Books and storytelling inspire us. They tickle our imagination and create worlds that we never dreamed of. From tales of witchcraft and wizardry to visual narratives, this week’s Top 5 is focused on storytelling and the people they touch.
When: Times Vary, Until Nov. 8 Where: Wilma Theater Cost: $10 students, $25 everyone else
The Wilma Theater joins with Attis Theatre of Athens, Greece, to launch the Wilma Hothouse, an ensemble-based approach to creating theater, in the Greek tragedy, Antigone. Join Antigone as she fights against Creon, the ruler of Thebes, for the right to bury her brother. The international ensemble, led by renowned director Theodoros Terzopoulos, performs a physically rigorous performance inspired by a New Yorker essay about the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing. The play will explore issues surrounding “moral, religious, and political dilemmas regarding the unburied dead.”
Opera on the Mall: La Traviata
When: Friday, Oct. 16th. Gates open at 5:30pm, performance starts at 7pm Where: Independence National Historic Park Cost: Free
Part of our Open Arts College Night program, the original Opera on the Mall was rescheduled for this Friday due to rain. The “magnetic” soprano Lisette Oropesa plays Violetta, a Parisian courtesan, in Verdi’s classical work. Modernity and tradition collide on this golden-hued Baroque stage. One more modern element is the mid-20th century fashion sense. So, don’t be surprised to find our main character wearing pants! This performance is sure to drive you to tears, so don’t forget to pack tissues in your picnic basket along with snacks and drinks.
When: Oct. 17th Where: Chestnut Hill Cost: Most activities are Free
Are you still upset that you didn’t get your letter at age 11? (I know I am.) Be a Witch or Wizard with other “Potterheads” for the day at the Chestnut Hill Harry Potter Festival. There will be a Quidditch Tournament as well as a Sorting Hat Demonstration. A complimentary Knight Bus Trolley will be available to transport “Wizards and Muggles all over town” to Defense Against the Dark Arts classes, a straw maze, and Harry Potter themed retail stores. Hogsmeade Station is located at what was formerly known as the Chestnut Hill West Septa Station. Rumor has it there will be a Hogwarts Train on display as well.
Paper Menagerie: Animals on the Page
When: Thursday, Oct. 15 5:30-7:30 PM Where: Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center Cost: Free
In honor of Archive Month Philly, UPenn’s Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts is putting together an exhibit full of “paper animals.” Check out the “vicious lions, colorful fish, beautiful bugs, and perhaps even a few zoological mysteries” with the cataloging staff. See the human fascination with animals come to life through this literature exhibit.
When: Sunday, Oct. 18th 1:00pm Where: Open Source Hub at The Graham Building Cost: Free
Conrad Benner, photojournalist and founder/editor of photo-blog StreetsDept.com, leads this visually oriented tour of several murals made public through Open Source, part of the City of Philly Mural Arts Program, the nation’s largest public art program. These community focused explorations tell the stories of a variety of topics including “immigration, recycling, mass incarceration, the environment, community reinvestment, and displacement.” The Program brings together 14 amazing artists from around the world and in the Philly area. Don’t forget to use tag your pictures with #OpenSourcePHL.
