Around Town

 

Samantha Rodriguez

KYL/D announces 25th anniversary home season

Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers announced its 25th anniversary home season, KyLin’s Garden – A Space For Tending, Sharing & Imagination, at the Mandell Theater, 3220 Chestnut St., on March 10 and 11.

This concert advances Lin’s vision of cultivating the next generation of dance-makers by including two world premieres: Shrill by Evalina Wally Carbonell and Dragon by Weiwei Ma in a shared program of six diverse works, which were inspired by a sculpture at Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, New Jersey by Taiwanese artist Yuyu Yang.

Carbonell’s creation, Shrill, explores human yearning through a vivid kaleidoscope of the senses, deconstructing the shrill sound of isolation and heartbreak. Ma’s work, Dragon, taps into the sculpture’s expression of symbols from Chinese philosophy – integrating contemporary dance with Chinese cultural concepts.

Interested fans can get a behind-the-scenes look into the creative process by attending two distinct offerings prior to the major event. On Feb. 11 at 2:30 p.m., KYL/D will host its Open Studio Series at its dance center (1316 S. 9th St.). Several weeks later, patrons can view the sculpture that informed the world premiere works on Feb. 25 at 1 p.m. at Grounds for Sculpture along with conversation with Carbonell and Ma.

Showtimes are March 10 at 7:30 p.m. and March 11 at 2:30 (Q&A to follow) and 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $75 (includes Saturday evening reception), $45, $35, $25 (students) with a $5 rate for Drexel University students. Livestream tickets available for 7:30 p.m. show, $45. Reservations at kyld.org/2023.

New nonprofit names board

The newly formed nonprofit organization Latinos Educando Juntos has named new board members.

One of the new board members is Samantha Rodriguez, who owns two early learning centers in South Philadelphia named Children’s Playhouse and has a consulting business called Innovative Educational Consulting Services.

“My entire mission for 20 years has been to provide equitable practices, respect diversity, have equitable and inclusive services. The focus on diversity in the past couple years was the opportunity to raise our voices even further for the Latin communities,” she said.

LEJ provides educational advancement with English as a second language coursework, completion of GEDs, certificates for Child Development Associates and further college educational opportunities. There is workforce development, job readiness leadership and curriculum development, along with assistance with childcare funding applications and diapers from the Philadelphia Diaper Bank.

Learn more at www.latinoseducandojuntos.org. ••

Black History Month at the art museum

The Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, will celebrate Black History Month with free admission on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be programs and activities highlighting black artists and the work of local community organizations. Offerings include family art creations, interactive storytelling and activity-based tours.

In addition, there will be self-guided tours featuring works by black artists beginning Feb. 16. ••

Bingo Night for Stray Cat Relief

Stray Cat Relief will be holding a Bingo Night on Feb. 11 at the EOM at 144 Moore St. from 7-11 p.m.

Ten games of bingo. Tickets are $40 ($50 at the door) and a table of eight is $280. Light food, soda, water and snacks will be served. Raffle prizes, door prizes and BYO bottles and snacks. Email purr@straycatrelieffund.org or Venmo @straycatrelief to purchase tickets.

Working Families Party backing Gym

Democratic mayoral candidate Helen Gym was endorsed by the Working Families Party.

“Helen Gym is the mayor Philadelphia needs,” said Working Families Councilwoman Kendra Brooks. “I met Helen first as a mom fighting for our kid’s schools. When privatizers tried to close schools in black and brown communities, Helen took them on and won. As a councilmember, she won historic protections for renters, fair schedules for hourly workers, and put Philadelphia’s youth first. It was a joy to organize with her as a mom and movement leader then and an honor to work alongside her as a Council colleague over the last four years. Helen gets things done for working families. She will do the same as mayor, and we’re excited to support her.”

Brook and Nicolas O’Rourke are running as the Working Families Party candidates for Council at large.

Celebrating 100 years of SMT

St. Martin of Tours Parish invites all school alumni, current and past parishioners and friends to a 100th anniversary Mass in the upper church, 5450 Roosevelt Blvd., on Sunday, April 30, at noon. The Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Edward Adams. Afterward, there will be a “Past & Present — Building Our Future” celebration at Cannstatter’s, 9130 Academy Road, from 2-6 p.m. Tickets cost $35 and include food, soft drinks, music and door prizes. The event is for ages 21-plus. Tickets must be purchased in advance in the rectory, after all Masses, through Venmo (@smotphilly) or with check to St. Martin of Tours Church, 5450 Roosevelt Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19124, Attn: Centennial Celebration. Proceeds will benefit church improvements. ••

Street supporting Rhynhart

Former Mayor John Street has endorsed Democratic mayoral candidate Rebecca Rhynhart.

