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| |  | Kiss the Sky, a Jimi Hendrix tribute band, played at World Cafe Live in 2017. (Matt Katz / City Cast Philly) |
| | I bid an early adieu to World Stage, formerly World Cafe Live. The West Philly venue will close Oct. 31 after its last two Halloween shows. This marks a significant loss for live-music fans. The venue’s troubles have piled on since new management stepped in last year. So, how did we get here? | | - New Management. In spring 2025, entrepreneur Joseph Callahan took over World Cafe Live from Hal Real, who founded the venue in 2004. Callahan pledged to save the space from $6 million of debt by turning it into a virtual reality hub.
- Workers Walk Out & Defaulted Lease. In June 2025, staff walked out during a Suzanne Vega concert to protest unfair treatment and “light paychecks.” Front-of-house staff unionized with IATSE Local 8 and Unite Here Local 274. The same month the building’s owner, the University of Pennsylvania, sent an eviction notice because the venue owed Penn $1.29 million in back rent and utility payments.
- Liquor License Lapse, Name Change & Bankruptcy. Last November, World Cafe Live became “BYO” after its liquor license expired. In February the city left a “Cease Operations” notice on the door due to unpaid taxes. Come March, the venue changed its name to World Stage and filed for bankruptcy. Then in April, three bartenders were arrested after undercover officers from the state Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement bought unlicensed alcohol from them.
- Unfair Labor Practices. In September, the National Labor Relations Board found firings of some employees were unlawful and ordered workers be reinstated and given back pay.
| | Public radio station WXPN operates out of the World Cafe Live building (though it's a separate business) and says it will continue to host events at the facility after the venue’s closure. Where to see shows now? Well, there’s still Underground Arts in North Philly. | | Host Trenae Nuri reminisces with contributors Nic Esposito and Lauren Vidas about World Cafe Live World Stage, and where they love to see live music now. | | | | | | |
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| What Philly's Talking About |
| Dems’ Voter Advantage in Pennsylvania | Voter registration data suggests Democrats have the edge on Republicans, with 55,400 more voters registered since the start of the year. In that time, the GOP lost 7,400 registered voters in Pennsylvania and voters without party affiliation grew by 58,000. Independents now total 1.5 million and could tip the election in either party’s favor. [Axios] | - Related: A text campaign kicked off this week to boost the profile of independent Dennis Mahoney, who’s running against Democratic nominee and democratic socialist Chris Rabb in the third congressional district. The campaign is backed by the Forward Party, a centrist political party. There are no Republicans running. [NBC10]
| | No More Snapchatting in Class? | State House legislators approved a bill that would prohibit using cell phones during school hours statewide. If passed by the Senate and signed by the governor, it will go into effect next fall. The bill makes exceptions for students whose phones support their health, learning, or other needs. It now goes to the Senate for consideration. [NBC10] | | Postal Clerk Stole $85 Million in Checks | A judge sentenced Saahir Irby to five years in prison for stealing and reselling $84 million in government-issued checks marked “return to sender.” The scheme began in 2023, when Irby worked as a U.S. Postal Service clerk in Philly. Three co-defendants were each sentenced to at least three years in prison. [🔒 The Inquirer] | - Related: In happier news, a local Redditor hailed their Postal Service mail carrier for being so kind and diligent, always ringing their bell twice when they deliver packages, and waiting to make sure the resident retrieved them. I tip my hat to you, mail carriers: Your work is so appreciated! [r/Philadelphia]
| | From Vacant Lots to Native Gardens | Local group We Are the Seeds Philly has been planting native crops in three city-owned lots since April. We Are the Seeds’ leaders hope their project is a model for transforming more of Philly’s 40,000 vacant lots into green spaces. [The Guardian] | | | Penn Cops Tased Package Thief, Allegedly Leading to Death | A new lawsuit alleges the University of Pennsylvania Police Department used unnecessary force on Ronald Harmon in November 2024 when they deployed a taser on him afters two officers saw Harmon swipe a package, even though there was no indication he was armed. Harmon sustained a “blunt impact head injury” that led to his death several months later. [The Daily Pennsylvanian] |
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| |  | Have you seen this set of buildings adorned with colorful lionfish and other art? (Abby Fritz / City Cast Philly) |
| | We're back with another "Where Is It?" challenge, our game where you name the location of street art and landmarks around the city. | | Do you know where this lionfish mural is? | | | | | While you search for this spot, why not also: | | | Congratulations to Carla from Juniata Park for being the first person to correctly guess last week's "Where Is It?" challenge. The “I am the Atlantic” mural is close to Ridge and Fairmount Avenues, behind the Greater Exodus Baptist Church. The mural was completed in 2013 and is one of many sponsored by the Porch Light Program. |
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Last week, a UPenn nursing student was studying at Van Pelt Library when she spilled her coffee. But then, a “random curly haired boy wearing a gymshark hoodie haired” brought her a fresh cup and left. She posted her gratitude on Reddit. Fast forward to Monday when the two reunited — both sat in the library in the SAME SPOTS hoping to run into each other! And they’ve been texting non-stop ever since ❤️ | | Got a Missed Connection? Send it our way! Maybe we can help you and your loose thread reunite 🫶 | | | |
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