'Three OG’s', celebrating Milford Graves, and films from BalletX and Scribe this weekend

Happy Inauguration Day! It’s the end of an era, so why not celebrate this weekend with some theater, film, and literature? BalletX debuts three new films, Scribe Video Center gets hyper-local with a collection of documentary-style shorts, ICA celebrates Milford Graves, cinéSpeak screens a film on neurodiversity around the world, and the Free Library hosts four-time author Sadeqa Johnson.

Today's a huge sigh of relief, but there’s still work to do.

Short films with BalletX

Celebrating its 15th anniversary season, BalletX will premiere three short films by choreographers Francesca Harper, Tsai Hsi Hung, and Manuel Vignoulle on Wednesday, January 20, at 7pm. The premiere event will feature a Q&A with the choreographers. The films will be accessible during and after the premiere through the BalletX Beyond streaming platform.

Milford Graves: A Mind-Body Deal

The Institute of Contemporary Art and Ars Nova Workshop have cultivated an exhibition on Milford Graves, the legendary progressive jazz artist. The exhibition includes a collection of Graves’ hand-painted album covers and posters, drum sets, multimedia sculptures, photographs, costumes, recordings, and more. Take the virtual tour through January 24, 2021.

Precious Places Project

Scribe Video Center will premiere its 2020 Precious Places projects on Thursday, January 21, at 7pm. For nearly 20 years, Scribe’s Precious Places Community History Project has produced 102 films exploring hyper-local history and community issues, and this week, it will screen eight new films made by community groups in Philadelphia. This year, the films document various oral histories about places like The Germantown Potter’s Field by Afrocentricity International, Dahlak Paradise by Selam Committee, the Freedom Theatre by the Disappearing Heritage Historic Group, and more. The films will be followed by a post-screening discussion with this year’s groups. Register online for the free event.

The Reason I Jump

Cinéspeak in collaboration with Kino Marquee is screening The Reason I Jump. The film, based on the best-selling book by Naoki Higashida, is an immersive exploration of neurodiversity through the experiences of nonspeaking autistic people from around the world. Check it out online with a $12 five-day pass.

Three OG's

EgoPo continues its 2020-21 season with a presentation of Lawrence Theatre Company’s newest play, Three OG’s. The story is a journey down memory lane as the “three OG’s” reminisce about 60 years of friendship, racial discrimination, war, childhood, and more on a hot summer day outside their South Philly apartment. The show comes from Derrell Lawrence, the founder of the Lawrence Theatre Company which is established for telling emerging Black stories. The virtual reading will stream on Friday, January 22 at 8pm—registration is required with a suggested contribution of $25.

Ancient After Hours

The Penn Museum is hosting a virtual tour and wine pairing event, Ancient Alcohol, on Friday, January 22, at 7pm. Uncover 9,000 years of wine culture around the world and discover wine’s relationship with agriculture, trade, social life, religion, ancestry, and more. The event is $10 per adult.

Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson

The Free Library hosts author Sadeqa Johnson in conversation with author Jennifer Weiner to discuss Johnson’s latest novel, Yellow Wife. The book tells the harrowing story of an enslaved woman forced to barter love and freedom while living in the most infamous slave jail in Richmond, Virginia. The virtual event is free on Monday, January 25, at 7:30pm. Pick up the book at a local bookstore like Joseph Fox or Uncle Bobbie’s.

Image Description: A pair of Black filmmakers interview a Black man sitting on what looks to be a stone 'stage', with a large sculpture that looks like a medal or trophy that's shaped like a compass with boxing gloves. Camera equipment is arranged among them, as they sit outside in a grassy area that looks to be a backyard.