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February 14, 2026
Maria and the von Trapps return to Philadelphia for a one-week run March 31- April 5.
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‘The Sound of Music’ is coming to the Academy of Music this spring
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Bitcoin biopic starring Casey Affleck to use AI to generate locations and tweak performances
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Killing Satoshi, an upcoming biopic about the elusive creator of Bitcoin, will reportedly rely heavily on artificial intelligence to generate locations and adjust actors’ performances, Variety reports. The film was announced in 2025 as being directed by Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity, The Edge of Tomorrow) and starring Casey Affleck and Pete Davidson in undisclosed roles, but its connection to overhyped technology was previously understood to begin and end with cryptocurrency.
According to a UK casting notice viewed by Variety, the producers of Killing Satoshi reserve the right to “change, add to, take from, translate, reformat or reprocess” actors’ performances, using “generative artificial intelligence (GAI) and/or machine learning technologies.” No digital replicas will be created of performers, but it sounds like plenty of other AI-driven tweaks are on the table. The production’s use of AI will also extend to the setting of its shoots, per Variety’s source. Killing Satoshi will be shot on a “markerless performative capture stage” and things like backgrounds and locations will be entirely generated by AI.
You guess is as good as mine as to why a film about blockchain technology needs to be filmed this way, but Doug Liman has been connected with plenty of unusual projects in the past, including a rumored Tom Cruise film that was supposed to film on the International Space Station. Killing Satoshi will be far less practical in comparison, and walking a much finer line of what’s acceptable in the entertainment industry.
A major sticking point in SAG-AFTRA’s 2023 contract negotiations was guaranteeing protections for actors who could be replaced by AI. Equity, the union representing actors in the UK, is currently negotiating protections for members that are concerned that AI could be used to reproduce their likenesses and voices and let studios use them without their consent.
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Bad Bunny wins album of the year at the 2026 Grammy Awards, a first for a Spanish-language album
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Bad Bunny won album of the year at the 2026 Grammy Awards for his critically-acclaimed “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” closing out a surprising and history-making night. It is the first time a Spanish-language album has taken home the top prize.“Puerto Rico, believe me when I tell you that we are much bigger than 100 by 35,” he said in his acceptance speech in Spanish, referring to a Puerto Rican colloquialism about the island’s small size. “And there is nothing we can’t achieve. Thank God, thank you to the Academy, thank you to all the people who have believed in me throughout my career.“To all the people who worked on this album, thank you mami for giving birth to me in Puerto Rico, I love you,” he continued.Then he switched to English: “I want to dedicate this award to all the people who had to leave their homeland to follow their dreams.”Harry Styles presented the award — the English singer previously took home the top prize in 2023 for “Harry’s House.” He beat Bad Bunny that year, who was nominated for “Un Verano Sin Ti” — the first Spanish-language album to be up in the category.Anti-ICE messages from the stageBillie Eilish won song of the year for “Wildflower” and used the moment to add her voice to the chorus of musicians criticizing immigration authorities Sunday.“No one is illegal on stolen land,” she said while accepting the award for the song from her 2024 album “Hit Me Hard and Soft.” “(Expletive) ICE is all I want to say.”Immigration was a pointed theme of the night. Bad Bunny, after winning an award for his zeitgeist-shaping album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” used his speech to share an anti-ICE message, highlighting the humanity of all people.“Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ICE out,” he said, starting out his speech in English to huge applause. “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans.”Before Bad Bunny took home the best música urbana album trophy, Olivia Dean was named best new artist.”I never really imagined that I would be up here,” she said, receiving her first Grammy while wiping away tears. “I’m up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant. I wouldn’t be here … I am a product of bravery, and I think that those people deserve to be celebrated.”Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Jelly Roll and more win bigKendrick Lamar and SZA won record of the year at an electric 2026 Grammy Awards Sunday night for “Luther.”Cher presented the award and mistakenly said it goes to “Luther Vandross” instead of Kendrick Lamar and SZA for their single “Luther.”One of the song’s producers, Sounwave, began the acceptance speech by saying, “Let’s give a shoutout to the late and great Luther Vandross.”Lamar also won the first televised award of the night, rap album for “GNX,” accepting the trophy from Queen Latifah and Doechii.“It’s an honor to be here,” he said in his acceptance speech. “Hip-hop is always going to be right here … We’re gonna be having the culture with us.”The victory means Lamar broke Jay-Z’s record to become the rapper with the most career Grammys. Jay-Z has 25; after he took home rap album and record of the year, Lamar’s total is 27.Pop vocal album went to Lady Gaga for “Mayhem.”“Every time I’m here, I still feel like I need to pinch myself,” Gaga said in her speech.Pop solo performance went to Lola Young for “Messy,” whose speech playfully lived up to the song’s spirit.“I don’t know what to say,” she joked about “obviously” not having a speech prepared. “I’m very, very grateful for this.”The inaugural contemporary country album category went to Jelly Roll for “Beautifully Broken.”This year, the Grammys renamed country album to contemporary country album and added a traditional country album category, a distinction that exists in other genres. But the news arrived right after Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” won best country album, inspiring backlash online.“I believe music had the power to change my life,” Jelly Roll said in his acceptance speech, which he spent the majority of thanking God.Pharrell Williams received the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award.“To everyone in this room who believes in the power of Black music,” he said, “thank you so much.”And Cher was presented the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award. “The only thing I want you to take away,” she said, “I’ve been in this business for 60 (expletive) years. I just want to tell you, never give up on your dreams.”A live concert experienceA powerful Grammy Awards in memoriam segment celebrated the legacies of the late D’Angelo and Roberta Flack at the 68th annual ceremony Sunday night.Ms. Lauryn Hill appeared on the Grammy stage for the first time since 1999, when she became the first hip-hop artist to win album of the year for her “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.”The D’Angelo tribute was first: A medley of several songs, among them “Brown Sugar” with Lucky Daye, “Lady” with Raphael Saadiq and Anthony Hamilton and “Devil’s Pie” with Leon Thomas.Then, Hill focused her attention on Roberta Flack: “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” with Jon Batiste, “Where Is The Love” with John Legend and Chaka Khan, and a mesh of “Feel Like Makin’ Love” and “Killing Me Softly with His Song” with her Fugees bandmate Wyclef Jean.If there was one set that felt like avant-garde artistic performance piece on Sunday night, it was Tyler, the Creator’s medley of “Thought I Was Dead,” “Like Him,” (in which he was joined by Regina King) and “Sugar On My Tongue.” It played out like theater: others would be wise to take note.All eight nominees in the best new artist category participated in a medley at the award show across multiple stages, the back halls of the arena and even the venue’s loading dock. It was an interesting and impressive mod-podge of different styles, from the British soul of Lola Young and Olivia Dean to Addison Rae and Katseye’s hypnotic pop. The Marías kicked things off with their dreamy indie rock; sombr and Alex Warren offered their radio hits — “12 to 12” and “Ordinary” respectively. Leon Thomas reminded the audience why he’s the only nominee also up for album of the year with his fully formed R&B.The hits arrived fast and furious in the show’s first hour. Rosé and Bruno Mars’ opened Grammys with an electric rendition of their multicultural pop smash, “APT.”; the Blackpink singer channeled a pop-punk Gwen Stefani in her tie and platinum blond hair. Sabrina Carpenter with her “Manchild” kiss-off. Justin Bieber slowed things down with “Yukon” from his comeback record “Swag.” Lady Gaga reimagined her hit “Abracadabra” as an electro-rock song.Surprises were abundant — even before the show startedAn exciting, early theme of the 68th Grammy Awards? First time winners.During the Premiere Ceremony held at the adjacent Peacock Theater in Los Angeles ahead of the main show, the Dalai Lama won his first Grammy for audio book, narration and storytelling recording, beating out Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. You read that correctly.“Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters” won song written for visual media at the Premiere Ceremony, marking the first time a K-pop act has won a Grammy. Songwriters delivered their acceptance speech in both English and Korean, highlighting the song’s bilingual appeal.Music film went to “Music for John Williams,” which means director Steven Spielberg has officially won his first Grammy. That makes him an EGOT winner — an artist with an Emmy, Grammy, Tony and Oscar.Artists speak out Trump administration’s immigration crackdownsThroughout Sunday’s Grammys, artists offered pro-immigration and anti-ICE messaging.During the Premiere Ceremony, country duo/group performance went to first-time winners Shaboozey and Jelly Roll. Shaboozey accepted the award with tears in his eyes. “I want to thank my mother, who as of today, has retired from her job of 30 years … working as a registered nurse in a psych ward … as an immigrant in this country. Thank you, mom.“Immigrants built this country, literally, actually. So, this for them,” he concluded. “Thank you for bring your culture, your music and your stories.”Amy Allen won songwriter of the year, nonclassical for a second year in a row and wore an “ICE Out” pin, an anti-immigration enforcement message. So did Kehlani – who won her first Grammy for R&B performance and later, her second, for R&B song.“I’ve never won anything before, this is a really crazy feeling,” she said as she fought back tears, reflecting on her first nomination 10 years ago. Then she shifted gears to focus on the current political moment: “Imma leave this and say, (expletive) ICE.”“I’m scared,” Gloria Estefan said of the current political moment backstage at the Grammys. “There are hundreds of children in detention centers. … I don’t recognize my country in this moment right now.”
Bad Bunny won album of the year at the 2026 Grammy Awards for his critically-acclaimed “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” closing out a surprising and history-making night. It is the first time a Spanish-language album has taken home the top prize.
“Puerto Rico, believe me when I tell you that we are much bigger than 100 by 35,” he said in his acceptance speech in Spanish, referring to a Puerto Rican colloquialism about the island’s small size. “And there is nothing we can’t achieve. Thank God, thank you to the Academy, thank you to all the people who have believed in me throughout my career.
“To all the people who worked on this album, thank you mami for giving birth to me in Puerto Rico, I love you,” he continued.
Then he switched to English: “I want to dedicate this award to all the people who had to leave their homeland to follow their dreams.”
Harry Styles presented the award — the English singer previously took home the top prize in 2023 for “Harry’s House.” He beat Bad Bunny that year, who was nominated for “Un Verano Sin Ti” — the first Spanish-language album to be up in the category.
Anti-ICE messages from the stage
Billie Eilish won song of the year for “Wildflower” and used the moment to add her voice to the chorus of musicians criticizing immigration authorities Sunday.
“No one is illegal on stolen land,” she said while accepting the award for the song from her 2024 album “Hit Me Hard and Soft.” “(Expletive) ICE is all I want to say.”
Immigration was a pointed theme of the night. Bad Bunny, after winning an award for his zeitgeist-shaping album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” used his speech to share an anti-ICE message, highlighting the humanity of all people.
“Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ICE out,” he said, starting out his speech in English to huge applause. “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans.”
Before Bad Bunny took home the best música urbana album trophy, Olivia Dean was named best new artist.
“I never really imagined that I would be up here,” she said, receiving her first Grammy while wiping away tears. “I’m up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant. I wouldn’t be here … I am a product of bravery, and I think that those people deserve to be celebrated.”
Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Jelly Roll and more win big
Kendrick Lamar and SZA won record of the year at an electric 2026 Grammy Awards Sunday night for “Luther.”
Cher presented the award and mistakenly said it goes to “Luther Vandross” instead of Kendrick Lamar and SZA for their single “Luther.”
One of the song’s producers, Sounwave, began the acceptance speech by saying, “Let’s give a shoutout to the late and great Luther Vandross.”
Lamar also won the first televised award of the night, rap album for “GNX,” accepting the trophy from Queen Latifah and Doechii.
“It’s an honor to be here,” he said in his acceptance speech. “Hip-hop is always going to be right here … We’re gonna be having the culture with us.”
The victory means Lamar broke Jay-Z’s record to become the rapper with the most career Grammys. Jay-Z has 25; after he took home rap album and record of the year, Lamar’s total is 27.
Pop vocal album went to Lady Gaga for “Mayhem.”
“Every time I’m here, I still feel like I need to pinch myself,” Gaga said in her speech.
Pop solo performance went to Lola Young for “Messy,” whose speech playfully lived up to the song’s spirit.
“I don’t know what to say,” she joked about “obviously” not having a speech prepared. “I’m very, very grateful for this.”
The inaugural contemporary country album category went to Jelly Roll for “Beautifully Broken.”
This year, the Grammys renamed country album to contemporary country album and added a traditional country album category, a distinction that exists in other genres. But the news arrived right after Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” won best country album, inspiring backlash online.
“I believe music had the power to change my life,” Jelly Roll said in his acceptance speech, which he spent the majority of thanking God.
Pharrell Williams received the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award.
“To everyone in this room who believes in the power of Black music,” he said, “thank you so much.”
And Cher was presented the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award. “The only thing I want you to take away,” she said, “I’ve been in this business for 60 (expletive) years. I just want to tell you, never give up on your dreams.”
A live concert experience
A powerful Grammy Awards in memoriam segment celebrated the legacies of the late D’Angelo and Roberta Flack at the 68th annual ceremony Sunday night.
Ms. Lauryn Hill appeared on the Grammy stage for the first time since 1999, when she became the first hip-hop artist to win album of the year for her “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.”
The D’Angelo tribute was first: A medley of several songs, among them “Brown Sugar” with Lucky Daye, “Lady” with Raphael Saadiq and Anthony Hamilton and “Devil’s Pie” with Leon Thomas.
Then, Hill focused her attention on Roberta Flack: “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” with Jon Batiste, “Where Is The Love” with John Legend and Chaka Khan, and a mesh of “Feel Like Makin’ Love” and “Killing Me Softly with His Song” with her Fugees bandmate Wyclef Jean.
