Philadelphia, a city steeped in history and significance, often finds itself overshadowed by prevalent narratives of crime and decline. But within its neighborhoods lie a wealth of cultural, historical, and resilient treasures. Neighborhoods such as Mt. Airy and Germantown carry an intricate history, vibrant culture, and unwavering resilience that enrich the city’s identity. It is important to look beyond surface-level perceptions to truly explore the heart of Philadelphia: its neighborhoods.
Philadelphia: A Cradle of American History
Philadelphia stands as a cornerstone of American history, tracing its significance to the 17th-century vision of William Penn. This city witnessed pivotal moments that molded the nation’s destiny, notably hosting the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and the drafting of the U.S. Constitution. Independence Hall, the hallowed ground where these foundational documents took shape, remains a testament to Philadelphia’s historical importance. Its legacy as the “Birthplace of America” echoes through time, encapsulating a narrative of profound significance in the establishment of democratic principles and the forging of a collective national identity.
A Tale of Two Neighborhoods
Nestled within Philadelphia’s northwest edge, Mt. Airy traces its origins to the 17th century, granted to Welsh Quakers. Amidst its serene streets, echoes of the Revolutionary War resonate; the Thomas Mansion, “Cliveden,” witnessed the Battle of Germantown, a key moment in American history. This neighborhood’s evolution into a residential haven from its rural roots showcases a unique architectural diversity lost in broader narratives of urban challenges. Beyond its historical significance, Mt. Airy advocates sustainability through community gardens and initiatives like Weaver’s Way Co-op, fostering a shared commitment to environmental stewardship. Its vibrant arts scene at Allens Lane Art Center breathes life into the community, offering platforms for local talents while embracing inclusivity and creative expression.
Walking through Mt. Airy’s tree-lined streets reveals a warm community spirit and diverse local businesses, each adding to its charm. The neighborhood’s scenic beauty, from vibrant seasonal hues to the tranquility of Wissahickon Valley Park, provides a soothing escape from city life. These elements define Mt. Airy’s essence, often overlooked in discussions about Philadelphia.
Germantown, rooted in a German settlement in the early 17th century, shares a rich history entwined with social activism. Early protests against slavery and its role in the Revolutionary War spotlight its commitment to justice. Today, its historical museums like the Johnson House Historic Site stand as testaments to Germantown’s legacy, engaging visitors in dialogues that contextualize past struggles with contemporary issues. The neighborhood’s transformation into a diverse community is mirrored in its vibrant restaurant scene and local businesses, blending tradition with innovation. Germantown Avenue showcases a fusion of old-world charm and modern creativity, exemplified by historic spaces embracing contemporary collaborations. Germantown’s resilience lies in its dedication to preserving heritage through historic architecture and gardens like Wyck’s, amidst a bustling urban landscape. These efforts demonstrate a dedication to preserving the history and heritage of a city that is rapidly changing and evolving. Through action, they prove the importance of keeping the world educated on the history of this city.
Mt. Airy and Germantown are not just hidden gems, but they are also essential parts of Philadelphia’s diverse culture. Exploring these neighborhoods is an invitation to discover the genuine essence of a city that goes beyond headlines and stereotypes. Their triumphs in sustainability, arts, heritage preservation, and inclusivity offer models for the city’s growth. By embracing their values, these neighborhoods redefine Philadelphia’s identity beyond its surface. Understanding Philadelphia demands exploring these lesser-known communities. By uncovering the hidden gems of Mt. Airy and Germantown, we can experience the true essence of Philadelphia beyond the common stereotypes and preconceptions. These neighborhoods offer a deeper understanding of the city’s history and culture, providing an opportunity to appreciate the unique character of Philadelphia beyond its initial appearances.
Sports events, art galleries, and museum exhibitions are all some examples of hobbyist activities in Philadelphia. Some are more popular than others, but all of them draw their respective audience into Philadelphia. The thing is though one specific type of hobbyist event is slowly leaving the city, a type of event that mostly appeals to those involved in gaming or comic-related hobbies but is still of the utmost importance to the city. Philadelphia is beginning to lose its smaller conventions, and that is not a good thing. Conventions have a long history in Philly, give people unique personal experiences, and benefit Philadelphia’s local community.
While modern-day conventions are often so big that multimillion-dollar companies are the only ones capable of operating them, conventions started very small. The oldest dated convention we know of was hosted in Philadelphia in 1936 and only had 9 people attending. It was supposedly hosted in Milton A. Rothman’s, one of the founders of the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society (PSFS), home. David Kyle, a popular fanzine writer, has given an account of his experience there in the Fanzine Mimosa. According to David Kyle, this convention is what inspired him to participate in the science fiction community more than he was before. Especially because the writer Hugo Gernsback had left science fiction behind him, and the major magazine Wonder Stories ended. However, thanks to the convention Kyle was still as invested as ever in the community due to how it invigorated his love of science fiction and grew his closer to his friends. This path eventually leads him to become one of the main writers of Mimosa. This recounting of the first science fiction convention not only shows how important conventions are to their communities but to Philadelphia as to this day Philcon, the name the PSFS gave the convention, still occurs to this day. Just like it did for David Kyle to this day Philcon and other conventions like it keep people interested in the hobbies associated with the convention and bring people together to deepen or gain friendships.
(Image of David Kyle and the other attendees. David is at the far right.)
Corporations, while they can host the biggest and largest conventions, the damage they are doing to the convention scene in Philadelphia may not be worth the money these large conventions bring in. While PAX hosts a very specific board game and tabletop game-centered convention in Philadelphia, PAX Unplugged, Fan Expo’s buyout of the Philly Comic Con shows that corporate entities have so much more power in what and where events will be held. Smaller conventions like J1 have moved out of the 2300 Arena and have since moved to Atlantic City, and J1 isn’t the only one. Big E Gaming, a smaller local video game tournament organizer used to host most of its events in Philadelphia but has since moved to Cherry Hill New Jersey. Most importantly though, the historic Philcon has also since moved to Cherry Hill. The oldest science fiction convention in not only Philadelphia history but U.S. history has moved out of the city that it started in back in the thirties. More and more smaller conventions have left the city and as time goes on, we may lose more. While the reason for the moves may not solely be due to the cost of hosting events in Philly, that very clearly is playing a part as some of the only remaining conventions in the city are Fan Expo and PAX.
As smaller conventions leave, they very rarely reveal why they left the city. Is the cost higher because of venues knowing corporations can pay the fees? Or is it due to the profit already small companies and event organizers are making is now even less due to the venue fees and associated costs? No matter what the answers are, the fact that large companies have become the only choice is a problem, especially when it has cost us the cozy feel of smaller local cons.
