Philly’s non-profit music venue World Cafe Live is inviting local community members – parents, students, and patrons – as well as fans of music everywhere, to join them on Saturday, Nov. 12 and experience a selection of WCL’s upcoming programming.

This event will be completely free to the public, fit for everyone! At 10:30 a.m., WCL’s Artistic Director of Education & Engagement, Josh Campbell, will host a Coffee & Conversation where he’ll talk about what his organization has been building for its guests and community.

At 11:00 a.m., Guachinangos will present one of WCL’s flagship Bridge Sessions, diving into son jarocho and cumbia traditions in the venue’s legendary Music Hall. This will transition directly to an interactive songwriting workshop with a WCL teaching artist, so attendees are encouraged to stick around for the fun. Admission will be on a first come, first served basis and RSVP is required (click here to register).

“We pride ourselves on being a place where artistry meets [social] impact and are hoping to expand this impact with an upcoming Community Open House on November 12th, 2022,” writes Jacinda Arellano, Program Manager.

For more information about World Cafe Live and its programming, visit: https://worldcafelive.com.

Two West Philadelphia-based recreation centers have recently been awarded grants from the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program for much-needed repairs and upgrades.

A $2.75 million grant will be provided to the City of Philadelphia to support the Christy Recreation Center, located at 55th and Christian Streets. The project will involve renovating the existing center building and grounds, including ADA access to and throughout the facility. The facility will also become better lit and greener, with more efficient use of interior and exterior spaces. Better and newer equipment will be installed for the benefit of all ages, as well as more places to sit, eat, play, and recreate.

The grant was announced by Rep. Rick Krajewski representing the 188th Legislative District. This investment is in addition to $1 million that has been secured by Philadelphia Councilmember Jamie Gauthier to go toward the complete redesign project that is currently underway. Continue Reading

The annual Leaf Recycling Program, held by the Philadelphia Department of Streets, is scheduled to begin on Monday, Nov. 7 and will run through Saturday, Dec. 17. The program helps reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill. Recycled leaves are used for composting.

During the six-week program, mechanical leaf collection will be provided in areas known to have a heavy accumulation of leaves. Mechanical leaf collection crews will concentrate their efforts in designated boundaries each week. All leaves should be raked and ready for collection by 7:00 a.m. the day of mechanical collection. Leaves should be raked into the street by the curb’s edge (piling is not necessary). Continue Reading

West Philly’s Theatre in the X is partnering with Drexel University to present their new production Pac and Biggie Are Dead at Drexel’s Mandell Theater. The play, written by Biko Eisen-Martin, is a spin-off of Tom Stoppard’s classic, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, starring rap’s two iconic artists. Theatre in the X’s production, directed by Carlo Campbell, presents classic moments in hip hop, drama, and Black history.

Playwright Biko Eisen-Martin explains that the play “draws from the ethos of hip hop, African cosmology, and western staples of theatre.”

Pac is played by Joseph (Ankh Fyre) Xavier-Mack, and Nazeer Harper is cast as Biggie. Other cast members include: Richard Bradford, Abe Kaplan, Bryce Zenon, Matthew Lacy, Wendi Smith, Monet Debose, Rodd Dean, and Nieemah Powers. Continue Reading

The Philadelphia City Commissioners is holding mobile staffed ballot drop-off events at various Philadelphia Free Library branches ahead of the November 8th General Election. Personnel from the Board of Elections will be on hand to collect voted Absentee and Mail-in ballots.

Here’s the schedule of such events in West and Southwest Philadelphia:

• Tuesday, Oct. 25 and Nov. 1, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. & 1 p.m.-4 p.m.:

Overbrook Park Library, 7422 Haverford Ave

• Wednesday, Oct. 26 and Nov. 2, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. & 1 p.m.-4 p.m.: Continue Reading

Trice Baldwin-Browns (left) and Tessa Kuhn in “Gidion’s Knot” (Photo by Rebecca Gudelunas).

Curio Theatre Company begins the season with a play that deals with an incredibly timely issue that is currently in the headlines. Written by Johnna Adams, Gidion’s Knot is a play that brings to light the question of who, if anyone, is responsible when a juvenile makes a tragic decision.

During a 90-minute parent/teacher conference that takes place in real time, a grieving mother, played by Curio company member Trice Baldwin-Browns, and an emotionally overwhelmed elementary school teacher, played by Curio company member and Education Director Tessa Kuhn, grapple with the tragic suicide of fifth grader Gidion. Who failed Gidion and how? Who, if anyone, is responsible for the failure to recognize such profound distress in Gidion? As the two women use Gidion’s own writing to try to get closer to the truth, they come to conclusions both shocking and profound. Continue Reading