PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 4, 2021 by Philadelphia Weekly

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Philly GOP Chair Martina White talks politics, failed city leadership and how her party will prevail despite setbacks

UNDAUNTED UNDAUNTED UNDAUNTED UNDAUNTED UNDAUNTED Big oops! How the city forgot to vet Philly Fighting COVID | Page 3

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FROM THE EDITOR

Philly fighting Philly Fighting COVID

he news spread like wildfire Moneven any possibility – that people won’t trust day: Philly Fighting COVID – the this organization. We felt at that point this was “nonprofit” contracted with the truly not a trustworthy organization.” city to mass-vaccinate PhiladelUp until that point, Farley said, PFC had phians had been dumped. Its tested and vaccinated thousands of Phila22-year-old CEO, Andrei Doroshin, delphians and “a lot of good had come out of told one reporter he was nearly in that.” PFC has said it has no intention of selltears over the break-up. He claims he never ing anyone’s data, and Farley said the city is had ill will in changing his company’s privacy policy so that people’s personal information working with the law department to ensure could be sold. He insisted he was up front with that won’t happen. “In retrospect, we should have been more the city about updating PFC’s corporate status careful with this organization. I hope people from nonprofit to for-profit and that he was understand that at the time, we had a large only in this thing to help. number of doses that arrived at once. We had The uproar and outrage that unfurled on a lot of people who we had to vaccinate quicksocial media was highly charged after the stories broke that Doroshin, a Drexel neuro- ly and we had an organization that we had science grad student, had done something worked with that looked like it had the capaslimy. Panic-stricken voices across the Inter- bility of doing it – and in fact – did do that,” said Farley. net begged for answers as sudden“I hope people can understand ly more than 5,000 Philadelphians why – on the surface – this looked who had been vaccinated wondered like a good thing.” where their second shot would be Doroshin put out a statement on coming from. The city had termiTuesday, which read, in part: nated its relationship with PFC and “There was language in our priwould no longer be providing them vacy policy that was problematic with vaccines, but up till now – PFC and as soon as we became aware of had been the only provider. it, we removed it. I apologize for the The city health department has mistake in our privacy policy. We said it plans to help people who have never have and never would sell, already received their first dose of share or disseminate any data we the COVID-19 vaccine get their seccollected as it would be in violation ond by finding a new provider. But of HIPPA rules.” that has done little to quell the anxHe also went on to try and clarify iety that is spreading in the commu@ RUFFTUFFDH any “miscommunication” over why nity. the organization pivoted its focus Shortly after the news came out Monday, PFC changed up some language on from COVID testing to vaccinations; and tried to explain why he needed money. its site that raised red flags for the city. Yet, in multiple interviews with WHYY, “Your data is safe with us,” PFC’s website Doroshin refused to say who was bankrolling read as of press time Wednesday. WHYY interviewed five unnamed volun- PFC. Online reports link him financially to his father, Serge Doroshin, who – up until Tuesteers who worked closely with Doroshin and his top teammates, each of whom reportedly day – was listed as part of the PFC “team” as boasted openly about how they would profit part of “Operations.” The “team” tab on the PFC website has since been taken down. Serge off their latest endeavor. and Andrei Doroshin are partners in another “They weren’t even bragging about how they were helping the community. They were organization known as TALA Resorts, which bragging about how rich they were going to claims it is “Helping humans become humans again.” get,” said one volunteer. The city has tried to offer assurance that During a press briefing on Tuesday, Philly Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said area hospitals and partner organizations with a number of factors contributed to the city’s public health expertise will take on the mandecision to pull the plug with Philly Fighting tle and do the right thing. Will we ever know COVID – a combination of shady behaviors if PFC was properly vetted? Will our DA step and its outright stopping testing altogether in and do anything about it? And questions when vaccines came into play. It was as if PFC remain whether PFC may face a class-action began to see dollar signs and not care any- lawsuit if any data was sold after the policy change. more about testing. Most people see this for what it is: An at“What came to light was…them going from nonprofit to for-profit status and then they tempt at brazen profiteering off the backs of had information in their incorporation docu- others. Asked repeatedly about it Tuesday, the ments that said they would have the ability to sell that information from their website,” Far- mayor put it plainly: “They’re gone, and that’s the end of them.” ley said. It will be interesting to see if that’s really “We did not think that was appropriate. We thought if there was any attempt to do this – the case.

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STATE OF OUR CITY

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We’ll cheers to that!

STATE WTF

OF OUR

CITY

PFC?

Thousands of Philadelphians are left wondering what the hell went wrong after the city abruptly split with Philly Fighting COVID, the start-up organization it had partnered with to distribute the coronavirus vaccine en masse from the Pennsylvania Convention Center. After news broke Monday PFC had sneakily switched from a nonprofit to a for-profit company and could potentially sell people’s personal information, the city said it was through. It is now looking for a new provider to dole out doses of the vaccine.

“An absolute fantasy!”

Those were the breathless words uttered by Kite and Key bar owner Jim Kirk after he got off the phone with Barstool Sports founder David Portnoy, who recently surprised him over Facetime to break the news he would be getting financial help from Portnoy’s The Barstool Fund, which raises money for small businesses. “[Portnoy] said, ‘You guys are part of the fun now,’” Kirk told PW. “I never thought in a million years they would choose us. … We’re paying our staff and making enough to do that, but with these regulations, it’s next to impossible to cover all your bills. … We got to get everybody back to work in a safe manner. And they have to realize that you literally can’t go on forever like this.” Kirk said the funds will go toward Kite and Key’s rent.

21.8 PERCENT The percentage food insecurity rates are projected to reach in Philadelphia County due to the COVID-19 health crisis. In response, Memphis Street Academy in Philly’s northeast section has opened a no-cost food pantry for its families and students as they continue to learn remotely. The academy will distribute goods through contactless drive-ups every other Monday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Currently, 130 families are taking advantage of the MSA food pantry program, but that number is expected to rise.

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‘GIVE US A CHANCE’ A conversation with Philly GOP chairwoman Martina White

Philly GOP Chairwoman Martina White views politics as a game, and, as a whole, she’s not playing it. Image | Courtesy of Martina White

JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 4, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

s a new day dawned across hating on Mayor Jim Kenney’s beverage tax (so everyone else loved her, save for America with the inauguration progressive politicians and activists who of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris at its head, the body is still weren’t fond of her dedication to Philly’s police or for opposing the city’s sanctuary feeling its way through state and city legislatures, Left and city policies). As a financial advisor with a BS in BusiRight, economic hardships – ness Administration from Elizabethtown COVID and beyond – and coming to conCollege, White has forever been clusions regarding its former preskeen on providing families and ident, Donald Trump. small business owners with the For Philadelphia’s GOP, and its A.D. ways and means to accomplish chairwoman and state representaAMOROSI their financial goals. During the tive from the Northeast, Martina small business struggles of the White, this is just another day at COVID quarantine/lockdown, hers the races. Not because White takes policy or politics lightly. Rather, because has been the loudest voice in attempting to aid Philly restaurant owners across the – at age 32 – dealing with matters of state, city and other local entrepreneurs get their and pleasing her constituents, has been her whole life’s work. Now in her third stories told and mounting bills covered. As a law-and-order candidate, White term, White – in office since 2015 in a special election to fill an open seat in the 170th often locks horns with Philly DA Larry District – became the first new Republican Krasner, and what she sees as his laziness elected in Philadelphia in 25 years, a feat in convictions of all manner of gun-related considering that working class area’s deep crimes. One sizable chink in White’s armor blue roots. For the most part, her rise then, came in her recent signing, along with before Trump got near the president’s ofdozens of additional Pennsylvania House fice, stemmed from a centrist/populist senRepublicans, of a letter sent to Pennsylsibility of understanding the city’s workvania’s U.S. congressional delegation, ing class’ travails (so labor loved her), of favoring the FOP (so cops loved her), and claiming that the adjudication of issues of

A ’

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PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY election fraud, dumbly and wrongly put forth by Trump and his attorney, Rudy Giuliani, was insufficient. To quote President Biden: “C’mon, maaan.” I spoke to White the day after Trump’s second impeachment, and one week after the horrors of the attack on the Capitol. A.D. Amorosi: I would be remiss if I didn’t ask you about the activity on the Hill. What is your take on the House’s second impeachment of Trump based on charges of insurrection and incitement in regard to the Capitol’s siege? Martina White: Anyone who commits a crime should be brought to justice. I’m confident in our authorities that they are assembling whatever evidence that is fact-based and available to them to make sure that process plays out. Amorosi: Yes, but, are you comfortable in the notion that Trump did commit a crime? White: I think that everyone is entitled to due process, and I don’t know that they allowed that process to take place. With any assertion that someone has committed a crime, they deserve the opportunity to defend themselves. That’s the American way. Amorosi: Taking Trump out of the equation for just one moment, what is your opinion of the transgression of the Capitol? White: I’m a legislator, so I understand that people want to have their voices heard, and when they don’t feel as if their voices are heard, they tend to take action. We saw that across the whole of the last year, and we saw that in D.C. The whole purpose of democracy and our republic is that we are able to have these conversations, and diverse opinions, without resorting to violence. That’s where there has been a disconnect. People are sadly becoming more entrenched in their belief structures. We’ve seen that, in part, on social media, forcing people into these silos where they have information reiterated to them overand-over tied to their core beliefs. That’s creating a further divide amongst our populace. People are unwilling to sit down and have the conversations that are needed. That is one of the things I pride myself on as a legislator. I’ll sit down and have that conversation. Maybe we disagree. But in the end, we know that we can get along...Are the results of this last election going to change? Absolutely not. President-elect Biden is going to be sworn in and everyone is going to recognize that. As Americans, I think that we are going to grow from all that happened with the election, and going forward that we have what everyone can know to be true: That we have free and fair elections. Amorosi: Focus on you and Philadelphia. You grew up in the neighborhoods you represent, Bustleton, Millbrook, Parkwood and Somerton, the 170th District. White: DeMarco Drive over near Chalfont Playground. Amorosi: When did policy become an interest, and political office a goal? White: Politics is of minimal interest to me,

