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Eight short essays on how COVID-19 wreaked havoc on Philadelphia and its people

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FROM THE EDITOR

What is ? Allow me to explain.

ou may have noticed some changwe are promising to deliver with AltPhilly. es to our website, lately. There I’ll be leading this endeavor, producing brand are now stories marked as “exclunew features for members like on-camera insives” and a new field where you terviews, exclusive, behind-the-scenes content can “sign up” or “login.” But to and eventually podcasts. The benefits don’t what, you might ask? stop there. I will be hosting monthly meet-ups AltPhilly is our new memberwith members to talk about whatever they ship program – it’s a new initiawant – the paper, news of the day, story sugtive we’re taking to further engage with read- gestions, etc. While these will start virtually, I ers and grow our subscriber base. AltPhilly plan to have us meet in person at a local wamembers will be welcomed to invitation-only tering hole when larger groups can be accomevents designed to bring Philly Weekly con- modated. Part of this experience will also include tent to life, as well as have access to special ofmembers being able to voice their opinions in fers and promotions in the coming weeks. an online forum or chat room, thus I’ve also seen the rumblings on helping us editors and news producsocial media following the promoers understand what our members tion of this thing, so I’ll break it view as newsworthy and help shape down for you. our coverage. Let me start by reminding you PW has never been afraid to call that Philly Weekly is – and always it like it is, shine a light on subjects has been – a free paper. The last free others won’t touch and recast issues alt-weekly printed its last edition in that have been presented to you in 2015 (RIP City Paper). only one fashion. In recent weeks, You may have also noticed that we exposed a record number of cops for years, Philly Weekly has nevwho had enrolled in DROP, thus puter placed ads on its website. That’s ting into perspective what morale because our publisher likes it to be looks like within the Philadelphia presented to you clean, clear and Police Department. We presented a easy-to-read, without the clutter. breakdown of how the city’s harsh The only ads are in the paper, but @ RUFFTUFFDH COVID safety restrictions have hurt even those have become fewer and businesses in the hospitality and fewer in the midst of an economy restaurant industry and ultimately had the crushed by the coronavirus. balls to call for Mayor Jim Kenney’s resignaRather than trying to make up the balance tion. Those are just a few examples of stories by going the way of the paywall – like many of our peers have done at the Inquirer, Philadel- you won’t find elsewhere. Week after week, we highlight new and upphia Business Journal and Philly Magazine – among others, we decided to try something and-coming artists, musicians and performers of all kinds to lift up members of the arts and different. So, we launched AltPhilly, a membership culture community – these people have been program geared toward like-minded Philadel- our readership backbone for more than 30 years. We’re also still the city’s number one phians who care about alternative journalism. Contrary to what the haters have said on go-to source for things to do around town with social media, “alt” isn’t short for “alt-right,” our Rundown section of events and happenand if those same people took a second to ings. And almost no topic is off limits for our sex, check out our digital edition, they would see that, crystal clearly. PW proudly positions love and relationships columnist Timaree itself as the last alt-weekly that offers a plat- Schmit, whose columns are always blazing hot form for contrarian voices in town – and yes, and super insightful. But there is another reason you should conmany of those are conservative (read: not sider joining AltPhilly, though. It’s because we mainstream). don’t want PW to go the way of City Paper. We If you want something that is different from want to make sure PW sticks around in print the mainstream, offering a bigger picture of what is happening around you – that’s what and digital format for years to come.

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JENNY DEHUFF

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | MARCH 18 - 25, 2021

STATE OF OUR CITY

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Let them eat (wedding) cake

STATE

OF OUR

CITY

An ungodly

From DJs to dress designers – from line cooks to limo drivers – every wage earner part of the wedding industry has come together to petition Gov. Tom Wolf to reopen wedding and event spaces with a new website: LetPAMarryUs.com. The site helps Pennsylvanians to take action by sending Wolf a Tweet or an email urging his administration to reopen the private event industry to 50 percent capacity effective immediately and provide a plan for how it achieves 100 percent operational levels. Despite the nearly $2 billion of economic impact weddings and private events generate, there currently is no plan from the administration for reopening indoor event venues in the state.

audible Scam Goddess with Laci Mosley is a podcast dedicated to fraud and all those who “stay schemin.’” The title of a recent episode is “The Crazy Covid Vaccine Capper,” during which she and guest Jason Concepcion dish about Andrei Doroshin, the Philly Fighting COVID dude who created the vaccine start-up that bamboozled Philly. That’s right – we made it to the big time!

Eco-friendly school contest Schools in Pennsylvania and five other states are competing for prize packages worth more than $92,000 that include new desks, chairs, backpacks, pencil cases and pens – all made from recycled materials you use while brushing your teeth. Colgate, ShopRite and Trenton recycling company TerraCycle are challenging kids to upcycle used packaging and enter their creations for a chance to win the big prize package. The contest is on now through June 30 – something to think about as you squeeze that last bit of toothpaste out of the tube.

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Contributors: A.D. Amorosi, A. Benjamin Mannes, Signature Supporters: Jesse Bunch, Paul Davis, Timaree Schmit, Ted Kazantzis Stu Bykofsky, Eugene Zenyatta. Intern: Zachary Bard. To purchase advertising in Philadelphia Weekly, contact Sales To contact the news department: mail@philadelphiaweekly.com. at 215-543-3743, ext. 104, or sales@philadelphiaweekly.com.

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Philadelphia’s Pandemic Year These locals detail the painful costs of COVID BY A.D. AMOROSI

MARCH 18 - 25, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

he final 10 months of 2020 and the first three months of 2021: That time, like a loved one’s death or a worst-ever sexual experience, is something you’d like to blot from memory. That won’t happen soon. Some recall the minute their boss instructed them to shutter production – a day’s menu, a staged event, a construction job – go home, and start distancing. Some, fast at work on recovery, won’t discuss the last 12 months, glossing over the mess with eyes toward the future. No matter. The last 12 months, with its March 16 D-Day start, changed every game in town. While recovery is predicted with relief funds to go with vaccinations, we wanted to see what was lost during these 12 months, losses that might never be recovered, with a mix of public policy and personal recollection. Here is a sampling of stories on how COVID has affected various Philadelphians in a year’s time, many in their own words. Jason Goldberg Along with owning Olde City Tattoo, Goldberg is partnered in Baker Street Tattoo in Media and Raw Power Tattoo in Northeast Philly. When March 16 hit, in addition to stopping business without knowing when tattoo places would again be considered safe, Goldberg maintained a staff of 22, while paying four rents, including his wife’s then-unable-to-open Heavy Metal Hair Salon, without income. He applied for PPPs, but was denied, as he, and his staff, are self-employed. Goldberg is also a member of the band Bad Luck 13 and was losing gigs due to COVID. “This week, a year-ago...Bad Luck 13 played a last gig at Voltage, and our shops closed with no reopening date,” said Goldberg. “Everything fell apart, fast.” After COVID-19 week one, he discovered that all tattoo conventions would disappear. “A year’s worth,

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PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY over 10 events, from Philly’s tattoo convention to every event across the country. It’s an outof-control scene by this point with a convention every weekend, but they’re fun and they make money.” The Goldbergs had to cancel a “huge wedding in Vegas” at the start of the pandemic. During downtime, Goldberg built out his wife’s salon, “with no stress…and many morning hangouts at Home Depot,” as well as starting a new band, The Cripplers. After three months passed, his tat-rooms could reopen with safety precautions and associated costs, yet, in a less-than-optimal scenario. “Because our shops are small and can’t fit much staff, I had to cut everybody’s hours in half when we got back – we still can’t be fully staffed. Tattooing in Old City is like two different businesses: Daytime with tourist traffic and nighttime with bars. Now, the bars are still gone – they close early, so there’s no point in us staying open.” The lasting effect of Goldberg’s COVID year? “We’re [usually] on top of each other in the shop, so we have to make sure we’re not. The bustle of the street is there, now, as most dining is still outdoors – which should be a good thing – but people are afraid of Old City’s parking situation and still leery of tight spaces, like ours. Remember, though, a lot of people in the restaurant service industry get tattoos. As soon as restaurants and bars come back, business should pick up. Plus, the last time stimulus checks came through, people spent on tattoos. That’s promising.” Tom Vecchione Ever since his father opened Gem Cleaners in 1938 and moved it to West Mt. Airy in 1954, Vecchione has run a specialized dry cleaning business for high-end clothing and customers focusing on designer and couture wear, as well as wedding gowns and the like. “I do all of the work myself. Clean every piece myself. Hand iron every piece myself,” Vecchione said. On the plus side, since the start of the pandemic, Gem’s been an essential business “We’re one of the few people who can kill germs,” he says. The downside? Designer clothing sales for men and women plummeted, as did the need to wear them. “The stay-at-home order killed dry cleaners,” he said. “Gem’s last quarter was our worst – down 44 percent. We were OK through April – thank God for PPP money – and summers – my clients go away. 2020, though, they didn’t go. They stayed indoors, or went away and didn’t come back. Many Center City clients with properties down the Shore left between the riots and the pandemic. Customers who left for Florida in the winter didn’t come back. The fact that no one could go out to dinner and dress up killed us. Plus, men and women not going to work? Ugh. Dry cleaning is down 70 percent from last year with a prediction that

Brittany Goldberg signed the lease for her Heavy Metal Hair Salon on March 1, 2020. Then, of course, everything shut down. Image | Courtesy of Brittany Goldberg