“I am so honored to have Mayor Street’s endorsement. During his time as mayor, he wasn’t afraid to tackle the issues head-on,” Rhynhart said. “His political career in our city is unmatched. Mayor Street was never afraid to stand up for what was right and push against the status quo. He took action to improve the quality of life for Philadelphians and he showed he truly cared about all of our neighborhoods.”

“I am endorsing Rebecca Rhynhart for mayor because she is the most qualified non-incumbent to ever run for the office and the best candidate in this race to lead our city,” Street said. “Rebecca cares about Philadelphia and I know that she will give all of our neighborhoods and residents the care they deserve. She is a fighter who tirelessly pushes for what is right.“

Sign up for senior softball

The Philadelphia Senior Softball League is looking for experienced players for their 59-and-over and 68-and-over leagues. The seasons start mid-April and will go until the end of September. There will be about 30 games, plus playoffs. No games are played in July. The 59-and-over games are Tuesdays and Thursdays. The 68-and-over games are Mondays and Fridays. All games are played at Crispin Field, Holme and Convent avenues. Games start at 10 a.m. For more information on the 59-and-over league, call John Troy at 215-292-1437. ••

Trip to Mackinac Island, Michigan

The Polish American Cultural Center Museum volunteers are sponsoring a 7-day, 6-night trip to Mackinac Island, Michigan from July 9-15. The trip consists of a ferry ride to Mackinac Island, two nights at the Grand Hotel, a horse-drawn carriage ride and visits to Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, the Henry Ford Museum and the National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods. The price includes bus transportation, hotels, six breakfasts, six dinners, a buffet luncheon at the Grand Hotel, admission to all attractions, baggage handling, taxes and gratuities. Call Theresa Romanowski at 215-813-2780 or 215-922-1700.

Exhibitions at Academy of Natural Sciences

An exhibition at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 19th and the Parkway, presents a new perspective on insects and reveals their beauty.

Microsculpture: The Insect Portraits of Levon Biss is a series of portraits that capture the microscopic form of insects in high-resolution detail. It will be on view until April 23.

Each photograph makes visible the many intricate adaptations to the form of insects.

Award-winning British photographer Levon Biss created the exhibition, which showcases the insect collection of the Oxford University Museum of Natural History in Oxford, England. Pinned specimens from the Academy’s own entomology collection are added to provide visitors an up-close look at the actual size of insects compared to similar-looking insects in the photographs.

Meanwhile, a new exhibition opening Saturday, Feb. 18, celebrates the diversity of birds, their role in ecosystems and people’s relationships with them. Conversations With Birds spotlights familiar local birds, such as house sparrows and cardinals, and goes beyond to introduce the variety of migrators that pass through on journeys across the globe.

The exhibition features avian photography and video by local birders and wildlife photographers. There will be hands-on activities that explain the body architecture that enables birds to do what they do.

Conversations With Birds is free with general museum admission and on view through Sunday, May 21.

Visit ansp.org.

South Phila. HS class of ‘68 reunion

The South Philadelphia High School Class of 1968 will hold its 55th reunion on Saturday, Oct. 21, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Waterfall Room, 2015 S. Water St. Tickets cost $60 and include buffet dinner and open bar. For tickets and more information, call Arleen Liberi [609-922-2419], Maria Leati [856-287-3734] or Stephen Michielli [267-252-2740]. ••

Upcoming cruise

The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is sponsoring a fully escorted Holy Lands & Aegean Majesty cruise that will sail Oct. 6-17, featuring 10 ports-of-call. Rates, including airfare, range from $4,198 to $7,998 per person, double occupancy. Call 215-788-9408 for information and reservations. ••

Cruise the Mediterranean

Norwegian Cruise Line will host a Mediterranean cruise from Rome to Venice on Oct. 10-19. The trip is all inclusive with round-trip airfare, a beverage package, all meals, three specialty dinners, taxes, transfers and all gratuities. The cost for a balcony sea view cabin is $3,511 per person. For more information, contact Fillmore Travel’s Kevin Fries at 215-498-8294 or fkevin910@comcast.net.