After the democracy-in-free-fall week we've had, this newsletter is only going to lift up a few moments of Philadelphia joy amongst the chaos. I think there is an overabundance of toxic positivity in our field, but also?, celebrating a few wins or refuges or window
The week felt full of horrors, small and large. A former student trying to update their passport and finding that there are now only two gender options. An immediate freeze on all foreign aid. The National Gallery of Art closing its Office of Belonging and Inclusion. A parade of jokers
So many passings in recent weeks. In addition to the three artists below, there's been Jimmy Carter, David Lynch, and my own sweet grandmother, who died at 98. I feel like holding onto their transitions in the maelstrom of whatever is coming next; may we use their spirits
My end of the year reflections have been centering on how much fun it is to learn things. A few weeks ago, my heat wasn't acting like it was supposed to and I got the chance to learn about how my heating system works. I saw a bunch
I'm meditating on time and tree rings and just how many things can change in 24 years after seeing the closing performance of this iteration of Team Sunshine Performance's Sincerity Project, which is #5 in the series. If you are outside of Philly, you may not
Last week I forgot to share a moment of Sisterly Affection. Did my appreciation for Philadelphia subconsciously swerve? Happy to report that it's back this week, hopefully not-to-be-forgotten in the future. I also forgot something important when I rounded up some of my favorite books
Weeks ago, I wrote that Iād be reviewing this book from NCCAkron, Artists on Creative Administration, edited by Tonya Lockyer. That has not materialized as Iām going to be reviewing the book for an actual publication (spoiler alert: I liked it very much, as did this thINKingDANCE reviewer)
Extra-long and juicy edition this week because we have the second-ever New in town feature, with Dara Silverman of Agile Rascal Theatre, and some remembrances of Judith Jamison. (If you missed the first New in town, with Chels Fryer, you can catch it here.) New in town - welcome!
Well friends, here we are. I hope you're taking care of your spirit and your body this week and in the weeks ahead of us. And if there are resources that you find especially helpful or invigorating or collective actions that seem especially effective or galvanizing or promising
Election Day is upon us and it's well nigh impossible to ignore here in the swingiest of swing states, Pennsylvania. As anxiety is just creeping around everywhere, I've found myself feeling grateful for so many things pushing against despair, including an extremely cute South Philly Halloween.
Hello, newsletter friends. Wow, so much happening every day... trying to sum up a week feels wild but here are a few things worth noticing. Still/Here gets a revival News from the concert dance world is that Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company is remounting Still/Here, originally premiered
Maybe because I was reading Margo's Got Money Troubles, a great novel with a young protagonist who makes a living through OnlyFans, or because I was listening to this absorbing podcast about how billionaires avoid paying taxes, or because I was able to attend a session at the