Culture
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Story of Abington’s Radical Abolitionist Makes Debut on Philadelphia Stage
The Return of Benjamin Lay, the story of a radical Abington abolitionist, arrives in Philadelphia for the first time, with a run at the Quintessence Theatre, writes Kristin Hunt for the Philly Voice. Lay, a 4-foot-7 activist, protested slavery so loudly in 1700s Philadelphia that his own congregation expelled him. Dismissed by his contemporaries as…
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VFTCB Sends ‘Freedom from Hunger’ Update to Pope Francis, Receives Blessedly Encouraging Reply
Publisher’s Note: This post from our archives is shared in memory of Pope Francis, who passed away this morning at age 88, honoring his lasting impact on our region and the enduring legacy of his Philadelphia visit in 2015. When the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board (VFTCB) started its Freedom from Hunger food drive…
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New York’s Museum of Modern Art Highlights Vivid, Geometric Work by Conshohocken’s Odili Donald Odita
New York’s Museum of Modern Art has replaced Andy Warhol’s kitschy cow wallpaper with striking works by Conshohocken’s Odili Donald Odita, writes Bedatri D. Choudhury for The Philadelphia Inquirer. A collection of bright, angular shapes now welcomes museum visitors as the vivid geometry plays Tetris with their eyes. Similar paintings are on throughout the museum’s…
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Norristown’s Riverfront Park Shines After Muddy Cleanup Mission
Rain and mud didn’t stop a determined group of volunteers from sprucing up Riverfront Park in Norristown over the weekend, writes Justin Heinze for the Patch. Eleven volunteers teamed up with Montgomery County Planning Commission staff to collect 18 bags of trash and several bulky items, giving one of the community’s most cherished green spaces…
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Lost 19th Century Painting of Black High Culture Found in Glenside Thrift Shop
A previously lost William H Dorsey painting, representing 19th-century Black wealth and high culture, was found at the New Life Thrift Shop in Glenside, writes Peter Crimmins for the WHYY. The painting, which is now on view at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, was purchased for $10 by the thrift store’s regular customer, Andy Robbins,…
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This Chester County State Park is an Underrated Hidden Gem of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is home to 124 state parks, but Chester County has a particular hidden gem, writes Kalena Thomhave for The Keystone. French Creek State Park in Elverson was recently named one of the 8 underrated state parks throughout the commonwealth. As the largest state park in southeastern Pennsylvania, French Creek has many popular activities to…
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Vast Collection Prominently Featuring Reading Terminal Market Finds Permanent Home at Penn Libraries
A one-of-a-kind collection — notable for its size, scope, and prominent focus on Philadelphia’s historic Reading Terminal Market — has found its new permanent home at the Penn Libraries, writes Louisa Shepard for Penn Today. Acquired by David K. O’Neil, a Penn alum who managed operations at Reading Terminal Market for a decade, the collection…
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The Remarkable Music Career of a Piano Tech Who Can’t Read Music Started in Willow Grove
You may not know Greg Sikora’s name, but odds are you’ve heard his handiwork — especially if you’ve ever attended a show in the Philly region, writes Rita Giordano for the Philadelphia Inquirer. The longtime piano technician, who got his start at Taylor Music in Willow Grove, has spent decades tuning pianos for the likes…
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Ending the Curse of Billy Penn
Under a long-standing gentleman’s agreement, no building in Philadelphia could rise higher than the hat of William Penn’s statue atop City Hall. But in 1987, after that agreement was violated, Philadelphia’s formerly successful pro sports teams just stopped winning championships. The result: Philly went from four pro teams fighting for championships in 1980 to zero wins after 1986. …
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As SS United States Inches Closer to Becoming Artificial Reef, Florida Diving Businesses Battle for Position
The historic SS United States has been sitting at the Port of Mobile in Alabama for more than a month now, and with each passing day, is closer to becoming the world’s largest artificial reef, writes David Fischer for AP. Despite those plans having been in place for months, competing diving businesses want the ship…
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Woman Buys Potential Renoir Drawing for Just $12 at Montgomery County Auction
Heidi Markow, owner of Easton’s Salvage Goods Antiques, may have stumbled upon the find of a lifetime when she bought what could be an original 19th-century Renoir painting at a Montgomery County auction for just $12, writes Walter Perez for 6abc. Markow was drawn to the artwork from the moment she saw it. “I didn’t…
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Two Bucks County Routes Among 20+ Must-Try Scenic Bike Trails in Philadelphia Region
Two Bucks County routes are among the 20+ must-try bike trails in the Philadelphia region that are sure to satisfy all your biking needs, according to Philadelphia Magazine. For cyclists looking for a long ride with lots of changing scenery, the Delaware Canal Towpath is the route to take. Here, you can enjoy breathtaking, ever-changing…
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Valley Forge Muster Roll Seeks Families Who Contributed to Revolutionary War for America’s 250th Anniversary Celebration
In preparation for America’s 250th anniversary celebration, the Valley Forge Muster Roll and Tredyffrin Township Historical Commission are seeking stories from families whose ancestors or homes contributed to the Revolutionary War in the area, with the potential to be featured in the festivities, writes Melissa Jacobs for the Main Line Tonight. Several key Revolutionary War…
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West Philly Native Will Smith to Release First Album in Two Decades
After a two-decade-long hiatus in the music industry, Will Smith is making a comeback with a new album, writes Rania Aniftos for Billboard. On Friday, March 28, Smith will be releasing the new 14-track album, titled Based On A True Story. The West Philadelphia native recently took to Instagram to share his excitement in getting…
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Try Out a New Hobby at This Clay Studio in Kennett Square
Are you looking to explore a new activity or hobby? Do you want to build upon skills you may already have? Learn how to make your own pottery at Centered Clay Studio in Kennett Square, writes Laura Brzyski for Philadelphia Magazine. Centered Clay Studio brings guests a bright and calm space to fully immerse themselves…
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Bucks County Trout Stocking Schedule Released, New Fish Drop Site Added
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has released this year’s trout stocking schedule, adding several new fish drop sites, including one in Bucks County, writes JD Mullane for the Bucks County Courier Times. The annual fish release begins next week, with 3.2 million trout being stocked into 691 streams and 130 lakes across the state.…
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Rose Valley Chorus and Orchestra Serves Up Pure Fun With ‘State Fair’
Putting on a production of “State Fair” has been on the minds of the Rose Valley Chorus and Orchestra for a while now. They had been preparing to perform the show in March 2020, but had to put those plans aside when COVID-19 shut everything down. “We had always hoped to get back to it…
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Only One Mile Separates Schuylkill River Trail From Completing Stretch From Philadelphia to Reading
The Schuylkill River Trail, which currently runs unobstructed from Philadelphia through Chester and Montgomery counties to Pottstown, is now just one mile away from completing its stretch to Reading, writes David Kostival for WFMZ 69 News. The trail will eventually span 120 miles from Philadelphia to the river’s headwaters in Frackville. Currently, 80 miles are…
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