by Hall of Fame sportswriter Ray Didinger. It tells the true story of NHL player Brian “spinner” Spencer, providing a reflection of the risks, rewards, and regrets we all face when chasing something bigger than ourselves. Opening night is Saturday, September 20.
Primary Trust
September 19-October 5, 2025
Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 South Broad Street
The Philadelphia Theatre Company begins its 51st season with the premiere of Primary Trust, the play by 2024 Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Eboni Booth. The performance tells the story of Kenneth, who’s spent two decades working at a used bookstore and enjoying happy hours at the local tiki bar with his closest companion Bert—who only exists in his imagination. When the bookstore closes, Kenneth must find a new job and build relationships with real-life people.
Do Not Disturb
Sunday, September 21, 1-7pm
The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street
This exhibition, marketplace, and live celebration will gather artists of all backgrounds and disciplines to share reflections on human calamity and body liberation. This year supports the Abortion Liberation Fund of PA with admissions proceeds covering procedure costs for those traveling to Pennsylvania from forced-birth states.
Wild Indigo Poetry First Anniversary Reading
Sunday, September 21, 5-7pm
Allens Lane Art Center, 601 Allens Lane, Philadelphia
Wild Indigo is a monthly poetry series in Northwest Philly, and it’s celebrating its first anniversary with two poets laureate: former Philadelphia poet laureate Roque Raquel Salas Rivera and former San Francisco poet laureate Tongo Eisen-Martin. An open mic will follow their performances.
Truth Talks
Saturday, September 20, 1-4pm
Various locations in Old City, Philadelphia
Members of the Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides host a teach-in with free, short talks on the history of Black and other marginalized groups at six Independence National Historical Park sites on Saturday afternoon. Locations include the Independence Visitor Center, President’s House, Liberty Bell Center, Congress Hall, Independence Hall, and Old City Hall.
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