Can A Neon Mural Help Clean Up A High-Crime Alley? South Philly’s Finding Out

The Electric Street [is] an illuminated neon mural … down the block from the iconic cheesesteak spots Pat’s and Geno’s, in an alleyway hidden by the unusual curve of the block. … Sam Albright, who owns one of the houses covered by the mural … said he’s already noticing more people on the block – to take pictures, not to buy drugs.”

It’s Time To Start Performing Operas With Cuts Again, Say David Gockley And Esa-Pekka Salonen (Among Others)

Performing operas with cuts was common practice until the mid-20th century, as performing Shakespeare, for instance, is today. So, the argument goes, returning to the practice now is hardly as heretical as it might seem. “I don’t think we can any longer fail to hear what our audience is saying about length,” says Gockley.