PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | AUGUST 19 - 26, 2021 by Philadelphia Weekly

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Vaxxed venues, masked musicians Philadelphia’s music halls are pulled back into COVID’s fray

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FROM THE EDITOR

CITY-OWNED BANK INVITES CORRUPTION

hiladelphia’s city government is the proceeds of bond sales. Look at the rogue’s failing at a lot of things at the same gallery of officeholders in this city and ask time. Crime rates — and most yourself: Should these people have even more greviously, murder rates — are money and power? Even the 15 city council climbing after decades of decline. members who are not under federal indictStreets are full of potholes, which ment do not inspire confidence. is nothing new, but now they are With a dozen banks in the city — not to also full of uncollected garbage. mention credit unions — it is hard to imagine The Department of Licenses and Inspections that a lack of access to banking is what holds has a backlog that holds up construction back economic growth in the city. There is no conspiracy of banking big-shots working projects around the city. Zoning changes take months or even years to be approved, accord- to deny businesses loans. Banks like to give ing to the whims of councilmanic preroga- loans. It’s how they make their money. And, tive. Much of this is blamed on COVID-19, but as the 2008 credit crisis showed, they even loan money where they shouldn’t. Credit is as long-time residents must find that assertion ridiculous. The decline has been years in the plentiful in Philadelphia as it is in any city in America. making. If City Council wanted to make So what do progressives on City Philadelphia friendlier to business, Council want to do? Have the city they could fix the problems that take on more responsibility, of scare off investment: high taxes, course. Led by at-large member slow bureaucracy, poorly adminisDerek Green, many now believe the tered services, and a city should operate a bank. pervasive atmosphere of corrupWhat could go wrong? tion. But it is this last point — corA public bank would operate, ruption — that leads them to want a in many ways, like a normal bank, bank that is completely under their taking deposits and making loans. control. But it would be owned by the city, Green wrote that the goal of a not shareholders, and rather than government bank would be “provida profit motive, it would be guided ing access to capital for businesses by whatever the city government and individuals who have not been thought was important at the time. @KYLESAMMIN able to obtain loans from traditionIn an op-ed in the Inquirer, Green al lenders.” Traditional banks and noted that “[c]oncentrated poverty, inadequate paychecks, and too few jobs have credit unions lend money because they think they will be repaid with interest. limited Philadelphians’ economic security for What alternate goals could a city bank too long.” That is certainly true. Philadelphia have? Even looser lending standards would is the poorest of America’s big cities. But none certainly risk depositors’ money — a big probof the other, better-run cities have achieved lem when the biggest depositor would be the any of their success in fighting poverty by starting a government-run bank. In fact, very city itself. Who would have to cover such losses? The taxpayer, naturally. few places in the United States have any such We have seen already that any government thing. The best known is the state-owned chokepoint in a financial transaction will beBank of North Dakota, a century-old state credit union that was created in a time and come a locus for corruption. Zoning changes, for example, are supposed to be processed place that bear no resemblance to our own. through an independent Zoning Board of AdCity Council gave the appearance of performing due diligence on the question, hiring justment. In practice, they are controlled by consultants who told them what they wanted the council member representing the district to hear: it’s a great idea! HR&A Advisors, in in question, leading to shakedowns and bribes a report jointly issued with city employees, like the ones that gave rise to Councilman Kenyatta Johnson’s federal indictment in 2020. said that a city-controlled public bank can be The contracts for COVID testing were similar, feasible, while admitting that the enterprise with city Health Department employees helpwould be legally dubious under current state ing to rig bids for well-connected groups. law and would require a banking charter from Would a bank be any different? Would counHarrisburg. Both are unlikely from a state cil members’ friends and campaign donors government that has historically been relucbe given preferential treatment? As Calvin tant to encourage city politicians’ reckless adCoolidge said, “government control cannot be venturism. divorced from political control.” If something A city-owned bank would become the playis government-run, it is politician-run. And thing of politicians. City Council already controls the disposition of all of the many taxes until Philadelphia elects a better class of polthe city collects. Creating a bank would help itician, we should let them run as little as humanly possible. it to leverage that with outside deposits and

KYLE SAMMIN

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PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | AUGUST 19 - 26, 2021

STATE OF OUR CITY

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GET SOME VAN GOGH STATE

OF OUR

CITY

Image | Courtesy of Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience

‘LOVE ON THE LINE’

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Image | Courtesy Love on the Line

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, a 360-degree digital “art event” that explores the life and works of the Dutch genius, will bring its highly anticipated exhibit to the Tower Theater in Upper Darby from August 26 through February 2022. Staged in the legendary Tower Theater, the completely immersive experience that has dazzled audiences since 2017 will provide visitors a unique look into the life and work of Vincent Van Gogh. Visitors will step into a virtual experience featuring more than 400 of Van Gogh’s iconic sketches, drawings, and paintings dramatically displayed four-stories-high on over 30,000-square-feet of projection surface. Learn more at vangoghexpo.com.

On Aug. 27, National Community Education and Training Services will be collaborating with Breed Studio to host “Love on the Line” at 5150 Warren St. “Love on the Line” is a benefit music festival to honor the efforts of first responders and front line workers during the COVID-19 pandemic while also recognizing how art, music, and self-care can play a role in the enhancement of their mental health. The festival will bring together some of Philadelphia’s best artists, as well as major artists from across the country. Artists including Chrisette Michelle, T3 Slum Village, Chubb Rock will join Philadelphia natives Junius Bervine, Philly Freeway and Boots Greene to perform throughout the night. Tickets: loveontheline.ticketleap.com.

The current number of homicide victims year-todate under Mayor Jim Kenney and District Attorney Larry Krasner’s leadership. This represents a 25 percent increase over the same time last year and is higher than the annual number of homicides that took place in 2008 through 2017.

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Dan McDonough, Jr. Chairman & Publisher Anthony Hennen Executive Editor

John Montesano Art Director

Kyle Sammin Senior Editor

Alan Bauer Managing Editor

Contributors: A.D. Amorosi, A. Benjamin Mannes,Jesse Bunch, Paul Davis, Timaree Schmit, Ryan K. Smith, Stu Bykofsky, Eugene Zenyatta. Intern: Genevieve Wittrock

To contact the news department: mail@philadelphiaweekly.com.

Ed Lynes Chief Revenue Officer Stephanie Hawkins Michael Chambers Controller Director of Circulation Signature Supporter: Ted Kazantzis

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CAN PERUTO DEFEAT KRASNER? Philly GOP Chair Martina White weighs in

ith the Democratic registration advantage in Philadelphia, the influx of huge amounts of outside funds, and the advantage of the incumbent, can Chuck Peruto defeat District Attorney Larry Krasner in the upcoming

these criminals accountable, and also be willing to talk about the issues the minority community is facing.” The 33-year-old state legislator and lifelong resident of Northeast Philadelphia was first elected in 2015 in a special election to fill an open seat in the 170th District, which covers the neighborhoods of Bustleton, Millbrook, Parkwood and Somerton. White became the first new Republican elected in Philadelphia in 25 years. She was elected to her third full election? This is a question on the minds of many term in 2020. According to her website, her people who are concerned about most notable bills in Harrisburg Philadelphia’s rising murder rate would create a sustainable funding and increasing gun violence. Many source to help our schools without city residents believe that Krasincreasing the burden on taxpayner, a former civil rights attorney ers; protect our police officers and who sued the Philadelphia Police their families; and to make sanctuDepartment 75 times on behalf of ary cities liable for damages comradical anti-cop groups, is more mitted by illegal immigrants who an advocate for criminals than for commit crimes against citizens. crime victims and police officers. A member of the majority House Those opposed to Krasner had leadership, she is the Secretary of hoped that former homicide prosthe House Republican Caucus and ecutor Carlos Vega would defeat currently serves on the Rules Comhim in the Democratic primary, mittee. but a low voter turnout ensured a White attended Catholic grade Krasner victory. and high school and graduated I reached out to State Rep. and from Elizabethtown College with a Philly GOP Chair Martina White PAULDAVISONCRIME.COM degree in business administration. and asked her if she thought She worked as a financial advisor Chuck Peruto could defeat Larry for families and small business owners until Krasner in the general election. she was approached to run for public office. “I think that Chuck can win,” White reI asked her if the Republican Party can plied. “But it is going to take all of the people who didn’t show up in the primary to turn out match the kind of money that is coming in for Krasner. on Nov 2. In the primary, you are only dealing “One thing about Republicans, we’re fiswith the Democrats and Carlos Vega’s supporters didn’t turn out in high numbers. In cally responsible and effective in the way we spend our money and taxpayer dollars,” the general election, you have Republicans, White said. “Over these past election cycles, Independents and Democrats, and I think that Republicans, even in the state rep. seats, were Chuck definitely has an opportunity to show outspent five to one. Multi-millions of dollars what he is made of and to show that because were spent against these members across the we have so much crime in the city we need to state, especially in the Southeast region. And have a district attorney that is willing to hold