30 percent of existing dry cleaners will go out of business. I normally do about $30,000 to $32,000 gross in February. This year it was $14,000. Not good. A dry cleaning buddy of mine in Delaware who used to do 225 to 250 shirts is down to 20 to 25 shirts a day. If they got $3 a shirt, which is a lot, that’s 75 lousy dollars. Doesn’t even pay to open your door.” Optimistically, Vecchione set up a classroom for children of his employees in Gem’s dressing room. “I hired a retired teacher friend for a kindergarten-age child, a third-grader, a sixth-grader and high schoolers,” he said, while noting that restaurants should come back strong, with weddings and events restarting. “Employers will push employees to get back to the office. There’s no way they’re getting work done from their homes, watching TV, eating big lunches. Plus, I’m encouraging people to dry clean comforters, furniture covers and rugs. If you’re going to be home with your kids all day not going to school, your floors are going to be filthy. And sad to say, if 30 percent of dry cleaners are closing, those customers are going to have to come somewhere.” Jeff Guaracino The Visit Philadelphia CEO-president, this city’s tourism bureau, ushered in grim projected numbers (March-December 2020) for how the pandemic impacted his industry with a prediction that it will take until 2023-2024 to fully recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Lost Travel & Tourism Jobs (Region): 52,000 (down from 192,000 to 140,000), a 27 percent decline year over year

Lost Leisure Hotel Room Nights (Center City): 696,000, a 74 percent decline year over year Lost Group Room Nights (Center City): 950,000, a 93 percent decline year over year Lost Business Room Nights (Center City): 787,000, a 80 percent decline year over year Lost Travel from Canada & Mexico (Region): 424,000 visits, a 73 percent decline year over year Lost Overseas Travel (Region): 562,000 visits, a 80 percent decline year over year Lost Economic Impact (Region): $5.8 billion. “In 2019, we set records for Greater Philadelphia’s tourism industry,” said Guaracino. “Our five-county region welcomed 46 million visitors…marking the 10th consecutive year of growth, while securing records in visitor spending ($7.64 billion) and visitor-supported jobs (105,460). Then came COVID-19. What we never lost – not even in the global pandemic’s darkest days – was hope, optimism. Visitors will come back, but we must compete for their time and travel budgets. Personally, I missed the activity I love most. Through 2021, I’m committing to being a tourist in my own hometown region and planning at least 10 driving trips through Pennsylvania.” Brittany Goldberg After 15 years of cutting and coloring hair at local tonsorial spots, Goldberg was ready for her own: East Passyunk Avenue’s Heavy Metal Hair Salon. Until she wasn’t, considering that she signed her lease...

“March 1, then everything shut down,” she said, laughing. “A real smack in the face. Was I ever going to open? My goal was to get in and re-do the space, then open in May, but everything was difficult: From finding out official words to getting hair color and equipment shipped from overseas. Plus, I got nothing in PPP money. That was scary.” Heavy Metal Hair Salon’s rocky start was smoothed by the state overseeing new businesses, but nothing was perfect. Goldberg’s vision for HMHS was for four stations, which she was able to distance, six feet apart, from the start. But with shampoo bowls added into the equation, her salon was at capacity with zero room beyond that. “I wanted a place where people could come hang in a decked-out waiting area, drink beer, listen to metal and just bullshit while getting their hair done,” she said. “I planned to bring my ‘80s metal magazines for people to look through while their color processed, and a record player with my favorite vinyl. Unfortunately, I’m not able to have magazines, refreshments, or extra people in the salon, while we’re still dealing with capacity regulations.” Goldberg is also not allowed, as yet, to double book, take a haircut while another customer’s color is processing. “Maybe that’s a blessing in disguise as I’m not killing myself.” Finally, Goldberg opened her salon June 26, 2020. With her knowledge of busy hair seasons, she knows that Heavy Metal Hair Salon missed out on back-to-school, wedding and the October-to-December holidays. “That was weird, though. I will say that after the holidays, things picked up. Perhaps, there’s a new normal for us. Everyone is getting ready to look good again.” Chill Moody Along with being Philly’s most active rapper, producer and entrepreneur, Chill Moody owns a lifestyle brand, nicethings, under which exists a record label/live events company (nicethingsMUSIC), a line of beverages (nicethingsBEER, nicethingsKOMBUCHA), a clothing line and a consulting firm. Last March 16, he was set to continue a tour with &More (Chill and vocalist Donn T) after the duo played 70 sold-out shows in 2019. His interactive Girls.Like.nicethings Jam Session/ Art Exhibit was set to make its SXSW debut, Moody had a fermented fruit beverage dropping last spring, and a new beer launch in July, corresponding with a handful of nicethingsMUSIC activations at Wawa Welcome America. All of this activity was to lead to a new album release in Autumn 2020, accompanied by a new clothing line. None of it came to pass. “Once SXSW was canceled, I knew COVID was real, and that everything was going to change,” said Moody. “That was the first domino. The tour was SEE COVID YEAR, PAGE 8

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | MARCH 18 - 25, 2021

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COVID YEAR, FROM PAGE 7 cancelled, then the touring agent got fired, then the touring agency shut down. The fermented fruit beverage I’m working on with a local winery was halted. Welcome America went virtual, and bars and live events shut down, so we shelved the beer release. I decided to split the album up and release new music weekly (#MoodyMonday) while working on another new album.” Many of Moody’s earnings were projected, so it’s hard to tag with a number, save to say that 2020 was set to be, potentially, his greatest year financially. “We bounced back and found new ways to bring in income, but nothing was the way we planned. I took a hit. My team took a hit. I’m most affected by not releasing this new line of nicethingsBEER when we planned to. Even though it’s still going to happen, and quite honestly even bigger at this point, I still was most salty about that.” Kevin Lessard Philly’s Department of Commerce currently has multiple plans for economic re-growth – from Small Business Relief Funds with 66 percent of grants going to minority-owned businesses, to restaurant and gym relief programs. Lessard, the commerce department’s communications director, was quick to note, though, that before recovery, there is loss with which to contend – and pay for. “According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Philadelphia had a total of 753,500 jobs in February 2020,” he said. “By April 2020, during the height of the business activity restrictions to stop the spread of COVID-19, that number declined to 651,200.” Lessard went on to say that total jobs in Philly rose to 691,000 by December 2020 (the most recent month for which data are available), a number which still puts the city at a net loss of 62,500 jobs since the start of the pandemic. Total unemployment claims reached their peak the first week of May 2020, with 156,226 total claims by Philadelphia residents. “Unemployment among Philadelphia residents has also risen considerably during this time – from 15,585 people at the start of March 2020 to 44,744 people as of the end of February 2021,” Lessard said before slamming home his main point: That the pandemic had a devastating impact on the city’s budget. With tax revenues trickling in at a snail’s pace, it created new costs and increased the costs of services that the city already provided. “The city closed a pandemic-created $750 million deficit in FY21 and projected a deficit as large as $450 million in FY22,” he said. Jacqueline Goldfinger Goldfinger isn’t just Philadelphia’s most produced playwright; she’s Philly’s most produced playwright across the globe. Last March 16, she had six productions of her BABEL lined-up around the country with two more “almost in contract.” She was

MARCH 18 - 25, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY in rehearsal for a world premiere at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and another at Ithica’s Hangar Theatre. That doesn’t include Goldfinger’s older work, constantly optioned through publishers and paying royalties, or theaters hiring Goldfinger to teach playwriting workshops in conjunction with the staging of new works. “All of 2020 went up in smoke with the exception of two productions of BABEL staged in January and February before shutdown,” she said. Considering she was in Paris working on a new opera libretto, Goldfinger’s first order of business, on March 16, was to get home to her Philly family. “I kept trying to change plane tickets, but the airports kept opening and closing, and switching flight times by the hour, so I couldn’t figure how to get home. Eventually, I found a flight, so I took an early morning train from Paris to Brussels, then spent six exhausting hours dragging my luggage around… “Once I was safely home in Philly, cancellations rolled in. I lost $20,000 in work within 72 hours, and I only earn about $25,000 a year as an independent artist. I was desolate. What kept me from crawling into bed and pulling the covers up over my head was my kids and my community. My younger children left elementary school one day, and then weren’t allowed back, and didn’t know when they’d see their friends and teachers again which left them incredibly confused and upset. My older daughter was graduating from Temple University and her ceremony was abruptly cancelled. I shifted my focus to them as I watched my entire artistic year disintegrate, to maintain perspective.” Goldfinger hinted that most artists lost at least two-thirds, if not more, of their income during COVID-19. Even those who teach and have artistic-related jobs don’t make enough to sustain, especially considering that the rescue nets provided for them are teensy, if not non-existent. Goldfinger shouts out the Independence Foundation, Sloan Foundation, People’s Light and Theatre Company and Theatre Philadelphia for work-based hand-outs and leg-ups. “I was lucky to pivot to something connected with my passion,” she said of a downtime writing “Playwriting with Purpose: A Guide and Workbook for New Playwrights” (out this August). “Most artists were not that lucky. That said, my business is gone. There’s nothing left. There’s been no live performance for a year and we won’t see full slates from most theaters until 2022. That’s two years without work. Rebuilding seems a Herculean task, but it’s one I know all theater artists and companies are facing.” Dorothea Gamble Gamble, along with her partner Dagmar Mitchell, co-own Trunc on N. 2nd Street – the only Black makers arts, crafts, clothing and gift store in Philly, as well as being Blackowned, lesbian-owned, woman-owned and vet-

