Schedule
October
October 18
Independence Starts Here Opens at the Kimmel Center!
Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
Broad and Spruce Streets, Philadelphia
7:00 pm
This exciting Opening Celebration for the Festival features an introduction by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith, Founder of VSA arts, and will be hosted by Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin. Performances by Seattle’s critically-acclaimed integrated dance company Light Motion with Charlene Curtiss and Joanne Petroff; jazz singer/songwriter Melody Gardot, Winner of this year’s VSA arts International Young Soloists Competition and singer/songwriter/guitarist Raul Midon.
Tickets $60, $100 (with VIP reception)
Info: VSA arts of PA – 215-564-2431
Tickets available through the Kimmel Center Box Office: 215-893-1999 TTY: 215-875-7633 or online at www.kimmelcenter.org
More information on the opening night of the festival.
October 19
Open-Captioned showing of "Children of a Lesser God", at Newly-Retrofitted Independence Seaport Museum
Independence Seaport Museum
211 S. Columbus Boulevard (Penn’s Landing at Walnut Street), Philadelphia
11:00 am - 12:30 am
"Children of a Lesser God", the film for which Marlee Matlin won the Academy Award will be shown with open captioning for the first time in the newly-retrofitted Independence Seaport Museum. The Museum now includes the latest in hearing-assistance technology including real-time captioning compatible presentation capabilities, closed captioning enabled projection equipment and infrared assisted-listening system with modern headsets.
Event hosts: Nanci Linke-Ellis (President, InSight Cinema); Bob Hiltermann,
co-founder of “Beethoven’s Nightmare”, currently in the role
of Walt on CBS’s “All My Children” and Raymonda Azrelyant
(2006-07 Miss Deaf New Jersey).
Talk-back after film!
Suggested Donation: $5
Tickets: Available at the Door, by calling 215.923.9101 Voice/VideoPhone or on-line www.creativeaccess.org.
Large print Programs upon request two weeks prior to event.
MUSIGN Explosion: Beethoven’s Nightmare, World’s Only Deaf Rock Band
Independence Seaport Museum
211 S. Columbus Boulevard (Penn’s Landing at Walnut Street), Philadelphia
9:00 pm
Beethoven's Nightmare will rock ‘n’ roll your mind the Deaf way with a performance that lights up the stage with music, mime and visual thrills from ASL/Performance by Koylee and Lea Ramos in tune with band co-founders, rhythm guitarist Steve Longo, bassist/composer Ed Chevy, drummer Bob Hilterman.
Seating Limited.
Reservations requested.
Tickets: $10 in advance, $15 at the door
Tickets: Available at the Door, by calling 215.923.9101 Voice/VideoPhone or on-line www.creativeaccess.org.
Large print Programs upon request two weeks prior to event.
October 19 and 20
Naylamp Street and Puppet Theater produces Memories of Fire, a new play about Latino Women
Taller Puertorriqueno’s Theater
2557 N. 5th Street, Philadelphia
October 12, 13, 19 and 20
7:00 pm
Last winter, Naylamp interviewed a group of women from the Latino community who had experienced major illnesses and domestic violence. Memories of Fire weaves the stories of those women into a collaborative play based on three archetypal female characters from Ancient Greece and uses improvisation, text work and movement to explore social roles and rethink and reconstruct the personal stories of Latino women.
Tickets: $10; Groups of 10 or more $8; $5 for members of Taller Puertorriqueno
Tickets available from Dora Viacava at 215-426-3311.
Also available at Puertorriqueno Book Store, 2721 N.
5th St. Philadelphia
Box Office Hours: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
October 19 to 21
1812 Productions presents The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe by Jane Wagner
Walnut Street Theatre, Independence Studio on 3
9th and Walnut Streets, Philadelphia
October 19 and 20 – 8:00 pm, October 21 – 7:00 pm
1812 Productions, Philadelphia’s all-comedy theater company, has been working with students at the Widener School for Children With Disabilities for the past ten years; later this year they will produce a workshop of a new comedy created and performed by 1812 Co-founder Pete Pryor about how one family grows up with autism. Now, they increase accessibility to their audiences as Jennifer Childs, Philadelphia’s funny lady, stars in this classic one woman tour-de-force comedy about the insanity of modern life and the beauty that lies just under all that crust. The Search for Signs… weaves together the lives of twelve different people from all walks of life—from gym bunnies to prostitutes to New Age Supermoms to Trudy the bag lady who talks to extra-terrestrials.
Tickets: Friday, October 19 - $29; Saturday, October 20 - $34; Sunday, October 21 - $22
Tickets available online at www.1812productions.org
Open captioned Sunday, October 21. This one-woman production does not need audio description
The Wilma Theater presents the musical Amadeus by Peter Shaffer
The Wilma Theater
Broad and Spruce Streets, Philadelphia
Friday. October 19 – 8:00 pm
Saturday October 20 – 2:00 pm (captioned matinee) and 8:00 pm
Sunday October 21 – 2:00 pm
One of the most acclaimed and popular productions of the 20th Century, Amadeus has been honored with 5 Tonys®, 8 Oscars®, and extended London and Broadway runs. What happens when mediocrity recognizes itself in the face of genius? Especially when genius comes in the form of a potty-mouthed former child prodigy? This is the challenge posed as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, perhaps the greatest composer of all time, unknowingly becomes the battleground of envious court composer Antonio Salieri’s strife with God. From Peter Shaffer, the master storyteller behind Equus and Black Comedy (produced by the Wilma in 2000), Amadeus combines intrigue, suspense, comedy, and passion with some of the most stirring music ever written.
