Tagged Theatre
Philadelphia and the African American Stage
Theater plays a significant role in our society. Beyond entertaining us, it promotes education and literacy, and it promotes different perspectives on issues and historical events, as well as discussion, social change, and…
Mark Edgar Allan Poe's 215th Birthday with Live Theater at the Library
January 19 marks the 215th birthday of poet and author Edgar Allan Poe . Poe lived in Philadelphia from 1838 to 1844, when he published his most famous poem, "The Raven." To commemorate the anniversary of Poe’s…
Temporary Closure of the Rare Book Department
The Rare Book Department , located on the Third Floor of Parkway Central Library , is closed as of November 4th, 2024 for the installation of a new HVAC system. Climate control is of the utmost importance for our Special…
#SpecialCollectionsAtHome
The Free Library of Philadelphia is home to a myriad of Special Collections . Since mid-March, we have been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that those of us who work with the Special Collections, are unable to work…
The Rights and Wrongs of Social Distancing
by Karin S. and Chris B. Social Distancing can be a challenge! It seems like the rules of what you should and shouldn't do are always changing. To help you learn* about the right and wrong ways to do it, a team of Special…
Philadelphia: The Changing City - An Exhibition from Special Collections
October 10 marks the opening of an exhibition that analyzes Philadelphia's growth across more than three centuries, presenting more than 80 rare and revelatory prints, photographs, documents, and maps from the Free…
Philly Theatre Week and a Look at Philadelphia Theatre History
Philly Theatre Week , presented by Theatre Philadelphia, is a 10-day celeration of the artists, organizations, and audiences that have made Greater Philadelphia one of the most vibrant theatre regions in the nation. With over…
A Dance and a Headdress: All About Gilda Gray
October 24 marks the birthday of the Roaring Twenties icon Gilda Gray. Born on October 24, 1901 as Marianna Michalska in Krakow, Poland, Gray didn’t get off to the easiest start in life. She was orphaned when her parents were…
Independence Library Welcomes Interactive Children's Theater Performances for Welcoming Week
Welcoming Week is almost upon us—an annual national series supported by the city’s Office of Immigrant Affairs that aims to bring together immigrants, refugees, and native-born residents to raise awareness of the benefits of…
#MysteryMonday: Become a GUMSHOE at the Free Library!
Dig out your deerstalker cap, magnifying glass, and slip on your quietest shoes: Something mysterious is happening at the Free Library of Philadelphia and you must help unravel it. As part of the We the Detectives initiative, in an…
Crack the Case with We the Detectives
Since the early days of printing, readers have been gripped by real-life tales of highwaymen and murderers, the last words of executed criminals, and fictional detective stories which have long fascinated us. What has made this form of…
Join Us for a Performance by the Philadelphia Chinese Opera Society
Join us on Saturday, April 2 at 2:00 p.m. for a free performance by the Philadelphia Chinese Opera Society (PCOS) in the Montgomery Auditorium on the ground floor at the Parkway Central Library. Under the artistic direction…
"Paint The American Eagle" - Dickens + Free Library + Philadelphia Fringe Festival
Tonight's opening of Paint The American Eagle marks the Free Library's first foray into hosting and co-producing a production for the Philadelphia Fringe Festival. The partnership with local playwright and…
“The Perfect Fool” Lives On Part II
In a previous post, I wrote about researching the personal and professional life of Philadelphia writer, actor, and comedian, Ed Wynn (1886-1966). A versatile and adaptable performer with vaudeville beginnings, Wynn wrote and starred in…
“The Perfect Fool” Lives On Part I
This past year, I had the privilege of processing and creating a finding aid for the papers of Ed Wynn (1886-1966), an actor, writer, and comedian from Philadelphia, as part of an internship requirement for Temple University’s…
Looking Back at the First Annual Academy Awards
With all the glitz and glamour that Hollywood is known for, it is easy to imagine that the Oscars have always looked like they do now with red carpets and galas and tear-soaked speeches. Yet, if you are watching the 84th Annual…
Dickens Idol Winner Announced
We found our Dickens! Lisa Litman of Bala Cynwyd, Pa. won today's ‘Dickens Idol Contest," our quest to find someone to bring Dickens to life for the Free Library's Year of Dickens 2012 . To win, Litman…