FREE | OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 4, 2021
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Philadelphia’s Lisa Christ Superstar to drop LP, play The Fire
Image | Ivan Flynn
uperstar! Stu Bykofsky: Philly’s Driving Equality Bill castrated between first draft and passage. | Page 12
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CRIMEBEAT
WHAT’S UP
WITH THE
PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY Scott L. Bohn, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, talks about the issues facing police officers these days. Image | Courtesy of Scott Bohn
POLICE? Scott L. Bohn talks funding, force, reform and more
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hat are the critical issues facing police these days? I reached out to Scott L. Bohn, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, and asked him. “There are a number of issues,’ Bohn replied. “One of which is certainly addressing the perception of police work post-Floyd. We are still working and dealing with that.” Bohn also noted that the defunding the police movement, use of force, and police oversight are other critical issues. Bohn said that with 1, 062 municipal law enforcement agencies in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, their association’s basic mission is promoting excellence in service and expertise in law enforcement and public safety services. “We advocate for law enforcement leaders and provide a number of programs and training for our members, in addition to keeping the law enforcement executives informed of not only what is happening here in the capital by way of legislation, but also the changes or cases that may impact them on both the federal and state level,” Bohn said. “I spent 35 years on the job, and for my last 20, I was the chief in West Chester. When the executive director position came open, I was
ready for a new challenge, and I hoped to have away from law enforcement will further reduce their ability to implement those positive an even larger impact on law enforcement.” changes that are appropriately being called, Within three months, the U.S. was hit with the COVID-19 pandemic, so for Bohn, it has and in many cases, being legislated, across the country. been an interesting nearly two years. It will impair the progress and disrupt the “I’m asked frequently what my opinion is work that must be done to combat injustice, on defunding or appropriating law enforcereal or perceived, and combat vioment,” Bohn said. “We’re seeing lence that does exists.” this in every major city in the UnitBohn said often one does not ed States. I think that premise is look at all the variables that police impulsive and counterproductive end up being responsible for, such to the issues that really require a as employment, equal opportunisystematic set of solutions,” Bohn ty, education, vocational training, explained. “The concept, whether health care, mental health services, called firing the police or reimagsocial services, voting security, ing the police, has different meanhousing, homelessness, substance ings to everyone. But I think the abuse, recover services, and reduccommon theme involves cutting tion in state and local budgets. All, funding from police departments according to Bohn, have a bearing budgets.” on law enforcement. Regardless of the municipality, Bohn said it was a challenge to whether it be the city of Philadelbe a police officer today, but with phia, or in Harrisburg, Bohn stated every challenge there is an opporthat the costs of providing police tunity. services is one of the most costly, if PAULDAVISONCRIME.COM He said he didn’t think there not the most costly budget item. was anything more honorable than “What we should be doing is enpublic service, and the overwhelmcouraging and embracing systemic reforms that improve police training, policies, ing majority of officers go into law enforcement for all of the right reasons. procedures and technology. That requires fiI noted that some communities are more nancial resources. That needs a commitment anti-police than ever, and with the wide ability from police executives and our leaders, but also from our elected officials and our com- of people to record police action on their telemunities,” Bohn said. “The reallocations phone, cops are not always viewed in a flatter-
OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 4, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY
PAUL DAVIS
ing light. Bohn said that like most officers, he advocates the use of body cameras, but obviously that comes with a financial cost. He stated that with the increased usage of cameras in everyday life, you should always assume that everywhere you go, and anywhere you are, you are probably being filmed. “There are times when police must use force to ensure the safety of the community. Those actions must be justifiable, visibly objective, and appropriate. Police use tremendous discretion in determining when force may be necessary,” Bohn said. Bohn said that officers will begin with just their presence, then give verbal commands, and employ de-escalation techniques before they engage in physical force. He noted that out of the millions of service calls, the data suggests that law enforcement’s use of force rate is less than one percent. “While I think it is critically important for communities and elected officials to provide oversight of the law enforcement function, I don’t think we should politicize the law enforcement function,” Bohn said. “We all share a common goal, which is reducing crime in our communities and improving the quality of life for the people who live in those communities.” Paul Davis’ Crime Beat column appears here each week. He can be reached via pauldavisoncrime.com.
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FROM THE EDITOR
VOTE ‘NO’ ON QUESTION 3
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It is that same section 7-401 that City Counhis city has always had a corruption cil wants us to change on Tuesday. And by problem. For one moment in the early 1950s, though, we rose above it and “change” they mean “effectively eliminate.” Inpassed a new charter infused with a stead of the top two qualifiers, those in charge of hiring would now be able to choose from reforming spirit of good government. “such number of persons as determined by the Ever since, machine politicians have Personnel Director” based on the needs of the been trying to tear it down and go department. This turns a concrete requirement back to the bad old days of “corrupt and coninto no requirement at all. If the political bosses tented” Philadelphia. want a certain person hired, all they need to do With passage of this election’s Question 3, the latest proposed change to the City Charter, they is tell the Personnel Director to change the nummay finally succeed. Presented as an “equity” bers. It is a fraud. Why, after all these years, would Philadelmeasure, it has nothing to do with race and evphians want to abandon the city’s erything to do with power. commitment to honest hiring practicBefore the 1951 Charter, city emes? Because this wolf of a resolution ployment was a pure patronage sysis dressed up in the sheep’s clothing tem. Anyone applying for any position of wokeness. would get the job through political According to the law’s sponconnections in the then-dominant Resor, City Council Majority Leader publican Party machine. Ward leadCherelle Parker, the change would ers controlled the jobs and merit and give those in charge of hiring “more talent had nothing to do with it. This flexibility to address recruitment and inevitably led to corruption. When diversity challenges.” That is to say, city employees did their jobs poorly, she wants the city to take race into acnothing was done about it: all of the count when hiring and the city charoffenders were politically connected ter stands in the way of that. The tests and untouchable. are biased, they say, but instead of fixEventually, even complacent Philaing the tests they will just make them delphians began to demand change. In @KYLESAMMIN irrelevant. 1947, a committee of civic leaders was It is ironic, given that the civil serformed to investigate. After decades, vice reform of the 1950s was praised by leaders the whole rotten thing began to unravel. Their report the following year showed widespread of Philadelphia’s black community as a way embezzlement and hundreds of workers who to take hiring decisions out of the hands of well-connected white ward leaders. This is the collected a paycheck without performing any actual labor, or even showing up. Grand juries lesson of the Enlightenment: when the principles of meritocracy are applied without discrimwere convened and corruption exposed. ination, everyone has a fair chance at success. The scandal was enough to make PhiladelThe drive for honest government was, at heart, a phians abandon a loyalty to the Republican Party that stretched back to the Civil War. They drive for fairness and the American Dream. People in power never like any restrictions on approved a new, reform-minded City Charter in April 1951 and elected a ticket supported by themselves. The city’s political bosses’ attempt Democrats and independents later that year. to weaken merit selection is no surprise. What is surprising, and dismaying, is the acquiescence For the first time, Philadelphia looked at itself of people who once took a prominent role in and thought “we can do better.” Mayor Joseph cleaning up Philadelphia’s corruption. S. Clark and District Attorney Richardson DilDavid Thornburgh of the nonpartisan Comworth led the charge. For a brief time, they actually cleaned up mittee of Seventy praised the effort to destroy this city. Part of that change came in the City reforms for which his organization once labored. “Reform of the 1950s-era Rule of Two has Charter, which enshrined the principle of merit selection. Instead of hiring based on political long been needed to provide greater flexibility connections, the city would be required to offer in hiring and promotion decisions,” Parker’s a civil service exam. According to section 7-401 website quotes him as saying. “The rigidity of the Rule of Two was warranted 70 years ago to of the new charter, positions would be filled by guard against patronage, but we face a different choosing between “the two persons standing set of challenges in the 21st Century.” The Philhighest on the appropriate eligible list to fill a adelphia Inquirer, too, endorses the change, a vacancy.” No more cronyism, only the best perreversal of their longstanding editorial commitson for the job. ment to civil service reform. The reform spirit began to wane almost imAfraid of being tarred as racists, civic leaders mediately. By 1955, as reformers on City Counhave given up on the reforms that marked the cil began to be replaced by party machine men, brightest period in Philadelphia history. The there arose a majority in favor of repealing mer“best person for the job” will no longer apply to it selection after just four years. the city’s hiring practices. Cronyism will reign The voters defeated these amendunchallenged. Clark and Dilworth are dead; if ments in a 1956 referendum, but the reQuestion 3 passes, civil service reform will be form movement was effectively at an end. buried with them.
