Michael Cavacini

An award-winning arts and culture blog.

Archive for the tag “Philadelphia”

13 Jul 2017

What Do We Know? – ADAPT’s Free Our People March

Photo by Harvey Finkle.

Almost every day last year I walked by this photo. It hung in the window of the old location of Liberty Resources on Market Street, here in Philadelphia. Liberty Resources, Inc. is a not-for-profit, consumer-controlled organization that advocates and promotes independent living for all persons with disabilities. As a Center for Independent Living, it advocates with disabled people, individually and collectively to ensure their civil rights and equal access to all aspects of life in the community. This photo always caught my attention when I’d walk by it, probably because of the joy on the man’s face in the wheelchair and his infectious smile. I’d stop and stare at it numerous times when I’d walk by, wondering what the story was behind the photo. Last week I decided to find out.

Posted in News and tagged ADA, ADAPT, Free Our People, Liberty Resources, March, Michael Cavacini, Philadelphia, Rachel Maddow, Washington D.C. | Leave a comment

19 Jun 2017

A Conversation With Anthony Heald

Courtesy of Arden Theatre Company.

Anthony Heald is a wonderful actor who is currently starring in Gypsy at The Arden Theatre through June 25. He was kind enough to take the time to speak with me about his impressive and diverse career, as well as his first foray into Philadelphia theater.

08 Jun 2017

A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: 30th Anniversary Celebration

Last Saturday night, I, along with several hundred Freddy Krueger fans, celebrated the 30th anniversary of A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors at Underground Arts in Philadelphia. A special screening of the film was shown and Heather Lagenkamp, the star of the movie, and Chuck Russell, the director, provided live commentary as everyone watched the third entry in the Elm Street franchise. Read more…

Posted in Movies, Review and tagged A Nightmare on Elm Street, Chuck Russell, Don Dokken, Heather Lagenkamp, Michael Cavacini, Philadelphia, Underground Arts, Wizard World | Leave a comment

04 Jun 2017

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A Bachelor Party For The Ages

When the best man in my wedding, my cousin Chris, asked me what I’d like to do for my bachelor party, I told him I wanted to attend Gene Simmons’ June 2 concert and do a VIP meet and greet with him on June 3 at Wizard World in Philadelphia. It all happened, and it far exceeded my expectations.

Posted in Music and tagged Bachelor Party, Gene Simmons, Philadelphia, The Trocadero Theatre, Wizard World

28 May 2017

Gypsy Dazzles At The Arden

Five-time Barrymore Award winner Mary Martello and two-time Tony award nominee Anthony Heald are currently starring in a fabulous production of Gypsy at The Arden Theatre in Philadelphia. Widely considered one of the greatest American musicals of all time, Gypsy has been dazzling audiences since its inception in 1959. Nearly 60 years later, Gypsy’s narrative and infectious music are as potent as ever.

Posted in Music, Review and tagged Anthony Heald, Gypsy, Mary Martello, Musical, Philadelphia, Review, The Arden Theatre | Leave a comment

09 May 2017

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A Conversation With Gene Simmons

Photo by Michael Cavacini.

In addition to recently interviewing Barry Manilow and John Oates, I interviewed the God of Thunder: Gene Simmons. I’ve been a KISS fan since September 4, 1996, when I saw the band perform under the Brooklyn Bridge on MTV’s Video Music Awards. So, having the opportunity to speak with Gene Simmons was a surreal one, especially when I answered the phone and he said, “Hi, this is Gene Simmons.” I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did conducting it.

27 Apr 2017

Philly Switch 3DS Meetup

Are you a Nintendo fan in the Philadelphia area looking to connect with like-minded people online and in-person? Good news! A friend and I just launched a group to serve this need. It’s called Philly Switch 3DS Meetup. It’s a group for owners of the Nintendo Switch and/or Nintendo 3DS to connect and meetup on a regular basis to play games together. And the awesome logo above was designed by my fiancée, Stephanie.

29 Sep 2016

Meeting Bruce Springsteen

Three weeks ago I attended my first Bruce Springsteen concert. Today I met “The Boss.” Well, to be accurate, I did see Bruce perform with The E Street Band when they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame two years ago. I was there with my cousin, mainly to see KISS and Hall & Oates be inducted, but seeing Bruce rock out, along with several other rock icons, made for an entertaining evening full of music. Nevertheless, the Bruce Springsteen concert I attended three weeks ago was my first time seeing a full-length performance by New Jersey’s favorite son, and it was awesome. It was also the longest U.S. concert he’s ever performed. But enough of that. Let me tell you about Bruce’s event at the Free Library of Philadelphia promoting his new autobiography: Born to Run.

17 Sep 2016

Icons of Wrestling II: Sting, Bret Hart & Shane Douglas

Today I went to Icons of Wrestling II, which took place at the famous ECW Arena in Philadelphia. My main reason for going was to get a photo with WCW and WWE legend Sting, and to meet and finally get a photo with a wrestler I grew up watching in the 1990s: Bret “The Hitman” Heart.

Posted in Pro Wrestling and tagged Bret Hart, ECW, ECW Arena, Icons of Wrestling, Michael Cavacini, Philadelphia, Pro Wrestling, Shane Douglas, Sting, WCW, Wrestling, WWE, WWF | Leave a comment

28 Aug 2016

TRI Screening in Philadelphia

This Wednesday, August 31, TRI, an award-winning indie film, is screening at the Trocadero theatre in Philadelphia. I just finished watching this movie, and I enjoyed it. The film, which recently walked away with the top prize at the Northern Virginia International Film & Music Festival, features local talent Jensen Jacobs and Kelly Spitko in starring roles. However, I’d argue that the two most compelling actors were played by Shawn Pelofsky and Kenneth Simmons. Their supporting roles provided TRI with additional layers of emotional depth that were believable and moving.