More at The Rotunda

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  2026-01-07📍 University City

  In-person! What's Your Ritual?: Film Screening & Grief Workshop

  What's Your Ritual?: Film Screening & Grief Workshop 7pm-9pm What are your rituals for remembrance? How can we form a better relationship with loss? Let's find out together. Let's come together with our community to share and nurture our relationship with grief and loss. What are your rituals for remembrance? In collaboration with The Thread, an art and grief collective, The Ghouls Next Door are screening their new horror-comedy film, The Soup. After the film, panelists will lead a conversation around grief practices and help participants share their stories. Afterwards, participants will have an opportunity to build their rituals through candle making, a grief phone installation, tarot readings, and other interactive art practices designed to honor memory. Registration is free/pay-if-you-can, and helps us to prepare the space. Please register HERE

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  2026-01-08📍 University City

  In-person! The Little-Screened 1973 Epic! FRANKENSTEIN: THE TRUE STORY (1973, directed by Jack Smight, 182 minutes, U.S./U.K.)

  BRIGHT BULB SCREENINGS, Free Screening Series @ The Rotunda (4014 Walnut, Philly) Follow Bright Bulb Screenings on Facebook, Instagram - - - - The Little-Screened 1973 Epic! FRANKENSTEIN: THE TRUE STORY (1973, directed by Jack Smight, 182 minutes, U.S./U.K.) - - - - One of the most thought-provoking takes on Mary Shelley's timeless novel, 1973's FRANKENSTEIN: THE TRUE STORY was originally conceived as a lavish all-star network TV event, running over two consecutive nights on NBC. Starring Leonard Whiting as Victor Frankenstein (Zeffirelli's “Romeo”) and handsome big-screen lead Michael Sarrazin as The Monster, this telling of the classic tale honors many of the main themes of the novel (it is the first to include Shelley's arctic finale) while incorporating ideas from both the Universal and Hammer Studios versions. But the film's most-distinctive element is its script by the gay literary figure Christopher Isherwood and his partner, artist Don Bachardy. Isherwood is most famous for his 1939 autobiographical novel Goodbye to Berlin, the basis of the musical CABARET. Isherwood & Bachardy's lively and inventive rendition lends to the queerest of readings, with Victor lavishing love and instruction to Sarrazin's beautiful childlike creature, only to turn his back when the Monster's beauty begins to decay. Victor may want to forget the Monster and return to society with his bride but the decaying creature continues to haunt Victor like a guilty conscience. Shot in England, the cast is loaded with celebrated actors, including James Mason as the nefarious Dr. Polidori, The Man From U.N.C.L.E.'s David McCallum is Victor's twisted mentor, Jane Seymour (fresh from the Bond film LIVE AND LET DIE) is the feral Monster's Bride, and Agnes Moorhead, Tom “Dr. Who” Baker and Sirs Ralph Richardson and John Gielgud filling out the impressive cast. FRANKENSTEIN: THE TRUE STORY creates an impressive sense of scale for the modern fable, with Victor's solar-fueled laboratory being particularly impressive (production design by Wilfrid Shingleton, of Polanski's MACBETH). Decades later, it is still among the vivid tellings of Shelley's classic, Bright Bulb is pleased to give this memorable production a rare theatrical screening. “The True Story captures more of her contemplative, lyrical perspective than nearly any other Frankenstein adaptation.” - Josh Bell, Crooked Marquee (The Three Hour Program Will Include a Brief Intermission) Follow Bright Bulb Screenings on Facebook, Instagram

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  2026-01-09📍 University City