Single tickets available August 1
Ticket Prices: Friday, October 19 - $47;
Saturday, October 20: 2:00 pm - $40;
Saturday, October 20: 8:00 pm - $52;
Sunday, October 21 – 2:00 pm - $42;
Discounts for seniors, students, groups
Tickets available at Box Office Phone 215-546-7824 or online at www.wilmatheater.org
Open captioning Saturday, October 20 at 2:00 pm; assistive listening available every performance.
October 19 to 23
"Art Beyond Sight: Focus on Art and Vision" 2007-08 - National Exhibit by Blind Artists
Wayne Art Center
413 Maplewood Avenue, Wayne PA
Through October 23
NEBA (National Exhibit by Blind Artists) along with the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped of the Free Library of Philadelphia and the Wayne Arts Center present this year’s “Art Beyond Sight,” a juried, national exhibition of the work of artists who are blind or who have low vision.
Free Admission
October 19 through Nov 20
"All About Art" at The Philadelphia Foundation: An Exhibition of Visual Art from Moss Rehabilitation Hospital’s Permanent Collection
The Philadelphia Foundation’s Community Art Gallery
1234 Market Street, Suite 1800, Philadelphia
Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm by appointment only;
If you would like to schedule an appointment to visit
the gallery during this time, please contact Chrissie Bonner at cbonner@philafound.org
Evening hours 3:00 to 6:00 pm open viewing: Wednesday.
October 24; Thursday November 1; Wednesday November 7; Thursday November
15
Moss Rehabilitation Hospital inaugurated its first exhibition of the work of professional artists with disabilities in 1979, the first show of its kind on the East Coast. "All About Art", part of Moss Rehabilitation Hospital’s permanent art collection, consists of original artwork by professional artists with disabilities working in many different artistic mediums.
As part of its mission to help donors harness their generosity and support programs that are vital to the region, The Philadelphia Foundation, Southeastern Pennsylvania’s leader for community philanthropic engagement, established the Community Art Gallery in 2000 for local arts organizations, artists and patrons to promote the power of the arts in community development, education, celebration and empowerment. The Gallery also highlights the Foundation’s Arts & Culture Fund, a permanent endowment that supports local arts organizations’ efforts to build community through the arts. This fund is one of over 750 that the Foundation manages with its more than $325 million in charitable assets.
The Philadelphia Foundation is a proud sponsor of Independence Starts Here: A Festival of Disability Arts and Culture.
Free Admission
Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital’s Award-Winning "Art Ability" at Philadelphia City Hall
Philadelphia City Hall
15th and Broad Streets, 5th floor, Philadelphia
Exhibit continues through November
9:00 am – 5:00 pm weekdays
Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital presents "Art Ability", an international exhibition of art and fine crafts that features work by artists with physical and related cognitive disabilities, hearing and visual disabilities.
Free Admission
Philadelphia Museum of Art Presents Tour of Work by Artists with Disabilities from Permanent Collection
Philadelphia Museum of Art
26th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia
October 1 through November 30
Tuesday – Sunday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Friday – 10:00 am to
9:00 pm, Closed Mondays
The world-renowned Philadelphia Museum of Art presents a Self-Guided Tour of works by artists in the museum’s permanent collections who have or had disabilities including Edgar Degas, Horace Pippin, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Vincent Van Gogh, among others. Patrons may pick up a preprinted tour at the Accessible Entrance or at the West Entrance Information Desk
Admission: Members Free at all Times; Adults: $14; Seniors (ages 62 and over)
$12; Students (with valid ID) $10; Children (excluding groups) ages 13-18:
$10; ages 12 & under: free
Sunday: pay what you wish all day
Other accessibility available
The museum has a barrier-free entrance and accessible parking on a first-come, first-served basis. There are also drop-off only spaces, allowing a driver to enter the Upper Terrace parking area to drop off a disabled passenger at the Accessible Entrance without paying the parking fees. Wheelchairs available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. The museum also has accessible restrooms, drinking fountains and public telephones, including a TTY.
Other accessibility is available through the Office of Accessible Programs at 215-684-7602 or by TTY at 215-684-7600.
Inglis House Opens its New Inglis Art Gallery
Inglis Art Gallery, Inglis House
2600 Belmont Avenue, Philadelphia
Hours: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday through Friday
Inglis House opens its new Inglis Art Gallery and festival long show exhibiting art created by artists with disabilities, both Inglis residents and artists from the broader Philadelphia community.
Free Admission
Inglis Foundation is a proud sponsor of Independence Starts Here: A Festival of Disability Arts and Culture.
"Inspiration" at National Liberty Museum
National Liberty Museum
321 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
Hours: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm 7 days a week
The National Liberty Museum’s permanent exhibition, "Inspiration", honors 45 Americans of different backgrounds, ages and professions who live or have lived with physical or cognitive disabilities. The exhibit dispels stereotypes and educates the general public about the achievements of these outstanding Americans.
Admission: Adults $7.00, Seniors $6.00, Students $5.00, Children ages 5 – 17 with an adult $2.00, Children under 5 no charge. $15 Family Admission includes two adults and their children. Museum members free.
Arden Theater Company presents An Empty Plate in the Cafe Du Grand Boeuf
Arden Theatre Company
40 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia
Running October 11 through December 2
Arden has been one of the theatre community’s leaders in accessible programming through its Arden for All Program. Now they add another element—audio description for audiences who are blind or who have low vision--to an already great program.
