A dynamic and creative spirit runs through the stories in this issue, which span art, music, hospitality, and entertainment.
It’s at the center of The Ministry of Awe, an ambitious art experience built around the concept of a functioning bank. Among the more than 100 artists involved is Dennis Haugh, owner of an eponymous decorative and fine art studio in Northern Liberties. Taken as a whole, the Ministry of Awe prompts questions about currency, value, and how we choose to “spend” our time.
We also feature a photo spread by Yami Martinez capturing one night in April during Philly Jazz Month, when the drummer Nazir Ebo and his live group dazzled the crowd at the Black Squirrel Club in Fishtown. The venue hosts weekly jazz jam sessions every Monday, but events like Philly Jazz Month bring a renewed energy to spaces across the city, encouraging folks to step outside their routines and discover something new.
We highlight Barcade, the retro-inspired venue where vintage arcade games meet elevated pub fare and craft drinks. In an age of passive socializing, places like Barcade offer something refreshingly interactive — giving people activities to do together while they connect.
Finally, we spend a day off with Max Glenn, the beverage manager of Picnic and a true connoisseur of wine. Together, he and his wife, Carolyn Mau Glenn — who directs the wine program at Kalaya — have become veritable Philadelphia beverage royalty. He shares how he likes to spend his days off, his favorite spots for dining and drinking in Fishtown and beyond, and his advice on wine for beginners.
I hope these stories encourage you to approach life a little differently — and to see the world from a more novel, curious, and enterprising angle, as they did for me.
Enjoy!