Despite this, the city does have hope, some smaller conventions like The East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (ECBACC for short) are still running to this day. ECBACC is a non-profit organization that runs four conventions in the city: Africoz, a cosplay convention, Comics, and Culture Fest, a mini comic event, and the main ECBACC comic convention. The events are meant to promote African-American comics, cosplayers, and culture in an environment that is sorely lacking. The convention is 20 years old and still runs today. The main event is hosted at Temple with the other side events utilizing venues like Letitia House Park and The African American Museum of Philadelphia. The event was founded by Yumy Odom, but he has since established a team of organizers that make the ECBACC an amazing community event for any African American in Philly who has a love of comics. The event even has established a series of workshops to help encourage a love of reading and science to help children in the area develop a love of STEM and the arts.
ECBACC is an amazing example of what a hobbyist convention should be a place of community and a benefit for the whole community. Conventions are valuable to Philadelphia because of how they impact people, their history in the city, and the ways the city can benefit from them. Despite this, with so many smaller cons leaving the city the day may come when all that’s left are massive corporate-run conventions, and while these can be fun, they can reduce the feeling of being part of a community that makes conventions fun to go to. So, the next time you hear about a small convention in Philly pop-up, go give it a try it not only benefits the city but it can give you an experience like no other.
The sound of music in Philadelphia today would most likely be described by the strong Rap scene in the city, or the flourishing DIY/Indie music scene if you asked around Temple University. I would have a similar answer too, maybe reaching back to artists like Todd Rundgren or Hall & Oats. I learned that there’s only one answer to “The Sound of Philadelphia” during my first class this Fall semester with Professor Joe Kraus. — I had heard about the days of the Philly sound before this semester but didn’t know about the legacy of Philly Soul until Professor Kraus talked about his experience working at Sigma Sound Studios.
MFSP and The Three Degrees – The Sound of Philadelphia — Running theme song for the classic variety show Soul Train.
Sigma Sound Studios and Philadelphia Soul
Sigma’s storefront at 212 N 12th Street.
The artists and staff at Sigma Studios formed a new sound of Soul music that soon took over the entire genre. The outstanding influence of Philly Soul has lasted years beyond its era. Disco, 80s Dance, Rap, R&B, and so many more genres of music today have drawn influences from the Philly Sound. The lasting legacy of the music that came from Philly in the 70s is often forgotten even though its inspirations can be found in so much popular music from the past 40+ years.
The Sound of Philadelphia
“The Sound of Philadelphia” or “The Philadelphia Sound” was a unique genre of Souk music in the late 60s and 70s. While Rock was underground in commercial terms, Soul music dominated the airwaves and Pop charts. My thought of Soul at that time, before doing my research, was Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, and the Motown sound. What I didn’t know was that the touch of lush string, horn, and vocal sections in the 70s that gave Soul its soul was in large part thanks to the Philly Sound and those at Sigma Studios. A full orchestral sound, heavy reverb, and different effects set the genre apart from the Motown sound that came before it. To describe the unique qualities of the Philadelphia sound in words is a difficult thing to do, and can be understood much better by listening to the artists and songs of the era. You can find most of the songs and artists through either provided links or a Spotify playlist of some of my favorite tracks I’ve found during my research.
One of Philly Soul’s forefront groups, The O’Jays found most success after signing with Sigma’s house label Philadelphia International Records. Their first album with the label, Back Stabbers, launched the group to #1 on the Pop charts with the hit Love Train. My favorite track from their 1978 album, Used Ta Be My Girl, is a perfect example of the upbeat, yet romantic characters of the Philly Soul.
*Note: Their So Full of Love album was the soundtrack to my brother’s 9th-grade heartbreak.
The Delfonics
The Delfonics were a Philly born who are a great example of the lush, romantic soundscapes that filled Philly Soul. The group’s biggest hits, La-La Means I Love You, Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time), Ready or Not (Here I Come), and Hey! Love show the true soul of the Philly sound. (The last two were respectively covered by the Fugees and beautifully sampled and interpolated by the late Biggie Smalls.)
The Trammps
An early Disco incarnate born from members of Sigma’s house band MFSB. Being Sigma’s greatest claim to having a hand in the early Disco sound, the group’s class hit Disco Inferno was featured on the soundtrack for Saturday Night Fever.
The Creators Behind the Sound
The Sound of Philadelphia wasn’t just created by the musicians of the time, but also the many staff members and entire attitude of Sigma Sounds Studios, most notably the studio’s founder Joe Tarsia, and songwriters/producers Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, And Thom Bell.
Joe Tarsia – Founding Chief Engineer
Sigma’s founder bought and renovated the Reco-Art studio on 12th Street in 1968 after a period as Chief Engineer of the Philly-based Cameo-Parkway Records. The label’s reputation with artists like Chubby Checker and Bobby Rydell (Wildwood Days, Philly classic…) gave Tarsia enough connections in the industry to start Sigma off strong. Tarsia had worked with Gamble, Huff, and Bell who had all been playing sessions and writing songs at the Cameo-Parkway label.
Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff – Philadelphia International
Gamble and Huff were an established songwriting team that had worked with Atlantic Records and artists like Dusty Springfield before joining Tarsia at Sigma. Their work had attracted enough talent for them to sign a contract with Columbia Records to establish Philadelphia International Records. The label soon signed The O’Jays, Billy Paul, The Three Degree, and more who would produce countless hits at Sigma.
Thom Bell – Producer & Songwriter
Thom Bell had also established a name for himself and a working relationship with Tarsia, Gamble, and Huff before Sigma was founded. Before joining Philadelphia International, Bell found success producing early hits for The Temptations whose song Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time) was nominated for a Grammy in 1970.
“If you build it, they will come.”
Invoice from Sigma for Bowie’s recording time.
The success and influence of Sigma weren’t only felt by audiences, but also by the many artists who came to Sigma looking to capture some of the Philly Soul for themselves. Sigma attracted artists from Elton John to the Talking Heads. The most famous stories of those coming to Sigma are David Bowie and Madonna’s.
Bowie at Sigma with Bruce Springsteen and WMMR DJ Ed Sciaky – Photo by Phil Cecola
In 1974, after recording David Live during a residency at the Tower Theatre, Bowie decided to record his next album, Young Americans, at Sigma. Inspired by The Sound of Philadelphia, Bowie wanted to capture the sound at the source. The entire record shows influences of Soul and Funk that are best heard on the title track and his hit single Fame – Which Bowie performed live on Soul Train a year later (Theme song kindly provided by Sigma’s own house band MFSB).
Datasheet for the multitrack mix of Madonna’s Borderline.
Madonna – Debut Album (1983)
Although the Soul era was long gone and Disco was dead by the 80s, the Dance tracks that dominated the decade owed credit to their soulful predecessors. Madonna’s debut album, arguably one of the largest Dance records of the 80s (seriously, try not to dance), was recorded at Sigma Studios. Madonna’s track Borderline, as synth-driven as it is, still shares the lush production and rich melodies heard in Philly Soul.
Philly Rap and Neo Soul: A New Era for Sigma
Sigma was no longer the hit factory it used by the end of the 80s. Soul groups were no longer charting and others had transitioned to the new Dance sound like Michael Jackson who had previously recorded at Sigma in The Jacksons. With the Soul era far in the past (even Disco was long dead!), and a number of Philadelphia International’s roster gone from the label, Sigma struggled for relevancy in the industry and culture.