This all-new production of Michael Hollinger’s first play at the Arden is a delicious, dark comedy celebrating the joys of cooking, sex, bullfighting and the collected works of Ernest Hemingway.
Tickets: Single Tickets $27-$45
Tickets available at Box Office: 215-922-1122 or at http://www.ardentheatre.org/tickets/
Captioned Performances: November 17- 8:00 pm and November 18 – 2:00
pm
Audio Described Performances: November 17 - 8:00 pm and
November 18 - 2:00 pm
The Touch Gallery: Selected Works from National Exhibit for Blind Artists
Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
919 Walnut Street, First Floor, Philadelphia
Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm weekdays
NEBA (National Exhibit for Blind Artists) along with the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped of the Free Library of Philadelphia presents the work of visually-impaired artists
Free Admission
October 20
Face the Music and Dance: Mu-Sign Explosion with Beethoven's Nightmare
North Star Bar
2639 Poplar Street, Philadelphia
8:00 pm
Rock em, sock 'em music by the world's only deaf band. Beethoven's Nightmare pairs the rhythm inside and the great story telling of ASL to create an explosive and electrifying performance.
Tickets: $10
Tickets: Available at the Door, by calling 215.923.9101 Voice/VideoPhone or on-line www.creativeaccess.org.
Note: This venue is not wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair users should contact Creative Access at 215- 923-9101 prior to coming for accessibility. For large print programs please contact Creative Access at www.creativeaccess.org.
October 20 through November 20
October 22
"Silent No More: Testimonies of Deaf Holocaust Survivors" by Dr. Simon J. Carmel
Tuttleman Library Reading Room
Gratz College, 7605 Old York Road, Melrose Park PA
7:30 p.m.
Deaf himself, Dr. Simon Carmel is the world’s leading researcher of deaf survivors of Hitler’s brutal WWII campaigns. In this unique seminar, he presents powerful images and stories of survivors and leads a discussion about who was killed, who was spared, and why. Co-presented by the Nora Levitz Memorial Fund Holocaust Archive of Gratz College.
Free Admission
For further information call 215.923.9101 Voice/TTY/VideoPhone or info@creativeaccess.org
Large print programs upon request two weeks in advance.
October 23
James A. Michener Art Museum Presents The "Creative Spirit: A Symposium for Artists with Visual Disabilities"
The Anne and Herman Silverman Pavilion, James A. Michener
Art Museum
138 S. Pine Street, Doylestown
Directions
1:00 to 3:00 pm
The James A. Michener Art Museum presents "The Creative Spirit: a Symposium for Artists with Visual Disabilities", an exciting program featuring collage artist Robert Jackson who will give a presentation on “Collages and Assemblages: Having Fun.” Jackson will share some of his extraordinary work and discuss his creative process.
The symposium will be facilitated by Dr. Richard Goldberg and will include a panel of artists who will discuss their work and the challenges and accomplishments they have experienced as artists working with various visual impairments. Members will include Ashby Saunders, Vince Ceglia, Will Ursprung, John Sears, Robert Fluhr and Barry Snyder. A mini-exhibition of the artists’ work and light refreshments will follow the program.
Free Admission (Museum admission not included)
Advance Registration Required – 215-340-9800
Other accessibility available
The Michener is an accessible destination for visitors of all abilities: reserved parking is provided, electronic doors, accessible restrooms and wheelchairs free of charge. Arrangements may be made for sign-language-interpreted tours. Materials and special tour programs are available for visitors who are visually impaired.
Free Library of Philadelphia’s Author Series Presents Talking Hands:What Sign Language Reveals about the Mind
Central Library
1901 Vine Street, (between 19th and 20th on the Parkway),
Philadelphia
7:00 pm
The Free Library of Philadelphia's Award-winning Author series features Margalit Fox reading from her new book Talking Hands:What Sign Language Reveals about the Mind. In Talking Hands Fox, a New York Times journalist trained as a linguist, accompanies a team of researchers to a remote Bedouin village in Israel, where a remarkable sign language has arisen on its own and is used by deaf and hearing villagers alike. The human mind is hard-wired for language and with Talking Hands, Fox transports the reader to an exotic place to illuminate a family of languages largely overlooked by science and provides an extraordinary window into how all human language works inside the mind.
Free Admission
"The Poets’ Challenge" at International House
International House, The South America Room
3701 Chestnut St., Philadelphia
7:00 pm
Poets and Prophets will present "The Poets’ Challenge", a poetry event featuring 6 to 8 disabled poets, many of whom have previously read for the organization at other venues. The poets for this event are: Marie Kane, Joanne Marinelli, and Scott Norman Rosenthal.
Tickets $5
Tickets available at 610-328-POET or by e-mailing bobthepoet@yahoo.com
October 23 through November 16
Liberty Resources Launches First Art Exhibit, "Freedom
to Create," at its
New Independence Arts Studio
Independence Arts Studio at Liberty Resources, Inc.