PAUL DAVIS

Philly GOP Chair Martina White thinks Chuck Peruto can defeat incumbent D.A. Larry Krasner in November’s election, but ‘it is going to take all of the people who didn’t show up in the primary to turn out on Nov. 2.’ Image | Courtesy of Martina White still, because Republicans have the better messaging and the better-quality candidates, we make sure that we’re effective in the way that we operate in our elections and our campaigns. While we don’t have as much money as our opponents, we have the ability to be effective in our campaigns and to win.” White said she believes that on Nov. 2 people will turn out and support Peruto because of the effects of what Krasner and the progressive agenda have done to Philadelphia. She noted that Philadelphia is one of the highest in the nation for homicides and violent crimes. “Larry Krasner has blamed a few different things over the past several months for why gun crimes are increasing. The first one is poverty, then he blamed it on the pandemic. Then he blamed it on the city because they

weren’t spending enough money on all the ancillary programs to support the community, and then he decided to blame the Republican State Legislature,” White said. “The gun laws in Pennsylvania have been in place for an extensive period of time, but Krasner is not enforcing those gun laws. The result is increased gun crime and a culture of criminal activity that goes unchecked.” White said that Peruto has 40 years of experience as an attorney specializing in criminal law. She added that Peruto also has common sense and a personality. “We are happily supporting his campaign, and you’ll see our ward leaders and committee people out in the community and advocating for him up until election day.” Paul Davis’ Crime Beat column appears here each week. You can contact him via pauldavisoncrime.com.

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | AUGUST 19 - 26, 2021

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COVID CONCERTS Want to catch a show? Bring your paperwork and mask

Philly’s Electric Candlelight will be back on stage to reopen Johnny Brenda’s next month. Image | Rachel Del Sordo

AUGUST 19 - 26, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

t’s another sweltering, humid early August night on Spring Garden Street, and Sean Agnew – the capo, curator and booker behind all things Union Transfer – is doing a job far beyond his purview, far beyond what he imagined he would have to do upon the return of live, indoor shows to his venue. “I’m checking vaccine cards outside of UT, something I’ll be doing for Japanese Breakfast, too,” said Agnew, regarding just a few of the many sold-out shows coming through Union Transfer.

Though one-time Philadelphian Michelle ing to go to a restaurant or a concert and have Zauner’s record five sold-out Japanese Breakto give blood just to get in?,” I overheard one fast shows represented something fun for Agpatron outside of Butcher & Singer joke. new, his bands and his audience (UT renamed At least I think he was joking. its coat check as “The Michelle Zauner Coat Would the same vax and mask requireCheck” in honor of her tenure behind the ments – its accompanying fatigue and MAcounter) as well as formidable (a return to live, GA-soaked political intrigue too – that infilindoor concerts in the region after 16 trated Philly restaurants (and annoy months away due to the pandemic’s its operators) bug out live venue-going first gleaming) – no sooner than we’re folk as well as the artists themselves? BY A.D. reawakened to packed houses with no Would venues leave what was reAMOROSI masks and no social distance – we’re quired from its audiences up to an artpulled back into COVID’s fray. ists’ Delta-related needs and wants? What started as summer’s return And when would all the bitching to unmasked, unbridled, boozy live concert begin, once proof of vaccination (or proof of a weirdness – interrupted by the increasing negative COVID test within the last 48 hours) physical dangers of the Delta variant – quickAND masks would be required? ly became what Monty Python’s Flying Circus “There are lots of moving parts,” said Agteased, satirically, as a “Spanish Inquisition.” new. “We are moving forward with masks Would proof of vaccination at concerts be a AND vaccine (or negative test) requirements thing? Or forced masks? Or more? “Am I gofor all shows until Oct. 1.”

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PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY One great example of what requirements look like, per artist, comes, for example, with the small print of Aug. 14’s UT show starring mewithoutyou: “Union Transfer requires that all attendees for both mewithoutYou shows be fully vaccinated (at least 14 days after last shot) OR have PCR-tested negative for COVID within 2 days prior to attending the show. If you are FULLY vaccinated, we ask that you please bring your vaccination card, a copy of your vaccination card, or have a legible photo of your vaccination card on your phone. If you are unvaccinated (or half-vaccinated) please bring a printed or digital copy of your recent negative COVID-19 PCR test results (2 days from the date of the show). If you cannot furnish proof of either a vaccine or negative test, we will refund your tickets in full, BUT, you will not be permitted inside the venue. We can process your refund in advance by emailing us at info@utphilly.com. Additionally, we at Union Transfer will be asking all patrons, along with all staff, to please wear a mask inside for the show except when eating or drinking. We can’t wait to finally see everyone and we really appreciate your understanding over the next few days!!” With that, there will be artists who only are cool with all-vaccinated audiences and will not accept negative COVID PCR test results. Either way, if you want to get into Union Transfer, it is best to have a vax card and a mask. “We issued post-show surveys to customers after each Japanese Breakfast show, and we received the same, exact answers and percentages; no interesting contrasts or experiences,” said Agnew when asked if he heard from audiences and artists/managers about having to go through re-masking, vax cards and the like – whether the decision is up to the artist, the venue or the city’s all mask and vax card mandate. Every Philly venue and each artist – local and national – has their own way of getting through Delta’s Pandemic 2.0. After previously announcing that it would leave all mask/vax enforcements up to its artists, Live Nation, on Aug. 13, updated its COVID-19 policy to require all artists, crew and attendees show proof of full vaccination or a negative test at its venues and upcoming festivals. In Philly, this includes The Fillmore, The Met, Theatre of Living Arts, Tower Theater, and any of its shows across the area at The Mann, Wells Fargo Center, the Borgata, the Kimmel Center and more. One of the biggest “mores” include Live Nation’s Made in America fest with Jay-Z during the Labor Day weekend, one where vaccines, and not just masks, are required to witness Justin Bieber and Megan Thee Stallion in full effect on the Ben Franklin Parkway. “Vaccines are going to be your ticket back to shows, and as of October 4th we will be following the model we developed for Lollapalooza and requiring this for artists, fans and employees at Live Nation venues and festivals

everywhere possible in the US,” Live Nation President and CEO Michael Rapino wrote in an email statement last Friday. While Rolling Stone magazine noted that “Live Nation has also developed best practices for artists to request these policies at third party venues,” the nation’s largest concert company’s mandate was inspired by its success with Chicago’s Lollapalooza festival where attendees were required to show proof of vaccination or a negative test. With little Delta spread because of its precautions, Live Nation was successful in Chi-town, and moved forward in turn. AEG Presents, the second-largest live music company in the country, which also books shows at Wells Fargo, Franklin Hall, the Kimmel and more, will also implement a stricter policy requiring proof of vaccination for ticket holders and event staff at all shows by Oct., proof of vaccination for ticket holders and crew at all the venues it owns or operates in the United States. “The date was chosen specifically to allow time for any eligible unvaccinated ticket holders and staff to reach fully vaccinated status should they choose to do so,” stated an AEG statement. This additional time also means that if you do not agree with the city’s or the venues’ needs for you to wear masks or get the vax, you have time to get the money back for your tickets. Proudly, no one interviewed was upset about some perceived loss of freedom or civil liberties. What each interviewee was most concerned about, naturally, was health for themselves, their families and their audiences, and the fear of going into another landslide of lost music, community and income. When singer/songwriter turned venue owner Laura Mann reopens The Living Room at 35 East (now at 35 East Ardmore Avenue) on Sept. 4, it isn’t just a post-pandemic reawakening. Mann is moving her Living Room concept from what was once her cozy, intimate BYOB 40-seat venue next door to the Ardmore Music Hall, now, into a new, 400-seat space at the one-time Masonic Hall building. “I wasn’t looking for a larger venue,” said Mann. “It just happened that way. I can’t afford a liquor license, so I never looked for one. I had to close my 40-seat venue because of COVID, and during the shutdown I just thought I would look around. I always walked by the cool Mason building around the corner. Once I took a look inside I fell in love. When I asked the Mason’s what the address was they told me it’s 35 East Ardmore Avenue and our old address was 35 East Lancaster Ave. and my venue is called ‘The Living Room at 35 East,’’ and so it was meant to be.” Though much larger than her former space, Mann won’t use her new Living Room to its full capacity so to maintain its parlor-plus look of plush couches, comfy chairs and cocktail tables (to go with its chill BYOB vibe and homemade dessert menu), as well as making extra space for distancing. “Because of the current surge I’m following the CDC guidelines to promote the safety of

everyone who works, performs and attends The Living Room,” said Mann, busy putting finishing touches on her new address, while wrapping up work on her new “Wouldn’t It Be Good” single. “I think everyone is going to have to make changes again. The nice thing about having a

much larger venue is that I can socially distance my audience and I can also limit the number of tickets on sale. I haven’t received any special requests from artists yet. I have heard that some artists want everyone vaccinated before they perform there. Some venues are asking everyone to wear masks. I’m

