Author Archives: bthom318

About bthom318

Temple student working towards a degree in magazine journalism.

New Project Idea

Posted on by
1

So I decided taking an angle based around music and entertainment would be more applicable to my career direction. I’ve also been seeing a growing number of d.i.y. venues popping up around the city. Arts Garage is one of the more officially established places, but most of what goes on there showcases up-and-coming artists. The Jeffrey Palace in Northern Liberties is one of the more underground spots but does equally interesting things. What I most want to encapsulate with this theme is the fact that artists who are just starting out have places to network with other artists new to the scene so that they all can work together to develop an audience. Rather than just one single band or artists trying to get their stuff out there, they can be supportive of each other and play in these sort of “alternative spaces” together and bring people out from all different circles and really get the maximum benefit. Rather than just playing bars or waiting to score bigger venues, this way it’s a totally mutually beneficial social gathering for artists, spectators and event organizers alike. These art spaces deserve attention and need it to continue, so I think it’d be significant to shed light on a few of them and how they’re impacting the music/art scene of Philadelphia.

Ideas for Final Project

Posted on by
Reply

So far I have two ideas in mind. Haven’t decided which one I want to do or if I’d be more into doing something else.

My first idea I had was to make my website be centered around the concept of food assistance programs in Philadelphia. The thought was inspired by this little produce shop on Broad and Fairmount that I’ve been going to for the past few months. Every time I go in there there’s always a sight to be seen, tons of noise and just a general sense of chaos. Almost all of the produce is only a dollar for a bag, and I’ve noticed that the store offers a sort of payment plan. The store owners but customers on a tab and they can pay their bill over time. Most of the customers are regulars and the place is run by this sweet but authoritative eastern European couple. I think their store would make for a great audio slide show. They’ve already told me they’d be interested in being a part of the project. For a video, I’d like to look into a similar kind of place or even maybe Food Not Bombs and go off the concept of public assistance for food in poor areas of Philadelphia.

The other idea I have been mulling over is to make a website themed around social awareness organizations. The Defenestrator, an anarchist zine here in Philadelphia, constantly coordinates tons of events in the city. Some of them are really anarchist-centered but others are more just based on local organizing– creating solidarity for workers and the underclass. http://www.defenestrator.org/

Both of these ideas could potentially create very interesting and colorful story lines, but I’m planning on spending this weekend reaching out to different people within both of these spheres to see which would make for the better one to go with.

(Sorry for the lateness on this, just read the e-mail fully a few hours ago)

~Brittany