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Film production in Philadelphia region poised for big year

Expect to see more of Philly on the silver and small screens.

Things to Do

The film industry in the Philadelphia region is gearing up for a busy year.Why it matters: Expect to see more of Philly on the silver and small screens.

Scoop: Philly suburb Little League coach seeks a comeback after flyover backlash

The scandal divided the Montgomery County community — and now parents are organizing to keep Paul Greenberg out of the dugouts.

News

Two years after being removed for his role in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="viral airplane stunt" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/06/18/little-league-scandal-springfield-airplane-flyover" data-vars-content-id="a58f19e2-84cf-4799-a8bb-e43cacd29667" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Philly suburb Little League coach seeks a comeback after flyover backlash" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/06/18/little-league-scandal-springfield-airplane-flyover" target="_self">viral airplane stunt</a> that targeted another parent, a former Springfield Little League vice president is seeking to return as a coach.Why it matters: The local controversy is a lens into the cutthroat world of youth sports — an industry filled with high-profile cases nationwide of unruly parents <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fighting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/franklin-county/4-maryland-residents-charged-youth-baseball-fight-franklin-county/521-f6950e97-e649-4f52-bc98-5f80865a9eb6" data-vars-content-id="a58f19e2-84cf-4799-a8bb-e43cacd29667" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Philly suburb Little League coach seeks a comeback after flyover backlash" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/franklin-county/4-maryland-residents-charged-youth-baseball-fight-franklin-county/521-f6950e97-e649-4f52-bc98-5f80865a9eb6" target="_blank">fighting</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heckling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.phillyvoice.com/deptford-little-league-umpires-abuse-arguments-new-jersey-youth-sports/" data-vars-content-id="a58f19e2-84cf-4799-a8bb-e43cacd29667" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Philly suburb Little League coach seeks a comeback after flyover backlash" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.phillyvoice.com/deptford-little-league-umpires-abuse-arguments-new-jersey-youth-sports/" target="_blank">heckling</a> and even plotting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="violence." data-vars-click-url="https://nypost.com/2012/10/14/li-youth-baseballs-mad-dad-world-of-feuds-fists-and-psycho-cellphone-threats/" data-vars-content-id="a58f19e2-84cf-4799-a8bb-e43cacd29667" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Philly suburb Little League coach seeks a comeback after flyover backlash" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nypost.com/2012/10/14/li-youth-baseballs-mad-dad-world-of-feuds-fists-and-psycho-cellphone-threats/" target="_blank">violence.</a>

Measles cases on the rise in Pennsylvania

Falling vaccination rates are raising alarms that one of the world's most contagious viruses could make a comeback.

Health

Measles cases are surging in Pennsylvania and on track to eclipse last year&#x27;s total. Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Falling vaccination rates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/01/08/measles-vaccination-rates-in-most-pennsylvania-counties-lag-below-herd-immunity" data-vars-content-id="d3070361-89f8-4f78-a532-bae1975a4dd8" data-vars-headline="Measles cases on the rise in Pennsylvania" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/01/08/measles-vaccination-rates-in-most-pennsylvania-counties-lag-below-herd-immunity" target="_self">Falling vaccination rates</a> are raising alarms that one of the world&#x27;s most contagious viruses could make a comeback and spread rapidly in densely populated cities like Philly.

Renovations coming to Reading Terminal Market

The market is classic Philly and among the top tourist draws in the region.

Culture

Reading Terminal Market&#x27;s getting an upgrade ahead of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="influx of visitors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/01/07/philadelphia-region-tourism-250-america-2026-events" data-vars-content-id="cec86ff1-e405-4ae5-83cf-6a5dbbe2f1a9" data-vars-headline="Renovations coming to Reading Terminal Market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/01/07/philadelphia-region-tourism-250-america-2026-events" target="_self">influx of visitors</a> expected this summer for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="big 2026 events" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/01/07/evemts-2026-america-250-museums-world-cup-sports" data-vars-content-id="cec86ff1-e405-4ae5-83cf-6a5dbbe2f1a9" data-vars-headline="Renovations coming to Reading Terminal Market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/01/07/evemts-2026-america-250-museums-world-cup-sports" target="_self">big 2026 events</a>.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="133-year-old market" data-vars-click-url="https://readingterminalmarket.org/about-the-market/history/" data-vars-content-id="cec86ff1-e405-4ae5-83cf-6a5dbbe2f1a9" data-vars-headline="Renovations coming to Reading Terminal Market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://readingterminalmarket.org/about-the-market/history/" target="_blank">133-year-old market</a> is classic Philly and among the region&#x27;s top tourist destinations, drawing more than 5,000,000 people a year.