When singer/songwriter turned venue owner Laura Mann reopens The Living Room at 35 East, COVID social distancing will be part of her plan. Image | Courtesy of Laura Mann

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | AUGUST 19 - 26, 2021

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going to strongly encourage our audience and musicians to get fully vaccinated and to wear masks if they aren’t. In the future we may need to mandate vaccinations. I’m vaccinated and would have driven a thousand miles to get vaccinated if needed. I’m just hoping for the best. If we have to close again, we will and that would be heartbreaking, but all you can do is go with the flow and follow the guidelines and reschedule shows, which is painful for everyone.” Independent Philly promoter Dave Kiss of Dave Kiss Presents – internationally famous for booking the beloved Laura Jane Grace for an Aug. 21 gig at hair dye-dripping Rudy Giuliani’s Elba, Four Seasons Total Landscaping – just dropped his criteria for DKP shows at Kung Fu Necktie. “All Dave Kiss Presents events will require proof of vaccination or negative test from 72 hours for admission until October 1st,” Kiss wrote. “After October 1st, admission will be proof of vaccine only. So you have 6 weeks to get it together if you’re not vaxxed.” The Philadelphia Mausoleum of Contemporary Art – better known as PhilaMOCA in the Eraserhood at N. 12th – didn’t just come back from COVID when it reopened at the end of July 2021 for shows like Philly metal-punk ragers Sheer Mag gig Aug. 27-28. In September 2019, the venue was closed by L&I for fire safety concerns (resolved within 24 hours and immediately cleared from violation), a rezoning process that took several months, and time spent making well-deserved soundproofing upgrades and repairs to electrical systems and materials to meet new fire code regulations. “I am fully vaxxed and 100 percent pro-vaccination,” said PhilaMOCA’s multi-titled boss and booker, Eric Bresler. “The shows here have been great so far with every music show we’ve hosted being completely sold out. I think it’s obvious that people not only want to get out of their homes, but also missed PhilaMOCA and are anxious to return to the room.” Bresler is following Philly mandates unless specific guidelines are requested by the promoter or performer. Masks are strongly encouraged, but are not required. “We had a sold-out ska show this past Friday night, the performers required attendees to show vaccination cards at the door, which was easy enough,” said Bresler. “Same for the Maria Bamford afternoon run of comedy shows we hosted where vaccination cards were required at the door.” So far, so good. But Bresler, like many in his position, are fed up with bozo-ness from all sides of the equation. “While my original plan was to just follow local mandates for indoor activities, I’ll tell you: I’m starting to get sick of all of these questions – ‘If I only have one of the shots, can I still attend? ‘What type of mask do I need to wear to attend the event?,’” said the cool, calm Bresler in a noticeably disgusted tone. “And then there are those who are obviously using COVID as an excuse to get a ticket

AUGUST 19 - 26, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY refund for whatever reason. These non-stop COVID-related requests are driving me crazy. I’m on the verge of just making masks and vaccination required at all events so I don’t have to deal with these questions anymore. Like you said, I certainly didn’t sign up for this. I’m usually pretty respectful of those whose opinions differ sharply from mine, but I think it’s pretty obvious at this point that anti-vaxxers are complete idiots whose beliefs are holding this country back from a full recovery. Look at Florida right now, and Texas, these are states that are knowingly harming their residents purely for political beliefs that were entwined with the pandemic due to our previous president. It’s very sad. As far as worst case scenarios, if we went into another lockdown I wouldn’t complain, whatever is needed to provide a bit of finality to this pandemic. I have a 2-yearold at home and am very conscious of that so I take all precautions I can to not bring the virus home with me.” Marley McNamara, Johnny Brenda’s assistant talent buyer and showrunner, as well as Human Robot Brewing Co.’s talent buyer at Sunflower Philly, Union Transfer’s Sean Agnew is also pissed and Japanese Breakfast’s off at more Michelle Zauner are pictured than a few in front of the new coat check complete idiat UT. Union Transfer, like ots. Planning other Philly music venues, hard for Sept. is confronting a new wave of 3’s all live, COVID-related challenges. Imindoor, fullage | Courtesy of Sean Agnew band reopening of Johnny Brenda’s, McNamara is not suffering foolishness. Plus, she and JB’s lead talent buyer, Barrett Lindgren, are going an extra mile when it comes to health and safety precautions. “We’re still on par to open Sept. 3,” says McNamara. “We’ve just reduced our capacity and require proof or vax or negative PCR test 42 hours prior to show. We’re basically just paying attention to what’s happening around us and following protocol in order to be as safe as possible. AND I’m fully vaxxed, thanks, because I’m not selfish, and I want to be able to have a career again at some point, to be honest.” Johnny Brenda’s booked shows during the

pandemic’s time off, but slowly over the course of C-19’s 16 months away, took their time until September 2021 to reopen rather than rushing into summer. “We’ve definitely taken our time in reopening JB because it’s super important to us that everyone is in a safe space at our shows,” says McNamara. “We know we’re nowhere near out of the woods and if we need to shut down again in order to keep people safe then we will absolutely do that if that’s what the city decides. It is more important to us that we’re able to get through this and continue shows once we’re in the clear, but we’re not interested in risking anything right now just for a good time. As for Sunflower shows, I just follow the protocol that’s enforced by the nonprofit that runs the space. If they want to reduce the cap and require masks while we’re still navigating this nightmare, then we will. If we need to stop shows completely in order to help keep people safe, then we will.” McNamara is proud that everyone in the live music industry is totally on board with masking, vax cards, negative COVID tests, etc., “because our livelihoods are in extreme danger if people keep effing around and caring only about themselves.” She thinks that it has been great that there hasn’t been pushback from any bands, agents, managers, etc. because they know what needs to happen to actually get through all this. Again. “The best case scenario is that people stop thinking only about themselves and get vaccinated so we can all carry on with our lives and enjoy live music safely again. Worst case scenario is we all get locked up again, and I have to completely change careers at age 36 which I am not looking forward to.… Everyone on our team will mask at every show and are required to vax. We’ve reduced our cap for our opening weekend as of now – it’s kind of impossible to make people social distance in our room, but reducing the cap can help people

spread out a bit more – we’ve announced some shows at full capacity already before we started declining in progress again, but I’m sure our venue management will revisit if things continue to get worse. Look, this is case-bycase, and JB’s is fortunate to have the bar and restaurant downstairs to help carry the venue a bit through these times, but if we continue down this spiral, I bet a lot of other venues won’t be as fortunate, which is really sad.” Everyone talks about how the vax and the mask regulations in Philly live venues affect the locations. They have, after all, been hit with everything from rents, insurances and payrolls to pay out during the pandemic with little to no financial intake. Fine. But what about the local bands and their plans, especially those working (and spending) hard to make music (and money) after 16 months of having not been allowed to earn. Johnny Brenda’s return-to-live headliners, Philly’s Electric Candlelight, is at the top of that heap, as an ensemble born right at COVID’s cusp, filled with local alt-titans such as Ali Awan, Owen Stewart (Ruby The Hatchet), Justin Pittney (Residuels, Moon Women), Max Jonas (Tough Shits) and Joshua Aaron (The Lawsuits), and with three hard soulful singles (“Another Year Gone By,” “Make No Mistake,” and now “Grand Delusion”) to its name. “We actually formed a bit before the pandemic, but everything crystallized last summer,” said Pittney of Electric Candelight’s start. “Prior to that, Owen and I had created a ‘COVID bubble’ at the Smoke Before Fire space to write songs, work on demos and quite often just hang out and listen to records. There was literally no one else in the building building,, so it wasn’t long before we invited the rest of the band down to jam. Eventually, I hauled my Tascam 388 tape machine down to capture some of the sessions. What you hear on those singles is the sound of us nailing it for the first time. If you listen to ‘Another Year,’ we are literally figuring it out as we’re going and there’s a sense of spontaneity that is hard to ignore. I think that the pandemic allowed us the freedom to create in a way that might not have been possible otherwise.” Sept. 4’s re-opening weekend gig at JBs will be Electric Candlelight’s third pandemic show in Philly, and all of these shows, in Pittney’s estimation, have felt like celebrations (Owen Stewart’s Ruby the Hatchet play JB with Heavy Temple on Sept. 18). “Johnny Brenda’s will be no exception; something about being back in that room after all this time is special,” he said. “It’s gonna feel like coming home in the best way possible. Everything changes so quickly that the question of vaccines and masks became irrelevant within a few days. What I do know is that Johnny Brenda’s will be requiring proof of vaccination for shows moving forward and we’re cool with that. Now I just gotta figure where I put my card…”

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THE RUNDOWN

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THE RUNDOWN Image | Nathan Ansell

LISTEN TO THE MUSIC

Live music is returning to Philly stages. Here are a few of our favorites, but be sure to check with the venue before you go for COVID restrictions.

