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The Philly jazz scene is hurting, but help is on the way
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t’s been an upsetting week for so many to the violence as more children are ending here in Philadelphia, myself included. up in area hospitals from being caught in the I woke up Tuesday morning, turned crossfire and more and more pre-teens have on my phone and became treated to an become targets. alert that yet another child was senseSummer has always been a ruthless time lessly shot in Philadelphia. in the city, but seasonal temperatures exacerThe very next day, I listened to city bated by a pandemic that has shuttered other councilmembers, district attorneys meaningful activities, coupled with back and forth vitriols from those shuttered inside on and the Police Commissioner essentially desocial media, have made this one we won’t liver lip service on what can be done to curb soon forget. the rising gun violence in Philadelphia, an epThere’s no naivety on my part what the mitidemic that’s battling COVID-19 for the top bill igating factors are that force people to decide on what’s fucking up more people’s lives here to pull a gun and go after someone. Money, in the city. In the past, I’ve written columns on how the drugs, disrespect and one’s personal pride all play factors into the “beef” that has tide of violence mirrors the systemfueled the violence in our communiic poverty and injustice that plagues ties. the city, and all of that comes into But I have to ask, what beef is play. But it’s becoming too easy to honestly worth shooting up an enblame the woes of the neighbortire block? Spraying innocent peohood on the rise of violence. It’s a ple who have no idea why you’re factor, but it’s not the decision-makpissed off and are just trying to live? er. It’s been too easy to place blame To the pieces of shit out there runon the issues of society, but people ning around shooting up city blocks need to start looking at themselves and clipping random people with and the decision to pick up a gun. reckless abandon because you’re I’m a fan of Meek Mill. I love his targeting the one person on that music, the fact that Philly raised block who called you names on Tik him, and that his struggle – while Tok or Instagram, or because somemuch of it self-inflicted – is authenone “disrespected your girl,” considtic. Pull my Spotify and you’ll find @SPRTSWTR er the following. multiple tracks off his discography The 3-year-old toddler or 10-yearmost days. One of the tracks that old with a bright future despite to me sticks out is coincidentally named Gun Violence in which Meek speaks to their circumstances your bullets will hit had nothing to do with it. what it’s like to grow up “around the way.” The respected grandmother who’s lived Yeah, this that treacherous nights, Killadelphia type shit/Hold your [30mm] in the neighborhood for decades who’s been forced to watch her once-thriving street betight, when you go to sleep All we know is gun violence/Go to come a blighted block your bullets might hit had nothing to do with it. jail, come back and now your son wildin’ Your decision, one glamorized by rap lyrics, Got a price all on his head, don’t give a films and a culture that offers little education fuck ‘bout it/Sittin’ on the couch with his into the real world, is warping your sense of grandmamas, smelling like gun powder reality and is your problem and not the probYee, Yee, all we know is gun violence/ He just smoked a n*gga broad day, ain’t lem of the aforementioned people. At the end of the day, we can sit in a million give a fuck ‘bout it; Now it’s murder gone roundtable discussions, hold emergency meetto his head, he gettin’ a rush ‘bout it. ings and create civic groups to try and change This is the life that exists in Philadelphia, which, as Police Commissioner Danielle Out- all of this, but sometimes we need those doing law pointed out during Tuesday’s virtual the killing to hold themselves accountable and meeting, is now the second-highest murder think for a second about the scores of other capital in America, next to Chicago. There’s a lives they irrevocably will change going after sadness in the notion that no one is immune the lives of a few.
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We have to clap it up this week for Philadelphian Michelle Nelson, who recently launched the Community Fridge Project, an initiative designed to provide healthy food for those who could benefit. Nelson, who also owns Mama-Tee, an online apparel company, has already placed three unmistakable bright yellow refrigerators outside Franny Lou’s Porch (2400 Coral St.), Triple Bottom Brewing (915 Spring Garden St.), and Ambassador on 635 W. Girard Ave. Nelson told the Inquirer that her vision is to have 20 refrigerators throughout the city in an effort to combat food deserts and food insecurity by the end of this year. If that happens, that might be the one good thing to emerge from this shitty start of a new decade.
The number of people that were shot last weekend, according to Philadelphia Police, which included three children, all under the age of 13. Late Sunday night, after hearing of another child shot and admitted to Temple University Hospital, we posted the following on Twitter with an amazing response from you, our followers. Is there anything you think that can truly curb the fuckery happening across the city? Send us your thoughts via voices@philadelphiaweekly. com and we’ll look to publish them in an upcoming issue of PW.
He said it… “The conclusion is that there is racial bias going on in terms of who is being stopped and frisked. This has been an issue in the city for 10 years.” – Philadelphia attorney David Rudovsky on the unsurprising news this week that Black Philly accounts for 50% more unsolicited stops by police than whites and are 40% more likely to be frisked by police. Again, not shocking in the least bit, but the data is newsworthy in a city that is 44% Black, yet accounting for the majority share of unsolicited confrontations with police.
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Something (safe) to do outside this weekend...
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In the spirit of us all having to live in a bubble, the folks at East Kensington’s Thunderbird Salvage are having some fun with that notion for its first bubble themed flea market event this Saturday, Aug. 15 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Bubble machines, bubble gum, giant bubbles, you name it are all up for grabs from over 20 vintage vendors. Also, if you’re looking for some suds, there’s Philadelphia Brewing Company’s outdoor beer garden directly across the street to wash down all that impulse buying.
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$618,000
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That’s how much a pair of Penn State students was able to swindle from 19 unsuspecting folks as “money mules” for a scam call center based out of India. Maaz Ahmed Shamsi, 22, and Zeeshan Khan, 23, opened over a dozen bank accounts in the tri-state area to siphon money from people, most older adults from here in Philadelphia. Authorities say the duo is part of a wave of robocalls and in-person call center scammers that rob people to the tune of $150 million nationwide each year.
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“No I’m serious, there was a decent-sized catfish swimming in the basement of the shop, it was unbelievable.” — We heard this one from an owner of a Manayunk storefront that received damage from Tropical Storm Isaias, which crested the banks of the Schuylkill River and flowed into sections of Main Street Manayunk. To us, at first, this is one of those “pic or it didn’t happen” kind of moments. But judging just how animated going for a stroll outside of Independence Mall, we believe him; even if we can only imagine the site. NM-00428291
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PHILLY JAZZ IS DOWN, BUT NOT OUT New music, venues offer hope to the music scene
The Immanuel Wilkins Quartet is part of a new sound in the Philly jazz scene. Image | Rog Walters
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hiladelphia jazz pianist, keyboardtrumpeter died March 31) later that month. A ist and composer Orrin Evans – a weird month.” touring monster if ever there was, An awful month, elongated pause or not, what with his solo shows, gigs he and a not-so-great season around it. The lohas with bands he leads such as cal jazz scene was still mourning the passCaptain Black Big Band and Tarbing of WRTI host Jeff Duperon when Philly aby, and his membership in The saxophonists Bootsie Barnes and Danny Ray Thompson died this spring, as did loBad Plus – told me a story about getting cally-born bassists Henry Grimes and stuck in Chicago, while on tour, when Jymie Merritt. Around this same time, everything began to fall apart, pandemBY A.D. the long-dilapidating John Coltrane ic style. AMOROSI House on N. 33rd Street was put on the But first, a lesson. “Pennsylvania at Risk” housing list, “I like to not think of this as falling national historic landmark or not. To apart,” said Evans while at home in add insult to injury, Coltrane’s Strawberry Mt. Airy. “When something falls all apart, 90 percent of the time, it’s difficult to put back to- Mansion mega-mural, at 29th and Diamond gether. It’s like dominoes – pick them up, they streets, would soon find itself in the shadow of a developer’s freshly constructed property – fall, you get frustrated, you set them back up again. I’m thinking more positively that every- this after the first Coltrane mural at Diamond and Douglas Streets, was demolished in 2014 thing hasn’t fallen apart, but rather come to by a after being created in 2002. an elongated pause.” “I would go to the Coltrane House and So, right at the top of this elongated pause in March, Evans and his trio were in Chicago there would be gigs outside the house, jam after having just released a Captain Black al- sessions,” recalled young Upper Darby saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, a proud Coltrane bum, when C-19 struck and ruined live, staged acolyte. “I’ve had flashbacks about playing jazz music. outside that house… memories. It’s hard to be“I was playing at the Green Mill in Chicago with my trio, and was supposed to hook lieve something so historic and holy has been left to deteriorate.” up with The Bad Plus for shows after that,” There is the news that legendary South he said. “On March 11, I did a record with Philly-born guitarist Pat Martino – he of Wallace Roney and Buster Williams that is the bluesy jazz tone on solo albums and gigs coming out on my label (Imani) shortly. On the 12th we did that Green Mill show, took with the likes of Jimmy Smith and Joey Dethe next flight out of Chicago, the 13th, and Francesco – is sick, on oxygen and too weak to undergo a lung transplant. Martino needthat was it. We lost Wallace (Philadelphia jazz
ed money for medical assistance; this after an aneurysm in 1980 left him with amnesia and no recollection of his career or how to play the guitar. At that time, he was forced to learn how to play the guitar from ground zero to where he was of late, playing marvelously menacing and complex solos, only to be felled again by a compromised immune system from that debilitating brain aneurysm. Beyond the closures of COVID-19, this being jazz, and this being Philly, finding and keeping places to play America’s homegrown classical music is a mess. Jazz clubs are closed and, with the C-disease still in circulation, musicians continue to face the risk of illness and economic hardship. Same as it ever was. “I wouldn’t say all the problems with the Philly jazz community come down to a lack of money, but financial hardship is a big factor,” said Suzanne Cloud, the co-creator of Jazz Bridge, and now, the project director of the Philadelphia Jazz Legacy Project. “Playing jazz professionally is, and has been historically, a vow of poverty for most musicians.” All that, and yet there are positive solutions to such negative problems. Along with local lions such as Orrin Evans and Anthony Tidd creating viral live-streaming jazz showcases such as, respectively, Club Porch and ACT4Music – to say nothing of the now-virtual Jazz Philadelphia Summit, online Oct. 9-10 – the venerable Chris Jazz Café has become the first music club in town to stage live shows with no audience (starting with Pat Martino benefits last week), and create in-
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house live streams with the potential to make money for artist and club alike. There’s the fact that Joseph L. Lewis III, a one-time Philadelphia Tribune reporter, will become the new executive director for the musician-founded aid society Jazz Bridge in August, and is looking to dive in head first. To top it all off, the first new jazz signing from Philly on a major label – Universal’s Blue Note – in a minute happens in August as incendiary alto saxophonist and composer Immanuel Wilkins releases his narrative and racially charged debut album, “Omega.” Maybe, this was an elongated pause after all. “The way I look at it, ‘jazz’ is a lineage,” said bassist-composer Anthony Tidd. He’s not only talking about the line between nu-jazz masters he’s gigged with (Steve Coleman, Greg Osby), and jamming hip hop acts (e.g. The Roots). Tidd too is discussing ACT4Music, his cloud-based gig portal, created pre-pandemic, as a “virtual venue” that he can tend and curate like a gardener does his flowers, one where Philly jazz-bos can experiment, and one where Tidd can offer creative musicians an online festival setting for curated-from-home video-music performances. “This is the future I’m trying to create, a platform that leans toward the creative side and allows artists to be supported by audiences.” Support from an audience – even if Philly sometimes lags behind when it comes to showing love to its native sound – is just the SEE JAZZ, PAGE 8
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Live streaming is taking the place of live performances for many of Philly’s jazz musicians. Image | Mark DeNinno.
