More photos of the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts.
Sounds Of Germantown
Northwest Phila. Audio Documentary Project
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Run Away and Join the Circus (School)
The Philadelphia School of Circus Arts is the regional center of contemporary circus arts. Students from far and wide come to this transformed Germantown warehouse to learn aerials (such as trapeze), juggling, unicycling, tightwire, tumbling and physical conditioning. This profile discusses the history of the school as well as what keeps attracting and keeping students of all ages.
In September of 2010, Jim Bear interviewed students Kate O’Neil and Shay-Lynn Myers and Managing Director Robin Marcotte.
Jim Bear is the founder and station manager of G-town Radio. He was previously active in West Philly internet station Radio Volta. Jim and wife Maura have lived in Germantown since 1997. He can be regularly found working in the yard, visiting the Maplewood Mall (home of G-town Radio) or running in Valley Green Park.
More photos of the Churchvilles and Germantown’s Town Hall.
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Bringing the Past Back to Life
Originally built in 1855, Germantown’s Town Hall once acted as a central hub of municipal services for the community. Today, the building sits vacant at 5928 Germantown Ave. and has been slowly deteriorating for the past twelve years. John and Nancy Churchville, founders of the Greater Germantown Business Association, hope to revitalize the building and once again bring life to this historic landmark.
In April of 2010, Lasalle University journalism students, Claire Salmons and Tom Rossi, spoke to the Churchvilles about their vision.
More photos from the Green Street Artists Co-op.
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Living and Creating at the GSAC
The Greene Street Artists Cooperative is an artist-owned and operated studio and residence located in the historic Germantown area of Philadelphia. Once a vacant factory in disrepair, the building is now a beautiful space used to stabilize and support the Philadelphia artist community. Since 1992 GSAC has been home to roughly 50 artists (plus numerous children and pets) and a whole lot of art! For more information visit their website.
In September, 2010 Reade McCardell spoke to members Deborah Curtiss, Mindy Flexer, Ife Nii Owoo & John Hollis.
Reade McCardell hosts/produces the piebald music program Fewsh on G-Town Radio. He is also assistant producer of a weekly children’s show called KidsLive and a songwriter/performer.
More photos from Hansberry Garden.
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More Than Just A Garden
Located at the corner of Hansberry and Wayne Avenues the Hansberry Garden and Nature Center began in 2001 to develop a vision of a community garden and nature center that would serve the Germantown community. Founding and new members speak about the history of the garden, its role in the community and how they are growing more than produce to take home each summer.
Jim Bear interviewed members Kathy Miller, Vicki Mehl, David Schogel, Pamela Darville and sons Leonard Jones and George Bryant.
Jim Bear is the founder and station manager of G-town Radio. He was previously active in West Philly internet station Radio Volta. Jim and wife Maura have lived in Germantown since 1997. He can be regularly found working in the yard, visiting the Maplewood Mall (home of G-town Radio) or running in Valley Green Park.
Some additional photos of the Arkestra in action.
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Cosmic Pagentry: Sun Ra Arkestra
In the debut edition of Sounds of Germantown we present this profile of the Sun Ra Arkestra. In addition to downloading this episode you can hear installments all December at 1 PM each weekday on G-town Radio, http://gtownradio.com.
The Sun Ra Arkestra was founded in mid-1950s Chicago by the jazz composer, musician, bandleader, philosopher, Afro-Futurist, mystic (and also graphic designer, poet, activist, and self-proclaimed Saturnian) Sun Ra (1914–1993). In 1968 Sun Ra brought the Arkestra to Philadelphia, its home for the next four decades. The group still performs here today under the leadership of composer and multi-instrumentalist Marshall Allen, an Arkestra member since 1958.
In August 2010, Matthew Feldman and John Pettit to spoke to Allen and Arkestra musicians Danny Thompson, Michael Ray, Dave Davis, and Wayne Smith, Jr. about the group’s past, present, and future.
This piece was commissioned by the Philadelphia Music Project.
Matthew Feldman (aka “Feldie”) produces the Lucky Old Souls @ Moonstone concert series, hosts the Lucky Old Souls radio program on G-town Radio, and publishes Feldie’s Philly Jazz Calendar. For more on Lucky Old Souls, visit www.luckyoldsouls.com.
John Pettit works as a media archivist at Temple University Libraries, Urban Archives. Additionally, he is a media maker and musician who works with Termite TV, G-Town Radio, and Scribe Video Center.