All Time Low

Platinum-selling Fueled By Ramen band All Time Low is on the road headlining Sad Summer Fest 2021. The festival will make a stop at The Mann Center’s Skyline Stage on Sept. 5. All Time Low’s latest studio album “Wake Up, Sunshine” was released last year and contains the smash hit “Monsters” (feat. blackbear). The track marked the band’s first No. 1 at radio, claiming the top spot of the Alternative Airplay Chart for an unprecedented 18 weeks. Full lineup and tickets: manncenter.org Image | Courtesy of wikicommons

Stop Killing Us! A DIY Benefit Concert

Join an event supporting the Stop Killing Us Campaign’s 5th Annual March from Philly to DC. Performers: A Day Without Love, Matthew Rahman, Rasan in the Heyday, Sista Keilana and more. $10. PHARMACY Cafe,1300 S. 18th St. Masks and vaccines required. Aug. 20 at 7pm. thepharmacyphilly.org

Mdou Moctar

Mdou Moctar will appear Sept. 8 at Johnny Brenda’s. The prodigious Tuareg guitarist made his Matador Records debut this past May with the long-awaited “Afrique Victime.” Mdou’s home is Agadez, a desert village in rural Niger. Inspired by traditional Tuareg melodies and YouTube videos of Eddie Van Halen’s six string techniques, he mastered the guitar and created his own burning style. Tickets: eventbrite.com

The Soul Rebels

The Soul rebels announced Part 1 of their Epic Vibes Tour, spanning fall 2021 through winter 2022. The Soul Rebels are releasing new music in support of the tour. The Epic Vibes Tour features select concerts with The Soul Rebels in collaboration with star artists including Tarriona ‘Tank’ Ball of Tank And The Bangas. They’ll be at The Ardmore Nov. 17. ardmoremusichall.com

Blunt Bangs

Have you heard of Blunt Bangs? They are the new powerpop love child of Reggie Youngblood (vocalist from blog boom phenoms Black Kids), Christian “Smokey” DeRoeck (Woods) and Cash Carter (Tracy Shedd). They just released their debut LP “Proper Smoker” on Ernest Jenning Record Co. and are kicking off the tour behind the album this fall. They will be stopping at Ortlieb’s Jazz House on Sept. 17. Ortliebsphilly.com

Bella White

A truly original new voice in songwriting, Bella White creates an undeniable magic by mining the rare duality at the heart of her artistry. Although she hails from the Canadian city of Calgary, the 20-year-old singer/multiinstrumentalist grew up on the classic country and old-time music she first discovered thanks to her father, a Virginia native who played in bluegrass bands all throughout her childhood. She’ll be at Milkboy on Aug. 26 at 8pm. Tickets available at: eventbrite.com.

Image | Sheena Zillinsky

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | AUGUST 19 - 26, 2021

Image | Lexy Pierce

THE RUNDOWN

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

Sor Ynéz

Sojourn Philly’s brand-new Mexican restaurant celebrating authentic and indigenous fare is thrilled to offer yoga lovers a new and unique way to relax, unwind, and reset. Hatha Yoga & Yogi Brunch begins on Sunday, Aug. 29 and will occur on the last Sunday of each month through the fall. Admission is $30/person and includes a Hatha Yoga session with local yoga expert Heather Brock, a brunch entrée from the robust, veg-friendly menu at Sor Ynéz, and a mimosa or non-alcoholic spritzer. Yoga starts at 9am, with brunch at 10. 1800 N. American Street. sorynez.com

From great food and music to theater, here are a few upcoming events you’ll want to check out.

More fun just ahead Crayfish Party

Enjoy a summer evening on the American Swedish Historical Museum terrace while indulging in Swedish favorites, including dill seasoned crayfish, Swedish meatballs, fingerling potatoes, Swedish cheese pie, an assortment of salads, crispbread and cheese, and seasonal desserts. This will be a seated dinner that takes place in a tent on the terrace. Individual table: $60, table for 2: $120, table for 4: $224, table for 6: $330. Aug. 20 at 6:30 pm. americanswedish.org

Toy Train Show

The Atlantic Division of the Train Collectors Association presents a toy train show at Penns Landing Caterers. There will be 140 tables with a variety of vintage toy trains and repair parts for sale, test track, operating toy train layouts, kids activities, and door prizes for adults and children. Food is available on premises, and there is plenty of free parking. Admission is $5 per attendee or per family of two adults and all children 12 and under. Sept. 26 at 9am. Adtca.com

AUGUST 19 - 26, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

The Ever Present

The Ever Present, a fantastical, family-friendly new play written by award-winning playwright and author R. Eric Thomas, centers on a South Philly vacant lot that turns out to be more than meets the eye. Enter Pashmina Paredes, a neighborhood resident collecting signatures for a petition to prevent the city from selling the lot to a devious developer, Vernal Belch. She quickly learns her neighbors all have a special connection to the house that once stood there. Theatre Exile will present 10 free shows during The Ever Present’s six-date run at various times and locations. The 60-minute production will be performed at five parks throughout South Philadelphia: Columbus Square Park, Dickinson Square Park, Wharton Square, Stephen Girard Park, and Hawthorne Park. theatreexile.org

Dope Shows Polo G Concert

On Saturday, Sept. 25, Dope Shows presents a live concert at The Met Philadelphia with headliner Polo G. Attendees of this upcoming celebration of arts and urban culture can expect a show-stopping hip-hop performance from rapper Polo G, independent brand vendors, and sponsorship activations. 8pm. dopeshowsonline.com

THE RUNDOWN

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

Sweat (Again) 2021 Mega LGBTQIA Outdoor Event

Whether you want to laugh out loud or taste the best Philly food around, eventbrite.com has lots of events coming up that you’ll want to check out. Here are some of our favorites.

As seen in Visit Philly’s Top Summer Event Pick of the Week, Sweat is back for the second installment of the Biggest POC LGBTQIA Dance Party in the Tri-State Area. The Main Event Philly, Sway Philly, & Jay LaTay Ent. are shutting Cavanaugh’s River Deck down again with the sexiest crowd, the dopest vibes, and the hottest DJ’s. Aug. 29, 3pm. $25. Cavanaugh’s River Deck. 417 North Christopher Columbus Boulevard. eventbrite.com

Lots to do in the coming days Jersey Philly Jawn

It’s a 12-hour (indoor/outdoor) art expo featuring Philadelphia and New Jersey’s hottest unsigned talent. Everything from live painting and art sales to live dance routines, poetry, R&B, comedy and hip-hop, crystal sales, spiritual readings, food vendors and adult party favors. $10-$150. Aug. 29, noon. The AMF House, 5816 Old York Road. eventbrite. com

The Iconic Experience Presented by Burd Events, celebrate Philly’s own Icon Ebony-Fierce’s birthday with a disco and house music themed extravaganza. Filled with pure queerness, glitter, glamour, drag, burlesque and all the life you need to be given. Giveaways, games, and an audio/ visual experience from Icon. This will be a showstopper you cannot miss. $12. Aug. 29, 9pm. Tabu Lounge & Sports Bar, 254 South 12th Street. eventbrite. com

The Taste of Philly

Motivated Community Resource Center, along with Master Chef Bernard Talley, are inviting you to an upcoming fundraising event called The Taste of Philly on Saturday, Aug. 28, from 4 pm – 7 pm. Chefs from around Philadelphia will share samples of their delicious cuisines for guests to taste. The guest can purchase a platter or two. $10. Allen AME Church Social Hall, 5901 Larchwood Avenue. eventbrite.com

Keith2x Comedy Showcase

This showcase is for new and seasoned comedians, their supporting crowds and comedy lovers. People in the audience vote for their favorite comedian. This is a monthly show. Prizes go to the best comedians. $10. Aug. 28, 7pm. Strangelove’s, 216 South 11th Street. eventbrite.com