The next era at Sigma brought in Philly’s new Rap artists like The Roots and Schoolly D, a pioneer of Gangster Rap. This new wave of music gave Sigma both a stake to claim in the new genre, but also an opportunity for their catalog to live on with this new sound — The sample-based production of Rap music allowed for music to be processed, broken down, and reassembled to create new tracks. The Roots’ producers Questlove and Black Thought are heavily inspired by the Soul, Jazz, and R&B music that came before them and have sampled from a number of artists like Barry White, Al Green, and Stevie Wonder.
The Philadelphia sound inspired a revival of Soul at the same time with the Neo-Soul genre that brought more influences of Jazz, R&B, and Hip-Hop elements. The sound was defined by artists like Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, and Philly native Jill Scott. Both Badu and Scott recorded versions You Got Me for The Root’s classic Neo-Soul album Things Fall Apart.
Sigma Found in Music Today
Inspirations from Philly Soul can be found in so many genres of music today like Rap, Pop, and House music that trace their lineage to Soul, R&B, and Disco. The upbeat rhythms that transferred to Disco still drive Pop tracks like Dua Lipa’s Dance The Night from Barbie The Album, while the sweet melodies make perfect samples for Rap and House music. From inspiration, samples, and homages — Sigma continues to find its way into music today.
Here are a few songs from current artists that draw inspiration from Sigma’s Philly Soul :
Anderson .Paak
Anderson .Paak is one of the largest artists today to wear his influences of older Soul and R&B so prominently (with an apparent soft spot for the Philly Sound). Sticking with his fusion of Soul, R&B, Jazz, and Rap elements, Paak has sampled many artists from Philly and Sigma. His latest work with Bruno Mars as the Silk Sonic group has been the loudest homage to Philly Soul to date.
Silk Sonic – An Evening with Silk Sonic
Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak popularly teamed up during the pandemic to form the R&B group Silk Sonic to create something that reproduced the sound of the Soul and R&B that they grew up on. The album is full of the beautiful qualities of Philly Soul. The tracks Leave the Door Open, Skate, and Love’s Train sound like they came from a pile of lost tapes in a Sigma Studios annex.
The group’s success proved that there’s still a demand for the Philadelphia sound after winning all four Grammy nominations in 2022.
KAYTRANADA – Twin Flame (feat. Anderson .Paak)
House music is another sample-based genre that draws from the lineage of Dance music that goes back to Soul. KAYTRANADA is an Electronic/House artist who takes many samples from artists such as Minnie Riperton, Jill Scott, and The Roots. KAYTRANADA sampled the Philly-born Disco group Sister Sledge’s One More Time along with Paak on their song Twin Flame.
Domo Genesis – Dapper (feat. Anderson .Paak)
Along with Rapper Domo Genesis, Paak sampled the Philadelphia International staff member turned artist Dexter Wansel’s Voyager for their track Dapper.
Disco in Pop Today
The direction that Philly Soul took the genre in was simply disco music. If it can’t be heard in MFSB’s The Sound of Philadelphia, The Trammp’s Disco Inferno is a bit more obvious. Disco continues to be a common sound in a lot of Dance music today and has made its way onto the charts recently.
A discussion of modern Pop first mentions the current Queen, Beyonce, and the Disco and Soul influences she’s shown (Beyonce – Blow). Beyond Queen B, Disco can be heard in songs from some of the biggest names out right now. Dua Lipa’s Houdini, Coi Leray’s Players, and FIFTY FIFTY’s Cupid stay on the Pop charts with heavily Disco inspired production.
Philly’s Still Got Soul
There’s a chance that I’m experiencing a Baader-Meinhof phenomenon with Sigma Studios and the Philadelphia Sound, and I’m only seeing them show up everywhere because it’s a recent discovery. Like when you think, “Nobody ever drives a red car anymore.”, and then suddenly every other car you see on the road is red… But I don’t think that’s the case — Philly Soul and Sigma Sound Studios are still relevant in the music industry today even though underrepresented in comparison to Motown. Sigma might compete with Motown again, this time to stay as a legacy in Soul music.
The Sound of Philadelphia that came from Sigma has still left a large impact on the city despite the lack of attention and credit that the genre gets. Sigma Sound Studios established Philadelphia as a serious contender in the national and global music industry. To those who know, the studio shares a similar reputation to Hitsville U.S.A., Muscle Shoals, Electric Lady Studios, Abbey Road Studios, and other studios that were the epicenter of a sound. Sigma and Philadelphia International are a core part of this city’s history for establishing the city’s modern music industry.
I’m always surprised by what I learn when I research and write about something like this. Some of it was a trip to learn… I learned The Delfonics went to Overbrook Highschool and I drive by it every weekend. I didn’t expect to be so interested when I started this project. Now I’m all about that Philadelphia sound. To learn about the legacy of Sigma Studios makes me grateful that I have the ability to learn from someone like Joe Kraus who worked personally with Joe Tarsia and others. The same goes for the other professionals. It’s a rare opportunity to have professors from KYW, WXPN, NPR, NBC, and the studio that produced some of the most soulful music to ever exist. I’m thankful for the many reasons that I get this opportunity, but during this time I’ve learned to thank the history of the city for providing something so great. It’s a great music genre, a rich history, and now my lecture every Monday at 9 am.
My original design for this post wasn’t able to be transferred to this site. Some YouTube and Spotify elements weren’t able to be added and the photo spacing was a bit different. I was very happy with my design so if you would like to view that version of the site you can visit here: https://tul37250.wordpress.com/2023/11/30/5/
References
Seay, Toby (2012). Capturing That Philadelphia Sound: A Technical Exploration Of Sigma Sound Studios. Journal on the Art of Record Production
Jackson, J. A. (2004). A House on Fire: The Rise and Fall of Philadelphia Soul. Oxford University Press.
With over 4,400 murals Philadelphia is considered the mural capital of the world. Its first mural was painted in 1984 by the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network. Since then, murals have become integral to the city, embodying Philadelphians’ cultural pride. Recently, residents and artists expressed alarm over advertisements and new housing construction threatening to conceal these murals, sparking concerns over potential destruction of the art’s beauty and meaning. Each mural has been created by the community, for the community. The threat of advertisements and new construction make us raise the question if coexistence is possible. Can free public art and business both equally stand in the same urban space? If so, are there any laws that the city has in place to protect these public works of arts that surround the vibrant city?
