One of the mummies that will be on display at the Penn Museum beginning Friday.
As you might have heard, the mummies have made it. The Penn Museum’s “Secrets of the Silk Road” exhibit will be closed today through Friday, February 18 so that the museum can prepare artifacts and mummies from China that the Chinese government forbade it from displaying.
The exhibit opened to much fanfare last week, but about 100 pieces, including two mummies, were missing, prompting the museum to waive the $22.50 admission price when the exhibit opened on Feb. 5. The fragile artifacts are up to 3,800 years old.
The exhibit reopens on Friday at 1 p.m. mummies and all. The full exhibit runs through March 15. But then the mummies are back on the road and will not be part of the exhibit from March 17 to its close on March 28.
For the full background on the mummies controversy see this story from the Inquirer.
A large water main broke earlier today near 38th and Spruce Streets in West Philly. No injuries have been reported, but at least one car was submerged to the door handles. The southbound lanes of 38th Street between Market and Baltimore Avenue are closed and probably will remain closed well into the evening.
John Digiulio, a spokesman for the Water Department, said the crews on the scene are still unsure what caused the break in the 16-inch main pipe.
“The winter months are not very kind to our infrastructure,” he said.
Digiulio said that construction crews had been working in the area before the break.
Residents in the area reported that water pressure dropped soon after the main break at about noon. Digiulio said water pressure should have returned to normal by now.
We recently returned (3:22 p.m.) from the corner of 38th and Spruce and traffic is already very gnarly. Steer clear of that area if possible. The water has receded but it’s going to be a tough rush hour around there.
Here is raw footage of the break shot at about noon today by Channel 6:
This is a very cool event going on in the neighborhood tonight. First, author Sara Marcus will read from her book Girls to the Front: The True Story of the Riot Grrrl Revolution at the Kelly Writers House (3805 Locust Walk on the Penn campus) at 6 p.m. The book explores the Riot Grrl movement, which started in the mid 1990s and has taken root in a number of cities in the form of female empowerment efforts.
In Philadelphia, those efforts include Girls Rock Philly, a rock & empowerment camp where girls ages 9-17 learn instruments, write songs & form their own bands. The founder of that group, Beth Warshaw-Duncan, will join Marcus, Kathleen Hanna (the front woman of the pivotal Riot Grrl band Bikini Kill) and activist/musician Katy Otto for a panel discussion on topics ranging from the panelists’ own participation in the movement to “what women in music can and should be doing today.” Copies of Marcus’ book will also be available at the discussion.
Then it’s time to rock. A concert will follow the discussion nearby at The Rotunda (4014 Walnut St.) beginning at 8 p.m. The benefit show for Girls Rock Philly will feature Trophy Wife, Whore Paint (Providence), Slutever and Cat Vet. Suggested donation is $5. All proceeds go to Girls Rock Philly.
Camels paraded outside the Penn Museum (3260 South St.) yesterday as part of the “Secrets of the Silk Road” exhibit, which opens this weekend. The camels will be back today and we suspect they may enjoy the weather a little more. (Photo by Julija Kulneva)
Here are a few things plucked from a full slate of weekend activities on the left bank. If we missed something that you are dying to tell us about, write editor – at – westphillylocal.com.
Friday, January 21
• Taxing Carbon: The Simple Solution to the Climate Crisis • Tabernacle United Church • 3700 Chestnut St. • 7 p.m.
Charles Komanoff, a widely known for his work as an energy-policy analyst, transport economist and environmental activist in New York City will talk.
Saturday, January 22
• Clark Park Farmer’s Market • Don’t forget that it’s open in the winter too • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
African Cultures Day • Penn Museum • 3260 South Street • 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. • Free with museum donation ($10 for adults, $7 for seniors and $6 for kids)
Sonic Liberation Front is an afro-futuristic creative music ensemble. Its members are a who’s who of Philly’s finest genre-bending improvisers, composers and folkloric musicians (and sometimes dancers). Bobby Zankel leads an innovative jazz outfit. The Boston Phoenix wrote that Zankel “deserves any Talent Deserving Wider Recognition Award that the Jazz Press might offer.”
This little male tabby was found near 43rd and Pine. The finder says he seems like he wants to go home. If you recognize him write: comm-hrgvv-2140711774@craigslist.org
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