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | AUGUST 19 - 26, 2021

GOSSIP

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

It’s August... Must be time to clear out the homeless again

Image | Jon Tyson

Must be time to clear out the homeless again

ICEPACK

while reminding readers how awful and emike Shark Week, the Running of the Bulls, and net- barrassing this repetition is for everyone inwork sweeps, if it’s August volved, I’d love to not have to make this same 18 through 20 in old Philstupid joke or take up column inches with adelphia, it’s time for our homelessness next summer. Find a fix, make now annual “Get Rid of the it stick, and remember that there are victims Homeless Encampment” on both sides of the ledger that need healing. Rush. Initially enacted at St. Joe donations the end of August 2015 for I know you’re all busy, perusing the 2020 Pope Francis’ gihugic Mass Census results, and freaaaaaaaaking the fuck gathering, the yearly city cleanout event – last out (I’m looking at you, Carlisle, PA). But, year, around August 20 – targeted the Ben move your eyes back to our nearest suburb. Franklin Parkway and Ridge Avenue, only to Here’s something fun for all private school have that homeless tent city’s minions take snowflakes in the Lower Merion area to conover Kensington Avenue, again, as they have sider: St. Joseph’s University alumni are many times in the recent past, soon after. cutting far-left-leaning students off at the Beer. BBQ. Bongs. Baseball. Homeless sweeps knees due to “wokeism” and will withhold – SUMMER (the city calls them “encampment much-needed donation dollars, unless, well... resolutions” which actually sounds neatly quite frankly, I don’t know what the possibly cut-and-dried, as in, “I spoke with your brothright-wing alums actually want, save from er the other day about his inflamed people having very definite mind sets urethra, but we have an encampment to not set so definitively. Anyway, no resolution, and he’s taking care of it alumni ducats means no more cash BY: A.D AMOROSI through his HMO”). for SJU student orgs such as the AcIn 2021, Philly’s familiar orange tuarial Science Club, the Accounting metal signs stating no one can “camp Society or Followed By a Bear… WTF? or stay” on sidewalks and public arAre these real things? Ack. eas after 8:30 a.m. on August 18 are just like June in New Jersey what Bob Dylan called, “postcards of the Married chefs and co-owners Christina and hanging,” in his aptly titled “Desolation Row.” Rich Cusack’s Franco-philing June BYOB And just like last August, Villanova U fellow from East Passyunk Avenue, which closed and anti-poverty activist Stephanie Sena is in South Philly October of last year due to fighting the Kensington neighborhood’s rights the pandemic, finally makes its long-awaited to clear away the bodies – to allow unobstruct- comeback in a new location. Yes. In Collinged home ownership and workplaces free from swood. OK. New Jersey, you got June. Fine. At blight – while also battling for the integrity of least June is getting Gallic on Haddon Avenue. those less fortunate without homes, let alone Movies in Philly foreseeable futures. Holy Philly saints unite: While we’re Sena and Kenney will offer statistics of pleased as punch to hear that the stolen stattheir own like a heated duel between a manue of St. Rita, snagged from behind glass from ager and an umpire. Some homeless will leave. her church on Broad Street was recovered by Some homeless will stay. Some homeless police and returned to her shrine in South will take up residence in an area where no Philly (c’mon man, is church statue stealing one wants them, let alone the hurt, roaming to summer 2021 what ATM M-80 blasting was homeless themselves, who surely want homes. to the summer of 2020?), the Padre Pio Prayer And we’ll see Sena next August, just in time Center at 15th and Church Street can expect a for Sweeps 2022, battling it out with Kenney. flurry of activity now that “Bad Lieutenant” Again. director and Schooly D’s best buddy, the not so Now, without sounding as if I’m making holy Abel Ferrerra, is looking at getting Shia light of all this sadness and squalor (I’m not), LaBeouf for his comeback role as Pio in Fer-

AUGUST 19 - 26, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

GOSSIP

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

rerra’s next flick. Van Gogh experience Immersive Van Gogh fans, and lovers of Doctor Who’s “Vincent and the Doctor” episode: I know that you are pissed that your blue corn silken VG “Experience” was delayed (promoters now say Aug. 26 start as opposed to the Aug. 12 weekend when it was to have commenced) and that the whole world now knows your little secret location trick (Tower Theater; and isn’t it a bummer when everyone knows but you – that’s right Diner et Blanc attendees in 106-degree heat). At least you don’t have to take part in the communal and aesthetically minded delights of an actual museum and can hang, instead, in Upper Darby. Yay you. l and em- Masked eryone in-Philly: Ken and this sameAmy Kaissar ches with In Icepack’s fix, maketoo-long and re victimsnow way overhealing. ly complex and continuing g the 2020saga of asking g the fuckmask-donning PA). But,local celebrities st suburb.what they’ve ate schoolbeen up to, beea to con-yond the pale, umni areduring C-19 – off at thefrom lockdown withholdto the current ess, well...re-opening, e possiblypresent-day unsave frommasking and mind setsre-masking, nyway, noworrying about more cashDelta variants, as the Ac-freaking out ccountingabout Fauci’s ar… WTF?call for a potential third round of vax shots and istina andnew mask and ne BYOBvax card manch closeddates – I reached ar due toout this week to ng-awaitedKen and Amy n Colling-Kaissar, the two, e. Fine. Atlongtime pron Avenue.ducing directors of Bristol Riverile we’reside Theatre. tolen stat- Live, on-stage theatahhh has been in a staglass fromsis since C-19. Now, along with prepping for overed bythe September start of its 2021-2022 season, in SouthKen states that Amy has been so busy making e stealinghomemade masks (featured in the accompaasting wasnying photo) that she’s made a real thing of it Pio Prayerbeyond the producer couple. n expect a “She ordered a bunch of fabric with fun pateutenant”terns – the E.T. pattern as well as the George the not soSeurat ‘Sunday’ pattern – which represent our tting Shiapassion for high art as well as popular art – Pio in Fer-made about 50, and we started the pandemic

handing them out to people in our neighborhood. We also learned how to cut each other’s hair. I didn’t mind Amy cutting my hair because she can’t really make me look any worse, but she showed real moxie by letting me cut hers. “Also during our time away from BRT, during election time, we assisted the cast of ‘Hamilton’ writing letters to folks in Florida and Georgia to remind them to vote. Amy and I got out over 200 letters between the two of us. That was very rewarding.” Neither Ken nor Amy mind the masks much, and will require them in their theater this fall. “And we love being vaccinated. We were able to relax and sleep easier once we knew we had the vaccine to protect ourselves… We’re all in this together. And we’re all only as safe as our willingness to protect ourselves and each other.” Currently, along with finishing BRT’s Summer Music Fest with August 3031’s The Doo Wop Project, the Kaisars are ramping up for its 35th season, and its first indoor season since they closed in March 2020. “We start with the muImage | Ken and Amy Kaissar sical ‘Murder for Two,’ followed by ‘Skeleton Crew’ by Dominique Morisseau. At Christmas time, we’re happy to bring back our ever-popular, ‘American Christmas Songbook.’ Then we start 2022 with Lauren Gunderson’s brilliant play, ‘I and You,’ followed by the hilarious farce ‘A Comedy of Tenors,’ which Amy will direct. And I’ll close the season with one of my all-time favorite writers, Aaron Sorkin, with ‘A Few Good Men.’ Can you handle the truth?”

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PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | AUGUST 19 - 26, 2021

VOICES

OF OUR

CITY

It takes a village to end human trafficking Human trafficking is the act of compelling someone into work or commercial sex through force, fraud, or coercion. It is illegal everywhere but happens every day in big cities and small towns across the United States. Human trafficking takes many forms: A foster care youth forced into commercial sex work by someone pretending to be her “boyfriend;” a migrant locked in a house, compelled to cook and clean; a man with a mental health disability laboring in a poultry processing plant for no pay. It occurs across oceans and in our own backyards. Human trafficking is a $150 billion a year industry. There are more than 40 million victims worldwide – including many in the United States. The National Human Trafficking Hotline recorded 11,500 domestic cases in 2019. And those were just the reported cases. Many more are never brought to light. Sadly, marginalized communities – including people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, undocumented immigrants, and survivors of abuse – are more likely to become victims. Studies estimate that 40 percent of U.S. sex trafficking victims are Black Americans and over 60 percent of labor trafficking victims are Hispanic. There is no silver bullet to end human trafficking, and it won’t happen overnight. However, a concerted effort from all levels of society to combat this evil is our best hope to end it. When communities come together, we can develop a comprehensive response. United Way is proud to leverage our network of more than 1,000 United Ways in 40 countries to identify and support local stakeholders in the fight against trafficking. By mobilizing individuals, businesses, governments, and nonprofit organizations, our Center to Combat Human Trafficking helps coordinate efforts to end this systemic injustice. This comprehensive approach is being piloted in cities across the country, from Las

Vegas to Atlanta. Each program is designed to address each community’s unique challenges, from child abuse to poverty to homelessness. Companies can work to educate their employees and marshal donations toward projects dedicated to combating trafficking. Many employees at UPS, for instance, are trained to spot signs of trafficking on their daily routes. UPS employees have given millions of dollars to anti-trafficking efforts led by United Way’s Center. Additionally, business leaders can strive to employ survivors of trafficking. Secure employment and financial stability help reduce one’s risk of being trafficked again. Employing survivors may require more inclusive hiring practices, like not automatically disqualifying those with criminal records. As one advisor at the Human Trafficking Legal Center explains, trafficking victims are often “arrested and prosecuted for their traffickers’ crimes.” Individuals can support anti-human trafficking initiatives by considering their purchasing choices. Consumers can look for signs of sex and labor trafficking in stores, salons, hotels, and restaurants. They can research whether brands employ responsible sourcing practices in their supply chains. Concerned voters have immense influence to wield, too. Congress will soon reauthorize the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, which was first passed in 2000 to prosecute traffickers and support survivors. Americans can call their representatives and urge them to pass this legislation and fund anti-trafficking efforts. Every day, our lives intersect with this issue through the products we purchase, the systems we perpetuate, and people we pass on the street. Each of us has the opportunity and ability to combat human trafficking. United, we can end it.