If there was one set that felt like avant-garde artistic performance piece on Sunday night, it was Tyler, the Creator’s medley of “Thought I Was Dead,” “Like Him,” (in which he was joined by Regina King) and “Sugar On My Tongue.” It played out like theater: others would be wise to take note.
All eight nominees in the best new artist category participated in a medley at the award show across multiple stages, the back halls of the arena and even the venue’s loading dock. It was an interesting and impressive mod-podge of different styles, from the British soul of Lola Young and Olivia Dean to Addison Rae and Katseye’s hypnotic pop. The Marías kicked things off with their dreamy indie rock; sombr and Alex Warren offered their radio hits — “12 to 12” and “Ordinary” respectively. Leon Thomas reminded the audience why he’s the only nominee also up for album of the year with his fully formed R&B.
The hits arrived fast and furious in the show’s first hour. Rosé and Bruno Mars’ opened Grammys with an electric rendition of their multicultural pop smash, “APT.”; the Blackpink singer channeled a pop-punk Gwen Stefani in her tie and platinum blond hair. Sabrina Carpenter with her “Manchild” kiss-off. Justin Bieber slowed things down with “Yukon” from his comeback record “Swag.” Lady Gaga reimagined her hit “Abracadabra” as an electro-rock song.
Surprises were abundant — even before the show started
An exciting, early theme of the 68th Grammy Awards? First time winners.
During the Premiere Ceremony held at the adjacent Peacock Theater in Los Angeles ahead of the main show, the Dalai Lama won his first Grammy for audio book, narration and storytelling recording, beating out Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. You read that correctly.
“Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters” won song written for visual media at the Premiere Ceremony, marking the first time a K-pop act has won a Grammy. Songwriters delivered their acceptance speech in both English and Korean, highlighting the song’s bilingual appeal.
Music film went to “Music for John Williams,” which means director Steven Spielberg has officially won his first Grammy. That makes him an EGOT winner — an artist with an Emmy, Grammy, Tony and Oscar.
Artists speak out Trump administration’s immigration crackdowns
Throughout Sunday’s Grammys, artists offered pro-immigration and anti-ICE messaging.
During the Premiere Ceremony, country duo/group performance went to first-time winners Shaboozey and Jelly Roll. Shaboozey accepted the award with tears in his eyes. “I want to thank my mother, who as of today, has retired from her job of 30 years … working as a registered nurse in a psych ward … as an immigrant in this country. Thank you, mom.
“Immigrants built this country, literally, actually. So, this for them,” he concluded. “Thank you for bring your culture, your music and your stories.”
Amy Allen won songwriter of the year, nonclassical for a second year in a row and wore an “ICE Out” pin, an anti-immigration enforcement message. So did Kehlani – who won her first Grammy for R&B performance and later, her second, for R&B song.
“I’ve never won anything before, this is a really crazy feeling,” she said as she fought back tears, reflecting on her first nomination 10 years ago. Then she shifted gears to focus on the current political moment: “Imma leave this and say, (expletive) ICE.”
“I’m scared,” Gloria Estefan said of the current political moment backstage at the Grammys. “There are hundreds of children in detention centers. … I don’t recognize my country in this moment right now.”
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On Stage in December: ‘A Christmas Story,’ ‘Hadestown’ and ‘Little Women’
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Philadelphia theaters are closing out the year strong with Broadway hits, holiday shows and staged retellings of famous books.
For the Christmas lovers, multiple theaters are putting on performances of “A Christmas Carol,” plus the Walnut Street Theatre has “A Christmas Story” on its schedule and Philly actor and writer Chris Davis is back with his one-man version of “The Nutcracker.”
MORE: Fiber Craft Holiday Market returns to South Philly with 50+ vendors on Dec. 6
Anyone looking for a break from the holidays can hit the books with Hedgerow’s version of “Little Women” and the Arden’s “A Wrinkle in Time.” Plus, Quintessence is putting on “The Pirates of Penzance,” and 1812 brings back its annual comedy show “This is the Week That Is.”
Here are 11 performances coming to local stages in December.
A Christmas Carol
Now-Jan. 4 | Various locations
Multiple Philly-area theaters are staging versions of the Charles Dickens’ classic. Catch performances from Lantern Theater Co. from Dec. 13-28, People’s Light in Malvern from now until Jan. 4 and “A Sherlock Carol,” adding in a twist with a story of Sherlock Holmes, at the Stagecrafters Theater from now until Dec. 14.
Little Women
Now-Dec. 28 | Hedgerow Theatre Co. | Media, Delaware County
The musical version of Louisa May Alcott’s famous book reimagines the stories of Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy in song. The four sisters come of age during the Civil War and navigate love, friendship and loss. Tickets are $35.
The Pirates of Penzance
Now-Jan. 4 | Quintessence Theatre | 7137 Germantown Ave.
A young pirate plans to marry his true love following his 21st birthday, when believes he’s free from his life of servitude. But a twist of fate regarding his birthday throws a wrench in his plans. Tickets are $65.
A Christmas Story
Now-Jan. 4 | Walnut Street Theatre | 825 Walnut St.
All Ralphie wants for Christmas is a BB gun, but a series of comedic, unfortunate events including turkey-stealing dogs, a frozen flagpole and pink bunny pajamas get in the way. The stage show is a musical version of the 1983 holiday movie. Tickets start at $31.
This is the Week That Is
Nov. 28-Dec. 31 | 1812 Productions | 1714 Delancey Place
The annual political comedy from 1812 Productions is completely improv, so every night brings a new show mocking public figures. This year is the 20th anniversary of the performance. Tickets start at $55.
The Greatest Play in the History of the World
Nov. 29-Dec. 14 | Inis Nua Theatre Co. | 302 S. Hicks St.
At 4:40 a.m., time stops for everyone in the world except young singles Tom and Sara and a longtime married couple, the Forshaws. While the world remains at a standstill, the four neighbors connect and get to know one another. Tickets are $33.
Hadestown
Dec. 2-7 | Ensemble Arts Philly | 1114 Walnut St.
This award-winning musical is a modern retelling of the Greek myth of Eurydice, a young girl who goes to work in the Underworld, and Orpheus, her lover who comes to save her. The show, which is playing at the Forrest Theater, won eight Tonys and a Grammy. Tickets start at $59.
A Wrinkle in Time
Dec. 3-Jan. 25 | Arden Theatre Co. | 40 N. 2nd St.
Madeleine L’Engle’s famous children’s novel is reimagined for the stage, telling the story of siblings Meg and Charles Wallace, their friend Calvin and three witches who help the children travel through time and space. Tickets start at $40.
Sunset Baby
Dec. 5-14 | Playhouse West Philadelphia | 1218 Wallace St.
In modern-day Brooklyn, Nina’s estranged father, a former activist and Black Panther, reappears in her life. Throughout the show, the father and daughter unpack grief, betrayal and the lingering impact of political opposition. Tickets start at $15.
One-man Nutcracker
Dec. 9-Jan. 5 | The Drake | 302 S. Hicks St.