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PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 4, 2021
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STATE OF OUR CITY
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GIVING THANKS AND GOING OUT
STATE
OF OUR
CITY New Negroni Bar at Royal Boucherie
Image | PUNCH Media
As temperatures fall, Royal Boucherie is right on time with its new Negroni Bar – a cold-weather riff on this summer’s über-popular Spritzer Bar. The setup is similar, but flavors are flipped and couldn’t be more perfect for cooler temperatures and fall/winter imbibing. Additionally, for the first time since the start of the pandemic, Royal Boucherie is bringing back Happy Hour. Learn more at royalboucherie. com.
For those looking to escape the kitchen this Thanksgiving, we’re rounding up a list of restaurant deals you’ll want to check out. So, if your restaurant is putting together a special spread for the holiday, you need to let us know, so that we can let everyone else know. Send the details of your Thanksgiving feast to news@philadelphiaweekly.com. Then keep an eye out for our list of holiday meal deals that is coming soon.
MADE IN PHILLY HOLIDAY MARKET TO RETURN The Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market will once again return to Dilworth Park from Nov. 20 to Jan. 1. Dozens of artisans, designers and small businesses from the greater Philadelphia region will offer decorations, fashions and gifts inside white, festively lit tents. Visitors will have the unique chance to shop gifts and products that can’t be found at a usual shopping mall – including artwork, home goods, ornaments, sweets, toys, apparel, jewelry, decorations and more. Admission to the market is free. Follow @philaholidays on Instagram, like Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market on Facebook and visit madeinphila.com for more information. Image | Courtesy of Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market
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Contributors: A.D. Amorosi, A. Benjamin Mannes,Jesse Bunch, Paul Davis, Timaree Schmit, Ryan K. Smith, Stu Bykofsky, Eugene Zenyatta. Intern: Genevieve Wittrock
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NEW MUSIC, NEW GIGS
Philly-based Lisa Christ Superstar talks new music, hitting the stage
OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 4, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY
Catch Lisa Christ Superstar at The Fire on Nov. 6. Image | Ivan Flynn
BY: EUGENE ZENYATTA
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hilly-based Lisa Christ Superstar has announced the release of their debut LP, “Soundtrack of the Floating World,” on Nov. 5. Produced by Grammy winner Joe “The Butcher” Niccolo (James Taylor, Jazzy Jeff, The Fugees, Lauryn Hill, Billy Joel), the album’s 12 original songs explore themes of grief, liberation, strength, forgiveness and fate with Lisa Flynn’s blistering guitar work and Eric Perfect’s booming, driving percussion. Lisa Christ Superstar will perform at The Fire in Philadelphia on Nov. 6 in celebration of the album’s release. For details, visit firephilly.com.
FEATURED
PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY “I was in a band a few years back, and we were playing this packed house,” says the frontwoman. “I was just finishing a ripping lead, when I heard someone yell from the crowd ‘Lisa Christ Superstar!’ and Lisa Christ Superstar the band was born that night. When my husband Eric and I got together, we started the band Workhorse III, and it ruled. We played a ton of shows and put out three records that I am very proud of. But last year, right before COVID, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and I was like screw it. I wanted a fresh start, and Lisa Christ Superstar is all me.” Lisa Christ Superstar’s songs are multigenre (rock, hard rock, psychedelia, Americana, prog, etc.) and draw from influences including The Beatles, Yes, Iron Maiden, Keith Moon, The Monkees, The Doors, very early Def Leppard, Rush, and Jimmy McColloch. Following her diagnosis and recovery from breast cancer and her work as a nurse on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic, Lisa connected with Niccolo to record the band’s first album. “We were all set to record, then I needed surgery, so we postponed it for a few months which turned into a year because COVID hit,” says the guitarist. “It was a huge triumph for me because at one point I really thought the world was ending, my world at least. But to be able to play music and record again was such a blessing.” The members of Lisa Christ Superstar have been steeped in the local music scene for years. “I’ve put my heart and soul into the Philly scene,” Lisa said. “I’ve not only shared the stage with Philly’s best bands, played in bands with Philly’s best musicians, I’ve booked at some of our most legendary clubs, including The North Star bar, the Balcony and Trocadero. I co-founded Relapse Records night, Sugar Town and more recently Mistress of Mayhem featuring women in music. I also had the honor of booking and playing the last Philly show at the Trocadero. Philly is a working-class town and when our fans have worked all week and still have time to support us, that inspires me to continue to do Philly proud.” PW recently caught up with Lisa to talk about the band’s music and career. Let’s go back to the beginning. How did you become interested in music? Who were some of your early influences? I started playing guitar at 4 years old and, I remember going into Sam Goody with my dad to pick out my first guitar instruction book. I was so proud of myself as I grabbed a Walt Disney songbook and took it to the counter. There was a young guy ready to ring us up, when he looked at my Disney book and said, “You don’t want that, you want this,” and he slid a Lennon and McCartney songbook into my hungry little hands! Bang! He changed the course of my life! The only song I knew was “Yellow Submarine” cause it was, y’know, a cartoon. So that was the first song I ever learned how to play and my love affair with my guitar and The Beatles began.
