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Clark Park

New benches coming to Clark Park (photo)

July 23, 2014

Earlier this week we reported about the plans to install new benches inscribed with Charles Dickens quotes at Clark Park. The work began today and is expected to take two days.

Photo: The old benches are being removed near the Dickens statue at 43rd and Chester.

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Clark Park gets more benches, orange chairs and trash

July 21, 2014

ClarkParkchairIf you’re in Clark Park later this week keep an eye out for new benches inscribed with Charles Dickens quotes set to be installed between Wednesday morning (July 23) and Friday (July 25). A total of six new benches will be placed around the park.

Speaking of seating, new orange chairs are also on the way. The Friends of Clark Park voted during its annual members meeting last week to order 20 new chairs to replace damaged or missing chairs. The chairs cost $50 a piece and many have worn out since the experiment to place the movable chairs and tables in the park began in 2011. Despite initial doubts, the chairs and tables have been a huge success.

Members also voiced concerns about the growing amount of trash in the park, particularly overflowing garbage and recycling bins. Right now a seasonal city employee bags the trash on week days and the University of the Sciences picks up the recycling once a week. Also, event organizers and food trucks sometimes bring bins. Increasingly heavy use of the park in the summer – everything from large events to birthday parties and food trucks –  has resulted in more trash.

This seems like a good time to mention events coming at the park this month:

The Awesome Fest continues this Thursday with Jingle Bell Rocks!, a wacky documentary on underground and alternative Christmas music.
Shakespeare in Clark Park kicks off next Wednesday (July 30) at 7 p.m. in the bowl.

 

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The Pub, the Show, the Army: Shakespeare in Clark Park returns with epic Henry IV performances and pre-show events

July 7, 2014

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Henry IV cast members: Marla Burkholder, Brian Ratcliffe, Brian Anthony Wilson and Jennifer Kidwell. (Photo by Jen Cleary/Shakespeare in Clark Park Facebook page)

The awesome people who bring Shakespeare plays to Clark Park every summer have prepared something of epic proportions this year. Shakespeare in Clark Park (SCP) is teaming up with Team Sunshine Performance Corporation (TSPC) for an unprecedented collaboration featuring a five-night production of Shakespeare’s HENRY IV, intimate pre-show events at the Gojjo and a nightly conversation station in the park.

The play, titled HENRY IV: YOUR PRINCE AND MINE, combines aspects of both Henry IV: Parts 1 and 2, and features a community army of over 100 soldiers, selected during a multi-month open call. The army encompasses a diverse array of folks, ranging in age from 13-59, and representing 36 neighborhoods. The production also stars leading performers of stage and film including Brian Anthony Wilson, Charlie DelMarcelle, and Brian Ratcliffe, and is directed by TSPC’s Co-Founder and Resident Director, Alex Torra.

The shows are scheduled for July 30 – August 3, beginning at 7 p.m. Continue Reading

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Free outdoor movies coming to Clark Park; Thursday market update (updated)

June 26, 2014

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Photo courtesy Awesome Fest.

This summer, Clark Park is hosting some great arts events. The annual Shakespeare in Clark Park is returning on July 30 with epic performances of Henry IV (more info coming soon), and starting this Thursday, the park will welcome The Awesome Fest, also an annual event happening at various Philadelphia venues. The Awesome Fest was launched in 2010 and since then showcased over 200 Philadelphia premieres from the world’s most prestigious film festivals.

The fest opens tonight at 9 p.m. at Clark Park (43rd and Baltimore) with another Philadelphia premiere – Riot on the Dance Floor. Update: The remaining Awesome Fest movie screenings at Clark Park are: The Wizard Of Oz synced with Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of the Moon (July 10), Death Metal Angola (July 17), Jingle Bell Rocks! (July 24), Phantom of The Paradise (Aug 7), and Skanks (Aug 14), all starting at 9 p.m.. Films are presented on a state-of-the-art, 30-foot outdoor screen, and are free to the public. For more Awesome Fest events, click here. The fest closes on August 17.