GOP Chairwoman Martina White comes from a long line of job creators and believes that entrepreneurial spirit is missing in the city. Image | Courtesy of Martina White even though I’m in this. Politics is a game, and as a whole, I’m not playing that game. Law and history have always been of great interest to me. I was on mock trial teams in high school and college – I even thought about going into law; instead I went into drafting laws. Public policy and helping people is, and always has been, a priority. I enjoy being able to listen to people’s stories – where they’re from, what they’re going through – and find ways in which to be a resource to them. That’s what my office does every single day. Help our community get better through legislation. It’s pretty neat. Amorosi: Was a Republican, or conservative outlook, always what you were striving for? White: I grew up with a Catholic upbringing, went to Catholic school, and my family comes from a long line of job creators. I’m very aware of what that role and that set of responsibilities is, as it pertains to the ability to provide people with career paths. In the City of Philadelphia, I think that has been missing for far too long, that entrepreneurial spirit. It’s here, but I believe that it has been stifled by the public policies of the Democrats. And that’s a shame, because a lot of opportunities that could help Philadelphia and Pennsylvania grow are out of reach. For instance, if the city would only recognize that the lengthy procedures that they have in place in regard to licensing, and the regulations that they have on small businesses, are very restrictive. Even the taxes are extreme. There is a reason that the city of Philadelphia is high in crime and rife with poverty. The Democrat policies just don’t work. If people would just consider what the Republicans have to offer, and not just go by what they have been told about the Republican party in the past – give us a chance to show what difference we could make – I think that they’d find themselves in a far better position than they

are now. Amorosi: Are there particular restrictions that you and your fellow Republicans would like to most immediately see reversed, and, would you say that the mayor and the governor’s reaction throughout 2020, to COVID, has, in any way, exacerbated the problems you’re talking about? White: Second question first, I believe that it has – the pandemic has exacerbated the worst of these situations. The shutdown that has taken place in Philadelphia has definitely crushed the low-income working class’ jobs, as well as that of restaurant workers, contractors. That’s been demolished by the overbearing and unnecessary reaction to COVID that the city has conducted over this past year. It’s sad to see. Restaurant owners are on the defensive, trying to open their businesses safely – which everyone should do, and everyone should expect – while watching other businesses with far less restrictions, often at far greater capacities. Democrat leadership has been hypocritical throughout the pandemic, doing the very things that they tell others not to do. That overall has been frustrating for the public. It should be embarrassing for those public officials, but it seems to be their daily routine, I guess. So reduction of the city wage tax is something that we have attempted to get addressed at City Hall, to no avail. Going to L&I and going through their stringent regulations – some of which are helpful and necessary – how long some of them take to get approved, and the back-and-forth of repeated visits when problems can be addressed and taken care of immediately for the business: These are just a few of the issues. It’s just this constant battle that everyday people have with this administration, just to make a living, if you’re a small business. It should not be this way. The city should work with the public, with the

small business owners, to make Philadelphia a better place to live, work and be safe. If you don’t help protect them, and provide a better environment for small businesses to flourish, workers won’t actually have a place to work. Amorosi: You moved through the system, quickly, to get where you are at the age of, what, 32? How do you believe that you got to where you are in a district that is so traditionally blue, it’s cobalt? White: Hard work. And the fact that I genuinely care about the community that I serve, and I believe that they get that. I’m willing to do what it takes to help improve that community. And keep improving it. And working with whomever I have to in order to get those improvements accomplished, policies changed, or problems solved. Right now, things are so divisive and politicians more concerned about driving a wedge through people and ideas, that is hard work. That’s not healthy for our commonwealth or our country. We’re stuck in the middle of the Left and the Right, and just want to have a better future for everyone – fighting back and forth won’t get us there. Amorosi: Talk law and order. Where do you stand on police defunding? White: I’m not for it. I don’t agree with defunding the police, and, if anything, need more resources so they can improve the jobs they’re doing on the streets. If they don’t have proper gear on their uniform or on their person, how are they supposed to do their jobs well? Amorosi: How would you describe your relationship with, and to, Larry Krasner? I know you helped see laws passed to give the state’s attorney general, Josh Shapiro, and his office equal jurisdiction in prosecuting certain gun-related crimes. White: I think that the district attorney’s office is in jeopardy right now. There’s a person who doesn’t prosecute, or does so in a way that isn’t under the sentencing guidelines in Philadelphia. He says he is promoting justice, but allows people in his office to make comments that are racist and stay on his team. I find a lot of what he does appalling. Yet, he was elected, though I don’t think that will last for much longer. I think that this year is going to hopefully be the end of his reign, given the present circumstances around gun violence in our city. The reason that I promoted a legislation to address gun violence in Philadelphia is because it is unfortunately thriving, more-and-more each day. We have mothers losing their innocent children who happen to just be bystanders. This man has the opportunity to do something about that, but refuses. Unfortunately, those criminals are not prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law under his gaze. There’s a lot of concern about that. I know that the previous police commissioner [Richard Ross Jr., who served from 2016–2019] wanted more to be done, in that regard, and had more tools to do someSEE WHITE, PAGE 8

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 4, 2021

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thing about it. I had hoped that, along with the proper legislation, we could address that more stringently. I feel very strongly about the issue of illegal guns on our streets, and people not getting prosecuted for those crimes when charged. Whatever we can do as a legislative body to fix that, we should. Amorosi: Is it fair to say that you and your office have become a repository for Larry Krasner’s blunders? White: I can tell you that constituents and victims of crimes contact my office seeking recourse. They want to know what they can do to help victims of violent crimes – friends, family, themselves. They want to be notified as to how the decisions in the DA’s office are being made, especially when they, and we, believe it can be prevented. They want justice. This city’s homicide rate is something that we have to work to decrease. I want to see a DA that fights for victims of crime. We already have defense attorneys to fight for the rights of criminals. There has to be balance. If not... you get what you see on the streets right now. Amorosi: Last week, it was announced that the concept of introducing safe injection sites into the city would not go through. You were adamantly against those sites from the start. Discuss. White: That is a huge win for not only Republicans across the city that fought that issue, but for communities who fought against having them in their backyard. It’s a huge win for law and order. We draft laws because people want those laws to be there. No matter what your intentions are, good or bad, the laws must be abided by. Just because you think an injection site is good, doesn’t mean it is a rationale for breaking the law. You have to fight back. This is the institution of democracy at its best. I know that a lot of people in this city are relieved that this isn’t happening. Amorosi: The future of Philly’s GOP: We know Al Schmidt is leaving, but who are the old cats you’d like to see stick around, and who are the new faces you want to see forwarded? White: We’re happy about the candidates that we pushed forward, especially for the state House seats. Obviously, we wanted to win back one of those seats, but we believe we’re making inroads. Lisa Goldman-Riley [ran for Pennsylvania House of Representatives to represent District 194 and lost in November], John Nungesser [lost his bid for Pennsylvania House of Representatives to represent District 177 in November]: These are candidates who sparked a light in their respective districts. They are bringing awareness of the issues to their constituents, and the realities that many of those in elected office on the Democrat ticket have not done their jobs well enough, some of them having been in office for so long, at that. We want to make it so that we attract the best candidates and win. Amorosi: How do you plan to win? How

does the GOP in Philly become relevant again? White: First off, I would say that we are relevant. Just the backlash that we’re hearing from when the riots took place in the city this summer. When we speak out, people take note. When riots and looting occurred in the city, the mayor just stood by and watched. Why was he allowing that to happen? We stood up and condemned it. We asked why the National Guard was not called out. We took steps to defend and protect this city. Those are key and critical moments in the public arena where we step up to the plate and help the community come together, to have their messages be heard. Like with the safe injection sites. The way that we are going to win is by building our local party, grassroots, from the ground up – having the tough conversations. Amorosi: You mentioned the protests and the protestors of summer. That community and its supporters had, and have, genuine concerns and genuine frustrations about how they have been treated, in the past and the present. Theirs wasn’t a violent action. It was a necessary action – the only way to be heard. How do you and the Republican party answer that? White: Violence is never the answer. Period. Burning police cars. Breaking into buildings. Punching people. That is inappropriate, and if we can’t agree on that...I find that a very basic premise of being able to have a functioning democracy. Resorting to violence or other activities that break the law – that’s a very difficult premise to not agree upon. Amorosi: What do you see as your agenda for 2021 through 2022? What’s at the top? What’s at the bottom? White: My legislative agenda? A few things. A focus on ensuring that our health department is helping to oversee that vaccination distribution is happening properly, and that people can access it. To get better-paying jobs for our commonwealth and our region and my district, specifically. To do that, however, we have to invest in better infrastructure at a national and statewide level – that will create jobs and help our economy. Small businesses, including restaurants, can use a real hand getting through the pandemic and its after-effects. Finally, education. The focus there has been lax. Last year was all about the pandemic. This year, we have to make sure that our children can get back to school, in-person, and safely, and without political agendas. We can’t have organizations coming into our schools, indoctrinating our children with their political beliefs. It isn’t fair to parents and their children. Schools should be indifferent to politics – unfortunately not the case, when you consider that kids are being pulled out of classrooms so that they can protest in the streets of Philadelphia. It’s happened in the past, it’s inappropriate, and we have to make certain that government isn’t pushing public school children into any particular political agenda.