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

THE SHOUT OUT

The CDC is recommending a third COVID-19 vaccination for everyone.

Your turn: If you received the first two shots, will you be getting a third?

Mara Vanderslice Kelly is the executive director of the United Way Center to Combat Human Trafficking.

Send your thoughts to voices@philadelphiaweekly.com AUGUST 19 - 26, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

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VOICES OF OUR CITY

TRIAL SET FOR ANTIFA LEADER accused of 2018 Marines assault After 11 court continuations stretching over two years, the trial of Joseph Alcoff, an alleged Washington, D.C. Antifa leader and self-declared communist, was finally slated to begin on Aug. 17 for his alleged role in a 2018 attack on two Marine reservists in Philadelphia. The trial will put the loosely-knit organization and its tactics back in the public eye, after Antifa’s notoriety spread in the wake of events like the 2017 Charlottesville “Unite the Right” rally and coordinated attacks on cities from Kenosha to Portland in the unrest that followed the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020. The attack in Philly took place in the aftermath of a “We the People” rally in November 2018. Two Marine reservists, Alejandro Godinez and Luis Torres, who were visiting Philadelphia to take in local sites and history, were attacked and beaten by an Antifa mob that allegedly included Alcoff, after being mistakenly identified as attendees of the rally. Among other insults, the reservists, who are both of Hispanic origin, testified that they were called Nazis and white supremacists by the mob of roughly 10 individuals. All three individuals charged with the attack are white. According to court documents, Alcoff’s trial was originally slated for November 2019, roughly one year after the original attack. Since then, the case has undergone several delays and has bounced between four different judges. The case was originally assigned to Judge Scott DiClaudio, but was then moved elsewhere. DiClaudio has had an ongoing feud with Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, with Krasner at one point demanding DiClaudio recuse himself from all criminal trials. The DA argued that Judge DiClaudio could not be impartial in criminal cases

because his life partner was a former prosecutor. Two other men charged, Thomas Massey and Thomas Keenan, are both from Philadelphia, according to court documents. Alcoff is from Brooklyn. The Marines, Alejandro Godinez and Luis Torres, were at a Marine ball not far from a conservative “We the People” rally just blocks away in November 2018. At the rally, some counter-protesters attacked the conservatives, and were arrested by police. Alcoff has been charged with aggravated assault, ethnic intimidation, conspiracy, terroristic threats, receiving stolen property, and other felonies stemming from the incident. He is currently out on bail which was set at $15,000. It is unclear how Alcoff paid his bail, and whether outside organizations helped him raise the funds. Alcoff also has a documented history of aggressive behavior. In 2005, he was videotaped harassing a reporter before yelling “I’m a communist motherf *****” and spitting on him. According to an investigation conducted by the Daily Caller Foundation, Alcofff has used various pseudonyms to conceal his identity online. On his Twitter account, which is protected but named “Viva Fidel” for the time being, his bio states: “sabotage capitalism.” Alcoff has previously called for political violence, claiming that people should “stop limiting themselves” to non-violent action. Alcoff has been pictured with Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA), and worked at Americans for Real Bank Reform, a progressive nonprofit that has since removed references to him from their website. Alcoff is also supposedly a friend of Mark Way, author of the infamous “Antifa Handbook.”

Joe Silverstein is the summer editorial intern at Broad + Liberty. He is a rising senior at Cornell University, where he studies Government and International Relations. Silverstein serves as the current Editor in Chief of the Cornell Review. This article was originally published at Broad + Liberty. Follow them on Twitter @BroadAndLiberty.

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PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | AUGUST 19 - 26, 2021

MUSIC

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Originally from the Philadelphia area, Alyssa Joseph, now based in Nashville, recently released an EP, “alive,” that received wide acclaim from local and national press. Image | Hannah Hall

‘IT GAVE ME MY EDGE’ Alyssa Joseph talks time in Philly, new music

AUGUST 19 - 26, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

riginally from the Philadel- die-rock singer Alyssa Joseph also recently phia area, Alyssa Joseph, released her single “curled toes” and dropped now based in Nashville, the final lyric video of the installment for her has toured through Tex- song “sadboy.” With equal parts sarcasm and as and up and down the honesty, “sadboy” is a cheeky nod to Joseph’s Northeast, playing at Sofar past relationships and to the familiar situaSound shows in New tions we find ourselves in while navYork, Boston, Philigating the modern dating scene. “It’s adelphia and Louis- BY: EUGENE less about one particular guy – and ville. Her recent EP, ZENYATTA more so a general look at my dating “alive,” was released on June 4 and history,” Joseph explains. “There’s received wide acclaim from local and national this cycle of guys you meet out there and ‘sadpress, including Guitar Girl Magazine, Music boy’ is a tongue-in-cheek examination of the Crowns, Broadway World, and a five-out-ofexpectation vs. reality of them all. Writing five star review on Square One Magazine. She this song helped me realize a lesson we all is an advocate for body positivity and creating need to learn – we don’t actually want the sad a more diverse and inclusive space within the boy. We just like the idea of them.” music industry. PW recently caught up with Alyssa Joseph Following the success of her “alive” EP, in- to talk about her new music and career.

You’re originally from the Philadelphia area and your 2018 EP, “[ir]rational,” was recorded at Philadelphia’s Miner Street Recordings. How did growing up around here influence your career? When did you first become interested in music? I grew up in Jersey and then went to Drexel and lived in Philly for a few years. I think it gave me my edge – added the grunge to my sound, playing shows in basements and dive bars. I have been performing and playing an instrument in some capacity since I was 7. It just took a while to figure out that writing and performing my own songs was what I wanted to do. How did you come to be based in Nashville? You’re not exactly a country music singer.

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Alyssa Joseph recently released her single ‘curled toes’ and dropped the final lyric video of the installment for her song ‘sadboy.’ Image | Hannah Hall

I would say that, more than a country town, Nashville is a songwriter’s town. There definitely is an emphasis on country music downtown, but all genres are found here all over the city. I live in East Nashville, which is across the river from downtown, and it’s mostly garage rock and indie alternative genres over here. It’s just a heavily-populated music and creator town which is amazing for collaborations, and the industry is here. I lived in Nashville for a summer in college and always knew I wanted to move back. I’ve been here for two years now. Talk a little about your new single “curled toes.” How did it come together? How can people hear it? “curled toes” is a summer song to me. It’s about the genre of guys I was dating after college in Jersey and Philly, and just that lust and flirtation at the beginning of a new relationship – when you’re not sure if you’re both on the same page, if you like each other equally, etc. I recorded it in Philly and then brought it with me to Nashville and found two women engineers to mix and master it. I’m so happy

with how it turned out. You can listen to it at music.alyssajoseph.com/curled-toes How did you spend your downtime during the pandemic? Are you excited to get back before live audiences again? At the beginning of the pandemic, I was writing a lot of music. The past year of it, I have been focusing on marketing and releasing music which has been a ton of work and very exciting. I also formed a band in Nashville! We had our first show a couple weeks ago, and it felt so good to play live again. I’m definitely looking forward to connecting with folks in person again after so long. What’s ahead for you – live shows, more new music? And what are the best ways your fans can stay current with what you’re doing? I have an album on the way! There will be more shows in different cities, and some exciting content! The best way to know what’s going on is by signing up for my email list at alyssajoseph.com/email-signup and following me on socials: instagram.com/alyssajoseph27This is body text_nimrod seph27

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | AUGUST 19 - 26, 2021

FILM

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY ‘Loving Lenna’ from Heather Brawley and Kirstie Muñoz won the LGBTQ Spirit Award at the recent New Hope Film Festival. Image | Heather Brawley and Kirstie Muñoz

Making MOVIES

Heather Brawley and Kirstie Muñoz find success at New Hope Film Festival

eather Brawley and her PW recently caught up with Muñoz to talk fiancée, Kirstie Muñoz, reabout the films and the film festival. cently had two short films Tell us a little about how you each bein the New Hope Film Festicame interested in making films and then val – one in the 2020 screenhow you came to work together in their ings, and one in 2021. Their production. two films have racked up a I’ve always had such a wild imagination, ofcumulative 16 festival seten running around by myself, pretending to lections in the past be in my own world. I loved the exciteyear, and they also ment of escaping reality. That was my happy place! The magic of the movies took home an award at the New Hope BY: EUGENE always sparked something in me, and I festival. ZENYATTA had always been full of curiosity when The comedy “Feminist Theory it came to the creative process of makand How it Relates to the Patriarchal ing films. When I decided to become Dividend” was filmed pre-pandeman actor, my mind was set. If others ic with director Katie Oliver. It was nominated in two categories in the New Hope could do it, so could I. When Heather and I started dating, I was Film Festival – Female Eye Filmmaking, and the first assistant director on a web series LGBTQ Spirit. called “Keeping It 100: The Series.” Heather Their second film, drama “Loving Lenna,” was filmed by just the two of them in quaran- works in international film sales and was also tine and is written and directed by and stars moving into film production, so we brought her on the project. We quickly realized our Muñoz. Brawley produced the film, and the chemistry on set was just as good as it was music was “Inward” by East Forest.