Trunc's Dagmar Mitchell and Dorothea Gamble had a spectacular Black History Month 2020. Then the pandemic hit, and the year turned into a learning experience that hopefully will turn into future growth. Image | Courtesy of Dagmar Mitchell and Dorothea Gamble eran-owned. After what Gamble describes as a “spectacular Black History Month 2020 worth of sales,” after one year of opening, Trunc’s owners had big plans for the remainder of the year. They were set to sell drinks – teas and handmade honey from local farms – through a beverage bar made for the back of the shop. This would complete Gamble’s vision of Trunc becoming a lifestyle destination. “We do events very well and this would have been a level up from our events. Almost like having an event daily; tea tastings, high tea and events on how to make tea.” They planned art exhibits through summer and were set to introduce actual flowers as a theme on clothing, hats and shoes, as well as candles, apothecary and the like. “We were aware of a virus going around, but it didn’t seem as serious as it turned out,” said Gamble. “March 17 rolled around and the city closed everyone down for 30 days. At the time, we didn’t have a website, so we couldn’t sell at all. It was a scary time. We had to determine how we would handle opening the shop to the public safely. That cost money.” One month turned to three. Their inventory (e.g. tea) had good shelf life, but they couldn’t progress with their beverage bar. “Because of the huge loss caused by COVID, we don’t know when it will happen. The mon-

ey we had saved was used to pay bills to survive COVID. We had commissioned an artist to do the flower clothing and had to cancel that. So he missed out on that income. We had the wire flowers in our inventory and had to sit on that inventory until we created our site.” The partners did create a website during April and May (“which cost money we didn’t want or have to spend”) until the city allowed Trunc to open, with hand sanitizer, disposable masks, and safe-distanced shelving. They held events on the sidewalk and in the shop’s window. “We were at 35 percent of our year in February 2020. Our plan was to double 2019 by the end of summer and gain another 25 percent during the fourth quarter,” Gamble said. “That didn’t happen.” They also didn’t receive grant money (until 2021) as Trunc is a small company. “As a result of that, we depleted all of our savings.” To get through 2021, Trunc must think outside-the-box. “2020 was a learning experience for future growth. If you’re a retailer, understand your customer and focus stock on them. Eliminate products that don’t enhance your shop or add value. Always be aware of what’s going on in the market, pandemic and beyond.”

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COMEDY

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COMEDY, MUSIC

AND MORE Philly’s Josh Machiz has released both a new web series and a new single

hiladelphia comedian tracted national headliners such and musician Josh as Kate Willett, Usama Sididquee, Machiz has released and Dina Hashem. He has also the first episode of had his stand-up featured on Amhis comedy web seazon Prime’s 2018 Turnpike Comries, “Josh Matchedy Festival. stick: Tiny Cruiseship In his latest project, “Tiny Comedian.” Cruiseship Comedian,” you can Machiz has a firm place as one find Machiz performing, writing, of Philadelphia’s comedirecting, editing, and dians-to-watch, not to designing the web series. mention his other noJosh Matchstick was BY EUGENE table achievements in shrunk in an accident ZENYATTA Philly’s music communiand recently divorced. ty playing for the likes of He’s continuing his caTJ Kong & The Atomic reer as the World’s TiniBomb, Dirty Dollhouse, BalletX, est Comedian on his cruise ship and launching his solo project circuit. Sometimes he plays Reno, later this year. He has performed bar Mitzvahs, and weddings. at such prestigious venues as LinAs a musician, comedian, coln Center (with Tareke Ortiz), and composer, Machiz has been Kimmel Center, and The Guggen- confusing and delighting auheim. He’s also curated the Grin diences across North America & Beer It Comedy Show, which at- for the last two decades. He is a

MARCH 18 - 25, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

COMEDY

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY two-time Barrymore Josh Machiz is one of Philly’s comedians-to-watch, as Award Winner and well as a notable part of the city’s music community. was co-recipient of an Image | Dan Martino American Composers Forum Grant. He has worked with several Grammy Award winners and nominees, Pew Grant winners, a MacArthur Genius Grant winner, and an Obie Award winner. He is currently a member of TJ Kong & the Atomic Bomb, Josh Machiz Brasses, Arcana New Music Ensemble, Dirty Dollhouse, Hurricane Hoss, Hot Club of Philadelphia, and David Fantasy & Adult Content. He is one of Philadelphia’s most in-demand bass, sousaphone, and tuba players, and plays a number of other instruments competently as well. In comedy, Machiz has been a quarterfinalist in 2017 & 2019 Philly’s Phunniest and a featured comedian in the 2018 Turnpike Comedy Festival on Amazon Prime. show that stands out as most memorable or Machiz has performed for Jazz Night in your favorite? Is there a gig or venue that’s still on your wish list? America on NPR & PBS and at Carnegie Hall, JM: The Pig Iron Theater Company producLincoln Center, Guggenheim Museum, Kennetion of “Twelfth Night” is the closest thing to a dy Center, Kimmel Center, SXSW, Charm City Comedy Fest, Joyce Theater, Vail Internation- perfect piece of art that I’ve ever worked on. It al Dance Festival, Jacob’s Pillow, Philadelphia was also just the second major theater producFolk Festival, 92nd St Y, Oberon at Harvard tion I worked on, the first one being a collabUniversity, La Mama, Mann Center, Musik- oration with BalletX and the Wilma Theater Fest, Good Good Comedy Theater, TLA, QED called “Proliferation of the Imagination” in Astoria, Union Transfer, Trocadero, Fringe- that same year, 2011. That year really felt like a turning point in my career; from that point Arts, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and CMJ. on I was consistently working with people that PW recently caught up with Machiz to talk I had the utmost respect for, on projects that about his comedy and career. PW: How did you get your start in comedy? were able to reach huge audiences all over JM: I was actually 12 years old the first North America. At this point, I mostly wish that I could pertime I tried stand-up. I had a super conceptual idea for how I would perform. I would tell real- form for people who aren’t on Zoom. I would ly bad jokes, then repeat the punchline three love to be able work my way up in comedy to times as though the reason nobody was laugh- the point where I’m performing at those same ing was that the audience did not understand venues telling jokes and being a weirdo. PW: While most of us were hunkered the jokes. The audience did not like the jokes down in our bunkers during the pandemic, and also did not like the concept. Later, I tried comedy for two years from you were putting together your web series, “Josh Matchstick: Tiny Cruiseship Comedithe end of high school into college, but I was really bad. I came back to it in my early 30s an.” Can you talk a little about the premise with a clear concept of what I wanted to do. of the series? How can people see it? JM: Josh Matchstick is a cruise ship comePerhaps life experience is an important ingredian who was recently shrunk in an accident dient for having something to say that’s worth and divorced and is continuing his career as listening to. the world’s smallest comedian. He’s about PW: You’ve performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, SXSW and more. Is there a nine inches tall. The series is shot using

Forced Perspective in my bedroom and is actually a bit dangerous to make because, in order to create the illusion, I have to stand on my radiator. There’s a playlist on my YouTube channel that will have all of the episodes. PW: You teamed up with fellow Philly comedians Jillian Markowitz, Megan Goetz and Chip Chantry to write the series. Pandemic aside, what’s Philly like as a comedy town? Are there great clubs and audiences? Are there a lot of funny comedians roaming our streets and stages? JM: These days with COVID restrictions, they’re mostly just roaming the internet. Some of the best comedians in the country live in Philadelphia. Every time I watch a special, I am constantly comparing it to my favorite comics in Philly and I can’t wrap my head around why some of the famous comics are famous and the obscure comics are obscure (of course there are great famous comedians as well). There are some really wonderful comedy rooms in Philly and they are scattered throughout the city. It’s close enough to NYC, D.C., and Boston that we’re able to bring down just about anybody and the audiences really appreciate that they can see the best comedy in the world without leaving their neighborhoods. As a scene, Philly is big enough that you can find the entire gamut of styles, but it’s

small enough that none of those styles get their own space, so everybody is performing in the same rooms. It is the perfect size to cause all sorts of drama. You could see the alt-iest of the alt comics followed by the edgiest of the edgy comics on the same show. For the most part, the smorgasbord of styles existing within close quarters is a great thing and it’s thrilling for the audience and comedians alike. PW: You have a few gigs planned, including Bearded Ladies Cabaret’s traveling medicine show-style performances coming in April and May. What else is coming up for you? JM: I’m working on an augmented reality experience with Pig Iron Theater Company and Rosie Langabeer. It will take users through an alternate universe of Philadelphia history around Old City and will be live in late spring. I released a music single recently called “Murakami’s Ghost” on all of the streaming platforms. It’s trancy, groovy, and psychedelic. The piece is kind of in the vein of Steve Reich, Ligeti, and Animal Collective. It’s based on a Murakami short story called the Mirror. A ballet that I was on the writing team for called “Sunset o639 Hours” is being remounted by BalletX this summer. It’s one of my favorite projects I’ve ever been a part of so I’m stoked that it gets to live again! So far, we’re scheduled to perform at the Vail International Dance Festival and Sun Valley, Idaho. I’m really excited that these big festivals are coming back this summer, and I hope it’s a sign that the art world is going to return to normal soon! You mentioned the Bearded Ladies, and I just want to add that they literally bought a truck and turned into this beautiful traveling stage that’s going to be all around the city in April and May! PW: What are the best ways for your fans to stay current with what you’re doing? JM: My website is JoshMachiz.com and I’m on all social media as @PlayWith_Machiz Also, just come see something and talk to me in person when shows come back! You’ve been cooped up in your home for a year! After we all get the vaccine, of course.

