Karly Zimmerman, Staff

As the leaves on 20th and Olney have started to change, the fashion scene of the City of Brotherly Love has begun transitioning along with it.

Fashion mavens across the city are falling in love with Philadelphia’s autumn fashion trends and experimenting with bold colors and accessories, nostalgic pieces and fun footwear. There are so many unique and playful trends emerging on the streets of Philadelphia this fall, so without further ado, let us learn how to “spice up our wardrobes!”

1. Painting the Town RED

While most people imagine neutral and muted tones when thinking about fall, this season’s #1 color is coming in hot, bold and vibrant. With shades of bright red, crimson and scarlet flooding the fashion game, new trends are challenging fashion pioneers to find unique ways to add this fun pop of color to their outfits.

Often seen through accessories including handbags, hair ribbons and the occasional ballet flat, the season’s “it” color meshes well with both neutrals and blue denim. With this in mind, fashion influencers often sport the fiery color through chunky sweaters and different forms of outerwear (leather jackets, scarves etc.) to achieve a more “Parisian” look. Be sure to be on the lookout for the crimson wave coming into the city this autumn!

2. The Rise of the Bow

Girlhood and all things feminine are IN this season! With phenomena like Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie ” and Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour dominating pop culture, fashion has certainly embraced this resurgence of frills and beauty to allow fashion lovers across the country to feel a sense of nostalgia and excitement.

Bows have shown up most commonly in hair ribbons of all shapes, sizes and colors, but have also appeared in accents on sweaters, feminine chokers, designer gowns and so many shoes across several New York and Paris Fashion Week stages. This trend does a wonderful job at allowing fashion lovers to add dimension to their outfit and play around with their look by using this fun-loving accessory.

3. All Things Metallic

Metallic tones of gold and silver have been sweeping the industry for quite a few seasons, and they don’t seem to be going anywhere just yet. While gold often has its shining moment, a specific shade of “flat silver” has been running the scene as of late.

This muted, cool-tone silver has been dominating Philly’s fashion looks through metallic jeans, off-the-shoulder tops and various forms of footwear (commonly worn as ballet flats and/or knee-high boots).

This icy shade held so much influence that world-renowned singer Beyoncé requested fans find some way to highlight the color in their Renaissance Tour outfits in celebration of her birthday over the summer. If it has Queen Bee’s stamp of approval, these shiny tones will be sure to take any neutral outfit featuring black, browns and creams to the next level.

4. Denim on Denim on Denim

Denim, a trend as old as time, is showing up in the fashion scene in more ways than one. While this staple fabric has controlled the industry for some time, denim continues to find unique ways to pop up in fashion lovers’ wardrobes.

This autumn, denim can be seen in all forms of apparel. From wide-leg jeans to form-fitting denim vests, and from denim shoulder bags to eye-catching jean maxi and/or miniskirts, there are so many ways to tie this classic into your look!

But why stop at just one piece? Fashion influencers have begun gracing the streets with denim on denim looks, offering a new and innovative way to add different textures and fits to one’s outfit. Pairing a form-fitting top with some loose-legged jeans or an oversized denim blazer with a playful denim miniskirt are great ways to play around with sizing and add depth to your wardrobe this fall.

5. An Ode to Mary Janes

We are once again taking a trip down memory lane for our fifth and final trend of the fall season. Acting as an elevated continuation of the ballet flat, Mary Janes are a cute and fun-loving way to elevate any outfit.

These quirky shoes are quite versatile and can easily be paired with a pair of baggy jeans, a skirt of any length and/or a dress and cardigan combo.

Much like a few trends mentioned previously, Mary Janes have the tendency to provide fashion mavens with a sense of nostalgia and whimsicality, making them even more enthusiastic about the fashion scene. These unique shoes are a great sustainable and comfortable option for the city girls who just love to stay up to date on the latest trends.

Now, it’s your turn! Take this list and use it as a guide to incorporate these trends into your own autumnal looks that make you feel like your best self! It is now time to get outside, carve a few pumpkins and enjoy all that this fashionable city has to offer.