Clark Park Summer Film Series also kicks off this week, with the first film showing on Friday, June 27, at 8 p.m. in the Bowl (45th and Regent). Gasland Part II will be shown. This showing is also free. Don’t forget to bring your popcorn, blankets and chairs.

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Clark Park Farmers’ Market.

Here’s also a quick update on the Clark Park Thursday market events and vendors:

Unfortunately, Tune Up Philly (Facebook page) have cancelled the rest of their dates at Clark Park Thursday, according to Food Trust Market Director Lisa Kelly. West Philly Local reported last week on The Food Trust’s plans to bring Paul Smith of Tune Up Philly and the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra to the market every Thursday throughout June and July for interactive demonstrations on how to make musical instruments out of vegetables. There are no more details available at this time.

There is some good news about today’s market though. To coincide with the kickoff of The Awesome Fest at Clark Park, there will be a free canning demonstration from 4 – 6 p.m., led by local food writer Emily Teel. She will be sharing her knowledge on how to can produce from your favorite farmers’ market. Also, lots of information on home canning as well as recipes and other canning goodies will be offered at this event.

In addition, The Food Trust is bringing several new food trucks to the park today – Poi DogCurbside CreameryMom-Mom’s Polish Food CartPie Stand (2014’s Vendy Award winners!), and Flavor Spot (a food truck spinoff of the popular Jamaican restaurant). The trucks will be on site for the market from 3 p.m. on through The Awesome Fest.

Please don’t forget that the usual market vendors will be there from 3 to 7 p.m. Quaff Meadows, Homestead Gardens, and Frecon Farms are bringing their fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, and more to the market.

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What’s for sale at today’s Clark Park Farmers’ Market?

June 21, 2014

Summer is here so we took a stroll at today’s Farmers’ Market at Clark Park and checked what produce is available.

Here are a few things that stood out.

Tomatoes!

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These organic tomatoes (they’ve never been sprayed by any pesticides) are $2.75/pound. Also for sale a few sorts of tomato plants – only $2 per plant. There’s a good selection of greens – lettuce for $2.50 each, fresh basil for $2/bunch and others.

Fresh organic berries are $4.50/pint – blueberries, strawberries and cherries.

Just a reminder that Saturday’s farmers’ market is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

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‘Make Music Philly’ West Philly lineup (Update: Penn Museum concert cancelled)

June 19, 2014

makemusicphillylogoMake Music Philly (MMP), the annual one-day only festival that features free music performances all across the city, will be back on Saturday, June 21. A bunch of music gigs, for kids and adults alike, are scheduled in our area as well, including at Clark Park, Penn Museum, Morris Park and more (see the list of added venues and performances below).

Also, check out the mobile venue Autographs & Aerosols (A&A), a converted U-Haul truck that uses its open-ended door lift as a stage. A&A will host performances in Cedar Park (49th and Baltimore).

Autographs & Aerosols (Mobile Venue, 49th and Baltimore)

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Salamander Sunset (Hip-Hop, Indie-Rock, Jazz)
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – The Philly Gathering All-Star Rap Group (Hip-Hop)

Clark Park Music and Arts Festival (43rd and Chester)

11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – Rock to the Future (Kids, Rock, Other)
12:45 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Lazy Susan (Rock)
1:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. – Lover’s League (Blues, Folk)
2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – On The Cooling Board (Blues, Rock, Soul)
2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. – Family Vacation (Indie-Rock)
3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Commonwealth Choir (Indie-Rock)
4:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. – Brian Fitzy (Pop, Rock)
5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. – City Rain (Electronic, Pop)

Morris Park (6601 Woodcrest Road)

1:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Bluesberry Blues Jamm (Blues)

Parent Infant Center (42nd and Locust)

10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. – The Larks (Other)
10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Brooks Wilson (Kids)
10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Scott Weidman (Blues, World)
11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. – Katie Foley (Folk, Rock)
11:45 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. – Brooks Wilson and the Troll Spit String Band (Americana/Bluegrass)
12:15 p.m – 12:30 p.m. – Barbara Gettes (Folk)

Penn Museum (3260 South St)

Update (6/21/14): Unfortunately, this concert has been cancelled: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Bear Cave Tower (Folk, Indie-Folk, Other)

 

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