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | MARCH 18 - 25, 2021

GOSSIP

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

ICEPACK

Image | Carles Rabada

MARCH 18 - 25, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

THE BEST OF

THE WORST A spotlight on Philadelphia’s bad guys

e might want and need Lar- al activities to pay off phone bills? Priceless. ry Krasner to book our bad James Cagney would be proud. guys, and keep them booked New ghost kitchen beyond an overnight vacaIf you see rapper, producer and weed ention. But, you have to admit, thusiast Wiz Khalifa in Philly this week, say Philly always gets the great- “hello” and welcome him to the local virtual est of the baddest. kitchen trend. Wiz, a native of Pittsburgh, For instance, I have been is gearing up to introduce, then launch, his penning covers on the Philadelphia Wholeown ghost kitchen and food brand in Philly sale Produce Market before it was built, beany second. And yes, it is stoner food for the fore Philly Weekly bought out City Paper, for munchies, maaaaaaaaaaaaaaan. whom I wrote about developer Brian O’Neill’s The fans are back chilled baby. Whom I didn’t meet during my Sixers’ Joel Embiid may be out two weeks hard hat journey onto Essington Avenue was with a wonky knee injury, but you know the icebox’s one-time CEO Caesar “Sonny” who is back at the Wells Fargo Center for the DiCrecchio, who, as of this weekend, was 76ers? Fans. After one whole year and a few accused by the FBI to be skimming milllllll- days, everything is back to (the new) normal lions of dollars from the market’s operating at WFC. What this means for additional events accounts for over a decade to line his pockets – from Ice Capades (fuck that) to Powerhouse and pay for extravagant trips. To concerts – is anybody’s guess. Me? quote Jimmy Cagney, “Never steal I’ll be happy just to drink one of the anything small,” and Sonny didn’t: long luge rainbow margaritas. Wait. BY A.D. He and others at the world’s largest Is that a thing or am I imagining AMOROSI fridge allegedly cut fake checks, paid this? them to faux companies and kept livWrecking ball at work ing high on the well-chilled hog until I get why the bulk of the block of they couldn’t. Which was like, until last week. historic (circa 1800s) federal-style buildings on Bang. the 1700 block of Walnut got razed last week The Philadelphia ATV rider whose road – the fire from last May. But why the equally rage on Broad Street made the New York Post historic 700 Chestnut Street’s properties at upon arrest that is going very viral? Gregory 730-32? Where now shall I get my Christian Stevens has the best look and the best dreadministries books and watches and diamonds locks since Migos. This guy should be in movexchanged? And who needs another 42 resies, and make his fame that way, rather than idents – the reason for the wrecking ball – in worrying about getting his bike bumped. Philly? Sacre bleu?! One-time Democratic state Rep. Leslie Philly films Acosta, the one who pleaded guilty in an emWhile Philly auteur M. Night Shyamalan bezzlement scheme, while still remaining in started filming for his spooky (what else) Apoffice? Brava. The Philly Inquirer, Spotlight ple+ TV series, third season of “Servant” last PA, and LNP-LancasterOnline may still want week in Ocean City, N.J., the North Phillyfederal courts to unseal her records, and view filmed “Concrete Cowboy” about this town’s the judicial proceedings. I say, she’s got the le- Black horseback riders just got a release date gals by the balls and should be free to fuck up for Netflix of April 2. If you don’t care about again. horses, fine. But Idris Elba is in it. Which As for the Brothers Dignam, who watched means if he was riding a carousel horse or a over total Philly events such as the Broad hog or a tricycle, I would watch. All this leads Street Run and the Mummers Parade, but up to a Philly-based drama that most of us then allegedly embezzled funds intended for slept on: “The Inheritance,” which got its youth baseball leagues and city recreationvirtual release via Philly’s CineSPEAK and

GOSSIP

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY Lightbox Film Center on Friday. Roslyn native and one-time West Philly house dweller Ephraim Asili wrote and directed the activist-driven movie in quietude, and made film stars out of local poets Ursula Rucker and Sonia Sanchez. Nicely done. Food news You miss chef and co-owner Tyler Akins all day, every day Res Ipsa Café as much as I do, right? Akins has gone off to Delaware (the Green Room) and the business of helping local restaurants get their chunk of the $28.6 billion in culinary enterprise coronavirus relief funding. And what about Res Ipsa’s Image | Courtesy of Chill Moody other chef, Michael Vincent Ferreri? He’ll be bringing his future-forward Sicilian food vibe and fried olive oily everything to South Philadelphia’s Bok Building and its eighth floor foodie row by reopening Irwin’s (beyond pop-up status) in April. Masked Philly: Chill Moody In Icepack’s continuing saga of asking mask-donning local celebrities what they’ve been up to, beyond the pale, during COVID19’s pandemic, I reached out this week to Chill Moody. You don’t need to look at this week’s PW cover story to know that the beloved local rapper and producer has blossomed into an existence as a full-blown entrepreneur with his own lifestyle brand (nicethings) under which exists a record label and live events company (nicethingsMUSIC), a line of beverages (nicethingsBEER with Dock Street, nicethingsKOMBUCHA), a clothing line and a consulting firm. If you do, however, read my cover this week, you’ll find that everything from his 2020-due new album, his healthful Kombucha and his Chill Moody sneakers were put on hold for a minute due to COVID-19. So what else did Moody do with his downtime? “The first few months of the pandemic quarantine were tough,” noted Moody.

“I had to pivot a little spiritually and artistically at first. I started painting. I stopped drinking. I meditated a lot more. I started making beats. Virtual shows started popping up, and similar opportunities supplemented some of the income. Then, I started finally selling Kombucha,” he said with a laugh. “That helped my mood.” Moody’s own mask, designed and manufactured by @GetUpArt (Philly) is comfortable, and the rapper doesn’t mind making it a part of his daily regimen. So, in with the mask and GetUpArt is Moody, they even did an illustration of the rapper in his specially designed mask. And as for what he and his nicethings everything has planned for 2021? “Everything is right back on schedule and honestly looking even more promising,” he said. “Losing 2020 gave me time to adjust some of the plans I had and create some new ones. Also, everyone on my team leveled up during the pandemic. The whole team has so many new nicethings going on that they are adding to the pot, we are all elevating each other. We didn’t have to downsize or anything. All of the things I had planned back in March 2020 and some new things will be ready to go. We’re set on beverages: nicethingsBEER, nicethingsKOMBUCHA and this new fermented fruit beverage that we’ve been working on will be released, and the world is going to love it all. I have a new line of sneakers dropping this year, really excited about these jawns. The music never slowed down, I’ve been more creative throughout this whole pandemic than I’ve been in my entire life. The art I’ve created during this whole thing is the “good.” We will just continue to build until live events are back.”

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@ADAMOROSI PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | MARCH 18 - 25, 2021

VOICES

OF OUR

CITY

Thoughts on reparations about government-sanctioned oppression Re: “Fighting back against cancel culture”: Christopher Tremoglie and Greg Manco are misinformed if they think reparations is just about avenging the kidnapping, murder, rape and maiming of our ancestors. It’s more than that. It’s about the ongoing oppression that has been government sanctioned for 400 years. It starts with slavery. It continues with the 40 acres and a mule that was promised for the Civil War. It further includes stealing of land,

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

THE SHOUT OUT

sharecroping, the KKK, lynching, Black Tax, unequel education, police brutality, redlining, mass imprisonment, shall I continue? Even most recently with the Capitol insurrectionist treatment versus that of Black Lives Matters protesters. “Racist reparation bullshit?” Racism comes with power. Who has the power and privilege here, my friend? Why would “a study” upset you that much?

Mayor leaves resident disappointed, discouraged the advantage of tax abatements, and people like myself who have lived here for mega years, our taxes keep getting raised unfairly. Are you going to do anything for someone like myself, a senior citizen whose Social Security is limited and also pays school taxes when our children don’t go to school? What is fair about how senior citizens are treated? I, for one, moved into Philadelphia in 1974 when few people wanted to live here! I think it’s about time you think about the seniors who made Philadelphia a place people want to visit and live and spend their money. We deserve credit for all our hard work to make Philadelphia special! Tax abatements are still being given to people moving into our city when there’s no reason, as Philadelphia is a bargain! This is wrong because you are making us pay for other people’s cheap prices. We need reductions in these bills that you have caused us to incur unfairly!

Arleen Wolf | Philadelphia

MARCH 18 - 25, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

AN S

Candy Slaughter | Philadelphia

Dear Mayor Kenney, Just learned that you raised the fee for trash removal on my small rental apartments, and you are now taking away our 1 percent exemption on real estate taxes. Received this year‘s tax bill on rental property, which you raised $600 more after increasing last year’s taxes $1,300, and now the taxes are $4,800 on a 100-year-old building. You just keep raising the market value of these older properties in Philadelphia without any thought to how senior citizens are going to pay. It seems you are trying to force us out of the area. You have recently given 45 new properties tax breaks valued at more than $50 million, but you do not have any consideration for your senior citizens, whom you are using to Image | Tom Wolf pay for these new properties and line the city’s and your coffers. I am sorry to say that the mayor I trusted has left me very disappointed and discouraged. New homes in Philadelphia still have

Image | Bo Harvey

Mayor Kenney has announced that his administration will hold regular public briefings to talk about strategy to stop the city’s rising murder rate.

