#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Unnamed in Manayunk
(Photo by @city_of_architectural_love)
Art museum’s ‘Head to Toe’ exhibit shines light on African and Asian lives, through wearable art
The PMA’s new exhibit features wearable art — things like jewelry and wedding headdresses — from the African diaspora and Asia. It also sheds light on a group often misrepresented in art exhibits: women. Continue reading …
‘Power Up Tour’ aims to bridge digital divide in Philly
According to the city’s most recent data, 25% of households in Philadelphia don’t have a functioning laptop or desktop. This can create a big disparity for those with and without working technology.
In Philly, a “Power Up Tour” is giving away laptops to residents “most in need” in each of the City Council districts. The city will eventually provide 500 devices in total. Continue reading…
RECAP
$ = paywalled
• AI data centers could strain the power grid in the Delaware Valley if summer really heats up. [WHYY]
• The husband of Philly’s own Sheinelle Jones dies at age 45. [Billy Penn]
• A new Pa. law banning use of handheld devices while driving takes effect in June. [CBS3]
• The Bartram’s Mile Trail is still closed a year after a chemical spill. [WHYY]
• Mural Arts’ exhibit “No Place Like Home” champions art education for students. [Billy Penn]
• 25 Philly-area schools received first-ever state funding for solar power installations. [WHYY]
• This Philly-based advice columnist wrote a play with no easy answers. It opens this week. [Billy Penn]
• D’Angelo drops out, Maxwell signs on to join next weekend’s Roots Picnic lineup. [NBC10]
• A Philly sculptor’s work celebrates the 60th anniversary of famous moment for Muhammad Ali. [WHYY]
MAYOR WATCH
The mayor will sign the POWER Act, advancing worker protections, at City Hall, 3 p.m.
The mayor joins city officials to celebrate the inaugural graduating class form the City College for Municipal Employment (CCME), at Center for Business and Industry, 1723 Callowhill Street, 5:30 p.m.
ON THE CALENDAR
❤️ Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander month events
🎪 Philadelphia Contemporary Circus Festival through June 1
🌸 27 ways to get out and enjoy the warm weather
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Tuesday, May 27: Budget Town Hall in North Philly
The final neighborhood budget town hall comes to Hope Partnership for Education School (2601 North 11th Street) from 6 to 8 p.m.
Wednesday, May 28: Farmers Market Opening Day
Kick off the market’s 13th season at Christ Church, celebrating community, local agriculture and economic empowerment just one block away from the site of Philadelphia’s original 18th-century farmers market on High (now Market) Street. (3 to 6 p.m.)
Wednesday, May 28: Northern Liberties Night Market
Dozens of food trucks, shopping vendors, kids activities, games, live music and more are on tap along N. 2nd Street
(between Fairmount Avenue and W. Laurel Street) from 5 to 10 p.m. for the first of 3 family- and pet-friendly night markets in the neighborhood this year.
Wednesday, May 28: Wednesday Night at Eastern State Penitentiary
It’s Music & Open Mic night at the historic prison, where Starfire has a stage set up to feature local musicians, spoken-word artists and storytellers sharing narratives related to justice, freedom and resilience. Sign up for an open-mic slot or sit and listen. (5:30 to 9:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, May 28: The Annual Rosenbach Bloomsday Virtual Talk
Mark Bloomsday from 6 to 7 p.m. with this virtual program discussing how James Joyce’s writing might prompt us to engage in a different kind of reading, treating words and fiction as tools for expanding the boundaries of the self with humor and feeling. Free with registration.
Wednesday, May 28: “The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift” Live Reading
Tattooed Mom hosts this 21+ event with Theatre Contra, who will perform a live reading of the popular movie. (7 to 9 p.m.)
Thursday, May 29: YouTube Presents: Future Insiders (Philly Edition)
Join this day of workshops, performances and pop-ups for creators at REC Studios (901 Market Street). Tickets are free. (4 to 10 p.m.)
Through Sunday, July 6: 2025 Philadelphia Latino Arts & Film Festival
Kick off PHLAFF 2025’s virtual programming with the Thriller & Drama Shorts Block. The festival features films, events and community gatherings that promise to captivate audiences and honor the diverse stories of the Latino diaspora. Dozens of films are scheduled virtually and in-person at various locations like PhillyCAM and Fleisher Art Memorial through July 6. Virtual tickets range from $5 to $50 for the full season while In-person tickets range from $10 to $120 for the full season.