Initiated by former Mayor Wilson Goode and managed by Executive Director Tim Spencer, the Anti-Graffiti Network was established to combat graffiti’s rapid spread and unite the community. The program actively involved graffiti writers, redirecting their talent from vandalization to community service. Spencer hired Jane Golden, a known mural artist, to work alongside these graffiti writers to create murals that highlighted many social justice issues. The program enabled the creation of public art, offered creative expression for many artists, and formed empowering community relationships. These murals facilitated social change, fostering community pride and supporting local artists who spread messages through urban art. The program continued to create murals that connected with the surrounding community’s people, culture, and history. Philadelphia has since been known as the city covered in murals that beautify and educate. However, the significance of the murals has not stopped businesses from covering these beloved art pieces with advertisements. For example, a London-based oat milk company decided to advertise its product by gluing posters over murals that were showcasing appreciation of essential workers (Winberg). Outrage broke over the advertisements covering up public art, like Walls for Justice founder Samuel Rodriguez complaining, “This business broke the unwritten rule, don’t go over someone else’s work” (Winberg). Critics also explained that the murals served a much greater purpose than the company’s promotional posters (Mural Arts Philadelphia). Another rising threat to murals is new construction, as the Economy League predicts increased activity in Philadelphia (Economy League). This construction activity covers up murals, thus defeating their purpose to be seen by the public in order to spread awareness and unify the city. Development has covered beloved murals like, ‘In Living Memory: Those of Us Alive’, ‘From The Mountains To The City’, and ‘Skin of the Bride’. When people see an obstructed mural that has been covered up with an advertisement or a building, the visual appeal isn’t there anymore and the message that was once there has been erased. As businesses continue to cover up murals, the question arises: are our valuable murals protected? Many claim there is insufficient protection. While artists own mural copyrights, property owners wield ultimate decision-making power. Many echo Jane Golden’s call for the city to implement a plan and policy to safeguard and preserve urban murals (Fernandez and Johnston, 2021). Some suggestions propose legal guidelines that regulate the location and size of the ad to prevent obstructing the view of the artwork. Another proposal involves property-owners granting partial ownership to the community because “…if murals were considered the domain of the community, or of the public as a whole, property owners might think twice before demolishing them or painting them out” (Dale, 2023). This will give residents and artists a larger voice and influence and empower everyone to find a solution together if a mural is threatened. In conclusion, Philadelphia murals are made to be seen and understood, as they reflect the city’s history, diversity, community, and perseverance. If they are covered up they can’t do their job anymore. Preserving murals is crucial for the city, as they serve not only as decoration but also as storytellers of Philadelphia’s essence and evolution. In order to save these reminders of our strong community, we need to protect and preserve murals as best as we can. Protection laws or ownership negotiations are essential to allow murals to coexist in this urban space with the overwhelming businesses and developments. Without change, many more murals will face the same fate, never to be seen again. Implementing laws to protect laws that protect public art ensures storytelling of Philadelphia’s history endures, inspiring more people to maintain hope and unity as a community.
New City. No friends. Nothing to do. Is this rock bottom?
No. No, it’s not. Throw in a dude named Tanner who makes you change the radio station every time Taylor Swift plays. Now you’ve hit rock bottom.
Big life changes are really not that funny. They’re actually quite terrifying. Though for an aspiring comedian, I thought going to college would create my magnum opus routine. But the city of brotherly love did not show me much affection. Looking for even a droplet of stimulation and joy in Philadelphia drove me to discover how entertaining the comedy scene here is. What makes Philly comedy so special is its unique collaborative nature, and it drove me to find my favorite people. Philly creates the perfect environment for Temple University’s sketch comedy club, Temple SMASH, to thrive.
Temple SMASH is Temple University’s sketch comedy television show. Think SNL, but with no guest stars. Unless you count our Executive Producer who we only refer to as “babygirl.” He’s a star in our eyes.
Temple SMASH is the perfect example of how eager the comedy scene in Philly is to help other aspiring comedians. The students there want to make good TV, and they realize that good TV takes a team. Philadelphia is packed with people who are looking to break into the industry. Temple SMASH owes it’s vitality to Philadelphia comedy scene
Temple SMASH gave me space to grow as a scriptwriter. Ever since becoming a writer, I encourage anyone in earshot to join the organization because of the sheer amount of opportunities it’s opened up for me. Temple SMASH gives Philadelphia students so much, and Philadelphia gives back. Especially when it comes to spaces letting the funniest people on the East Coast perform.
ComedySportz was the first comedy club I’ve ever performed in. Several Temple SMASH performances are open to the public there, as well as performances from Temple University’s improv team, The Parliament. The same students from Temple SMASH have the opportunity in The Parliament to go head to head in a Philadelphia exclusive competition, ComedySportz’s Collegiate Comedy Challenge.
ComedySportz’s Collegiate Comedy Challenge is an improv battle in which college teams from all over the tri-state area can participate in a bracket-style. They go head to head for weeks and are judged by a panel of comedians who work at the club plus audience votes. The last college standing gets its own showcase hosted by the venue.
This competition brings out the worst in me.
Not only am I an overly competitive person, but a very defensive friend. When Temple’s team performs, they are my moon, my stars, and my universe. Other teams, they’re scum underneath my shoe. Well. They’re funny. I just refuse to admit that. Despite my qualms, the space this venue creates is amazing. Not only can collegiate comedians show off their skills to Philly, but meet other comedians to collaborate with. It’s evidence that the effect of Temple SMASH and the skills you acquire from the organization extend outside the Temple University bubble. It’s scary to advertise yourself. But to collaborate as a team makes comedians more open to putting themselves out there.
There’s something genius about a rivalry that actually brings people together. In the entertainment industry, you’re fighting so hard for your spot to the point you hate every single soul that gets in your way. But you hate them because you admire their work and their talent. Then you have the chance to work with them and you realize how powerful your talents are together.
Philadelphia is oozing with talent. When people chase their dreams in a big city, they think it’s eat or be eaten. In the city of brotherly love, it’s a city of networking. Embrace the collaborative nature of Philadelphia. Allow yourself to be helped, and most importantly make it your goal to help others.
I owe Philadelphia my sense of humor. The people here have changed my perspective on storytelling. I’m fortunate for the space Philly has given me, and I want to give back to the city. Especially since it was the city that gave me Temple SMASH.
All my life, I’ve heard stories about Philadelphia. I didn’t grow up in Philly, but my parents did, and it was only natural that they would come to learn the stories of their youth in the city. My parents met in high school (Mercy Vocational High School), and have been together ever since, and though the circumstances of their respective childhoods were marked with abuse and financial hardships, these stories were most often recalled with fondness. My father left Philadelphia at 18 in 1985, moving an hour south in Ocean City, New Jersey, with my mother followed shortly thereafter. While living in Ocean City, my parents would get married, find work, build careers, and raise three children, of which I am the last. If not for the Covid-19 Pandemic, which forced my first year of college onto the computer and into my bedroom, I would have left Ocean City for Philadelphia at the same age my parents did the opposite. It wouldn’t be until a year later, at 19, I would step out and move to the city that raised my parents. Since moving to Philadelphia, I’ve found my mental health to be of a superior quality than when I resided within the salt water boundaries of Ocean City.
My high school, as seen from the boardwalk in Ocean City.
In a way, I feel closer to them than I have when growing up in Ocean City. The locations of so many of their stories used to only exist in the abstract, but now that I actually live here, they have substance and take shape. There’s one story I recall, where my father recalls climbing with his brother on the cliffs near the Art Museum, which lies a great distance from his Germantown home. At one point, he said he fell off the cliff a good distance, and his brother’s first reaction was “Oh my god, Mom’s gonna kill me.” Theirs was a home under constant stress. My father, like myself, is the youngest of three children, and like me, he has both a brother and a sister. Their father, my grandfather, died in 1970 as a result of a heart condition he contracted while suffering from Polio as a child combined with years of otherwise ill-health. My grandmother never remarried, and raised her three children on her own. My father was three when his father died, and has no memory of him.
