In case you didn’t already know... Bok ROCKS! From vintage guitar experts to tape recorder repairs, get to know some of our music-focused tenants—plus add their “Song of Spring” to your seasonal playlist!
Richard Hamilton: Dragonfly Audio Post
An audio post production house that specializes in sound design, sound mixing, and music compositions for media. dragonflyaudiopost.com @dragonflyaudiopost
Vidal
Tom Rudnitsky handmakes digital pianos from wood. playvidal.com @playvidal
Ars Nova
Ars Nova Workshop cultivates connection and curiosity through deep listening, improvisation, and joyous creative expression. arsnovaworkshop.org @arsnovaworkshop
Braxton & Hyde: Philadelphia Fretworks
Guitar and bass workshop by Andy Bree, Ryan Hyde, and Kyle Laganella. All fretted instrument repairs and mods, custom guitars/basses, pedalboard & rig/rack builds. braxtonandhyde.com @braxtonandhyde
Explore our Tenant Directoy to find more music-focused businesses here at Bok. Visit buildingbok.com/community for the full list.
Queens Vintage Guitars
Vintage guitar shop specializing in fretted instruments from the 1920s to 70s. queensvintageguitars.com @queensvintageguitars
Photos by David Gandolfo
“Someday Baby”
RL Burnside
“Different Trains”
Steve Reich
“So Hot You’re Hurting My Feelings” Caroline Polachek
“That chorus makes me feel like I could float”
“Slip Stream ‘Live in Philadelphia’” Marshall Allen’s Ghost Horizons
The Blair Brothers Brothers Brooke and Will Blair compose and produce original scores for movies and television. blairbrothersmusic.com @the_blair_brothers
Studio 1935
Studio 1935 partners with musicians and record labels for recording, production, mixing, and mastering, while also delivering award-winning sound design, original music, and end-to-end audio post for filmmakers, agencies, and production houses. nineteenthirtyfive.com @studio1935philadelphia
The Bowery Presents
Emily Eichelberger: Immortal Portal
Housed at Bok since 2016hosting a rotation of musicians, sound artists, friends and collaborators for practice, recording, and experimentation. immortal-portal.blogspot.com @indigo_ranch__
The Bowery Presents brings Philly fans their favorite concerts and events to Franklin Music Hall, Union Transfer, Keswick Theater, Underground Arts and beyond. bowerypresents.com @boweryphilly
“Anything but Brahms Clarinets Quintet”
“You Were The one” Diana Ross
“Parachute” Hayley Williams
“Author & Punisher” Maiden Star
Good Things” Whoopsie Dews
Ryan Putnam is a visual artist based at Bok who explores abstract motion through a blend of analog video technology, contemporary digital tools, and music. Through a process of generating video feedback and manipulating it using old machines and digital art tools, these evolving visuals can be shaped in real time. “Sometimes I record the visuals to music, which strongly influences their movement and form,” he explains. “Other times, I capture the footage and mix it live, performing alongside musicians. I program visual effects to respond to audio waveforms and rhythm, allowing the visuals to function as a live performance.” Follow Ryan on Instagram: @bendigans
All Together Now! Meet Mendelssohn Chorus
Mendelssohn Chorus is bringing regional singers and music lovers together—one breath, note, and song at a time.
What is Mendelssohn Chorus all about?
Mendelssohn Chorus is a world-class performing ensemble of over 150 voices representing diverse ages, backgrounds, and professions from the Philadelphia region. We beautifully balance tradition with innovation, presenting beloved classics while championing and commissioning new works.
What inspired Mendelssohn Chorus to begin?
Mendelssohn Chorus was founded in 1874 by William Wallace Gilchrist, a major figure in 19th-century Philadelphia music. Musical clubs were hugely popular at the time, and what began as an eight-part male chorus has evolved into one of America’s most enduring choral institutions.
Why is this type of organization important?
Mendelssohn Chorus is more than a performing organization—it’s a community of devoted individuals who understand the power of what we share. Through music that uplifts your spirit, challenges your thinking, and helps you process complex emotions, we offer something essential: a space where people can find solace, connection, and meaning.
Play by Memory with Arts of Origin
How ceramicist, artist, and musician Vianney Lopez helps others create and connect with their sound within.
What is Arts of Origin all about?
Arts of Origin is my artist studio, a space where I explore multiple art mediums with the intention of reconnecting to the origin of the Earth, ancestral memory, and music. Specifically through clay, music, and 2D animation, I explore art as a journey of deep listening into the connection of this great mystery of life, the ancestors before us, the dream realms, and the universe we are a part of. My work is for those who feel drawn to art as a way to connect with Earth, ancestral wisdom, and creativity as a form of remembrance and presence.
Why did you choose to come to Bok?
We had long wanted to be at Bok! The pandemic delayed our 2020 plans, but we’re finally here for the creative energy this space provides. We hope to leverage our administrative home by doing more performances here and sharing our love for communal singing throughout the building.
What’s new at Mendelssohn Chorus this season?
We have a busy spring! In addition to our own concerts—The Space We Keep on March 14th and Joyful Abundance on June 6th—we’ll perform with Symphony in C in Camden (May 2nd) and the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra (May 30th). We’re especially excited about Joyful Abundance, part of the city-wide ArtPhilly festival, featuring five newly commissioned works by Philadelphia-based composers and poets.