Sean Bradley, Staff

This year marks the 95^th anniversary of Disney’s Steamboat Willie, which is often touted as the first sound cartoon. However, it also marks the same for an equally important but under discussed cartoon released a month before Steamboat Willie, titled Dinner Time.

Dinner Time was produced in the summer of 1928 in New York City by cartoonists Paul Terry (who later went on to found Terrytoons and produce Mighty Mouse) and John Foster for film producer Amedee J. Van Beuren. Premiering in August 1928, it was released by Pathé as an entry in Terry’s popular Aesop’s Film Fables series and features Terry’s first star character, Farmer Alfalfa, who in this cartoon is a butcher fending off packs of pesky, hungry dogs. The film was publicly released on Oct. 14, 1928, and was also one of the first sound-on-film cartoons, using the RCA Photophone system.

Previously, from 1924 to 1927, cartoonist and film producer Max Fleischer (who later went on to produce Betty Boop and Popeye the Sailor) produced a series of sing-along cartoons using the Phonofilm sound-on-film process titled Song Car-Tunes. Of the 47 Song Car-Tunes produced, about 16 Song Car-Tunes were produced with sound.

While Dinner Time was not the first sound cartoon, it did play a small but pivotal role in the creation of Steamboat Willie. In the fall of 1928, Walt Disney was in New York City, looking for a studio to record a soundtrack for the completed animation of Steamboat Willie. While there, he saw Dinner Time. Let’s say he wasn’t too impressed. As, Disney, who was a fan of Aesop’s Film Fables, called it “one of the rottenest Fables I believe that I ever saw. And I should know, because I have seen almost all of them!” To some degree, Disney was right because at times, the sound is out of sync with the action and there is no attempt at dialogue. After seeing the cartoon, Walt was convinced to produce a better sound cartoon. After two attempts of recording the film’s soundtrack and completing the film, Steamboat Willie first premiered at the Colony Theatre in New York City on Nov. 18, 1928, and forever changed the world of animation by showing how animation and sound could be masterfully synched with one another.

Despite the cartoon’s soundtrack not being great, there are still things to appreciate about Dinner Time. For one thing, the animation (which is mainly handled by Jesse “Vet” Anderson and John Foster), despite being primitive, is still charming to watch and the gags are fast-paced and chaotic. Additionally, the soundtrack’s music, which was scored by Josiah Zuro, features public domain standards, like “How Dry I Am”, as well as 1920s hits, like “I Just Roll Along (Havin’ My Ups and Downs)” by Peter DeRose.

While Steamboat Willie remains an important film, it is important to acknowledge and remember Dinner Time and other the sound films that predate Steamboat Willie and their significance in animation history. 

 Jeriann Tripodi, A&E Editor Emeritus

Joshua Radin is a singer-songwriter from Cleveland, Ohio. The folk artist has a distinctive style of soft and relaxing vocals with authentic and meaningful lyrics. In 2004, he found overnight success when his original song “Winter” debuted during a monumental scene in the NBC television series “Scrubs.” Radin then went on to have a successful career as a songwriter, as his music has appeared in over 200 television shows, films and commercials. Notable television shows that have featured his music are Grey’s Anatomy, One Tree Hill, House, American Idol, and Shameless. First Ladies Michelle Obama and Jill Biden have chosen Radin’s original song, “Brand New Day,” as the soundtrack to a commercial supporting US troops. The singer-songwriter has also performed his music on television. Several talk shows that Radin appeared on are Ellen (where he has been a musical guest numerous times), Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Tonight Show, Conan, and the Today Show. Adding to his long list of accomplishments, Radin has performed to sold out crowds across the world and has shared the stage with many notable artists such as Ed Sheeran, Sara Bareilles, Sheryl Crow and Tori Amos. Radin’s music has over one billion streams and he has sold more than one million albums worldwide. His single “I’d Rather Be With You” has received a gold certification.

Radin has recently released “Though the World Will Tell Me So, part 2.” The first volume, “Though the World Will Tell Me So, part 1,” was released in January 2023. Additionally, the singer and songwriter is currently on his North American fall tour, which kicked off this September. Radin took the time off from his busy schedule to answer a few questions.  

Q (JERIANN): Which song off your “Though the World Will Tell Me So” album collection holds the most personal meaning for you?