Talk a little about your writing process. What inspires you to write songs? My writing process changes from song to song. Sometimes I come up with a killer riff, or a chorus pops in my head. One of the songs off our new record, “I’m Going Under,” really wrote itself. I had all the lyrics and music done when our beloved furry baby Harry passed. My old set of words were meaningless. The new lyrics just flew outta me from the pain and sorrow I felt. I’ve always written better with a depressed heart. Your debut LP, “Soundtrack of the Floating World” drops on Nov. 5. How did it come together? How can people get the album? Our album was written over the course of a few months, but I had to get surgery and then the pandemic hit so it put us off like a year until we could record it. Some of our songs came together just jamming at practice. It’s so cool, like we start with nothing and then the air is filled with this song that didn’t exist five minutes before, creativity is magical! You can get our album on our brand new website: lisachristsuperstar.com, iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music or any of our live shows. You’ve been a part of the Philly music scene for a long time. How has it impacted your music? What’s the scene like now, as we begin to emerge from the pandemic? The Philly music scene is vital to me. It’s raw and powerful and makes me feel alive. You could see John Entwistle at Upstairs at Nicks, then walk down the street and check out the Rollins Band at the Khyber, or head over to the Troc and get destroyed by Slayer. I once joined five bands in one night bouncing back and forth between Nicks and the Khyber, it was electric! I had a great job booking the Trocadero Balcony and Northstar bar for years and that really gave my musical career another dimension. I wanted to bring the best acts to our city, and I did. I’ve spent years rocking many clubs in this town with just a fantastic array of musicians. I know I bring that Philly rawness and power to every stage I play. It’s who I am. I’m stoked to see the clubs opening again and bands getting back to playing live. We just played our first show since the pandemic began, and it was like we never left. I think ev-
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Lisa Christ Superstar’s music has been influenced by The Beatles, Yes, Iron Maiden and more. Image | Ivan Flynn
eryone is just so excited to get out and see live music again. Philly people work hard all week and there is nothing like getting out on Saturday night, being in a hot, sweaty club, having a beer and seeing a band, but we need to be safe and keep our fans safe as well! So if we have to wear masks and get vaccinated to see and play shows again, man, I’m all for it. What will your fans see when they show up at The Fire on Nov. 6?
They are gonna see me shredding on stage with a great new set of songs that we have never played live before! And our debut album will be available for the first time! What are the best ways for your fans to stay current with what you’re doing? They can always hit us up on Facebook, Instagram or through our website lisachristsuperstar.com. We have a mailing list you can add your address to, where I sent out all our news and updates!
PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 4, 2021
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MUSIC
Nashville-based artist morgxn will play The Foundry on Nov. 5. Image | Nolan Knight
Nashville-based artist morgxn set to play The Foundry
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BACK
ON
STAGE
OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 4, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY
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ashville-based artist morgxn recently debuted the music video for his new single “Don’t Think About It,” which depicts a spin on the typical gender reveal party. The track – a collaboration with Grammy-nominated producer and songwriter Jenn DeCliveo – is from his EP “MERIDIAN: vol 2.” The EP is the highly anticipated follow up to “MERIDIAN: vol 1.”
MUSIC
PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY
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Nashville’s morgxn recently debuted the music video for his new single ‘Don’t Think About It,’ which depicts a spin on the typical gender reveal party. Image | Emma Mead
You can see morgxn live and in person Nov. 5 at The Foundry at The Fillmore with Smallpools. Tickets and info are available at thefillmorephilly.com. Nashville-born Morgan Isaac Karr, best known as morgxn, released his debut album “vital” in 2018 that included the hit lead single “home” featuring Walk The Moon. The track was a Top 10 Alternative Radio hit, landing on the Billboard Alternative Songs Chart and Billboard Rock Airplay Chart. He has toured extensively with the likes of X Ambassadors, Phoebe Ryan, Miike Snow, Skylar Grey and more, and has played festivals worldwide, including Lollapalooza, Firefly and Hangout. PW recently caught up with morgxn to talk about the new music and concerts. Let’s go back to the beginning. When did you first become interested in music? Who were some of your earliest influences? It’s hard to separate when my interest in music became wanting to pursue music. I’m still just a person who loves crafting songs and I spend a lot of time turning journal entries into sparks of melodies and lyrics. I grew up in Nashville, but not around the industry. My parents were not involved in music, but my grandfather loved to sing. His father was a vaudeville singer, but loved the bottle too much so I think he never was encouraged to keep singing because his father’s life was so hard. But all my life he loved listening to
keep you in a box to “maintain decency”. me sing or play the piano. It was really high I had met this cake designer on the interschool though where I discovered Stevie Wonder and Luther Vandross – just these soulful net, and his literal cake art made my brain start turning with how I could make a music song troubadours – that I felt some kind of video with his work. At first, I thought about shift. being a groomsmen at a gay wedding, but What inspires you to make music? Pain. Loss. Joy. And the pursuit of making while everyone is falling in love with the love – I was falling in love with cake. But then I sense of it all. was like “what is three minutes of Talk a little about your new me eating a cake – that’s not a mumusic video and single “Don’t sic video.. that’s just depression.” Think About It.” How did it BY: EUGENE It wasn’t until I met the director, come together? How did you ZENYATTA Neta Ben Ezra, that we connected come up with a song about genthe dots and started talking about der reveal parties? the absurdity of gender reveal I often treat the music video process as an entirely different creation. The parties. And that’s how the idea was really formed. songwriting happened at the beginning of 2020. January, I believe. Long before (to me) I That track is from your upcoming EP was aware of what 2020 would become. “MERIDIAN: vol 2.” Talk a little about the I met Jenn Decilveo and it was more talking than creating. But all of a sudden we had a songs on the EP. How will people be able to get it? song that poured out. I was struggling to get It will be a streaming only project for now. my old label to let me release music and felt like I was just stuck in this stronghold, want- I’ll be playing the songs live on tour. The project was never an intentional project … it was ing to continue but also losing the fight to really the result of the music that kept me keep it going. The song came out of that impulse, but when I was getting ready to make a going during the pandemic. It was what kept video for the song, I was in a different place. a me going when I couldn’t find my hope or my sense of belonging. BURDEN, CITADEL, year of being independent and having some of THE WAY IT WAS, DON’T THINK ABOUT IT, the biggest success I’d ever had – the song beBROKEN PEOPLE / it kind of writes itself. came a mantra of all the ways I can get stuck This is how I picked up the pieces. in my head and all the ways society tries to
You’ve toured a lot in the past, and I’m guessing the pandemic threw a wrench into that. How does it feel to be back on stage before live audiences? What will your fans see when they show up at The Foundry at The Fillmore on Nov. 5? I have been trying to put it into words but performers and artists – we had a kind of lifeline stripped from us. While many people had their lives turned upside down, I’m lucky to have found new ways to connect. “Working from home” looked really different to a lot of people. While I loved the chances to go live and create a sense of community online – nothing replaces the vibration of being together. I described it like putting a fish back in water. There is something so essential about gathering. I tried to keep my spirits up, but I’ll be honest – some days were very hard. I’m looking forward to all the ways we will be together again and reminding each other of our shared humanity. That feels important to me What’s ahead for you after the tour wraps up? More new music? More tours in 2022. More music - some really special collaborations coming. Reading books and settling into my new home in Nashville. What are the best ways for your fans to stay current with what you’re doing? Online and through my Discord.
PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 4, 2021
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GOSSIP
PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY
What are you wearing this Halloween?
ICEPACK
TRICKS AND TREATS OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 4, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY
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Image | Joackim Weiler
ith Halloween on a Sunthat Comcast was a wee greedy. It’s good to day, and not exactly a stay current, Comcast.) Not around so much weekend this year, you for the XClass launch is David L. Cohen who have two extra days is just waiting by the phone for local pal, Presand nights of having ident Biden, to cross the t’s and dot the i’s for to go cheap and make that promised ambassadorship to Canada. Mr. one costume work for Cohen, Biden isn’t so great at putting pen to three days of parties and paper and signing things in a timely fashion – trick-and/or-treating. Mexican border – so you might want to settle So, what is your mask back in an easy chair in Philly for a sec. and wig for Halloween 2021? Rittenhouse movie The many faces of the Sixer-Not-Sixer Ben Because playing a homeless man is someSimmons: the lazy baller, the distant emotionthing he does with ease (go back to “Down al wastrel, the letter-writing goof expressing and Out in Beverly Hills,” for a start, I’m not himself in prose? (It should be added that making any stale or untoward Nolte-homeless though he’s got zero time to practice even jokes) Nick Nolte returned to familiar ground when he deigns his teammates worthy of his last week by commencing filming on a flick presence, Simmons does have the get-up-andcalled Rittenhouse in Rittenhouse Square. go vigor to put his Moorestown, South Jersey, That’s apt, right? The new movie is directhouse on the market for $5 million). ed and written by local Brandon Eric Kamin The rolled-up sleeves of John “Johnny Doc” (he did his last film, The Nomads, here as Dougherty complete with a scroll of lobbyists, well with Tate Donovan and Raekwon about political consultants, and fellow union leadsports programs in a North Philadelphia high ers close at his side? Transit Workers Union school), and so far we haven’t heard much Local 234 president Willie Brown pushing about where the location has moved since day around SEPTA as if he were pushing old trolone. Rittenhouse Square is only so big. leys back onto their tracks? An Eagle New name – pick one, they’re all to blame – who How cute: South Philly’s barren, blundered every bit of Sunday’s game ye old refinery area just rebranded BY: A.D. with the Raiders and have left us 2-5? as “The Bellwether District” from the AMOROSI (Maybe newly ex-Eagle Zach Ertz got HRP. It rolls off the tongue sweeter out of town for the Arizona Cardinals than “Newbold,” yet isn’t quite as dejust in time. And I don’t mean Philly’s lightful as “Point Breeze.” cold winter’s snap). Maybe even the pranking Skid Row music fake Gritty that got its ass kicked on Saturday Just announced for pre-order and a ChristNight Live the other night? mas time release for the hair metal heads on Ghouling up for Halloween and going into your holiday list: the complete catalog from the district attorney’s race this Tuesday, I’d New Jersey’s hard rock Skid Row from the love to say that I’m going for the Charles Pelate’ 80s and early ‘90s with SKID ROW: The ruto costume (the disco pompadour, the deep Atlantic Years 1989-1996. The whole thing is tan, the natty comportment) and not the Laravailable on vinyl and CD (that’s right, that ry Krasner (basically the “Harry Potter” with format ain’t dead yet), and, of course, comes less schoolkid references and more frazzled, with power ballads such as “18 & Life” and “I loosely knotted ties) for Halloween, but while Remember You.” Fact: they were huge in Ausboth are scary, the former just won’t draw any tralia, far beyond their Toms River roots so attention. don’t get cocky. Comcast TV set War on Drugs prints Keeping score with the Philly-based caCloser to this century, and closer to home, ble-streaming giant Comcast this week,means Philly’s The War on Drugs have hooked up watching the launch of its debut television with Texan (better say Austin, TX) visual set, the smart XClass TV, built by Hisense artist Tim Wakefield and the Soundwave Art for streaming, and to be sold nationally at Collaborative for prints based on the sound WalMart (!?). That means that, for the first wave patterns of War songs such as “Red time ever, Comcast’s entertainment platform Eyes” and “Thinking of a Place.” Head Druwill be made available to those without an gie Adam Granduciel has hand-signed prints. Xfinity subscription. Not unlike loading iPwith Soundwaves selling the results for charihones with U2 albums they don’t want, Comty: the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund for music cast is looking to deal with the fact that the biz workers, on and off the stage beat up and number of Xfinity’s television subscribers broke from the pandemic’s long shutdown. has dwindled drastically across the last sevQuestlove book eral seasons, and seeks to boost and widen its Speaking of the shutdown, and in case you streaming scope. (Comcast also got dragged missed another thing that he’s produced, into Johnny Dougherty case notes when it while quarantining and putting final edit was found that Doc struck a supposed side touches on his Summer of Soul documentary, deal with the cabler for franchising efforts and Philly native Questlove – still a Root(s), still
GOSSIP
PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY
’s good to d so much ohen who pal, Presthe i’s for anada. Mr. ng pen to y fashion – nt to settle sec.
n is someto “Down rt, I’m not -homeless ar ground on a flick e Square. is directric Kamin s, here as won about lphia high ard much since day with Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show band – ig. also wrote his sixth book and recorded its audio version with his own score, Music Is Hiss barren, tory. The history book looks into race, gender, rebranded politics, culture and identity across the last 50 ” from the years in the U.S. using a song a year to tell its e sweeter tale. Bravo. uite as de- Masked Philly Remix: DECOUPLR’s Bailey Walker and Adam Laub In Icepack’s way too-long and now way d a Christ- overly complex and continuing saga of askheads on ing mask-donning local celebrities what alog from they’ve been up to, beyond the pale, during from the C-19 – from lockdown to the current reopenROW: The ing, present-day unmasking and re-masking, e thing is worrying about Delta variants, freaking out right, that about Fauci’s call for a potential third round rse, comes of vax shots mere five months after the last, fe” and “I new mask and vax card mandates, ignored or ge in Aus- not ignored (I mean why did I wait in line at r roots so the Convention Center if you’re not asking to see my card?), and the possibility of mix-andmatching vaccines which is weird, right? – I r to home, reached out this week AGAIN, to West Philly’s hooked up DECOUPLR’s Bailey Walker and Adam Laub. X) visual Now, why would I go at the chilly (their dwave Art sound is icy, I’m sure they’re warm people) the sound electronic music making couple, singer Walkh as “Red er and multi-instrumentalist Laub for a secHead Dru- ond round of Icepack Masked Philly? There ned prints. are millions (OK, 20, but still….) famous Philfor chari- adelphians masking and vaxxing (and a bunch for music of you fuckers who aren’t – AND WISE UP). I at up and dare to do the duo as a do-over because they tdown. just released a mashed, chopped, diced and sliced new version of their 2021 debut album n case you as DIGITAL BONFIRE REMIXED, a re-enviproduced, sioned re-interpretation of the original album final edit with each track remixed by a different artist. umentary, So while December 2020 found the blissful ot(s), still pair “exploring home projects that are sus-
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Image | Courtesy of Bailey Walker and Adam Laub
tainability minded,” noted Walker, “with projects like soap and candle making,” and Laub advancing his skills with servers, by setting up home server stacks in their bedroom (“It’s quite loud with all the fans running but quarantine has given me some extra time to learn more about the technology”), spring 2021 was a different matter altogether. “DIGITAL BONFIRE was all about isolation, loneliness and dealing with anxiety, especially in the face of the pandemic,” says Walker. “We tried to send messages on the album that it is okay to reach out to the people closest to you when you need help. So, remixes were a chance for us to sort of fulfill that message by collaborating with many wonderful people. I feel like the remix record takes music we made and gives the listener the opportunity to hear DIGITAL BONFIRE through the lens of some of our closest friends and favorite local artists.” Laub continues with, “We made it a point to only have musicians that we are close friends with on the record, so we thought we had an idea of what each person would do but everyone really surprised us with what they came up with. At this point when I think of some of these songs, I realize I am hearing the remix in my head instead of the original.” While Walker walks around with a mask purchased from South Street Art Mart and Laub donning a very tech-y SpaceMask, DECOUPLR’s next plans involve playing live shows now that venues are reopening. “We are also working on a collaboration EP with Philly-based musician Fried Monk, and we are starting to write and record our follow up LP. No timeline for that yet, but so far the songs are starting to come out very naturally.”