My grandmother more recently, in 2022.
His brother, my uncle Joe Walsh (not of Eagles fame, but rather of Mummers obscurity) suffered from Hemophilia, which resulted in my father’s family spending most of their time in hospitals. By the 1980s, with the onset of the AIDs epidemic, my Uncle began losing a good lot of his friends. They went to a lot of funerals. It’s a miracle he survived. A formative experience for my father is accompanying Joe to a camp for children with severe illnesses like his in the early ‘80s. That was the summer he says he became a good person. The soundtrack to that summer for him was the then recent Moody Blues album Long Distance Voyager, which has since gone on to be a favorite of mine. Much of my parents’ music tastes have been handed down to me.
Growing up in Ocean City, I was squarely a recluse. I didn’t go out except to go to book clubs at the library or the record store, and I was never invited to anything. I never really had a solid set of friends that I was very close with. Ocean City just didn’t have the space, the people, or the environment to foster the kind of social life I think I’ve needed. It took until 2022 to find a group of people I can spend my time with in joy, and even then finding them and establishing these relationships was a slow-going process. The difference, I believe, is that Philadelphia provided the opportunity and the chance for me to branch out as I have by having more variety and a wide heart, something Ocean City would never and could never have.
https://youtu.be/IRd2VmS5uPs?si=BSQHiiasQEEJA5LO
My father is one of the glittering cowboys seen at 2:45. I believe he’s the second in from the left
My father and his siblings were all involved in The Mummers, who are a colorful cast of characters (Literally), with one story involving my dad at age 14 or 15 driving a jeep full of drunk Mummers down a flight of stairs before it was mutually decided that they were better off having the least drunk of the Mummers drive instead. There was also a Beach Boys concert that occurred on July 4th of 1985 where my Father and his friends got drunk, got sober, and got drunk again. At one point I think they left their sleeping friend in a car? The concert was quite a spectacle, taking place on the Parkway, which was shut down for the occasion. Jimmy Page and Mr. T were among the guests who joined the Beach Boys for their performance. Is that a combination that makes sense? Absolutely not. Why did they do it? The 80s. That’s why.
https://youtu.be/gVDT-bmREQA?si=9hoKSyzZD6bxF0x3
The Beach Boys, 1985
I graduated High School in the year 2020, when the world was having a collective breakdown at the onset of the Covid-19 Pandemic. My graduation took place in my family’s backyard with select family members in attendance. For a year I was trapped in my bedroom, essentially, waiting for my sophomore year in Temple, which would be my first as a resident of Philadelphia, something which I now feel was a long time coming.
When my parents left Philly, they weren’t alone in their flight. It wasn’t until the mid aughts that the population of Philadelphia started increasing after decades of a declining population. The population of Ocean City hovers around 11,000 people who live on the island year-round, anyone else is a seasonal resident. The ultra-conservative Christian vacation destination found me, a weird queer kid struggling with depression, feeling trapped in a dead end. There was nothing there for me. An empty town full of empty people who seemed to hate me for being myself. Leaving that place was a step, but it was actually reaching out and meeting people who live here in the city that opened my eyes to the fact that I can be with people who actually care about me and enjoy my company.
My father has always held down at least two jobs. He grew up extremely poor and I believe his compulsion to always be on the job is a symptom of that. He was once mugged as a child, and afterwards he grabbed a baseball bat and went to the local grocery store, since that’s where he would’ve gone if he’d had money. When he would visit my mother in East Falls, her father always made sure that my father always went home with plenty of food.
Route 47
I haven’t taken my car to Philly. I’m too scared to. I’m a mediocre driver on the best of days, but I’m The Stig when compared to some of these drivers here in Philly. My car remains firmly at home in South Jersey. Instead I take public transit to get around. I most frequently ride the 47 bus to South Philly, where I work and where my friends live. One night in late February this year, I was riding the bus back to my North Philly apartment when a group of high school aged youths jumped on my back, stole my hat, shouted at me, and punched me in the face. Definitely not as bad as it could have been, but still, I was assaulted. I’m not sure if it was a hate crime or not (my hat was in the colors of the pansexual pride flag, and had a matching pin on it), or if it was because I was wearing a brightly colored hat with pink tinted glasses and maroon corduroy bell bottoms, but it was still very troublesome. A week later, a campus cop was shot in the head almost a block from my apartment. A few months prior, five students were held hostage at their off campus apartment. Despite these experiences, I think love Philadelphia, and I feel happier here than I have in a long long time. I’ve found friends and I have a plan for the future, which is more than I ever had or ever could have had in Ocean City.
Philly Pride 2023, taken by Fox Raab.
My mother was one of five children, the second youngest, with her younger brother Steve coming five years after her. I never met my maternal Grandfather, he died before I was born, and I’ve never quite known how to feel about him. By most accounts, he was an abusive alcoholic who would scream at and berate his family, but on the other hand, he made sure my father was well fed. One anecdote goes that he had his (at the time) four children lined up in the living room, scolding them collectively for one reason or another. While he ranted, my mother, aged only three or four, got an image of an Ace of Spades stuck in her head, and was desperate to figure out what the vision meant. All of a sudden, her father crouches down to speak to her, his young daughter, and inquires “You think I’m an ass, don’t you?” With her being a small child, she was more amazed that he had read her mind than concerned with offending her raging father, so she – without thinking – exclaimed “How did you know?” He then sent the children to their rooms without another word.
He didn’t seem to hold it against her, though. A number of years later, when my mother was 15 or so, she would ride with her brother’s girlfriend (Later wife) Jill to work. My mother’s job ended earlier than Jill’s, so Jill would let my then unlicensed mother drive her car around until she was done. One day, my mother was driving the car around in the cemetery when, with autumn leaves on the wet ground, the car slid horizontally down a small hill, lodging itself perfectly between two gravestones. Jill wanted my mother (Or at least her father) to pay for the towing to get the car out from between the headstones, but he reasoned that, since Jill was the adult who knowingly let an unlicensed minor operate the vehicle, Jill was responsible for the towing. Since then I’ve joked that my mom should send Jill a repayment unannounced one of these days.
I’d be lying if I said my relationship with my parents didn’t have its strains. There’s probably unresolved trauma between all of us, which affects the ways I interact with them. I don’t tell them a lot about what I do, how I spend my time, because I think I need that space, which is something I feel as though I wasn’t afforded growing up. Also being queer has presented its own challenges that have been exasperated by the anxieties between some of us. The unknown is not bad, and all I ask for is trust. I love my parents, absolutely, but they’re only human, and mental health wasn’t a priority in the 70s or 80s (something I’m sure Reagan made sure of, the bastard) when they were growing up. Lots of trauma potentially left unpacked.
