Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
As we get closer and closer to the semester’s end, Swat offers a tremendous number of arts options to be thankful for. Some of this weekend’s highlights include the play “365 Days,” the Fetter Chamber Concert series, and the Rhythm n’ Motion concert. Those of you planning to stick around the city this Thanksgiving should check out the parade along the Parkway next Thursday morning. Otherwise, here are a few weekend options to get you in a thankful mood!
As the Parkway Parade is usually best viewed from the Art Museum, why not check out some of the special exhibits? The Perelman building (a beautiful old bank reopened as the Museum’s latest addition over the summer) includes a Frank O. Gehry exhibit of architectural innovations as well as a sampling of Kansai Yamamoto’s fashion designs from 1971-1973. Yamamoto is considered “a founding father of Japanese contemporary fashion,” and anyone interested in fashion should take a look (Sundays are free!).
You can also get into the all-American spirit of Thanksgiving by visiting the Art Museum’s quilt exhibition. They’re featuring 74 quilts from Gee’s Bend, Alabama, playing upon traditional patterns.
Also on display is a unique retrospective of the mysterious Thomas Chamber’s Marina and Landscape paintings. A British artist, Chambers came to the U.S. in 1832 then disappeared thirty years later. The bulk of his work was only rediscovered in the 1940’s. Don’t forget to see the Thomas Eaken’s “Gross Clinic” while you’re in the museum!
Finally, if you’re in the mood for some Americana-inspired music, the Philadelphia Orchestra’s “Sounds of the New World” concert on Saturday morning in Verizon Hall would be ideal. It will feature music “from Pocahontas to Dvorak.” Whatever you do this holiday, be thankful and have a lot of good food!