‘Head Over Heels’ by artist Ernie Barnes, October Galley Museum, octobergallery.com
FunTimes Magazine ‘Culture + Entertainment’ column, week of July 29, 2024.
“Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection. The lovers, the dreamers, and me.”
—Poet Kermit the Frog
As the 2024 Summer Olympics take center stage in France, it’s worth a nostalgic look-back: At the first modern Olympic Games in Greece in 1896, first-place winners were awarded a silver medal and an olive branch (at least they could use the branch to make cooking oil). Second-place finishers grabbed a bronze medal and a laurel branch. Third-place competitors received a pat on the back. So much for gold and glory!
Another tidbit is that the Olympics had been held for at least 500 years, but when Rome conquered Greece, many Romans believed that athletics were degrading, especially when the competitors pranced around nude. But Olympic support rose again later when the Games were endorsed by Roman emperor Augustus Caesar, the namesake of August. Augustus named August after himself not to be outdone by Julius Caesar, who named July after himself in 44 B.C. (Before Cable). Anyway, here we are many moons later, and as far as we know today, no medals will be awarded at these upcoming local food, film, music, and literary events listed in our FunTimes column this week. But if you attend, they promise to be as joyful as watching the age-old Olympics. And don’t forget: When event-going, take precautions, especially when among groups and indoors, based on the recent rise of COVID-19 variants.
Short Films Debut On The Long Journey Of Grief
Wednesday, July 31, 2024.Closeout July with a night of evocative film viewing, poetry, and socializing. The evening, led by multimedia host Stephanie Renee, will include a pre-screening mixer, a performance by Philadelphia’s spoken-word recording artist Ursula Rucker, a preview screening of the GOOD GRIEF Film Project, followed by a Q&A and a reception. Organizers SIFTMedia 215 Collective and BlackStar Projects will feature eight short films from the GOOD GRIEF Film Project derived from GRIEF, LOSS, AND GOOD GAINS: An Intensive Poetry Workshop, which was held by the dynamic Rucker in January. About 18 people worked with the internationally-known Rucker to share wellness and healing advice about coping with grief. The multi-step project led to converting the poems into films and to the GOOD GRIEF initiative. $1, 7 p.m. EST to 10:30 p.m. EST. Moore College of Art & Design/ Graham Auditorium, 1916 Race St. Pre-register: https://siftmedia215.org/good-grief-poetry-film-project/.
‘Black Girls’ film by director B. Monet
Indie Film Festival Shines With Color
Thursday, August 1 to Sunday, August 4, 2024.The best of Black cinema always is just a stone’s throw away when the BlackStar Film Festival 2024 comes into the annual picture. This Philadelphia treasure trove of cinema has been on the scene for 13 years. For four days, the city will get to bask in the spotlight to showcase independent films from the talented Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities. The screenings will be held mostly at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, as well as other venues in Center City Philadelphia. The festival is supported, in part, by the Open Society Foundations and Black Experience on Xfinity. Enjoy some of the world’s best films, and engage in Q&A sessions afterward. Check out about 30 feature films like Othello, The Great on Thursday, August 1 at 11:30 a.m. EST at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St., or a short film called Statism on Tuesday, August 1 at 3 p.m. at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 118-128 N. Broad St. Other activities include panel discussions and parties. Chill out at Opening Night Party Thursday, August 1 at 9:30 p.m. EST at the World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; First Friday w/ Wayna Friday, August 2 at 6 p.m. EST at the Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy; Filmmaker Mixer Happy Hour on Saturday, August 3 at 7 p.m. EST at The Wayward, 1170 Ludlow St., and a closing Night Party on Sunday, August 4 at 9:30 p.m. EST at Star Bolt,1936 N. Front St. The festival will highlight curated short films centering on comedy, climate change, and fantasy, with engaging workshops moderated by movie industry experts, the film producers themselves, and others. Six filmmakers will present their non-fiction projects and be judged in a competition to secure $75,000 for future production funds. Check, as some of the events require facial masking. The films will be in-person, with many available via live-stream Prices and times vary: $18 and up. For a full lineup of films and activities: blackstarfest.org woorderice.com or ensembleartsphilly.org.
Lecturer Dr. Kelly Harris
Exposing The Bias Of Old Counterintelligence Unit
Wednesday, August 7, 2024. Check out COINTELPRO: A Black August Discussion with Dr. Kelly Harris, a lecture observing Black August Month annually dedicated to the remembrance of Black political prisoners and the current resistance against oppression in the United States and elsewhere. To mark the month, dive into the FBI’s historic Counterintelligence Program (COINTELPRO) that unjustly targeted and punished African Americans in the 1950s and 1960s. Examine the long-standing record and bias practices of COINTELPRO and resistance efforts. Dr. Kelly Harris is an author and the Senior Staff Director of the Center for Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. He is well-versed in African-American Black politics and political thought. Free, 6 p.m. EST. Parkway Central Library/ Helm Center, 1901 Vine St. Free. Registration encouraged. 215-567-4341 or freelibrary.org.
An Evening Of Strings & Soul
Friday, August 9, 2024. Enjoy timeless R&B by soul violinist Omari Dillard. The promotional concert material says that Dlilard makes his violin talk. Catch the classically-trained Dillard for one soul-stirring evening of violin talk. $75 to $125, 8 p.m. EST to 10:15 p.m. EST. Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St. eventbrite.com or omaridillard.com.
The Cuisine Of The Caribbean
Sunday, August 11, 2024. There’s no turquoise ocean, pristine beaches, or flowing coral reefs. But you can get an authentic taste of the islands at the Caribbean Food Expo. Feast on conch fritters, jerk chicken, and pepper pot stew? Enjoy traditional cuisine from the Caribbean Islands, and groove to the easy rhythms of Island Vybes DJs. Experience the island pleasures locally at Chalmers Park, with activities for the entire family. Register for free tickets, at noon. Chalmers Park, 2800 N. 29th St. (29th Street and Chalmers Avenue). E-mail:Islandvybe.net@gmail.comor islandvybe.net 215-227-3622.
A Call For Innovative Artists
By Sunday, September 8, 2024. Morton Contemporary Gallery will host a juried open-call exhibition, “METAMORPHOSIS: Reimagining Contemporary Art,” that is scheduled to begin in November. METAMORPHOSIS will show cutting-edge contemporary pieces across diverse media by artists in Greater Philadelphia (within 60 miles of Philadelphia). The exhibit is designed to inspire artists “to reinvent conventional materials and techniques, crafting groundbreaking artworks that transcend historical practices and convey fresh narratives and meanings.” At least two mediums must be used in each artwork. Each artist’s body of work (submission of up to 4 artworks) should connect to a larger theme. The co-juror is William Valerio, Director and CEO of the Woodmere Art Museum. $35 fee to apply. Deadline for submissions: September 8, 2024. mortoncontemporaryslideroom.com.
