An exciting moment in performing arts and political history was made this past Saturday as Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter stopped by the Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe booth. Molly Weingart, our community outreach coordinator, was at the scene. Having caught her breath from playing a part in this historically significant encounter, Molly entertained some weighty questions about the event.

Q: Molly, I heard you were manning the Festival Booth this weekend–whereabouts?

A: Sudi [Molly’s intern] and I were holding down the fort this weekend at the Trenton Avenue Arts Festival and Kinetic Sculpture Derby, an awesome event featuring some really cool craft vendors. Our booth was on Trenton Avenue right near Dauphin, somewhere in the middle of the block. We were the only organization with a prize wheel.

Q: And this is where you met the mayor? Was this your first meeting with Mayor Michael Nutter?

A: It was! He was strolling down the street shaking hands on his way to announce the winners of the Kinetic Sculpture Derby. I’ve heard him speak before, but never gotten to meet him, so I hopped out from behind the table to shake his hand and ask him to spin the prize wheel.

Q: Did he have any words of wisdom? How was his spinning technique?

A: No words of wisdom, but he was very friendly and present. Excellent spinning technique. Assertive, but not overly aggressive. While he didn’t win tickets, he did make the right decision by choosing chocolate as his candy prize.

Q: Where will you be next?

A: Look for the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe Community Outreach All-Stars at the Irish American Festival at Penn’s Landing on June 6th before we head to InLiquid’s Art for the Cash Poor at the Crane Arts Building on June 12th and 13th. We try to stock the most delicious candy and prizes to encourage our audiences to continue their invaluable support.

Thanks Molly, see you there!

–Josh McIlvain

Photos by Sudi Green