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12
OPINION
PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY
Bait and
SWITCH Philly’s Driving Equality Bill was castrated between first draft and passage
I
Jim Kenney’s signature. The second bill cret looks like “bait and switch.” What started out as Philadelphia ates a public database listing information on City Councilman Isaiah Thomas’ traffic stops.) Those “secondary offenses” join “driving equality” bill was castrated, the chaos of Philly’s other unenforced laws, transitioning before passage into a such as pot smoking, shoplifting under $500, red-light running, prostitution, drug use, drag “break the law with impunity” bill. The original bill, written in 2020, racing, and ATV parades down Broad Street. This “bait and switch” is a classic illustrahad language about how so-called “secondary tion of Otto von Bismarck’s quip offenses” – such as expired registhat, “Laws are like sausages. It’s tration stickers, broken tail lights, better not to see them being made.” missing license plates – would be BY: STU But I do want to see how this pargently handled by police. Instead BYKOFSKY ticular sausage was made. To be of stopping the motorist, it allowed precise, unmade. But finding the officers to write a ticket and mail name of the butcher is a challenge. it to the owner of the car, just as is Let’s take a page from Genesis done with red-light cameras. But enforcement language mysteriously and start at the beginning, October 2020. In was stripped from the bill that passed 14-2 by the wake of the George Floyd murder, and reacting to statistics about car stops, Thomas City Council in early October. With no enforcement language, the bill effectively wipes drafted a bill to prohibit police from making “secondary violations” off the books. (It is one car stops for a number of “secondary offensof two “driving equality” bills awaiting Mayor es.”
OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 4, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY
It seemed “like another half-assed idea to help the irresponsible avoid the consequences of their actions,” I wrote a year ago. But Thomas’ office made available statistics developed by the Defender Association of Philadelphia that show African-Americans – 43% of the Philly population – are 72% of those stopped by police. Those statistics backed up what Thomas (who is Black) and others call “driving while Black.” Thomas’ bill permitted police to write a violation for “secondary offenses” and mail it to the car’s owner to reduce face-to-face confrontations between cops and civilians that can lead to conflict. One of my operating systems, if I can slip into computer slang, is three little words: Obey The Law. It’s amazing how much less conflict there would be in America if people just followed those three little words. As long as the law had enforcement teeth, I was satisfied. Not everyone else was. One talk radio host guffawed that violators would tear up tickets that came in the mail. Well, maybe, but they could tear up tickets that were handed to them. Police would still be authorized to stop cars for more serious offenses, such as speeding, running red lights or making illegal turns. FOP President John McNesby last year said he believed the law was illegal. He could not be reached for comment on the current bill. Thomas’ spokesman, Max Weisman, said the bill had been approved by the city Law Department. Here’s a secret: If you represent the city of Philadelphia and you can’t find a city lawyer who will endorse your opinion on anything, you better get a new job. The Philadelphia Police Department was offered input. “PPD worked collaboratively with [Councilman] Thomas to structure a bill that achieves the goals of healing police-community relations,
OPINION
PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY
13
ed idea to nsequencr ago. But tistics den of Philans – 43% % of those backed up others call
write a vid mail it to e confronthat can
I can slip le words: much less if people . nt teeth, I
t violators the mail. up ticketsreducing racial inequities in stops, and mainwould stilltaining community safety,” police spokesman serious of-Eric McLaurin told me in an email. d lights or When I asked for a list of “secondary offenses,” and how officers would enforce the new t year saidlaw, he vanished. Laws that put them in short could notpants harm their crime-fighting ability, says rrent bill.Tom Garvey, past president of the city and n, said thestate FOP. w Depart- “In a city where the population is 43% black, the City Council has 13 of 17 members the city of who are Black, the police commissioner is ity lawyerblack, 45% of the police force is Black, then anything,why did City Council pass a bill that reduces iladelphiarevenue, violates state law, has shown jumps put. “PPDin vehicle injuries and deaths because drivers uncilman]feel empowered and take more chances?” he hieves theasks. relations, “How many members of the City Council
discussed the bill with members of their district who are Black police officers? When did any member of Council take a ride along in a high-crime area on a Friday night with two Black Highway Patrol officers who live in their district?” asks Garvey, adding that car stops are most common in high-crime areas (which in Philly happen to be Black). What he was getting at was further explained by City Councilman David Oh, one of two Council members who voted against the bill. The other was Northeast Republican Councilman Brian O’Neill, who has been on Council since the Stone Age. The bill undermines citizen safety, Oh says. Inspection stickers, for example, ensure that the car is roadworthy. Registration stickers and license plates prove that cars are safe and legal. “I do not
think the bill is legal,” he says. “It’s outside our powers. Why would you need an executive order?” Glad you mentioned that, Councilman. I first heard those two words when I contacted Inquirer reporter Sean Collins Walsh to ask why his story on the bill said “officers can issue citations for those infractions that will be mailed to drivers.” He agreed such language was not in the latest bill, but said he was told by Thomas’ office that the missing enforcement language would be restored by an executive order [EO] when it reached the mayor’s desk. So I emailed the mayor’s office, asking if he would restore enforcement language. While I awaited the mayor’s response, I made an entry in my Dream Journal: The mayor who supports illegal (not) safe injection sites, and who
actively shields foreign felons from ICE, he is the one to insert teeth into this bill? The answer from his spokeswoman was 225 words, with the consistency of a bottle of Gerber’s peach baby food. I tried again: “Will enforcement language be added by EO?” No response. The Mayor’s spokeswoman and the police department’s spokesman may be sharing a bunker. I don’t blame them. While Philly may not be defunding the police, it is deballing them. And no one wants to take the blame. Stu Bykofsky served the Philadelphia Daily News as an editor, reporter and columnist for nearly 50 years before retiring in 2019. He now publishes at the centrist stubykofsky.com. Follow him on Twitter @ StuBykofsky.
PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 4, 2021
14
THE RUNDOWN
PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY
THE RUNDOWN Image | Nathan Ansell
DOGS, BIRDS, WINE AND MORE
The weather is cooler, but here are some red-hot events you’ll want to check out.
Hound-O-Ween
Philadelphia’s largest Halloween pet costume contest is back. Northern Liberties Business Improvement District partners with Street Tails Animal Rescue on the 7th Annual Hound-O-Ween Fall Festival and Doggie Costume Contest. The event is back in person and moves to the intersection of Laurel and N. 2nd Street, on Oct. 31 from noon to 4pm. For registration and full details, visit Northern Liberties Business Improvement District at explorenorthernliberties.org
That Abandoned Place
Look At The Wall Productions will premiere Gigi Hozimah’s new arthouse film That Abandoned Place at Landmark’s Ritz Five on Nov. 4 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. followed by a Q&A with the director and members of the cast and crew. The film follows April Egloff, played by Jenny Hutton. She experiences crushing isolation after a failed suicide attempt and undergoes an existential journey to find a higher reason to live. landmarktheatres.com
Me and the Devil
Lantern Theater Company announced its world premiere digital production of Me and the Devil, the Lantern’s first collaboration with nationally prominent director and playwright Steve H. Broadnax III, will extend its streaming run through Nov. 21 to meet audience demand. This world premiere play with music shows the dramatic confrontation between the great American blues musician Robert Johnson and the devil from whom, legend has it, Johnson received his extraordinary talent. After being poisoned in a juke joint by a jealous husband, Johnson – who wrote such blues classics as “Crossroad Blues,” “Love in Vain,” and “Me and the Devil Blues” – must use all his wit in a final contest with the devil to keep his soul. lanterntheater. org.
PA Wine Month
Image | Courtesy of Hound-O-Ween
OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 4, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY
To celebrate PA Wine Month, a.kitchen is hosting a wine dinner with one of its favorite local winemakers, Va La Vineyards out of Avondale. On Oct. 28, a.kitchen will be offering a three-course dinner from Chef Eli Collins for $65 per person. The first course will be a Tarte Flambee, which is an Alsatian flatbread with bacon, onions, and fromage blanc. The second course will be Choucroute Garnie served family style. Third course will be a dessert. They’ll also be offering three wines from Va La to go along with the dinner — the Barbera and two blends, Prima Donna and Cedar. akitchenandbar. com
The Global Odyssey of Migratory Birds
Based on his newest book, “A World on the Wing,” author and researcher Scott Weidensaul takes you around the globe – with researchers in the lab probing the limits of what migrating birds can do, to the shores of the Yellow Sea in China, the remote mountains of northeastern India where tribal villages saved the greatest gathering of falcons on the planet, and the Mediterranean, where activists and police are battle bird poachers — to learn how people are fighting to understand and save the world’s great bird migrations. Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education. Oct. 28. schuylkillcenter.org
Young Money
Azuka Theatre presents the world premiere of Young Money from Philadelphia playwright Erlina Ortiz, directed by Briana Gause. The show will run from Nov. 3 to Nov. 21 with opening nights on Nov. 6 and Nov. 7 at the Louis Bluver Theatre at The Drake, 302 S. Hicks Street. In the play, Tomasina, aka Kila-T, is hip-hop’s newest chart topper. Elegant and prideful Gardenia has been laid off from her job of 20 years and now she cleans Kila’s dressing room. When an attack on Kila’s concert forces the two women together, questions of morality, success, and redemption are danced around as these women discover they may have more to learn from each other than they think. azukatheatre.org
THE RUNDOWN
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15
Beach Fossils, Wild Nothing
Beach Fossils and Wild Nothing are co-headlining Union Transfer on Oct. 28. Last year, Wild Nothing and Beach Fossils celebrated the 10th anniversary of their respective albums: Wild Nothing’s Gemini and Beach Fossils self-titled. Beach Fossils also recently announced The Other Side of Life: Piano Ballads, an album out Nov. 19 on Bayonet that features covers of some of the band’s greatest hits. utphilly.com
In the mood for music? We’ve got you covered with these events.
Image | Courtesy of The Bourse
Listen up! Scratchy Old Jazz Records
On Oct. 31, The International bar will host Jay Schwartz (Secret Cinema) to spin a new D.J. set theme: Scratchy Old Jazz Records. It all starts at 3pm and runs until 6pm, just as trick or treaters are making their rounds. In recognition of the holiday, in the final hour the music will shift to monster-themed rock ‘n’ roll from the 1950s and ‘60s. Admission is free. The event will take place in the International’s large outdoor seating area (weather permitting). 1624 N. Front St.
Puma Blue
Puma Blue is playing at Johnny Brenda’s on Nov. 19. Puma Blue (Jacob Allen) recently released his In Praise of Shadows album that garnered international praise from The FADER to Complex, Billboard to NME, and tons more. His music, described by NME as “a brief moment of relief for those lost in the darkness,” provides a sonic escape from reality with lush, lo-fi textures and soulful production, while also remaining vulnerable and relatable. johnnybrendas.com
beabadoobee
Beabadoobee will appear at Union Transfer on Nov. 2. Bea’s infectious energy, confessional lyrics, and nostalgic ‘90s-era sound have made her one of music’s biggest breakout stars, with more than 1 billion streams, critical acclaim, national TV appearances and a brand new EP. utphilly.com
ABBA After Dark
The Philly POPS, in partnership with the American Swedish Historical Museum, is hosting an ABBA After Dark sing-along on Nov. 4 at 7pm. Listen in or sing-along as The Philly POPS plays a variety of ABBA’s iconic hits on the museum terrace. Come dressed in your best ABBA attire for a chance to win tickets to the POPS Rocks ABBA: Mamma Mia! And more… concert at the Kimmel Cultural Campus Nov. 17, 20 and 21.
