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Arts and Culture

West Philly poet wins prestigious Dylan Thomas Prize

December 4, 2010

Poet Elyse Fenton

Elyse Fenton, a poet who is temporarily living in West Philadelphia, won the prestigous Dylan Thomas Prize earlier this week for Clamor, a collection of poems about her experience as the wife of a soldier serving in Iraq.

“The full spectacle of this is just starting to dawn on me,” she told the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Peter Florence, the chair of the judges for the prize, called Fenton’s work an “astonishing, fully accomplished book of huge ambition and spectacular delivery.”

Fenton was presented the award during a ceremony Wednesday at the University of Swansea, located in the Welsh city where Thomas was born. The prize includes a 30,000 pound ($48,000) cash prize. Fenton’s work was the first time the 3-year-old prize has been awarded to a book of poems. Authors under the age of 30 who have published a work in English are eligible for the award.

The Inquirer reported that Fenton is staying in her brother’s West Philly row home while her husband, who served in Iraq in 2005, serves a legal clerkship in Trenton.

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Today in West Philly

December 4, 2010

A sampling of stuff happening around the area today/tonight. See happenings for information on other events.

 

Eateleh: A Life in Klezmer • 7:30 p.m. • Calvary Center for Community and Culture • 801 S. 48th St. (at Baltimore Avenue) • Tickets: $10-$30
A production of the Philadelphia Folklore Project and Crossroads Music, this event includes a documentary about klezmer music and a performance by Elaine Hoffman Watts and Susan Lankin Watts (mother and daughter) who are part of a family of klezmer musicians. The documentary tells the story of their family and the legacy of klezmer, a musical style rooted in Ukrainian and Romanian traditions.

Organizers strongly recommend buying tickets in advance. They are available online and at the door until they sell out.

Here’s an interview with Elaine:

Elaine Hoffman Watts from Leeway Foundation on Vimeo.

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Bike p(art) show, sale and auction tonight

December 3, 2010

A piece from a past show.

Every year since 2003 the folks at Neighborhood Bike Parts put out a call to local artists to come and scrounge around in their used parts bins. Tonight we get a chance to see (and buy) what they’ve created from all those chain rings, cranksets and pedals. The annual Bike Part Art Show runs 7-10 p.m. tonight at Studio 34 (4522 Baltimore Ave).

Proceeds from the silent auction and raffle that will run during the show benefit the Neighborhood Bike Works’ free after-school programs and summer camp scholarships. The show will also include beer and snacks. A $5 donation at the door would be greatly appreciated.

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The Gathering in West Philly

December 1, 2010

The monthly installment of Philadelphia’s longest running and most authentic hip-hop happening is Thursday at The Rotunda (4014 Walnut St.) Dubbed the community-based celebration of “The struggle, the Love,and the culture of Hip Hop,” The Gathering has been running since 1996 and usually takes place on the last Thursday of the month, except for November (Thanksgiving and all). It features b-boys/b-girls, emcees, pop-lockers, grafitti artists, DJs and men, women and children of all ages.

The night also features open cyphers and a tag wall. Warning, the cyphers and such often trickle outside the Rotunda and last well into the wee hours. Yep, even on a school night.

Admission is $3.

Below is a video of Philadelphia Slick at a 2007 edition of The Gathering.

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Horn player in Clark Park

November 20, 2010

I came across this guy playing near the older kids playground at Clark Park on Saturday morning. I shot it with the video feature of a little Canon powershot digital camera.

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Annenberg Center showing some West Philly love

November 18, 2010

If you have ever had a tinge of regret after hearing about a show at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts that you would love to see but couldn’t afford, then you should read on.

The West Philly Rush Hour program makes a limited number of $10 tickets available two hours before every show (except the Dance Celebration performances) to West Philadelphians. The tickets will be available at the Center’s box office two hours before each show for one hour. So, for example, if a show starts 8 p.m., then tickets will be on sale from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are available on a first come-first serve basis and they only can be purchased in person. There is a two-ticket maximum. Seating will be located throughout the venue, subject to management discretion.

To get the tickets you must show proof of residency (valid driver’s license or non-driver’s license photo ID) in one of the following zip codes: 19104, 19131, 19139, 19142, 19143, 19151 and 19153.

The program does not currently offer tickets for the Dance Celebration performances, but will offer $5 tickets for Philadelphia International Children’s Festival events in April.

Here’s the Center’s schedule.

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