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KANAVAL! WXPN project will explore Haiti’s influence on New Orleans’ music, culture and community

hilly’s own WXPN has WXPN’s “Gospel Roots of Rock and launched a year-long Soul,” among many other projects. project that explores and WXPN Assistant Station Manager celebrates the influences Bruce Warren and General Manager of Haiti on New Orleans’ Roger LaMay are the project’s executive producers, and the series is famed music, culture and hosted by New Orleans-based, Haicommunity. “Kanaval: Haitian Rhythms and tian-American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Leyla the Music of New Orleans” McCalla, a founding memis a compelling story that ber of Our Native Daughters is being told through a conBY EUGENE and alumna of the Grammy tent-rich website and a naZENYATTA Award-winning Carolina tional radio documentary Chocolate Drops. set to air in February during In addition to the radio Black History Month, in addocu-series, newly-reportdition to a series of special musical, theatrical and community ed stories on Haiti’s cultural/music influences will air as part of WXPN’s events. NPR-syndicated program “World Distributed through NPR, the “Kanaval” audio docu-series ties the na- Cafe” and on New Orleans NPR memtion of Haiti and city of New Orleans ber station WWNO-FM. Scheduled for May, the live theater through an historical perspective, event and Philadelphia premiere of focusing on the music that connects them. It is produced by Alex Lewis, “Breaking the Thermometer to Hide the Fever” will be presented at Fringe an award-winning independent radio producer and musician whose Arts. Combining storytelling, video projection, archival audio, and dance, projects include “Going Black: The it is set to new music by McCalla, and Legacy of Philly Soul Radio,” and

Host of the ‘Kanaval: Haitian Rhythms and the Music of New Orleans’ radio documentary is Leyla McCalla, a New Orleans-based, Haitian-American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, founding member of Our Native Daughters and alumna of the Grammy Award-winning Carolina Chocolate Drops. Image | Greg Miles

JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 4, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

MUSIC

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY directed by another New Orleans-based artist, Kiyoko McCrae. This performance recounts the legacy of Radio Inter-Haiti, the country’s first privately-owned, Creole-language radio station and the assassination of its owner, Jean Dominique, in 2000. Various virtual “Kanaval” music events are planned to take place during the summer and as part of the 2021 XPoNential Music Festival, WXPN’s annual music festival, Sept. 17-19. In partnership with the Preservation Hall Foundation, the project will culminate in a Philly Krewe du Kanaval Ball extravaganza featuring Haitian and New Orleans artists, scheduled for late 2021 through to early 2022. More information about “Kanaval” is available at xpn.org and WXPN social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The “Kanaval” radio documentary launches on Mon., Feb. 1 on WXPN and other NPR member stations across the U.S. PW recently caught up with LaMay and Warren to talk about the project. Where did the idea Win Butler of Arcade Fire, right, attends the Ti Mache for “Kanaval: Haiceremony in Congo Square during Arcade Fire's Third tian Rhythms and Annual Krewe du Kanaval celebration on Feb. 14, 2020, the Music of New in New Orleans. Image | Erika Goldring/Getty Images Orleans” originate? Why do you feel this is an important story to tell? Orleans, and after talking with some of our local partners there, realized there is an importWXPN’s previous musical deep dive projects were “Mississippi Blues,” “Zydeco Cross- ant but largely overlooked chapter in Black history that we could tell. Through “Kanaval: roads” and “Gospel Roots of Rock and Soul,” Haitian Rhythms and the Music of New Orleall featuring different genres of music rooted in African-American culture. We knew we ans” we highlight the incredible impact and resilience of the people and culture of Haiti wanted to build on the success of these past projects and expand on this theme of celebrat- whose roots are also in Africa. How does this project compare to ones ing musical genres with roots in Africa. We also needed to source material that had poten- previously produced by XPN, such as the tial for building a multi-disciplinary project Peabody Award-nominated “Gospel Roots of Rock & Soul” and “Mississippi Blues” combining a documentary, events, community and “Zydeco Crossroads?” Will there be engagement and a robust website. Early in our research, we came upon some similar events and programming? This project’s subject, as far as the radio articles about the influence of Haiti on New

documentary goes, is a bit narrower than gospel, but along the lines of zydeco and the blues in its focus. There will be in-person events and virtual events. We also have a new element on this project. We have commissioned a local production company to produce a series of short videos documenting the Haitian experience in Philadelphia. This will draw in part on the input of a local Haitian advisory group who are regularly meeting with us. “Kanaval” kicks off in February, Black History Month, and will extend through the year. What are some of the early events people should put on their calendars?

“Breaking the Thermometer to Hide the Fever” chronicles recent Haitian history through the lens of musician Leyla McCalla, whose parents were Haitian activists. We are still planning to hold the event in person at the Fringe Arts theater May 14 and 15. It’s the first, in-person event of any kind we have scheduled. We plan on having two Haitian bands at our XPoNential Music Festival in September. We plan, at some point, to host a Kanaval Ball here in Philly with Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the Haitian bands RAM, Boukman Eksperyans, and others. We are also working on plans for some virtual events to take place over the coming year. Are you preparing the May event as an in-person event or a virtual one? How have the pandemic and all of the closures and limitations impacted the planning and production process for Kanaval? Yes, we are planning it as a live event. The impact of the pandemic has affected the timing of everything we originally planned for this project except the radio documentary. “Kanaval: Haitian Rhythms and the Music of New Orleans’’ is a three-hour documentary hosted by Haitian-American and New Orleans-based musician Leyla McCalla, a founding member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops. It is being distributed by NPR nationally starting Feb. 1. It will air on the three Philadelphia public radio stations WXPN, WRTI, and WHYY in February. WXPN will premiere it on Monday, Feb.1 at 8pm. What are the best ways for people to stay up-to-date with all of the Kanavalactivities? Go to our website xpnkanaval.org. On the home page, there is a form to fill out to be added to an email list. That’s the best way to keep abreast of the project.

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 4, 2021

GOSSIP

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

ICEPACK

Image | Casey Murphy

JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 4, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

SIGH, EAGLES, SIGH Three questions about Philly’s football team

Roots record reissued et’s start with something frivolous for once: Philly football (because If you really know me beyond my love of how serious can anybody on that boxing (and you don’t, honestly, but, let’s preteam – front office or backfield be tend) you know that I am as big a fan of multi– what with the stupid decisions disc, rarity-packed, historical, musical box they’ve all made since their last sets as I am The Roots, Philly’s finest. This Super Bowl win) and the hiring of week, then, is a double-dose of double-funk young Nick Sirianni as the Philafun as the local hip hop heroes mark the 26th delphia Eagles new head coach. anniversary of their second full album “Do One, is there really a whiff of racism to be You Want More?!!!??!” with a fresh, vinyl resmelt and dealt among the Eagles executive issue of the record. Expanded into three LPs, branch, as is rumored, considering how longthe new “Do You” features a big book with time Eagles assistant head coach Duce Staley several fresh essays from Questlove and stugot passed over for the top job, not once, but, dio session photos of The Roots at The Trotwice? The Duce rocks, and if he was passed cadero, Sigma Sound’s Ivory Studios Suite #3, over due to any quotas or Image agendas and Nebula Sounds in Philly. | Marilyn Paige beyond winning, fuck them. No wonNew eatery BY A.D. der he asked to be released from his I won’t wait in his line, any line, contract. The Detroit Lions certainly but he’s my neighbor, and I appreAMOROSI had no problem hiring the Duce. ciate his get-up-and-go-and-dough: Secondly, and far beyond the The Italian Market’s Angelo’s Pizscope of potential racist hires, sure, zeria is taking on an additional Sirianni is qualified and family-born-and-bred address – Bar One on the corner of 9th and to be a baller. But at 39 years of age, were Jeff Catharine – for a thing that Danny “Angelo” Lurie and Howie Roseman perhaps looking DiGiampietro will call Luciana’s Bar & Grille. for a playmate rather than a babysitter for Atza nize. their childish QB, one always looking to steam Problems with Pyle off and leave home? Three great big “fuck yous” go out to PA Thirdly, and this is but fleetingly related to House of Representative’s member (R) JefSirianni, why does everyone discuss Carson frey P. “Jeff” Pyle. One for his transphobic Wentz as if he is a broken tube amp stereo post mocking ex-PA health secretary Rachel system, a Manchurian Candidate or a ScienLevine, a transgender woman, while compartologist, an artifact to be re-tuned, de-tuned or ing her to Philly’s founding father with this fine-tuned, and that the Eagles need a coach dumb joke “American citizens express optiwho can fix him? mism and renewed hope as Benjamin FrankBoxing champ lin joins Joe Biden’s cabinet.” A RevolutionThe hell with football – boxing is my favorary War-aged joke – good one, “Jeff.” Two, ite game as you’ll recall from my South Philly for making the sad, simpleton’s comment on Sonny Conto story. And last weekend, the Facebook. Now THAT’s Revolutionary Warpunching pride of West Philadelphia, Stephen era tech for you. Thirdly, for being the sort Fulton, became the Junior Featherweight of pompous douchebag who actually self-atWorld Boxing Champion after a unanimous tached quotes around a nickname he gave decision victory over challenging pugilist An- himself. Think Seinfeld, George Costanza and gelo Leo. Get it. “T-Bone,” and you’re halfway there.

GOSSIP

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY Change of plans In a COVID-19-infused Philly, apartment buildings are the new black, apparently, now that downtown’s Pearl Properties is turning (back) its old school Hilton Embassy Suites Hotel on 18th and the B. Franklin Parkway into The Terrace on 18th – a suite spot with nearly 300 apartments and a first-ever Center City Victory Brewing Company bi-level brewery and taproom; this in opposition to going the new tony hotel route that Pearl peeps had planned pre-pandemic. What’s up with Whiteside? Hey, what’s happened with longtime Temple U WRTI-FM 6 AM-in-the-morning classical host Gregg Whiteside? He’s been a deImage | Courtesy Tim Lu cades-long stalwart at the station, either blaring out Philadelphia Orchestra broadcasts, talking sports or hosting Breakfasts with Bach. Seems as if Whiteside is ready to hang up his Sousalarm (“Don’t Hit the Snooze Alarm... March to the Sousalarm”) and retire from radio. He’ll be missed, but good on him for deciding to get out from behind the mic, and have some fun. How much friggin’ Bach can you handle? Masked Philly: Tim Lu In Icepack’s continuing saga of asking mask-donning local celebrities what they’ve been up to, beyond the pale, during COVID-19’s pandemic, I reached out this week to NoLibs-es-es Tim Lu, a partner in Glu Hospitality, which means everything from Copenhagen Anejo and Set NoLibS, to co-owning Leda and the Swan, Germantown Garden, Germantown Garden Grille, Vesper Dayclub, Vesper Center City, Hunnies Frisky Chicken, Tiny’s Burger Joint, the soon-to open-Bagels and Co. PLUS three more new restaurants coming soon, one of which will be taking over the former Walhburger space. That’s right. Marky Mark may be able to open a film, but neither he nor Donny can sell a burger in Philly. With all those restaurants to look after, you wouldn’t think Lu had time to have children, let alone hang out with them. And yet: “The one great silver lining of COVID for me was my ability to spend consistent quality time with my kids – drawing with them, having more sit-down dinners and impromptu heart-