JAZZ, FROM PAGE 7 sort-of music that makes Orrin Evans’ ears prick up. The always-innovative and deeply soulful musician and jazz scene leader spent the first weeks of C-19 quarantine building up Patreon pages for recording purposes for The Bad Plus, Captain Black Big Band and Tarbaby (“In the old days of classical music, those composers weren’t on the road, gigging – they had patrons”) and producing other artists for his Imani label, when he got a real itch he needed to scratch. “I haven’t been home for this long in over 20 years.... It was the first day of the George Floyd riots, a weird day, listening to what was going outside. To my friend staying with my family for quarantine, I said, ‘WE NEED TO JUST PLAY.’ So we decided to just go onto the patio and play. I just put my phone up and recorded that; dumb as far as audio and video quality. But, I did it. People
on the block enjoyed it. It was then and there that I started thinking forward: a desire to do SOMETHING, something for us, something for the neighborhood.” Something for jazz. Club Patio was born, an every Sunday event running through August (probably the rest of autumn too) you can tune into, donate to (https://www.facebook.com/imanirecordsmusic), and catch the most progressive cats in jazz (mostly NYC, see below) such as Johnathan Blake (Aug. 23) and Ari Hoenig (Aug. 30) jam with Evans on a large porch in Mt. Airy. And now with better lights, sound and cameras (SLIFE Productions) and without the Evans family grill in the shot. “I want to play, but where can I do that where everyone feels comfortable,” asked Evans. “Many live streams make people feel uncomfortable with too many people in a studio, huddled too closely together without masks... you couldn’t enjoy the music, watching, won-
AUGUST 13 - AUGUST 20, 2020 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY
dering ‘is this safe?’ That’s why we’re outside on the patio. Everyone feels safer. People watch in a different way.” That Evans has principal support from the Pittsburgh Jazz Festival in producing Club Patio (along with donations from people like you) says something about Philly that Evans has long discussed. See, the donations were plentiful in the spring, but, now that summer is here, donations are down, and it is PJF cash that makes sure Evans gets his sound crew paid, and gets food for musicians, as well as a few dollars. “Philly has been quiet to a lot of this,” said Evans frankly. “I appreciate your call and J. Michael Harrison from WRTI invited me onair, but, most of my support has come from Pittsburgh and New York as far as corporate money and artists who are willing to play here. Not trying to sound bitter, but it amazes me that I can still be one of the touring artists still on the scene that still live here – me, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Gerald Veasley. We’re still here. I’m still here creating opportunities where you can see major jazz artists ON MY PATIO. Philly has not been the one to call or say, what can we do? Where am I getting support? PITTSBURGH.” Finding the positive in the negative, fans have been great at sending Evans and his fam hand sanitizer and water (“I have as much free water now in my kitchen as I did at the beginning of COVID-19”). And while live streaming can’t be a cure to physical touring and gig-playing (“geo-limiting is an answer”), Evans is certain that the likes of Club Patio “are a great alternative – WHAT WE CAN DO RIGHT NOW.” Mark DeNinno, the chef-owner of Sansom Street’s Chris Jazz Café, also wasn’t about to let COVID-19 kick his ass or that of the music. No sooner than the restaurant-venue’s downtime hit, DeNinno ripped out bathrooms (re-doing them with touchless faucets and soap dispensers) and carpets (replacing with hardwoods), and working on an A/V studio for live streams and sound-video recording that is now the heart of Chris. “We actually started thinking about live streaming in January as a marketing-branding tool since most of our shows this season and last were sell-outs,” said DeNinno. “When March hit, everything shut down, and we knew we wouldn’t be going back to in-house dining service soon, me and Sean Svadlenak (Chris’ lead engineer) upped our game in the live streaming department, making it so that we can sell it, turn it into a revenue stream.” By June, DeNinno, Svadlenak and Co. spent $25,000 in equipment (cameras, lights, sound, drum kits) and another $25K in labor, not only to create a state-of-the-art studio for streaming, but for recording, and for engineering master classes. “Even WRTI, who can’t go back to their studios due to its being on Temple’s campus, are looking at us as an alternative,” stated DeNinno. “We’re keeping our options open as to how we best utilize and maximize this space.”
After last week’s Martino benefit broadcasts, this weekend’s first paid shows – Aug. 14 with vibraphonist Tony Miceli, his trio, and vocalist Joanna Pascale, Aug. 15’s tribute to “West Side Story” with pianist Tim Brey and vocalist Chelsea Reed, on stage but with no audience in the club – is Chris’ next phase in live streaming. The virtual shows will cost viewers five bucks, with bands getting their usual fees/pay and clubs getting streaming dollars/ tix sales and ownership of the stream’s intellectual property. “We’ll keep it this price through September, then see where we’re at. Maybe do subscription packages, $20 a month, $100 a year, archive shows. We’ll be happy as clams doing 500 shows a year, live and onstage, when the city says it’s safe – even keep the live streaming going then for people who can’t get here. We had a lot of viewers from other countries outside the U.S. for the Martino shows. For now, the livestreaming is a happy alternative.” If anyone knows the problems and solutions to Philly jazz’s woes, it’s Suzanne Cloud. The lack of money, beyond jazz being a license to ill and ail, largely comes down to the Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy which promoted and paid for summer concerts in the parks, promoting jazz-related arts like photography and portraiture, and celebrating Jazz Month every April, has been dismantled by Mayor Kenney. “The mayor used COVID-19 as an excuse to disband the office and cut almost every cent of arts funding. What an incredibly stupid move from someone who doesn’t understand the importance of the arts in times of financial struggle – see Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s WPA as an example of how to do it right – and the blow to the jazz community is substantial.” The Coltrane House and the mural? Cloud agrees with Mural Arts’ boss Jane Golden in that murals aren’t necessarily meant to stand forever because a city changes, deconstructs and reconstitutes itself on a daily basis. “I applaud the builders who have offered $25,000 for a new mural somewhere else,” said Cloud of a solution that came from the new developers whose upcoming property will shadow the saxophonist’s giant mural. “The John Coltrane House is a wholly different situation, an historic place, run for years by Cousin Mary (Lyerly Alexander, Coltrane’s closest Philly relative, the subject of one of his most renowned songs, and the neighbor-caretaker of the Coltrane House until she passed in 2019 at the age of 92), being left to the ravages of time because the family that owns it now doesn’t understand that in order to get public funds to rehabilitate the house, one must agree to some restrictions on the use of the house.” Cloud has had discussions with Paul Steinke, executive director of the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, and with Faye Anderson, director of All that Philly Jazz, a project dealing with preserving African American public history, “It’s been a real mess,” said Cloud. “We’ve all been stymied as to what to do. I have written to Mayor Kenney about
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fit broad-possibly the city buying the house ws – Aug.from the family and then rehabilitas trio, andtion can proceed. Never heard back tribute tofrom him. Devastating to realize all the Brey andmemories of what that house has been with no au-to the jazz community just being let go ase in liveto rubble.” cost view- Everything in Philly jazz comes heir usualback to Coltrane. Everything in jazz, g dollars/period, comes back to Coltrane. No ream’s in-one knows that better or deeper than this priceImmanuel Wilkins, the Upper Darby e we’re at.born-and-raised pianist-turned-alto 0 a month,saxophonist and composer whose dehappy asbut album, “Omega” came out last Frie and on-day on Blue Note. even keep “That was my birthday,” said a joeople whovial 22-year-old Wilkins, noting that wers fromthe major label release of his debut the Marti-was not intended as an early present. g is a hap-“It wasn’t by design. ‘Omega’ was supposed to come out Aug. 14 but Blue and solu-Note also had the new Bill Frisell renne Cloud.lease (“Valentine”) for that day. The g a licenselabel asked if they could move it up to the Of-and that worked out so much better for tive Econ-me.” r summer Starting off as a pianist in the azz-relatedchurches of Upper Darby such as iture, andPrayer Chapel Church of God in Christ , has been(“known for great music and crazy he mayorgreat gospel musicians”), Wilkins and the of-shifted to sax and moved to New York s funding.City in 2015 to attend The Juilliard om some-School, play gigs across NYC’s wide mportancejazz net and befriend mentors such uggle – seeas trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire s an exam-and pianist Jason Moran. Not only The latest name to watch in the Philly low to thedid Wilkins play in Moran’s “In My jazz scene, Immanuel Wilkins, recently Mind: Monk at Town Hall, 1959,” live released his debut album, ‘Omega.’ ral? Cloudshowcase honoring Thelonious Monk, Image | Dana Scruggs Golden init was Moran who ushered the saxont to standphonist’s debut to Blue Note. constructs “The album was actually finished in asis. “I ap-2019, before we had a label deal,” said Wilkins. “The Dreamer”) is that Wilkins’ debut is all $25,000 for“Jason had a hand in so many Blue Note pro- his own, original compositions. d Cloud of ductions of late, and it was he who asked Don Was it always clear in his mind that Wilkins’ developersWas (the head of Blue Note) to see our show in debut would be all his own compositions? adow theLos Angeles. He loved us. When we finished “I think so… that being said... maybe not. John Col-the album it was Jason who reminded Don There are so many titles I love, we love,” he uation, an“Remember that show you loved. Here’s the said of inspirations and favorites from Orusin Maryalbum.“ nette Coleman, Benny Carter, Charlie Parker, est Philly Wilkins once told me, categorically, that he Henry Threadgill and, of course, John Colmost re-doesn’t associate himself with the word, ‘jazz,’ trane – more on him later. retaker of as much as he does the deed. “Like all black “I believed in my own music, my own comin 2019 atmusic, there’s a certain freedom about jazz. positions, a lot. Then again I have always been es of timeThe music, the culture, the community of it, as much a traditionalist as I am a modernist ow doesn’tall drew me in. But, it was always there.” With – I could have seen myself doing a mix of the ic funds tothat, Wilkins has been free to collaborate with two. Once it came time for me to put someee to somea range of artists such as Solange Knowles, thing together it was apparent that I needed to ” Gretchen Parlato, Wynton Marsalis and Joel make a cohesive statement as to who I am, and Paul Stein-Ross with whom Wilkins played on the vibra- what I am. I had enough music of my own. vation Al-phonist’s 2019 Blue Note debut “KingMaker.” The right way to do it was to have it be all origwith Faye Wilkins didn’t just fall from the sky is my inals.” ly Jazz, apoint. What’s boldest and most lived in about That cohesive statement involves heatcan Amer-“Omega,” beyond its buoyant nuanced blend ed compositions such as “Mary Turner - An eal mess,”of empowered pain (several “American Tra- American Tradition” and “Ferguson - An as to whatdition” pieces) and unbridled joy and uplift (a American Tradition,” both tracks on the monney aboutcelebratory “Warriors,” a lovely lush ballad ey, current and cutting what with the police
murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. These songs alone put Wilkins in the pantheon of jazz players and writers speaking to Black America about issues of race and injustice. Think Max Roach’s “We Insist!” or Archie SHepp’s “Attica Blues.” Wilkins too, like Coltrane did on “A Love Supreme,” and many other compositions, speaks to the spiritual, to the gods, on his own “Grace & Mercy.” “The killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson… I wrote it based on the narrative of the aftermath working backwards to its initial shock,” said the saxophonist. “There’s a cymbal crash at the end of the song signifying the first shot. After the initial take, Moran came into the studio and said that we (Wilkins with pianist Micah Thomas, bassist Daryl Johns, and drummer Kweku Sumbry) had to figure out how to embody this character, this incident, create a narrative with imagery, and not just use a name. In general, the album – my entire arc – is based on ideas of blackness, black identity. When I was thinking about Michael and Mary, I was thinking about how
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Black people in general live in this two-tiered reality .. super sublime and super hilarious material as well as the grotesque, the angry. Think Dave Chappelle, the blues, or Black Twitter. There is beauty and humor that comes out of the grotesque. Black people’s viewpoint – at all times – is through those two filters. I wanted to make an album that sounded like those two poles. ... Intense beauty and intense horror at the same time. I want to be as explicit as possible.” And while “Grace & Mercy” finds Wilkins introspectively writing about his time in church, in gospel tradition, to how blessed he is, “Omega,” peers into the prospect of what the end looks like, sonically. “What does the end of police brutality look like, what does the end of prejudice look like? What does the end of the pandemic look like – what I arrived at is that things get worse before they get better – I was trying to create a soundtrack for the end whatever that means. That all this was and is fueled by Philly (friends and mentors on the scene such as Mickey Roker, Marshall Allen or Jamaaladeen Tacuma) and the personification of Philadelphia Black music and spirituality in John Coltrane is what makes Wilkins’ music warm and familial even when it’s at its most incendiary. “The better part of my artistry stems from me being from Philly, from Upper Darby, from the church,” he said. “I will always be the first one to sing Philadelphia’s praises. A large part of that is Coltrane. I am his biggest fan. That is the spirit in which my music is rooted, THAT’S THE ONE, ingrained in me since the youngest of ages, played in jam sessions with friends where we hit “Impressions” or “Resolution” for like 40 minutes straight. The spirit of it, him, jazz, was always about reaching higher and going deeper within the music. That was always the goal. That’s the spirit of the record. That’s the spirit of Philly.” With that, Immanuel Wilkins has faith that his city and its jazz scene can look past any ill wind and find fresh new air. “The arts have always outrun any bad that is happening in history,” he said. “There’s always strength to be found during dark times, and I have faith in my brothers and sisters in the arts, in jazz – this is the time where we get our inspiration, our creative energy. We’re documentarians. Our job is to take note of what is going on and make something out of that. What until you hear what comes next.” Editor’s note: This story has been edited for length. To read the full version, visit philadelphiaweekly.com.