Your turn: What would your strategic suggestion be for the city to reduce the tide of violence? Send your thoughts to voices@philadelphiaweekly.com

of the U. Crime Ta air that I t the best c well as the portrayal The pr He believe mob. He s Joe Pesci was funny failed to r and the ot were vicio that direc idly prese Cosa Nost their hum As I’m South Phi fellas mak munity, bu these type I’ve covere ny and lik quickly, ju trayed the In my l and Dave Sitdown,” offers vid Philadelph about the Schratw 15 mob me in a seven included dealing. “The cu

CRIMEBEAT

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

DRUGS, MONEY

George Anastasia, left, and Dave Schratwieser host “Mob Talk Sitdown,” which covers all the angles of organized crime in Philadelphia. Image | Bryan Zilai

AND MURDER ‘Mob Talk Sitdown’ covers organized crime in Philly

five- or six-year investigation by the FBI,” Anome years ago, when I was a proastasia said. ducer and on-air host of “Inside “The question is whether it’s the tip of the Government,” a public affairs raiceberg. Are more charges against other dedio program that aired on Sunday fendants coming? Or is this case all mornings on WPEN AM that the feds were able to develop and WMGK FM, I interduring that time? viewed the then-chief “There are still several unsolved of the U.S. Attorney’s Organized mob murders – Raymond MartoraCrime Task Force. I noted on the no, Ronnie Turchi, Johnny Casasair that I thought “Goodfellas” was anto to name three – that the feds the best crime film ever made as would like to pin on the local wisewell as the most realistic cinematic guys, but they have not been able to portrayal of organized crime. get there. The statute of limitations The prosecutor did not agree. never expires on homicides, but He believed the film glamored the again, the question is, will the feds mob. He said that audiences liked ever get there?” Joe Pesci in the film because he Schratwieser explained that was funny and charming, but they there are currently upward of 30 failed to realize that his character “made” guys in Philadelphia. and the other criminals in the film “The Philly mob is now – ‘numwere vicious murderers. I replied bers wise’ – stronger than even in that director Martin Scorsese vivPAULDAVISONCRIME.COM the late ‘80s under Nicky Scarfo idly presented the violent side of Sr.,” Schratwieser said. Cosa Nostra criminals, as well as So who is now the boss of the Philadelphia their human qualities. Cosa Nostra crime family? As I’m half-Italian and grew up and live in “The consensus in law enforcement is that South Philly, I can attest that the local goodJoey, from Florida, is the boss,” Anastasia fellas make up a small percentage of the comsaid. munity, but they do tend to stand out. I knew “The latest indictment identified the rest of these types of guys from an early age, and the Merlino hierarchy, which is still in place.” I’ve covered them as a writer. Some were funSchratwieser agreed that the FBI believes ny and likeable, and some could turn violent Merlino still spearheads the Philly mob. quickly, just as Pesci and Robert DeNiro por“Philly’s ‘Dapper Don,’ Joey Merlino, is now trayed them in “Goodfellas.” out of prison and enjoying himself in Boca RaIn my last column here, George Anastasia and Dave Schratwieser discussed “Mob Talk ton, Florida,” Schratwieser said. “Joey has denied being involved anymore, Sitdown,” their paid subscription website that and he tells anyone who will listen that he’s offers videos, podcasts, and news reports on given that criminal lifestyle up,” Schratwieser Philadelphia organized crime. I asked them said. about the status of the Philadelphia mob. The reporters also cover other organized Schratwieser said that this past November, crime groups at “Mob Talk Sitdown.” 15 mob members and associates were charged “The drug underworld is not as highly orin a seven-count racketeering indictment that included gambling, loan sharking and drug ganized as the mob, but I think during my last two years at the Inquirer I spent more time dealing. writing about black drug gangs – Kaboni Sav“The current indictment is the result of a

PAUL DAVIS

age, Alton ‘Ace Capone’ Coles – than I did writing about wiseguys,” Anastasia said. “Drug gangs don’t get the kind of attention the Mafia does, but I would argue that in terms of negative impact on the city – deterioration of neighborhoods and outright violence – they are more dangerous that the traditional mob.” Schratwieser said that the Pagans biker gang remains strong in Philadelphia. He said that in 2019, they held a summertime picnic in Philly that drew more than 300 Pagan members from up and down the east coast. “They are expanding nationwide,” Schratwieser said. The reporters discussed the investigation into members of another biker gang, the Warlocks, who are suspected of stashing bodies of murder victims in a cemetery. Schratwieser noted that the FBI has joined the search.

“That could mean there’s more to come on that investigation,” Schratwieser said. He said that the leading suspect, an alleged Warlock member, has been extradited from Wyoming, where he was arrested on gun charges, to Philadelphia, where he now faces murder charges. “Bodies buried in the cemetery. You can’t make this stuff up,” Anastasia said. “It looks like drugs, money and murder are the talking points.” He said most of the local media reported on the case, but the coverage lacked perspective. “We try to fill that gap,” Anastasia said. You can learn more about mobsters, outlaw bikers and drug traffickers at mobtalksitdown.com. Paul Davis’ Crime Beat column appears here each week. You can contact him via pauldavisoncrime.com.

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | MARCH 18 - 25, 2021

BUSINESS

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

PICKING PHILLY If it’s weird and wacky, the Kensington Pickers want to buy it

MARCH 18 - 25, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

BUSINESS

What’s been the strangest piece or pieces you’ve uncovered? Stewart: Since we specialize in strange and oddball items, we usually find weird stuff all the time, but some of the pieces that we had in the past that stood out were an antique mummy from a real sideshow of yesteryear, a 100-year-old giant taxidermy lion head, and Pickers? a century-old set of windows from a PhilaMatt Melnick and Robert “Buddy” Stewart hunt for things around the city to sell at their delphia brothel that featured hand painted store. They look for the weird, wacky, wild and graphics of the devil and a nude pin-up girl. What’s been odd items. Some the strangest of their greatest place you’ve picks in the past picked? include an origiStewart: We’ve nal Coney Island picked everyticket booth door, where and are an eight-foot rabwilling to pick bit statue from anywhere as long an old mini golf as they have good course that was stuff. We’ve been featured in the through aban“Jackass” movie, doned amusean 1800s stained ment parks and glass window zoos, old factofrom an old brothries, scrap and el that depicted a junk yards, funerdevil and a pin-up al homes, old gagirl, and a 14-foot rages, you name fiberglass statue it! One day we of William Penn The Kensington Pickers, Matt Melnick, left, and Robmay be picking a that is a one-third ert “Buddy” Stewart, are always on the hunt for odd multi-million dolscale of the one items across Philadelphia. Image | Robert "Buddy" lar estate. The folatop City Hall. Stewart and Matthew Melnick lowing day we’re PW recently caught up with Melnick and Stewart to talk getting dirty in an old junk yard. What’s your advice for someone who about picking Philly. might have a lot of “old stuff” or unique When and how did you two get together and start picking? What attracted you items? Is there a way they can determine if it holds value or should just be thrown to scouring flea markets, auctions, etc. for away? hidden treasures? Melnick: If it’s something that you love and Stewart: We knew each other for quite think is cool, then keep it. Monetary some time, and about a year ago we value isn’t everything. Sometimes formed our partnership. Matt and I things are sentimental and the always had a mutual respect as well BY EUGENE memories you may have connected as mutual interest in the type of ZENYATTA with that item can’t be bought. Now, strange merchandise that we deal if you are dead set on selling, give us in, so it wasn’t surprising when we a call and we will definitely check it partnered up. We are modern day out. Even if it’s not for us and we have no inpirates looking for treasure! But our treasure terest, we can usually tell you if you got someis oddball antiques and anything weird we can thing or if it’s run of the mill. find on the way. When you get a piece that might show How has the pandemic affected your signs of age or disrepair, do you restore it picking and resale efforts? Melnick: Actually, it’s been good for us, or do you resell it in its original condition, as it gave us the time to go out and pick new and why? Stewart: We usually try to keep it all origitems while the world was shut down. We were out (masked up) knocking on doors and pick- inal. There’s something beautiful about natuing anywhere we could, basically selling on- ral patina that gives items “the look.” If you line and investing for when the world opened want brand new, go to Walmart, but most antiques have some character marks that make back up. How do you determine if a piece is right them look even better than new. How can people stay current with the for you to buy or one that you’ll pass over? pieces that you have for sale, and what are Melnick: We always say “we don’t know what we’re looking for, but we know when the best ways for them to make a purchase? Melnick: A lot of our stuff is posted on our we find it.” We are both fortunate enough to have a good eye for this stuff because we start- Instagram @TheKensingtonPickers, or they ed in this business with our fathers at a very can check out our pop-up in Thunderbird Salvage at 2441 Frankford Ave. young age. ou might have heard of the “American Pickers,” or maybe seen an episode or two of the History Channel show featuring two guys who travel the nation unearthing fantastic antiques and collectables. But have you met the Kensington

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PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | MARCH 18 - 25, 2021