How can people support the chorus?
Come to our concerts and join our mailing list! Get 50% off your ticket to The Space You Keep and Joyful Abundance by using the promo code “BOK26”. Singers are always welcome to audition in August 2026.
mcchorus.org / @mendelssohnchorus
Do you have a favorite instrument you’ve made recently?
Lately, I’ve been especially creating a lot of Quetzalcoatl Dragon flutes; an overtone flute that produces multiple harmonic pitches depending on breath pressure. It’s fascinating in the many ways you can create with clay!
Why is this type of creation important?
There is something deeply magical about shaping clay into a form that also carries sound. It bridges the physical and the unseen; earth and breath, form and frequency; and reminds us that creativity is both ancient and alive.
What are you inspired by this spring?
I’m excited to witness nature’s seasonal transition, the return of birdsong, the warmth of the sun, the quiet growth of plants, and the reawakening of trees. Gives me a sense of hope during these current times.
Listen to Vianney’s music on Spotify
What’s new at Arts of Origin this spring/summer?
This spring, I’ll be offering a four-day studio immersive focused on creating sculptural ceramic instruments. This summer, I’m hosting a Women’s Ceramic & Music Retreat, centered on returning to inner wisdom through clay, sound, and shared creative practice.
vianneylopez.com / @artsoforigin
Photos by Ed Newton
Sounds from the Basement
Many of Bok’s very first tenants were musicians looking for space to practice, record, and get loud—meet a few of the bands who continue to fill the basement with sound over a decade later.
“In the early morning hours Bok gets incredibly quiet. Sometimes I’ll open the doors to the studio and record the sounds spiraling through the halls. It’s kind of haunting and surreal sounding.”
Jason Killinger
Hey! I am Jason Killinger, playing under the projects Joybender, Spacin', and Birds of Maya. My style of music is psychedelic soul/ dub/trip hop (Joybender), jangly slacker psych pop (Spacin’), punk jazz boogie rock (Birds of Maya). I’ve been playing in Bok since 2017. I love the building community because I love running into friends and finding out what they're working on and excited about. So much creativity bouncing around. This year I just released a 2 song Joybender EP and am currently working on a full length Joybender album.
“It’s great to have a place in the city where we can play music any hour of the day.”
Fabergégé
Hey! We are heel. Our style of music is hardcore/punk. We’ve been playing in Bok since 2016. Our favorite Bok memories have been popping up to Bok Bar after practice, recording our latest album, and just jamming and enjoying a couple ice cold cruisers. We chose to practice at Bok because Ryan did some early design work for Bok and Bok Bar, which led to conversations about renting a rehearsal space somewhere in the building. We love the building community because everyone looks out for each other. When the basement flooded, building staff and other tenants called us and were already saving gear and cleaning up when we arrived. This year we are working on a new album that should release this Spring.
heelphl.bandcamp.com / @weareheel
Rock ‘n’ Roll High School
Bok’s iconic, old school look has made it a go-to backdrop for bands filming music videos over the years.
Hey! We are Fabergégé. Our style of music is rock/pop. We’ve been playing in Bok since 2016. We love the building community because it’s nice being in a building with musicians, artists, and lots going on. This year we are hopefully releasing an album.
fabergege.bandcamp.com youtube.com/@fabergege7238
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Inspired to have you next photo or video shoot at Bok?
Email events@buildingbok.com for rates and to tour our spaces!
Vita and the Woolf shot their 2017 video for “Sun Drop” on the 7th floor rooftop and hallway (before Studio Incamminati moved in!)
Waxahatchee’s “Recite Remorse” music video was shot in the West Gym in 2017 (with projections by Bok’s own Klip Collective!)
KUR’s “Peach Snapple” music video was shot on the Auditorium stage in 2024
Photo
Ed Newton
What’s Next
Yours Truly Market
March 22, 11:00am-5:00pm
Spring into shopping local! The Yours Truly Market brings thoughtfully curated art, craft, and wares from Philly creators—made by artists, for artists, and everyone who loves one-of-a-kind finds. Come shop, meet the makers, and support the creative community that makes this city special.
Bok Bar Opening Day
April 9, 5:00pm-10:00pm
Everyone’s favorite seasonal rooftop bar is back—celebrate with a new skyline selfie at the first hang of the summer! This season Bok Bar has a full and updated menu of cocktails, wine, craft beers, and zero-proof options. Stay tuned for their schedule of rotating monthly chef residencies, as well as their robust summer-long calendar of events and activities (including Salsa dancing, line dancing, Drag shows, and more!). Join the Bok Bar crew for drinks and bites on opening day from 5:00pm-10:00pm.
Spring Open Studios
May 8, 5:00pm-9:00pm
Our first Open Studios of the year is here! Explore 9 floors, meet 75+ Bok businesses and makers, and shop, sip, and connect along the way. Always free and family-friendly, this event invites art lovers of all ages to explore our big building, uncovering everything from fine artists and glassblowers to bakers, guitar makers, photographers, and more. Finish your evening on the rooftop with drinks and bites at Bok Bar or Irwin’s.