to-heart conversations with them,” said Lu. In further consideration of, and proximity to, family and home, Lu trained himself to look past the currency of business now, into the future. “I looked more into home design…utilizing my house because we were stuck from stay-athome orders.” The mask? Lu is not a fan. “I really dislike face masks other than the safety benefits,” he said. “There have been once or twice I ran out of the house without shaving and the face mask allowed me not to not worry about it. When I’m able to take off my mask it’s usually when I get home or in the car and I can start processing my day and slowing down.” The mask he does use most often, a redwhite-and blue mask Image | Courtesy Bailey Walker and Adam Laub purchased from Swag in N. Liberties, is “symbolic of the balance between pursuit of happiness and the recovery that the U.S. will face during and after the pandemic.” While Lu is excited for it to be easier to do things without hesitation and planning (“I would love to take my family on a spur-of-the-moment vacation without the fear of being on a plane with masks”) and not having to explain to people to stay masked (“Some get very defensive when you tell them to put masks on; I would love for it just not to be a thing”), what the restaurateur really craves is heat. “I can’t wait for warmer weather for outdoor activities. My kids are active so it will be nice to get them out to the park more, or swimming. Warmer weather also alleviates our constraint for seating for our outdoor venues of Germantown Garden, Vesper Dayclub, Anejo, Set Nolibs, and Figo Figo Italian restaurant in the former Wahlburger space. I’m excited about having four new restaurants after that, like Bagels and Co at the Piazza in the former Saige Coffee space. I’m excited we finally can open Leda and the Swan back up in Center City. We had just opened it last year when COVID shut down bars and restaurants a few weeks later.”

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PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 4, 2021

ART

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

THE DIS-LOCATED GALLERY How Philly art galleries were affected by – and are rebounding from – a difficult 2020

Philly Stewards recently conducted a survey to gauge the status of local galleries. The good news is, it’s not all bad. The bad news is, it’s not all good. Image | Courtesy of Philly Stewards

JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 4, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

hiladelphia art galleries, either stayed the same or increased like most venues, were from previous years. The reason was online business. hit hard by the pandemic. To gauge the situation, While 45 percent of responding galPhilly Stewards reached leries reported a decrease in brickout through a survey: The and-mortar sales, no gallery reported Dis-Located Gallery: The a decrease in online sales, and 70 perEffects of 2020 on Philadelphia’s Gal- cent reported that their online sales had grown. Galleries are responding leries. to the limitations of quarThis past December, PS antine and the potential for reached out to 87 galleries new audiences with new efto ask them to participate in BY EUGENE forts to reach out online: 50 a short, anonymous survey percent of galleries reportto help PS get a better sense ZENYATTA ed that over the past year of what’s happening now. they’ve increased their foTwenty galleries respondcus on virtual programs or ed. PS also conducted three in-depth interviews with gallery di- events, and 35 percent noted they’ve rectors across the three major gallery increased their engagement with sosectors – commercial, nonprofit and cial media. So what’s ahead? Looking at the artist-run – to gain a more qualitative sense of how this past year has felt to survey, there’s reason for optimism. Only 15 percent of the galleries rethose on the ground. The good news is, it’s not all bad. ported that they felt more pessimistic at the end of 2020 than they had in The bad news is, it’s not all good. While 75 percent of galleries that March. To view the complete survey, along completed the survey had been open to the public on a weekly or monthly with comments from several local galbasis as of Jan. 1, 2020, only 5 percent lery directors, visit phillystewards. continued to be so as of this past Dec. art. PW recently caught up with Philly 1. Yet surprisingly, given the larger economic hit of the pandemic, 70 per- Stewards to talk about the survey and its results. cent of galleries reported overall sales

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY When you took a look at the survey results, what surprised you the most? When taking a look at the survey results, the general sense of optimism across the different organizational types of galleries – commercial, nonprofit or artist-run – was both surprising and heartening. 2020 was a constant exercise in dashed expectations. That many galleries were able to find opportunities in the challenges and look forward to using their newly developed skill sets in a (hopefully) less-encumbered 2021, spoke volumes about their resilience and tenacity. Some galleries were able to make a fairly quick transition from brickand-mortar sales to online sales. Will an online presence be important for galleries moving forward, or do you think things eventually will go back to the way they were before the pandemic? Art galleries, like all retailers, have had to develop strategies to navigate the hybridization of brick-and-mortar and digital spaces as points-of-purchase over the past two decades. Sales have, traditionally, been one of the areas of greatest opacity within the art market. The challenge for galleries has been to negotiate selling objects which are a luxury commodity and whose value partially relies on exclusivity, while also trying to gain market-share by becoming increasingly accessible. Greater engagement of digital spaces over this past year was undoubtedly a result of COVID-19 and its effects, but this was how the sector was trending even before 2020 hit. However, viewing a work of art on the digital space still cannot approximate experiencing a work of art in person. While many galleries have developed more robust strategies for increasing digital sales and art viewership over the past year, we anticipate that visiting galleries – when this becomes a possibility again – to experience an artwork, will likely return to the preferred method of engagement. One of the concerns that came up in the survey was that, as things begin to return to “normal,” people won’t be as focused on

ART supporting artists. For example, there will be more concerts, festivals, etc. competing for the public’s attendance and financial support. How can galleries keep the public’s attention? There will certainly be fierce competition for people’s attention, traffic and disposable income when our ability to congregate more freely returns. Galleries’ responses to 2020 expanded the boundaries of their digital programming. These experiments and experiences will likely influence and serve as lessons for the development of in-person programming in the future. Surely, galleries are already now beginning to think about ways to diversify and expand the intersecting interests of their in-person programming so that they may appeal to a larger audience – and can hit the ground running – when the opportunity arises to welcome groups of guests back through their doors. What can be done to help them get back on their feet? What roles do larger, more financially stable galleries, the art-buying public and even the government play in helping these galleries survive? The reason that we ended our article with a similar question is because these are questions that Philly Stewards chooses not to provide answers for, but instead wishes to present to the larger public to consider. After digesting the survey results and getting feedback from a number of gallery owners, what advice would you have for “the Philly gallery scene,” as a whole, moving forward? Is there a way galleries can work together to ensure the entire gallery community thrives? Similarly, we choose not to offer advice because part of Philly Stewards’ mission is to remain as neutral a participant in the Philadelphia art community as possible. We don’t believe it is our place to tell people how they should operate, but instead are interested in collecting and disseminating information about how they are operating. Though, in your question there is likely the beginnings to greater stability across the sector – work together.

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PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 4, 2021

VOICES

OF OUR

CITY

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

THE SHOUT OUT

Trump fails his oath to serve and protect Donald Trump had a duty of care to protect the individuals present in the Capitol Building on the day of the riots. He had a duty of care to protect the rioters from themselves. His words incited an angry and ultimately violent event leading to the deaths of people as well as serious injuries. He delayed taking action to stop the riots. He failed to fulfill his sworn oath to

serve and protect. He is culpable and should be held responsible for his actions and lack thereof. Donald Trump may not have had his knee on the necks of those who died, but he actively participated in their deaths and others injuries. He needs to answer in criminal court.

Anonymous

Join the debate From crime in the city and the city’s overreaching COVID restrictions on restaurants, to former President Trump’s actions regarding the recent violence on Capitol Hill, PW readers are letting their feelings be known on social media. Below are only a few examples. Want to join in? Follow PW on Twitter and Instagram: @PhillyWeekly. On the recent shooting death of a Temple graduate in Brewerytown: “Does anybody find it rather precarious that they were able to find this violent criminal so fast, yet can’t seem to find not one sus-

pect in the killings of hundreds of neighborhood murders? Something ain’t right.” – @ RavenellLonnie The city’s COVID restrictions on restaurants: “Some people’s lives depend on those businesses. If research shows the indoor dining lockdowns didn’t work, then what the fuck is the point of continuing to do them?” – @knobkabob “The intent was not to stop COVID, but rather to scare the citizens into submission to the mayor’s office and to cripple small business owners.” – @gr_dona

JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 4, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

Image | United Nations COVID-19 Response

With COVID vaccinations rolling out, places like gyms, restaurants, etc. are slowly starting to reopen.

Your turn: What are you looking most forward to getting back to “normal?” When will you feel comfortable resuming your pre-pandemic activities? Send your thoughts to voices@philadelphiaweekly.com

“T

as hell isn Thousa ered in fro at Broad outrage th tion site without t tion. The well as a c Safehou reduce th deaths du South Ph sites wou their neig trafficking crimes th their drug And th safe inject As Will one of his as the U.S. Pennsylva Safehouse “I’m ple is still aliv

CRIME BEAT

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

UNSAFE AT ANY SITE A look back at Safehouse’s planned supervised injection site and the U.S. attorney who helped thwart it