Important Facts About DOVATO

This is only a brief summary of important information about DOVATO and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and treatment. What is the most important information I should know about DOVATO? If you have both human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, DOVATO can cause serious side effects, including: • Resistant HBV infection. Your healthcare provider will test you for HBV infection before you start treatment with DOVATO. If you have HIV-1 and hepatitis B, the hepatitis B virus can change (mutate) during your treatment with DOVATO and become harder to treat (resistant). It is not known if DOVATO is safe and effective in people who have HIV-1 and HBV infection. • Worsening of HBV infection. If you have HIV-1 and HBV infection, your HBV may get worse (flare-up) if you stop taking DOVATO. A “flare-up” is when your HBV infection suddenly returns in a worse way than before. Worsening liver disease can be serious and may lead to death. ° Do not run out of DOVATO. Refill your prescription or talk to your healthcare provider before your DOVATO is all gone. ° Do not stop DOVATO without first talking to your healthcare provider. If you stop taking DOVATO, your healthcare provider will need to check your health often and do blood tests regularly for several months to check your liver. What is DOVATO? DOVATO is a prescription medicine that is used without other HIV-1 medicines to treat human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection in adults: who have not received HIV-1 medicines in the past, or to replace their current HIV-1 medicines when their healthcare provider determines that they meet certain requirements. HIV-1 is the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). It is not known if DOVATO is safe and effective in children. Who should not take DOVATO? Do not take DOVATO if you: • have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine that contains dolutegravir or lamivudine. • take dofetilide. What should I tell my healthcare provider before using DOVATO? Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you: • have or have had liver problems, including hepatitis B or C infection. • have kidney problems. • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. One of the medicines in DOVATO (dolutegravir) may harm your unborn baby. ° Your healthcare provider may prescribe a different medicine than DOVATO if you are planning to become pregnant or if pregnancy is confirmed during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. ° If you can become pregnant, your healthcare provider will perform a pregnancy test before you start treatment with DOVATO. ° If you can become pregnant, you should consistently use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with DOVATO. ° Tell your healthcare provider right away if you are planning to become pregnant, you become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant during treatment with DOVATO. • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you take DOVATO. ° You should not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby. ° One of the medicines in DOVATO (lamivudine) passes into your breastmilk. ° Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some medicines interact with DOVATO. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. • You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of medicines that interact with DOVATO. • Do not start taking a new medicine without telling your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe to take DOVATO with other medicines. What are possible side effects of DOVATO? DOVATO can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “What is the most important information I should know about DOVATO?” section. • Allergic reactions. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop a rash with DOVATO. Stop taking DOVATO and get medical help right away if you develop a rash with any of the following signs or symptoms: fever; generally ill feeling; tiredness; muscle or joint aches; blisters or sores in mouth; blisters or peeling of the skin; redness or swelling of the eyes; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; problems breathing. • Liver problems. People with a history of hepatitis B or C virus may have an increased risk of developing new or worsening changes in certain liver tests during treatment with DOVATO. Liver problems, including liver failure, have also happened in people without a history of liver disease or other risk factors. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your liver. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following signs or symptoms of liver problems: your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice); dark or “tea-colored” urine; light-colored stools (bowel movements); nausea or vomiting; loss of appetite; and/or pain, aching, or tenderness on the right side of your stomach area. • Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis). Lactic acidosis is a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms that could be signs of lactic acidosis: feel very weak or tired; unusual (not normal) muscle pain; trouble breathing; stomach pain with nausea and vomiting; feel cold, especially in your arms and legs; feel dizzy or lightheaded; and/or a fast or irregular heartbeat. • Lactic acidosis can also lead to severe liver problems, which can lead to death. Your liver may become large (hepatomegaly) and you may develop fat in your liver (steatosis). Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the signs or symptoms of liver problems which are listed above under “Liver problems.” You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or severe liver problems if you are female or very overweight (obese). • Changes in your immune system (Immune Reconstitution Syndrome) can happen when you start taking HIV-1 medicines. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that have been hidden in your body for a long time. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you start having new symptoms after you start taking DOVATO.

SO MUCH GOES INTO WHO I AM HIV MEDICINE IS ONE PART OF IT. Why could DOVATO be right for you? DOVATO is proven to help control HIV with just 2 medicines in 1 pill. That means fewer medicines* in your body while taking DOVATO. It’s proven as effective as an HIV treatment with 3 or 4 medicines. Learn more about fewer medicines at DOVATO.com DOVATO is a complete prescription regimen to treat HIV-1 in adults who have not received HIV-1 medicines in the past or to replace their current HIV-1 medicines when their doctor determines they meet certain requirements. Results may vary. *As compared with 3- or 4-drug regimens.

What are possible side effects of DOVATO? (cont’d) • The most common side effects of DOVATO include: headache; nausea; diarrhea; trouble sleeping; tiredness; and anxiety. These are not all the possible side effects of DOVATO. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Where can I find more information? • Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist. • Go to DOVATO.com or call 1-877-844-8872, where you can also get FDA-approved labeling. August 2020 DVT:4PIL Trademark is owned by or licensed to the ViiV Healthcare group of companies.

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THE RUNDOWN

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THE RUNDOWN Image | Nathan Ansell

From basketball to great food: Philly has events for you

As the pandemic restrictions continue to loosen, Philadelphia has more things to do in-person, while other events remain virtual. Here are a few of our favorites. If your group has an event coming up, send it to mail@philadelphiaweekly.com, and we might feature it in a coming Rundown section. Women’s History Month

Taste America

Philadelphia’s very own Andrew Henshaw of Laser Wolf will participate in the James Beard Foundation’s Taste America for a virtual dining event to celebrate local independent restaurants and build support for industry recovery. Taste America presented by Capital One will take place on Sunday, March 21 in 10 cities nationwide at 8pm. The dinner and show will bring together chefs and food lovers on one special night in the comfort of their own homes. Attendees can pick up meals at Laser Wolf prior to showtime on Sunday from 2 - 5pm. members.jamesbeard.org/events.

MARCH 18 - 25, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

Women’s History Month events are taking place at the Betsy Ross House. The last two weekends in March take visitors into the trenches of the fight for women’s suffrage. On Sunday, March 21 from 10am to 4pm, meet Alice Paul, American Quaker, suffragist, feminist and women’s rights activist and one of the leaders of the campaign for the 19th Amendment; and on Sunday, March 28, meet Frances Harper, an abolitionist, suffragist, poet, teacher and public speaker, who was one of the first African American women to be published in the United States. For some after-hours fun, they are bringing back their popular Tipsy History series with Tipsy History: The Little Rebel at 5, 6 and 7pm Thursday, March 25 through Sunday, March 27. historicphiladelphia.org

A Virtual Wildflower Walk

After this wicked, snow-filled winter, spring has finally sprung, bringing the promise of a forest overflowing with bright, green leaves and a stunning carpet of ephemeral wildflowers. Mike Weilbacher, Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education’s resident wildflower expert, takes you on a virtual nature walk through the Center’s trails to meet wonderful wildflowers, so many with such evocative names: Dutchman’s breeches, spring beauties, Jacob’s ladder, Jack-in-the-pulpit, wake robin. He’ll share their life stories, the role they play in the ecology of the region, and their race against time as they attempt to blossom and get pollinated before the trees above shade them out. March 25 at 7pm. schuylkillcenter.org

Hoops at Harrah’s PHLAFF Film Festival

The Philadelphia Latino Film Festival has announced its 2021 dates. From May 30 to June 6, the festival will present its longest iteration yet; eight days of virtual filmmaker offerings, free screenings and more. Showcasing films submitted from over 20 countries, PHLAFF’s programming highlights the rich and complex realities of the Latino and Latinx experience. Reviewed by a diverse panel of 25, films will include a selection of shorts, features, web series, AR/VR projects and other emerging media. See phlaff.org for more information.

Harrah’s Philadelphia is celebrating with Hoops at Harrah’s tournament specials for March. The only William Hill Sportsbook in PA will feature a special food cart on weekends throughout the tournament. The cart will be open one hour before the first game and close after the last game each day. The menu has all your arena favorites: hot dogs, Buffalo wings, pizza and more. Philly Tap & Tavern, Harrah’s new restaurant on the casino floor, will offer food and drink specials throughout the tournament. Specials include “The Slam Dunk” ($19): 5 classic wings, 2 cheesesteak eggrolls, and onion rings with house special sauce. March 18 at 4pm - April 5 at 11pm. caesars.com/ harrahs-philly

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Design for Living Virtual Artist Talk

InLiquid will present a virtual artist talk for Design for Living, a two-person exhibition of Philadelphia artists and longtime friends, Mary Henderson and Sarah Zwerling. The exhibition features bodies of work the artists began prior to 2020, which they have reworked and recontextualized in response to the events of the last year. Using very different media, Henderson (a painter) and Zwerling (a digital artist and sculptor), both explore themes of isolation and connectivity. This exhibition is on view through April 3. March 23, 6pm. Free. eventbrite.com

Just because some people are getting back out, you don’t have to. We’ve rounded up these online events from eventbrite.com that you’ll want to see for yourself.

