Philadelphia Death and Arts Festival
From May 29 to June 1, Laurel Hill is proud to host the Philadelphia Death and Arts Festival (PDAF), a collaborative, artist-led experience that reimagines the culture of dying. The festival’s three themes– aging, dying, and grieving– are explored with performances, workshops, panels, and more from some of Philly’s best artists in conversation with some of Philly’s best deathcare professionals (including beyond Philly, too!).
The festival invites attendees into a vision of a culture of dying that is person-centered, community-oriented, and care driven.
Learn more about the artists here!
Events throughout the weekend will take place at both Laurel Hill East (3822 Ridge Avenue) and Laurel Hill West (215 Belmont Ave, Bala Cynwyd).
Tickets to performances are available on a sliding scale, so please select the amount you feel comfortable paying to support the Philadelphia Death & Arts Festival. All ticket prices offer the same access. No one will be turned away for lack of funds–contact phillydeathandarts@gmail.com with any questions. Workshops and panel discussions are free or pay-what-you wish. Please RSVP if you plan to attend a program.
2 PM – DonChristian Jones: The Politics of Mourning IV* (Receiving Vault at Laurel Hill East)
2 PM – Eiko Otake: A Body in Laurel Hill* (Receiving Vault at Laurel Hill East)
3 PM – Shavon Norris: The Croning (solo.duet 48:25) (Conservatory at Laurel Hill West)
4:00 PM – mayfield brooks: Viewing Hours (Nature’s Sanctuary at Laurel Hill West)
4:30 PM – Black Aging Matters: Eldership, Mortality, and the Art of Legacy (Conservatory at Laurel Hill West)
6:30 PM – Imagining the Future of Dying and Deathcare (Conservatory at Laurel Hill West)
7 PM – Closing Ritual (Conservatory at Laurel Hill West)
*This performance by DonChristian Jones is connected to A Body in Laurel Hill by Eiko Otake. Please note that a ticket to either one of these performances includes admission to the other which will take place during the same time period and place. Total run time for both pieces is 90 minutes.