Chris Davis, a Philadelphia actor and writer, performs his annual performance that condenses the ensemble-cast Christmas ballet into a one-man show. Davis plays the titular character, as well as the mouse king, sugar plum fairy and Clara. Tickets start at $18.
Ordinary People
Dec. 12-21 | Theatre in the X | 1340 S. 13th St.
In North Philadelphia during the 1950s, a Christmas-loving young girl named Amy finds a man in the snow outside her home. The characters later examine their beliefs as the stranger, named J.C., is later revealed as Jesus. Tickets are pay what you can.
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Michaela Althouse
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‘A Christmas Story: The Musical’ brings holiday nostalgia to Walnut Street Theatre
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Walnut Street Theatre is getting into the holiday spirit with “A Christmas Story: The Musical.” Audiences can catch early previews starting Nov. 18 before the show officially opens on Nov. 26 and continues through Jan. 4. The show follows Ralphie Parker, a kid in 1940s Indiana who wants one thing more than anything for Christmas: a Red Ryder BB gun.
The musical includes all the well-known moments from the movie, like the leg lamp, the pink bunny pajamas, the flagpole dare and the visit to the department-store Santa. It also adds a playful score with big group numbers and daydream scenes that bring Ralphie’s imagination to life.
Two local young actors, Tyler Jai Knowles of Red Hill and Raphael Sommer of Merion, will share the role of Ralphie, and a host of other local performers will join them on stage throughout the production.
Performances start with previews on Nov. 18. The theater will offer several accessible shows, including open captioning on Nov. 30, audio description on Dec. 11 and ASL interpretation on Jan. 2. A Kids Night performance is planned for Dec. 2, which allows a child to attend for free with a paid adult ticket.
For tickets and more information, visit WalnutStreetTheatre.org or call 215-574-3550.
“A Christmas Story: The Musical”
Runs Nov. 18 – Jan. 4, 2026
Walnut Street Theatre
825 Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
This content was generated by PhillyVoice Media Events, not by the editorial staff.
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Opera Philadelphia to host week of free silent horror films with live organ music
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Opera Philadelphia is adding some extra chills to Halloween week with a series of classic silent horror movies, each paired with live organ music inside the historic Wanamaker Building.
The free screenings run Monday, Oct. 27 through Friday, Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. in the building’s Greek Hall, located inside the former department store. The series is curated by Carrie Rickey, longtime film critic for The Philadelphia Inquirer, as part of the Opera’s PIPE UP! program, which brings live music and film to the iconic space.
Audiences can enter through the Juniper Street door. Admission is free, but advance registration is required.
Each night features a different silent-era horror film, performed with live organ accompaniment:
• Monday, Oct. 27: “Faust” (1926), F.W. Murnau — music by Ian Fraser
• Tuesday, Oct. 28: “The Phantom Carriage” (1922), Victor Sjöström — music by Don Kinnear
• Wednesday, Oct. 29: “Nosferatu” (1922), F.W. Murnau — music by Peter Richard Conte
• Thursday, Oct. 30: “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” (1920), Robert Wiene — music by Peter Richard Conte
• Friday, Oct. 31: “Häxan” (1922), Benjamin Christensen — music by Don Kinnear
The series highlights the early days of horror filmmaking and offers audiences a rare chance to experience these silent classics with live organ accompaniment in one of Center City’s most distinctive settings.
Opera Philadelphia presents Silent Horror Films
Oct. 27 – 31 at 7 p.m.
Greek Hall at The Wanamaker Building
100 E Penn Square
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Registration required
This content was generated by PhillyVoice Media Events, not by the editorial staff.
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Philadelphia Orchestra to embark on its 13th tour of China, more than any other U.S. ensemble
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When the Philadelphia Orchestra returns to China this week for an 11-day tour, it will set a record — and not the musical kind.
The ensemble is embarking on its first tour of the country since 2019 and 13th overall, the most by any American orchestra. The concerts kick off with a Thursday evening performance at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing.
MORE: Oscar-winning film editor from Philly makes directorial debut with wrestling movie ‘Unstoppable’
Later stops on the tour include the cities of Chengdu and Haikou, which the orchestra has never visited. Its concerts in Haikou will mark the first time an American orchestra has traveled to the Hainan province, a collection of islands in the South China Sea. The orchestra will also visit Tianjin, one of Philadelphia’s sister cities.
Principal guest conductor Marin Alsop will lead the tour.
Musical selections include works from Wolfgang Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven and Pyotr Tchaikovsky. The orchestra will also debut a new commission from Grammy-winning composer Mason Bates, inspired by the classic Chinese poem “Spring River Flowers by Moonlight.” That piece will have its world premiere Saturday in Beijing.
The Philadelphia Orchestra’s history with China dates back to its inaugural tour in 1973. The visit was the first by any American orchestra, following then President Nixon’s pivotal tour of the nation the year prior. The United States and China formally resumed diplomatic relations in 1979.
Although the entire Philadelphia Orchestra has not traveled to China in five years, a small 14-member delegation performed in Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai in 2023. The visit was a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the original 1973 tour. President Joe Biden wrote a letter ahead of the occasion, thanking the orchestra for serving “as a bridge between our nations, strengthening the bonds that bring our people together.”
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On stage in October: ‘Frankenstein,’ ‘Jersey Boys’ and ‘tick, tick … Boom!’
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Let us be the first to tell you: October is a packed month at Philly theaters.
Between a number of companies kicking off their 2024-2025 seasons and special Halloween productions, there are tons of shows taking to the stages across the region. In fact, there are so many list belore would become unwieldy if we included them all, but there are a few more deserving of quick mentions: the Arden’s one-week extension of “POTUS,” the Wilma’s production of “Dog Man: The Musical,” based on Dav Pilkey’s beloved series and the Esparanza Arts Center’s original trilingual show, “Nichos.”
Here are 11 more shows at theaters in and around Philadelphia this October:
The Book of Mormon
Oct. 1-6 | The Academy of Music | 240 S. Broad St.
If you can’t get enough of the “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” TV series, “The Book of Mormon” might quench your thirst … or cleanse your palette. The musical comedy from the creators of “South Park” follows two missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as they travel to Uganda and attempt to convince unenthusiastic residents to join the faith. Tickets start at $29.00.
This Is The Week That Is
Oct. 3-Nov. 3 | Plays and Players Theater | 1714 Delancey St.
The annual variety show from 1812 Productions returns this month with musical parodies, improv and sketch comedy. This year, the show is themed around the presidential election, and political comedy fans might recognize Producing Artistic Director Jennifer Childs, who’s also directing “POTUS” at the Arden. Tickets start at $38.00.
La Egoísta
Oct. 4-20 | Philadelphia Theatre Co. | 480 S. Broad St.
Premiering for the first time in the city, La Egoísta tells the story of Josefina, a Philadelphia stand-up comedian whose career is taking off right after the death of her mother and the sudden illness of her sister. The show was written by Philly’s Erlina Ortiz, the 2022 winner of the National Latine Playwright’s award and the director of the Power Street Theatre. Tickets start at $25.00.