Check out these upcoming online events DocNights: Killing Patient Zero

Join Jefferson Humanities & Health for a virtual talkback and Q&A about the documentary “Killing Patient Zero.” After the Stonewall riots and at the height of the gay liberation movement in America, an entire generation was busy celebrating its newfound emancipation, unaware of an impending epidemic. A disease that seemed determined to wipe out an entire generation of gay men was largely ignored by politicians and the mainstream media. Gaetan Dugas was a French-Canadian flight attendant, who offered to help early scientific research into the origins of AIDS. An unfortunate series of events followed, and he would be vilified as Patient Zero, the man who gave us AIDS. March 23, 7pm. Free. eventbrite.com

Virtual Artist Meet and Greet with Dar James

Presented by Athenaeum of Philadelphia, Dar James is a painter, writer and illustrator of children’s books, and a designer, teacher, creativity coach in Eastern PA. The two traditional mediums she uses predominantly are acrylic on canvas and cut paper collage. James’ educational background is in English and creative writing. Her paintings use organic colors and shapes to evoke nature. March 23, 2021, noon. Free. eventbrite.com

District Attorney Candidates’ Forum

Philadelphia District Attorney candidates Larry Krasner, Carlos Vega and Charles Peruto, Jr., will join the Philadelphia Bar Association Monday, March 22 for a virtual Candidates’ Forum from 4:30-6:30pm. Incumbent Krasner faces Vega in the May Democratic primary, and Peruto is running as a Republican. The forum will be moderated by Riley Ross, chair of the Board of Governors. He will ask prepared questions and also take select questions from the audience submitted through the Webinar Q/A feature. March 22, 4:30pm. Free. eventbrite.com

Pearls of Wisdom Book Party

Meet the author of “When the Unlikely are Chosen,” Judge Kathryn S. Lewis, retired. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Omega Omega Chapter Book Club and History and Archives Committees will host a reading and discussion with Lewis. Lewis is a Philadelphia native. Her parents lived in public housing before moving the family to a two-story row house in North Philadelphia. It was there, at 6 years old, that she witnessed an incident that ignited her unlikely dream to become a lawyer. March 21, 2pm. Free. eventbrite.com

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | MARCH 18 - 25, 2021

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SEX WITH TIMAREE

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OPENING UP

AS THE WORLD OPENS BACK UP

Q: My girlfriend and I have been dating for ing, especially for non-monogamy and swing over a year now, and from the beginning of the culture. relationship, we were on the same page that we Most of us have drastically locked down our didn’t want to be monogamous. Three socializing, some lovers have had to months into the relationship, COVID go long-distance. Yet, some feisty folks hits, and we decide to move in tohave persevered (to varying degrees gether, even though right now we are of caution), like the swingers convenback into our separate apartments tion in New Orleans that turned into a (she loves living in a city and I own a super-spreader event (badoomchish!) house in South Jersey). We are planor the warehouse orgy in France that ning on moving in back together once was shut down by police. I take care of some things with the In many ways, people with exhouse. perience in consensual non-moMy question is: We have technogamy (CNM) have had an easier nically been monogamous for time navigating social pods in the over a year. Do you think bringing pandemic. Those who have been people into our relationship can in polyamorous relationships have cause any problems? We have dis(hopefully!) had opportunities to cussed the possibility of hanging discuss shared risks for sexually @TIMAREE_LEIGH out with other couples that share transmitted infections and their our same views to get more inforresponsibilities not only to their mation and experience, but finding them is partners but to those in their extended not easy. network. The last year has really put a cramp on datThis year gave a lot of Americans a crash

TIMAREE SCHMIT

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

course in poly-like negotiations, which may prove to be useful as the world opens back up, weather improves, and we launch into the horniest summer in decades. Some will remain cautious or bask in their newfound love of staying home, but others will be chomping at the bit to party, ready to lick faces and make up for lost time. All that is to say: You and your girlfriend will be far from alone in opening up your relationship in 2021. To directly answer your question about whether this change will “cause any problems,” the answer is unequivocally: Yes. Any meaningful relationship change – even largely positive ones – will come with difficulties. Conflict is a normal and healthy part of any relationship, regardless of its structure. The key to sustainability is ensuring everyone involved has a say in the operations and feels respected and supported. Since both of you and swingexpressed interest in non-monogamy down ourfrom the jump, that ave had topresents a much feisty folkseasier path forward ng degreesthan if one of you ers conven-were presenting rned into athe idea for the first oomchish!)time. On the upside, France thatyou have the advantage of a year’s with ex-worth of trust and non-mo-communication an easierbuilding. On the ods in thedownside, you’ve have beenhabituated to a ships havemonogamous exisunities totence, and breaking r sexuallyout of any routine is and theirchallenging, even as to theirit may also be exhilextendedarating, liberating and super fun. ns a crash There are many tactics to converting a closed

SEX WITH TIMAREE relationship to non-monogamy, all of which should be discussed honestly with your partner(s). Share what you hope for and what fears you have, listening to hers as well. Operate from a place of always checking in on feelings and then make structural choices based on what works for you two, rather than straining to fit in a structure. Often we anticipate something will feel differently than it actually does, and over time, our emotions about things shift, so be ready to renegotiate boundaries over and over again, as this journey progresses. From a practical level: It’s tough to find ideal matches in dating, but there have never been more opportunities for finding like-minded folks. Maybe your first foray into swinging is with a couple you meet on an app, but later, you develop friends in the scene with whom you can regularly party or even form committed networks. Soon enough the play parties and sex clubs will be open again, if that’s your cup of tea. The idea is being OPEN to experiences and dynamics as they present themselves. So far, you have successfully managed to weather a really trying year, under annoyingly unprecedented conditions. If you two can handle a pandemic as a team, there’s a good chance you can work together to do something far more enjoyable. Have a question for Timaree? Send an email to asktimaree@philadelphiaweekly.com.

“This year gave a lot of Americans a crash course in poly-like negotiations, which may prove to be useful as the world opens back up, weather improves, and we launch into the horniest summer in decades.”

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REAL ESTATE

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY                                                                                        

                                                                       

                                                       

                                                                  

                                                                                 

                                                                                   

“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! MARCH 18 - 25, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

REAL ESTATE

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

You can either

go along for the

REAL ESTATE

ride or... REGGIE Corner unit

$1,300 / 1br - 800ft2 - Amazing Condo unit for Rent at 1010 Race St. Come see this bright and spacious 1 bed corner unit at 1010 Race Street! Close to everything you need including convenience stores, grocery stores, public transit, shopping, bars, restaurants, and more. This is the ultimate urban living location! This is a condominium for anyone looking to live in the heart of downtown Center City. Beautiful and spacious 1 bedroom 1 bathroom condo with tall ceilings, exposed wood beams, exposed brick, hardwood floors, HUGE three windows, providing tons of natural light. The cozy kitchen has plenty of cabinet space and has an opening to the living room for easily handing food or drinks. The unit features a refrigerator, washer, dryer, central heating and air conditioning. Available immediately! Come take a look at and you will love it. Proof of income required. $50 for credit history checked and processing fee. $1300 per month plus electric, water included in the rent. (Rents go up to $1450 for a 1 bedroom in the building.) All tenants require paying $350 move-in fee to the Condo Association. Please contact 267-912-7888.

Go Solo. If you’re looking for your first

home, don’t let those big city real estate brokers take you for a ride. Solo Real Estate can steer you in the right direction and make your first real estate experience enjoyable, uncomplicated and straightforward. Call us at 215-564-7656 or visit solorealty.com. 2017 Chancellor Street Philadelphia, PA 19103

Utilities included

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.

Newly renovated

$2,240 / 1br - 700ft2 - Title: Beautiful 1BR Granite Kitchen 2 months free Center City. Looking for a new home? Come check out Apartment 502, a newly renovated 1 bedroom apartment with hardwood floors located in Center City on Rittenhouse Square! Call 844-808-1705 to schedule your tour today. AMENITIES: Brand-new 8000 square foot resident lounge with top-of-the-line fitness center & free Wi-Fi. Pet friendly – dogs large and small and cats welcome. Elevator building with 24/7 doorman and concierge desk staff. Amazing roof deck with great views. APARTMENT FEATURES: Renovated, modern granite kitchens with dishwashers. All utilities included (except cable/internet). Oversized floor plan. Large closets. Upgraded carpet or hardwood-style floors. Gorgeous CITY VIEWS from your living area & bedroom. The Rittenhouse Claridge offers you the opportunity to live in Philadelphia’s most vibrant, walkable neighborhood. We are located in the best neighborhood at the best address – at the corner or 18th and Walnut – right on Rittenhouse Square! This apartment will rent quickly, so call Marie at 844-808-1705 to schedule an appointment or reserve this apartment. rittenhouseclaridge.com.

$1,950 / 2br - High Rise Condo Bldg in Center City with All Utilities Included (Center City). 1324 Locust St 1602. Available NOW | 1-month free for a 13+ month lease. 2BD/1.5BA Condo with ALL UTILITIES INCLUDED at The Arts Condominium Building. Located on the highest floor (16th) at The Arts Condominium building, a high-rise condo building in the heart of Center City, unit #1602 is a rarely offered large 2 bedroom w/additional large den, with ALL UTILITIES INCLUDED in the rent! Electricity, water, heat, and even Cable TV (channels 1-100 + Free HBO) are included. The only thing you would have to pay additional for is internet for the unit, although there is free wi-fi in the lobby of the building with computer/printer terminals and also a business center, fitness center and large laundry facilities on the lower level. A 24/7 front desk attendant and on-site management and maintenance staff complete the offered conveniences here. There are hardwood floors in the living room, entryway, kitchen and hallway, and then wall-to-wall carpeting in all three bedrooms and tiled baths. Open floor plan living and kitchen area make entertaining easy, especially with an additional L-shaped breakfast bar creating additional seating and prep space. Kitchen has granite countertops, stainless appliances, cherry cabinets and lots of storage space. Half bathroom is off of the main living space and then a full bathroom down the hall. 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.

