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ART How a Museum Exhibit Can Leave a Writer Speechless: African Art, African Voices: Long Steps Never Broke a Back at PMA by Sherella Gibbs Chris Rock said it best: "How can a black man fail black history?" In Bring the Pain (DreamWorks, 1996) he explains how he thought he'd automatically pass a college course in black history. After all, he says, "I'm black-- I got this!" Well, he failed it. And we all laughed at the irony and truthfulness of the punch line. see full text Ga Wree Wree Mask. Early 20th century Dan, Liberia, Guinea, and Côte d'Ivoire. Wood, cloth, bells, leopard teeth, hairpins, cowry shells, and twine. Height 19 3/4 inches C-Notes for Art: Shelley Spector Opens Red Dot and (re)Masters an Economy of Youth   by Mike DelVecchia Body Maps at the Painted Bride by Erica S. Brath Art with a Spin: Tree of Life … Gets its Turn at Wood Turning Center by James Wolf New Gallery-Boutique Opens in Northern Liberties by Miriam Fife "When you have a full-time job, it is really hard to make your artwork," says Megan Brewster, who adds, "Not only that, but as a new artist, it is hard to get your work out there." see full text Art Star gallery owners (L to R) Megan Brewster, Erin Waxman. photo, M. Brewster Sharp LaPelle, Checkered Environment: Rodger LaPelle Hangs Art, Not Artists by Mike DelVecchia FILM Review: A Very Long Engagement by Ann Ritter Audrey Tautou  as Mathilde in A Very Long Engagement Making Love to the Earth: I Heart Huckabees by Sara Hoover Let Sit Before Removing Cork: A Review of Lightning in a Bottle by Melissa Hunsberger Human Characters, Wine and Sunshine: A Sideways Conversation with Alexander Payne by David Thomas Everydayness, A Useless Passion and the Ecstasies of Wasted Time: A Review of I Heart Huckabees by Tasneem Paghdiwala Beautiful Music is Only Skin Deep: Review of Raise Your Voice by Audrey Wilz		SOCIETY & CULTURE Review of L'Amico Fritz and Iolanta by Emily Brown For the opera lovers who missed the first Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA) production of the New Year, Mascagni's L'Amico Fritz was performed in concert form January 20 through 22. This is a charming tale of a philanthropist who falls, very innocently, for his steward's daughter. see full text Cover Your Lover Deesha Dyer's Mission of Protection by Sherella Gibbs Philly Salsa with Eli Torres by Miriam Fife Atwater Kent Museum: "The Big Gamble" by Ross Stein Greg Mac Gregor: Lewis and Clark Revisited: A Trail in Modern Day by Amber Fairweather Saint Charles, Missouri and Fourth Street Bridge, 1994, Greg Mac Gregor. Gelatin silver print, framed, 23 x 20 inches. A Grassroots Effort: Two Restaurateurs Put Their Beliefs Above Business by Lee M. Peet The sign that identifies the tiny Grassroots Café in Philadelphia's Manayunk neighborhood is so small it's barely visible from the bustling, vibrant shopping district of Main Street, a half a block away. And that's exactly what owners Sundya Ramachandran, 35, and Michael Saidman, 30 intended. see full text Man of Steel: Abdul Rahim Muhammad of ICPIC by Jinal Shah Community Service on Parade Spiral Q Closes Out a Year of Colorful Activism by Joy Manning How to Meet Fun and Interesting Philadelphians: PSYP is Kind of Catchy by Ellenmarie Agnew Uniting Two Hemispheres on Chestnut Street: Ronen Koresh and his School and Dance Company by Jinal Shah NEWS Magic Garden Saves Itself from Bulldozers: Isaiah Zagar Mortgages House & Starts 501 C 3 by Mike DelVecchia The next time a tile falls off the hull of the space shuttle, pick it up, save it and slip it inside the donation box at 1022-24 South Street. see full text Isaiah Zagar. photo, Allison Weiss. Olivet Covenant Creates a "Church" Artists Find a Home by Emily Brown An Un-Permitted, Almost Completely Peaceful March: Kensington Welfare Rights Union Takes to NYC During RNC by Sahm Contractor THEATRE Arresting Developments: An Evolution of J.M. Synge's The Playboy of the Western World by Monica Pace In 1911, the city of Philadelphia welcomed the Abbey Theatre cast members of J.M. Synge's The Playboy of the Western World by summarily arresting them. Nearly a century later, in October 2004, the Abbey Theatre's performance of the same play at Upenn's Zellerbach Theatre proved once again arresting. see full text Cathy Belton as Pegeen Mike and Tom Vaughan Lawlor as Christy Mahon in the Abbey Theatre's production of "The Playboy of the Western World" by J.M. Synge. Photo: Tom Lawlor Azuka Theatre Presents Laura's Bush by Rachel Winters Rock & Roll Theatre: Brat Productions' Popsicle's Departure, 1989 by Monica Pace Christopher Trumbo's Play about 'Hollywood 10' Father Trumbo Opens at PTC by Jennifer Williamson MUSIC Learn to Spin, Grrrl Girls' DJ 101 at the Rotunda by Stephanie Durann Carolyn Chernoff and Rashida Holmes are an example of how shooting the breeze can fuel the fires of the next big thing, bringing the art of the spin to the sisterly masses in the City of Brotherly Love. see full text DJs Chatty Cathy (left) and Lisa Love MOFRO: Foot-stomping, Cake-walking, Liquor-drinking Music by Sara Hoover
One Night in Philly by Michael Grover A Cartoon by Mike DelVecchia                             by Jerry Waxler  On Seeing the Poem in Lucille Clifton by Audrey Wilz Young Audiences Means Arts in Schools by Linda Fiore				LITERATURE After She Did It: Catching Up with Daisy Fried by Tracy Parker The success of her debut book of poetry threw Daisy Fried for a loop. She Didn't Mean to Do It (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2000), won both critical praise and the Agnes Lynch Starrett Prize, one of America's most distinguished awards for a first book of poetry. After the success of the book, people naturally began to wonder when they could get their hands on the follow-up. see full text Daisy Fried The Urban Literary Enlightenment in Philadelphia: Traycee Lynn Holds the Torch by Sherella Gibbs Publishing for Fun, Profit and Genius: Karen E. Quinones Miller has it All in her Pocket by Sherella Gibbs Pick an Art and Add Poetry.  Now Mix. Susan Windle: Above-Average Buddy System Poet by Jinal Shah American Poetry Review: Right Here in Philly! by Jennifer Williamson

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