(Philadelphia's Center for Independent Living for People with Disabilities)
Atrium Ground Floor Lobby
714 Market Street, Philadelphia
Information: 215 -634- 2000 ext. 333
October 26, 29, 30, November 2, 5, 6, 9, 13 – 10:00 am to 5:00 pm;
October 31, November 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 16 – 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Opening reception Oct 25, 4:00-6:30 pm
Art Sale November 16 – 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Independence Arts Studio presents their first city wide artist exhibition with over 100 works of art created by over 45 established and emerging artists from the Philadelphia region; "Freedom to Create "All work will be for sale to benefit the artists and IAS programs. The exhibition includes Watercolors, Prints, Hand made paper from linen and plants, cards and 100% painted silk velvet scarves, bags, wall hangings, paper mache and leather theatre masks and custom made accessible easels and adaptable brush holders. Also ongoing demonstrations given by the IAS artists throughout the three weeks of the exhibition.
Free Admission
October 26
Artist Demonstration with Vulf Rakhman
Independence Arts Studio at Liberty Resources , Inc.
(Philadelphia's Center for Independent Living for People with disabilities)
714 Market Street, Philadelphia
2:00 – 3:00 pm
Engineer, Carpenter and Designer Vulf Rakhman will demonstrate the easel and adaptive brush holders he designed and made for the Independence Arts Studio with Independence Arts Studio Artists
Free Admission
An Evening With The Art of James Castle
Fleisher/Ollman Gallery
1616 Walnut Street, Suite 100, Philadelphia
4:00 to 7:00 pm
The Fleisher/Ollman Gallery will host a wine and cheese reception for Independence Starts Here. The reception will feature a one night only exhibition of Selected Work of mid 20th Century Deaf visual artist James Castle and feature a short talk about the artist by John Ollman, the gallery owner and great personal fan of Mr. Castle's work and life. The gallery will also have a sneak preview of a documentary film about the art and life of James Castle, produced by the Foundation for Self-Taught American Artists.
Free Admission. Space limited.
For further information contact www.creativeaccess.org
CART available by contacting Creative Access at info@creativeaccess.org
October 23 through November 20
Philadelphia Theatre Company Opens New, Accessible Suzanne Roberts Theatre with New Musical Revue Being Alive by Stephen Sondheim
Philadelphia Theatre Company’s Suzanne Roberts
Theatre
480 South Broad (Broad and Lombard Sts.), Philadelphia
running through December 2
Times: Tues, Thurs, Fri at 8:00 pm; Sunday at 3:00 pm,
Wednesday at 1:00 and 7:00 pm; Sat at 2:00 and 8:00 pm except Sat, October
27 (8:00 p.m. only)
Conceived and directed by award-winning musical theater performer Billy Porter, Being Alive blends the songs of Stephen Sondheim with the poetry of William Shakespeare to tell the universal story of man’s seven ages in African-American musical idioms including soul, jazz, blues, R&B, hip-hop, and gospel. Showcasing many of Sondheim’s most popular songs in a new and thrilling way, this musical revue is certain to have a big future beyond Philadelphia.
Tickets: $51 to $63; Festival discount $5 off single tickets (cannot be combined with any other offer) Not valid on Saturday evenings.
Single Tickets Available after October 1 at www.philadelphiatheatrecompany.org or 215-985-0420
Box Office will be located at the NW corner of Broad & Lombard Streets
Box office hours: 10am to 5pm
Venue is fully wheelchair accessible. (Ticket windows at wheelchair
height, bathrooms are fully accessible. Elevator to all floors. Wheelchair
seating in both Orchestra and Mezzanine levels).
Assistive listening devices will be available at every
performance.
An Audio Described performance will be held on Saturday,
November 24th at the 2pm matinee. An Open Captioned performance will be
held on Saturday, November 17th at the 2pm matinee. Large Print and Braille
Programs will be available at every performance.
October 28
Artists for Recovery Performance and Pasta at Spaghetti Warehouse
Spaghetti Warehouse
between 10th and 11th on Spring Garden St., Philadelphia
11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Parking in lot south of restaurant
Artists for Recovery will present a performance that includes music, dance and poetry and a party at the Spaghetti Warehouse. Artists for Recovery is an organization of people with psychiatric histories as well as people with histories of addiction, homelessness, incarceration and people with physical disabilities,
Cost: $20, includes meal and performance
Tickets available at the door
Deaf Cirque-Carnivale at the Philadelphia Mummer’s Museum
Philadelphia Mummer’s Museum
2nd and Washington Streets, Philadelphia
12:00 noon to 2:00 pm
Deaf magicians, mimes, ventriloquists, clowns, unicyclists, balloonists and FIRE eaters will perform under the baton of Simon Carmel, winner of World Deaf Magicians Fest (1998) for the amazement of all attendees, from five to one hundred and five! Featuring the incredible (Russian) Deaf mime and comic, Iosef Schneiderman, Sammy Ruiz, Rickie Rowray, Philadelphia's own Morton Feldman, the team of Steve Longacre and Greg Koppel, Pinky Aiello on one wheel. Circus treats and drinks (and FIRE eaters) available at this wonderful family event! Look for similar program for ADULTS only on October 27 at 8pm.
Advance Tickets: Adults $12; Children 12 and under $6
At the Door: Adults $15; Children $7.50.
To purchase tickets call 215.923.9101 Voice/TTY/VideoPhone or on-line at www.creativeaccess.org
October 30
Lynn Manning’s Award-Winning One-Man Show Weights at
La Salle University
Dan Rodden Theater, Student Union Building, La Salle
University
20th and Olney Avenues, Philadelphia
12:30 PM
La Salle University presents playwright/actor Lynn Manning in his award-winning production, Weights, the critically-acclaimed autobiographical story of a profound metamorphosis: “From black man to blind man...from rape-driven misogynist to poor motherless child...from white man’s burden to every man’s burden” and the happy, successful man at the center.
