Return to Sender: In Which the Scarecrow Isn't Actually a Scarecrow

Dear Philadelphia Arts Scene:

Scarecrow, I think (when I eventually leave Philadelphia) I'll miss you most of all.

Tonight, I'll see my third play of the week. Tomorrow, I'm seeing a dance performance. Within the next month, I'll be attending at least two concerts, ten plays, and a handful of gallery openings. I'm a member of an acting troupe, and quite by accident—I didn't even audition! When I go out, I run into people who are involved in the Philly arts community: I make new friends and we always have loads to talk about. The waiter at dinner last night was an actor whose work I have seen at least once. At the opening night reception for In the Continuum on Wednesday night, I got involved in a conversation with two local actors whose work I like and admire very much, and we got to gossip about who we knew and what we'd seen.

The people in the Philly arts community—actors, musicians, and artists alike—tend to be, on the whole, likable, friendly, and open. They're more than happy to sit down with you and talk. About their art, or about anything else. I've been fortunate enough to interview some of these people for Phillyist, and even more fortunate to have created lasting friendships with others. They're all-around good people.

All-around good, and talented people. Some might argue that I'm not a good critic because, well, it's a rare day that I give a negative review. But honestly, it's not that I like everything (there are some negative reviews in the Phillyist archives, I promise), it's that local artists do genuinely good work around here. You can't throw a stage weight in this city without hitting some sort of promotional material for a local performance or installation: posters or fliers or bus stop ads. I read press releases for local events like they're pornography (fervently and with great excitement). There's always something going on around here. It's fantastic. I'm happy to be a part of it, if mostly by extension.

So someday, when professional or academic or personal life takes me away from Philadelphia, Philly Arts Scene? I'll be singing your praises in whatever city I end up. Because I can't imagine anyone will compare.

Here's looking at you, kid.

Image via Mego Museum.