Spotify Wrapped reveals Philadelphia's vibe in '25

And Drake dethroned Pennsylvania pop star Taylor Swift as Philly's top artist of the year.

This was the year of Kendrick Lamar in Philadelphia. Why it matters: The West Coast rapper dominated the top two spots in Philly&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Spotify Wrapped" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/03/spotify-wrapped-2025-new-features" data-vars-content-id="8560dc13-3f71-4826-a7d0-3ddc99d6d0a9" data-vars-headline="Spotify Wrapped reveals Philadelphia&#x27;s vibe in &#x27;25" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/03/spotify-wrapped-2025-new-features" target="_self">Spotify Wrapped</a> top songs this year.

How Philly's Hip Hop in the Park became a tour de force

This Saturday marks five years for the music festival.

The vibe came before the name. But festival founder <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Christian &quot;TAMEARTZ&quot; Rodriguez" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/08/11/hip-hop-dancers-philadelphia" data-vars-content-id="78549630-ac21-41cc-ba30-715779a4b329" data-vars-headline="How Philly&#x27;s Hip Hop in the Park became a tour de force" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/08/11/hip-hop-dancers-philadelphia" target="_self">Christian &quot;TAMEARTZ&quot; Rodriguez</a> knew he had something that&#x27;d stick once his friend said, &quot;This feels like hip hop in the park.&quot;Why it matters: As Philly struggles to retain <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="marquee hip-hop shows," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/03/19/made-in-america-festival-philly-2025" data-vars-content-id="78549630-ac21-41cc-ba30-715779a4b329" data-vars-headline="How Philly&#x27;s Hip Hop in the Park became a tour de force" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/03/19/made-in-america-festival-philly-2025" target="_self">marquee hip-hop shows,</a> an event that started as a benefit concert for Puerto Rico following the devastating hurricane in 2017 has grown into a local tour de force.

Roots Picnic won't issue refunds after long delays and safety concerns

Many festivalgoers are demanding their money back.

<figure><img alt="A look at the long lines at this year&#x27;s Roots Picnic at the Mann Center." height="450" id="6381cb87-7797-4132-8a54-9719081789f7" src="https://images.axios.com/lvsVMvvGL4-yZCnwcaia6SyZvrA=/filters:no_upscale()/2025/06/02/1748884050548.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>A look at the long lines at this year&#x27;s Roots Picnic at the Mann Center. Video: Sabrina Moreno/Axios</figcaption></figure>The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Roots Picnic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/05/30/road-closures-parking-pride-roots-picnic" data-vars-content-id="77ea3bb7-9067-4ef2-a9a5-dcc8413e004f" data-vars-headline="Roots Picnic won&#x27;t issue refunds after long delays and safety concerns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/05/30/road-closures-parking-pride-roots-picnic" target="_self">Roots Picnic</a> will not be giving out refunds for this year&#x27;s festival after Saturday&#x27;s three-hour delay in opening led to long lines, organizers told Axios on Monday.Why it matters: Hundreds, &quot;if not thousands,&quot; of concertgoers were expected to demand their money back, a Mann Center staffer working the event told Axios last weekend.

Made in America festival promised a comeback, but Philly return is unclear

The festival has gone dark for two consecutive years.

Music

Organizers have promised an &quot;exciting return&quot; of Jay-Z&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Made in America festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/04/03/made-in-america-festival-nixed-again" data-vars-content-id="568868b3-c425-4314-8b69-873d125c9bd3" data-vars-headline="Made in America festival promised a comeback, but Philly return is unclear" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/04/03/made-in-america-festival-nixed-again" target="_self">Made in America festival</a>, but so far it&#x27;s crickets regarding whether it will happen in Philly this year.Why it matters: The concert would draw thousands of people to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway over Labor Day, injecting tourism dollars into the city during an otherwise sleepy holiday weekend.

Philadelphia's Super Bowl anthems, according to Spotify

Streaming data shows fans were blasting these hits Sunday night.