“T

he Safehouse injection site may be safe for drug addicts,” I remember a South Philly protester saying to me last February at a street protest in South Philadelphia – “But it sure as hell isn’t safe for the neighborhood.” Thousands of South Philadelphians gathered in front of the Constitution Health Plaza at Broad and McKean streets to show their outrage that the Safehouse supervised injection site was scheduled to be opened there without their prior knowledge or consultation. The building houses medical offices as well as a children’s day care center. Safehouse claimed the injection site would reduce the number of drug overdoses and deaths during the opioid crisis. But many South Philadelphians believed the injection sites would draw more heroin addicts into their neighborhood and increase illegal drug trafficking and the robberies, thefts and other crimes that addicts commit to get money for their drugs. And then there is the argument that the safe injection site violates federal law. As William M. McSwain noted on Jan. 12, in one of his last press releases prior to resigning as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the federal court ruled against Safehouse. “I’m pleased to report that the rule of law is still alive and well in Philadelphia – having

been reaffirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals other things, understandably angry South Philadelphia residents yelling at former Govfor the Third Circuit, which held that it is a ernor Rendell, calling him unworthy of the tifederal crime to open a heroin injection site or tle of Governor and berating him as a ‘sneak’ ‘consumption room’ for illegal drug use,” Mcfor hiding his intention to locate Swain stated. the first injection site in South “The Third Circuit’s opinion is Philadelphia, as well as a sitting a faithful reading of the statute’s City Councilman [Mark Squilla] plain language and is consistent screaming at Safehouse’s foundwith Congress’ intent to protect ers that their proposal was ‘horriAmerican neighborhoods from ble and a disgrace’ and ‘not a part the scourge of concentrated drug of democracy’ because he and his use.” constituents had never been inSafehouse, a nonprofit corpoformed about Safehouse’s plans,” ration, stated that its goal was to McSwain said. save lives by providing a range of “It also featured plenty of logioverdose prevention services, incal inconsistency: Governor Rencluding injection sites. Safehouse dell, for example, claimed that wanted to lay claim to be the first an injection site in Philadelphia safe injection site in the U.S. would have saved the life of his But South Philadelphians were friend’s son (who tragically overnot having it. dosed in his parents’ home) on the Last February, McSwain reassumption that this young man sponded to the Safehouse press PAULDAVISONCRIME.COM would have traveled from the subconference and announcement urbs to the site to inject. that they intended to open a hero“Immediately contradicting in injection site in South Philadelthis, Safehouse co-founder Ronda Goldfein, phia. McSwain stated that his office filed a Notice of Appeal with the U.S. District Court, and in response to angry questions from South his office filed a motion for the court to stay Philadelphia residents who fear that the site would draw addicts to their neighborhood, its final order during the pendency of the apadamantly insisted that ‘nobody’ from outside peal. He called the Safehouse press conference announcing the South Philly injection site “a the South Philadelphia neighborhood would use the site. Goldfein quickly became irritatdumpster fire.” ed with the residents’ legitimate questions; “The press conference featured, among

PAUL DAVIS

things got so bad that she threw in the towel and deferred any questions to an imaginary, future community meeting to be held at an unnamed time and place.” In light of the public protests and vocal condemnation from local politicians, a spokesperson for the Constitution Health Plaza announced on Feb. 27 that they were canceling their agreement with Safehouse. The following day, Mayor Jim Kenney met with reporters and appeared angry that the injection site was scrapped. “If people want to shut that down, then we’re going to have more people dying, more people using drugs and more suffering for families,” Kenney told reporters. Others have suggested to me that there are better ways to combat the opioid crisis, such as a major law enforcement crackdown on drug traffickers, “boot camp-style” prisons for non-violent drug offenders, an increase in outreach programs, and an increase in rehab centers. Safehouse planned to open an injection site in Kensington, but with McSwain’s court victory, that likely won’t happen. “Philadelphia is known around the world as the birthplace of our wonderful nation and of liberty itself,” McSwain said. “Due to the dedicated work of those at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, it will not be known as the birthplace of heroin injection sites.” Paul Davis’ Crime Beat column appears here each week.

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 4, 2021

THE RUNDOWN

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

THE RUNDOWN Image | Nathan Ansell

Nature trivia, cooking, theater and more

Think you know a lot about nature? Want to prepare a great Valentine’s Day dinner? We’ve rounded up some of the things about to take place in Philly.

Vaccinating the Incarcerated

Nature Trivia Night

Theatre Exile Presents Anna Moench’s ‘Sin Eaters’

Semlor To-Go & A Movie at Home

Coronavirus has spread through American prisons and jails killing thousands and infecting countless more. New vaccines are offering a glimpse of hope for the men and women behind the walls. But when will incarcerated people receive the vaccine? Our panelists will discuss critical questions surrounding the vaccination process for incarcerated people. Feb. 2 at 6pm. Presented by Eastern State Penitentiary. Easternstate.org

Valentine’s Day Virtual Cooking Class

Join 12th Street Catering for a Paella Virtual Cooking Class to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Attendees will be guided with live video instruction from executive chef Adam DeLosso during this one-hour event. Kits include all necessary ingredients and are available for onsite pickup, local delivery and priority overnight shipping. This virtual event takes place in your kitchen and is the perfect reimagined date night. Celebrate the holiday of love by creating a culinary masterpiece. Feb. 12 at 5:30pm. Call 215-3868595 or email info@12stcatering.com to register.

JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 4, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

Toeing the lines between satire and harsh reality, “Sin Eaters” is a hilarious, poignant and brutal examination of the human experience and how the daily toil of life transforms our perceptions of ourselves and those around us. Mary is a content moderator, one of the unseen people who scrub our social media feeds of violent, sexual and otherwise disturbing imagery. As she goes deeper into the recesses of the internet, she finds a graphic video that makes her question her relationship, her sanity and her own capacity for violence. “Sin Eaters” is the fourth play by awardwinning playwright Anna Moench and will be directed by Theatre Exile Resident Artist Matt Pfeiffer, featuring Philadelphia-based actors Bi Jean Ngo and David M Raine. Feb. 11 at 8pm. Theatreexile.org

Put your nature knowledge to the test at an upcoming virtual trivia event. It’s a cornucopia of questions covering the scaly, feathered, furry, and even slimy members of the animal kingdom. Prizes will be awarded to the first, second, and third place teams. Teams can consist of 1-6 players. A Zoom link will be in the confirmation email received after registering. Jan. 28 at 7pm. Presented by Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education. schuylkillcenter.org

Join the American Swedish Historical Museum this Valentine’s weekend for some Swedish sweets and ABBA beats. Treat yourself to a rich semla (a Swedish pastry filled with cream and almond paste) along with a hot cup of coffee and a film. This year, the Auxiliary will continue the tradition with advanced semlor order and pickup and a link to a live viewing of the ABBA documentary “Super Troupers: 30 Years of Music,” so you can watch at home. Semlors are $6 each and orders are due by Feb. 10. Feb. 13 at 11am. Register at americanswedish.org/events

THE RUNDOWN

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

Virtual Philly Ghost Walking Tour

Although Philadelphia may have played a pivotal role in American democracy, Philadelphia also has a spooky side to inspire world-renowned authors such as Edgar Allen Poe to write “The Murders of Rue Morgue” and “The Raven” and Bram Stoker’s research for “Dracula” and David Lynch’s inspiration for “Eraserhead.” This virtual walking tour delves in the ghastly tales of supernatural sightings of German soldiers, as well as famous sites such as Bishop White’s House, Pennsylvania Hospital, City Hall, Independence Hall, Walnut Street Theater and so much more. Saturday, Feb. 13, 8pm. $35. eventbrite.com

As you await your turn in the COVID vaccination line, you might want to stay in. But you still want to do something fun, right? No worries. We found these upcoming events on eventbrite.com that should keep you laughing, shrieking and more.

Staying in? We’ve got some events you’ll want to check out Philadelphia Online: DG Footlights

Presented by the Dramatists Guild of America, Philadelphia’s DG Footlights on Zoom continues with “Jesse and Grace: A Best Friends Story” by Sandy Asher and David Harrison. Jesse and Grace have been best friends forever. It’s never mattered that Jesse is a boy and Grace is a girl. They’ve always understood each other, protected each other, comforted each other, and shared their jokes, toys, dreams, and love of poetry and basketball. But now they’re in fourth grade and about to celebrate their 10th birthdays – and things start to get complicated. Tuesday, Feb. 9, 7pm. Free. eventbrite.com

Lunchtime Lessons: Black Futures Pitch Competition

Venture Cafe Philadelphia is hosting an online pitch competition to highlight and resource Black startup founders. Applicants will compete for a $10k grand prize and in-kind business resources, sponsored by Boomi. Join this session to learn how to get involved. Monday, Feb. 1, noon. Free. eventbrite.com

EnTRANSed: A Trans and Non-Binary Drag Show

Join Pearlstein Gallery on Feb. 3 at 7:30pm. on twitch. tv/pearlsteingallery for EnTRANSed: A Trans and Non-Binary Drag Show. This program celebrates and explores Trans and Non-Binary identities through seven Philly-based drag performers. These local favorites will serve up hot dishes ranging from traditional to experimental performances with lip sync, dance, video and more. Online. Eventbrite.com

Immanuel Wilkins + Jacob Cooper: Artist to Artist Talk

Presented by the American Composers Forum, the Philadelphia Chapter will present an online artist talk between acclaimed saxophonist and composer Immanuel Wilkins and composer Jacob Cooper, a 2020 Pew Fellow. The two artists will discuss their creative process, reflect on their artistic influences and share recent work. Tuesday, Feb. 2, 5pm. Free. eventbrite.com

Improv Comedy The N Crowd Livestream

Join in for livestream improv comedy with the N Crowd! Tickets: Free, but there’s a suggested $5 donation. The N Crowd has performed improv comedy shows every Friday since 2005. Its rotating cast of hilarious performers play a variety of improv games you may have seen before and ones you’ll never see anywhere else. Friday, Feb. 5. 8pm. eventbrite.com

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 4, 2021

THE RUNDOWN

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

Malcolm & Marie

Sam Levinson teams up with Zendaya and John David Washington for an achingly romantic drama in which a filmmaker (Washington) and his girlfriend (Zendaya) return home following a celebratory movie premiere as he awaits what’s sure to be imminent critical and financial success. The evening suddenly takes a turn as revelations about their relationships begin to surface, testing the strength of their love. Working with cinematographer Marcell Rev, Levinson creates a film of rare originality; an ode to the great Hollywood romances as well as a heartfelt expression of faith in the medium’s future. Premieres on Feb. 5.

Have you binge watched all of the shows you want to binge watch? No more movies you want to catch? No problem, as Netflix has announced its new arrivals for February. We went to netflix.com and picked out some of our favorites about to hit the small screen.

What’s new on Netflix next month Strip Down, Rise Up

Firefly Lane

Pelé

The Crew

From Academy Award-nominated director Michèle Ohayon comes “Strip down, rise up,” an intimate film about a diverse and vibrant group of women who heal their trauma and body image issues through sensual movement and the art of pole dancing. Premieres on Feb 5.