Legally Blonde The Musical
Oct. 5-27 | The Media Theatre | Media, Delaware County
The talent of Elle Woods extends beyond legal expertise and the perfect shade of pink in this comedic production based on the hit movie. The award-winning show will leave audiences smiling and feeling a new sense of self-confidence, the theater says. Tickets start at $35.
If spooky is more your vibe, the Media Theatre is also putting on a one-night performance of “Dracula The Musical In Concert” on Oct. 28.
Frankenstein
Oct. 8-20 | Lightbooth Blackout | Chester, Delaware County and Oct. 31-Nov. 3 | Center City Stage | 825 Walnut St., 3rd Floor
The Mary Shelley classic gets a refresh in this performance from Lightbooth Blackout in partnership with the Lone Brick Theatre Company at Widener University. The new adaption fuses the book’s text with modern dialogue and an original score is played live during the show. Tickets start at $20.
If you can’t get enough of the bolted monster, Center City Stage is doing a stage production of “Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.” The show starts out with a group of young artists together in a storm, but everything changes once lightening strikes. Center City Stage calls the show is an immersive experience that “blurs the line between reality and fiction.” Tickets are $25.
tick, tick…Boom!
Oct. 9-27 | Theatre Horizon | Norristown, PA
The semi-biographical show by Jonathan Larson, the late composer and co-creator of “Rent,” hits this suburban stage this month in Norristown. The musical follows a New York City composer on his 30th birthday as he’s on the precipice of his big break, starring Broadway’s Robi Hager and Angel Sigala alongside Montgomery County native Elena Camp. Tickets start at $25.
Robin & Me: My Little Spark of Madness
Oct. 9-27 | Hedgerow Theatre Company | Media, Delaware County
Delaware County native Dave Droxler wrote and stars in this autobiographical play about some of his most ridiculous and difficult moments in life and how his idol, Robin Williams, helped him through it. The show comes to the area after an off-Broadway run last year that won it five Broadway World awards. Tickets start at $35.
Jersey Boys
Oct. 9- Nov. 3 | Walnut Street Theatre | 825 Walnut St
Newark supergroup Franki Valley and the Four Seasons take the stage again in this Tony award-winning jukebox musical. Featuring hits like “Sherry,” “My Eyes Adored You” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,” the show changes “seasons” to show the perspective of each of the group’s members. Tickets start at $49.
Considering Matthew Shepard
Oct. 10 | The Mann Center | 5201 Parkside Ave.
The Grammy-nominated choral drama tells the story of Matthew Shepard, a young gay man who was murdered in a hate crime incident in 1998. Philadelphia conductors Rollo Dilworth and Jay Fluellen lead more than 500 singers in play’s the final movement. Tickets are $36.
Confabulation
Oct. 10-20 | Bob & Selma Horan Studio Theatre | 62 N. Second St.
The Strides Collective’s production follows a gas station attendant who joins a past-life regression support group after the death of her ex-girlfriend. A hypnotherapist leads members of the group, who turn into the people from the protagonists’ life, through their journeys to find themselves. Tickets start at $25.
The Rocky Horror Show
Oct. 11 – Nov. 3 | Bucks County Playhouse | New Hope, Bucks County
It’s not science fiction, Ariana Grande’s brother, Frankie Grande, returns for the titular role as Dr. Frank-n-Furter in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Based on the 1975 cult film, the musical follows an innocent couple who seek shelter at an old castle and encounter mad scientist Frank-n-Furter. Tickets start at $75.
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Michaela Althouse
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Carpenters’ Hall to commemorate 250th anniversary of First Continental Congress this fall with free performances
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The First Continental Congress was held at Carpenters’ Hall in 1774, and the 250th anniversary of the historic event will be commemorated this fall with a series of free performances at the Philly landmark.
Every Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 27, actors will portray First Continental Congress delegates, their spouses and other figures of the time period during live reenactments at Carpenters’ Hall. The “Building Independence” series will feature performances at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Carpenters’ Hall hosted the First Continental Congress from Sept. 5 to Oct. 26, 1774. There were 56 delegates representing 12 out of 13 colonies in attendance, and the group met in order to formulate a response to Great Britain’s increasing taxation on the colonies. Carpenters’ Hall was chosen as the meeting spot because it was privately owned — by the Carpenters’ Company of Philadelphia trade association — making it a safer spot to meet out of view of British agents.
The First Continental Congress may not have ended in immediate calls for revolution — that happened in 1776 during the Second Continental Congress at Independence Hall — but it did serve to bring more unity to the colonies and was the first step toward achieving independence.
Among the people portrayed during the “Building Independence” reenactments will be John Adams, Abigail Adams, Patrick Henry and John Rutledge. The short scenes will cover Continental Congress topics like taxation, slavery and independence, and the effects that the delegates’ policies had on their families and other people living in the colonies. There will also be quotable historic moments during the reenactments, like when Henry exclaimed during a speech, “I am not a Virginian. I am an American.”
“Building Independence,” which is happening through a partnership between the Carpenters’ Company and Historic Philadelphia, Inc., is also part of the festivities for the Carpenters’ Company’s 300th anniversary and the 250th anniversary of the completion of Carpenters’ Hall.
