Some major Juneteenth celebrations will be held in West Philly this Sunday. The Philadelphia Juneteenth Parade & Festival is returning after the pandemic-related hiatus. The 2022 Juneteenth Parade participants will march along 52nd Street – from Jefferson to Pine. The parade kicks off at 11 a.m. and will conclude at Malcolm X Park where the festival will take place (from 12-8 p.m.).

The Juneteenth Parade will include non-profit organizations, youth groups and schools, local politicians, as well as dance and music groups. The festival at Malcolm X Park will feature music and dance performances, local merchants, food vendors, and more. Residents can also get tested and vaccinated against COVID. Continue Reading

The annual outdoor independent film festival, Under the Stars at Clark Park, is returning this spring with four screenings scheduled for May, June and July. The festival, hosted by West Philly-based cinema cinéSPEAK, features city premieres of independent films from around the world, plus local DJs, food trucks and other activities. All events are free to attend.

Screenings take place on Fridays or Saturdays at 9 p.m. through July 9 (weather-permitting). The pre-show starts at 7:30 p.m.

The festival was scheduled to kick off on May 20, but the opening night was postponed due to rain. Here is the schedule for this Friday (May 27): Continue Reading

University City District has announced the return of its popular summer events, most of which were not held during the past two years due to the pandemic.

From the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll to Movies in Clark Park, here’s what’s happening in the district this summer. Also, check out events and activities at The Porch at 30th Street Station and Trolley Portal Gardens (40th and Woodland).

The Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll will return on Thursday, June 16 and Thursday, Sept. 15 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. During this unique event, neighborhood businesses and community vendors will present $1, $3, and $5 bargains – everything from bites from signature restaurants to pet supplies to theater tickets and much more. Plus enjoy live music, arts and crafts, and more fun! Read more about the 25+ participating vendors for the June 16th Dollar Stroll here. Details for the September Dollar Stroll will be available later this summer. Continue Reading

Last year’s “Everyday Places” program participant Karen Smith-Sistah’s Laying On Hands (photo courtesy of Barnes West).

The Barnes Foundation and People’s Emergency Center (PEC) have announced seven West Philadelphia-based social-impact artists who have been selected to participate in the second annual Everyday Places Artist Partnerships initiative: Nikki Brake-Sillá, Shanina Dionna, Gigi McGraw, Anssumane Silla, Jaime Wiesner (Instagram page) & Joanna Booth, and Yidan Zeng.

This year’s cohort of artists will partner with “everyday” locations in the neighborhood—public parks, civic centers, businesses and community organizations—to build interactive, participatory projects that engage with the business or site and residents. The 2022 Places are:

• University Square Complex
• Malcolm X Park
• Urban Art Gallery
• ​​New Africa Freedom Center/Square
• Clark Park
• Mantua Civic Association
• Drexel University Dornsife Center Continue Reading

UPDATE (5/6/2022): The annual Spruce Hill May Fair has been cancelled due to rain in the forecast for Saturday. The organizers decided to forego the rain date earlier this week. The raffle will continue, with the ticket purchase deadline of Sunday, May 22. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.sprucehillca.org/2022-may-fair-raffle/.

In recognition of the great hardship suffered by many neighborhood establishments, Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA), the May Fair longtime organizer, will purchase gift certificates from local businesses to bundle together in several themed baskets as raffle prizes. You can buy one book of six tickets for $5.

Please note that the May Fair is SHCA’s only major fundraising event, so purchasing raffle tickets is a good way to support them. Other ways to support this neighborhood organization is through membership or donations. Visit their website for more information.

Since the May Fair is cancelled, the University City Garden Club will hold a pop-up plant sale Sunday, May 8, 12-6 p.m. at the corner of Woodland Terrace and Woodland Ave.

People’s Emergency Center (PEC) brings jazz musicians and artists from the Lancaster Avenue Jazz and Arts Festival for a preview of their big event on July 16th! Stop by The Porch at 30th Street Station this Friday, April 22 between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. to browse the art exhibitions (and meet the artists) and to hear a performance by the Mike Boone Quartet in conjunction with The Producer’s Guild of Philadelphia.

Pitruco brick oven pizza will be set up and selling delicious pizzas. Last year’s event drew dozens of guests to The Porch to hear the Jazz stylings of Kenny Sykes and the Ivory Keys Band (pictured).

For updates on the free, live, in-person, Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival on Saturday July 16, visit: https://www.lancasteravephilly.com/jazzfest.html.

Photo courtesy of PEC.