One For All, a non-profit arts organization based in West Philadelphia, has recently expanded and opened a private studio space for emerging artists at 4111 Lancaster Ave.

The new studio features “a kitchenette, bathrooms and community areas on [two] floors,” writes One For All founder and director Parker Jackson. “There is also a functioning elevator, heat, air conditioning, wifi and multiple security systems in place.”

One For All’s new art studio spaces are mostly medium-sized, many of them have windows, and are moderately priced, starting at $75 a month. One studio has a recording studio within a medium-sized studio space and can be used by a musician. Continue Reading

A new bagel shop inspired by sojourns to legendary Manhattan shops like H&H and Zabar’s has opened in the Powelton neighborhood last week.

Brothers Brett and Kyle Frankel opened Bart’s Bagels at 3945 Lancaster Ave. The shop was recently featured on 6ABC news. The brothers grew up in Philadelphia and reportedly often visited their uncle in New York where they were bit by the bagel bug, according to the report.

The new shop includes a kitchen, and all bagels (about a dozen varieties!) are handmade on-site, according to the report. Meats are also roasted on-site. The shop also serves schmears and sandwiches. Continue Reading

                             Li Sumpter

The Barnes Foundation continues its community programming in West Philadelphia and will host a special Barnes Presents! event this Thursday, Nov. 7 at The Bank (3750 Lancaster Ave). The event will introduce the Barnes’ current major exhibition, 30 Americans, and will include a conversation about race and equity in the arts. Li Sumpter, a scholar of art, myth, and humanities, and artist Sherman Fleming will participate in the discussion, moderated by the Barnes education team’s Jihan Thomas.  Continue Reading

Third Thursdays this Fall it’s Karaoke Night at The Bank (3750 Lancaster Ave.)! Sing your way into the weekend with friends and your favorite hits. Free! 21+ BYOB. RSVP here.

The election of the new Neighborhood Advisory Sub-Committee for People’s Emergency Center (PEC) took place on Monday, Sept. 30. The NAS functions as a liaison between the community and the larger PECCDC (Community Development Corporation) board. NAS members are elected to the committee by their neighbors, colleagues and friends –  that live, work or worship within the service area (West Powelton, Powelton, Saunders Park, Belmont, Mantua and Mill Creek).

There were 16 candidates, 14 of whom were elected onto the NAS. Voters got a chance to use the City’s new touch screen voting machines (that will be used in the November election citywide) for the NAS election:  Continue Reading

It has been almost three years since the Parklet at The Bank building asked community members to reimagine the use of a parking lot and take advantage of additional outdoor space in their neighborhood.

This Fall, the People’s Emergency Center Community Development Corporation (PECCDC) is seeking six professional West Philly-based artists to help them continue to beautify the Parklet. In collaboration with community members, artists will create one in a series of permanent murals on the half-walls surrounding The Bank, the repurposed United Bank building, on Lancaster and Powelton Avenues.

Go here for more information and to register. Registration deadline has been extended until Sunday, Sept. 9, 2019 11:59 p.m. The Artist Pitch – Open Mic Presentation – will take place on Friday, Sept. 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Neighborhood Time Exchange (4017 Lancaster Ave.).