Painted Bride

CHECK THE VIBE
Everything's in place.

The coffee is brewing.
The books are waiting.
The music is ready.

Beginning Wednesday, August 19, The Vibrary opens its doors for a weekly afternoon of books, conversation, coffee and tea, and an eclectic soundtrack designed to set the vibe just right.

No agenda.
No pressure.
Just room to gather.

The Vibrary
Come curious. Stay awhile.

Free and open to the public. Walk-ins are always welcome. RSVPs are encouraged for planning purposes. We'd love to know you're coming. (link in our bio)

Would you like to volunteer to help us during production week? We’re looking for people to help out with Front of House, setup, and breakdown. Each volunteer receives a FREE Theatre in the X shirt!

Fill out the form here: forms.gle/bhBHKF7ZufyZepHq5

Three weeks away from the re-launch of The Vibrary!

THE VIBRARY is a weekly gathering that is part living room, part listening lounge, and always an invitation to discover something unexpected. We'll kick it off August 19th with musical discoveries curated by Rocdaspot.

Every Wednesday | 1pm - 4pm
Beginning August 19, 2026
Painted Bride Project Space
4029 Cambridge Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Register and more info on the vibe: https://paintedbride.org/projects/the-vibrary/

You are invited to an exclusive preview of a new live performance work,Infinite Slow Drive | Obsidians in the Wild, a new live performance by Philly-based embodied multi-genre maker Lela Aisha Jones in development and collaboration with Brownbody and Painted Bride.

*Content may contain mature themes.

Accessibility note: This event will be held on the second floor. One flight of steps is required to access the open rehearsal.

Complimentary RSVP https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/paintedbrideartcenter/infiniteslowdriveobsidiansinthewild-open-rehearsal

In the past three weeks, we’ve lost three cultural pillars.

Gretjen Clausing
https://www.inquirer.com/obituaries/gretjen-clausing-obituary-philadelphia-phillycam-tv-access-20260529.html

Dito van Reigersberg
https://www.pewcenterarts.org/news/memoriam-dito-van-reigersberg-theater-artist-and-pew-fellow

Danny Simmons
https://www.inquirer.com/obituaries/danny-simmons-rush-arts-philadelphia-death-20260615.html

Each shaped the cultural life of Philadelphia and beyond, creating pathways for more of us to tell our own stories, take up space, and be unapologetic in our being.

We are grateful for the many ways their paths intersected with the Bride and for the lasting impact they made through their creativity, leadership, and generosity. Their contributions to Philadelphia’s creative community will continue to be felt for generations.

We extend our deepest condolences to their families, friends, colleagues, and all who carry their memories forward.

Upcoming events From Our Partners!

Community Garden at the Creek
Siempre Salsa Philly
Celebrate Mantua

Candy-painted cars.
Figure skaters.
Sound systems.
Story circles.
Adornment.
Testimony.

BROWNBODY SCREENING + SNEAK PREVIEW
June 9, 2026 at 6:30pm
Painted Bride Project Space

An evening of film, immersive projection, artistic conversation, and early public preview material featuring:

Tracing Sacred Steps by Deneane Richburg

Infinite Slow Drive/Obsidians in the Wild (Trailer) by Lela Aisha

FREE RSVP: https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/paintedbrideartcenter/special-screening-sneak-preview-tracing-sacred-steps-infinite-slow-drive-obsidians-in-the-wild

This Summer. We Skate. We Dance.

Brownbody, the Twin Cities-based all-Black dance company, begins a multi-phase collaboration with Painted Bride Project Space. It kicks off NEXT WEEK with a Screening and Sneak Preview!

Brownbody Screening + Sneak Preview
June 9 | 6:30–9:30 PM
Painted Bride Project Space
4029 Cambridge St., East Parkside

An evening of film, immersive projection, artistic conversation, and early public preview material featuring:

Tracing Sacred Steps by Deneane Richburg
(Brownbody Artistic Executive Director & Choreographer)

Infinite Slow Drive/Obsidians in the Wild (Trailer) by Lela Aisha
(Project Community & Culture Artistic Director and Brownbody Associate Artistic Director)

Learn more and RSVP: https://paintedbride.org/projects/brownbody-at-project-space-beyond/

Due to very recent health developments within The Becoming cast, the presentation of that installation and the performances, scheduled at the Painted Bride Art Center for June 5-7, have been canceled. Creator Shavon Norris, the cast, and the entire creative team of The Becoming are disappointed by the disruption of the process of bringing to public view this searching and intimate look into the lives, occupations, and visioning of young Black girls/women. They, and we at ArtPhilly, want to present it at a time when it can have its truest and most impactful manifestation. Please stay tuned for rescheduling of The Becoming, most likely in Fall 2026, and meanwhile, lend your support to the other amazing projects that make up the ArtPhilly festival.

The Becoming | ArtPhilly Shavon Norris (artist, educator, facilitator) is placing herself in the continuum of Black womanhood. In collaboration with legendary dancer, professor and choreographer Germaine Ingram, she is embracing and investigating the role of elder to five women, ages 11 through 40.