Free Admission
This one-man show does not need audio description
Artist Demonstration: Theatre Masks - Neutral and Character masks
Independence Arts Studio at Liberty Resources , Inc.
(Philadelphia's Center for Independent Living for People with disabilities)
714 Market Street, Philadelphia
12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Barbara Gregson, Theatre artist / mask maker and Independence Arts Studio artists will demonstrate the use and making of Neutral and Character masks in leather and paper mache.
Free Admission
HMS School for Cerebral Palsy and the Walnut Street Theatre Partnership: Voices of HMS/The Frog Prince
The Walnut Street Theatre—Independence Studio
on 3
9th and Walnut Streets, Philadelphia
4:00 pm
Great event for parents and teachers! Learn more about Theatre as a tool to help students with disabilities. Consider how seeing a performance can stimulate learning and how using performing and acting techniques can stimulate self-expression.
HMS students (all of whom use wheelchairs and most of whom use assisted communication devices) will present Voices of HMS, a student written work. The Teaching Artists and Recreational Therapist will discuss the play writing process, techniques used to create the piece, and the evolution of this unique partnership.
In addition WST’s Touring Outreach Company will perform The Frog Prince (which deals with not judging a person by their appearance). The artists will then present techniques on using a theatrical performance as a spring board for learning and discussion.
Tickets: $5
For tickets call 215-574-3550, ext. 511
Wheelchair accessible, accessible rest room, ASL available if requested. Let us know when you request tickets.
November
November 1 - 18
Amaryllis Theatre presents Brian Friel’s Molly Sweeney Featuring Blind Actress
The Playground at the Adrienne
2030 Sansom Street, Philadelphia
Opening Night, Thursday, November 1 at 7:00 pm
Wednesday-Fri at 8:00 pm; Sat-Sun at 2:00 pm
Post-performance discussions: Does Disability Need a Cure?
Friday, November 2 after ASL shadow interpreted performance
and Thursdays, November 8 and November 15
Amaryllis will produce Brian Friel's Molly Sweeney, featuring a blind actress, Pamela Sabaugh, in the title role of blind Molly Sweeney for the first time since the play premiered in 1994. Sabaugh appears with critically-acclaimed Irish-American actors Stephen Patrick Smith and Michael Toner.
Read the Philadelphia Inquirer Review
All tickets $10
Tickets available at www.amaryllistheatre.org
Open captioned Sun. Nov. 4 - 2:00 pm, shadow interpreted in ASL Fri. Nov. 2 - 8:00 pm, large print and Braille programs available every performance. This production, written in a series of monologues, does not need audio description.
November 2
Magee Rehabilitation Hospital’s Magee Players Present Comedic Take A Number
Wade Blank Room at Liberty Resources, Inc. (Philadelphia's
Center for Independent Living for People with disabilities)
Second Floor, 714 Market Street, Philadelphia
2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Take a Number is a combination of improvisational comedic and satirical pieces, and a one act play, Take a Number, created and performed by The Magee Players, directed by Theatre Artist Barbara Gregson. Live music by Josh Robinson and Darleen Key.
Free Admission
November 2
Sign Dance Explosion: The Wild Zappers in Concert with Oakland's Antoine Hunter and DC’s Helix Boyz
Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performance
Broad Street at Fitzwater (two blocks South of South
Street)
8:00 pm
The critically acclaimed Wild Zappers led by co-founders Fred Beam and Warren “Wawa” Snipe will combine jazz, hip hop and pop music with the added dimension of ASL poetry in motion. With Antoine Hunter. Followed by DC’s popular Helix Boyz with Prince Darius and Sho Roc performing in ASL rap!
Tickets: $25 in advance; $30 at the door
Tickets available at 215923.9101 V/TTY/VideoPhone or on-line at www.creativeaccess.org
November 2-3
Rebecca Davis Dance Company Presents World Premiere Ballet “Helen Keller”
Prince Music Theater
1412 Chestnut Street (just off the SE corner of Broad
and Chestnut), Philadelphia
November 2 – 8:00 pm, November 3 – 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm
The Rebecca Davis Dance Company presents an original ballet depicting the life of Helen Keller and her teacher Anne Sullivan. This world premiere is performed by a cast of 20 dancers with classical music played by The Tononi Quartet & Friends.
Tickets: $25 - $35
Tickets available at UpStages – 215-569-1610
November 3
Mendelssohn Club Presents Music by John Adams, Karol Szymanowski and James Primosch with The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia
Girard College Chapel
Girard & Corinthian Avenues, Philadelphia
8:00 pm
For more than 20 years, the Mendelssohn Club has included exceptional singers who are blind simply because they were professional artists of the same caliber as their other singers and has provided Braille programs for its audiences, setting an example of transparent inclusion and accessibility for other professional arts producers in the City.
This Fall they continue to produce the finest choral performances with a concert that includes the Philadelphia premiere of the Pulitzer Prize-winning 2002 composition by John Adams, On the Transmigration of Souls, with the second performance of Fire-Memory by James Primosch (commissioned by Mendelssohn Club in 1998) and the glorious Stabat Mater (1926) by Karol Szymanowski.