Building Independence
Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 7 through Oct. 27
11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. | Free
Carpenters’ Hall
320 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia[ad_2]
Franki Rudnesky
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Childish Gambino, Keke Palmer pay tribute to Usher at 2024 BET Awards
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No long after taking home the trophy for best male R&B/pop artist, Usher was honored with the lifetime achievement award at the 2024 BET Awards.Childish Gambino kicked off an all-star tribute to the R&B pop performer with “U Don’t Have to Call,” joined by Keke Palmer, who took the lead on “You Make Me Wanna…” Summer Walker hit the stage for “Good Good”; Coco Jones appeared in the audience for a sultry rendition of “There Goes My Baby,” serenading Usher and his wife Jenn Goicoechea.Marsha Ambrosius tackled “Superstar”; Chlöe picked it up with “Good Kisser.” Tinashe did “Nice & Slow”; Teyana Taylor — dressed like Usher — and Victoria Monét teamed up for “Bad Girl.” Latto brought the energy for “Yeah!”Usher is an eight-time Grammy winner who recently ended a two-year Las Vegas residency, “Usher: My Way” at the Park MGM. In February, he released his first solo album in eight years, and in August is scheduled to kick off a 24-city U.S. tour titled “Past Present Future.”Earlier in the night, Will Smith stood in a circle of fire — joined by Fridayy and the gospel choir Sunday Service — to make the live debut of his latest single, “You Can Make It.”“I don’t know who needs this right now,” Smith opened his set. “But I am here to tell you, you can make it.”Mid-way through, Kirk Franklin joined, and then two rapped together. “Nobody gets an easy ride,” Smith, who is in the midst of his comeback from slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars two years ago, told the room. “There is wisdom in that fire. Dance in your darkest moments.”The forthcoming presidential election was a huge topic of conversation at Sunday’s show. After Childish Gambino presented Killer Mike with the album of the year award for “Michael,” the rapper used his acceptance speech to address his Grammys arrest and voting.“Technically, I was not supposed to be here. I was put in handcuffs, and I was marched out of this building. But I want to tell you, look at God. ’Cause I’m back, baby. I’m back and I’m winning,” he said in his speech. Killer Mike was arrested at the Grammys earlier this year over a physical altercation he said was caused by an “over-zealous” security guard; he was not charged over the incident.“They going to tell you who we vote for is important,” he continued his speech, “And it is who we vote for on the big stage. It’s important, but it’s more important you know who your city council person is, who your prosecutor is.”Megan Thee Stallion opened the show by emerging from an egg — a metaphor for her a new musical rebirth — before diving into with an energetic medley of her new singles “Hiss” and “Boa.”“BET, Where my girls at?” she said, shouting out Monét and Jones in the crowd before launching into “Where Them Girls At” — a track that’s been an immediate fan favorite since Friday’s release of her third studio album, “Megan.”Taraji P. Henson hosted the show at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Her opening monologue was a performance, Henson rapping “It’s about us,” in a loose parody of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” The diss track became Lamar’s fourth No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 this year — and was released in the midst of his recently reignited, once-dormant feud with Drake.“No beef in here tonight,” she joked, “Can we say plant-based?”The first award of the night, best international act, was presented by actor Colman Domingo. It was given to Tyla, the Johannesburg , South African amapiano superstar.“This is very heavy, guys,” she joked about the weight of the award. “Thank you to BET for always pushing the culture.”Later in the night, she’d take home the award for best new artist. “This is crazy,” she said. “I just want to dedicate this one to Africa. I want to dedicate this one to all the African superstars before me that didn’t get these opportunities that I’m getting.”Monét, who earlier this year won the Grammy for best new artist, made her BET debut and set a high bar for performances, condensing a full set into a few mins with three costume changes and a pair of songs, “On My Mama” and “Alright.”Then Sexyy Red took the stage, performing her smooth bedroom ballad “U My Everything” before moving to another stage and a costume change — tackling “Get It Sexyy” in front of an LED screen depicting the White House and dancers dressed like the Secret Service.The show took a tonal shift when VanVan and Heiress Harris, two child rappers, their empowerment anthem “Be You” in a school room set. Harris is the daughter of rapper T.I. and singer Tiny Harris.Country musician Tanner Adell brought her “Buckle Bunny” and her new song, “Cowboy Break My Heart.” GloRilla emerged from above, descending to join her dancers for “Yeah Glo!” and “Wanna Be” – the latter of which saw a surprise appearance from Megan Thee Stallion. Shaboozey kept the country coming with “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” one of AP’s picks for song of the summer. His track includes an interpolation of J-Kwon’s “Tipsy,” so naturally, the rapper made a surprise appearance — an unexpected and rewarding collaboration across genres.Drake leads the nominations. Those include an album of the year nod for his eighth studio album, “For All the Dogs.” One of the awards he’s up for is the music video for “First Person Shooter,” his collaboration with J. Cole that may have been a catalyst for his recent beef with rapper Kendrick Lamar.Nicki Minaj follows with six, including for album of the year for her highly anticipated “Pink Friday 2” release. Two of her nominations were for her song with Ice Spice, “Barbie World,” part of the blockbuster “Barbie” soundtrack.
No long after taking home the trophy for best male R&B/pop artist, Usher was honored with the lifetime achievement award at the 2024 BET Awards.
Childish Gambino kicked off an all-star tribute to the R&B pop performer with “U Don’t Have to Call,” joined by Keke Palmer, who took the lead on “You Make Me Wanna…” Summer Walker hit the stage for “Good Good”; Coco Jones appeared in the audience for a sultry rendition of “There Goes My Baby,” serenading Usher and his wife Jenn Goicoechea.
Marsha Ambrosius tackled “Superstar”; Chlöe picked it up with “Good Kisser.” Tinashe did “Nice & Slow”; Teyana Taylor — dressed like Usher — and Victoria Monét teamed up for “Bad Girl.” Latto brought the energy for “Yeah!”
Usher is an eight-time Grammy winner who recently ended a two-year Las Vegas residency, “Usher: My Way” at the Park MGM. In February, he released his first solo album in eight years, and in August is scheduled to kick off a 24-city U.S. tour titled “Past Present Future.”
Earlier in the night, Will Smith stood in a circle of fire — joined by Fridayy and the gospel choir Sunday Service — to make the live debut of his latest single, “You Can Make It.”
“I don’t know who needs this right now,” Smith opened his set. “But I am here to tell you, you can make it.”
Mid-way through, Kirk Franklin joined, and then two rapped together. “Nobody gets an easy ride,” Smith, who is in the midst of his comeback from slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars two years ago, told the room. “There is wisdom in that fire. Dance in your darkest moments.”
The forthcoming presidential election was a huge topic of conversation at Sunday’s show. After Childish Gambino presented Killer Mike with the album of the year award for “Michael,” the rapper used his acceptance speech to address his Grammys arrest and voting.
“Technically, I was not supposed to be here. I was put in handcuffs, and I was marched out of this building. But I want to tell you, look at God. ’Cause I’m back, baby. I’m back and I’m winning,” he said in his speech. Killer Mike was arrested at the Grammys earlier this year over a physical altercation he said was caused by an “over-zealous” security guard; he was not charged over the incident.
“They going to tell you who we vote for is important,” he continued his speech, “And it is who we vote for on the big stage. It’s important, but it’s more important you know who your city council person is, who your prosecutor is.”
Megan Thee Stallion opened the show by emerging from an egg — a metaphor for her a new musical rebirth — before diving into with an energetic medley of her new singles “Hiss” and “Boa.”
“BET, Where my girls at?” she said, shouting out Monét and Jones in the crowd before launching into “Where Them Girls At” — a track that’s been an immediate fan favorite since Friday’s release of her third studio album, “Megan.”
Taraji P. Henson hosted the show at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Her opening monologue was a performance, Henson rapping “It’s about us,” in a loose parody of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” The diss track became Lamar’s fourth No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 this year — and was released in the midst of his recently reignited, once-dormant feud with Drake.
“No beef in here tonight,” she joked, “Can we say plant-based?”
The first award of the night, best international act, was presented by actor Colman Domingo. It was given to Tyla, the Johannesburg , South African amapiano superstar.
“This is very heavy, guys,” she joked about the weight of the award. “Thank you to BET for always pushing the culture.”
Later in the night, she’d take home the award for best new artist. “This is crazy,” she said. “I just want to dedicate this one to Africa. I want to dedicate this one to all the African superstars before me that didn’t get these opportunities that I’m getting.”
Monét, who earlier this year won the Grammy for best new artist, made her BET debut and set a high bar for performances, condensing a full set into a few mins with three costume changes and a pair of songs, “On My Mama” and “Alright.”
