On Friday night, we gathered in a Romanesque chapel nestled in Philly's Italian Market. Formerly an Episcopal church, this building has long housed the Fleisher Art Memorial. It's a glowing space with a golden story: In 1922, Samuel S. Fleisher, Vice
President of Fleisher Yarn Company, acquired this space and converted it into a
haven for reflection and creative expression for his factory employees
and neighborhood students. He said this...
“Thousands of young people toil during the day whose lives are unavoidably cast upon a background of routine and sameness—the world’s work must be done—to them should be offered pastures where beauty and inspiration may be gathered, places where rich and poor alike may give expression to their finer emotions—playgrounds for the soul.” -- Samuel S. Fleisher
Today, the folks at Fleisher honor their founder's vision with art workshops, gallery space, and the occasional concert. And no space in the city could be more hospitable to lyric-driven folk music. Stephen Dahmer and Ernie Migali took the stage before and after me with their own songs. Their voices filled each of the chapel's dark corners and holy coves--Stephen's delicate and nuanced, Ernie's red wine-robust. I left the night feeling rested and ready to do the work before me in our city, and further knit into the fabric of this place, our home.
Please enjoy the video footage of Friday's show...