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Arts and Culture

From the Mann Center to Malcolm X Park: What’s happening at Juneteenth Parade & Festival this Sunday

June 13, 2024

Image from Juneteenthphilly.org

The annual Juneteenth Parade and Festival will take place on Sunday, June 16. The parade, grand marshaled by Mayor Cherelle Parker, will kick off at Noon on South Concourse Drive across from the Mann Center. It will proceed down 52nd Street toward Malcolm X Park at 52nd and Larchwood where it is expected to conclude around 2 p.m. The 2024 Juneteenth Parade is expected to attract around 2,000 participants and 20,000 attendees. The event will be broadcasted by 6ABC.

Malcolm X Park will be a location for the annual Juneteenth Festival, which includes a marketplace, art exhibition, live music performances and more.

The Juneteenth Marketplace and Art in the Park will be held throughout the day (from 10 a.m.- 8 p.m.). The marketplace will feature Black and Brown-owned businesses and vendors offering food and wares, while the Art in the Park exhibit, titled Unveiling Creativity and in partnership with the Mural Arts of Philadelphia, is an opportunity to meet local artists and check out their work. In addition, many local non-profit organizations will be doing outreach and hosting activities at the park throughout the day.

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Cedar Park Jazz turns 25; New season kicks off this Friday

June 12, 2024

The summer 2024 season of Friday Night Jazz at Cedar Park kicks off this week at the park, located at 49th and Baltimore. This is the 25th year of this popular event! The free shows featuring Philadelphia’s finest jazz musicians and bands, will run every Friday from 6-8 p.m. until the end of July (weather permitting). Here is the schedule:

June 14 – Firestorm
June 21 – Ray Wright’s Jazz Lab
June 28 – Yesseh & Friends
July 5 – Bobby Zankel & the Wonderful Sound 6
July 12 – Dr Ketchup
July 19 – Firestorm and Scholarship Award Night
July 26 – Clef Club

Guests are welcome to bring chairs, blankets and picnics!

This annual event is organized by Cedar Park Neighbors with the help from local businesses. This year’s sponsors are PFCU, Mariposa, Penn Live Arts, VIX Emporium and Cleo Bagels.

For more details and updates, visit the event’s Facebook page.

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West Philly Porchfest returns this Saturday with dozens of free music performances

June 6, 2024

The 2024 West Philly Porchfest map (the full map is available at westphillyporchfest.com)

The annual West Philly Porchfest is scheduled to return Saturday, June 8, from 12-6 p.m. This year, the DIY music festival featuring dozens of free porch and stoop shows in various music genres (including folk, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, rap and hip hop, classical music and more!) will be held from 42nd to 56th Street and from Market St. to Woodland Ave. As always, the shows are divided into three two-hour time slots – from 12-2 p.m. (marked in red on the map), from 2-4 p.m. (marked in pink), and from 4-6 p.m. (marked in light blue).

The Porchfest provides an opportunity for local musicians to play and for West Philly residents and guests to host and enjoy free shows.

The full list of performers and schedule, as well as an interactive map, are available on the West Philly Porchfest website.

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‘Under the Stars at Clark Park’: Indie film screenings return May 24

May 16, 2024

cinéSPEAK, a local independent cinema that celebrated its 10th anniversary last year, is returning next week with its outdoor film screening series, Under the Stars at Clark Park.

The popular event kicks off Friday, May 24 in the park’s “Bowl” located near 43rd and Chester. The weekly program, which runs every Friday through June 14, features independent films from around the world, local DJs, food trucks and more. All events are free and open to the public.

At the opening night on May 24, cinéSPEAK and community partner, Free Library of Philadelphia, will present screening of Butterfly in the Sky (2022) and The ABCs of Book Banning (2023). The evening will kick off at 6:30 p.m. with a Drag Storytime, followed by DJ Mariyama⁠ at 7 p.m. Film screenings begin at 9 p.m.

Rain dates for this year’s series are on Saturdays – May 25, June 1, June 8 and June 15.

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Two outdoor DIY music festivals to return in June

May 14, 2024

Two popular outdoor “do-it-yourself” music festivals are returning to Philadelphia next month. Both of these events are free and give a chance to local musicians to showcase their talent.

The 2024 West Philly Porchfest will be Saturday, June 8 from 12-6 p.m. Dozens of porch owners have already signed up to host solo artists and groups/bands performing in various genres, including folk, jazz, rock, rap, R&B and even opera music. Shows are usually divided into three groups depending on their location – from 12-2 p.m., 2-4 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. All shows are free and anyone can host or play a show. For more details, go to: https://westphillyporchfest.com.

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Pop-up music performances return to 40th and Baltimore this Thursday

May 6, 2024

Gretchen Elise performing at a Pop-up at the Portal (Photo courtesy UCD).

Free, all-ages music performances, Pop-Ups at the Portal, are returning to Trolley Portal Gardens at 40th St. and Baltimore Ave. For five weeks starting May 9, University City District (UCD) in partnership with local musician Gretchen Elise will present inclusive musical performances featuring local talent every Thursday evening (from 5 – 7 p.m.)

“Our goal with Trolley Portal Gardens is to bring programming for the neighbors, parents, and commuters who use the space every day,” said Margaret Starke, UCD’s Senior Manager of Events and Community Partnerships. “Gretchen has deep connections with the neighborhood and other local musicians and made a great fit to collaborate with again as both a presenter and a curator.”

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