Countdown To The First Ever Family Pride Picnic and Arts Festival In Mt Airy

/in /by

The event is ON! Saturday, June 23, 11 am – 5 pm, Lovett Library Park, 6945 Germantown Ave., 19119. Admission is free. The festival is alcohol and smoke-free.

In celebration of Philadelphia’s 30th Anniversary of Pride, the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, Philadelphia Family Pride, and the Mt. Airy Art Garage are partnering to hold the first ever Philly Family Pride Picnic & Arts Festival.

The event will be held at the newly renovated Lovett Library Park in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia on Sat. June 23 with a rain date of Sat. June 30, 2018. The event will run from 11 am – 5 pm at 6945 Germantown Avenue.  Admission is free and open to all ages, families, and community members.

Photography by Bob Bruhin

Slated to attend the picnic are Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, Director of the Office of LGBT Affairs Amber Hikes, members of Philadelphia City Council, and a host of well-known personalities to join us in the festivities.

There will be family-friendly entertainment including jugglers, face painters and craft tables. Music brought to you by Anna Crusis Choir. Drumming brought to you (bring your drums!) by Jan Jeffries and Music Over Matter (MOM). There will be resource tables from a variety of organizations and nonprofits that provide services and support to LGBTQ parents and youth including William Way Center, The Mayor’s Office, ACLU of PA, PFLAG, FSP Against Bullying, HRC, Sisterspace, Action Wellness, LGBT Elder Initiative, and of course Philly Family Pride and the Mt. Airy Art Garage.

Soaps by Alana

Art by Jennifer Lynn

The Arts Festival portion will feature unique, one-of-a-kind work by local artists including handmade leather goods and buckles, fine art, photography, handmade soaps, handblown glass, delightful bird houses for your garden, woodwork, and more. Artists include:

Angelique Benrahou, Denise Benrahou, Bob Bruhin, Karen Bruhin, Katherine Cheetham, Gretel DeRuiter, Roz Dutton, Tina Grello, Itzik Lorant, Jennifer Lynne, Arleen Olshan, Patricia Smith, Soaps by Alana, and Nicki Toizer.

And, of course, what would the day be without entertainment by Anna Crusis Women’s Choir and the drums of Jan Jeffries and Music Over Movement (MOM)! Plus Island Spot and 2StreetSammies will have their food trucks there to make the day perfect!

Photography by Nicki Toizer

“Bring your questions, talk to your peers, support local artists, and just come on out for an incredible day,” said event organizer Linda Slodki from Mt. Airy Art Garage.

“You won’t want to miss this Family Pride event in Mt. Airy celebrating the diverse, beautiful, and extraordinary LGBTQ families and artists here in Philadelphia. This will be a day for celebration, for arts and creativity, for information gathering, and just plain fun. Hope to see you there!” added Philadelphia Family Pride Executive Director Stephanie Haynes.

Katherine Cheetham glass

Mt. Airy Art Garage (MAAG) connects and supports multidisciplined artists and art lovers in Northwest Philadelphia by using creativity to build a thriving, safer community. As a force for change, MAAG continues to build local and city-wide partnerships to bring art and creativity to people who currently have little or no access to them.

Philadelphia Family Pride’s (PFP) mission is to build community for LGBTQ+ parents, prospective parents, grandparents and our kids of all ages – including adults, youth, kids, toddlers and infants. We support our families in the greater Philadelphia region through advocacy, education and family-centered events.

Handcrafted leather by Arleen Olshan

The Office of LGBT Affairs works to foster equal working and living conditions for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people and to advocate for LGBTQ issues in all areas of City government. Created in 2008 by mayoral executive order, the Office of LGBT Affairs became a permanent part of the City’s charter in 2015. The office aims to:

· Develop City policy regarding civil rights issues affecting LGBTQ people.

· Help enact policies and programs to meet the City’s diversity and equality goals.

· Coordinate among City departments, agencies, and offices to improve LGBTQ access to services, and to promote equality and safety for LGBTQ people.

· Support the growth and development of the City’s LGBTQ communities and serve as liaison between the area’s LGBTQ communities and the City.

· Provide education about the needs of the LGBTQ community.

OPEN CALL FOR ARTISTS! First Ever Philly Family Pride Picnic & Arts Festival

/in /by

Saturday, June 23 Festival, Lovett Library Park, 11 am – 5 pm

Early bird application for MAAG member artists — Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Deadline for all applications — Saturday, May 26.