Space Sweepers

Set in 2092, spaceship Victory is one of the many that live off salvaging space debris. Crewed with a genius space pilot Tae-ho (Song Joong-ki), a mysterious ex-space pirate Captain Jang (Kim Tae-ri), spaceship engineer Tiger Park (Jin Sunkyu), and a reprogrammed military robot Bubs (Yoo Hai-jin), Spaceship Victory surpasses all other space sweepers. After successfully snatching a crashed space shuttle in the latest debris chase, Victory’s crew find a 7-year-old girl inside. They realize that she’s the humanlike robot wanted by UTS Space Guards, and decide to demand ransom in exchange. Premieres on Feb. 5.

JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 4, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

This documentary feature tells the story of iconic footballer Pelé, his quest for perfection and the mythical status he attained. As well as unprecedented interview access to Pelé, the film includes astounding archive footage and interviews with legendary former teammates including Zagallo, Jairzinho and Rivellino. The story looks back at the extraordinary 12-year period in which Pelé, the only man to win three World Cup titles, went from young superstar in 1958 to national hero in 1970; a radical yet turbulent era in Brazil’s history. Premieres on Feb. 23.

Based on the New York Times bestselling book, “Firefly Lane” is the sweeping story of two inseparable best friends and their enduring, complicated bond, spanning four tumultuous decades. The series stars Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke. Premieres on Feb. 3.

“The Crew” stars Kevin James as a NASCAR crew chief for the fictional Bobby Spencer Racing team. When the owner steps down and passes the team off to his daughter Catherine (Jillian Mueller), James has to protect himself and his crew from her attempts to modernize the team. Freddie Stroma, Sarah Stiles, Gary Anthony Williams and Dan Ahdoot also star. Paris Berelc and Bruce McGill guest star. Premieres on Feb. 15.

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

VALENTINE’S DAY

The Love Day Share your Valentine’s Day specials with us; we’ll tell everyone else

oon, love will join COVID in the air. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and, like so many things we’ve seen over the past year, things will be different in 2021. While this Valentine’s Day won’t be anything like last year’s, things are looking a little better, and people are starting once again to seek out things to do – especially on holidays. In this case, PW wants to play matchmaker – matching restaurants and other venues with folks eager to get out of the house (even if it’s just to pick up a meal) to celebrate Valentine’s Day. PW is rounding up a list of Valentine’s Day specials and events, and we want to include you. If your restaurant or venue has something cooking for V-Day, let us know, and we’ll tell everyone else. It could be a dinner package (dine-in, take-out, pick-up, it doesn’t matter to us), a virtual performance or maybe even something live and in person. All we need is for you to send us all of the details – when, where, how much, etc. Just send an email to mail@philadelphiaweekly.com by Feb. 8. Then we’ll publish our list in the Feb. 11 edition. We know that a lot of businesses are hurting right now. We know a lot of people are looking to do something special on Valentine’s Day. Help us get everybody together to enjoy the day.

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 4, 2021

NICE RACK

REACH OUT TO US. Carry PW’s at your spot. drops@philadelphiaweekly.com.

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SEX WITH TIMAREE

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

SEX AND

COVID

There’s a light at the end of the tunnel If you or your partner have COVID, stay coming into view. Sure, rates of COVID-19 in away from sexual contact – or any physical Philly are still unnervingly high. contact, really – for 14 days. AbYet, I’m optimistic, as the city unstain until at least seven days after veiled its site for registering intersymptoms started and you’ve been est in the vaccine. able to stay fever-free without medWe are still learning more about ication for at least 72 hours. this virus every day, but at this Despite the pressing issue of point, we’ve had a year to gather the pandemic, we still must condata, which we can use to navigate sider sexually transmitted infecthe remaining months of this pantions. Some of them have gotten demic. Let’s take a look at what we even more virulent in the wake of know about the virus as it relates COVID, as health-care resources to matters of sexuality. are being pulled away from clinics Sex & COVID Spread and fewer people are seeking testCan you get COVID from having ing and treatment. sex? Yep. If you’re within a few feet We’re seeing record high rates of a person and sharing the same of many STIs, and some strains @TIMAREE_LEIGH air, you’re at risk of transmission, of treatable infections are becomeven if neither of you are showing ing stronger and drug resistant – symptoms. Health departments from around which can potentially lead to them becoming the country have advised that the safest option untreatable. All of this is a great argument for sex partners is for the expansion of yourself, followed by telemedicine, but in people you live with. the meantime: Use If you’re going condoms and othto have sex with er barrier methods someone outside with any partner your household, whose STI status is get together in a not known to you. large, well-ventilatBuilding & ed space, and wash Maintaining Relaup before and after tionships sex. Avoid kissing Dating is rough and wear masks, if anytime, but we’re possible. Skip sex if presented with you’re not feeling unique challenges well. We know the now. I still recomvirus is spread by mend that if you exhaled droplets, meet people on datbut COVID has also been found in saliva, seing apps to move the conversation to another men and feces, so minimize risk by using conplatform quickly – whether it be video chat doms or dental dams during oral play. or a distanced in-person hang. Starting a new

TIMAREE SCHMIT

“If you’re living with a partner, you’ve likely found that the stress of being constantly in the same space is as tough as distance.”

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

relationship with radical honesty about risks and boundaries is scary but ultimately sets a great foundation for communication in the future, so talk openly about your level of concern and the precautions you take, and don’t fall for pressure to go outside your comfort zone. If you can’t be with your lover physically right now, I feel for you and literally wrote my last column about it (so go check it out!). If you’re living with a partner, you’ve likely found that the stress of being constantly in the same space is as tough as disOVID, staytance. Divorces and y physicalsplits are exponendays. Ab-tially more likely days afterright now. To keep ou’ve beenthe passion alive hout med-in these situations: rs. Schedule advenissue of tures outside your must con-home that are novted infec-el for both of you. ave gottenConsider dining oute wake of doors in a yurt, takresourcesing an online class, om clinicsor perhaps you can eking test-go for a long walk to a new part of town. high ratesTake notes from me strainshow polyamorous re becom-and consensually esistant –non-monogamous becomingpeople are dealing argumentwith the pandempansion of ic by forming tight ne, but inbubbles of exposure, time: Useopenly discussing and oth-the risk level with methodswhich you are compartnerfortable. status is Gender and Sexto you. ual Orientation in g &the Pandemic ing Rela- Not everyone is feeling the impact is roughof the pandemic but we’reequally. Gender is witha predictor of how challengesseriously someone ll recom-will take the threat t if youof COVID and the le on dat-odds they will take precautions, with women o anothermore likely to engage in mitigating behaviors video chatlike distancing and wearing masks. Regarding a newless, we have to note that women – specifically

SEX WITH TIMAREE women of color – are hardest hit economically, with higher rates of job losses and expected increases in child care. LGBTQ people are also being disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, as it exaggerates existing health disparities. This has added to a massive divide within the queer scene. Some within the gay community are exhausted from distancing measures and are headed back into massive parties, while others are shaming this risky behavior. COVID Impacts on Sexuality So you had COVID. How will this affect you, sexually? A lot remains to be learned and people have varying experiences. Again, wait until after you have recovered and have gone at least three unmedicated days without fever before returning to sexual activity. It’s hard to predict how you will be impacted sexually. In some cases, people experience an increase in sex drive after recovery – or at least a freedom that comes from no longer feeling scared of being infected. Other folks are having unpleasant symptoms, like irregular periods or low libido. There is also significant research to indicate the erectile dysfunction may linger long after COVID recovery. We’re still learning about the longterm ramifications, so it’s wise to take note of whatever you experience and share it with your health professionals. Have a question for Timaree? Send an email to asktimaree@philadelphiaweekly.com.

“So you had COVID. How will this affect you, sexually? A lot remains to be learned and people have varying experiences.”

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PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 4, 2021

THE

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Ain’t she grand? Philly photographer Leo Joseph snapped this of “Our Flag Unfurled,” the mural at 500 N. Columbus Blvd. He said he was scrolling through his Adobe Lightroom and came across it again right before the raid on the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. “With all the craziness going on right now, it just felt like it was the right time to post it,” he said. “I almost felt like everyone kind of needed it right now.” Have a photo for the Big Pic? Email it to news@philadelphiaweekly.com or tag us on social at #PWBigPic.

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215-465-7525 Public Notice T-Mobile proposes to install a distributed antenna system (DAS) on the Mann Center for the Performing Arts building located at 5201 Parkside Ave, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, PA (20210090). Interested parties may contact Scott Horn (856-809-1202) (1012 Industrial Dr., West Berlin, NJ 08091) with comments regarding potential effects on historic properties.

Legal Notices

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)627-3510 to satisfy a lien on February 2nd, 2021 at approx. 6:00 PM: www.storagetreasures.com: 2032 Luis Reyes 5052 At Home Health/ Carter S Durham 4161 Wilson Liyounhing 4025 Brian R. Mildenberg 4062 James M Mutell 3070 Aline Gray

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 February 9th, 2021 at approx. 6:00 PM: www.storagetreasures.com: E462 Anthony Bayne C346 Katharine Knott G634 Corey Palmer General Employment

MAINTENANCE TECH Must have knowledge of plumbing, painting & some electrical. Prior maintenance exp. necessary. Salary commensurate with exp. Email: nsgprop@gmail.com

General Employment

Legal Notice

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

Notice is given that Cash Express Pawn Brokers did on January 22nd, 2021 submit to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Banking, an application for renewal licensure of a pawn broker office at this location, which is as follows 735 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia PA 19106. All interested persons may file written comments in favor or in opposition to the application, with the Pawnbroker Hearing officer, Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities, 17 N 2nd St. Suite 1300 Harrisburg, PA 17101. All comments to be considered must be received by the Department within thirty (30) days from the date of this newspaper publication.