Moving to Philly, I think, has been my kind of subliminal attempt at getting closer to my parents. I’ve been coming to Philly all my life, whether for extended family gatherings, car shows, conventions, concerts, or some other event. Philadelphia is forever tied to my family and my perceptions of family. To me, Philadelphia is a part of my parents. It’s by no means the same city my parents grew up in, but I’m sure that they think that’s a good thing. I think I hold that opinion too. Ocean City isn’t the same city they moved to, though, I’m sure, and living there was something I don’t think I could have survived. I moved to Philly to give myself space and opportunity, but also, I think, that moving to Philly has made me feel closer to some of the very people I needed space from. I love my parents, I love Philadelphia, and I think, after a long time of doing the opposite, I love myself.
My family and I, 2022.
note: this is late as I was not given posting permissions until after the due date.
The sunset of the last rehearsal of band camp in fall 2022.
“I wish I could pick Temple up and move it somewhere else,” I told my family after my first month on campus. I’m from a small town in Pennsylvania called Berwick, the same one as my mom, and my Dad is from New York City. I would always get to visit on some holidays and birthdays, but I could never get enough of what a big city offered compared to my little town. When I began to choose what school I wanted to attend, I had two huge factors: it needed to be a city, and it needed to have a marching band. Music has played a huge part of my life, ever since I picked up the saxophone in fourth grade. I was even lucky enough to buy my own tenor saxophone after saving up all my money from my Quinceañera. This instrument became my life and treated it as my child. It was a no-brainer that it had to come with me.
Despite New York being my first love, none of the nearby universities checked off my two boxes; that’s when Temple University came into the picture. I fell in love with every part of the university– but the place it’s located? I could not stand Philadelphia. I had only heard about the city in passing through history classes or the stories about sporting events but it was never anything particularly good. Nonetheless, I decided to give Philly a try. My experience with music allowed me to discover City Hall’s magic, Lincoln Financial Field’s thrill, Old City’s beauty, get my saxophone stolen, and fall in love with Philadelphia.
Arriving to Temple
The annual section photo we took in center city at the end of my first week in Philadelphia.
The transition to college was difficult, but the band made the whole process easier. I got to move in on the Monday before class even started to prepare for my first football halftime show. With no time to explore my new “home,” my treacherous week of band camp was over and there was time to bond with our sections. I remember walking up the stairs to Center City, having just taken SEPTA for the first time. Ascending the small, shallow stairs, I was completely captivated by the setting sun in the distance. Time came to a halt for a moment, and I found myself in pure happiness. When life resumed, I followed my upperclassmen to our annual section dinner at “Marathon Grill.”It was a simple restaurant with classic American foods, but the people made the experience. Sharing a laugh with my newfound friends made my heart skip a beat for Philadelphia. With our final moments of our time, night crept in and we continued back to City Hall to take our annual group photo. Having another memory in the books came with my time being consumed by marching band throughout the fall semester. I spent almost every Saturday at the home of the Philadelphia Eagles, Lincoln Financial Field.
Becoming a Philly Sports Fan
The first football game and tailgate of the season at Lincoln Financial Field.
I never was passionate about sports, whether one team won or lost, and it always confused me when people went all out for their team of choice. Until I walked into Lincoln Financial Field for the first time. It was a surreal experience to be standing, performing, dancing, and making my first memories on same turf the Philedelphia Eagles play on. As Temple’s team progressed through the season, I started picking up on the game and even getting into it myself. Every part of the university has so much pride in what we do. Whereas when I was in high school, maybe not so much. Around the same time last year, the Eagles had won the final game they needed to make it into the Super Bowl. I was in Center City at some random little side restaurant, watching the game with some friends. We finally made it to the end of the game, and we all erupted with celebration. The restaurant lit up, people elated, workers exhilarated, all for the eagles, and I was beside them, cheering back. From there, we proceeded home to beat the trains of die-hard fans, but the calm before the storm was eye-opening. Looking around at City Hall, seeing barricades in preparation for the fans to strike, was ominous. Even as my friends and I were leaving, people had just gotten to City Hall to celebrate, and the madness was beginning. I might not have stayed for the whole storm, but this time around I was in the same boat. Finally, I understood what it meant to be a Philly sports fan.
Your “Average” Game Day
This is the pregame run-on after my saxophone was stolen, and I performed the entire of show without an instrument.
The rest of the football season for Temple wasn’t quite as exciting as the Eagles, but it was still just as fun. Towards the end of November, it was a saddening time with our seniors getting ready to finish marching band. On our final game day everyone was brimming with even more enthusiasm than other days. Then right after Fly-In, we finished our performance, broke from the parade block, placed our instruments outside the Linc, to head to our tailgate like all season. Little did I know it would be the last time I saw my saxophone. It was quite traumatic coming back to my saxophone missing without a trace. The whole time, I was gaslighting myself about what had occurred. Did I bring my saxophone to the tailgate? Did I put it somewhere else? Maybe someone else grabbed it. But who would hold my saxophone? These different questions ran circles in my head until I realized I could do nothing. My tenor saxophone was stolen. With no instrument to perform with, I had no idea what to do. I only knew I needed to be with the seniors one last time. I marched the rest of the fly-in and the pregame performance without an instrument, and it would not have been possible without my section. The entire game, they were supportive and checking up on me constantly. Even the drum major, who also played tenor saxophone, had asked their roommate to run home to get her instrument so I could play with everyone else at halftime. Left and right people in the band got me through my tough time, and the rest of the day was as great as it could be. However once the halftime show was completed, I was on the hunt to file a police report with my parents and retrieve my stolen instrument.
The Aftermath
The moment I finally retried my saxophone in the pawn shop and was reunited with my “child”.
Luckily, my mom saved the serial number of my instrument all those years ago, and we were able to locate my saxophone. The police officers were helpful throughout the investigation, discovering that the instrument had wound up at a pawn shop. Getting accompanied by an officer and one of my friends, we retrieved my $4,000 saxophone for the high price of $80. I was utterly jaw-dropped by the robber getting completely scammed, not knowing the value of what he stole! Though it looked different since the last time I saw it, regaining possession of my saxophone filled my heart. It wasn’t necessarily damaged, but it had gotten smudged, my reed was chipped, and some screws were missing. From their I had devised a plan to fix my instrument. First I replaced the reed and gave it an extensive cleaning (as it very much needed one after its adventure) and then I took to the internet to find a screw to fix my saxophone. I did not know the first thing about instrument repairs in Philadelphia, let alone the place to find the tools I needed. Scrolling on Google my eyes landed on the “Ace Hardware” in Old City, and I recalled the one in my hometown giving a sense of familiarity. The moment I stepped on the grass lawn I was in awe of the structures. It was overwhelming to think about how much history has passed through the entire area: from our founding fathers signing the declaration to Philadelphia being the capital of the United States, so much pride is found in these buildings. Looking for the hardware store, I couldn’t help getting distracted by the beauty of Old City. When I approached the store and inquired about screws that might fit, I had no luck in finding what I needed. On the contrary, I found something greater. I may not have found the screws I needed (which I eventually ordered online), visiting Old City gave me a new appreciation for Philly and what the city truly represents.
