Free Library lends out video games, Blah Blah Gallery moves, Philadelphia Latino Art & Film Festival kicks off + more

news

Free Library Now Renting Video Games – Over 100 Titles

…from a Philadelphia Inquirer article by Michelle Myers

the last of us, Do it with two people and, Bluey A large selection of video games has arrived at the Philadelphia library, along with a catalog of more than 100 games for PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and X, and Nintendo Switch.

Children, youth and adults may rent up to three games for three weeks. [Ed. note: If you’re wondering how this works, it appears to be “hardware” and not computer downloads. For example:
A Plague Tale: Innocence
1 player
Featured supported: Optimized for Xbox Series X; smart delivery; 60 frames per second; 4K Ultra HD; HDR10; impulse triggers.
Physical Description: 1 computer optical disc : sound, color ; 4 3/4 in.
Technical Details: System requirements: Xbox One or Xbox Series X console with optical drive.
“Requires download(s) (significant storage, Broadband Internet connection and ISP fees apply)”–Container]

For Library Director and Director Kelly Richards, video games offer “unique opportunities for learning and social activity.”
Interaction by fostering creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. ” According to the Pew Research Center, gaming is especially popular among teens, with 8 in 10 reporting that they have or have access to a gaming console at home.

“Young people who play video games tend to read material related to the games they enjoy,” said Chris Langlais, lead selector for the Library of Philadelphia's video game collection. “By lending video games to people in the community, we hope to inspire them to explore related books and become regular library patrons.”

Gamers and enthusiasts can now pre-order their copies of the game at:
freelibrary.org/videogames, but you'll need a library card to get one. (Applying for a library card is free and can be done online or in person.)

Blah Blah Gallery is moving to South Philadelphia!

From the gallery: Blah Blah Gallery has made a name for itself in Philadelphia with a mission to empower and uplift women and non-binary artists. Since its humble beginnings in a building at 319 N 11th Street, the gallery has showcased diverse and impactful work by local and national artists.

As we embark on the next chapter of our journey, Blah Blah Gallery is excited to announce that we will be moving into our first retail space at 907 Christian Street in South Philadelphia.

Blah Blah will be closed for the rest of this month for renovations and will reopen in a new space this summer, with an official opening date to be announced soon.

Read Pete Sparber's interview with Megan Galardi, founder and director of Blah Blah.

notable events

Philadelphia Latino Art & Film Festival
From May 26th to July 7th, 2024

For its 2024 edition, PHLAFF will expand in scope and scale to celebrate Latino voices, storytelling and culture through six weeks of programming including live music, dance, theater, poetry, spoken word, community and more than 140 films.

The Philadelphia Latino Art & Film Festival (PHLAFF) celebrates its 13th edition over Memorial Day weekend, kicking off an ambitious six-week program from May 26 to July 7. Venues across the city will showcase more than 140 Latinx/non-Latinx films and an impressive lineup of Latinx cultural experiences and activities.

“Twelve years ago, PHLAFF was founded to showcase the extraordinary and innovative work of emerging and established Latinx filmmakers. Now, as the Philadelphia Latinx Arts & Film Festival, 2024 Now more than ever, we are preparing for a new era of celebrating Latinx creatives from around the world, expanding into other areas, extending our schedule, and integrating with other projects. We are committed to nurturing a new generation of talent, building community, increasing access to our programming, and providing a space for creators and audiences to connect,” said Festival Director Marangeli Mejiarabel. Stated.

The festival lineup and full calendar of events can be found here. Programming will take place virtually and in-person at Philadelphia locations, including the University of the Arts. Tickets for the first week of the festival will go on sale on the website on Thursday, May 23rd.

This year marks the inaugural season of PHLAFF as a newly renamed and expanded arts and culture festival, and the beginning of a three-year strategic plan made possible by a grant from Philadelphia's Cultural Treasures project to diversify the genres, disciplines and forms of artwork on display.

In collaboration with PhillyCAM, PHLAFF will welcome the first wave of emerging artists who will develop projects that showcase their creativity and contribute to the advancement of Latino/x/a/o arts and culture in Philadelphia and beyond. The PHLAFF 2024 Los Fellows are Alejandro Ceballos Jimenez, Ileana Pagan Teitelbaum, and Eric Alfredo Martinez.

Additionally, the festival will launch a program for cultural producers to nurture creative talent, promote cultural diversity, and foster meaningful connections between artists and the community. Wilfredo Hernandez and Jennifer Mota are PHLAFF 2024's Resident Cultural Producers.

The festival will partner with ReelTalk to host a 72-hour filmmaking competition. Following PHLAFF's First Friday event at the Barnes Foundation on Friday, May 31, teams of filmmakers who register online or at the event will have three days to conceive, create and complete a short film using a genre and dialogue provided by the Foundation. Finished films will be screened and judged on Friday, June 7.

The LOLA Awards showcase and honor Latin films on a specific genre or topic, focusing on the essence, the essential or essential qualities that define the true intentions of the filmmakers.

The ninth Youth Salon will feature workshops and showcases throughout the festival showcasing the work of emerging Latino/a/non-Latinx filmmakers under the age of 22. Applications for the Youth Salon will be accepted until May 5th.

For more information and future announcements, visit www.phlaff.org, sign up for the festival newsletter, follow @phlatinfilmfest on Instagram and Facebook, and be sure to use the hashtag #PHLAFF2024.

Ecosocial Salon Site Visit and Film Screening Series #7
Waterworks in progress
June 22, 2024, 4-5:30 p.m.
Making World Bookstore & Center
210 South 45th Street | Philadelphia PA 19104
Register (space is limited)

With Sebastien Derenoncourt, Lori Waselchuk, David Scott Kessler, Paper Buck, and Waterway Arts Initiative representatives Kaitlin Pomerantz, Ryan Greenberg, and collaborators.

The event will be held on Saturday, June 22, 2024 from 4:00-5:30 PM at Making Worlds Books, 210 S 45th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Register now! Space is limited.

This salon-style program will invite artists working with water themes to share works in progress for feedback and discussion with audiences in the EcoSocial Salon, Sightseeing, and Screening Series. It is an occasional event series and learning community. Environmentally themed artworks will be presented and toured. Confirmed presenters include Sébastien Derenoncourt, Lori Waselchuck, David Scott Kessler, Waterway Arts Initiative President Caitlin Pomerantz, Ryan Greenberg, and collaborators.