@ADAMOROSI
PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | AUGUST 13 - AUGUST 20, 2020
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VOICES
OF OUR
CITY
City’s plan doesn’t close digital divide The City of Philadelphia recently announced its plan to get every student online ahead of online instruction scheduled to begin this fall. In the face of extraordinary pressure from parents, educators, and community members, this shows that the City of Philadelphia is beginning to listen to our voices as we demand the internet is a human right, especially for our children as they face a fully online return to school in this pandemic. The City’s partnership with Comcast, an integral feature to the plan, includes a sizable payment from Comcast’s philanthropic arm, the Comcast Foundation, to the Comcast Corporation to cover the costs of providing discount service “Internet Essentials” for the families of students who are not online. The City is also working with T-Mobile to provide mobile hotspots to transient students and in partnership with some of Philadelphia’s largest foundation partners, has committed to hiring new digital navigators, who will work to identify and assist students who need internet access.. While this plan is a notable win for Philly’s students, educators, and the community members who have been organizing and advocating to close the digital divide ahead of the upcoming school year, it is far from enough: Families still need Comcast to increase upload and download speeds for its Internet Essentials Program. Without this commitment, Comcast will fail to meet the needs of households with multiple students. Parents who are unemployed and looking for work will also struggle to access the internet while their children are receiving an online education. Educators, including paraprofessionals, should be included in this plan. Paraprofessionals, like assistant teachers, are underpaid and required
to have internet access to perform their essential duties for the upcoming school year. Comcast must open its residential hotspots. Comcast is choosing profits over people by refusing to open its residential hot spots – something crucial for homeless, English-language learning, and transient students who can’t get Internet Essentials. While hotspots will help with some transient students, the district literally lost 1,000 students this spring. Some won’t be reached through this plan. Only by opening its network, so students can see open wifi they can use, will the majority of students be served in this urgent moment. Comcast claims that its network was not designed for public use, but it’s seen an 11,000 percent increase in usage of its public hotspots without negatively impacting service levels. Comcast should make more of a financial investment for internet access. In places like Baltimore, Detroit, and Chicago, local officials are preparing to pay Comcast to get students online in preparation for the upcoming school year, despite school districts experiencing unprecedented budget deficits. In Philadelphia, while Comcast has donated $7 million, the city will still have to pay some in order for families to get the internet access they need, despite Comcast’s extraordinary wealth. Comcast should cover the vast majority of the costs in all rural and city communities where it has a majority of the market share. For Black, brown, and poor communities across the country, Comcast’s greed is the root cause of the digital divide. This is a beginning, and we will continue to fight in our neighborhoods and in the halls of power demanding “internet for all” in every community.
- Devren Washington, Senior Policy Organizer at Movement Alliance Project and Coordinator of the Philly Tech Justice Coalition.
AUGUST 13 - AUGUST 20, 2020 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY
PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY
THE SHOUT OUT
Image | Toxic Player
Philadelphia just experienced another violent weekend with at least 10 shootings reported Saturday and Sunday and 15 people shot, including teens and children.
Your turn: Is there anything that will stop gun violence? Who needs to step up and take action? Send your thoughts to voices@philadelphiaweekly.com
VOICES OF OUR CITY
PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY
Government should prioritize people, not petrochemical companies In the midst of three intersecting crises – a health crisis, an economic crisis and a climate crisis – funding a polluting industry that damages people’s health and has been in a steady economic decline certainly isn’t a solution to which most people would jump. And yet, on July 14, that’s precisely the solution 163 Pennsylvania state representatives chose to support. HB732, the bill they passed, actively sets us back through giving over $670 million to the PA fracking and petrochemical industries over the next 26 years. As a young person, I constantly face the anxiety of knowing how uncertain my future is. While our climate erodes, I feel as if I am strapped to a speeding train on unstable
tracks; the drivers of that train – our representatives – frequently take wrong turns and drive at faster and faster speeds in the wrong direction, furthering us from our destination. The petrochemical industry is the largest consumer of energy in the world. They release huge amounts of polluting methane – one of the most potent greenhouse gases – and hurt Pennsylvanians by distancing us from a renewable future. I was disappointed to see that my representative, Donna Bullock, voted the wrong way on this bill and prioritized companies such as Shell and Exxon, rather than the people living in her district. I hope that in the future, she can help get the train back on its tracks.
Asaf Lebovic | Philadelphia
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Gerrymandering threatens our most important civil right
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As we get closer to Election Day 2020, we hear a lot about our political divide, the unbridgeable tribalism of left and right. At the same time, we’re also told that voters hold common ground views on a variety of issues. How can both be true? The answer is gerrymandering. The general view is that gerrymandering advantages one political party over the other. But that misses the larger point. True representative democracy is a competition among ideas that live or die at the ballot box. There is no such competition if the outcome is already decided by rigged district maps. There are no fresh ideas if the first requirement is party loyalty. There’s no room for independent or third-party candidates if maps are drawn so all seats are safe seats. Another misconception is that gerrymandering affects only some races. But ballot access and the right to vote are controlled by state legislatures. That affects every election at every level. Gerrymandered voting districts are the keystone of an interlocking structure for maintaining political power: the party that draws the maps makes the rules, appoints the committee chairs, and enacts campaign finance laws, all in secrecy, eventually wearying voters to the point where they no longer see the value of participating. But in this careful scheme something elemental, and in plain sight, was overlooked:
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Your state constitution. This state-based argument is no longer an academic discussion. In the 2018 case League of Women Voters Pennsylvania v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that gerrymandered congressional districts, “clearly, plainly and palpably violate ... the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.” The result: The maps were redrawn for the 2018 election, and Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation went from a lopsided 13 to five Republican majority, to a nine to nine delegation, reflecting the state’s evenly split electorate. In its ruling, the court said, “ . . . do not divide any county, city incorporated town, borough, township, or ward, except where necessary to ensure equality of population.” This is based on a simple truth found in all 50 state constitutions: The people have an individual right to vote, and a right to equal protection of the law. This is the basis of representative democracy, and the opposite of what gerrymandering does. The ruling infuriated Pennsylvania’s legislative majority, which has embarked on a plan to gerrymander judicial voting districts. State legislators in Pennsylvania (and all other states) swear an oath to uphold the state constitution. It is our job to remind them of their duty.
Robert Millman, a filmmaker in Glenville, New York, whose film, Line in the Street, is about gerrymander reform efforts in Pennsylvania in 2017 and 2018. lineinthestreet@gmail.com.