Sports

Sunday night was a movie, and Philly set the soundtrack.State of play: Fans celebrated their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Super Bowl" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/02/10/eagles-super-bowl-win-philly-broad-street-poles" data-vars-content-id="5e6df836-9451-41ff-ae3c-3540a12b6d2b" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia&#x27;s Super Bowl anthems, according to Spotify" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/02/10/eagles-super-bowl-win-philly-broad-street-poles" target="_self">Super Bowl</a> win with anthems like: <ul><li>&quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fly, Eagles Fly" data-vars-click-url="https://open.spotify.com/track/0WhsFIDmoJosHihNyNlf0z" data-vars-content-id="5e6df836-9451-41ff-ae3c-3540a12b6d2b" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia&#x27;s Super Bowl anthems, according to Spotify" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/0WhsFIDmoJosHihNyNlf0z" target="_blank">Fly, Eagles Fly</a>&quot; by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Curtis Jr." data-vars-click-url="https://open.spotify.com/artist/6GsgLzDt6CSmr4IXK6y1Hy" data-vars-content-id="5e6df836-9451-41ff-ae3c-3540a12b6d2b" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia&#x27;s Super Bowl anthems, according to Spotify" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/6GsgLzDt6CSmr4IXK6y1Hy" target="_blank">Curtis Jr.</a>, which jumped +13,950% in hourly streams on Spotify Sunday between 9pm and 12am, compared to the same period the week prior, according to the music service.</li></ul>

This Philly saxophonist dazzled Eagles fans. Now everyone wants to book him

He goes by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Vanya Sax," data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/vanya_sax/" data-vars-content-id="6b6471cc-77e6-407b-ad1c-1537ee6e67a6" data-vars-headline="This Philly saxophonist dazzled Eagles fans. Now everyone wants to book him" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/vanya_sax/" target="_blank">Vanya Sax,</a> but you can call him Philly&#x27;s most in-demand saxophonist.Why it matters: Ivan Glubish, a 35-year-old musician from Ukraine, has been flooded with booking requests since he performed a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="viral rendition" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tj77RQC5N4I" data-vars-content-id="6b6471cc-77e6-407b-ad1c-1537ee6e67a6" data-vars-headline="This Philly saxophonist dazzled Eagles fans. Now everyone wants to book him" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tj77RQC5N4I" target="_blank">viral rendition</a> of the national anthem at Lincoln Financial Field during last week&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Birds-Packers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/01/13/eagles-beat-packers-in-playoffs" data-vars-content-id="6b6471cc-77e6-407b-ad1c-1537ee6e67a6" data-vars-headline="This Philly saxophonist dazzled Eagles fans. Now everyone wants to book him" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/01/13/eagles-beat-packers-in-playoffs" target="_self">Birds-Packers</a> playoff game.

Taylor Swift tops Philadelphia's Spotify Wrapped — again

Philly's most-streamed artist and album go to the pop star from Reading.

All hail … <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Taylor Swift" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/12/01/spotify-wrapped-taylorswift-streaming-kelce" data-vars-content-id="0a3dd1ad-532f-458b-af57-5002c929db13" data-vars-headline="Taylor Swift tops Philadelphia&#x27;s Spotify Wrapped — again" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/12/01/spotify-wrapped-taylorswift-streaming-kelce" target="_self">Taylor Swift</a>! The pop star from Reading held down Philadelphia&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Spotify Wrapped" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/04/2024-spotify-wrapped-songs-albums" data-vars-content-id="0a3dd1ad-532f-458b-af57-5002c929db13" data-vars-headline="Taylor Swift tops Philadelphia&#x27;s Spotify Wrapped — again" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/04/2024-spotify-wrapped-songs-albums" target="_self">Spotify Wrapped</a> top artist for the second year in a row. The big picture: Eight of the top 10 most-streamed albums on Spotify globally in 2024 were made by women — including three by Swift.

Boyz II Men biopic in the making

The Philadelphia-born R&B group is recounting their 30-year journey.

