Formerly known as Verizon Hall, the home of the Philadelphia Orchestra is now named in honor of the late singer, Civil Rights icon and Philadelphia legend. Anderson will also be honored with a statue next year outside the Academy of Music.

Civic and arts leaders from across Philly and the U.S. gathered to honor Anderson — including Queen Latifah and Tony and Grammy-winner Audra McDonald, who hosted and performed at a celebratory concert. Continue reading…

EgoPo Classic Theater is staging an ambitious, decades-in-the-making production of “Ramayana” at the Navy Yard from June 12-16. The cross-cultural celebration will feature hundreds of characters – many of them puppets – based on an epic 24,000-verse Hindu poem that dates back to 700 BCE.

Rama, the main character, exemplifies positive virtues of love and loyalty. In some places, Ram-Ram means hello. In Philly, an Indonesian grocery store is named Ramayana.

BP’s Jane M. Von Bergen takes us behind the scenes of this massive outdoor celebration, which, in partnership with two Indonesian groups — Papermoon Puppet Theater of Java and the Kalanari Theatre Movement of Bali – leads to Rama Fest, a street festival of Indonesian food, artisans, and local performers. Continue reading…

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• Fewer mail ballots were rejected for voter errors overall in this year’s Pa. primary election, but state data shows more voters were confused by the pre-filled date/year section. [Spotlight PA/Votebeat]