  Human Trafficking Awareness Event

  The Ebony Law is very much needed in Pennsylvania! A statewide alert system specifically designed to help find missing Black children and young Black women between the ages of 12 and 25. Black youth account for 38% of missing persons cases; Black children make up close to 33% of missing child cases but receive less media attention. JOIN US for a Human Trafficking Awareness Event on Friday January 9, 2026 at The Rotunda, from 4pm until 7pm. Open Panel Discussion, Film screening, information and resources LEARN MORE from special invited guests State Representatives Carol Kazeem and Gina H. Curry who have proposed House Bill 434 to implement an Ebony Alert System aimed t bridge the severe racial disparities. Hosted by Hip Hop artist, community organizer, and activist Bigge Dre who has started a movement #Eschatology #BringOurGirlsBack To report human trafficking or get help, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. CONTACT: the Black and Missing Foundation by calling 877-97-BAMF (1-877-972-2634) ADMISSION IS FREE!!! For event info, vending, sponsorship. etc., email trueandfaithful1@hotmail.com

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  2026-01-10📍 University City

  CIRCLE D PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS The 1st Annual PROG / FUNK & FUSION DANCE PARTY featuring ODYSSEY LABS with GUESSTIMATE

  CIRCLE D PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS The 1st Annual PROG / FUNK & FUSION DANCE PARTY featuring ODYSSEY LABS with GUESSTIMATE Doors 7:00 PM / Music 8:00 PM General Admission: $15 Advance / $20 Door (plus fees) All ages show - Children under 12 free VIP Seating: $25 (plus fees) LIMITED Early entrance: 6:30 PM, Artist Meet and Greet, Reserved Seats close to the stage, $5 Vending Voucher (food or crafts) Student Discount: $5 off Advance Only – Use code “SD” at checkout (Must present student ID at door) more info and tickets: HERE Circle D Productions is excited to present the first annual Prog / Funk & Fusion Dance Party — a special evening of instrumental funk, jazz/rock blend, art rock, and experimental music at The Rotunda on the UPenn Campus. Headlining the night, Odyssey Lab brings their Philly-based instrumental funk and fusion dance party energy, while Guesstimate delivers experimental progressive rock drawing from the legends of 70s and 80s prog. A special dual billing of two amazing local bands! Odyssey Lab is a Philly-based instrumental funk, fusion, and dance party collective that brings high-energy performances blending jazz fusion grooves with funk-driven rhythms. Their sound creates an irresistible atmosphere that gets audiences moving while showcasing impressive musicianship. Facebook: Official Band Page YouTube Channel: @OdysseyLab Guesstimate is a U.S. experimental progressive rock quartet based out of New Brunswick, New Jersey. Drawing inspiration from artists like Gentle Giant, King Crimson, Frank Zappa, and The Mahavishnu Orchestra, this four-piece brings the musical exploration of 1970s/80s progressive rock and jazz fusion to the modern world while maintaining a genuine and original sonic expression. Bobby Shock (Bass/Synths/Vocals) • Andrew Friedman (Drums) • Taylor Garcia (Trumpet/Keys/Flute) • Chris Ruzicka (Guitar) With three full-length albums and their fourth, Strange Gems, releasing December 5, 2025, Guesstimate continues pushing musical boundaries with complex rhythms and mind-bending sounds. All Links: linktr.ee/guesstimatemusic Spotify: Listen on Spotify Facebook: Facebook Page Instagram: Instagram Page Bandcamp: Hear the Music

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  2026-01-11📍 University City

  In-person! Vibrational Family- Braxton Composition 76 (For Trio)/Tri-Axium Workshop Performance