First ever Family Pride event in Mt. Airy that celebrates the diverse, beautiful, and extraordinary LGBTQ families and artists here in Philadelphia.

In celebration of Philadelphia’s 30th Anniversary of Pride, the Mayor’s Office of LGBT Affairs, Philadelphia Family Pride, and the Mt. Airy Art Garage are partnering on the Philly Family Pride Picnic & Arts Festival. The event will be held at Lovett Library Park (6945 Germantown Avenue) on Sat. June 23 with a rain date of Sat., June 30, 2018. The event runs from 11 am–5 pm. Admission will be free and open to all ages, families, and community members.

This event will have family-specific entertainment, fine art and handcraft, music, food, and resource tables from a variety of organizations and nonprofits that provide services and support to LGBTQ parents and youth. 

Download the Open Call for Artists here. All artists, both emerging and professional, are invited to apply. Looking for more details on the Art Festival? FAQ: Find answers to important questions here. 

Looking to submit your table fee online?

$75 for MAAG members (plus $3 service charge per transaction)

$78.00 Add to cart

$100 for nonmembers (plus $3 service charge per transaction). 

$103.00 Add to cart

Community table slots will include LGBTQ organizations providing resources to the community and will be by invitation only. Questions may be sent to Stephanie Haynes at stephanie@phillyfamilypride.org

 

“Drawing From Live Models” Twice Every Month @ Mt. Airy Playground Rec. Center

/in /by

Two sessions every month on the 2nd and 4th Thursday.

Mt. Airy Playground Recreational Center, 7001 Germantown Ave., 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
$10 per session

Mt. Airy Art Garage is pleased to announce our new partnership with Mt. Airy Playground Recreation Center. The main house has a marvelous space perfect for “Drawing From Live Models.”  

We are so excited to be relaunching these artist sessions — it’s been too long! These are monitored drawing sessions for intermediate to advanced-level artists. We will be working with clothed models. Bring your drawing supplies, paper, canvas, pen and ink, watercolor, clay, easels, etc. Let your creativity fly!

All adults are welcome. Young adults, 16-18 years old are invited to participate, with signed parental consent. 

To RSVP or find out more, contact Arleen Olshan at arleenolshan@yahoo.com.

 

It’s Almost Time! Shop & Celebrate At Our 8th Annual Holiday Art Market

/in /by

Music Brooch (c) Paula Rosenwinkel

Saturday, Dec. 16 and Sunday, Dec. 17 from Noon – 6 pm. 7165 Germantown Ave. (off the corner of Mt. Airy Ave.) Free admission.

Plan that special surprise with some last minute shopping (you know you’ve got it) — all original, unique, handmade crafted goods, keepsakes, and fine art by local Northwest artists that include:

Jane Alpern, Denise Benrahou, Bright Star, Sheila & Deborah Brown, Celeste Caruso, Mary Ann Domanska, Judi Eastburn, Christian Johnson, Bettie Joyner Kleckley, Alise Lauren, Ellen Marcus, Sara Mosley, Lucille Norella, Arleen Olshan, Roberto Rashid, Alana Ratliff-Johnson, Mauricio Riano, Paula Rosenwinkel, Merle Slyhoff, Madeline Rile Smith, Patricia Cousins Smith, Nicki Toizer, and Keisha Whatley.

Bettie Joyner Kleckley

Scarves by Roberto Rashid

This two-day curated art fair will fill you with holiday spirit while searching for that extra special gift for yourself, friends, and family. You’ll find jewelry, photography, handmade leather goods, fine art, ceramics, fiber art, botanical art, handblown glass, soaps, lotions and cachets, greeting cards, and more. You’ll even have authors signing their newly released children’s books! All while dancing to live music and savoring tasty bites from Little Jimmies while you shop (or just hang out!). It just doesn’t get any better.

Ceramics by Jane Alpern

Denise Benrahu

So join us, bring your family, as the Mt. Airy Art Garage brings this all together in the best of all possible places. Remember, this isn’t just an art market…it’s a celebration of our local Northwest arts community.

Solar Eclipse by Nicki Toizer

Woodwork paintings by Ellen Marcus

Call For Artists Closed! Holiday Art Market Filled Up Faster Than Ever Expected!

/in /by

We are full! Thanks to all the artists who were as excited about this location we were. Still interested? There is a wait list at info@mtairyartgarage.org. We’ll get back to you should there be an opening. Again, thanks for your support and enthusiasm. This is going to be a GREAT show!