A (JOSHUA RADIN): Either “My Father’s Eyes” or “Over the City” but it’s very difficult to choose. All my songs are very personal.

Q (JERIANN): What can the audience expect when they see you live in concert?

A (JOSHUA RADIN): They can expect to know me a lot better when the show is done.

Q (JERIANN): You have been a musical guest on Ellen numerous times; are there any favorite televised performances or moments that you could tell us about?

A (JOSHUA RADIN): The first time playing on Ellen was crazy because during soundcheck she started crying and asked if the song I was playing was something I’d consider playing while she got married to Portia. So that memory definitely sticks out.

Q (JERIANN): Growing up, which artists did you listen to that inspired you musically?

A (JOSHUA RADIN): Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Tom Petty, Joni Mitchell, Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, Elliott Smith, Nick Drake, Randy Newman, Harry Nilsson, to name just a few.

Q (JERIANN): What advice would you give to young aspiring musicians?

A (JOSHUA RADIN): Don’t think about success in terms of money or fame or audience size or any of that. Every time I’ve ever thought about those kinds of things, the songs I write aren’t ones I want to play for the rest of my life.

Joshua Radin recently performed live in concert in Sellersville, PA. The singer-songwriter will appear at other US venues until Oct. 14, 2023. Check out the official Joshua Radin website for merchandise and more information.

 Jeriann Tripodi, A&E Editor Emeritus

Katelyn Tarver is an American singer, songwriter and actress who originated from Glennville, Georgia. As an actress, Tarver is best known for her recurring roles in the television shows “Big Time Rush,” “No Ordinary Family,” “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” and “Ballers.” She has also starred in the films “Dead on Campus” and “Babysitter’s Nightmare.” As a musical artist, Tarver is known for her indie-pop style with distinctively smooth and emotional vocals and meaningful lyrics of self-awareness and reflection. Tarver started her music career in 2003 when she was a contestant on the reality television show “American Juniors” where she made the top 10. She has great experience with live performances, as she has gone on to support many worldwide famous artists such as Michelle Branch, James Bay, Nina Nesbitt, and Johnnyswim. Adding to her long list of accomplishments, Tarver has co-written “Crazy Stupid Love” for Cheryl, which peaked at the top spot on the UK Singles Chart in 2014.

Tarver’s forthcoming sophomore album is set to arrive in early 2024. She has recently released several new songs from this album, such as “Starting to Scare Me,” “Cinematic” and “Parallel Universe.” She is currently on her first headlining North American tour. Musicians Rosie Darling and Jack Gray will support on select dates. Katelyn Tarver took the time off from her busy schedule to answer a few questions. Let’s get to know her a little better. I hope you enjoy our Q&A session:

Q (JERIANN): Could you share any exclusive details about your forthcoming album, including what you are most excited to share with listeners? 

A (KATELYN TARVER): I’m so excited to share this new chapter with people. I feel like it’s my most authentic work yet, and I’m anxious to share it in its entirety!

Q (JERIANN): What can the audience expect when they see you live in concert?

A (KATELYN TARVER): They can expect a mix of some of my older stuff and new, unreleased music, me saying “thank you for coming” too much, and multiple attempts at trying to be funny.

Q (JERIANN): Growing up, which artists did you listen to that inspired you musically?

A (KATELYN TARVER): My mom was always listening to 70’s music and Christian music. My dad would always be playing the guitar and learning some James Taylor or Eric Clapton. I listened to a mix of female country artists and pop artists like Shania Twain and then N’sync, Jessica Simpson and Britney… it was all over the place! I think all of those different genres have influenced me at different times along the way.

Q (JERIANN): What advice would you give to young aspiring musicians?

A (KATELYN TARVER): I would say to not be too worried about your path looking a certain way for it to equal success. Focus on getting to know yourself, making music that you love, and not putting too much pressure on yourself! Get comfortable with being vulnerable and experiencing a lot of highs and lows. Fall in love with the process, not the outcome.Katelyn Tarver appeared live in concert in Philadelphia on Saturday, Sept. 23 at Milkboy. The singer-songwriter will appear at other US venues until Oct. 6, 2023. On the Katelyn Tarver official website, you can find upcoming tour dates, shop for merchandise, and learn more information.

