Hornton had put music aside in the 2010s until a video of a fan dancing to her song \u201cLet It Fall\u201d went viral on Facebook, reviving a career that has gained momentum since, including her 2023 duet with the Eagles\u2019 Jordan Mailata on \u201cMerry Christmas, Baby.\u201d <\/a><\/p>\n Now, she is a natural fit for the ongoing \u201cPhilly Anthems\u201d project, an initiative of WXPN-FM (88.5) with support from the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage. Her song \u201cLiberty\u201d is the fourth to be heard from the project, which also includes \u201cBetter Times\u201d by Eric Bazilian, \u201cAmerica the Beautiful\u201d by the War on Drugs\u2019 multi-instrumentalist Eliza Hardy Jones<\/a>, and \u201cFreedom\u201d by XPN 24 Hour Song Challenge winners the Flying Vees. <\/a><\/p>\n The \u201cPhilly Anthems\u201d concept is to give Philadelphia artists \u201cthe opportunity to reflect on themes in the Declaration of Independence that resonate today through original music,\u201d according to XPN station manager Roger LaMay.<\/p>\n Hornton does just that in a pulsating dance track that\u2019s a collaboration with esteemed old-school hip-hop producer Marley Marl and 88 Fingerz. \u201cNeed some answers for the madness\u201d she sings over a house music groove that aims to find catharsis on the dance floor, \u201cSeeing hope through the sadness.\u201d<\/p>\n In a statement, Hornton describes \u201cLiberty\u201d as \u201ca song that offers an honest perspective on what the world needs right now. The song carries a sense of joy. Embrace the message and find light in the darkness. Celebrate unity, love and the belief that one day we will truly have liberty and justice for all.\u201d<\/p>\n The coming weeks will bring new \u201cPhilly Anthems\u201d by Christian McBride and Devon<\/a> Gilfillian, plus up-and-coming acts Grace Gardner, Black Buttafly, the Bul Bey, J.R. Everhart, Sug Daniels, and Moustapha Noumbissi. A 12-song album will be released timed to Record Store Day in April 2027. <\/p>\n \u2014 Dan DeLuca<\/p>\n An arty house in Queen Village<\/p>\n There\u2019s a storied house in Queen Village that holds many names: Lego House, Clock-Tower House, Art Deco House, Mondrian (after Dutch painter Piet Mondrian) House. In a city full of architectural gems, it\u2019s one of my favorites. <\/p>\n The marvelous corner building is dotted with color, featuring a cornice of red, yellow, and blue bricks \u2014 evoking Mondrian\u2019s signature style \u2014 and a clock on the roof. A small statue of a little girl with yellow hair and a blue skirt is hidden among the lush flowers growing in containers in front of the house. The home dates back more than 100 years and once served as a deli before an architect in the 1980s transformed it into this visual landmark. <\/p>\n As striking as the home is on the outside, there\u2019s now a rare chance for curious Philadelphians to get a peek inside, where the artistry continues with boldly colored staircases and decor. The house was sold earlier this summer<\/a> and the doors are now open for an antique sale this weekend where you can explore the legendary home and find possible treasures within.<\/p>\n The antique sale runs through Aug. 16, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. 514 Fitzwater St., Phila.<\/p>\n \u2014 Rosa Cartagena <\/p>\n Jon Batiste\u2019s \u2018Black Mozart\u2019 is a balm for the current times<\/p>\n Alas, we didn\u2019t get Jon Batiste in person this week. The pianist, bandleader, and TV personality no doubt disappointed many when, citing \u201cpersonal circumstances,\u201d he canceled<\/a> Friday night\u2019s scheduled appearance at the Highmark Mann Center.<\/p>\n He \u201ctruly can\u2019t wait to come back and perform for you soon,\u201d Batiste assured fans in a message<\/a> posted on the Highmark Mann website.<\/p>\n But Friday did bring us Jon Batiste all the same, via the release of Black Mozart. The new recording finds the musician at the keyboard alone in a jazzy, gospel-y, contemplative (though still energetic) mood. Using Mozart tunes as the departure point, he develops the material liberally \u2014 harmonically, rhythmically, sliding back and forth across the centuries and genres, and doing so in a natural, fluid way.<\/p>\n With 10 tracks totaling 35 minutes, Black Mozart\u2019s source material is a Mozart piano sonata, a piano concerto, the Symphony No. 40, and other works. Batiste, who has two degrees from the Juilliard School, is at his best when he gets creative with the 18th-century composer. <\/p>\n Gospel Andante uses the slow movement of Mozart\u2019s Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467 as a framework. But it\u2019s when the power of gospel asserts itself \u2014 where the genre line really blurs \u2014 that the music lifts off into another emotional dimension.<\/p>\n There is nothing revolutionary about Black Mozart. Performers and composers have blended classical with jazz and other genres for decades. Batiste himself covered similar ground with his 2024 release, Beethoven Blues. But if Beethoven was a generally dramatic and soulful impetus, the quieter moments of Mozart transformed by Batiste are the appeal here. These are the easygoing pleasures that might be the counterprogramming you need in the current atmosphere.<\/p>\n \u201cBlack Mozart\u201d is available across all music platforms.<\/p>\n \u2014 Peter Dobrin<\/p>\n A road trip featuring Goofy and Max<\/p>\n Odyssey this, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, that. <\/p>\n What about the cinematic brilliance that is Disney\u2019s 1995 classic, A Goofy Movie? <\/p>\n The Philadelphia Film Society and Another Corner \u2014 a South Street novelty shop devoted to books, photography, coffee, and other specialties \u2014 are screening the movie next week for one night only.<\/p>\n It\u2019s part of the Film Society\u2019s series on road trips and Another Corner\u2019s hobby of the month focusing on \u201cmovie loving.\u201d Shop owner Lee Frank will say a few words at the beginning and there will be zines and other film buff collectibles on hand. <\/p>\n The movie, which is 31 years old (sorry millennials, I know that hurts!), focuses on Goofy and his son, Max, reconnecting as they head to a concert. They\u2019re on their way to see the iconic fictional band, Powerline, featuring a \u201cMichael Jackson-styled canine,\u201d as described in the Miami Herald\u2019s original review<\/a>. <\/p>\n The Herald review praised the film, adding that \u201cthis fast-paced movie has enough colorful characters and rollicking gags to keep the tykes from getting bored.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cA Goofy Movie\u201d plays Aug. 20 at the Philadelphia Film Society Center, 1412 Chestnut St. Tickets are $16 and available on the Film Society\u2019s website<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u2014 Emily Bloch<\/p>\n I write about arts, entertainment, and culture in Philly, covering everything from movies, TV, theater, and museums to local artists and fascinating art mysteries. <\/p>\n I cover classical music and the arts with an emphasis on the business of the arts and the life of the city. <\/p>\n![\"Lady](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/KFMGO3HWNNEAJBBPYMP7MDMLMU.jpg\")
Lady Alma’s “Liberty” is part of the “Philly Anthems” project by WXPN-FM (88.5) with Pew Center support.Paige Walter<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/WARN3YLBAFBWBEG4SRJIPFWWXY.jpg\")
A quirky home at 514 Fitzwater St. in Queen Village.Farrah Segal<\/p>\n![\"Jon](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/57P2FFEYPJFFBO2A6LFJFYBVKM.jpg\")
Jon Batiste performing at the Met Philly, Oct. 30, 2025.Elizabeth Robertson \/ Staff Photographer<\/p>\n![\"Rosa](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/https:\/\/author-service-images-prod-us-east-1.publishing.aws.arc.pub\/pmn\/cc103564-f19b-417d-8819-a952.jpeg\")
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