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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West Philadelphia’s Curio Theatre Company invites everyone to the Philadelphia premiere of Old Stock: A Refugee Love Story, a unique theater/music hybrid inspired by the true tale of two Jewish Romanian refugees finding love after arriving on the shores of Canada in 1908. This hilarious and edgy story is interwoven with a high-energy Klezmer concert.

The play is written by Canadian playwright Hannah Moscovitch and features songs by Ben Caplan and Christian Barry. At Curio, Old Stock will be directed by Rachel Gluck with sound and music direction by Damien Figueras. Artistic Director Paul Kuhn will bring his set design talents to the stage, using his well-known ability to create detailed worlds using repurposed materials (read more about Curio’s recycling efforts here). In addition to Gluck, Kuhn, and Figueras, Aetna Gallagher joins the crew as Costume and Prop Designer.

The show features themes of hope and of learning to love after being broken by the horrors of war.

“As a Jewish woman, I feel as though Old Stock could be about my ancestors who came to the New World looking for refuge from anti-Semitism at the beginning of the 20th century,” says Gluck. “Old Stock is a raucous, deeply moving punk-Klezmer musical that challenges us all to see ourselves as a part of a larger narrative that continues to this day. It’s the story of refugees banging on the door, begging to be let into a place where they hope that they might finally be safe.”

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The spring edition of West Craft Fest is set to return to The Woodlands on Saturday, April 27 after a two-year break. (Rain date is Sunday, April 28). Over 100 local artists and makers will showcase their unique, handmade wares: jewelry, ceramics, home wares, accessories, original art, prints, stationery, clothing, candles, soaps, stickers, and much more! Check out the vendors list here.

The popular event also features live music and entertainment, food from local vendors, craft activities (make & take crafts), and acrobatic performances by Tangle Movement Arts. It is free and open to the public.

The Fest hours are: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Here’s the performance schedule:

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BalletX, Philadelphia’s premier contemporary ballet, returns to TD Pavilion at the Mann for two extraordinary nights of dance and live music – on April 26-27.

This year’s Festival at the Mann features works by Natasha Adorlee, Takehiro Ueyama, and Jamar Roberts, with live music by Grammy-nominated singer Jac Ross, composer Kato Hideki, and ensemble132!

Arrive early and enjoy pre-show festivities featuring local dance groups, live musicians, and circus acts.

More info and tickets are available here.

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BalletX returns to TD Pavilion at the Mann for two extraordinary nights of dance and live music! Highlights include choreography by Natasha Adorlee, Takehiro Ueyama, and Jamar Roberts, with live music by Grammy-nominated singer Jac Ross, composer Kato Hideki, and more!

Arrive early and enjoy pre-show events featuring local dance groups, live musicians, and circus acts. Secure your seats today – tickets start at $15.

The Green Tambourine, the Cedar Park based music school, is starting a new set of classes for 4-6 year-olds called Introduction to Instruments.

“We offer these for violin, piano and drums,” says The Green Tambourine owner and director Ann Schwartz. “They are weekly 30-minute classes that get kids started playing an instrument. We learn about how to play and take care of our instruments, as well as getting started reading and writing notes.”

“We listen to lots of different styles that use the instrument and explore what makes these styles unique. We also play music games that kids love.”

Classes are held from April-mid June and will culminate with an in-class performance. More info and registration can be found on the Green Tambourine website: https://www.thegreentambourine.com.

Families are welcome to schedule a free trial class and West Philly Local readers can save 10 percent off their first enrollment – click here!

(Photos courtesy of The Green Tambourine)