Production photo of The Birds by Conor McPherson.

Here’s some great news for Curio Theatre Company: the West Philly arts organization has been nominated in four categories for the 2017 Barrymore Awards! The nominees include Paul Kuhn, the company’s artistic director, who received a nomination in the Outstanding Scenic Design category for the 2016 production of The Birds, and Chris Sannino – also for the production of The Birds in the Outstanding Sound Design category.

The company also received nominations for the Victory Foundation Award for Outstanding Theatre Education Program, and the June and Steve Wolfson Award for an Evolving Theatre Company.  Continue Reading

The city is now officially seeking a developer for the Provident Mutual Life Insurance complex at 4601 Market St., several months after the Kenney administration scuttled plans to move the police administration to the site.

The Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation issued a “Request for Qualifications and Expressions of Interest” today that seeks potential developers for the 15-acre property adjacent to the Market-Frankford Line’s 46th Street stop. The city hopes to assemble a short list of interested developers this fall and then open a competitive bidding process. Proposals for the first phase are due Nov. 1.

The property is zoned CMX-3, which allows a wide variety of uses – from a community garden to an apartment building to a hospital. The complex includes a 325,000-square-foot administration building and a 11,200-square-foot utility plant.  Continue Reading

Parks on Tap, a traveling beer garden concept created last summer by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation in partnership with Fairmount Park Conservancy and FCM Hospitality, is returning to Clark Park tonight and will stay through Sunday, Aug. 27. Then, it will reopen for a second week, from Wednesday, Aug. 30 – Monday, Sept. 4.

Here are the hours of operation for this and next week:

Wednesday & Thursday: 5-10 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 1-11 p.m.
Sunday: 12-10 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 4 (Labor Day): 12-10 p.m.  Continue Reading

A new, protected bike lane has been installed on a portion of Chestnut Street as part of the Chestnut Street Transportation Project. The bike lane was added from 45th to 40th Street so far. The project was first announced by the City’s Streets Department in April, and includes safety features and improvements for all modes of transportation and pedestrians between 45th and 34th Streets, including a parking protected bicycle lane on the north side of the street, pedestrian islands, and removing one motor vehicle travel lane. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the month.

This is this time of year again when the Penn’s campus portion of Spruce Street gets closed to allow a smooth move-in for students.

On Tuesday, Aug. 22 and Wednesday, Aug. 23, Spruce Street will be closed to all traffic (including bicycles) from 34th to 38th Street, between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. On Saturday, Aug. 26, Spruce Street will be closed from 38th to 40th Street, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Septa buses will be rerouted around the closure (please check septa.org for specific bus routes and detour info). Penn Police will be on scene to assist with traffic detours.

As many of you already know, a partial Solar Eclipse (about 75% in the Philadelphia area) will take place on Monday, Aug. 21, so if you’re into it don’t forget to go outside shortly before 2:44 p.m. to view it. If you have special Solar viewing glasses make sure to bring them as it is not recommended to look at the sun with the naked eye. If you’re really into the Solar Eclipse, you can join other sky-watchers at a Solar Eclipse viewing party.

In Philadelphia, the Franklin Institute and Seaport Museum will host Solar Eclipse viewing parties from 12 to 4 p.m. You can find more information here. There will also be a Solar Eclipse viewing party in West Philly, at the Science Center (3711 Market St.) and Innovation Plaza at 37th and Market. You can even pick up free solar glasses (first come, first served). Here’s the event flyer with more information (click to enlarge):