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Post by Kelly White

ef·flu·vi·um \ n, pl “”via \ often sing in constr or – vi·ums [L effluvium act of flowing out, fr. effluere] 1 : an invisible emanation; esp : an offensive exhalation or smell 2 : a by-product esp. in the form of waste

This free performance commissioned by the American Philosophical Society Museum is a series of historical rants on our fine-and-sometimes-grimy city. Tales of Civic Effluvia, from Nightjar Apothecary, will kick off two minutes before sunset during each scheduled run. The former site of Dock Creek is the twilight-basked setting between Carpenters’ Hall and the First Bank of the United States. Many of us don’t know much about the creek that still flows beneath the land, but it happens to be the oldest exit for Philadelphia’s waste. Does that explain why Old City has its charming smell?

Based on a sculptural installation called Drawing Dock Creek, performance artist Brett Keyser’s act is tribute to the little tidal creek below and whatever flows with it.

Tann, Horns, & Dead Dogs: Tales of Civic Effluvia
Independence National Historic Park, September 5-13
143 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia PA 19106
(215) 597-8787
www.livearts-fringe.org