Tickets: $25 in advance; $29 at the door; $15 students
Tickets available at www.mcchorus.org or 215-893-1999
Discoveries from the Fleischer Collection on WRTI
WRTI, 90.1 FM Radio
5:00 to 6:00 pm
Airing the first Saturday of each Month on WRTI, 90.1 FM, Discoveries from the Fleisher Collection uncovers the unknown, rediscovers the little known and takes a fresh look at some of the remarkable treasures housed in the Fleisher Collection of Orchestral Music in the Free Library of Philadelphia. The performance on November 3 highlights some of the many composers who have fought through physical disabilities to create wonderful works of music. Hosted by Kile Smith, Curator of the Fleisher Collection, and Jack Moore of WRTI.
November 3
England’s Sign Dance Collective's "But Beautiful", Together with BAWDVILLE, The Big Apple's Reinvention of Comedy/Burlesque!
Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performance
Broad Street at Fitzwater (two blocks South of South
Street), Philadelphia
8:00 pm
England’s Sign Dance Collective and its dynamic creators
David Bower (Hugh Grant’s brother in “Four Weddings and a Funeral”)
and Isolte Avila make this stop in Philadelphia to pay tribute to the life
and music of American jazz great Art Pepper. Their newest
work, “But Beautiful” incorporates dance and video producing a
technique they describe as “sculpting space.” With music by the Luke
Balow Band, SDC will be interspersed with brilliant and hilarious
skits offered up by The Big Apple's extraordinary troupe. So...let
Mystique, Honi and Peeps Entertain you!! For adult audiences.
Tickets: $25 in advance; $30 at the door
Tickets available at 215.923.9101 V/TTY/VideoPhone or on-line at www.creativeaccess.org
Nov 3 - 20
Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital’s "Art Ability 2007: Twelve Years of Art and Inspiration"
Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital
414 Paoli Pike, Malvern
Exhibit through January
Invited Reception November 3
Hours: 10:00 am to 8:00 pm daily
This year's "Art Ability" exhibition will feature
hundreds of pieces of art in a diverse range of media including paintings,
sculptures, photography, pastels, jewelry, stained and mosaic glass, metalwork
and other crafts. Now celebrating its 12th anniversary year, "Art
Ability" will open for a two-month run on November 3, 2007
and run through January 20, 2008. It will showcase the works of more than
100 artists with physical and cognitive disabilities from the United States,
Canada and several other countries. A self-guided tour of displayed art
that begins at the Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital reception desk can be taken
daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. beginning November 3.
Free Admission after November 3
November 4
American Playwrights Series: In The Absence of Light by Lynn Manning
The Playground at the Adrienne
2030 Sansom Street, Philadelphia
7:00 pm
Amaryllis Theatre Company and Straw Flower Productions partner on this series of readings by three of the country’s top disabled playwrights. In this first reading, Amaryllis will produce a reading of Los Angeles playwright Lynn Manning's newest script, In The Absence of Light, about two blind people with very different pasts who fall in love and the challenges their love and their future together face when one is given the possibility of sight.
Free Admission
November 5
“Visual Concert” with Curtis Institute at Inglis House
Inglis House
2600 Belmont Avenue, Philadelphia
2:30 pm
A trio of Curtis musicians perform classical chamber music while a visual interpretation of the music is projected onto a screen. This unique concept in providing a visual dimension to music was developed by Hugh Sung, Curtis faculty member and concert pianist. Implications for visual representations of music for persons with disabilities are just being explored.
Free Admission
American Playwrights Series: Hamster in the Jungle by Mike Ervin
The Playground at the Adrienne
2030 Sansom Street, Philadelphia
7:00 pm
Amaryllis Theatre Company and Straw Flower Productions partner on this series of readings by three of the country’s top disabled playwrights. In this second reading, Straw Flower Productions will present a reading of a new play by award winning playwright and disability rights activist Mike Ervin. Hamster in the Jungle, a funny, straightforward play about ridiculous measures taken under impossible circumstances. Talk back to follow the reading.
Free Admission
November 6
COSACOSA art at large Inc.’s Healing Art Project: Mural Painting Workshop
Shriners' Hospital for Children
Venango and Broad Streets, Philadelphia
12:00 to 2:00 pm - mural painting
COSACOSA's Healing Art Project presents a series of family art-making events, featuring collaborative visual art workshops where visitors of all ages and abilities can participate in creating new artwork for Philadelphia-based pediatric hospitals. This first workshop at Shriner’s Hospital for Children focuses on mural painting.
Free Admission
Workshop is also available to people who are blind or who have low vision. Sign language available if requested.
Inglis House and Amaryllis present a Multimedia Performance Inspired by Art and Memory
The Playground at the Adrienne
2030 Sansom Street, Philadelphia
7:00 pm
Amaryllis and Inglis Foundation present a multimedia performance piece incorporating
poetry, music and video created and performed by Inglis House resident artists
Yvette Green, Stuart Sanderson, Rita McGinley, Gina Minter and Robyn Monahan
and directed by Stephen Patrick Smith and Josette Todaro from Amaryllis Theatre
Company.
Free Admission
November 7
Artist Demonstration: The Ancient Art of Paper Making
Independence Arts Studio at Liberty Resources, Inc.
(Philadelphia's Center for Independent Living for People with disabilities)
714 Market Street, Philadelphia
12:00 pm, 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm
Master Paper Maker Richard Aldorosi and Independence Arts Studio Artists will demonstrate the ancient art of paper making
Free Admission
November 7 to 20
Philadelphia Museum of Art Presents Exhibition of Work by People with Cognitive and Communication Disabilities
Philadelphia Museum of Art
26th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia
Accessible entrance located on the South, Schuylkill
River side of the building
November 7 through December 2
Tuesday – Sunday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Friday – 10:00 am to
9:00 pm, Closed Mondays
This exhibition of artwork by participants in the Museum’s Workshops for people with cognitive and communications disabilities will include nine different projects from the past three years. Visitors come for a one hour tour in the galleries followed by a two hour art making project in the Education studios. Projects are designed so that participants of all abilities will have success creating their work of art and be able to take it home with them that same day.