Then Sexyy Red took the stage, performing her smooth bedroom ballad “U My Everything” before moving to another stage and a costume change — tackling “Get It Sexyy” in front of an LED screen depicting the White House and dancers dressed like the Secret Service.
The show took a tonal shift when VanVan and Heiress Harris, two child rappers, their empowerment anthem “Be You” in a school room set. Harris is the daughter of rapper T.I. and singer Tiny Harris.
Country musician Tanner Adell brought her “Buckle Bunny” and her new song, “Cowboy Break My Heart.” GloRilla emerged from above, descending to join her dancers for “Yeah Glo!” and “Wanna Be” – the latter of which saw a surprise appearance from Megan Thee Stallion. Shaboozey kept the country coming with “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” one of AP’s picks for song of the summer. His track includes an interpolation of J-Kwon’s “Tipsy,” so naturally, the rapper made a surprise appearance — an unexpected and rewarding collaboration across genres.
Drake leads the nominations. Those include an album of the year nod for his eighth studio album, “For All the Dogs.” One of the awards he’s up for is the music video for “First Person Shooter,” his collaboration with J. Cole that may have been a catalyst for his recent beef with rapper Kendrick Lamar.
Nicki Minaj follows with six, including for album of the year for her highly anticipated “Pink Friday 2” release. Two of her nominations were for her song with Ice Spice, “Barbie World,” part of the blockbuster “Barbie” soundtrack.
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Broadway’s ‘Purlie Victorious,’ starring Leslie Odom Jr., to air on PBS
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Fans who didn’t make it to New York City to catch the Broadway revival of “Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch,” starring Leslie Odom, Jr., can catch the comedic play on TV later this month.
PBS will broadcast “Purlie Victorious” on Friday, May 24, at 9 p.m. as part of its Emmy-winning performing arts series “Great Performances.” The show will also be available to watch on the PBS website and app.
MORE: Kevin Hart makes FaceTime cameo on ‘Abbott Elementary’
“Purlie Victorious” follows a Black preacher’s scheme to reclaim his inheritance and win back his church from a plantation owner. Odom, who grew up in East Oak Lane and attended the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts, received a Tony Award nomination last month for playing the titular role. The “Purlie Victorious” revival opened in September 2023 and closed in February. The play, written by Ossie Davis, made its original Broadway debut in 1961 starring Davis.
“I have loved this piece and its author, Mr. Davis, for well over half my life,” Odom said in a release. “We endeavored to live up to the demands of a challenging text and the legacy of a great American. I was thrilled beyond measure to be part of the revival company and now for it to be part of the rich tradition of ‘Great Performances’ on PBS.”
The PBS broadcast of the play was recorded live at the Music Box Theatre in January. It will be part of the “Great Performance” Broadway Best series, which also includes the Free Shakespeare in the Park production of “Hamlet,” Audra McDonald’s 2022 London Palladium concert, and 2023’s “My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert,” also from London.
Odom, best known for his Tony-winning breakout role as Aaron Burr in the hit Broadway musical “Hamilton,” has earned a Grammy award and been nominated for multiple Emmys and Oscars throughout his career. He was named to Time’s “100 Most Influential People of 2024” list in April, and joined Philly’s Walk of Fame in 2023.
His fifth full-length album, “When A Crooner Dies,” was released in November, and he stopped by Philadelphia earlier this month to perform a concert at the Miller Theater for his “My Favorite Things” tour.
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Franki Rudnesky
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Ariana Grande Gives a Fairy Core Performance at the Met Gala
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Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Ariana Grande said, “Yes, and?” to perform at this year’s Met Gala, transforming herself into fairy green Sleeping Beauty, giving Elphaba vibes. According to Vogue, Grande started off the surprise performance by singing Disney’s “Once Upon a Dream,” (Nickelodeon look away) then five of her own songs (“Into You,” “Seven Rings,” “The Boy Is Mine,” “We Can’t Be Friends,” and “Yes, And”), and finished off with a cover of “When You Believe” with her Wickedly talented co-star Cynthia Erivo, who wore white with red roses on stage — very Glinda. She was joined by 30 (!!!) dancers on stage — some of whom lifted Grande up as she belted a song — and 40 members of the Broadway Inspirational Voices choir. When will the full performance be released?! As a wise scholar once said: “Please, send it to me Rachel.”
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Alejandra Gularte
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RR Kabel Filmfare Awards Marathi 2024: Take a Look At The Performances
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The biggest celebration of Marathi cinema is back with its 8th edition! The RR Kabel Filmfare Awards Marathi 2024, honouring the best of the Marathi film industry is currently underway. As the evening unfolds at Mahakavi Kalidas Natyamandir in Mumbai, have a look at some stills from the star-studded performances.
Prarthana Behere, Shruti Marathe, Prajakta Mali and Vaibhav Tatwawadi set the stage on fire.
Check out the photos here:
1/12
Prarthana Behere
2/12
Prarthana Behere
3/12
Prarthana Behere, Shrutii Marrathe
4/12
Shrutii Marrathe
5/12
Shrutii Marrathe
6/12
Prajakkta Mali
7/12
Prajakkta Mali
8/12
Prajakkta Mali
9/12
Prajakkta Mali
10/12
Vaibhav Tatwawadi
11/12
Vaibhav Tatwawadi
12/12
Vaibhav Tatwawadi
For more updates on Filmfare Awards Marathi 2024 please visit –
https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-awards-marathi-2024/[ad_2]
Filmfare
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‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ orchestral performance comes to Philly in October
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Yip yip! The world of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” is coming to Philly through an immersive music experience.
“Avatar: The Last Airbender In Concert,” which has been touring around the world since September, will stop by the Met on Oct. 19, and tickets go on sale Friday, April 19, at 10 a.m.
The more than two-hour-long show centers around a live orchestral performance from the musical score of the Nickelodeon animated series, which was composed by Jeremy Zuckerman. Co-creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, as well as the show’s original editor Jeff Adams, teamed up with Zuckerman to expand on the compositions for the concert series. The music will play as a full-size screen will show memorable scenes from the TV show.
Along with violins, cellos and harps, the orchestra will feature the erhu, a two-stringed Chinese instrument, and the taiko, a Japanese drum.
“It’s been incredibly satisfying and moving to see the audiences’ emotional response to these concerts, and to be a part of that atmosphere is a uniquely beautiful experience,” Zuckerman said in a statement. “I’m overjoyed that many more people — Avatar fans both new and old — will get to experience the show during this wider tour.”
The celebrated show ran for three seasons from 2005 to 2008, winning Peabody, Emmy and Annie Awards. “The Last Airbender” also spawned a critically lambasted live-action film adaptation from Philly-area director M. Night Shyamalan in 2010 — many of the movie’s scenes were filmed in Reading and Philadelphia.
A sequel animated show called “The Legend of Korra” aired from 2012 to 2014, and a production company called Avatar Studios formed in 2021 to create new shows and movies based in the universe.