Saturday, Dec. 16 and Sunday Dec. 17, Sat. Noon till 6 pm, at (drum roll!) 7165 Germantown Ave. (19119). Yes, we’re going to be spreading some serious holiday cheer on the avenue.  Join us as we pop up for the Holidays!

It’s our 9th Annual Holiday Market — with the best pop-up location ever! Local fine art and handcraft, your original artwork, will be right in the thick of a holiday celebration that neighbors love to attend. We’ve got singer songwriters in the mix, music, food to taste, goodies to sip…it’s a community of holiday fun!

So don’t miss this opportunity to reach an even larger audience. This year, we will be popping up right on Germantown Ave. where folks will be peering through the windows just waiting to get in. And we are offering an incredible price for two days that can’t be beat — $100 for members and $150 for nonmembers (with a comp’d MAAG membership)! Sharing a table with another artist is OK too! We’d love to have you in the mix. We are now full, and no longer taking applications. Should you want to be on our wait list, please contact us at info@mtairyartgarage.org.

You can also mail in your check or stop by our gift shop at 6622 Germantown Ave. Any way you do it, you won’t want to miss selling at this well attended and exciting holiday show!

 

 

Teen Opera Prodigy Will Help Launch Emlen’s COP Mural Project Phase 2

/in /by

Save the date! Emlen’s Back To School Night

Tuesday, Sept. 26, 5 pm

6501 Chew St. (19119)

Free admission and open to the public.

America’s Got Talent Semi Finalist, at the age of 11? Opera Prodigy? Arielle Baril is all that, except today she is a whopping 14 years old! Arielle and her brother, Joshua Dufour (who taught her to sing), will be special guests at Emlen’s “Back To School Night” Tuesday, Sept. 26. They’ll be telling their stories and singing for the entire school! And what better launch for this next phase of the Community of Pride (COP) Mural and Literacy Project than to continue empowering children with community awareness and commitment while teaching art techniques, literacy, skill building, art history, and confidence. Arielle and Joshua will perform and speak about their experience as performing artists. They will also speak to pride…in your family, yourself, your culture, and your community. Want to know more? Check out Arielle on YouTube.

Arielle Baril, America’s Got Talent “Golden Buzzer” Semifinalist

We, at the Mt. Airy Art Garage, see our partnership with Emlen, with Arielle and Joshua and their family, and a host of others, as yet another way to dream—to share and empower our children and the entire community to be inspired and motivated.

This event is free and open to the public. You won’t want to miss this.

Get to know our Guests!

Arielle Baril

Arielle Baril is a 14 yr. old classical opera singer who was recently seen on Season 10 of America’s Got Talent. Arielle is a Golden Buzzer Act who made it straight to Radio City Music Hall Live Shows. As the youngest performer that evening, Arielle was given the honor of closing a live telecast at Radio City for AGT where she was a semifinalist. Arielle has served as Master of Ceremony, sang at Madison Square Garden twice, competed as finalist in top Classical competitions, and several other events by invitation. 

She is represented by Headline Talent for television and film primarily, but her passion is classical/art music. Arielle Baril and her team plan on releasing a classical EP and especially a single which will lay the foundation for future live shows. 

Arielle will be in the 9th grade at Abington Jr. High School. Arielle is considered a child prodigy with a voice beyond her years. She was trained by her then 20-year old brother Joshua who recently graduated Ithaca College and will attending Columbia this fall. He continues to mentor her vocally.

Arielle now studies vocal performance with Dr. Barbara DiToro of Temple University. Arielle is currently working on a classical crossover EP with her brothers Christophe and Joshua who are talented musicians themselves. 

Arielle strives to empower underrepresented children everywhere with the idea that all genres of music are available to them. As an underrepresented image in the classical world and as young person who chose this genre over others, Arielle is looking to establish herself as an artist whose mission is to convey a message to her peers to dream beyond the glass ceiling. 

Joshua Dufour

Joshua Dufour was born on February 23, 1995, in Drexel Hill, PA. He is the son of two Haitian immigrants. From a young age, Joshua’s passion has always been in the arts. At the age of 8, he joined the Archdiocesan Boy Choir of Philadelphia and sang with them for five years. He was a member of his high school’s concert and chamber choirs, the concert band and wind ensemble, the marching band and the drumline, as well as his high school’s musical theatre productions, presented at their very own Upper Darby Performing Arts Center. For his work in theatre, Joshua was nominated for the Cappie Award for Best Male Vocalist in the Greater Philadelphia area, as well as Best Male Critic.