AUGUST 19 - 26, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

off set. From then on, we’ve been fortunate enough to work together on several productions, and create two of our own. You recently had two short films in the New Hope Film Festival. Can you talk a little about each film? Our first short film was filmed pre-pandemic, “Feminist Theory & How It Relates to The Patriarchal Dividend,” and was in New Hope Film Festival’s 2020 edition. It’s an LGBTQ comedy about a lesbian couple who go out to have some drinks and a series of unfortunate repetitive events take place, leaving them to wonder if they can go anywhere without getting propositioned. It’s a hilarious film written by Matt Morillo and directed by Katie Oliver that New Hope Film Festival described as an “uncomfortably good and socially relevant film!” Our second film, “Loving Lenna,” was in the New Hope Film Festival for 2021. It is a short/alternative film about finding your way to self love. The story is told through a meditative narration. I used my original poetry,

voicemails and voiceovers, along with original music by East Forest, which is the music that inspired the idea for the film. We are so honored that East Forest allowed us to use his music in the film. Heather and I made “Loving Lenna” in our apartment over quarantine, in one week, with our iPhone 11 Pro Max! We had planned on submitting to a quarantine film festival that would have made the film publicly available on YouTube. However, after filming, editing the final cut and sharing the film with our mentors, we decided not to enter that competition and submit to established festivals. We were so happy with the film and excited that it had become bigger than we imagined – we are grateful that it has touched people the way that it has. It just goes to show what you can do with little resources and creativity! “Loving Lenna” was filmed by just the two of you during the COVID quarantine. What were some of the challenges you faced when making it? We filmed “Loving Lenna” on Heather’s

FILM

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Between their two films, Heather Brawley and Kirstie Muñoz had six nominations and took home one award at the New Hope Film Festival. Image | Heather Brawley and Kirstie Muñoz

iPhone 11 Pro Max in our apartment in West Hollywood. We were both feeling stifled and isolated during quarantine, and in the heart of LA, it is never quiet. In addition to that, for the first time ever, we were at our apartment together 24/7. It was great, just a totally different experience from what we were used to working in film. I was also focusing on sobriety and doing a lot of meditation during that time and in the city that never sleeps, time didn’t really exist as a measure. When I had my vision of how to shoot “Lov-

ing Lenna,” my directorial debut, we had to find creative ways to make it happen with the resources that we had in our apartment. Luckily we had collected a few items over time, including a soft lighting kit, tripods and gels which helped create the look that I envisioned for “Loving Lenna.” There were some challenges, for instance we had to get creative with jimmy rigging shots from above with a makeshift C-Stand, but there were some benefits as well – for example, we got to take advantage of using the empty streets during

quarantine. While your films have been selected for 16 festivals in the past year, the New Hope event was the first one that you were able to attend in person. What was that like? We’ve been accepted into festivals in Wexford, Ireland, Maui, Hawaii, Berlin, Germany, Hartford, Connecticut, Dubuque, Iowa, of course New Hope, and several others. We could not attend those festivals due to COVID and either the festivals being virtual, or us not feeling comfortable traveling. Although we couldn’t attend those festivals in person, the virtual festivals were well done with either pre-recorded or live interviews via Zoom, and it was exciting to see the festivals find creative and safe ways to make the events the best they could be. This was the first festival we were able to attend in person and it was really amazing to see our films and others on the big screen and meet the other filmmakers. At New Hope it was really great to actually have conversations about everyone’s films, current events, and making art in light of the narrative of our current times – whether it’s the political climate, COVID, etc. Because of the Delta variant, it ended up being a small, intimate crowd. Although we missed the filmmakers that would have attended, it also gave us the opportunity to have a high quality time safely discussing other filmmakers’ stories and making those connections that you hope to get out of attending a film festival.

In addition to the filmmakers, connecting with Dough Whipple, president of New Hope Film Festival, and his staff in person was great. Between our two films we ended up being nominated for six total awards at the New Hope Film Festival (including a Best Short Film nomination for “Loving Lenna”), and we won the LGBTQ Spirit Award for “Loving Lenna.” We are so honored. What’s ahead for you? Any new projects? We are in pre-production on a few projects, including an indie feature film, “Sonny Boy,” that we have been working on for the past four years. It is a story about a Korean-Italian American man, a once promising playwright from Oakland, California, who returns home to make amends with his dying father while picking up the pieces of a broken dream. It addresses the extremely common and relatable question, “What happens when your dreams don’t pan out the way you have planned?” We have some exciting announcements coming soon related to this project, so make sure to follow along at the website (sonnyboythefilm. com), and follow us on social media @sonnyboythefilm. Aside from that, I have poetry I am recording that I will be releasing, and we have some more short films in development. What are the best ways for people to stay current with your projects? Our social media and website links are: Instagram.com/Mylastnameismunoz; Kirstiemunoz.com; Instagram.com/Hbrawley; heatherbrawley.com and lovinglenna.com.

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Thom Carroll

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Talking about The Choice “I’ve never ever felt the ‘cluck’ – a word we and honest details of my experience deciding whether or not to enter motherhood, I use in Australia to describe that unexplainand my ensemble members will empower able feeling in your body that you want to have a child,” says Jacinta Yelland, Aussie-born others to also share about their experiences and listen, see and support other women as Philadelphia actor and one of co-artistic directhey face this life-changing decision.” tors of inFLUX Theater Collective. The trio met in 2017 while completing the “Over the last few years, I have teetered Pig Iron Theater Company’s MFA from not wanting to have children program and while collaborating, to wanting to have children for vardiscovered they hold wildly diverious reasons,” the Mt Airy resident gent ideas about having children. says, pondering, “How could I bring One conversation on the ethics of a child into this world knowing reproduction in the era of climate their life would be horrendous due to climate change...but what about change turned so heated that they when my husband and I are old and shelved the topic until 2020, when have no one to take care of us? they started their theater company. “In two months, I turn 36 – which Now they’re grappling with the isif I got pregnant would be called a sue head on, with “The Choice” as geriatric pregnancy – another reathe first in a series of productions son to hesitate before having kids their evolving relationships DR. TIMAREE about – and my biological clock is telling towards motherhood. me I need to make a decision NOW “I have always wanted kids. I before it’s too late,” she says. @TIMAREE_LEIGH can’t quite explain it and I usually Along with Christine Octavia hate just calling it ‘maternal inShaw and Jacstinct’ but I’ve queline Libby, always felt it was her fellow cobasically a magleads and arical superpower tistic directors, to create new Yelland is worklife and knew ing through I’d have kids,” the question of says Christine having children Octavia Shaw, – and is using who lives in her artistic platFishtown. “But form to do it despite really – in their aptly wanting this titled upcomthing, I’ve aling production, ways been fear“The Choice.” ful of the reality The team says – how can I posthe show will be sibly have kids highly interacand maintain a tive and allow career as an artaudience memist? What are the bers to weigh in and contribute their own perfinancial realities of this choice? How do I navspectives on the topic. igate romantic relationships with the want for “‘The Choice’ is very personal and importchildren looming? ant to me. It puts my decision-making process “I’ve often found it really hard to talk about out in the open – my fears, concerns, desires these things,” she says, finding herself “terriand dreams – all of it,” Yelland says, “I hope fied” of the potential judgement from others that by sharing with the audience all the raw and the challenge of balancing career and

SCHMIT

“I hope that by sharing with the audience all the raw and honest details of my experience deciding whether or not to enter motherhood, I and my ensemble members will empower others to also share about their experiences and listen, see and support other women as they face this lifechanging decision.”

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Jacinta Yelland, Jacqueline Libby and Christine Octavia Shaw work through the question of having children in their upcoming production of ‘The Choice.’ Image | Jacqueline Libby

motherhood. “Would my identity suddenly be reduced from Christine the artist to Christine the mom? It’s really important for me in this show to voice these fears – to share that even if I know what I want my choice to be, it isn’t easy and asks so much of women.” She finds the timing of the piece to be not only extremely relevant to the three of them, but to the zeitgeist. The workforce is increasingly hostile to working parents and more pressure involved in parenting Shaw says, and yet, “we see the news responding to it with reports about the ‘baby bust.’” At 25, Jacqueline Libby is the youngest of the crew. She says she hadn’t really thought about having kids before this project. “Working on this material, talking with Christine and Jacinta, and the many other people facing this decision, I realized I still don’t want to be thinking about it,” the Pennsport resident says. “I have decided to decide later, and that is a choice that is equally as valid as choosing yes or no! “But what we don’t see much of is space for really honest discussion of the realities,” she adds.