A live-action adaptation of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” began streaming on Netflix in February without the involvement of Avatar Studios. Several actors from that show will appear at Fan Expo Philadelphia in May.
For fans of the original animated series, the concert will be a treat — certainly better than the last time the world of “Avatar” came to Philly.
Avatar: The Last Airbender In Concert
Saturday, Oct. 19
The Met Philadelphia
Tickets available starting April 19
858 North Broad St., Philadelphia
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Chris Compendio
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Lizzy McAlpine to play two homecoming shows at The Met in June
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Pop star Lizzy McAlpine is heading out on tour behind her upcoming album, “Older,” and she’ll be playing two homecoming shows in Philadelphia this summer.
McAlpine’s “The Older Tour 2024” will hit The Met Philadelphia on Monday, June 24, and Tuesday, June 25. The singer initially was slated to play only one show in Philly, but added a second due to the high volume of sales during the presale period, which began Wednesday. The general sale starts Friday at 10 a.m.
RELATED: Montgomery County’s Lizzy McAlpine to release third studio album ‘Older’
News of the tour comes just days after McAlpine — who grew up in Wynnewood and graduated from Lower Merion High School in 2018 — revealed “Older,” her third studio album, will be released April 5. The 24-year-old already has released the title track, a piano ballad in which she ponders the difficult transition into adulthood.
Here’s what she wrote on Instagram:
“me & the band are going on tour! i know it’s been a while since i’ve gone on the road but i needed to figure out a way to do it that would be less taxing on my mental and physical health. and i think we’ve done that! it’s gonna be frickin epic.”
In April, McAlpine stopped at The Fillmore as part of her last headlining tour, “The End of The Movie.” After the U.S. leg of that tour, McAlpine rescheduled her dates in Europe due to the tour being hard on her “mental & physical well-being.” This time, McAlpine said she is playing fewer cities in an effort to “keep my sanity” and avoid the need to cancel or postpone.
McAlpine has been recording and releasing music since 2018, when she was a student at Berklee College of Music in Boston. A number of covers and original songs posted to her TikTok account in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic helped propel her to national fame.
She released her debut album “Give Me A Minute” in 2020. But it was her second album, “five seconds flat,” released in 2022, that brought her into the mainstream. In particular, the single “ceilings” took off on TikTok last winter, when it became the soundtrack to a popular trend. It debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, and the official music video has been viewed 19 million times on Youtube.
Lizzy McAlpine: The Older Tour 2024
Monday, June 24, and Tuesday, June 25
8 p.m. | Ticket prices vary
The Met Philadelphia
858 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19130[ad_2]
Franki Rudnesky
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Cannabis-themed magic show ‘Smokus Pocus’ comes to Philly this month
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A cannabis-themed magic show is coming to Philadelphia later this month with a promise of dazzling feats of “dank debauchery.”
Magician and marijuana connoisseur Ben Zabin is bringing “Smokus Pocus” to Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey St. in Rittenhouse, on Saturday, Feb. 24, as part of a seven-stop tour in the U.S. The performance is typically based in Las Vegas where recreational cannabis is legal and “Smokus Pocus” has a residency at performance venue run by one of that city’s dispensaries.
MORE: Annual Condom Fashion Show puts designers’ creativity on display while educating about sexual health
In Philly — where recreational pot use is not legal but has been decriminalized for possession of small amounts — “Smokus Pocus” will be an 21-and-over show that Zabin described as immersive — a combination of comedy, crowd interaction and magic tricks involving marijuana paraphernalia.
“They can expect a lot of weed appearing here and there,” Zabin said. “They can expect to see bongs and vapes and one-hitters and drop bags do some pretty impossible stuff. And we’ll also kind of get into people there. I’ll really get to know folks in the room; they’ll get to know me. We’ll talk about people’s experiences, their first time smoking weed, some embarrassing weed experiences. It’s a really funny, lighthearted, just chill show.”
Zabin has been performing magic for 20 years. Before the pandemic, he lived a “weird double life,” as a magician on cruise ships while also making money selling marijuana in Boston. The cruise ship work dried up during the pandemic and Zabin decided to pivot to different magical endeavors.
“I wanted to combine my passions of magic and weed,” he said. “And the idea of a weed magic show was on the back burner for a while, but figured that that was the time. So in 2020, I moved down to Portland, Oregon, to launch ‘Smokus Pocus.’ That’s what I’ve been doing ever since.”
![ben zabin smokus pocus philadelphia]()
Provided Image/Smokus Pocus
The ‘Smokus Pocus’ magic show, which comes to Philly on Feb. 24, features jokes and cannabis-themed tricks.
The first show took place in a 60-person room rented inside a church. Over the next few years, he performed in bigger and bigger venues around the country. In April, Zabin’s “Smokus Pocus” began its residency in Las Vegas.
With marijuana laws differing from state to state, Zabin said that the show slightly differs from place to place, and that some venues have even turned him down.
“Like in Vegas, the day tickets went on sale, I got a call from the Nevada cannabis commissioner’s office just grilling me with questions about where the weed in our show is from, how long it’s been there, the quantities, and so each state is kind of different,” Zabin said. “And I won’t go into the magician’s secrets about how exactly the weed gets to the stage. But each show is so unique to the audience that no two shows are alike because of the people that are in the room at the time.”
Zabin said he has previously brought “Smokus Pocus” to Philadelphia two years ago.
“… (A)nd it was a blast. Northeast audiences are awesome, Philly audiences especially,” he said. “People really turn up to celebrate cannabis culture community. And it’s really an immersive show that brings the room and the community together.”
Anyone planning to attend “Smokus Pocus” should note that smoking cannabis is not permitted inside Plays & Players, and there will not be THC products available for purchase at the venue. Zabin said whether people in the audience show up “high AF” or stone-cold sober, is show will have something fun for everyone.
“I’ve designed it so it’s equally as fun for the stoned and sober, so even if you only smoked weed once, 20 years ago, you’ll still have just as much fun as the everyday chronic,” Zabin said. “That’s the fun part; people come at all sorts of levels of intoxication. And so a lot of the tricks will play off of that. It’s really just a funny experience no matter what level people are riding high at or not.”
Tickets for “Smokus Pocus” are available online currently at an early-bird discounted price of $30. Check out a preview of the show below:
Smokus Pocus
Saturday, Feb. 24
8 p.m. | Tickets start at $30
Plays & Players Theatre
1714 Delancey St., Philadelphia, PA 19103[ad_2]
Franki Rudnesky
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‘Maestro’: Holy Sh*t. Plus, the Top 10 Performances of 2023.
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Sean and Amanda share their top 10 performances of the movie year, focusing on films that did not get as much attention in our top-five lists (1:00). Then, they dive deep into one of the biggest swings of the year, from one of the most ambitious directors we have working right now: Bradley Cooper’s Maestro (33:00).
Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins
Senior Producer: Bobby WagnerSubscribe: Spotify / Apple Podcasts / Stitcher / RSS
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Sean Fennessey
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