#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Martini showers
(Photo by @billlent)
Chinese Lantern Fest preps in final stages
The festival in Franklin Square usually features a traditional cultural experience. This year, it’s combining that with semiquincentennial moments and World Cup elements.
BP talked with artisans in China who create the dazzling works that go on display starting next month. Continue reading…
Arden Theatre talks suicide with help from NAMI Philadelphia
Arden’s production of the Tony-winning “Dear Evan Hansen” shines a light on the issue of suicide among students and offers resources as part of Mental Health Awareness month.
The theater is partnering with the Philadelphia branch of NAMI, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization, providing support, education and advocacy for people affected and their families. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Pope Leo XIV made a historic apology as part of his first encyclical, apologizing for the Holy See’s role in legitimizing slavery and for having failed to condemn it for centuries, calling the Vatican’s record a “wound in Christian memory.” [AP]
• The U.S. Forest Service wants to move west and close regional offices, including four in Pennsylvania. [WHYY]
• Road closures begin in Fairmount Park in preparation for the weeks-long FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill. [6ABC/Billy Penn]
• Philly’s next budget could double staff at the Fair Housing Commission. Here’s what that would mean for renters. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
• Philly’s 100 Steps restored after a hasty gray paint job sparked outrage. [Billy Penn]
• Ciro Poppiti will ride horseback from Delaware to Independence Hall in June, retracing Caesar Rodney’s pivotal 1776 journey tied to the Declaration of Independence. [NBC10]
• Author Natalie Pompilio explores America 250 in new book, ‘Philadelphia: A Walk Through History.’ [South Philly Review]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker starts the day recognizing student service leaders and winners at the 3rd annual Philly Service Award Impact Ceremony. (10 a.m.)
Parker then heads to Dilworth Park to attend the premiere of “Unfinished Chorus: What They Started” — a public performance inspired by the 19th Amendment and themes of voice, voting and representation. (12:30 p.m.)
Parker later joins Mural Arts leaders at Fairmount Water Works at 3 p.m. to dedicate the new “Gateways to Philadelphia” I-76 mural and highlight beautification improvements along highways in the city, including key entry points from the airport and 30th Street Station into Center City.
BILLY PENN GUIDES
🚶🏽♀️ Alt Philly history walking tours guide
🎭 Philly’s comedy scene
🌱 Spring in Philly guide
🎤 Philly Record Store Guide
⚽ Billy Penn’s FIFA World Cup Guide
🛍️ Thrifty in Philly guide
📚 Book lovers’ guide to Philly
🍹 Non-alcoholic Philly
😋 Dining in Philly
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
ON THE CALENDAR
🗓️ For the **FULL LIST** of this week’s events calendar, visit BillyPenn.com!
Crossing Streets and Sharing Stories: Black-Asian Solidarity in Philly (today) + Centering Survivors and Solutions: A Gun Violence Talk with survivors and journalists, including Billy Penn’s Heather Chin (tonight) + Youth Voices and Perspectives on the American Revolution (Wednesday) AND MORE!