Boyz II Men fans everywhere are simply saying, &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Thank You" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sZprkjfbJU&amp;t=5s" data-vars-content-id="e25fe699-3a58-4170-8a1e-54217e543ee2" data-vars-headline="Boyz II Men biopic in the making" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sZprkjfbJU&amp;t=5s" target="_blank">Thank You</a>.&quot;The big picture: The Grammy-winning R&amp;B group is developing a forthcoming biopic recounting the band&#x27;s 30-year journey, along with partners Compelling Pictures and Primary Wave , <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Variety reports" data-vars-click-url="https://variety.com/2024/film/news/boyz-ii-men-movie-biopic-documentary-1236210138/" data-vars-content-id="e25fe699-3a58-4170-8a1e-54217e543ee2" data-vars-headline="Boyz II Men biopic in the making" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://variety.com/2024/film/news/boyz-ii-men-movie-biopic-documentary-1236210138/" target="_blank">Variety reports</a>.

Jason Kelce teases Stevie Nicks collab in Eagles stars' holiday album

"The crossover we didn't know we needed," he said.

Former Eagles center <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jason Kelce" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/07/24/jason-kelce-house-cereal-beer" data-vars-content-id="cec73a6c-f045-429f-aa00-b38eb880c65e" data-vars-headline="Jason Kelce teases Stevie Nicks collab in Eagles stars&#x27; holiday album" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/07/24/jason-kelce-house-cereal-beer" target="_self">Jason Kelce</a> teased a massive possible cameo on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Philly Specials" data-vars-click-url="https://open.spotify.com/artist/4JPJvxDtfBlQAiNm8dd7vX" data-vars-content-id="cec73a6c-f045-429f-aa00-b38eb880c65e" data-vars-headline="Jason Kelce teases Stevie Nicks collab in Eagles stars&#x27; holiday album" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/4JPJvxDtfBlQAiNm8dd7vX" target="_blank">Philly Specials</a>&#x27; third <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Christmas album" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2022/12/16/philadelphia-eagles-christmas-vinyl-sale" data-vars-content-id="cec73a6c-f045-429f-aa00-b38eb880c65e" data-vars-headline="Jason Kelce teases Stevie Nicks collab in Eagles stars&#x27; holiday album" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2022/12/16/philadelphia-eagles-christmas-vinyl-sale" target="_self">Christmas album</a>: Stevie Nicks.The intrigue: Kelce posted a photo of him and the Fleetwood Mac singer in a recording studio t on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="social media" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/newheightshow/status/1841523880529444928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1841523880529444928%7Ctwgr%5E527130525357d67c6ab0dd2b4be67cb40c7acf66%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.phillyvoice.com%2Fstevie-nicks-eagles-christmas-album-jason-kelce%2F" data-vars-content-id="cec73a6c-f045-429f-aa00-b38eb880c65e" data-vars-headline="Jason Kelce teases Stevie Nicks collab in Eagles stars&#x27; holiday album" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/newheightshow/status/1841523880529444928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1841523880529444928%7Ctwgr%5E527130525357d67c6ab0dd2b4be67cb40c7acf66%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.phillyvoice.com%2Fstevie-nicks-eagles-christmas-album-jason-kelce%2F" target="_blank">social media</a> this week.

Mariah Carey's Christmas tour coming to Philadelphia

The Christmas queen will perform at the Wells Fargo Center on Dec. 3.

All Philadelphians want for Christmas is … <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mariah Carey" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/12/06/mariah-carey-obsessed-christmas-concert" data-vars-content-id="2e6a23f4-944a-4ad8-93be-1d7b2cc27a3c" data-vars-headline="Mariah Carey&#x27;s Christmas tour coming to Philadelphia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/12/06/mariah-carey-obsessed-christmas-concert" target="_self">Mariah Carey</a>.The big picture: Carey just announced a new nationwide tour to celebrate the 30th anniversary of her &quot;Christmas Time&quot; album, including the holiday classic &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="All I Want for Christmas Is You" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/13/christmas-music-mariah-carey-top-songs" data-vars-content-id="2e6a23f4-944a-4ad8-93be-1d7b2cc27a3c" data-vars-headline="Mariah Carey&#x27;s Christmas tour coming to Philadelphia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/13/christmas-music-mariah-carey-top-songs" target="_self">All I Want for Christmas Is You</a>.&quot;

Music

Spotify Wrapped reveals Philadelphia's vibe in '25

Philadelphia music legends Thom Bell and Chubby Checker inducted into the Rock Hall

How Philly's Hip Hop in the Park became a tour de force

Roots Picnic won't issue refunds after long delays and safety concerns

Made in America festival promised a comeback, but Philly return is unclear