The Prince Experience
Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia presents The Prince Experience Nov. 5. The Prince Experience is the country’s most dynamic Prince tribute band. Fronted by Gabriel Sanchez and playing all of the greatest hits from the Purple One himself, the band has been packing dance floors and setting stages on fire for over a decade. Philadelphia. LiveCasinoHotel.com
PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 4, 2021
NICE RACK
SEX WITH TIMAREE
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DESIGNING
Motherhood REACH OUT TO US. Carry PW’s at your spot. drops@philadelphiaweekly.com. Are your customers under 40? Engaged in the city? Chances are they read PW, and we want to help you get more of them. Our marketing team will help you build a multi-channel campaign that delivers REAL RESULTS, and new customers in the door. PW $62.50 / week 28,500 circ
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My favorite part of the Designing Mother“Why are we in here?” the little girl standing next to me asks loudly of her comparably hood exhibit was the people watching. Couples small friend. Before she can receive an anand small groups moved quietly through the swer, the curly haired child exclaims, “what’s small room, speaking in hushed tones to each that?!” The pair are hovering over a other as they came across ancient glass case that houses some formipessaries (devices inserted into the dable looking forceps and more imvagina to support the organs and portantly for the moment: silicone prevent prolapse), wireless breast vulva models demonstrating varipumps, and beautifully displayed ous stages of perineal repairs. IUDs. “That’s a private part!” she gasps. “That’s the one I have,” whispers Remaining silent for a moment, the a woman to her presumable boygirl then flees to the gift shop. We friend, pointing at the Mirena inare standing in the Designing Mothtrauterine device, a popular form of erhood exhibit at the Mutter Muselong-term hormonal birth control. um in Center City, which displays “Is there a book that tells you how objects related to pregnancy, birth to get it out?” he asks. She laughs and breastfeeding from across the DR. TIMAREE and replies, “I don’t take it out.” centuries. Demystifying the process of reThe showcased anatomy modproduction and raising awareness els remind me of being in a sex toy @TIMAREE_LEIGH of the need for technological adshop. You know how there’s always vancements that center the person the one floor model of a giving birth, Designing Fleshlight that is slightly Motherhood proves discolored and worn away itself immensely vital from customers who have through these visitor tested the verisimilitude conversations. Most of of the fake skin? These us do not get the opporencased pink replicas are tunity to learn the gritnot discolored from touch, ty details of childbirth, but definitely look like even if we received a they’ve … been through generally good sex edit. One depicts a vulva ucation. and vaginal opening torn Someone might have down nearly to the anus, had a child and still not the kind of injury that can come from childbe familiar with all the objects showcased in birth. Another one shows only a slight tear, this exhibit, much less understand their place another appears to be generally intact. in history. For example: few of us get to really The lingering girl suddenly and silently examine a speculum, the device used to invespoints up to the wall next to me. Many seconds tigate bodily orifices (like in a pelvic exam), pass before she implores aloud, “mom, what’s even if we have experienced them directly in that?” Turning to see a video of a simulated a doctor’s office. In this exhibit, viewers can perineal repair surgery, the mother pausgaze upon a 19th century replica of a specues thoughtfully and replies, “that’s showing lum that would have been used in first century a surgery on a woman who just gave birth. Pompeii, alongside more modern and comfortThey’re sewing her back up where she was able-looking iterations. It made me feel incredtorn.” This answer appears to satisfy the girl ibly lucky to be alive today and hopeful for the and soon the two move on as well. vagina-havers of the future.
SCHMIT
“Most of us do not get the opportunity to learn the gritty details of childbirth, even if we received a generally good sex education.”
g Motherg. Couples rough the es to each ss ancient d into the rgans and ess breast displayed
PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY
SEX WITH TIMAREE
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ABOVE: Pictured are Maternity Care Coalition staff serving their clients in Philadelphia in the 1980s. Photo by Jerry Millevoi. Courtesy of MCC and the University of Pennsylvania Library Archives
whispers mable boyMirena inar form of Designing Motherhood is a much bigger h control.project than the single room at the Mutter. Not s you howonly is the second half located across town he laughsat the Center for Architecture and Design, out.” it’s also a large, ess of re-highly illustratawarenessed book, a series ogical ad-of public prohe persongrams, design Designingcurriculum, and provesStorybanking sely vitalproject. On their se visitorwebsite, Design. Most of ing Motherhood the oppor-is described as n the grit-“an equity cenchildbirth,tered and comeceived amunity design od sex ed-approach to advocate for a fumight haveture where carend still notgivers can birth wcased inwith dignity, heir placeparent with autonomy, and raise babies who et to reallyare healthy, growing, and thriving.” I consider d to inves-it a vital piece of public health education. vic exam), For those interested in visiting, I highly directly inrecommend scanning the QR code at the enewers cantrance of the exhibit or grabbing one of the f a specu-handful of gallery guides that describe the st centuryitems of the collection. Wall plaques name the d comfort-objects in each case, but don’t provide context eel incred-or explanation. Without pulling up the online ful for thegallery guide, visitors are largely left to their
own imaginations. “That one looks like the light in my bathroom,” says a woman to her friends as they gather over a case of pessaries. “That one looks like a clown nose,” says her friend. I’m curious if they are familiar with what pessaries do, or that 50 percent of people with vaginas experience pelvic prolapse after the age of 50, according to the online guide brought up by the QR code. It goes on to explain “despite its prevalence, most people don’t hear about prolapse until their diagnosis.” Despite my own significant sex education, there was a lot of new information for me in this exhibit, further driving home the need for it. I’m really hopeful that people check it out… and that the curly haired girl finds the answers to all her questions. Have a question for Dr. Timaree? Send an email to asktimaree@philadelphiaweekly.com.
“In this exhibit, viewers can gaze upon a 19th century replica of a speculum that would have been used in first century Pompeii, alongside more modern and comfortable-looking iterations. It made me feel incredibly lucky to be alive today and hopeful for the vagina-havers of the future.”
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VOICES
OF OUR
CITY
WHERE HAVE ALL THE PROTEST SONGS GONE? You know what’s been missing from every protest or rally I’ve been to over the last 10 years? Songs. Protest songs. Political songs. Songs that everyone knows and can sing together. This tradition, at least in the corners of the universe I’ve experienced, seems to have died out. And this is too bad. There was a time when most activists had a few songs in their back pocket. They were sung to keep spirits up, as a symbol of unity of purpose. They were a demonstration, how beautiful the voices are, of those without a voice. And most of all because singing is fun. I remember when I first sang at a protest. It was in the 1990s, in Berkeley, CA, and I learned to sing “We Shall Overcome” at political events from older lefties. (Mostly white, actually.) They really sang it. At marches, strikes, wherever. They knew multiple verses. They knew other songs, but since I hadn’t learned them I couldn’t sing with them, and they were lost to me. It was just a matter of timing, and what kind of music had been popular during their youth. “We Shall Overcome” is such a good song for political action because it has such a low barrier for entry. The verses repeat almost all of the words, while only the refrain changes: We shall overcome We will live in peace We’ll walk hand in hand Etc. You don’t have to learn a lot of new patterns. That song is anthemic because it is so powerful. No matter what atrocity it is you are protesting, no matter how hard it is to imagine that humans could ever treat each other with more kindness, that song picks you up and carries you on. When you are first discovering the brutality of human history, protest songs give you a sense of progress. They are your grandparents reminding you that everything is going to be OK. Activists of all ages now need this more than ever. The other source I know of is the labor movement. There are still union songs being
sung too in Philly and in the East, but I don’t know if they are being passed on to the general population. I recently read a book on the history of political songs, “Songs of America” by Jon Meacham and Tim McGraw (the best chapter is on Bruce Springsteen). Songs have always been a part of movements for change in America, from abolitionist days onward, but they were much more universal before digital recorded music. In other words, when more people were used to performing music themselves rather than passively consuming it, it was just more normalized. The other song that I’ve been thinking about lately is “If I Had a Hammer” by Pete Seeger and Lee Hays. There are a lot of political songs in the world that are powerful but are very difficult to perform: Bob Dylan, Kendrick Lamar. The lyrics are complex and the delivery is too fast for most non-musicians to master and feel confident performing. “If I Had a Hammer,” on the other hand, is just so simple. It seemed too simple. It never made any sense to me. I’ve seen videos of Seeger performing it, just one guy on a stage, and I didn’t get it. But then I saw footage of Seeger performing it at a rally in the 1960s. He starts singing, by himself, but then the crowd takes it up too because everyone knows it. And in this footage, that song just electrifies people when they sing it. People start smiling, they stand up straighter, they look joyful and even cavalier, like we’re all in this together and victory is ahead. If I had a hammer I’d hammer in the morning I’d hammer in the evening All over this land It’s the hammer of Justice It’s the bell of Freedom It’s the song about Love between my brothers and my sisters All over this land This is a tradition that should be brought back. It is so sustaining, and more than anything else, movements need sustaining. I just don’t think something this powerful should be left behind. So what’s next? What are we going to sing?
