🍽️ The best designed restaurants in the city

Woman Shot and Killed by Philly Police in Hunting Park

Two Philadelphia Police officers are now on desk duty pending an investigation after they shot and killed a woman on Sunday. Christina Miranda, 35, was found in distress and holding a handgun. Police allege she pointed her gun toward the officers prior to the shooting. [CBS Philly]

Bureaucracy Holds Up Successful Safety Program

School communities and residents were seeing positive progress when Safe Path was introduced to 24 district schools as a way to quell fights, prevent shootings, and provide job opportunities to community members. But after new contractors were hired this year, the program’s monitors have not yet returned to most of the schools where they kept peace outside. [Chalkbeat]

Book a Reservation at These Pretty Eateries

Sometimes when you go out, the phone eats first. The best thing at a restaurant should obviously be the food, but great design helps elevate the dining experience. Go to these beautifully designed restaurants for good food, good drinks, and a good atmosphere. [🎧 City Cast Philly]

Marra’s Shuts Its Doors After 98 Years

The city's oldest pizzeria and one of the corridor’s last links to the 20th century Italian American immigrant experience is ready for its next phase. Although this location is closing, the owners hope to relocate to an area with better parking. In the meantime, Chinatown favorite Emei will move into the space. [🔒 The Inquirer]

Help Decide What Philly Should Look Like 25 Years From Now

The city is updating its comprehensive plan, Philadelphia 2050: Planning Together, and our local government wants to hear from you. What do you think makes a thriving neighborhood? What does access to opportunity look like? What’s your vision for Philly’s future? [City of Philadelphia]

Back in 2007, Michael Semancik had no idea that queer choruses existed. But a concert that he saw performed by the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus changed everything. And nearly two decades later he’s leading the nearly 200-member organization as it entertains audiences in a range of genres.

I talked with Semancik to learn more about his role as the artistic director and conductor for the chorus, its musical legacy in Philadelphia, and what’s in store for 2026.

This is one of the oldest [gay choruses] in the country. What makes Philly stand out?

“We are selling out concerts and we are traveling the world, and we're sharing our messages with new people — gay men and trans people and lesbians and bisexual and straight people. It is just a huge melting pot of people that just love each other and want to sing. And it's just such a very cool and unique thing that started right here in Philadelphia.”

How can you get involved? And who are the types of people who are involved?

“We audition in August and then again in December. And there's just a simple vocal audition. We get to ask you how you heard about [the chorus], why are you choosing us, what are you looking for. Then you get chosen from that.

“You do not have to be trained. There is a wide range of members … people [who] are just starting their singing. They've been singing in the shower and in their cars, and they can match pitches and sing … and then I have [music] professors sitting in my ensemble as well that give up their time teaching because they just love the community.

What can we expect during this 44th season, especially as it overlaps with the semiquincentennial celebrations throughout next year?

“We have our holiday concerts, which are our biggest concerts and shows. It's a mix of traditional holiday carols to lots of fun, ridiculous things. People can forget about what's going on in their lives.

“Our March show is titled ‘Out of Darkness, We Sing.’ [It’s] a powerful concert by the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus that shines a light on injustice and celebrates the strength of communities that refuse to be silenced.

“In May, for our 250th anniversary, we're doing a British Invasion concert. We're going to do a whole lot of British music with some American sass. And so that's turning out to be a lot of music by Adele, The Beatles, Queen and all of these really, really cool British artists.”