As cheesy as it may sound, Philadelphia really is the city of brotherly love. On Experience Temple Day, it was the one thing that separated it from other schools. When I moved into the dorms in the fall of last year, I had no room for the university in my heart. There was no world where I envisioned myself loving the city as much as I do. I only thought of my time at Temple as a stepping stone in my career, but music through the marching band has helped me find a love for Philadelphia. Of course, getting my saxophone stolen as well. So far, my second year has been twice as much fun as the first. I say to my friends, I “bleed cherry and white” because my love for the school is never-ending. I didn’t understand it for a while, but now I know it’s a Philly thing.
Outside South Philly Barbacoa. Image Source: wikimedia.org
Grandma’s Cooking
When reflecting on my childhood, my fondest memories always involve my grandmother and the meals we shared together. I was a very picky eater as a kid, but my grandmother always found a way to get me to eat with her delicious Puerto Rican recipes. She would make all kinds of dishes like yellow rice and beans, fried plantains, empanadas, and tacos. My connection to my Hispanic culture is directly linked to these meals.
Me and my grandmother after making rice, beans, and pork chops together. (2018)
Moving to Philly
After moving to Philadelphia for college, I began to miss the time I spent with my grandmother and her cooking. I lost a sense of my culture in college, and I turned to cooking as a way to fill that missing part of my life. Although I had minimal cooking experience at this point, I saw my apartment’s heavily used electric stove as a way to make all the Hispanic foods I loved as a kid. The first week after moving in, I immediately went to the “GOYA” section at the local grocery store and found all the ingredients I remembered seeing my grandmother use so many times before. I frequently called my grandmother and asked her for all kinds of Hispanic recipes, old and new, that I could try and make for myself. Through cooking, I felt more at home and connected to my heritage. Despite this happy feeling, something big was still missing. I wanted to find a physical space that could give me a greater sense of community and familiarity.
Puerto Rican Empanadas. Image Source: flickr.com
Discovering South Philly Barbacoa
One day, a friend and I decided to make dinner together and after a long debate between Italian or Spanish food, we settled on tacos, rice, and beans. As we ate, my friend told me about an amazing experience he had at a Mexican restaurant in Philadelphia called South Philly Barbacoa. He described every mouth-watering detail about the food he tried, specifically the lamb tacos. The way he talked about the tacos at the restaurant made our dinner seem like flavorless mush. He then started talking about the restaurant’s owner, Christina Martinez, and her journey from illegally immigrating from Mexico to finding great success in her restaurant in Philadelphia. My interest was greatly piqued by this Mexican restaurant. Could this be the culturally rich physical space I was looking for? From that moment, I knew I had to pay a visit to South Philly Barbacoa.
Inside South Philly Barbacoa Kitchen. Image Source: flickr.com
Visiting South Philly Barbacoa
I decided to go to South Philly Barbacoa early one Sunday morning. Before I went inside, the outdoor decor caught my eye. There were many beautiful murals and mosaic art pieces along the walls that were reminiscent of the art at the “Philadelphia Magic Gardens.” Similar patterns also filled the interior along with decorative pots and pans, painted dishes, tapestries, and photographs of the owner, Christina Martinez, and her family. I could hear jubilant mariachi and reggaeton music playing from the speakers. Everyone in the kitchen was speaking Spanish and hard at work, but the employees still found time to sing along with the music and laugh with each other. There were many customers all standing around waiting for their meal or talking among themselves. Many of the customers were Hispanic and a few even looked like my own family members. One man in particular wearing a cowboy hat looked exactly like one of my uncles.
Mural Outside South Philly Barbacoa. Image Source: flickr.com
Before I ordered my meal, an employee told me they were already sold out of everything except lamb. I decided to order two lamb tacos, unintentionally copying my friend’s order. The total was about $12, cash only. My meal was ready only a few minutes later. A very friendly, and sweaty, man came from the kitchen and presented me with two very delectable looking lamb tacos. I went to the dining room to find a seat and I was delightfully overwhelmed by how comfortable and familiar the restaurant felt. Everything from the bright red plastic stools and the table cloths with floral and fruit patterns felt like they were taken straight from my grandmother’s back yard. While I was at South Philly Barbacoa, I felt like I was a guest at Martinez’s house and I was joining her family for dinner. Every bite I took of the lamb tacos took me back to my childhood. They were delicious. For a moment, I was no longer in a restaurant in Philadelphia. I was back home with my grandmother.
My appachin (grandfather) in the garden, early 1980s. This is one of the only photos of my ammachi’s gardenin its former glory.
My ammachi’s house looks almost exactly like any of the other houses that line her quiet street in the suburbs of Northeast Philly. At least from the front. Around the back of the house, my ammachi (the Malayalam word for grandmother) has constructed a massive garden full of Indian spices and vegetables. This garden spans about thirty-five feet long and maybe twenty feet wide. Thin, six-foot wooden poles hold up vines, and in the soil are plants smuggled into the country: Indian chiles, long beans, bitter gourd, pumpkin. Little barriers separate each plant made from small slabs of rock, metal scrap, wire, or plastic.Spending time with my ammachi and father has taught me about my family’s heritage, how our experiences in Philly have all differed, and how being Indian-American ties into the history of the city.
When you think of an area with a large South Asian population in America, you might not think of Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs, but the South Asian population here is rich in culture and is only growing. The movement for Indian liberation from British rule also has ties to Philly, specifically the Ghadar Party. The Ghadar Party was a political movement founded by members of the Indian diaspora, and it stood for ending colonial rule and Indian self-governance.
A Ghadar Party march in Stockton, California. The Philadelphia march was not photographed.
In September of 1920, the Ghadar Party marched in Philadelphia for Indian independence. Around ten thousand people were in attendance, and many Irish-American Philadelphians came to march and show support, as Ireland had recently declared independence and was fighting British occupation. The crowd walked three miles from Independence Hall to the Knickerbocker Theater, where they held a rally for Indian self-rule. Many people who visit Philadelphia have no idea of its connection to the struggle for Indian independence, and I am sure that many Indians are unaware that there was such a large march for India in Philly.
Indian immigration was still very limited at this time, and only when the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 was passed could Indian people enter the United States in larger numbers. Indians have come to make up a much larger population in Philadelphia than they once did in the 1970s and ‘80s, and Indian-Americans became the largest immigrant group in the city since 2006. As of 2022, Indian-Americans are still the most populous immigrant group in the area, with more than 90,000 foreign-born residents in the Philadelphia and Wilmington metropolitan areas, compared to fewer than 7,500 in 1980. Before concentrations of South Asians existed, however, my ammachi had to learn to navigate the city almost alone.
My ammachi’s immigration card, issued in 1974.