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GOSSIP
PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY
Reading, writing and song ICEPACK
Mighty Writers launches new video series
Image | Hannah Olinger
AUGUST 13 - AUGUST 20, 2020 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY
O
while additionally delving into who their fane of the most oddly comforting vorite teachers were, what essential reading things about living near the Italian Market – you know, besides they learned from, and such. Coming soon (every Wednesday a new video can be found) inexpensive berries, a season of is HBO screenwriter (“Insecure”) turned lousy tomatoes, battling neighbors for Angelo’s pizza, flaming musician-singer Phil Augusta Jackson, indie soul-folk goddess Valerie June, Jewel, Wrabel trash cans and knowing that and Matt Quinn from the Philly duo Mt. Joy. some dimwitted, cowardly milI don’t often write about kids – they lennial fucks are screwing up the bug me in a way that makes me feel arrangement of driving, parking and like W.C. Fields – but this program is biking lanes on Washington Avenue BY A.D. AND bitching about the not-so-soAMOROSI mightier than any sour disposition. New restaurant cially-distanced lines at John’s Water I was jusssst talking about 707 Ice – was seeing people young and old, students and teachers and those all races fly Chestnut a few weeks ago in Icepack when I mentioned how Chef Yun Fuentes – now at in and out of the Mighty Writers El Futuro the sprawling, spanking new garden space space on South 9th. at the new Wayward – used to exec chef At least in pre-pandemic mode, the always-active storefront was geared toward at that very same address for Jose Garces restaurants such as Chifa and Rosa Blanca. housing and hyping up kids to the imaginaThat address, though, has been sorta-kinda tive and proactive powers and prowess of cursed. writing and reading as real-life tools to wield. The people who had it before Garces, Ryan It is one of the Philly Weekly (Mach 1)’s own, one-time editor Tim Whitaker, who founded Margolis with restaurant designers Renee and Don Freeman, fashioned a swellegant the now 11-year-old nonprofit. Now, the Italian Market space (not to be lounge-bistro at that address to no avail. Following them, Garces’ back-to-back (literal) confused with other South Philly Mighty hot spots were cool to a customer base, as Writer spaces at 6th & South or 15th & Christian) stands mostly empty, its colorful tables was its most-recent owner, Nico’s. This time, however, I think 707 could thrive and chairs unused, as if this MWEF doubles tastily and financially: Aldo Lamberti of Old as a set for “The Walking Dead.” And yet, online and via streaming, Mighty Writers is City’s Positano Coast and South Jersey’s epic Caffe Aldo Lamberti fame is readying a active and alive. Last week, the Writers’ YouTube site (as not-too-casual take-out Pizza Fresca for September. And yes, when we can dine in again well as its new partner in the online magwithin Philly’s city limits, there will be café azine, Literary Hub) went beyond reading about and writing essays, poetry and books seating at Fresca. Stay tuned. New spot and flew into music with the Mighty Song Out of her one-time East Passyunk AveWriters video series. So far, alt-country songwriting marrieds Amanda Shires and Jason nue digs due to increased renters and evil Isbell and jazz pianist Marcus Roberts have landlord fucks, Ange Branca’s Saté Kampar snagged a nice long Malaysian dining pop-up played and discussed their writing process
PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY
GOSSIP
invitation at Fergus Carey’s The Goat through new and classical Latin theatrical works. With summer. theaters and performance spaces C-19 shuttered since March 13 (the opening night of her Eric Slick album directing “Oedipus El Rey,”) Marquez jumped When it comes to Philly indie bands who into a virtual theatre project, Teatro Quaranhave broken far into the mainstream, the hard-jamming and shambling Dr. Dog is at tine. “This was a spontaneous initiative I formed the very top of that heap. This week, however, with other LatinX artists in Philly to explore their wildly inventive drummer, longtime solo artist, multi-instrumentalist and song-author the way one can make theatre in the era of in his own write/right Eric Slick, will release Covid-19,” she said, first taking Frederico a fresh solo album “Wiseacre. The record García Lorca’s “Bodas de Sangre” and breakdrops this Friday featuring his big vocalist ing it into seven episodes for YouTube and wife, Natalie Press, on the album’s first single, Facebook. “There, the actors are their own costume designers, set designers, props, crew, “Closer to Heaven.” etc. They self-tape, while ‘Live at Studio 4’ I direct over Zoom or Another drummer? Skype. Our biggest goal Whether as stickman has been to connect artison records from Lauryn tically through a screen Hill, Schoolly D, and Say and achieve Duende.” Anything, to his producLoosely translated to tion and mixing credits something nearing “pasfor the emo-punk likes sion,” “duende” is no easof Tigers Jaw, Turnstile, ily-attained state. “Artists and Title Fight, Philly’s must go through a strugWill Yip is a knob-twidgle to achieve ‘Duende:’ dling contender, a man fitting as we are all strugwith a plan. Starting Aug. gling to create art. This 14, with Tiger Jaw as his has been a pretty ambiloud and live music-maktious process, but many ing first guests, the prowonderful discoveries and ducer commences (with the continuous search accompanying videografor Duende.” Here’s their pher hate5six) work as a YouTube link https:// curator and showrunner www.youtube.com/chanwith “Live At Studio 4,” nel/UClWMZZ6ewpjWBfrom Yip’s titular homegwEMGlBvPA. away-from-home recordAs for what the mask ing space. Starts 9 pm, stands for to Marquez, costs $10 and there’s merit means, “Respect. Solich to purchase https:// darity. I got you and you liveatstudio4.com. got me and side-by-side, Charlie Ventura resocially distant, we are leases working together to save WTF another drum- Tanaquil Marquez is pictured in a mask lives.” mer? Though the albums made by her student, Ricarda Oaxaca. So what will Marquez won’t be released until Image | Courtesy Tanaquil Marquez do once the masks come Christmas, Philly drumdown? Adapt Shakemer and producer Bruce Klauber announces that he just signed a deal speare’s “Twelfth Night,” into a bilingual musical with Liz Filios for Del Shakes – a project with UK-based Jasmine records for the release that was supposed to start this September, but of two sessions from local jazz saxophone jazz pushed back a year due to the pandemic. legend and Walk of Fame honoree Charlie “That’s a blessing and a curse. We have Ventura. One from 1953 with The Gene Krupa Jazz Trio, and one from 1957 with fellow locals more time to work on this piece and host Billy Bean (guitar) Tony DiNicola (drums), workshops, but, of course everything is through Zoom.” Johnny Coates, Jr. (piano) and Gus Nemeth Also in September: Marquez’s final pro(bass) have been all-but-unheard for over 60 duction and last month of her residency with years. They’ll make nice holiday presents. CoLab Arts in New Brunswick, NJ, creating Masked Philly: Tanaquil Marquez In Icepack’s continuing saga of asking a social advocacy piece with LatinX residents about the housing crisis and developments in mask-donning local celebrities what they’ve been up to beyond the pale during C-19, I the city. “I’m very excited about this piece,” said reached out this week to Tanaquil Marquez, a Philadelphia director, writer and actor whose Marquez, “because the performers are mothwork has been on display at the Philadelphia ers and their kids, so it’s been really wonderFringe Festival and with 1812 Productions. ful seeing families create art together, espeShe is also known as Associate Artistic Pro- cially social art.” ducing Director/Marketing Manager at Teatro @ADAMOROSI del Sol, Philly’s primary outlet for producing
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PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | AUGUST 13 - AUGUST 20, 2020
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MUSIC
PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY Philly native Payson Lewis recently released ‘Sound of a Voice,’ an inspirational call to action to use your voice in advancing and supporting the Black Lives Matter movement's fight against discrimination and inequality. Image | James Bianchi
A CALL TO
ACTION
Philly native’s new single supports BLM’s fight against inequality
P
ing. Eventually, he found his way to Los Angeles op artists sometimes get a bad rap to study music at USC. these days, but Philly native Payson His infectious charisma and natural knack Lewis is fighting back. Armed with his intoxicating positive energy, he for show business led him to plenty of television appearances in LA. His acting credits include epdelivers music that you can’t help isodes of “How I Met Your Mother,” “Rebut move to. Lewis’ brand venge,” “The People vs. OJ Simpson” is a garden of ‘80s- and BY EUGENE and “Rules of Engagement.” ‘90s-influenced pop hooks, feel-good While acting is certainly a powerful vibes and live-your-best-life mentality. ZENYATTA asset within Lewis’ wheelhouse, his first His new single, though, has a far love and ultimate mission is music. He deeper meaning and message. “Sound has generated an impressive buzz, not to menof a Voice,” an inspirational call to action to use your voice in advancing and supporting the tion thousands of subscribers, through his popular YouTube channel. Black Lives Matter movement’s fight against disPW recently caught up with Lewis to talk crimination and inequality, was released late last about the new music and his career. month. All of the profits from the track will go to Let’s start with the new single, “Sound of organizations in support of social justice. a Voice,” that was released recently. What A Philly kid born and raised, Lewis was brought up on a steady diet of his older brothers’ inspired you to write it? How did it all come together in terms of the recording process? old cassette tapes and mom’s gluten-free cook-
AUGUST 13 - AUGUST 20, 2020 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY
Where ca song? It would turn a bli ing in our neck-deep two horri COVID-19 racism. It this song. I penne in 48 hour Floyd. Wi ters circli streaming protests a help but w part of th solution a forward. S hopes of who neve role or pla has been utterly br act to ma my intent courage m The r unique in of all, my songs is p me, my pr maybe my en the sub circle up of people. of my BIP that, both ly, I wasn propriatin great bene their crea to have co me of thin ways that of vision. you can le Also, th wrote an remotely. bedroom h and my p his screen bank. We clear doin on a slight way it end we were a COVID cli If you w ally listen days. It w to “delive checked t YouTube, there. You gre sic scene
MUSIC
PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY Where can your fans hear the song? It would be almost impossible to turn a blind eye to what is happening in our country right now. We’re neck-deep in trying to deal with two horrific and deadly diseases; COVID-19 and deep-seated systemic racism. It’s the latter that inspired this song. I penned “Sound of a Voice” within 48 hours of the murder of George Floyd. With the sounds of helicopters circling overhead and sirens streaming in my window from protests all over the city, I couldn’t help but wonder whether I had been part of the problem or part of the solution and which I’d be moving forward. So, I wrote this song in the hopes of inspiring others, like me, who never fully understood their role or place in fixing a system that has been so egregiously unfair and utterly broken, to listen, learn, and act to make a positive change. It’s my intention to do my part and encourage more people to do the same. The recording process was unique in a number of ways. First of all, my feedback circle on most songs is pretty small, usually just me, my producer (Ben Soldate), and maybe my girlfriend. However, given the subject matter, I opened my circle up to a much larger group of people. I reached out to about 20 of my BIPOC friends to make sure that, both lyrically and stylistically, I wasn’t being tone-deaf or appropriating in any way. One of the great benefits of doing this, besides their creative input, was being able to have conversations that informed me of things I had been blind to and ways that I could improve my field of vision. It’s amazing how much Payson Lewis penned his new song, ‘Sound of a Voice,’ you can learn just by listening. within 48 hours of the murder of George Floyd. Also, this was the first song I Image | James Bianchi wrote and recorded completely remotely. I was working from my bedroom here at my place here in Hollywood, any Philly artists who made a special imand my producer was across town, sharing pact on your music? his screen and working in his studio in BurProbably the first Philly artists that I, like, bank. We had a lot of technical hurdles to worshipped and looked up to was Boyz II Men. clear doing everything over the internet and My older step-brother first introduced them to on a slight delay, but I’m really happy with the me, and I couldn’t get enough of their records; way it ended up sounding and proud of what “Cooleyhighharmony,” “II,” and “Evolution” especially. Their harmonies and songwriting, we were able to accomplish given the current to this day, are some of my all-time favorCOVID climate. ites. So, it was a really amazing moment for If you want to hear the song, you can literally listen to it anywhere you get music these me when I got to meet and work with Shawn days. It was an option with my distributor Stockman while I was on “The Sing-Off.” I remember running into him at Target after we to “deliver to ALL stores,” and I definitely had finished filming and he called my name to checked that box. So, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Amazon music, you name it, it’s on get my attention while I was checking out and then apologized for interrupting me and I told there. him, “You’re Shawn Stockman, you can literYou grew up in Philly. Did the city’s music scene influence your career? Are there ally interrupt me ANY time you want!”
You’re kind of a jack of all trades: singer, songwriter, actor. How has the pandemic and all of the closures associated with it affected your career? How have you spent your downtime? Honestly, the impact has been pretty profound. Outside of my own home recording and songwriting, there’s not much on the horizon at the moment. The live music industry has been hit particularly hard by this pandemic, so I’ve been having to figure out some new ways to keep working. Thankfully, being a songwriter and independent artist, there have still been projects for me and things to keep me busy, but it’s been hard not being able to perform. One of the main reasons I became a musician is to share it with people live. There have been so
15
many concerts that have been cancelled or postponed that almost every musician I know has been forced to find new ways to work or new creative outlets. Hopefully, when we come out the other side of this one, we can get back to playing live and providing people the kind of escape into music that we all need so badly right now. But in the meantime, my day-today, I imagine, is a lot like everyone else’s. I’m home all day. I hang out with my dog and my girlfriend. I try to avoid eating everything in the fridge, and if I’m lucky I manage to exercise a few times a week. Social media, streaming services, the internet in general have changed the way artists not only distribute their music, but also how they interact with their fans. How did technology in general help to advance your career? Do you enjoy interacting with your fans on social, or can it be a burden at times? The way I can now interact with fans and people all over the world is one of my favorite things about the way the internet has changed this industry. It’s fascinating to me to see the way that my music has reached across oceans and continents. There are no longer any geographic limits. Music is now truly universal and boundaryless. I love getting to talk to people in Brazil, Singapore, Dominican Republic, Indonesia, etc. I love seeing that my song is trending in Taipei or Sydney. I feel like I get to travel and learn a little bit about these different places while I’m sitting having my morning coffee. What’s ahead for you after the pandemic passes? More music? Appearances? Acting gigs? At this point, I have no idea. I just want it to pass. I mean, of course I’ll keep on making music, and hopefully if everyone finally starts to take this seriously and wears a mask and listens to the qualified experts we can get back to playing concerts, making music videos etc. We just all have to suck it up and take one for the team on this one. The sooner we all start looking out for each other, the sooner we can get back to “normal.” Until we start doing that, though, it’s tricky for me, just like everyone else, to make plans too far in the future. What are the best ways for your fans to keep up with what you’re doing? Like most artists, I use Instagram (@ paysonlewis) the most but I’m also on Facebook for all you boomers, and I just made a TikTok for all the Gen Zers out there. Although, I admit, I’m still trying to figure out the app. Or you can just head to www.paysonlewis.com and link to all the good stuff there.
PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | AUGUST 13 - AUGUST 20, 2020
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PEOPLE
PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY
SUPPORT IN A TIME
OF NEED
AVP provides resources to survivors of homicides
H
omicides in Philadelphia have cycle of violence by providing intervention, prevention, and support programs. increased 23 percent from last year, impacting many of the same AVP was founded 30 years ago as a support Black and Brown communities group for families who had lost a loved one that are bearing the dispropor- to murder. AVP’s original program, Famtionate impact from the spread ilies of Murder Victims, quickly became a of COVID-19. Providing valuable support for co-victims of resources to heal from murder, trauhomicide by offering court accomBY EUGENE ma, grief and loss is particularly impaniment, advocacy and support. portant because of the recent murToday, AVP is helping children ZENYATTA ders of African-American men and and youth resolve conflict nonviowomen by white police officers. Pain lently, while assisting victims and and anger from generations of disregard for their families to rebuild their lives in the afBlack lives is prompting unrest across the na- termath of violence. Its mission is to end the tion. Facing the culmination of these factors, cycle of violence in Philadelphia through experts are teaming up to provide culturally comprehensive and collaborative programs in relevant resources to survivors of homicide local communities. victims across the city. AVP’s outreach goes beyond responders The Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadeland families. This year, a training program phia is working to ensure that every survivor with Harcum College students in the Crimand every agency in Philadelphia serving inal Justice program was held for students survivors of homicide victims have access to who plan to pursue a career as a police officer, the necessary resources after the tragedy of FBI/CIA agent, or detective, or to go into simia murder. The strategy is rooted in the Cenlar fields in the criminal justice system. ters for Disease Control and Prevention’s soPW recently caught up with Kendra Van de cial-ecological framework that interventions Water, director of the Intra-Familial Homiare needed at multiple levels to interrupt cy- cide Initiative of the AVP, and Jaclyn Mason, cles of violence. director of the Criminal Justice Program at As a first step, AVP is providing the “SurHarcum College, to talk about the AVP and vivivors’ Burial and Resource Guide: A Step- olence in the city. by-Step Guide for Regaining Control” to entiThe AVP was started 30 years ago as a ties across Philadelphia that come in contact support group for families who had lost a with family members of someone who was loved one to murder. How have the Partmurdered. The purpose of the guide is to help nership’s goals, strategies and services families heal, regain control of their lives and evolved over the years? What are some of achieve peace after the traumatic death of a the newer programs in place today? loved one to murder. Over time, AVP has seen the need to not The AVP is the only organization in Philaonly support survivors of homicide in Phildelphia whose mission is to reduce the entire adelphia, but also survivors of violent crime
AUGUST 13 - AUGUST 20, 2020 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY
PEOPLE
PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY
Kendra Van de Water
and to provide general victim services at different stages in the aftermath of violence. Some newer programs in place today include our Counseling Center where full-time therapists provide free therapy to children and adult victims and survivors of all ages for as long as they need. Additionally, through the Victim Services Department, AVP provides support to all victims of violent crimes in the West and Southwest Philadelphia area from providing support in court to assisting with financial reimbursement or victim compensation processes, and ensuring victims are connected to whatever services they need. The Youth Violence Outreach Program operates within schools and community settings to provide group and counseling services to provide ongoing emotional support to young people who have been victims of crime. Embedded in the District Attorney’s Office, the Families of Murder Victims Program provides emotional support, advocacy, and liaison services to survivors of homicide through the preliminary and trial processes in the aftermath of a homicide when there is an arrest. Our Intra-Familial Homicide Initiative focuses on collaborating with systems such as the Medical Examiner’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office and the Homicide Unit within the Police Department to improve services and create materials that are more survivor centered and fit the needs of the survivors of homicide with a special focus on complex homicides such as
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Jaclyn Mason
when family members murder other family members or domestic violence murders. With the goal to provide comprehensive services to victims, AVP has grown from a support group to an organization with multiple programs and services to fill the needs in the aftermath of violence. – Van de Water Have the pandemic and all of the closures that followed impacted the Partnership? Have you had to adjust how you’re helping people? The pandemic has impacted how victims of crime and survivors of homicide are serviced, but AVP has worked hard to restructure and meet the needs of clients during this time. The biggest impact has probably been many surviving family members and friends after a homicide have not been able to identify their loved ones remains in person at the Medical Examiner’s Office as they usually are due to COVID-19 restrictions. This means that AVP has not been able to identify as many survivors as usual who may be interested in services. Additionally, court being closed and cases not moving forward during the pandemic have impacted the ability for victims to testify during cases. AVP has also been working with the courts to ensure that once things start to change, our organization can be with our clients every step of the way. AVP has also implemented telehealth to fill the gaps in services in regard to in-person therapy, as well as a strategic outreach pro-
cess to reach as many people as possible to provide necessary services. We’ve adjusted in a way that has still been able to reach people and we’re grateful that our clients continue to be supported in the midst of everything else going on. – Van de Water What needs to happen to reduce gun violence in Philadelphia? What roles do government, law enforcement, the educational community, private sector businesses and organizations, etc. play in ending the violence? Who needs to step up and how? The Criminal Justice program at Harcum is dedicated to educating our students about the realities of gun violence and the ramifications of violence on communities. I invited Tina (Chéry, founder, president and CEO of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute in Boston) and Kendra to participate in Harcum’s inaugural event for National Criminal Justice Month in March because I knew our students would benefit from their powerful, firsthand accounts of gun violence and their efforts to support victims and survivors. The students were deeply engaged with the training, even lining up to hug Tina at the end. Nearly all of them commented on how moved they were to make a difference in their own communities. These college students will be future leaders in the criminal justice community, so the education provided by AVP and the Peace Institute is key to reducing gun violence in Philadelphia. – Mason What kind of support or involvement
does the Partnership need to continue or even expand on the services it provides? Donations? Volunteers? To continue to expand services in the city of Philadelphia, AVP is always in need of support. Up-to-date volunteer opportunities can be found on our website, avpphila.org, and donations can be given through our website as well. We are always looking for more people to reach in the city and for people to spread the word about our ongoing efforts to provide services to survivors of homicide and victims of crime. – Van de Water If someone wants to get involved – or needs your help – what are the best ways for them to reach out to you? Are there websites or social media feeds people can follow to stay up-to-date with what the Partnership is doing? For people who want to get involved, AVP has just launched a revamped website, avpphila.org, detailing volunteer, intern, employment and board opportunities. There is a staff directory listed on the website and people can reach out through email or by calling our main number at (215) 567-6776. Outside of our organization outreach, people who need services can self-refer by calling our main number and scheduling an intake or can be referred by other organizations. You can also follow AVP on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter at @avpphila to stay up to date with what the agency is doing! – Van de Water
PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | AUGUST 13 - AUGUST 20, 2020
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THE RUNDOWN Image | Nathan Ansell
How we’re watching the PFS Drive-In at the Navy Yard The Philadelphia Film Society has announced the PFS Drive-In at the Navy Yard. This drive-in movie theater will operate daily from August through October. The screenings will take place on the scenic Delaware Riverfront at the Navy Yard, just off the intersection of League Island Boulevard and Admiral Peary Way. For tickets, a full list of movies and details, visit Filmadelphia.org. Here are some of the highlights.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Has it really been 20 years since this movie hit the big screen? We’re getting old. Anyway, Ang Lee’s classic remains a movie that we could watch over and over. It won a boatload of awards and was a huge hit at the box office as well.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
This 2018 flick delivers like all SpiderMan movies do. Winner of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film, teenager Miles Morales meets Peter Parker and battles bad guys. It’s a mustsee for any Spider-Man fans.
Get Out
This 3-year-old classic horror movie from Jordan Peele is definitely worth another look. This box office hit is a look at probably the worst-case scenario of the first “meet the parents” encounter when dating. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
Some things to note
Fast and Furious
Buckle up for thrills when a host of films from the Fast and Furious franchise hit the screen. You get the idea: Lost of fast cars, lots of furious people, Vin Diesel, The Rock. You’ll get your money’s worth of action when you see one or all of these movies.
Free Community Screenings
The Monday Free Community Screenings, presented by PFS and ReelBlack ReelBlack, focus on groundbreaking films from black female filmmakers. Films include “Night Catches Us” from Tanya Hamilton, “Love and Basketball” by Gina PrinceBythewood and “The Watermelon Woman” from Cheryl Dunye.
Tickets for the Drive-In are $12, $8 for PFS members, $7 for children 12 and under. Online sales only. The PFS Drive-In will strictly adhere to city-approved safety guidelines for drive-ins, which, along with ticketing and pricing information, can be found at Filmadelphia.org/Drive-In. Attendees are required to remain in their vehicles at all times unless using the restroom. When outside the vehicle, attendees are required to wear a mask and practice social distancing.
AUGUST 13 - 20, 2020 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY
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WXPN is partially through its Woodstock Week, where all 33 performances from the 1969 festival can be heard. That said, there are still a lot of great performances to be heard over the coming days. Here’s what we’re looking forward to, but check out xpn.org for all of the details.
How we’re listening to WXPN’s Woodstock Week Thursday, Aug. 13
8:45am: CSNY (Crosby, Stills, Nash, Young) 11am: Blood Sweat & Tears 12:30pm: Mountain 4:30pm: Johnny Winter 10pm: Bert Sommer
Friday, Aug. 14
6am: Jefferson Airplane Noon: Joe Cocker 6pm: Sly & the Family Stone
Saturday, Aug. 15 10am - 5pm: Swami / Sha Na Na Sweetwater Quill Country Joe McDonald Keef Hartley Band Country Joe & The Fish Ten Years After
Sunday, Aug. 16
OK, they saved the best for last. Check in from 1-3pm on Sunday to hear the maestro himself, Jimi Hendrix.
Even more
Additional Woodstock-related features throughout the week include: A “Highs in the 60s” musical focus in the 6pm hour through Thursday, Aug.13. Also, hear music from Woodstock ‘94 & ‘99 on Friday’s “What’s the Frequency” with John Vettese on Friday, Aug. 14. And there’s a new on-demand online interview with Andy Zax, American music historian who in 2019 released “Woodstock – Back to the Garden: The Definitive 50th Anniversary Archive,” a Grammy-nominated] 38-disc, 36-hour boxed set containing a near complete reconstruction of Woodstock.
PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | AUGUST 13 - 20, 2020
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Bootcamp at The Bourse
The Bourse, Philadelphia’s modern artisanal food hall on Independence Mall, is teaming up with a local fitness instructor for Bootcamp at The Bourse, a seven week-long workout series on the patio every Saturday from Aug. 15 to Sept. 26. The classes will be led by Jackie of JaxFitness from 9-10am every Saturday for the remainder of the summer outside on The Bourse’s patio overlooking Independence Mall. Tickets are $10 and include the 60-minute class along with a Bloody Mary or mimosa from Grubhouse. 111 S. Independence Mall E. | theboursephilly.com
Some places are reopening. Some events are still getting pushed back. Some venues are holding special activities. Here’s a quick look at a few of the items we found this week.
Image | Emil Moldoveanu for Cana Development
Here are a few updates, special events and more we’re checking out Eagles Cruise Ars Nova Workshop
From Sept. 25 through Jan. 24, Ars Nova Workshop, in partnership with the Institute for Contemporary Art, presents “Milford Graves: A Mind-Body Deal” featuring the extraordinary life and works of the free jazz pioneer and polymath. The exhibition gathers Graves' many-layered and multifaceted work, exploring the practices and predilections of this extraordinary “jazz mind.” Spanning six decades and comprising over 40 works, the exhibition includes a collection of rare and never-before-seen handpainted album covers and posters, idiosyncratic drum sets, multimedia sculptures, photographs, and costumes. Visit arsnovaworkshop.org for all of the details.
AUGUST 13 - 20, 2020 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY
The Philadelphia Eagles and First Class Cruises have announced that the Inaugural Philadelphia Eagles Fan Cruise – originally scheduled for March 21-28, 2021 – has been postponed to March 20-27, 2022. The seven-night Caribbean excursion will still sail the open seas aboard the Anthem of the Seas cruise vessel, departing from Cape Liberty, NJ, and stopping at all three originally scheduled Caribbean islands: Port Canaveral, CocoCay and Nassau. Eagles Fan Cruise guests will experience Eagles-themed events and activities, parties, meet-and-greets with current players and team legends, photo opportunities and much more. Visit www.PhiladelphiaEaglesCruise.com for details.
Horwitz-Wasserman Holocaust Memorial Plaza
Want to get out of the house in a safe way? Visit the Horwitz-Wasserman Holocaust Memorial Plaza, located on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway at the corner of 16th and Arch Street. In the nice summer weather, the outdoor plaza also allows visitors to remain socially distant while learning important, timely civic lessons about the dangers of bigotry. The entirely free, outdoor plaza has a range of educational elements that include famous anecdotes from historical figures, pieces of the railroad that led to the Treblinka Death Camp, and Philly’s famous “Monument to the Six Million Jewish Martyrs.” Visit philaholocaustmemorial.org for more information.
The National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center reopened to the public recently with free admission for all visitors through Sept. 5. The Center’s reopening plans emphasize the safety of museum guests and staff in compliance with local and state health agencies as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A full list of protocols and a guide for what visitors can expect can be found at constitutioncenter.org/safely-reopening. Visitors will be required to reserve timed tickets in advance, available online at constitutioncenter.org/tickets. The National Constitution Center be open Wednesday through Saturday from 10am to 3pm.
Philadelphia Women’s Theatre Festival
Philadelphia Women’s Theatre Festival opened its 6th annual festival, Untold Voices in Voting, on Aug. 6. The virtual festival, which takes place over Zoom, celebrates the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment by amplifying untold voices, particularly women of color, whose stories were left out of the narrative of the suffrage movement. Here’s some of what’s coming up: “America’s Favorite Feminist” by Keenya Jackson; “Walk the Line” by Ang Bey; and “Mrs. Satan and the Nasty Woman” by Alice Eve Cohen. Ticket info and more can be found at phillywomenstheatrefest.org.
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Philadelphia Virtual Speed Dating | Singles Event Lesbian
The perfect opportunity to find a virtual companion! All the fun and efficiency of in-person speed dating events brought to your doorstep. Why wait to hear back from potential matches on traditional apps and websites when you can meet a group of single lesbians in Philadelphia just like yourself, all from the comfort of your living room? Wednesday, Aug. 12, 8 to 10pm | $24.
With many events still being held virtually, here are some of our favorites coming up soon. All of the details, ticketing info and more can be found at eventbrite.com.
How we’re still staying busy - virtually Pucker Up! Sour Fest
Devil’s Den, one of the city’s best craft beer bars, along with owner and beer maven Erin Wallace, have announced the return of Pucker Up! Sour Fest with a fun, interactive and COVID-friendly tasting class held via Zoom, on Friday, Aug. 21 at 7pm. Sour beer lovers are invited to join the virtual bar and attend a guided tasting class led by Meredith Rebar, a beer expert with Home Brewed Events, as she explains some of the most sour, funky, and wild beers on the market.
Recovery Process of African Americans
Recovery Process of African Americans: Seeking Wellness during COVID-19 Re-opening Phases will feature Dr. Karriem L. Salaam, who earned his medical degree from Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in 2000 and completed a residency in General Psychiatry at Temple University in Philadelphia. Dr. Salaam completed a fellowship in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at Thomas Jefferson University and currently serves as the Medical Director of Adolescent Services at Friends Hospital in Northeast Philadelphia and as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, from 2006 to present. Also participating will be Dr. Delane Casiano, an adult psychiatrist in Philadelphia. With specialization in cultural psychiatry and women’s mental health, she has worked with ethnically diverse populations in a multitude of health care settings. Friday, Aug. 28, noon to 7pm | Free.
Opening Conversations about Race
Swimming While White in Today’s World: Opening Conversations about Race is a two-hour workshop in which participants will learn how to start and sustain conversations about being white and embracing differences. Facilitated by the Rev. Dr. Bill Kondrath and Sarah Werkman, of Visions Inc., sponsors include the Philadelphia Theological Institute, The Diocesan Anti-Racism Commission, The Loving Presence Committee, The Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral, and the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Wednesday, Aug. 26, 10am to noon | $15.
How the International War Against Black People is Being Waged Locally
In the war being waged against Black people in our local communities we can have no compromise, no retreat. People must do the work to understand each other, and help local organizing communities understand the connections between the local, national and international policies of aggression against Black, Brown and working-class people, and organize proactively to protect themselves and each other. This conversation will identify these connections in Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore, the Bay Area, and Los Angeles. During the panel discussion, you will hear about the ways these policies and activities of aggression present across the regions. Sunday, Aug. 23, 4 to 7 | Free.
PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | AUGUST 13 - 20, 2020
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Married People Q: I’m a 38-year-old bi woman who has been If you can’t live without Dr. Married and sleeping with a married male coworker for the you can only have him on his terms – terms last eight months. We’re a walking cliché: I’m he set at the start, terms designed to keep a nurse, he’s a doctor, and one night he endhis wife in the dark – then you’ll have to aced up spilling a lot of personal information cept his terms. You can only see Dr. Married about his marriage to me (sexless, during office hours, you can’t call or non-romantic, she might be a lestext him, and you’re on your own if bian) before asking if he could kiss you have an emergency outside ofme. I declined. Three months and fice hours. But agreeing to his terms many text messages later, I met him at the outset doesn’t obligate you to for drinks. The next thing I know, stick to his terms forever. Terms can we are falling in love and spending be renegotiated. But unless you’re as much time together as we can willing to issue an ultimatum, OTHmanage. ER, Dr. Married has no incentive to Even though he is married and renegotiate the terms of your relahas kids, this has been one of the tionship. best relationships of my adult life. Zooming out for a second: I get He loves me in ways I never thought letters all the time from women who possible. (He even savors my ask me how to issue an ultimatum COVID-19 curves.) without seeming like they’re issuThe obvious problem here is that ing an ultimatum. I don’t get many he is married and his wife allegedly letters from men like that for good @FAKEDANSAVAGE doesn’t know about his unhappiness and not-so-good reasons: men are in their marriage. We have to arsocialized to feel entitled to what range our dates around his work schedule and they want, men are praised when they ask for his lies to his wife. I find myself becoming in- what they want, and consequently men are creasingly jealous of the time he spends with likelier to get what they want. his wife and his inability to spend more time To get what you want, OTHER, you’re gonwith me. I want him to confront the issues na have to man up: feel entitled, act entitled, in his marriage and I want him to at least atmake demands. And you gotta be willing to tempt being honest with her so we can figure walk. You have to go in fully prepared to use out if it’s even possible for us to move forward. the leverage you actually have here – your My question is this: How do I have this conpresence in Dr. Married’s life – or nothing versation with him without it seeming like an will change. His circumstances have required ultimatum? I adore him and I don’t think he’s you to live in the shadows if you wanted to see lying to me about his marriage. But I long to him, and maybe that worked for you once. But have more freedom in our relationship. I love it doesn’t work for anymore, and Dr. Married that I finally found someone who treats me needs to understand that if his circumstancso well when we are together, but my heart is es don’t change – if he doesn’t change them – breaking because our love exists in the shadthen he’s going to lose you. ows. It’s a win/win for him – he gets his marThere’s a middle ground between divorce, riage, his kids, his “real life,” and me too. But your preferred circumstance, and things stayI can’t even text or even call him freely and I ing exactly as they are. Dr. Married’s wife certainly couldn’t rely on him in an emeris surely aware that her marriage is sexless gency. I want this to work. I don’t necessariand non-romantic – assuming he’s told you ly want him to get divorced, Dan, as I fear it the truth – and if his wife’s actually a lesbiwould cause him to resent me, but that would an, well, perhaps she’d like the freedom to honestly be my preference. What should I do? date other women too. (Or date them openly, I – Outside The Home Exists Romance should say; for all we know she’s been getting What are you willing to settle for, some pussy on the side herself.) If they want OTHER? to stay together for the kids, if they have a con-
DAN SAVAGE
AUGUST 13 - AUGUST 20, 2020 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY
SAVAGE LOVE
PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY structive, functional, low-conflict loving partnership, and it would be possible to daylight you without anyone having to get divorced, maybe you could settle for those terms.
Q: I’m a bi man in a straight marriage. We have two young children. My wife and I have been working through some relationship issues. Because of these, she has not been open to sex with me, and for 18 months our marriage has been essentially sexless. I’m not happy with this, but we are working on things. Since we stopped having sex, I have been using my wife’s used panties to masturbate. I work from home and do a lot of the household work, including laundry. Every couple of weeks, I will take a rried and couple of her panties from the ms – terms laundry. I rub myself with one d to keep pair and sniff the other one. I ave to ac- enjoy the way the fabric feels r. Married and am turned on by knowing an’t call or that they’ve been rubbing up our own if against her pussy. It makes me outside of- feel very close to her. I finish his terms by ejaculating into her panties ate you to and then I rinse them out and Terms can wash them. I’m very careful ess you’re not to stain or damage them. um, OTH- This is something I do to feel centive to more connected with her sexyour rela- ually. I don’t get hard thinking that she’s wearing panties I ond: I get came in; I get hard thinking about coming in omen who panties she’s worn. But I worry that I’m violatultimatum ing her – which is not something I want to do. ey’re issu- I know that if I were doing this with a strangget many er’s panties, or with the panties of someone I t for good knew but was not in an intimate relationship men are with, it would be at best creepy and at worst a d to what sex crime. But she’s my wife, and although we ey ask for are in a hard place right now, we’re trying to men are find our way back to each other. So, is this an acceptable way for me to get off while we work ou’re gon- on our relationship? Or is it a violation? t entitled, – Wonders About Nuzzling Knickers willing to I’m torn, WANK. red to use If you and the wife were fucking, WANK, re – your she might enjoy knowing that, however many r nothing years and two kids later, you’re still so crazy e required about her that you’re down in the laundry nted to see room perving on her dirty panties. But you once. But aren’t fucking and things are strained for rear. Married sons you didn’t share. cumstanc- So you need to ask yourself whether this ge them – perving, if your wife were to find out about it, would set you two back. If you think it would n divorce, – if, say, your wife isn’t fucking you because hings stay- she feels like you don’t respect her opinions, ied’s wife her boundaries, her autonomy, etc. – then the is sexless risk (further damaging your marriage) has to s told you outweigh the rewards (momentarily draining ly a lesbi- your sack.) reedom to That said, WANK, if perving on your wife’s m openly, I panties – without damaging or staining them – en getting is helping you remain faithful during this sexthey want less period of your marriage… and sustaining have a con- your attraction to your wife through this diffi-
cult time… well, an argument/rationalization could be made that your wife benefits from this perving. And these aren’t stolen panties – these aren’t a stranger’s panties or a roommate’s panties – these are panties your wife hands over to you for laundering. That you derive a moment’s pleasure from them on their way from laundry basket to washing machine could be self-servingly filed, I guess, under “what she doesn’t know won’t hurt her.” But if you feel like your wife would regard this as a violation – and I’m guessing you feel that way, WANK, since you’re asking me about it and not her – then you might wanna knock it off.
“I love that I finally found someone who treats me so well when we are together, but my heart is breaking because our love exists in the shadows.”
