Walk through Philadelphia and you won’t miss Isaiah Zagar’s prodigious mosaics. They’re all over the city, with many on South Street (if you don’t know what I’m talking about, check this out: http://www.philadelphiasmagicgardens.org/). Look closely at one of Zagar’s pieces and see a rusted bicycle wheel, a shard of mirror, a blown glass bottle. Take a step back, and see the whole picture: an almost overwhelming gathering of color and texture.

Turn on MiND TV, and find stories as different as Zagar’s materials. MiND members represent myriad perspectives and subjects. MiND members tell stories about history, the economy, the culinary world, human rights issues, hip hop dancing, filmmaking, karate, politics, etc.. Take a step back, and start to see an image of our community: what is important to us, what we like to watch, and what excites us. 

Check out some of the diverse member programs on MiND now!

The Jazzy Vegetarian: Festive Zucchini Lasagna

MiND Member: Virtual Media Productions

There are two kinds of vegetarians: those with jazz and those without it—those who embrace the wonderful flavors of meatless ingredients and those who accept blandness. Join Laura Theodore, the Jazzy Vegetarian, as she prepares her delicious and nutritious ‘Festive Zucchini Lasagna.’ Her recipe features fresh basil from her garden, mock meat, and tofu. As a vegetarian, I wanted to dig in, but both vores (herbi- and omni-) could enjoy. Golden Empire, a Chinese restaurant off South Street, called claims to serve two types of food: “vegetarian” and “regular.” This lasagna reminds us that vegetarian food is regular food, and it can exceed greater-than-regular levels of deliciousness. 

Defense of Marriage – By Any Means Necessary?

MiND Member: First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia

In this personal video-letter, Reverend Nate Walker responds to Michael Geer, John Guest, and Alberta Wilson, who all created videos supporting an amendment to the PA constitution to deny marriage equality. This piece relates Christian scripture that says that homosexuals should be “condemned to death” to the motivations of the man who recently open fired during a children’s show held at a Unitarian Universalist church in Knoxville, TN. With respect and eloquence, the Reverend unpacks the term “defense.” “When I hear the word defense,” Reverend Walker says, “I perceive it as if you are defending something and will do so by any means necessary. How would you respond to your constituents about the hate crime that occurred in Knoxville, TN? Would you teach them that such a violence is justified by God?”

Philadelphia’s Illadelph Legends Festival Part II

MiND Member: Rennie Harris Puremovement

Celebrate Philadelphia’s past and present of Hip Hop dancing in this visually-impressive piece. Each year Guggenheim Fellowship recipient Rennie Harris holds the Illadelph Legends Festival at the University of the Arts. The festival remains the longest continually run Hip Hop dance festival dedicated to the preservation and evolution of Hip Hop dance and features the most electrifying innovators and pioneers of the Hip Hop dance movement. Hear from local and international dancers and watch them perform.

What Kind of Person was Bernie Madoff?

MiND Member: The American College

Next to Voldemort, Dick Cheney, and Joseph Stalin, the worst person to switch brains with à la Freaky Friday might be Bernie Madoff.  Luckily, to get the inside scoop on the psychology of this record-setting embezzler, all you have to do is tune into MiND TV. In this piece, author Erin Arvedlund discusses her book, Too Good to Be True, which examines the life of Bernie Madoff, revealing the pathological liar behind the upright public façade. Who was kept in the dark, and who was responsible?

Tony Lankford’s DOWNTOWN The Actor’s Lounge: Rel Dowdell

MiND Member: Anthony Lankford

Take a seat next to up-and-coming director Rel Dowdell as he discusses his current film project, Changing the Game, a feature film about a talented boy who must escape the physically difficult world of North Philadelphia to confront the mentally challenging world of Wall Street and business. Dowdell has been compared to filmmakers Spike Lee and John Singleton. He stresses the study of film as an art and a science.

Be sure to tune in!

Hannah Levy

MiND TV Intern