Center City Living

Sunny studio

Gated community

$925 / 325ft2 - Sunny Rittenhouse Square Studio, Center City (19th and Chestnut). Rittenhouse Square area: 19th & Chestnut Streets. Sunny Rittenhouse Square Studio - 925 per month, Heat, Hot water & Gas included. Available for Lease Date starting April 15th or Before. RobinApartments. com. Heart of Center City Philadelphia - Just one blocks from Rittenhouse Square, Top Floor Apartment with Excellent Sunlight and Views, Separated Kitchen with half wall, 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.

$1,780 / 2br - 862ft2 - Fantastic Condo for Rent in Center City, Phila (111 N. 9th St, Unit 309. This spacious 2 bedrooms/2 baths unit, Secure electronic keyed main entrance into a luxurious lobby; 2 Elevators, On-site parking available, features in unit with refrigerator, washer/dryer. Just minutes from Jefferson Medical College, Everything you’ve been looking for in Center City living.... Complete with its excellent location in the heart of everything!! Short walk to the Convention Center, City Hall, Ben Franklin Bridge, restaurants, Reading Terminal Market, and public transportation! Please contact Natalie at (610)-517-7512 to set up an appointment to see the condominium unit.

Skyline views

$2,145 / 1br - Beautiful 1BR**Granite Kitchen Center City Skyline Views. Looking for a new home? Come check out Apartment 502, a newly renovated 1 bedroom apartment with hardwood floors located in Center City on Rittenhouse Square! Call 844-808-1705 to schedule your tour today. AMENITIES: Brand-new 8000 square foot resident lounge with top-of-the-line fitness center & free Wi-Fi. Pet friendly – dogs large and small and cats welcome. Elevator building with 24/7 doorman and concierge desk staff. Amazing roof deck with great views. APARTMENT FEATURES: Renovated, modern granite kitchens with dishwashers. All utilities included (except cable/internet). Oversized floor plan. Large closets. Upgraded carpet or hardwood-style floors. Gorgeous CITY VIEWS from your living area & bedroom. The Rittenhouse Claridge offers you the opportunity to live in Philadelphia’s most vibrant, walkable neighborhood. We are located in the best neighborhood at the best address – at the corner or 18th and Walnut – right on Rittenhouse Square! 844-808-1705. $1,150 / 2br - Gated Community - Minutes to Center City - Fantastic 2BR (Northern Liberties). 703 Wallace Street near 7th Street. Quaint two bedroom in a charming gated community. This home features hardwood floors throughout, separate dressing area and has a dishwasher. Enjoy access to a picnic area, BBQ grills, and bike parking in this charming gated community. A true hidden gem in Northern Liberties. Cats Allowed. Parking. Resident Pays Electricity. Resident Pays Gas. Small Dogs Allowed. Trash Pick Up Included. Washer & Dryer On Site. Kitchen and Bath. Dishwasher. Lease Terms. Heat included. Water included. 215-515-0942.

Great features

$2,995 / 3br - Spectacular 3BD/3BA with Great Features - Center City. 1815 Ranstead Street 1. Available Early June: There is so much to love about this apartment! This apartment is a bi-level space with plenty of privacy for roommates, in-unit laundry, and outdoor space. Features include hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, high ceilings, and great storage space throughout. The first bedroom is on the main level, with private deck access, and the other two are on the lower level. Each bedroom has it’s own full bathroom and great closet space. Schedule your showing today! Some local favorites include La Colombe, Federal Donuts, The Dandelion, Mama’s Vegetarian, Spread Bagelry, Anthropologie, Parc, The Continental Midtown, and so many more! You’ll also be walking distance to City Hall, Love Park, and tons of great bars, venues, and galleries along Broad Street’s Avenue of the Arts. Lease Terms: Generally, first month, last month, and one month security deposit due at, or prior to, lease signing. Other terms may be required by Landlord. $55 application fee per applicant. Pets are conditional on owner’s approval and may require an additional deposit, if accepted. ($500/dog and $250/cat, or monthly pet rent). Tenants responsible for all utilities: gas, electricity, cable/internet, $75/month flat water fee. Hardwood Floors. Stainless Steel Appliances. Patio/Yard. Central A/C. Near Public Transportation. Granite Countertops. Secure Entry. Laundry In-Unit. Electronic Keyless Entry. Outdoor Space. Dishwasher. Jg-realestate.com.

Loft District

$1,100 / 1br - 850ft2 - Spacious 1 BR Apartment (Loft District/Center City). 13th near Vine. Available May 1st. Large studio/1bedroom with separate kitchen and bathroom apartment in Loft District / Center City. Ideally located in the Loft District / Chinatown section of Center City: Less than 10 minutes walk from Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia Community College. Only a couple of blocks from PA Convention Center, City Hall, Art Museum. Across from Hahnemann Hospital. A block away from SEPTA Broad Street Line. Lots of nice restaurants in the area. Amenities include: Hardwood floor throughout the apartment. Washer and dryer. Plenty of closet space. Kitchen with an electric burner, refrigerator, and garbage disposal. Please Note: Monthly rent includes water. No pets and no smoking allowed. Private parking for additional fee. First, last, and one month security deposit required to move in. (215) 569-3744.

Close to stores

$750 / 1br - Studio available for rent near Center City (1220 N Carlisle St). Studio apartment available near Temple University. Close to all public transportation. Close to grocery store, convenience store, and laundromat right across the street. On the second floor. First month, last month, and one month security deposit to move in. $750/ month. water and internet included. Credit check required. Hardwood flooring and tiles. Lots of cabinet space. Full kitchen and bathroom. Diana. (201) 889-0583.

Roof deck

$1,650 / 2br - 3961ft2 - Gorgeous Apartment for Rent in Center City Philadelphia (West Poplar/Spring Art Point). 657 N. 12th Street near Melon Street. Gorgeous four years old 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths apartment in the burgeoning Spring Arts Point neighborhood. Beautiful granite and stainless custom kitchen opens to the spacious living/ dining area. Premium hardwood floor throughout, the unit can access the roof deck that can view scenic beautiful city horizon. Property is situated perfectly in Spring Art Point and less than 5 minutes to all major highways and so many premier restaurants and nightlife around the complex to choose from, as well as shopping, public transportation, access to Independence Mall, Penn’s Landing, the PA Convention Center and the Reading Terminal Market. 267-912-7888.

Unique configuration

$2,197 / 1br - 780ft2 - Spectacular One Bedroom/One Bathroom Center City Apt Available NOW! 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: Oversized windows for extra light. Views of Center City Philadelphia from select apartments. Picturesque terraces and balconies in select apartments. Wood-Like Flooring throughout apartment. Stainless steel appliances and quartz countertops in Kitchens. Walk-In Closets. Open-concept floor plans. Spacious studio-, one-, two-, and three- bedroom apartment homes available. Custom cabinetry in Kitchens. In-home washers and dryers. Community Amenities: Package Receiving. Smoke Free Building. Roof Terrace with Observation Deck. Pet Grooming Station. On-Site Management. 2nd Floor landscaped terrace with BBQ Grilling Stations. Access controlled garage parking. F Public Art Landscaping. On-Site Underground Parking Garage. Penthouse and Townhomes available. Valet Laundry Service Available. Pet Friendly. Lavish Community Clubroom with Demonstration Kitchen. Pet Policy: The Alexander is a pet-friendly community. Call Now: (215) 596-4234 x 27.

The Packard

$1,525 / 1br - 705ft2 - Center City View in This 1Bd1.5Ba Bi Level Loft Den The Packard (Center City, Drexel Med, PAFA) 317 N. Broad Street. In-Unit Washer/dryer. Dishwasher. Garbage disposal. Wood floors. Granite countertops. Stainless steel appliances. New fitness center. Business center. Community room. 24 hr front desk. 24 hr emergency maintenance. On-site management. Attached garage parking ($225/month). Located near Drexel. All this in a great location plus free membership to METROFIT. Philadelphia’s largest residential fitness facility complete with a fully restored 1928 basketball court, stretching room and showers located just a few blocks away at The Metropolitan! Conveniently located in downtown Philadelphia with easy access to public transportation and all major highways. Stop by today! Packard-living.com.

Exposed beams

$2,304 / 2br - 1045ft2 - Beautiful 2 Bedroom Exposed Beams and Reduced Rent Special! 231 N. 3rd Street. Beautiful View. Oversized Windows. High Ceilings. Wood Plank Flooring. Bright and Spacious Living Room. Quartz Countertops. Upgraded Appliances. Garbage Disposal. Washer/Dyer. Walk in Closet. Pet Friendly (Restrictions Apply). Fitness Center. Multi-Purpose Room. Reading Room. Complimentary Coffee/Tea. Maintenance On Site. 24/7 Lobby Attendant. Package Received and Stored. Parking Fee (Subject to Availability). Reduced rate is reflected. Deposit by 3/31/21 and move in by 4/30/2021. Chocolateworks-living.com.

Chinatown

$1,825 / 2br - 1000ft2 - Pearl condo center city/chinatown, Philadelphia (111 N. 9th Street). A must see beautiful spacious two bedroom/ two bath condo in the heart of Philadelphia Chinatown, it is 2 blocks from the famous Reading Terminal, authentic Chinese restaurants within a walking distance of 5 to 10 min, two block away from Franklin Square Park. call/text me at (413) 337-1379 to make an appointment for showing.

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