Q: Quick question: Why get married? I’m a 29-year-old lesbian who got married to a woman at 26 and divorced at 28. We had a pretty lo- key wedding, but we still stated to all of our friends and family that we were in it for the long haul, people wished us well, bought us gifts, gave us money. When I realized it was a huge mistake (we rushed into it, we ignored huge incompatibilities,) I felt terrible for all the usual reasons involving a break up, Dan, but I also felt like we were letting down our friends, family, and all gays everywhere. I’m jaded right now, I realize, but seriously: WHY DO THIS? Why get married? Why do this thing that adds so much stress and pressure to leaving a relationship that might have run its course, as MOST relationships eventually do? – Marriage-Averse Dyke Quick answer, MAD: People get married for love – ideally, at least these days, and it was not always thus. (Suggested reading: Marriage, A History: How Love Conquered Marriage, by Stephanie Coontz.) But sometimes I think people marry for the same reasons you think no one should, MAD: the stress of ending a marriage – the pressure to stay in a marriage – often prompts a couple to work through a rough patch. Of course that pressure can keep two people together who really shouldn’t be together anymore – or never should’ve been together, MAD, like you and your ex-wife – but sometimes two people stick it out to avoid the embarrassment, expense, and drama of divorce and eventually get to a place where they’re genuinely happy to still be together. Maybe a wedding isn’t a promise that two people will stay together forever, MAD, but rather a promise that two people will have to think long and hard before parting. On the Lovecast, it’s Millennial vs Boomer with Jill Filipovic. www.savagelovecast.com.
THERE’S ALWAYS MORE SAVAGE TO LOVE! Read: PhillyWeekly.com Have a question?: mail@savagelove.net
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PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | AUGUST 13 - AUGUST 20, 2020
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*Source: https://reversemortgagedaily.com/2019/12/17/senior-housing-wealth-reaches-record-high-of-7-19-trillion Reverse mortgage loan terms include occupying the home as your primary residence, maintaining the home, paying property taxes and homeowners insurance. Although these costs may be substantial, AAG does not establish an escrow account for these payments. However, a set-aside account can be set up for taxes and insurance, and in some cases may be required. Not all interest on a reverse mortgage is tax-deductible and to the extent that it is, such deduction is not available until the loan is partially or fully repaid. AAG charges an origination fee, mortgage insurance premium (where required by HUD), closing costs and servicing fees, rolled into the balance of the loan. AAG charges interest on the balance, which grows over time. When the last borrower g or eligible non-borrowing spouse dies, sells the home, permanently moves out, or fails to comply with the loan terms, the loan becomes due and payable (and the property may become subject to foreclosure). When this happens, some or all of the equity in the property no longer belongs to the borrowers, who may need to sell the home or otherwise repay the loan balance. V2020.06.30 NMLS# 9392 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). American Advisors Group (AAG) is headquartered at 3800 W. Chapman Ave., 3rd & 7th Floors, Orange CA, 92868. Licensed in 49 states. Please go to www.aag.com/legal-information for full state license information. NM-00437031
These materials are not from HUD or FHA and were not approved by HUD or a government agency.
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General Employment GENERAL AND TREATMENT FOSTER PARENTS NEEDED Open your heart and home to children of all ages New Foundations, Inc. 215-203-8733 www.nfi4kids.org MAINTENANCE TECH Must have knowledge of plumbing, painting & some electrical. Prior maintenance exp. necessary. Salary commensurate with exp. Email: nsgprop@gmail.com SECRETARY/ LEASING AGENT - F/T Located in Montgomery Co. Pleasant person with good phone skills, to show apts., process applications, minimal secretarial work. Email resume to: nsgprop@gmail.com or Call 732-886-6830 FLAGGERS ($12.50/hr) Traffic Plan seeks Flaggers to set up and direct traffic around construction sites. A valid PA driver license and clean driving record a must, good pay and benefits. If interested please fill out an application at 510 Hertzog Blvd, King of Prussia, PA on MondayĘźs 9am - 12pm or online at trafficplan.com.
FOR RENT Apartments for Rent 8500 BUSTLETON AVE. Corner of Evart St. Summer Special 1 & 2 BR $900 - $1,200. Water & gas included. 215-742-2261
Grant Garden Apartments Summer Special, upgraded 1 & 2 BR, 1 BA. $825 - $1000 includes water. Laundry rm on site. Off of Blvd. 215-464-6411
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Legal Notices Notice of Public Sale: The following self-storage Cube contents containing household and other goods will be sold for cash by CubeSmart, 456 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia PA 19123 (215)922-3715 to satisfy a lien on August 16th, 2020 at approx. 6:00 PM: www.storagetreasures.com: A012 Samuel Smith A013 Nikita Williams A019 Damar Been Notice of Public Sale: The following self-storage Cube contents containing household and other goods will be sold for cash by CubeSmart, 501 Callowhill St., Philadelphia PA 19123 (215)627-3510 to satisfy a lien on August 16, 2020 at approx. 6:00 PM: www.storagetreasures.com:
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classifieds@philadelphiaweekly.com PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | AUGUST 13 - 20, 2020
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REAL ESTATE
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“QUARANTINE IS KILLING ME! I CAN’T STAND THE INSIDE OF THIS APARTMENT ANYMORE!” -Literally Every Young Person in Philly Philadelphians have been trapped in their house for months. Work from home, eat at home, live at home. They’re craving a change of scenery. Don’t wait for them to start searching online. Give PW readers a reason to move today. Contact sales@philadelphiaweekly.com today to get your property listed. All real estate ads come with a FREE Real Estate Reggie listing each week! AUGUST 13 - 20, 2020 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY
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PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY
REAL ESTATE
REGGIE Penthouse
$1900 / 2br - PENTHOUSE - Loft 2BR/2BATH Brand new! Walk to HUP, PENN, DREXEL, Upenn (UPENN, DREXEL, UNIVERSITY CITY). 437 N 40th Street. REDBLOCK Realty Inc. | (215) 331-5252 2BR / 2BATH unit in intimate brand new 19-unit building. Ideal social distancing living near campus and hospitals - private units, brand new. Brand new! Walk to HUP, PENN, DREXEL. Intimate brand new 19-unit building. PRE-LEASING NOW! AMENITIES: Co-working and Study Lounge. Free WiFi (Basic WIFI provided and upgrades available for private service.) Yoga and Relaxation Rooftop. Just you! Private and clean unit. Bike Parking. 15 minute walk to UPENN and Drexel. 1/2 the price of the tall glass towers nearby! Brand new loft apartments. Exposed ducts, central air, granite counters, breakfast bars, and stainless steel appliances. Private washer/dryer in every unit. Elevator building. Enjoy the roofdeck, study lounge, and weight room. Actual bathtubs for relaxation and real functioning windows throughout for fresh air and sun. Pets okay (non-aggressive, trained, and super quiet). Professionally managed.
Fabulous CC living
$1870 / 1br - 750ft2 - Goldtex Apartments - New Fabulous Living In Center City. 12th Street near Vine. Located in Philadelphia’s Loft District, you’ll just be footsteps away from everything Philadelphia has to offer. 2 blocks away from Reading Terminal Market for all your fresh groceries. 3 blocks away from Market East Station to connect you to anywhere in Philadelphia. Walk able to every major downtown area; Rittenhouse Square, Center City, Old City, Northern Liberties & everywhere in between. Easy commute out of the city; 3-minute access to Rt.76 & I-95. Goldtex’s brand new facade shines like a jewel box in the sky & you’ll be shining once you’re living here! Eco-Chic, modern and stylish living that saves you money and has the most modern, updated features available. Energy Star rated appliances. Modern CFL & LED lighting. New HVAC system. LEED compliant fixtures. 215.883.2203.
Rittenhouse Square
$1575 / 2br - 615ft2 - Spacious Rittenhouse Square Two Bedroom, Center City (20th and Chestnut). Heart of Center City Philadelphia - Just Two Blocks from Rittenhouse Square, over 600 square feet. Beautiful Hardwood Floors throughout, Laundry in Unit, Full Kitchen and Bathroom, Cable & Internetready, Within UP & Drexel Shuttle District, Walking distance to University City - UP & Drexel & Hahnemann Hospital, Maintenance included, One cat allowed, Packages accepted at RE office for your convenience. www.RobinApartments.com.
Chancellor Apartments
$1330 / 1br - One Bedroom Apartments Available In Center City. 206 S. 13TH STREET. ONE BEDROOM APARTMENTS becoming available. Rents range $1,330 - $1,460 based on availability. Apartments feature large windows and 9 ft. ceilings. Ask about our NO SECURITY DEPOSIT program! Cats are welcome (add’l fee)! All apartments are rented unfurnished. C We are close to most major schools and universities, public transportation, historical attractions, shopping, restaurants and theaters. Center City at its best! Rent includes: heat, hot/cold water, 24-hour front desk attendant, free bike storage room, package acceptance service, The Chancellor boasts several different studio and one bedroom floor plans. Apartments feature high ceilings, large bright windows, ceiling fans in most units, hardwood floors and breathtaking views of the Philadelphia skyline and Delaware River. Many apartments have large walk-in closets, too! We have partnered with Optimal Sport Health Club to offer a generous discounted gym membership (we pay your initiation fee!). There are several off street parking lots and garages in the area, too! 215-735-8404.
Want to list your apartment with Real Estate Reggie? For only $75, you get 100 words to describe your place. For only $125, you get 100 words, plus a photo. Need something more or different? Reggie can make it happen. happen Deadline is every Monday at 10 am for Thursday’s issue. Email him at REReggie@philadelphiaweekly.com for details.
Midtown
$1550 / 1br - 563ft2 - One Month Free!! + $500 MI Credit!~1 Bedroom~1 Bath~Center City (1411 Walnut St.) 1 Bedroom Apartment home with Hardwood Floors; Central Heating; Central Cooling; Microwave; Building Features Exercise Room and Front Desk. The original home of the Philadelphia Stock Exchange; Known for its popular restaurants and nightlife spots, Midtown Philadelphia is a fun and exciting place to live. Just steps away from some of Philadelphia’s best culinary experiences, you will revel in the hustle and bustle of Center City life! Living room. Range / Oven. Refrigerator. Microwave. Heat: forced air. Central A/C. Double pane / Storm windows. Cable-ready. Hardwood floor. Vintage building. Elevator. Doorman. Fitness center. Near transportation. Pmcpropertygroup.com.
Newly renovated
$1400 / 3br - 1100ft2 - Newly Renovated 3 BD / 1.5 BA Home LOCATED IN Northeast Philly. 2049 Albright Street. Newly Renovated Home! Spacious 3 bedrooms and 1.5 baths. New Kitchen w/ brand new appliances! Carpeted stairs. New laminate flooring throughout. New HVAC and Windows/Doors. Open layout, plenty of closet space. Basement for storage. Powder room. Backyard. Spacious front patio. Close to shopping. Short walk to SEPTA. Easy access to i95, and other major routes. Easy commute to and from the city. REDBLOCK Realty Inc. | (215) 331-5252.
Studio loft
$1265 Studio Loft~One Month FREE! + $500 Move-In Credit !Midtown Center City (201 S. 13th) Studio~1 Bath, unit. Vinyl Planking throughout; Kitchen nook. Range / Oven. Refrigerator. Heat: baseboard heating. Hardwood floor. Vintage building. Controlled access. Pmcpropertygroup.com.
Modern amenities
$1710 / 1br - 700ft2 - 1 Free Month!! 1 Bedroom~ Midtown Center City~Modern Amenities (220 S. 16th St.) 1 Bedroom Apartment home with Hardwood Floors; Central Heating; Central Cooling; Microwave; Building Features Laundry On-Site. Known for its popular restaurants and nightlife spots, Midtown Philadelphia is a fun and exciting place to live. Just steps away from some of Philadelphia’s best culinary experiences, you will revel in the hustle and bustle of Center City life! Living room. Range / Oven. Refrigerator. Microwave. Heat: forced air. Central A/C. Double pane / Storm windows. Cable-ready. Hardwood floor. Pmcpropertygroup.com.