It was during his final years of high school that his younger sister Arielle was old enough to start mimicking his singing around the house and imitating his operatic sounds. Joshua quickly realized that Arielle had a natural gift for the vocal arts and proceeded to train her in operatic soprano songs. Arielle’s unprecedented vocal ability soon led her to the America’s Got Talent stage where she received Heidi Klum’s Golden Buzzer and finished as a Semi-Finalist.

Joshua received his Bachelors of Science degree in Cinema & Photography, with a Concentration in Cinema Production and a Minor in Music, from Ithaca College in 2017. He has worked on various student films as a director, writer, producer, editor, and production designer. During his undergraduate education, he was a member of the Martin Luther King Scholars Program, a dynamic learning community dedicated to developing future leaders and global citizens through Dr. King’s legacy of social justice and equality. He received the Ithaca College Inspiration Award for his work in the community and on campus. This fall, Joshua is attending Columbia University’s School of the Arts to receive his Masters of Arts degree in Film Studies.

As a first-generation Haitian-American, Joshua believes a sense of self and culture is extremely important and he makes an effort to keep his Haitian roots intact. He is a firm believer that diversity is crucial to human development and that people must share their experiences in order to gain awareness of others. He dreams of becoming a director, producer, actor, and singer. His hope is to use his artistic voice to shine light on the social injustices of the world, spread awareness of race, culture, and ethnicity through artistic mediums, and give back to his brothers and sisters in Haiti.

 

Never Gonna Give You Up! An 80’s Dance Party With Philadelphia’s Own DJ Robert Drake

/in /by

Save the Date! Saturday, August 26 from 8 – 11 PM. Summit Presbyterian Church at 6757 Greene Street, Side Entrance (handicapped accessible). Tickets are now $20!

Do you love the nightlife? Do you love to boogie? Do you love the 80’s? Do you like to work up a dance sweat and then savor goodies and beverage from Night Kitchen, Earth, Bread & Brewery, High Point Cafe, Iron Hill Brewery, McMennamins, Acme, Giant, and more?

Well, turn around bright eyes! Join us for a wacky evening of big hairstyles, neon décor, and a celebration including the best music of the 80’s!

We’re throwing an 80’s dance party you’ll never forget hosted by legendary DJ Robert Drake — Peabody Award Winner, voted Philadelphia Magazine’s BEST DJ IN PHILLY, currently the Philly A-List’s Best Radio Personality!

This party kicks off Mt. Airy Art Garage’s fundraising campaign to finally pay our hardworking staff.

So walk like an Egyptian down to Summit Presbyterian Church at 6757 Greene Street on Saturday, August 26 from 8 – 11 PM. Join us for a total eclipse of the arts and dance the night away! 

Tickets $20 at the door. Yes, it’s true, we lowered the price so no excuses! Best $20 time ever!

For more information call 215.242.5074.

And now for more about Robert Drake! Are we lucky or what!

Everything old is good again.

I began spinning the new wave sounds when they were NEW wave sounds, working in various underground clubs in Philadelphia during the gritty era of 1981-1990. From off-radar spots like The Love Club to commanding nights at Philly’s premier alternative hotspots The Kennel Club, Omni’s and a few special nights at Danceteria in NYC, the Rock of the 80s became my passion.

Professionally, I was General Manager and Co-Founder of Au Courant Newsmagazine, Philadelphia’s gay arts & culture paper, back in 1982.

In 1988, I began a wonderful journey at WXPN-FM, where I have worn dozens of various hats over the past 28 years — including producing Kids Corner, America’s longest-running daily radio show for kids. In 1995, I took over the reigns of XPN’s gay programming and have hosted Q’zine, a queer audio magazine, ever since.

Since 2003, I’ve shaped Philly’s nightlife scene by introducing the genre to a whole new generation of ears with my monthly Sex Dwarf party every second Friday at Club Mousai to hosting Land Of The Lost, a 4-hour block of the Rock of the 80s on WXPN, to bringing authentic 80s bands back to the city for live concerts. It’s all about the music!

And all that love and all that work have rewards: I was named “Best DJ in Philadelphia” and Sex Dwarf the “Best Dance Party in Philly” by the readers of the Philadelphia City Paper. In the August 2014 issue of Philadelphia Magazine I was named BEST DJ IN PHILLY! 