  Tri-Axium Theory and You- Unlocking the Music of Anthony Braxton 12:00 PM Led by Erica Dicker, This workshop is dedicated to the exploration of the compositional/improvisational systems of Anthony Braxton. Led by tri-centric orchestra concertmaster Erica Dicker, This workshop is dedicated to the exploration of the compositional/improvisational systems of NEA Jazz Master Anthony Braxton. As much as we are trying to faithfully approach the work of the maestro, we will use this music as a springboard to unlocking our own creativity and unique approaches. In the course of these 3 hours- participants will learn how to spontaneously arrange music utilize Braxton’s Language Music, and have the opportunity to ask burning questions about score interpretation. The last half of the workshop will be dedicated to practicing the scores as a collective ensemble. For those up for the adventure, they will then perform the scores in the concert to follow in the evening. This workshop is open to all instrumentalists, composers, and “friendly experiencers.” The ability to play notated music is useful but not necessary for the enjoyment of the workshop. Instrumentalists in the workshop are required to bring their own amplification to play in the concert. There will not be use of the PA. Vocalists should bring their own mic and make arrangements prior to the workshop. Tickets are sliding scale $20-30, $30 Day of Show. Bios Violinist Erica Dicker works in a wide variety of musical settings, bridging the realms of notated and improvised music. Erica lends her creative voice to the Brandon Seabrook String Society, Blood Luxury, and her electro-acoustic trio Vaster Than Empires. Taking Auspices (Tubapede Records), her “knockout solo debut,” [Bandcamp Daily] features her own solo compositions for violin that explore extended techniques and alternate tunings, yielding music both familiar and strange. Erica is a founding member of the horn-trio Kylwyria. With hornist John Gattis and pianist Mabel Kwan, Kylwyria commissions adventurous chamber music for this unique instrumentation, enabling luminaries such as Eric Wubbels and Katherine Young to make invaluable contributions to the repertoire. Erica is, perhaps, best known for her work with composer and multi-instrumentalist Anthony Braxton as a performer and collaborator as well as an educational ambassador for Braxton’s non-profit Tri-Centric Foundation. Erica writes about and curates performances of Braxton’s work, most recently coaching members of Tactus (Manhattan School of Music) in performance practice and lecturing on analytical approaches to Braxton’s music at Columbia University. Additionally, Erica has toured with Braxton internationally, appearing at festivals such as Berlin Jazz Festival, Jazz Middelheim Festival (Belgium), Jantar Festival (Poland), Akbank Festivali (Turkey), Skopje Jazz Festival (Macedonia), the Venice Biennale, and Warsaw Autumn Festival. Praised for her rich sound and stylistic versatility, Erica is an invaluable recording artist and colleague. With pianist Karl Larson, Erica performed Morton Feldman’s epic, 80-minute for John Cage at the Jewish Museum in 2022 and had the honor of performing Braxton’s Composition No. 222 with pianist Cory Smythe at the Library of Congress in March of 2025. Notable releases on which she is featured include David Lang’s opera Anatomy Theater (Cantaloupe Music), Durand Jones and the Indications’ Private Space (Dead Oceans). Recent recordings include Contemporary Chaos Practices (Intakt Records) by Ingrid Laubrock, Concrete & Void (New Focus Recordings) with Wavefield Ensemble, Anna Webber’s Idiom (Pi Recordings), and Modney’s Ascending Primes (Pyroclastic Records). As an orchestral performer, Erica served as associate concertmaster of the Peoria Symphony, held section positions in regional orchestras in the Midwestern United States, Germany, and continues to perform with the Grand Rapids Symphony and the New York City Ballet Orchestra. Erica also enjoys her role as an instructor at Lehigh University and member of the Frequency String Quartet - the faculty chamber ensemble there. A proponent of new music, Erica collaborates with nascent composers of all ages and particularly enjoys her roles as artist in residence at the Walden School Young Musicians Program and Mostly Modern Festival.  She holds degrees from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the University of Minnesota and her doctoral degree from the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. She also attributes a significant part of her early musical education to the Illinois Wesleyan University college radio station 88.1 WESN (Radio to the Far Left) FM, reaching her in her hometown of Normal, Illinois. Vibrational Family- Braxton Composition 76 (For Trio)/Tri-Axium Workshop Performance 6:30 Doors, 7 pm performance Gabriel Meyer/Andrew Gioantti/Jonah Gelbart embark on a performance of Braxton's Composition 76. Performance by the Tri-axium theory workshop to follow. Composition 76 by Anthony Braxton performed by Gabriel Meyer- Trombone, Alto Saxophone Andrew Gioanetti- Flute, Bb Clarinet, Alto and Soprano Sax Jonah Gelbart- Trumpet, Fluegal Horn, Shofar Tri-Axium Workshop conducted by Erica Dicker with Special Guests TBA plus the ensemble! Free with donation suggested.

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