“As we’ve talked with women while building this show, we’ve so often heard women just 15 or 20 years older than us lamenting that the choice was never really a choice for them – they didn’t have space to openly and honestly discuss the realities of deciding to become a mother. And even with women our own age, we find the conversations are starting to happen but are often steeped in judgment.” “The Choice,” they believe, will be a part of changing that conversation. “In speaking about our experiences, we hope to open space for others,” says Yelland, “empowering them to talk and share about their experiences, so we can create a community that sees, supports and understands each other as these choices become more and more difficult in today’s world!” “The Choice” runs Sept. 9-18 and tickets went on sale Aug. 13. No one turned away for lack of funds so email influxtheatre@gmail. com. Tickets are available at pafringe.secure. force.com/. Have a question for Dr. Timaree? Send an email to asktimaree@philadelphiaweekly.com.

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Public Notice Court of Common Pleas for the Country of Philadelphia, June Term, 2021, NO. 00780 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on June 14, 2021, the petition of Omar Dion Fleming was filed, praying for a decree to change his name to Kain Faughn. The court has fixed August 19, 2021 at 10 o’clock AM., in Room No. 691, 34 So. 11th Street, Phila., Pa. for hearing. All persons interested may appear and show cause if any they have, why the prayer of the said petitioner should not be granted.

Legal Notice STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CHARLESTON IN THE FAMILY COURT FOR THE NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT DOCKET NO. 2021-DR- 10 -1241 SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES VERSUS Taneesha L. Jackson & Tracey Epps DEFENDANTS. IN THE INTERESTS OF: MINOR CHILDREN BORN: 2011, 2013, 2017 TO DEFENDANT: Tracey Epps YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Complaint in this action filed with the Clerk of Court for Charleston County on April 23, 2021. Upon proof of interest, a copy of the Complaint will be delivered to you upon request from the Charleston County Clerk of Court, and you must serve a copy of your Answer to the Complaint on the Plaintiff, the South Carolina Department of Social Services, at the office of its Attorney, Kenneth Murphy, II Legal Department of the Charleston County Department of Social Services, 3366 Rivers Ave., N. Charleston, SC 29405 within thirty (30) days of this publication, exclusive of the date of service. If you fail to answer within the time set forth above, the Plaintiff will proceed to seek relief from the Court. Kenneth Murphy, II, SC Bar # 101817, 3366 Rivers Ave. N. Charleston, SC 29405, 843-953-9625

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Legal Notice NOTICE OF DEFAULT AND FORECLOSURE SALE WHEREAS, on May 19, 2011, a certain mortgage was executed by Emily A. Guidotti, as mortgagor in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., AS MORTGAGEE, AS NOMINEE FOR URBAN FINANCIAL GROUP INC., ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS as mortgagee and was recorded in Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Philadelphia County in Mortgage Document ID 52358553 (“Mortgage”); and WHEREAS, the Mortgage encumbers property located at 1221 Dickinson Street Philadelphia, PA 19147, parcel number 012435900(“Property”); and WHEREAS, the Property was owned by Emily Guidotti and Vincent Guidotti by entireties by virtue of deed recorded November 4, 1983 in Book: 00877 Page: 149; and WHEREAS, Record Owner Vincent Guidotti died on July 13, 1998. By operation of law title vests solely in Emily Guidotti and Vincent Guidotti is hereby released of liability pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 1144. Emily Guidotti died on July 18, 2018 intestate and is survived by her heirs-at-law, Vincent Guidotti, Jr., Joseph Guidotti, Anthony Guidotti and Maria Edelstein aka Maria Guidotti; and WHEREAS, the Mortgage is now owned by the Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (“Secretary”), pursuant to an assignment recorded on December 27, 2016 in Document ID 53153253, in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; and WHEREAS, a default has been made in the covenants and conditions of the Mortgage (paragraph 9 (a)(i)), as Emily A. Guidotti died on July 18, 2018, and that upon the death the entire principal balance becomes due and owing, and that no payment was made, and remains wholly unpaid as of the date of this Notice; and WHEREAS, the entire amount delinquent as of January 11, 2021 is $330,814.19 plus interest, costs and other charges through the sale date; and WHEREAS, by virtue of this default, the Secretary has declared the entire amount of the indebtedness secured by the Mortgage to be immediately due and payable; NOW THEREFORE, pursuant to powers vested in me by the Single Family Mortgage Foreclosure Act of 1994, l2 U.S.C. 3751 et seq., by 24 CFR Part 29, and by the Secretary’s designation of me as Foreclosure Commissioner, recorded on September 29, 2011 in Misc. Instrument #: 52395684, in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, notice is hereby given that at September 8, 2021 at 10:00 AM at the Southeast Entrance of Philadelphia City Hall located at Broad Street and Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 all real property and personal property at or used in connection with the following described premises will be sold at public action to the highest bidder: The land hereinafter referred to is situated in the City of Philadelphia, County of Philadelphia, State of PA, and is described as follows: All that certain lot or piece of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, described according to a survey and plan thereof made by Charles F. Puff, Jr., Surveyor and Regulator of the 2nd Survey District on 04/26/1916 as follows to wit: Situate on the North side of Dickinson Street (50 feet wide) at the distance of 232 feet Westward from the West side of 12th Street (50 feet wide) in the 1st Ward of the City of Philadelphia.Containing in front or breadth on said Dickinson Street 16 feet 6 inches and extending of that width in length or depth Northward between lines parallel with said 12th Street 67 feet 3 inches. Together with the free and common use, right, liberty and privilege of the certain 2 feet wide alley which extends Northward into Wilder Street as and for a passageway and watercourse at all times hereafter forever, in common with the owners and tenants and occupiers of the other lots of ground bounding thereon and entitled to the use thereof. APN: 012435900\ Being known as 1221 Dickinson Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147 The sale will be held on September 8, 2021 at 10:00 AM at the Southeast Entrance of Philadelphia City Hall located at Broad Street and Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development will bid $330,814.19 plus interest, costs and other charges through the sale date. Ten percent (10%) of the highest bid is the deposit required at the sale. The amount that must be paid to HUD by the mortgagors or someone acting on their behalf so that the sale may be stayed is the total delinquent amount of $330,814.19 as of January 11, 2021, plus all other amounts that would be due under the mortgage agreement if payments under the mortgage had not been accelerated, advertising costs and postage expenses incurred in giving notice, mileage by the most reasonable road distance for posting notices and for the Foreclosure Commissioner’s attendance at the sale, reasonable and customary costs incurred for title and lien record searches, the necessary out-of-pocket costs incurred by the Foreclosure Commissioner for recording documents, a commission for the Foreclosure Commissioner, and all other costs incurred in connection with the foreclosure prior to reinstatement. There will be no proration of taxes, rents or other income or liabilities, except that the purchaser will pay, at or before closing, his prorata share of any real estate taxes that have been paid by the Secretary to the date of the foreclosure sale. When making their bid, all bidders, except the Secretary, must submit a deposit totaling ten percent 10% of the Secretary’s bid as set forth above in the form of a certified check or cashier’s check made out to the Secretary of HUD. Each oral bid need not be accompanied by a deposit. If the successful bid is oral, a deposit of ten (10%) percent must be presented before the bidding is closed. The deposit is nonrefundable. The remainder of the purchase price must be delivered within thirty (30) days of the sale or at such other time as the Secretary may determine for good cause shown, time being of the essence. This amount, like the bid deposits, must be delivered in the form of a certified or cashier’s check. If the Secretary is the high bidder, he need not pay the bid amount in cash. The successful bidder will pay all conveyance fees, all real estate and other taxes that are due on or after the delivery of the remainder of the payment and all other costs associated with the transfer of title. At the conclusion of the sale, the deposits of the unsuccessful bidders will be returned to them. The Secretary may grant an extension of time within which to deliver the remainder of the payment. All extensions will be for fifteen (15) days, and a fee will be charged in the amount of $150.00 for each fifteen (15) day extension requested. The extension fee shall be paid in the form of a certified or cashier’s check made payable to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. If the high bidder closes the sale prior to the expiration of any extension period, the unused portion of the extension fee shall be applied toward the amount due. If the high bidder is unable to close the sale within the required period, or within any extensions of time granted by the Secretary, the high bidder’s deposit will be forfeited, and the Commissioner may, at the direction of the HUD Field Office Representative, offer the Property to the second highest bidder for an amount equal to the highest price offered by that bidder. There is no right of redemption, or right of possession based upon a right of redemption, in the mortgagor or others subsequent to a foreclosure completed pursuant to the Act. Therefore, the Foreclosure Commissioner will issue a Deed to the purchaser(s) upon receipt of the entire purchase price in accordance with the terms of the sale as provided herein. KML LAW GROUP, P.C. Foreclosure Commissioners (215-825-6305)

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