My ammachi, born Mary Cherian, came from India in 1974 to work as a nurse. She came from a village outside Kochi, the capital city of Kerala, a state in southern India. The rest of her family stayed behind, and had to wait for her to send money back every month, as many immigrants have to do. The hospital that my ammachi was assigned to turned out to be Temple Hospital, where she worked as a neonatal nurse. She and three other nurses from her Indian nursing school shared a cramped two-bedroom apartment nearby, taking turns sleeping on the floor. These women had never even seen snow, let alone ever owned a winter jacket. Unlike many immigrant groups today that already have established communities in cities across the country, there were not many other Indians to teach these women how to adapt; they simply had to figure it out for themselves.
Assorted photos of my ammachi and her housemates. She still keeps in touch with them.
Eventually, as the years went by, my ammachi adjusted to American life, and she also saved up enough money to bring over the rest of her immediate family. Once everyone arrived, they all had to make the exact same adjustments that my ammachi had made. My dad had never even seen a plane before he flew to America! He had a far different experience than his mother did; his early childhood in a rural village and his teen years spent in a major American city. My family rented a new apartment in North Philly for a while, and eventually was able to move to the suburbs of the Northeast, where they were among the first families of color. Money was another main difference between my dad’s family and the other familiesn affluent Northeast Philly, as my grandparents could afford very little. My father was able to move up the socioeconomic ladder, through his scholarship that he received to attend Temple University. When I ask him about how Temple was different in the early 1990s, he talks about it was more accepting than the suburbs were, and that he felt like he could truly be Indian-American.
My father in his Temple fraternity house in the early ’90s.
My ammachi’s house has barely changed in the past twenty years. The garden has become a little rundown, and my father and I have had to make some repairs to it recently. To ensure that my family will continue to have great Indian food, I sat down with my ammachi and learned my favorite recipes of hers. We stood for hours, trimming impurities off big chunks of beef, frying dough to create poori, and stirring Kashmiri chili powder into a simmering sauce. My finished products weren’t quite the same as hers, but I wrote every recipe down so I could perfect them. I hope to one day be the old Indian grandpa whose house my descendants cannot wait to come to, and I hope that they like my cooking as much as I love my ammachi’s.
When one begins their journey to discover Philadelphia, they usually begin by taking public transportation into city hall; the heart of the city. The first sight out of the subway is a very popular historical landmark turned modern named Dilworth Park. However, Dilworth is not just a park; it is a gathering space for tons of seasonal and annual activities that allow Philadelphians to enjoy the view with the company of themselves, family, friends, or other Philadelphians. Dilworth is also the name of the mayor whom Dilworth Park was reconstructed to honor. The location of Dilworth Park has gone through many historical changes to create a comforting location for Philadelphians to enjoy many forms of entertainment, join an activity, or simply walk through and view the beauty of Philadelphia.
Dilworth Park Before Richardson Dilworth
Before Mayor Richardson Dilworth, William Penn had always envisioned a center square in the middle of Philadelphia, outside of where Broad Street was soon named. According to Kiernan Timberlake, “Penn envisioned Centre Square as the site of a meeting house, state house, and school”. In other words, Penn’s goal was a bare center square for public buildings to surround it. This space began its public journey “In 1798, Benjamin H. Latrobe, the nation’s leading architect, designed the Centre Square Water Works to provide a clean water supply to city residents”. This pump also brought water to a recreational garden. This spot was almost a public gathering place until William Penn’s envision of adding more public buildings was met and it was named Penn Square.
It was in the 1970s that the final decision was made to create Mayor Dilworth’s vision and turn this small public space into a larger public entertainment area; named Dilworth Plaza. Supposedly, this plaza was created with Richardson Dilworth in mind as he constantly pushed for public transportation and public spaces where Philadelphians could mingle. Dilworth became mayor from 1956-1962 and stepped down to serve “for six years as president of the newly formed Philadelphia Board of Education”. Dilworth’s plans were always in the best interest of Philadelphians and brought the city together while keeping its colonial originality. Due to his achievements in making Philadelphia’s gray spaces green by revamping Society Hills’ run-down, “seedy boarding houses, rat-infested warehouses”; when architects decided to revamp Penn Square and City Hall to be more community-targeted, they knew it was in the best interest of what Richardson Dilworth would have wanted.
This new park, however, “perhaps really more a plaza — was designed to be a flexible event space, with fountains, a small lawn, restaurant, and moveable tables and chairs set within lush gardens” but failed to reach those expectations. Dilworth Plaza’s original design consisted of a sunken plaza with a spiral staircase that “interrupts the pedestrian axis of Market Street” and “a series of walls, stairs, barriers and overgrown trees limited access and blocked the visibility of City Hall”. The Plaza’s design caused so many maintenance issues and safety hazards that it was once again renovated for the opening of Dilworth Park in 2014.
Community Engagement Through The New Dilworth Park
As of 2014, Dilworth Park has transformed into a beautiful outdoor area with gardens, statues, fountains, and many seasonal/permanent activities for Philadelphians to join. Beginning with food, there are plenty of places to sit and eat throughout the park including tables, chairs, and greenery; specifically the Dilworth Park Cafe, Starbucks Kiosk, and the Air Grille Garden which closes in the winter. Seasonally, according to the Center City Philly Website, “More than 9 million visitors from all neighborhoods in the city and across the region visited Dilworth Park in 2022 coming to enjoy the fountains, the lawn, free concerts by local Philadelphia artists as well as paid ice skating and roller skating”. In terms of entertainment, so much goes on at this park that plans for events and activities are constantly changing by the season.
As community enrichment is extremely important for the city’s enhancement according to Richardson Dilworth, there are plenty more family/community-targeted activities throughout the seasons to be planned. One of the most popular activities currently happening is brand new Pickleball courts for people to get active along with “Center City Fit.” This group hosts workouts with professionals for activities like Zumba, Training, Yoga, Interval Workouts, and many more. There are also plenty of seasonal music events that go on from local artists; an example of a current music event is a “Live @ Brunch” that allows Philadelphians to take a break from their lives and watch a free music show outside of the TD Bank Terrace. During the day on weekends, small businesses in Philadelphia get together for the “Market Place” for Philadelphians to come and shop local brands. Besides these annual activities, there are so many special events set up for the seasons like themed markets, events, activities, and food stops based on the time of year. These events are constantly changing with the seasons and are all community-inclusive. As there are so many plans and events at Dilworth Park, one thing is certain, there is always something to visit and participate in while strolling through the park. You can read about all of the specifics for upcoming seasonal events and dates/times on the Center City Philadelphia website.
Not only is Dilworth Park a special place for all Philadelphians traveling through Center City, including myself; but it is also historical to the city of Philadelphia and its community. When I first moved to Philadelphia my first travels to Center City were interrupted when I entered Dilworth Park; immediately I fell in love with the atmosphere around me and the activities to join. Nowadays, every time I come out of the Broad Street Station I connect Dilworth Park with a feeling of home as it was the first place that connected me with Philadelphia and the love this city has to share. No matter the season one visits, there is always at least one activity or piece of entertainment set up to engage Philadelphians with Dilworth Park. The feeling at this park is unexplainably comforting, you will have to go for yourself to understand why.