Spacious
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$2490 / 3br - 2500ft2 - ** SPACIOUS 3BR. 2.5 BR. GARAGE. YARD. CENTER CITY GRADUATE HOSPITAL. 12th near Latona Street. Great peaceful neighborhood with additional street parking Couple blocks away from the ACME, Italian Market, Passyunk Square and CVS. * 1 block away from Broad Street & Federal Line to Center City. * Energy Efficient Light Bulbs! * Accessible to Graduate Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Queen Village, Bella Vista, and Temple University * Deposit (First, Last, Security Deposit, Credit Check) * Sorry No Pets. Very close to Broadway and Federal subway station and 2 stops to Center City. South Philly neighborhood is safe, clean, and close to a nice mix of restaurants. BIG house in a fabulous, safe, and convenient location near public transportation and restaurants. Center City lifestyle without the crazy prices! Finished Basement. Ethernet Ports. Garbage disposal. Yard. Hardwood floor. Tile floor. 609-271-7710.
Heart of CC
$2205 / 1br - 835ft2 - Spacious 1 BED 1 BATH in the heart of Center City. 117 N. 15th Street. NOW OFFERING PERSONAL TOURS ~ Contact us today to schedule a personalized tour of this unique community. Apply within 48 hours of a tour and you will be eligible for 2 month free. Dishwasher. Garbage Disposal. Microwave. Washer/Dryer. Pet Friendly (Restrictions Apply). MetroFit Center & Indoor Basketball Court. Elegant Community Center. Caterers Kitchen. Conference Room. On Site Maintenance. 24/7 Lobby Attendant. Easy Access to All Modes of Transportation. Metropolitan-living.com.
Arts condo
$1000 / 345ft2 - Arts Condo, 1324 Locust #615-Center City Studio w/ Utilities Included! (Avenue of the Arts/ Washington Square West). 1324 Locust St. The Arts Condominium building, formerly the historic Sylvania Hotel, is located in the Avenue of the Arts section of Washington Square, just off Broad Street. This studio includes a kitchenette with a microwave and mini refrigerator, AC unit, ceiling fan, hardwood floors throughout and bathroom with retro black and white tile and shower. The building features include a 24 hour concierge, wheelchair accessibility, 24 hour fitness center, secured bike storage room, coin operated laundry facility on site, community room, business center, and free wifi in common areas! Sorry, no pets. $250 move in fee. Moving permitted weekdays and Saturdays from 8-4:30 pm. UTILITIES INCLUDED (Electric, water and basic cable). Ocfrealty.com.
Free gym
$1000 Quaint Studio in Center City ~ Free Gym On-Site! 1229 Chestnut St. near 13th St. Adelphia House (Apt. 520) Designed by prominent American architect Horace Trumbauer, the Adelphia House is a renovated Philadelphia landmark offering a grand two-story lobby with detailed tile floors and beautiful plaster work. Known for its popular restaurants and nightlife spots, Midtown Philadelphia is a fun and exciting place to live. Just steps away from some of Philadelphia’s best culinary experiences, you will revel in the hustle and bustle of Center City life! FEATURES: 24-hr front desk attendant. Controlled access. AMENITIES: PMC Lifestyle™ Program. ESERVICES: Online resident portal featuring rent payments and work order entry for your convenience. NEIGHBORHOOD: Local attractions include Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Franklin Institute, Walnut Street shopping, and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Local universities include Drexel University, University of Pennsylvania, and Thomas Jefferson University. Rittenhouse Square Park Farmer’s Market, Parc, Rouge, Dandelion, Garces Trading Company, El Vez, and Sampan offer exceptional dining within a few blocks. Easy access to Market East SEPTA station and SEPTA bus routes, routes I-95 and 76. (215) 510-0727.
Charming one-bedroom
$1175 / 1br - Charming Rittenhouse Square One Bedroom, Center City (20th and Chestnut). Available for Lease Date starting September 1st or Before. www.RobinApartments. com. Telephone our office at 567-3325 and Jared or Charles will be happy to help! Robin Apartments Leasing Office located at 2003 Chestnut Street - a family company for over 80 years! Heart of Center City Philadelphia - Just two blocks from Rittenhouse Square, Beautiful Hardwood Floors throughout, Excellent Sunlight, Built-in Shelving, Great Closet Space, Ceiling Fans, Cable & Internet-ready, Laundry Facilities on-premises, Within UP & Drexel Shuttle District, Walking distance to University City - UP & Drexel & Hahnemann Hospital, Maintenance included, One cat allowed, Packages accepted at RE office for your convenience, Robin Apartments management graded A+ by University of Pennsylvania student survey eight years in a row.
Pet park
$2470 / 1br - 737ft2 - 1 Bedroom Apartment Center CityRooftop, Gym, Club Room, Pet Park. 1338 Chestnut St. Be a part of it all at Griffin – masterfully renovated apartments located along the Avenue of the Arts in the heart of Center City. With all-new finishes and features, complemented by a smart collection of amenities, Griffin is your canvas for artful Philadelphia living. This is a 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath, approximately 737 Sq. Ft. Wood cabinets. Modern kitchens. Carpeted bedrooms. Keyless entry. Stainless steel appliances. Quartz countertops. Engineered hardwood flooring. Freestanding kitchen islands. Spectacular city views. Washers and dryers. Mecho-style blinds. Designer backsplashes. Luxurious bathrooms with quartz countertops and glass showers. Community Amenities. Catering facility. Panoramic views. Private conference space. State-of-the-art fitness center open 24/7. Resident business lounge. 24-hour maintenance. Indooroutdoor rooftop clubroom. Concierge service. Golf simulator. Onsite management team. Billiards. Outdoor kitchen. Shuffleboard. Walking distance to dozens of Center City shops, restaurants, and cultural institutions. Valet laundry. 24-hour front desk. Fire pit. Onsite bike storage. Historic character. Prominent Avenue of the Arts address. Cl.greystar.com.
Stunning studio
$1689 / 605ft2 - Stunning Studio Apartment in Center City Luxury High Rise. 300 Alexander Court. Discover the definition of exceptional living at The Alexander. Here, at our high-rise Philadelphia apartments, you will find the perfect blend of modern design and enduring style. The Alexander will feature luxurious homes with unique configurations and unmatched amenities, all in a smoke-free environment. Enjoy upscale urban living from the rooftop deck, the lavish courtyard or by simply letting our on-site concierge assist with making your everyday a little more extraordinary. Live in a walkable, pet-friendly residential neighborhood near museums and parks. Classic, warm, and inviting – find your future at The Alexander. Features: Custom cabinetry in Kitchens. Views of Center City Philadelphia from select apartments. In-home washers and dryers. Oversized windows for extra light. Walk-In Closets. Stainless steel appliances and quartz countertops in Kitchens. Open-concept floor plans. Picturesque terraces and balconies in select apartments. Spacious studio-, one-, two-, and three- bedroom apartment homes available. Wood-Like Flooring throughout apartment home. Community Amenities: Children’s Play Room. Public Art Landscaping. Bike Storage with Mechanic Station. Penthouse and Townhomes available. Pet Grooming Station. TV Lounge. Storage available. Fitness Center with Cardio Equipment. On-Site Underground Parking Garage. Pet Friendly. On-Site Management. 2nd Floor landscaped terrace with BBQ Grilling Stations. Package Receiving. Roof Terrace with Observation Deck. Smoke Free Building. Valet Laundry Service Available. Lavish Community Clubroom with Demonstration Kitchen. Access controlled garage parking. Refreshing, Spa-Inspired Indoor Pool. 24-hour Concierge. Call Now: (215) 596-4234 x 76.
Logan Square
$925 / 1br - Affordable Logan Square Courtyard One Bedroom, Center City (18th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway) Heart of Center City Philadelphia - Logan Square, Laundry Facilities on Premises, Cable & Internet-ready, Maintenance included, Full Kitchen and Bath, One cat allowed, Packages accepted at RE office for your convenience, Robin Apartments management graded A+ by University of Pennsylvania student survey eight years in a row, Leasing September 1st or before. www.RobinApartments.com.
Elevator
$995 / 319ft2 - Affordable Studio Condo in Center City w. Elevator, Secure Entry. 1324 Locust St 530. Unit #530 is a studio condo at The Arts Condominium building in Center City that has ALL UTILITIES included, even Cable TV (channels 1-100 + HBO). The building also has common laundry facilities, a fitness center, 24/7 front desk attendant, business center/ community room, and computer/printer terminals in the lobby with free wi-fi. This unit is one of the most aesthetically pleasing studios in the building, with gorgeous hardwood floors, plenty of natural light, a small but lovely kitchen with cabinet lighting and tile backsplash, and modern track lighting overhead. There’s a large closet and a spacious tiled bathroom as well. These items can come with the unit — A small table, desk, bookshelf, chairs, twin bed with good mattress boxspring, and a 55″ LCD 1080P TV). All of it can be offered to new tenant without additional cost, and if tenant doesn’t want them, owner can remove them. About The Neighborhood: Centrally located just off Broad Street, and walkable to a long list of convenient and fun neighborhood favorites. The iconic Avenue of the Arts is home to big names like the Kimmel Center, Academy of Music, Wilma Theater, University of the Arts, Suzanne Roberts Theatre, amazing eateries like City Diner, Sumo Sushi, Big Gay Ice Cream, Giorgio on Pine, Volvér, and hotspots such as Woody’s, Fox & Hound, Howl at the Moon, and MUCH more! Jg-realestate.com.
Spectacular views
$2065 / 1br - 636ft2 - JR 1 BR APT CENTER CITY- ROOFTOP, PET PARK, GYM, CLUBROOM. 1338 Chestnut St. Freestanding kitchen islands. Carpeted bedrooms. Keyless entry. Mechostyle blinds. Washers and dryers. Engineered hardwood flooring. Spectacular city views. Luxurious bathrooms with quartz countertops and glass showers. Modern kitchens. Designer backsplashes. Wood cabinets. Quartz countertops. Stainless steel appliances. Community Amenities. Panoramic views. Concierge service. Fire pit. Golf simulator. Walking distance to dozens of Center City shops, restaurants, and cultural institutions. State-of-the-art fitness center open 24/7. Catering facility. Billiards. Onsite bike storage. Shuffleboard. Historic character. Indoor-outdoor rooftop clubroom. Prominent Avenue of the Arts address. 24-hour front desk. 24-hour maintenance. Private conference space. Outdoor kitchen. Onsite management team. Valet laundry. Resident business lounge. Cl.greystar.com.
Adelphia House
$1050 Center City Studio ~ ON-SITE GYM. 1229 Chestnut St. Adelphia House (Apt. 207). Designed by prominent American architect Horace Trumbauer, the Adelphia House is a renovated Philadelphia landmark offering a grand two-story lobby with detailed tile floors and beautiful plaster work. Known for its popular restaurants and nightlife spots, Midtown Philadelphia is a fun and exciting place to live. Just steps away from some of Philadelphia’s best culinary experiences, you will revel in the hustle and bustle of Center City life! FEATURES: 24-hr front desk attendant. Controlled access. AMENITIES: PMC Lifestyle™ Program. Elevator. On-site laundry. On-site maintenance. Fully-equipped fitness center. NEIGHBORHOOD: Local attractions include Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Franklin Institute, Walnut Street shopping, and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Local universities include Drexel University, University of Pennsylvania, and Thomas Jefferson University. Rittenhouse Square Park Farmer’s Market, Parc, Rouge, Dandelion, Garces Trading Company, El Vez, and Sampan offer exceptional dining within a few blocks. Easy access to Market East SEPTA station and SEPTA bus routes, routes I-95 and 76. Pmcpropertygroup. com.
PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | AUGUST 13 - 20, 2020
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