Emily Allgair, Editor

Taylor Swift made headlines yet again this weekend, but in a much different arena: the Arrowhead Stadium, to be exact. 

Up until the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Chicago Bears, swifties were only circulating rumors about Kelce and Swift’s love affair. In July, Travis admitted to his brother, Jason Kelce, on their podcast New Heights that he was disappointed he was not able to give Swift a friendship bracelet with his phone number on it after attending one of her Eras Tour concerts. Rumors started picking up around mid-September, although Travis claimed the interest to be one-sided. This is, of course, until Sunday’s game, where Swift was seen seated next to Donna Kelce, Travis’ mom, in a private box wearing Chiefs’ merch.  

Earlier this month, Jason Kelce was asked whether or not he believed the rumors to be true on the DeCamara & Richie on Audacy’s SportsRadio 94 WIP. Kelce said that while he does not know all of Travis’ business for sure, he believed the rumors to be “100 percent true.”

After being seen leaving the stadium together, a TikTok account claimed that Swift paid for the customers’ meals as a means of clearing out a restaurant for herself, Kelce, his family and his team. Entertainment Tonight, however, reported that it was actually Kelce who bought out the restaurant. The same TikTok account continued their claims by stating that she saw Taylor and Travis making out on the dance floor of a club that was also rented out for the exclusive crowd. 

While we still do not know exactly what is happening between the supposed love-birds, excitement can be seen throughout Taylor Swift TikTok and even the NFL. The NFL’s TikTok page even changed its bio to honor her attendance. In a post-game interview, Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes was asked his thoughts on if Travis and Taylor are an item, to which he responded by saying that if they were together, maybe he would get to meet her.

As of Monday night, the NFL was still playing clips of Swift’s appearance, as well as her songs in between plays. With this being the case, it is likely to assume that the buzz surrounding this couple will not subside in the near future. With swifties and now football fans alike tuning into these headlines, we are all interested in seeing the next steps of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce (hopefully together).

Steven Hoang, Staff

On Saturday Sept. 23, I got to see “A Haunting in Venice.” It is the third Agatha Christie murder mystery adaptation where Kenneth Branagh portrays the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot and serves as the film’s director. The film is loosely based on Christie’s 1969 novel “Hallowe’en Party.” I I have watched the previous two movies Branagh has directed  (“Murder on the Orient Express” and “Death on the Nile”), so I was quite excited with a third movie coming out.  

Though I was excited for this movie since murder mysteries happen to be one of my favorite genres, I was also at the same time quite skeptical because I did not enjoy “Death on the Nile” as much as I thought I would. However, this film definitely did not disappoint.

A strong point of this film was its cinematography. There were a variety of different camera angles such as dutch angles and close shots used to help convey the ethereal and creepy atmosphere of a palazzo in Venice where the movie takes place. Also, I enjoyed the shots outside of the palazzo, as it helped to showcase the beauty of Venice and even got the viewer to see what was going on outside the palazzo while Poirot investigates the crime. The visuals were beautiful and one of the things that kept me engaged as the film progressed.

The story is a “whodunnit” within a haunted house setting. Something to keep in mind is that the movie was spooky, not scary. In my opinion, you will get the shivers. The movie does incorporate horror such as the use of supernatural elements. Additionally, it has some subtle comedy, which helps give the viewer some moments of brevity. The story to me overall did not feel rushed and I appreciated that. I do recommend watching the previous two movies as there are some small references from them, but it is optional as the movie is its own separate story.

The characters to me were all interesting in their own ways. I loved getting to know each of them and their own respective connections to each other and to the overall story itself. Once again, Branagh does a great job of portraying Poirot. With that being said, the rest of the cast did just as great. For instance, Tina Fey’s performance as Ariadne Oliver (Poirot’s friend and crime novelist) surprised me. I thought that I would be distracted because of her past works she has been in like “Mean Girls,” but I enjoyed her interactions with Branagh in the movie.

Out of the three films that Branagh has directed, I can say without a doubt that “A Haunting in Venice” is the best one. I came into the theater excited and left it feeling very satisfied. I recommend this film to any fellow murder mystery fan.