Hannah Miller | Philadelphia
OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 4, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY
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THE SHOUT OUT
Image | Elizeu Dias
Hannah Miller says protest songs have been missing for a while now.
Your turn: What’s your favorite protest song? Send your thoughts to voices@philadelphiaweekly.com
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Legal Notices
Did you work for Atlantic Refinery/Gulf Oil/Sun Oil/ Sunoco Refinery located in South Philadelphia from 1952 until 1985? We are looking for people who worked there with or around Charles Boyer, or who have any information regarding his work there. Please call Tracey Crocker at 215-569-400 with any information. NM-00475785
Give PW readers a reason to move today. Contact sales@philadelphiaweekly.com today to get your property listed.
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General Employment
Non-CDL Drivers
General Employment
Full Time Flagger Traffic Plan seeks FT Flaggers to set up & control traffic around construction sites. A valid drivers license is a must, good pay & benefits. If interested please fill out an application at 510 Hertzog Boulevard King Of Prussia, PA 19406 on Mondays 9am -12pm or apply online at or online at www.trafficplan.com
Windows
HAPPY WINDOWS Shutters, 2-Inch Wood, Pleated Shades, Roman Shades, Drapes, Verticals, Mini-Blinds
Discount Price With Installation
Call Eileen
215-465-7525
19
Legal Notices
Legal Notice
Notice of Public Sale: The following self-storage Cube contents containing household and other goods will be sold for cash by 1645 N American St, Philadelphia, PA 19122 (445)300-5955 to satisfy a lien on November 9th, 2021 at approx. 8:00pm PM: www.storagetreasures.com: Terrell Lowry 2016 Robert Rivera 2060 Stefanie Bernstein 5021 Notice of Public Sale: The following self-storage Cube contents containing household and other goods will be sold for cash by CubeSmart, 456 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia PA 19123 (215)922-3715 to satisfy a lien on November 9th, 2021 at approx.6:00 PM: www.storagetreasures.com: D429 Joseph Montgomery II Notice of Public Sale: The following self-storage Cube contents containing household and other goods will be sold for cash by CubeSmart, 501 Callowhill St., Philadelphia PA 19123 (215)627-3710 to satisfy a lien on November 2nd, 2021, at approx. 6:00 PM: www.storagetreasures.com :Unit 2008 Philadelphia Photographics | Jack Praul :Unit 5052 At Home Health | Carter Durham :Unit 3084 Agia Alston :Unit 4094 Robert Sims :Unit 1119 Avila Hiromi General Employment
GENERAL AND TREATMENT FOSTER PARENTS NEEDED Open your heart and home to children of all ages New Foundations, Inc. 215-203-8733 www.nfi4kids.org
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF PHILADELPHIA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA ORPHANS COURT DIVISION O. C. No. 894 DE of 2021 Estate of Margaret C. Purnell, deceased To: Bertha LeGree, Roger Reid, Reese P. Cunningham, Cheryl Reid, Pamela Reid, the Estate of Deidra Garrett, the Estate of Earl Thompson, and any other person claiming an interest to the property at 1009 S. Bouvier Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146 Sur petition of: Tyrea Alexander Greetings: On the 27th day of September 2021, upon consideration of the Petition for Citation filed in the above captioned action, an Order and Decree for a Citation was awarded, directing to Bertha LeGree, Roger Reid, Reese P. Cunningham, Cheryl Reid, Pamela Reid, the Estate of Deidra Garrett, the Estate of Earl Thompson, and any other person claiming an interest to the property at 1009 S. Bouvier Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, to show cause why the requested relief should not be granted. WE COMMAND YOU, that laying aside all business and excuses, whatsoever, you do file in the office of the Clerk of Orphans’ Court Division of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County, Room 415, City Hall, a full and complete answer, under oath, to each and every of the averments of the petition on or before November 12, 2021 to show cause why the requested relief should not be granted, in the office of the Clerk of the Orphans’ Court, 415, Philadelphia and further abide the order of said Court in the above-captioned matter. If you fail hereof, the petition may be taken pro confesso and a decree made against you. By: Tyrea Alexander P.O. Box 123 Willingboro, NJ 08046 Petitioner (Pro Se)
General Employment Dir. Financial Planning & Analysis (DFPA), West Conshohocken, PA. Oversee budget, forecasting & monthly financial reporting system & process in No Am. Ensure accurate compilatn, analysis, reportng & presentatn of acctng data. Lead testng & adoptn of IFS Analytical toolsets prod by corp finan & prod developmt. Generate contract profit reports usng IFS Analytical toolsets, focusng on maintenance revenue stream analysis. Develp metrics/KPI’s & dashboards using IFS Consolidatn Cube. Create IFS Alliance Landed Cost mgmt reportng framework to monitor avrg cost fluctuatns. Ensure IFS Biz Reporter & Cube financ focused data outputs are aligned. Lead deploymt of IFS Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systms & automatn tools. Create ad hoc IFS Biz Reporter. Prod maintenance contract mgmt metrics w/ IFS MCM module & IFS Alliance to ensure 0 revenue leakage. Engage w/IFS Corp Svc team to dev/ enhance Grp Consolidatn Cube & other IFS Finance focused toolsets. Comm w/Finance Stff w/monthly reportng, analysis, reconciliatns & special projects. Reqs: Bach in Bus. Admin w/concentratn in Econ &/or Mgmt or rel + 5 yrs exp in position managing full finan functn w/in Field Svc Mgmt Co, implementng finan reportng applicatns w/IFS Svc Alliance 4 cust profit & integratg w/ERP projects. Crim & drivg record chks reqd. Up to 5% travel 2 client sites. Send resume to IFS North America, Inc., C.Marmitt, 300 Park Blvd, Ste. 350, Itasca, IL 60143 or by email to commonmb584@ifsworld.com.
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Public Notice T-Mobile proposes to modify their existing facility (new tip heights 86’) on the 73’ building at 7133-43 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA (20210935). Interested parties may contact Scott Horn (856-809-1202) (1012 Industrial Dr., West Berlin, NJ 08091) with comments regarding potential effects on historic properties.
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PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 4, 2021
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