Additionally, I’ve had the honor to share my unique new wave mix live as the opening act for such icons as The Psychedelic Furs, Gang Of Four, The B-52s, The Go-Go’s, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, The Buzzcocks, Berlin, Peter Murphy and A Flock Of Seagulls!

A recent highlight was being named BEST RADIO PERSONALITY IN PHILADELPHIA for 2016 by Philly A-List! But the best reward continues to be the fact that I am blessed to have a life where I enjoy what I do and am surrounded by people who enjoy it just as much!

~ Robert! djrobertdrake.com

 

Jazz On The Sidewalk…A Great Way to Spend A Summer Day

/in /by

Saturday, June 17 (rain date June 24) from 3 till 6 pm

What happens when you bring live jazz, fine art, and great food to the “South Side” of Mt. Airy? Why you get Jazz On The Sidewalk where area businesses are turning it out to greet you on the 6600 – 6700 Blocks of Germantown Ave.

For Jazz on the Sidewalk, MAAG is featuring local fiber artist Denise Benrahu. Check out her glorious jazz pillows!

On Saturday, June 17 (rain date June 24) from 3 till 6 pm expect a host of activities. Just to give you flavor of what’s happening, you’ll hear live jazz in front of the Mt. Airy Art Garage (MAAG) brought to you by Tank Keitt and friends from Passage Jazz Band. Are you an emerging or professional artist that wants to join in?  Then “bring your ax baby!” Looking for original fine art and handcraft? You’ll find MAAG members, all local artists, both outdoors on the block and and indoors in our fine art and handcraft gallery.

Our favorite local eateries Little Jimmie’s Bakery and Café and Malelani will turn it out with delicious, mouthwatering foods. Expect more businesses to join us! Plus there’s live music to be had at Malelani too. And, you didn’t hear if from me, but there’s going to be mouth-watering barbecue to lure your senses. So why not dive into all our local businesses have to offer and stroll down the avenue on a beautiful summer Juneteenth day!

If you’ve run your errands, gone to the gym, gone to the Juneteenth festival, or just plain newly moved into the neighborhood, what better time to stop by the 6600 – 6700 blocks of Germantown Ave. before your Saturday night begins. It’s time to take your late afternoon stroll on the South Side of Mt. Airy. You’ll be glad you did, and you’ll be supporting your local businesses as well.

For more information, call 215.242.5074 or info@mtairyartgarage.org.

New Partnerships! Opening Reception For “Having Our Say” Exhibition — See The Play AND The Exhibition

/in /by

Opening Reception Saturday, February 4, 4-8 pm

Show and Exhibition Run Till Feb. 19, 2017

@ Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 South Broad St.

In these trying times, now more than ever, we need to feed our spirits with joy and artistic experiences that lift our spirits, teach critical history (in this case, trailblazing African-American women), and fill us with hope and inspiration.

Opening Night for “Having Our Say”

Our partnership with Philadelphia Theatre Company (PTC) does just that! We have seen the play about the Delany sisters, and it’s a winner! Plus, we have an array of fine art brought to you by artists of the Mt. Airy Art Garage (MAAG) that speaks to their personal interpretation of “Having Our Say.” At the opening night of the show, we found theatregoers spending time truly absorbing what they see, talking to the artists, sharing thoughts and conversation. This show will be in Center City, at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, through Feb. 19. We are excited to exhibit work reaching new audiences in a truly new and inspiring theatre!

We are also thrilled that PTC is providing tickets AND a bus for the children of MAAG’s Community of Pride Mural Project at Emlen and Houston schools to see the play and exhibition. We’re not sure who is more excited — the kids or the teachers.

“Comfort” by Carol Wisker

We especially hope you will attend today’s opening. We are intentionally nestled between both matinee and evening performances. The exhibition is free. And if you attend the performance you will get $10 off your ticket if you use the code MAAG. But, if I were you, I would bring my friends and family and make a day of it. We’ve done precisely that, and it’s a winner! It’s an amazing way to spend an afternoon or evening, and guaranteed to lift your spirits, teach (as you learn more about the Delany sisters), and feed your soul.

The Mt. Airy Art Garage continues to deepen our involvement with new and exciting partners. That’s part of #MAAGPopsUp and our new way of thinking while we await the buildout of our new 2018 space.

You can visit our flagship location at 6622 Germantown Ave.— our exciting new handcraft gift shop. You can also reach us at 215.242.5074 or mtairyartgarage.org. Stay tuned as MAAG moves forward!