#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Garden views
(Photo by @suzyq825)
Mawn’s Phila and Rachel Lorn are on a roll with a new restaurant and two prestigious “best of” nods
It’s been a really good week for this Philly dining power couple: They are opening Sao, an oyster, crudo and cocktail bar, made the NY Times’ list of top restaurants with noodle house Mawn, and received a best chef honor from Food & Wine Magazine. Otherwise, totally normal week. Continue reading …
Philly gets its first women’s sports bar next week
Chivonn Anderson’s dream grew out of an argument with a bartender about what should be on the TV.
Next Friday, it results in the opening of a bar on South Street that will prioritize women’s sports. Billy Penn spoke to Anderson about Marsha’s — who it honors, why it’s important, and who is welcome (hint: everyone). Continue reading …
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• State Supreme Court retention elections are usually pretty boring. Not this year … [Billy Penn]
• There’s some mystery to the $6 million spent to repair governor’s mansion after firebombing. [Spotlight PA]
• Victims were remembered 24 years later, at a Sept. 11 ceremony at Philly’s Betsy Ross House. [WHYY]
• Houston, not Philly, is now America’s poorest big city. [Inq$]
• Philadelphia’s school board approved a $1.5B loan and ratified a new teachers union contract. [Chalkbeat/WHYY]
• Penn State will shut down WPSU by June 2026, after the school’s board voted to turn down an offer to transfer ownership of the NPR and PBS-affiliated public broadcasting station to WHYY. [WHYY]
• A “Task” cast member shares how he perfected his Delco accent for HBO show. [PhillyVoice]
• Eagles owner Jeff Lurie makes big move up the Forbes 400 list of richest Americans. [Billy Penn]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker has no public events scheduled for Friday.
ON THE CALENDAR
🍂 Autumn festival lineup
🛍️ 9/13 Philly AIDS Thrift 20th anniversary party
🥘 Through 9/14: Manayunk Restaurant Week
🫶🏽 9/18: Exploring Trends: How Immigration Shapes Our Region
💬 9/18: Moving Forward | A WHYY News Town Hall
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Friday, Sept. 12: Opening Reception + Performance | Anh Vo: Punish, Perform, Possess
Vietnamese performance artist, choreographer, writer, and activist Anh Vo presents their first gallery exhibit, drawing from possessive ritual motifs to explore how perceptions of power systems and ideology, such as capitalism and communism, shift as they govern individuals. Live elements evolve daily through temperature changes, time, and audience interaction. Presented during the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War’s end. (6 to 9 p.m.)
Saturday, Sept. 13: Trees Around the World Tour
Discover a diversity of trees from around the world and the U.S. Free with general admission to the Morris Arboretum. $22 tickets for adults, $12 for children. (11 a.m.)
Saturday, Sept. 13: Philadelphia Fall Arts Fest
Launch Ensemble Arts’ 2025/2026 season with a day of live music and theater performances from local arts groups, venue tours, ticket discounts, photos with a DeLorean time machine, behind-the-musical exhibits, friendship bracelet stations and more! (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Saturday, Sept. 13: Root 2 Fruit Festival
Root 2 Fruit is the annual festival put on by Tyra “Crux” Jones-Blain and Stonez the Organic of Forbidden Fruit. This free, one-day fest will include wellness sessions, live performances, free massages, vendors & raffle giveaways, immersive stations, a digital art gallery and more. (12 to 5 p.m.)
Saturday, Sept. 13: Phishtown Fest
Calling all Phans! Evil Genius Beer Co. is hosting the first-ever Phishtown Festival, a celebration of all things jam-band culture. Join for a day full of live music, good vibes and even better beer. Ages 21+. $20 early bird tickets; $30 general admission; $10 designated driver tkts. (12 to 7 p.m.)
Saturday, Sept. 13: Mural Arts Fest 2025: Voices of Philly
A free day of art, music, and activities with a sneak peek at Mural Arts Month ahead. This family-friendly block party will feature live DJ sets and performances, including button-making, coloring, bounce basketball, and airbrushing demos. (2 to 7 p.m.)
Saturday, Sept. 13: Discovering Mental Wealth
The free conference, held during Suicide Prevention Month, will feature panel discussions from mental health experts, researchers and community leaders, as well as artistic performances from poets. At the Discovery Center in Fairmount Park. (2 to 7 p.m.)
Saturday, Sept. 13: “The Layaway,” feat. The Bearded Ladies Cabaret
A speakeasy for hard times. Tucked inside the historic Wanamaker Building, the Bearded Ladies are carving a cozy space to let your hair down. From acoustic daydreams to organ(ic) rapture to genderqueer tomfoolery, this intimate series will recharge your batteries, refill your cocktail, and maybe even nourish your world-weary soul. $25 tickets. (9 p.m. every Saturday through Sept.)
Sunday, Sept. 14: Brain Aneurysm Foundation Philadelphia Run/Walk
Join thousands nationwide who have been impacted by brain aneurysms. Survivors, caregivers, those who are remembering a loved one, advocates, researchers and supporters will gather at the Philadelphia Navy Yard for this event. $35 per person walking, running or virtual participation. (8 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. run, 9:15 a.m. walk)
Sunday, Sept. 14: Community Bike Ride with MBK Cares and Black Men Heal
Follow-up to the Discovering Mental Wealth event, starting at 9:30 a.m. outside of The Discovery Center at the corner of 33rd and Oxford streets. Indego Bike Share is providing free bikes and attendees are also welcome to bring their own. The group will travel through historical spots in Fairmount Park. (9:30 a.m.)
Sunday, Sept. 14: Eagles v Kansas City watch party
Join Evil Genius Beer Co at this watch party to benefit the Eagles Autism Foundation. Swoop stops by from 1 to 2 p.m. for photo ops and a cheerleader autograph session. Crooked Tea samples, raffle prizes that include a signed Brandon Graham jersey, live music, vodka buckets, and more. (11 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
Sunday, Sept. 14: Mexican Independence Day Festival
Join the celebration at this fun-filled festival at the RiverRink at Penn’s Landing, featuring traditional Mexican artisan crafts, renowned performers from Mexico and the area, children’s activities, and much more. (2 to 7 p.m.)
