Category: Features

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Phila. Sculptors “Catagenesis” Brings Renewal to the Globe Dye Works and Frankford!

Step inside and you feel it! The present takes you back to the past yet reminds us we must go forward. Frankford was home to many mills and manufactoring companies and one of the most noteworthy is the Globe Dye Works. Founded in 1865 as a dye factory for the area textile mills who produced cloth and yarn, the Greenwood family operated the Globe Dye Works until 2005. The Globe Development Group acquired this building in 2007 and has been hard at work reinventing this facility as a workplace and showplace for creative professionals in the city. Be sure to explore their website to learn much more – globedyeworks.com.

The latest happening has been the opening of “Catagenesis”, sponsored by the Philadelphia Sculptors. “Catagenesis” means that a concept is broken down so that it has a new beginning and progresses until it’s renewed. This idea was at the core of this project as the artists “repurposed, and ultimately transformed a former industrial structure into a place of growth and creativity” (from the Philadelphia Sculptors web site). Artists from Canada, Israel, the United States including the Globe’s resident artists will “repurpose” discarded Globe equipment and other left materials into an exhibition that will run from each weekend, Saturdays and Sundays from Noon until 5 P.M., September 9 through October 21.

We attended the opening (which featured a Wine and Cheese party) and walked throughout the ground floor and first floor through exhibitions and demonstrations marveling at the attendance and the sculptures. These sculptures are something you must experience – lights, movement, motion and “live” sculpture. Be sure to schedule time to visit “Catagenesis at the Globe Dye Works” located at 4500 Worth St. (Kinsey and Worth Sts.)  To give you a taste of what you can experience, watch the short video below.

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War Memorial Oxford and Large Streets

Little noticed on the triangle of land in front of the 7-11 at Large St. and Oxford Avenue sits a memorial dedicated to all who have served in our nations wars.  It came to the the attention of a several people this summer and a clean up was mounted.  State Senator Tartaglione had the flag pole painted.  Volunteers from these groups cleaned up: Northwood Civic Association, Knights of Columbus, John P. McHugh Council 4935, Hispanic American Riders Association, Latin American Post 840 of the American Legion and the Boy Scouts.

On September 11 at 7PM a re dedication of the monument was held amidst traffic and passerby.  Short slideshow below marks the occasion.  If anybody knows the Boy Scout troop number, please email it to me.

 


 

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Historical Society of Frankford Does Frank Furness War Hero

E. Wayne Dovan, Dennis Boylan and Dr. Andy Waskie

I learned more about Frank Furness than I expected at the monthly Historical Society of Frankford meeting on September 11th.  Frankford has one of the surviving structures designed by Furness (the mortuary chapel at Mt. Sinai Cemetery at 1901 Bridge Street) but this program was about his little known history of participation in the Civil war.  He was a Medal of Honor recipient for bravery in battle.

The story was told by three experts: Dr. Andy Waskie (GAR museum and Library on Griscom Street), E. Wayne Dovan, (Chaplin, Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp #1506) and Dennis Boylan, (First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry).  The Society has mounted a special exhibit devoted to Furness which includes photos, prints and drawings of his work.

Coming up on September 23rd at the historical society will be something new.  A virtual tour of the historic homes and sites of Frankford which has been under development for some time.  We have, here in this community, a wealth of material and the society has selected the highlights.  This will be a virtual tour, no walking required.  On September 23rd at 2PM at the society at 1507 Orthodox Street.

 

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Chamber Music in Frankford

Corda Nova

Thanks to the efforts of Ken Houser (director of music at St. Williams Catholic church) and Father Steve Wetzel (pastor of St. Joachim), the Baroque Music trio Corda Nova appeared at St. Joachim Friday night.

Corda Nova is Edmond Chan who plays the Baroque Violin;  Amy Domingues playing the Viola da Gamba;  Anthony Harvey playing the Theorbo/Baroque Lute.  I did not hear the entire concert until I played the recording the next day with earphones.  My hearing is so bad that I miss all the high notes which does detract from the experience.  However, listening to the playback, I was enthralled.

I am linking here to our YouTube page where I have a short recording with some stills.  It is well worth a few minutes to listen to these three people make magic.  You can hear more of Corda Nova on their YouTube page here: www.youtube.com/cordanovabaroque

They are also on Facebook here: www.facebook.com/cordanova

We hope they come back.

 

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Flying Kite Media is coming for a 3 month stay in Frankford

Flying Kite Media held an advisory meeting yesterday morning at the Frankford CDC office on Griscom Street to gather input from neighborhood stakeholders about possible opportunities to report on under-covered stories about Frankford.

According to their website, Flying Kite’s On the Ground program:

aims to dive deep into neighborhood transformation, embedding Flying Kite in a vacant or underutilized storefront or building for 90 days. During that time, Flying Kite engages with local, people, places and companies who are moving the neighborhood and city forward. This happens via weekly coverage, events and social media. After three months, it’s on to the next neighborhood.

The outfit is preparing to take up residence at the former Krass Brothers tuxedo shop at 4674 Frankford Ave next to the Arrott Transportation Center.  It’s the building that currently has a sign for the never opened Jacob’s Ladder Educational Center.

Their plan is to hold regular office hours on our main street.  They want the storefront to also be an asset to the community and a resource center.  They encourage anyone to put up flyers and notices and since the store is huge, are looking to showcase local art while they’re here.  If all goes well, they’ll take up residence at the end of September and begin publishing a story weekly.    They’re encouraging drop in visitors, I would love to see regular Gazette readers to visit them early and give their input on what’s great and under-covered about Frankford.

They’re currently embedded in Mantua at 4017 Lancaster Ave.  You can check out their work in that neighborhood here.