Free during Museum Hours (There is an admission fee for the Permanent Collections:
see Art Museum listing on October 19)
Sunday: pay what you wish all day
The museum has a barrier-free entrance and accessible parking on a first-come, first-served basis. There are also drop-off only spaces, allowing a driver to enter the Upper Terrace parking area to drop off a disabled passenger at the Accessible Entrance without paying the parking fees. Wheelchairs available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. The museum also has accessible restrooms, drinking fountains and public telephones, including a TTY. Other accessibility is available through the office of Accessible Programs at 215-684-7602 or by TTY at 215-684-7600.
November 8
Individual Artist Resources and Information Session
Wade Blank Room at Liberty Resources, Inc. (Philadelphia's
Center for Independent Living for People with disabilities)
Second Floor, 714 Market Street, Philadelphia
Liberty Resources will hold an information session to help individual artists find funding for their work. Presenters include Pennsylvania Council on the Arts: Artists in Education Program; the Leeway Foundation and other state and local funding sources.
Free Admission
November 9
Inglis Foundation Sponsors Film Series by South African Film Maker Shelley Barry
Inglis House
2600 Belmont Avenue, Philadelphia
7:00 pm
Award winning South African poet and filmmaker Shelley Barry will screen a series of her short films including the experimental documentary “Whole – A Trinity of Being,” winner of three Best film awards at international festivals in NYC, San Francisco and Philadelphia. This film has also been awarded the Jury Citation Award at the Black Maria Film Festival in the USA and was selected to screen at The Cape Town World Cinema Festival and the Encounters Documentary film festival in South Africa, along with several other screenings around the world and has been acquired by WYBE and MTV in the USA. Shelley Barry will answer questions after the films. Refreshments will be served.
Free Admission
Artist demonstration at The Independence Arts Studio: The Art of Printmaking
Independence Arts Studio at Liberty Resources, Inc.
(Philadelphia's Center for Independent Living for People with disabilities)
714 Market Street, Philadelphia
12:00 pm and 2:00 pm
Elisha Conrad and the Independence Arts Studio Artists demonstrate the art of printmaking and the techniques used in some of the prints at the Gallery.
Free Admission
November 9 - 10
Deaf West Theater Comes East: Edward Albee's The Zoo Story at the Annenberg Center
The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
Studio Theater, Lower Level
3680 Walnut Street, Philadelphia
Friday November 9 – 8:00 pm
Saturday November 10 – 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm
Penn Presents partners to present this outstanding Deaf
West Theater Company production of Edward Albee’s The
Zoo Story, a harrowing depiction of a young man alienated
from the human race—a searing story of loneliness and the desperate
need for recognition that builds to a violent, shattering climax. Troy
Kotsur and Tyrone Giordano carry this powerful
drama through the nuanced delicacy and passion of American Sign Language,
with voice actors on stage! Directed by Coy Middlebrook.
Tickets: $20
For tickets contact Annenberg Center Box Office: In person, Monday thru Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 12pm-6pm, Day of show 2 hours before curtain; By telephone at 215-898-3900; By internet at pennpresents.org or www.creativeaccess.org.
November 10
Shameless: The ART of Disability at Bryn Mawr Film Institute
Bryn Mawr Film Institute
824 W. Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr
11:00 am
Native Philadelphian Bonnie Sherr Klein’s Shameless: The ART of Disability is an intimate look at five very different artists whose work succeeds in repositioning negative views about disability and affirming the transformative power of art. A moving, cathartic, and unexpectedly funny exploration of life and art. The screening will be introduced and discussed by director Bonnie Sherr Klein.
Tickets: $4.50 for BMFI members; $6.50 for non-members; Free for students
Box Office hotline: 610-527-9898
She’s Here, Queer and Crazy, too! Drag with a Tag Show
Church of St. Luke and
the Epiphany Sanctuary
330 S. 13th Street (Between Spruce and Pine)
Philadelphia
7:30 pm
Miss Altered States (Mark A. Davis), Best Individual Performer in the 2004 Philadelphia GLBT Pride Parade, 2006 Fringe Festival Premiere & Pseudo Grammy Winner, showcases the roller coaster and roads of recovering in this hilarious, comic performance for adults. Hosted by Pink & Blues Philadelphia.
THE SHOW HAS BEEN CANCELED
November 11
American Playwrights Series: The Making of Free Verse by Paul Kahn
The Playground at the Adrienne
2030 Sansom Street, Philadelphia
7:00 pm
Amaryllis Theatre Company and Straw Flower Productions partner on this series of readings by three of the country’s top disabled playwrights. In this third reading, Amaryllis will produce a reading of Boston playwright Paul Kahn’s The Making of Free Verse.
The Making of Free Verse is a social and romantic comedy that shows what happens when a reclusive writer with a disability trusts his life story and his heart to a beautiful, young documentary filmmaker.