DRIVERS AllThree's Luxury Sedan & Taxicab looking for professional drivers. High income. Set your own hrs. Please call M-F. 10a-4p. 215-333-1111 PREP COOK 40 hour shifts available for immediate hire. Must have experience. Good candidates will advance to the cooks line. Apply in person: The Dining Car, 8826 Frankford Ave. or Email: Thediningcar@aol.com

SECRETARY/ LEASING AGENT - F/T Located in Montgomery Co. Pleasant person with good phone skills, to show apts., process applications, minimal secretarial work. Email resume to: nsgprop@gmail.com or Call 732-886-6830 FLAGGERS ($12.50/hr) Traffic Plan seeks Flaggers to set up and direct traffic around construction sites. A valid PA driver license and clean driving record a must, good pay and benefits. If interested please fill out an application at 510 Hertzog Blvd, King of Prussia, PA on MondayĘźs 9am - 12pm or online at trafficplan.com. WAITRESS/ WAITER FT/PT Day & Night Shifts. Apply in person: The Dining Car 8826 Frankford Ave. or email: Thediningcar@aol.com CASHIER/ BARTENDER P/T second shift. Apply in person: The Dining Car, 8826 Frankford Ave. or email: Thediningcar@aol.com

Notice is given that Georges Golden Scale did on January 22nd, 2021 submit to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Banking, an application for renewal licensure of a pawn broker office at this location, which is as follows 735 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia PA 19106. All interested persons may file written comments in favor or in opposition to the application, with the Pawnbroker Hearing officer, Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities, 17 N 2nd St. Suite 1300 Harrisburg, PA 17101. All comments to be considered must be received by the Department within thirty (30) days from the date of this newspaper publication.

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classifieds@philadelphiaweekly.com PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 4, 2021

REAL ESTATE

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY                                                                           

                                                                                

                                                                   

                                                               

                                                                                    

                                                                           

NM-00448883

“QUARANTINE IS KILLING ME! I CAN’T STAND THE INSIDE OF THIS APARTMENT ANYMORE!”

GET MORE at Siena Place

HUGE NEW 3-4 bedroom townhomes starting at $505,900

-Literally Every Young Person in Philly Philadelphians have been trapped in their house for months. Work from home, eat at home, live at home. They’re craving a change of scenery. Don’t wait for them to start searching online. Give PW readers a reason to move today. Contact sales@philadelphiaweekly.com today to get your property listed. All real estate ads come with a FREE Real Estate Reggie listing each week!

Largest townhomes in Packer Park Abundant green space • Easily accessible Private garage & ample street parking Convenient to FDR Park, airport, Walt Whitman Bridge & more!

215.339.5390 SIENAPLACE.COM MODEL HOMES OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY Mon, Thurs thru Sat 11-5 | Sun 12-5 2300 Hartranft Street, Philadelphia, PA 19145 Between Penrose Ave. and 26th St. BROKER COOPERATION IS WARMLY INVITED & APPRECIATED. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 4, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

All prices and features subject to change without notice. Please see sales consultant for details.

REAL ESTATE

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

REAL ESTATE

REGGIE Thoughtful design

$1,575 / 399ft2 - Center City Studio. 1401 Arch Street. Located in Philadelphia’s historic Center City neighborhood, One City offers modern elegance with timeless grandeur. With views of Philadelphia’s City Hall, and just steps away from Philly locations such as the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Reading Terminal Market and Love Park. One City offers the most discerning residents the ultimate living experience. Inside this historic building, located at 1401 Arch Street, each apartment residence holds unique original features coupled with contemporary sophistication. Thoughtful design details include custom built-in storage, stainless steel appliances, and modern connectivity offering luxury and convenience to a range of lifestyles. Control is always at your fingertips with your app based smart home features including keyless entry. With community spaces for every activity One City offers multiple lounges and entertainment experiences. Our tech-connected fitness center, lobby lounge, and rooftop sky lounge with demo kitchen enhances your city life. Immerse yourself in the historical architecture, modern convenience and innovative charms that One City has to offer. Be one with the city. Amenities Include: Guest Suites. Fully Equipped Kitchens. Additional Storage Available. In Unit Washer & Dryer. Rooftop Sundeck. Custom Built-In & Historic Detailing. Interior & Exterior Entertainment Lounges. Stainless Steel Appliances. Quartz Countertops. Dapper Lounge. Smart Thermostat. Bike Storage. Call: (844) 204-7536.

Indoor basketball court

$1,695 / 1br - 835ft2 - Center City Luxury Apartment. 117 N. 15th. Great Views. Spacious Floor Plan. Wood Plank Flooring. Granite Countertops. Stainless Steel Appliances. Garbage Disposal. Microwave. Dishwasher. Washer/Dryer in Unit. Pet Friendly (Restrictions Apply). State-of-the-Art Fitness Center. Indoor Basketball Court. Roof Deck with Amazing City Views. Conference Room. Resident Lounge/Multi-Purpose Room. On Site Maintenance. 24/7 Lobby Attendant. Convenient Location. Up to Two Months Free! Net effective rent includes applicable special. Deposit must be made on or before 1/31/21. Move-in within 30 days. Metropolitan-living.com

Free utilities

$1,121 / 1br - 519ft2 - City Avenue, Bala Cynwyd, Center City. All utilities included! JR 1BED 1BATH APARTMENT WITH BALCONY! Free utilities. Free off street parking. Free state of the art fitness center. Free seasonal swimming pool membership. Garbage disposal. Dishwasher (select units). 2 laundry facilities located on each floor. Accepts packages in the office. Bus stop right at your doorstep. Garage parking available. Controlled intercom access. Flexible Lease Terms Available. (855) 427-2705.

Ultimate urban living

$1,300 / 1br - 800ft2 - Amazing Condo unit for Rent at 1010 Race St. in Center City. Come see this bright and spacious 1 bed corner unit at 1010 Race Street! Close to everything you need including convenience stores, grocery stores, public transit, shopping, bars, restaurants, and more. This is the ultimate urban living location! This is a condominium for anyone looking to live in the heart of downtown Center City. Beautiful and spacious 1 bedroom 1 bathroom condo with tall ceilings, exposed wood beams, exposed brick, hardwood floors, HUGE three windows, providing tons of natural light. The cozy kitchen has plenty of cabinet space and has an opening to the living room for easily handing food or drinks. The unit features a refrigerator, washer, dryer, central heating and air conditioning. 267-912-7888.

Want to list your apartment with Real Estate Reggie? For only $75, you get 100 words to describe your place. For only $125, you get 100 words, plus a photo. Need something more or different? Reggie can make it happen. happen Deadline is every Monday at 10 am for Thursday’s issue. Email him at REReggie@philadelphiaweekly.com for details.

Steps from Center City

$1,650 / 2br - 2013 Moravian St- 2 BDRM Home w/ Center City Views from Private Deck. Moravian Street near S. 20th Street. Don’t miss the opportunity to see this beautiful 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom home in the Heart of Rittenhouse Square and steps from Center City. Walk into this beautiful home that features an open living space with central air, a bright kitchen with beautiful cabinets, brand new stainless steel gas range and access to a shared back patio, great for entertaining! Washer and dryer are located in the basement. The second floor includes a den area at the top of the stairs that’s perfect for a home office, the full bathroom that’s been updated with new shower tile and tub plus a new vanity, a large bedroom with a closet and built in shelving. Last but not least, you will enjoy a roof deck with stellar skyline views where you can retreat from the Center City hustle and bustle for maximum relaxation. Small pets permitted with owner approval. $350 non-refundable pet fee. Patio shared with the owner; the roof deck is shared with the next door neighbor. 215-735-7368.

Upscale living

$2,293 / 1br - 780ft2 - Spectacular One Bedroom/One Bathroom Center City Apt. 300 Alexander Court. Discover the definition of exceptional living at The Alexander. Here, at our high-rise Philadelphia apartments, you will find the perfect blend of modern design and enduring style. The Alexander will feature luxurious homes with unique configurations and unmatched amenities, all in a smoke-free environment. Enjoy upscale urban living from the rooftop deck, the lavish courtyard or by simply letting our on-site concierge assist with making your everyday a little more extraordinary. Live in a walkable, pet-friendly residential neighborhood near museums and parks. Classic, warm, and inviting – find your future at The Alexander. Features: Spacious studio-, one-, two-, and three- bedroom apartment homes available. Custom cabinetry in Kitchens. Oversized windows for extra light. Stainless steel appliances and quartz countertops in Kitchens. Wood-Like Flooring throughout apartment home. Walk-In Closets. Views of Center City Philadelphia from select apartments. Open-concept floor plans. In-home washers and dryers. Picturesque terraces and balconies in select apartments Community Amenities: Package Receiving. Refreshing, Spa-Inspired Indoor Pool. Storage available. On-Site Management. Pet Grooming Station. Penthouse and Townhomes available. Pet Friendly. TV Lounge. Valet Laundry Service Available. 24-hour Concierge. Lavish Community Clubroom with Demonstration Kitchen. 2nd Floor landscaped terrace with BBQ Grilling Stations. Fitness Center with Cardio Equipment. Roof Terrace with Observation Deck. Bike Storage with Mechanic Station. Children’s Play Room. Public Art Landscaping. Access controlled garage parking. Pet Policy: The Alexander is a pet-friendly community. Call Now: (215) 596-4234 x 70 or text 70 to (215) 596-4234 to text our leasing team.

Plenty of nightlife

$1,450 / 1br - 800ft2 - Beautiful Apartment for Rent in Center City. 1223 Wood Street. Beautiful 1 bedroom apartment, 1 full bath. Gorgeous granite and stainless custom kitchen opens to a spacious living/dining area. Marble and Premium hardwood floors throughout the entire unit. Additional features include a private laundry room and individual heating and air conditioner. This building is conveniently located in the Center City district with plenty of restaurants and nightlife to choose from. Also, shopping, public transportation, and access to Independence Mall, Penn’s Landing, the PA Convention Center and the still bustling Reading Terminal Market. Please contact Kin at 267-912-7888.

