#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Who is watching whom?
(Photo by @wmdkenner)
The Karen people, refugees from Myanmar, what was once known as Burma, have had a harrowing passage to our city. As an ethnic minority in a repressive state, they were forced from their homes and into hiding. “My whole life, I had to be afraid of everything,” said an 87-year-old who now lives in Philly.
A small nonprofit is trying to make their lives easier. Reporter Julia Binswanger shares that moving story. Continue reading …
Gay Lay at a garden in Philadelphia. (Courtesy of Clara Varadi-True)
Ten years after a hitchhiking robot reached the end of its road in Elfreth’s Alley in Old City, a First Friday celebration drew more than 500 people to celebrate its legacy. Why did it resonate? Will it happen again? Continue reading …
Attendees at the Elfreth’s Alley Museum’s “Remembering hitchBOT” event got to make their own robots with various activities. (Nick Kariuki/Billy Penn)
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Planes, parades and, of course, lots of ships: Here’s how the U.S. Navy will celebrate its 250th anniversary in Philly. [WHYY]
• What Philly Mayor Parker’s first housing plan budget could mean for renters and homeowners. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
• Union contracts have expired at eight Center City hotels, with picket lines forming over the weekend outside the Sheraton and the Hampton Inn. [WHYY]
• Almost 50 years after his death, the Paul Robeson House and Museum is scheduled to reopen to the public on Oct. 10 with a grand reopening celebration after eight months of major renovations. [Tribune]
• Despite setbacks, Opera Philadelphia will press on with Wanamaker building performances. [WHYY]
• Iraq’s Yazidis rediscovered lost history through photos found in a museum archive at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. [AP]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker will attend the ceremony to announce the Firefighter of the Year and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Providers of the Year for 2025, at Fireman’s Hall Museum, 147 N. 2nd Street. (11 a.m.)
Mayor Parker will attend the pinning ceremony at Parkway Center City Middle College, 540 N. 13th St. (6 p.m.)
ON THE CALENDAR
🍂 Autumn festival lineup
🎃 Halloween events across Philly, now through October
👻 Dia de los Muertos events
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Tuesday, Oct. 7: Becoming Thurgood: America’s Social Architect
WHYY hosts this screening and panel discussion celebrating the life and legacy of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. RSVP free. (Reception at 5:30 p.m.; program begins at 6:45 p.m.)
Tuesday, Oct. 7: Loud and Proud: A National Coming OUT Day Poetry Slam
The official OURFest poetry slam debuts with an open mic and cultivated showcase featuring original works. LGBTQ+ poets and spoken word artists are invited to share their stories, read their work, or speak from the heart. Hosted at Stir Lounge at 1705 Chancellor St. (7 to 9 p.m.)
Wednesday, Oct. 8: A Marvelous Night of Minerals: An ‘Earthly Matters’ Opening Celebration
Celebrate the opening of Science History Institute’s new permanent exhibit, where elements, crystals, gemstones — and even a meteorite! — tell stories of human curiosity about the natural world around us. Free with registration. (5 to 8 p.m.)
Wednesday, Oct. 8: Black LGBTQ+ Collections Open House
Reception and viewing of a wide selection of Black LGBTQ+ archival material from the archives at William Way LGBT Community Center. Food and drinks included, plus timed tours. Free and open to the public. (6 to 8 p.m.)
Wednesday, Oct. 8: Club for Connection
A reimagined night-life experience with tea, soft-seating, art stations, a lo-fi DJ set, tarot, and conversational games, journaling, oil pastels and more. At the Bok Bar. (6 to 9 p.m.)
Wednesday, Oct. 8: Impact Speaker Series | “Paint Me a Road Out of Here” Film Screening & Discussion
A feature documentary that explores the movement to end mass incarceration of Black women by means of liberating Faith Ringgold’s 1971 painting For the Women’s House from Rikers Island and the art of Mary Enoch Elizabeth Baxter. At the Fitler Club. (6 to 9 p.m.)
Thursday, Oct. 9: Clay and Conversations with Ehren Tool
Talk with Clay as Care artists Ehren Tool about his artistic career, his time at The Clay Studio, his dream of building and deconstructing a clay bunker, and his claim that he “just makes cups”. Sign up online. (1 to 2 p.m.)
Thursday, Oct. 9: Preview screening of Ken Burns’s upcoming documentary series, The American Revolution
As part of the nation’s semiquincentennial commemoration, this event highlights Greater Philadelphia region’s pivotal role in the founding of the U.S.. Screening followed by an exclusive interview by Terry Gross, co-host of WHYY’s “Fresh Air with Terry Gross and Tonya Mosley.” Ticket required. (5:30 p.m. doors open; 7 p.m. start)
Thursday, Oct. 9: 2025 YèShì Chinatown Night Market
The annual open-air, food and entertainment event meant to highlight Chinatown as a commercial hub and community. Free. (6 to 10 p.m.)
Friday, Oct. 10: Scrapple Sculpting Contest
All sculptors, artist and scrapple lovers are welcome to watch the 2nd annual competition at Reading Terminal Market. Emceed by Amy Strauss, local food and drink writer and author of Pennsylvania Scrapple. Two winners: 1 chosen Friday by PMA Director Sasha Suda, and 1 chosen Saturday by popular vote. (12 p.m.)
Friday, Oct. 10: NoLibs Fall Movie Night: “Practical Magic”
Enjoy spooky season with this classic starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. PG-13. At Liberty Lands. BYO chair or blanket. (7 to 9 p.m.)
Friday, Oct. 10: Open Kitchen Sculpture Garden 10th Anniversary Celebration
Celebrate 10 years of art, community, creativity, and gatherings with live music, homemade food, and garden magic. At 2241 N. Philip Street. $20 to $25 at the door. (7 to 11 p.m.)
Friday to Saturday, Oct. 10-11: Oktoberfest at the 23rd Street Armory
Armory Oktoberfest is 3 sessions over 2 days and each session has 3 kinds of Tickets: $25 general admission includes first liter of beer, pay-as-you-go food and drink. $70 VIP tickets for early entry, 2 liters of beer, 1 platter of food and reserved seating with table service. Group tickets are $85 per person in groups of 4. (1 to 5 p.m.)