Tickets: $5
Tickets available online at www.amaryllistheatre.org or at the door
Acting Without Boundaries Presents You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown
Walnut Street Theatre Rehearsal Hall 4
9th and Walnut Streets, Philadelphia
2:00 pm
Acting Without Boundaries will present a concert version of You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown by Clark Gesner and based on the characters created by Charles Schultz in the long-running Peanuts cartoon strip. Acting Without Boundaries is a unique, year-round theatre program for children, teens and young adults with physical disabilities. the goal of the program is to provide disabled young people with the opportunity to pursue their love of acting and performing while building their belief in themselves and their abilities.
Free admission but reservations are required. To reserve seats contact Kath Cloran at kcloran@esfcamps.com or 610-581-0100, ext. 240.
November 12
Poets and Prophets Reading at Delaware County Peace Center
Delaware County Peace Center
1001 Old Sproul Road, Springfield
7:00 pm
Poets and Prophets will present a poetry event featuring disabled poets, many of whom have previously read for the organization at other venues. The poets for this event are Susan Elliott Johnson and Joy Rose.
Tickets $5
Tickets available at 610-328-POET or by e-mailing bobthepoet@yahoo.com
November 13
Amaryllis Cabaret!
The Playground at the Adrienne
2030 Sansom Street, Philadelphia
7:00 pm
In the first of what will be a new and favority program at Amaryllis, local singer/pianists Dan and Dave Simpson, vocalist Shannon DeVido and guitarist Robert Romani present an evening of contemporary music at the Playground. Refreshments available.
Free admission
Inglis House and Amaryllis present a Multimedia Performance Inspired by Art and Memory
The Playground at the Adrienne
2030 Sansom Street, Philadelphia
7:00 pm
Amaryllis and Inglis Foundation present a multimedia performance piece incorporating
poetry, music and video created and performed by Inglis House resident artists
Yvette Green, Stuart Sanderson, Rita McGinley, Gina Minter and Robyn Monahan
and directed by Stephen Patrick Smith and Josette Todaro from Amaryllis Theatre
Company.
Free Admission
COSACOSA art at large, Inc.’s Healing Art Project: Ceramic Art Workshop
St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children
Front Street and Erie Avenue, Philadelphia
1:30 to 3:30 pm – ceramic art
COSACOSA's Healing Art Project presents a series of family art-making events, featuring collaborative visual art workshops where visitors of all ages and abilities can participate in creating new artwork for Philadelphia-based pediatric hospitals. This week’s workshop at St. Christopher’s focuses on ceramic art.
Free Admission
This event is also accessible to people who are blind or who have low vision. Sign Language available if requested.
November 14
Free Library of Philadelphia Author Series presents Reading by Mark Drolsbaugh
Free Library of Philadelphia Central Library
1901 Vine Street, (between 19th and 20th on the Parkway),
Philadelphia
7:00 pm
The Free Library of Philadelphia's ever popular 'Author's Series' will present "Deaf Again" by Mark Drolsbaugh. Prolific young author, Mr. Drolsbaugh will share with humor and insight the experience that millions ask about: "What is it like to be Deaf?" Program will be presented in ASL with voicing (in spoken English) for hearing audiences. Introduction by acclaimed Philadelphia writer Lorene Carey.
Free Admission. Arrive Early!
Large print programs available upon request two weeks prior to the event.
November 19
Monday Poets at the Free Library of Philadelphia
Skyline Room of the Central Library
1901 Vine Street, (between 19th and 20th on the Parkway),
Philadelphia
6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
The Monday Poets is a Reading Series at the Free Library of Philadelphia one Monday evening a month featuring local published poets. On November 19, poets include Ona Gritz, David Simpson and Dan Simpson in a reading of their work.
Free Admission
Art-Reach presents JazzArtSigns at the New Suzanne Roberts Theatre
Philadelphia Theatre Company’s Suzanne Roberts
Theatre
Broad and Lombard Streets, Philadelphia
7:00 PM
Art Reach, Inc. presents JazzArtSigns, acclaimed vocalist Lisa Thorson’s groundbreaking multimedia, multi sensory and interactive improvised jazz performance piece for all audiences. JazzArtSigns features a group of world-class jazz musicians, an improvisational painter, American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, a live audio describer and text captioner, as well as program information in Braille, large print and on tape. What makes this event groundbreaking is that everyone involved – the band, ASL interpreters and painter – trade fours and improvise.
Tickets: $25 in advance; $35 at the door
Tickets available by calling 215-568-2115 or online at www.art-reach.org
November 20
COSACOSA art at large, Inc.’s Healing Art Project: Mosaic Making Workshop
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
34th Street and Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia
12:00 to 2:00 pm - mosaic making
COSACOSA's Healing Art Project presents a series of family art-making events, featuring collaborative visual art workshops where visitors of all ages and abilities can participate in creating new artwork for Philadelphia-based pediatric hospitals. This third workshop at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia focuses on mosaic making.
Free Admission
This event is also accessible to people who are blind or who have low vision. Sign language available if requested.
Award-Winning Philadelphia Mural Arts Program Dedicates Major Mural on People with Disabilities entitled “Independence Starts Here”
Hahnemann University Hospital
Broad and Race Streets, Philadelphia
4:00 pm
For the past three years, the Arts and Culture Committee of the Philadelphia Mayor’s Commission on Disabilities has collaborated with Philadelphia’s internationally-acclaimed Mural Arts Program and artist Don Gensler on the development of a mural honoring the community of people with disabilities in Philadelphia. Entitled “Independence Starts Here,” that 12,000 sq. foot mural, painted in part with the help of people with disabilities, features disabled Philadelphians in a monumental representation of this strong and diverse community.
Free Admission
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED