City Cast Philly
❤️ How Philly got (and kept) its LOVE sculpture
June 4, 2024 · — Asha Prihar
Hey Philly, I’m back! I just got home from spending a few days in Indiana, where I saw the first-ever LOVE sculpture at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.
Although Philly is home to a lot of firsts, we sadly can’t claim our version of this art as the OG … even though we have a whole park nicknamed after it! Scroll for more on the history of our LOVE sculpture 👇
What's CITY Talking About?
🏛️ UArts Community Protests Sudden Closure
University of the Arts students, faculty, staff, parents, and others gathered on South Broad Street yesterday to memorialize their school and protest its permanent closure at the end of the week — an unprecedented move that was announced just a few days ago. [Inquirer 🔒]
- A few minutes before it was scheduled to start yesterday afternoon, the university canceled a virtual information session, saying it could not “adequately answer” questions at the time “as the situation continues to unfold rapidly.” [6ABC]
- Hear more about the abrupt shuttering on today’s episode of City Cast Philly 🎧
🚗 City Eyes Broad Street Speed Cameras
The city government is proposing putting automated speed cameras along the entire length of Broad Street to help reduce crashes on the corridor. In order for that to happen, an ordinance will have to pass in City Council, PennDOT will have to analyze the project, and the public will be allowed to weigh in. [PhillyVoice]
📚 Record-Setting Drag Queen Story Time
A Saturday event at the National Constitution Center set the Guinness World Record for the “largest attendance at a drag queen story time reading.” 263 people came to hear Philly drag performers read children’s books. [NBC10]
💵 Bye Bye, Free Regional Rail Parking?
SEPTA has been offering free parking at Regional Rail stations since the COVID-19 pandemic began, but the transit agency will likely reinstate — and possibly double — the $1-2 daily fees this coming fiscal year, which starts in July. [WHYY]
- SEPTA is facing a huge budget shortfall this year. Increased funding in the governor’s proposed budget could improve the situation, if the General Assembly agrees to it. [City Cast Philly 🎧]
What To Do
Tuesday, June 4
- 📽️ “All About My Mother” | 4 & 7 p.m. | $11 | Old City
- 😎 Happy Hour, and Afrobeat Dance Party | 5–8 p.m. | $20 | University City
- 🖼️ “Gilded Shadows” Opening Reception | 6–8 p.m. | Free | Logan Square
- 🗣️ Budget Town Hall with Mayor Parker | 6–8 p.m. | Free | Wynnefield
Wednesday, June 5
- 💖 Generative Poetry Through Performance and Play | 5:30–6:30 p.m. | $20; free for residents | Camden
- 🎷 The Arts Affair 2024 | 6–8 p.m. | $45+ | Center City
- 🧑🌾 “Common Ground” Philadelphia Screening | 6–8:30 p.m. | $15 | Society Hill
- 🤣 Philly Sketchfest | 7:30–9:30 p.m. | $15 | Passyunk Square
- 🏳️🌈 Xiomara's Pepper Playhouse Pride Edition | 9–11 p.m. | $5+ | Gayborhood
Thursday, June 6
- 📽️ “Volver” | 4 & 7 p.m. | $11 | Old City
- 🤣 Philly Sketchfest | 9–10:30 p.m. | $15 | East Passyunk Crossing
Today on City Cast
UArts Suddenly Closes, 4th Street Deli Reopens, Nike’s Philly Dunk
Tune in to today’s City Cast Philly podcast episode to learn why the University of the Arts will close for good later this week and what’s going on with the health code violations at a popular local deli. Plus, play along with the news quiz to catch up on even more local stories.
The city has kicked off its 13-week push to clean up every city block. If you’re wondering when crews will come to your neighborhood, you can find out on this website. (Click the “2024 Citywide Cleaning Schedule” tab for a map.)
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