Distinctly Philadelphian

$1,458 / 504ft2 - Roof Deck & Patio, Walk to Center City, Fitness Center, Bike Storage. 1600 Callowhill Street. Originally built amidst a sea of immense factories that made up the Callowhill branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad, Sixteen Hundred is an incarnation of the city’s manufacturing heritage. The newly updated Sixteen Hundred is timeless, modern, and distinctly Philadelphian. Features: 14’ Ceilings, Expansive Windows, Studios, 1 Bedrooms & 2 Bedrooms, Original Brick Walls, Generous Closets, Equipped Kitchens, Open Loft Layouts, Panoramic Views Available, Exposed Beams and Columns. Community Amenities: Ride the Broad Street Line, Community Room, Fitness Center, Visit the Museums, Roof Lounge, Bike Storage, Terrace, Walk to Center City, Roof Deck & Patio, Ground Floor Retail. Pet Policy: Pet friendly, contact for details. Call Now - (267) 460-7663 x 40 or text 40 to (267) 460-7663 to chat!

Fabulous neighborhood

$3,200 / 3br - Center City Townhome 3 Bedrooms. N. 22nd. St. near Race. 2 Stories. 3 Bedrooms. Over 1800 Square Feet. 2 Full bathrooms, 1 Powder Room. Eat In Kitchen. Living Room/Dining Room Area. Hardwood Floors. Fireplace. Central AC. Patio. Laundry Room. 1 Parking Space. No Pets. No Smoking. Lovely property, outstanding landlord, fabulous neighborhood. (610) 667-1122 x 101.

Marble countertop

$750 / 1br - Studio available for rent near Center City (1220 N. Carlisle St.). Studio apartment available for rent. Close to Center City and Temple University. 15 minutes walk from both areas. On the second floor front. Lots of natural light. Hardwood flooring, marble countertop. Full size kitchen and bathroom. $750/month. Water and internet included. First month, last month, and one month security deposit. $60 credit check. Please message and schedule an appointment if interested! (201) 889-0583.

360-degree view

$1,626 / 617ft2 - Fitness Center and Yoga Room, 360-Degree View of the City, Club Room. 2116 Chestnut. Situated steps from all the best of Philadelphia, 2116 Chestnut is the ideal address for an urban lifestyle. Walk to work in Center City or classes in University City. Rittenhouse Square, with its outdoor recreation and surrounding shops and restaurants, is a five-minute walk away. Shop for daily necessities at retailers within the building or at an abundance of stores nearby. Our community prides itself on providing world class customer services. Our team members are uniquely trained to focus on the needs and desires of our residents. From your first visit our teams are here for you. At our community, you are never just an apartment number. You are our valued resident and will be treated as such. No matter what you’re looking for, 2116 Chestnut is an experience…Life is Better Here. Pet Policy: Breed restrictions apply. Please contact the Leasing Office for details. 215-825-1400.

Ornamental fireplace

$1,300 / 1br - Large Bi-Level One Bedroom, Rittenhouse Square, Center City (20th and Walnut St.) Heart of Center City Philadelphia - Just two blocks from Rittenhouse Square, In-unit Washer and Dryer, Large kitchen with Dishwasher and Pantry, Beautiful hardwood floors throughout, Ornamental fireplace, Cable & Internet-ready, Laundry Facilities onpremises, Within UP & Drexel Shuttle District, Walking distance to University City - UP & Drexel & Hahnemann Hospital, Maintenance included, One cat allowed, Packages accepted at RE office for your convenience. RobinApartments.com.

Lifestyle rivals Center City

$2,160 / 2br - 970ft2 - Lifestyle that rivals Center City. City Ave. near Presidential Blvd. We have all lived in apartments with lackluster finishes, less than cooperative management and with horrible, hard-to-reach locations. Presidential City has found a way to not only make your day but change your life. We are moments from: I-76. Center City. King of Prussia. Manayunk. We are steps away from: Target. Great Local Restaurants. Starbucks. Lord & Taylor. Saks Fifth Ave. Come see why Presidential City is the ultimate place to live. (610) 589-3030.

Wainscoting details

$1,500 / 2br - Best Location! Amazing 2BD in Center City w. Great Views. 35 S. 13th St. This beautiful 4th floor apartment has great views and plenty of natural light! Features include hardwood floors with wainscoting details, central a/c, gas fireplace, ceiling fans, and so much more. The living room and kitchen flow nicely, creating an open space. The kitchen has a full lineup of appliances including gas stove and dishwasher. The 2 bedrooms are nicely sized and separated by the bathroom. Laundry is in-unit for added convenience. Schedule your showing today! About The Neighborhood: Located in the heart of Center City, be near some of the best restaurants in town! Walkable to Sampan, McGillin’s Olde Ale House, Barbuzzo, Zavino, Hip City Veg, Double Knot, Graffiti Bar, El Vez, 1225Raw Sushi and Sake Bar, Porta, Green Eggs Cafe, and so much more! Be near plenty of public transportation routes as well. Jg-realestate.com.

Near Washington Square

$975 Center City Brownstone Studio, Pets Allowed (9th & Pine/Washington Square West). Welcome to 400 S. 9th Street, home to a charming studio apartment in a classic brownstone! This unit is a must see for those looking to experience everything that Center City has to offer! 9th and Pine is conveniently located just blocks from Washington Square and steps away from Philadelphia’s best parks, bars, restaurants, and shops! This apartment features unique vintage details, a flat utility fee, on-site laundry, and intercom entry. Large Windows. Hardwood Flooring. Ceiling Fan. Air Conditioning. Gas Cooking. Cable Ready. On-site Laundry. Secure Intercom Entry. 24 Hour Emergency Maintenance. Complimentary Package Acceptance Service. Awesome Center City Location. Easily Accessible Public Transportation/ Bike Share. Running, Walking & Bike Path nearby. Cats and Dogs Welcome! Blocks away from CC Dog Parks. Online Maintenance Portal and Rent Payment. Online Application and Lease. No Move-in Fee. 215-735-8030.

On-site management

$2,591 / 1br - 898ft2 - 1 BED + DEN APARTMENT UNIVERSITY CITY-ROOFTOP, FITNESS CENTER, LOUNGE. 3737 Chestnut Street. $1,000 off first month’s rent on 7-13 month leases & TWO MONTHS FREE on 14-19 month leases, Restrictions Apply. PHILADELPHIA’S BEST LUXURY 1 & 2 BEDROOM APARTMENTS & SUITES. New and vibrant apartment rentals on Chestnut street in University City are here – at 3737 Chestnut! Another luxury community by Korman Residential Properties. Experience the excitement of high-rise University City apartments, located in one of Philadelphia’s most dynamic neighborhoods! Enjoy stunning views of the city and river from our stylish, pet-friendly, modern rentals at 3737 Chestnut. Take a virtual tour on our website or contact us to schedule a video call tour. Fully carpeted bedrooms. Porcelain, marble, and tile accents in kitchens and baths. Yoga studio. Terrace garden. Stainless-steel appliances. Billiards and game room. Kitchens with engineered hardwood flooring. Marble countertops. Outdoor grilling area. Entertainment and media room with large LED TV. Internet cafe. Spacious walk-in closets. Call: 215-622-9893.

$2,000 / 2br - Splendid 2BD Condo in Center City w/ ALL UTILITIES INCLUDED. 1324 Locust St. Located on the highest floor (16th) at The Arts Condominium building, a high-rise condo building in the heart of Center City, unit #1602 is a rarely offered large 2 bedroom w/additional large den, with ALL UTILITIES INCLUDED in the rent! Electricity, water, heat, and even Cable TV (channels 1-100 + Free HBO) are included. The only thing you would have to pay additional for is internet for the unit, although there is free wi-fi in the lobby of the building with computer/printer terminals and also a business center, fitness center and large laundry facilities on the lower level. A 24/7 front desk attendant and on-site management and maintenance staff complete the offered conveniences here. There are hardwood floors in the living room, entryway, kitchen and hallway, and then wall-to-wall carpeting in all three bedrooms and tiled baths. Open floor plan living and kitchen area make entertaining easy, especially with an additional L-shaped breakfast bar creating additional seating and prep space. Kitchen has granite countertops, stainless appliances, cherry cabinets and lots of storage space. Half bathroom is off of the main living space and then a full bathroom down the hall. About The Neighborhood: Centrally located just off Broad Street, and walkable to a long list of convenient and fun neighborhood favorites. The iconic Avenue of the Arts is home to big names like the Kimmel Center, Academy of Music, Wilma Theater, University of the Arts, Suzanne Roberts Theatre, amazing eateries like City Diner, Sumo Sushi, Big Gay Ice Cream, Giorgio on Pine, Volvér, and hotspots such as Woody’s, Fox & Hound, Howl at the Moon, and MUCH more! Jg-realestate.com.

Granite countertops

Center City life

New and vibrant

$1,600 / 2br - 930ft2 - Brand New 2 Bedroom Condo for Rent in Center City. 211 N Camac Street. Brand-New 2 bedroom condominium with 1 full bath in the heart of Center City. Gorgeous custom-kitchen with granite countertop and stainless appliances, opens to the spacious living/dining area, premium hardwood floors throughout. Additional features include a private laundry room and individual heating and air conditioner units. This building is conveniently located in the Center City district, just across from PA Convention with plenty of restaurants and nightlife to choose from, walking distance to shopping mall, Greyhound Bus Station, Jefferson Train Station and still bustling Reading Terminal Market. 267-912-7888.

$1,295 / 1br - 563ft2 - 2 Months FREE on 14 & 18 Month Lease !! 1 Bedroom – 1 Bath – Center City (1411 Walnut St.) 1 Bedroom Apartment home with Hardwood Floors; Central Heating; Central Cooling; Microwave; Building Features Exercise Room and Front Desk. The original home of the Philadelphia Stock Exchange; Known for its popular restaurants and nightlife spots, Midtown Philadelphia is a fun and exciting place to live. Just steps away from some of Philadelphia’s best culinary experiences, you will revel in the hustle and bustle of Center City life. Living room. Range / Oven. Refrigerator. Microwave. Heat: forced air. Central A/C. Double pane / Storm windows. Cable-ready. Hardwood floor. Vintage building. Elevator. Doorman. Fitness center. Near transportation. pmcpropertygroup.com.

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 4, 2021

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