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Sammy Caiola

@sammycaiola

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Reporter @chalkbeatorg , hiker, dancer, founder of @lovecitycabaret and @gunviolencereporters

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Shootings in Philadelphia have dropped significantly since 2023, and teens across the city are using music to help keep that going. 🎤

In the neighborhoods hit hardest, young artists are rapping about confidence, grief, and their everyday lives. @famfrequencyphilly teaches teens how to build careers in the music industry, and @levelupphilly1 hosts dance battles that have drawn close to 1,000 teens, giving them the belonging some might otherwise look for in gangs.

Check out the full solutions story by @sammycaiola from @chalkbeatorg and @nytimes Headway

Support from @reporter_rahim__ @thejwoodward @hopelab_org @solutionsjournalism
#gunviolenceprevention #philly #solutionsjournalism” taken in Philadelphia Pennsylvania by @sammycaiola

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3 days ago

Check out the impact of this story I did last spring for @chalkbeatorg and the New York Times! It’s been really amazing to get to speak to so many young artists about how they’ve grappled with violence, education, inequity, and other issues in our city. Full story at the link in my bio by @sammycaiola

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9 days ago

UPDATE: We've extended the deadline for our back-to-school rap contest in Philly! You still have a few more days to wow us with your talents.⁠
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Philly students: Submit your entries by Monday, Sept. 14 for your chance to win studio time, an interview segment, and performance opportunities! ⁠
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Know a talented young musician who might be interested? Please share this post to help us spread the word! ⁠
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Find more contest details at the link in our bio. ⁠
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#rapcontest #philly #philadelphia #phillyeducation #phillyschools taken in Philadelphia Pa by @sammycaiola

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a month ago

@nytimes 🤝🏾 @vaux.cougars.football come together for a powerful story about using a violent sport like football to teach emotional regulation and violence prevention.

I tell my athletes that I’m coaching them now when they’re 14-18 for lessons that they’ll need when they’re 20, 30, 40 and beyond. Proud of the young men featured and all the players that have become family over the course of the years.

Thank you to @sammycaiola for the intentionality you poured into this project. You spent the time getting to know us and our stories. You handle each interaction with care and thoughtfulness and this article is the result. The impact is still being written.

Much love to @_jayq__ and @odaapinc for their love, support, and dedication to this shared mission.

The Mission Continues.

Article link in bio

#hsfootball #violenceprevention #emotionalregulation #coaching #winnow taken in Vaux Big Picture High School by @sammycaiola

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a month ago

I spent some of this summer in high school weight rooms, on football fields, and at coaches’ trauma training classes learning about what it takes to care for players who are carrying the grief of gun violence and other trauma onto the field. I also realized how much football means to these kids. For some, it’s a sanctuary and also a ticket to a better future. Coaches are the trusted adults that create that path. But it’s heavy for coaches too, and they need some extra support. Learn more about it at the link in my bio. And if you’re a coach or a player, let me know what you think! by @sammycaiola

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a month ago

UPDATE: We've added prizes for our first-ever back-to-school rap contest for Philly students. 👀⁠
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The deadline is fast approaching, so get those verses to our inbox by Sept. 7. Spread the word about this amazing opportunity by sharing this post with the young musicians you know.⁠
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Additional deets can be found at the link in our bio. taken in Philadelphia Pa by @sammycaiola

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a month ago

Monstersongs is an immersive rock musical merged with a graphic novel. We play monsters, and you do too! Audience members will get the opportunity to interact with characters and set pieces, or simply enjoy. It’s a sweet, spooky, silly and at times cerebral show that is worth putting on your Fringe calendar. We’ve had a blast making it with @forgottenloretheatre , and we hope you will come out and see. by @sammycaiola

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a month ago

As school kicks back up, Chalkbeat Philadelphia’s @SammyCaiola spoke to teens about how they felt pushed out of public spaces over the summer.⁠
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There's been national buzz around police presence at teen gatherings. In Philly, young people are pushing for “third spaces” where they can spend time.⁠
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Read Sammy’s full story to learn more. Link in bio.⁠
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#philly #philadelphia #teentakeover #thirdspaces #education by @sammycaiola

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a month ago

The School District of Philadelphia is making a digital hall pass system available at all schools. A student makes the hall pass request via an online system, and then the system tracks where they are supposed to be and how long they've been out of the classroom.

District officials say this can help prevent fights by making sure two kids in conflict aren't out on hall pass at the same time. What are your thoughts?

Full story link in my bio and here: https://www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia/2026/08/20/virtual-hall-pass-tracks-students/ by @sammycaiola

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2 months ago

Oh you wanted more? Today's featured artist is Sammy Caiola! 🕺🕺🕺
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Sammy is the founder/director of @lovecitycabaret , and a choreographer, dancer, and singer across Philadelphia. Sammy was the genius behind our homoerotic Billy/Bruce burlesque tribute last year, and we can't wait to see what tip tapping nonsense is coming our way this time around.
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Check it out at The Performance Lounge, Sept 14-16, 6-Midnight, at Prism Arts, 1021 N Hamilton St.
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#phillyfringe #PhillyFringe26 #philadelphiafringe #philadelphiafringe2026 #lovecitycabaret by @sammycaiola

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2 months ago

School is almost back in session, and we want to know which of Philadelphia’s young lyricists can lay down some bars about the school system.⁠
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Entries will be judged by Amir ‘The Bul Bey’ Richardson, whose music has been featured on “Abbott Elementary” and WHYY’s Albie’s Elevator. Submissions will be judged on lyrics, musicality, and performance.⁠
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The first place winner will receive three hours of staffed session time at Marsten House Recording studios and a performance slot in their Saturday cypher. One runner-up will receive three hours of staffed session time at Audeoboi Studios.⁠
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Entries can address what students are focused on or excited about at the start of the school year, their overall thoughts on the school system, or anything related to education.⁠
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Read more about the contest (and the story that spurred the idea) at the link in our bio. taken in Philadelphia by @sammycaiola

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2 months ago

PHILLY: we're staging the Buffy musical episode. Come be a part of it!

Once More With Feeling is going up live the weekend of February 14, 2027 in Philly. This is an independent and self-produced production. We will accept donations at the door and donation revenue will be split among cast and crew.

First up, we need a director! We're looking for someone to shape the vision alongside our choreography and music team. Rehearsals run 1-2 weekly from December through the show in February. The director gets a cut of ticket sales. Fill out the form and we'll follow up with short interviews.

Director application (also linked in bio): https://forms.gle/aQDR7tCXDpHy2D6H6

Want to be in the show instead? Auditions are Tuesday, October 20. Location TBD, save the date. We're casting Tara, Willow, Spike, Giles, and ensemble. Submit through the form below and we'll be in touch about audition slots. We'd love to see everyone in person, but depending on how many people submit we may need to invite based on the form.

Audition submission (also linked in bio): https://forms.gle/9h6RVJ1UXYopTWrp9

The producing team is Danielle Levsky (Philly Clown Slam, Studio 45 Live, Moon on Fire) and Sammy Caiola (Love City Cabaret, Improvised Tony Awards). We want performers of color, trans and nonbinary performers, and anyone who's been passed over by traditional community theatre casting.

Questions? DM me! taken in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by @sammycaiola

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2 months ago