Gretchen Elise (right) and funk bassist Marcy Francis (Screenshot from “Thank You” video).

Local singer-songwriter, educator and youth advocate Gretchen Elise is excited to share the news that “from the depths of the pandemic” she is releasing a new, joyful and danceable West Philly-centric single, “Thank You”. The video for the song was filmed in Clark Park, One Art Community Center and other locations in West Philly and features local jazz and arts community members.

The song celebrates arts educator Tim Gibbon, the former director of the Picasso Project, an arts education program in Philadelphia public schools for which she served as director and currently is a teaching artist. Elise solicited words about Gibbon from more than 30 of his colleagues.

“She is different,” shares Leo Gadson, Producers Guild jazz promoter. “She is caring. She is all about lifting other people up. She makes sure that her people connect, different mediums, different demographics.” Continue Reading

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Spak Group, the West Philly real estate company behind WADE Flats, a new housing development at the intersection of 53rd St. and Whitby Ave., is sponsoring a new mural in partnership with Mural Arts Philadelphia. The mural will be located on the entirety of the 5300 Whitby Avenue Bridge and Spak Group is inviting all interested neighbors to participate in its creation process, which includes planning, design, production and celebration.

The first step in this process will take place Thursday, March 17, at a community meeting which will be held at the New Testament Church of God at 935 S. 53rd St., beginning at 6:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public and does not require an RSVP or reservation. Continue Reading

The annual Spruce Hill May Fair is set to to return to Clark Park after a two-year hiatus. The popular outdoor event will be held Saturday, May 7, from 12 – 6 p.m. at the park located at 43rd and Chester.

The longtime organizers, Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA), are currently seeking vendors – local artisans, community groups and organizations who are interested in doing outreach and promotion at this event are invited to submit an application.

Space is limited and priority will be given to local community organizations and artisans. Vendor fees are affordable ($40 or less for the day), reflecting SHCA’s mission to connect the neighborhood with local groups and artisans. Continue Reading

A Book a Day, a local initiative that donates newly published children’s books to public schools in West Philadelphia, has been holding writing contests for children since the beginning of the pandemic.

Their third contest is currently underway and is dedicated to food and cooking. This contest will be broken into four phases based on the four seasons. The first season is called “Warmth of Winter”.

“Our goal now and for future rounds of these contests is to be as inclusive as possible and reach as many communities as we can,” writes So Young, A Book A Day’s senior assistant manager. “This is not only educational for our children but it is also an exciting task to look forward to as they will win free books, cooking materials and also get their recipes published!” Continue Reading

Ebony Pullum as Billie Holiday (Photo by Rebecca Gudelunas)

West Philly’s Curio Theatre Company is gearing up to present its first production since Spring 2020. Starting March 19, the company will present Lanie Robertson’s critically acclaimed play, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, which explores the life of legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday during one of her final performances in Philadelphia.

Company member and Barrymore Award winner Ebony Pullum is starring in this production, directed by Katrina Snobe.

Seating is cabaret-style (with low barstools and tables for three) and very limited, available on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you choose one or two seats at a table, you may have someone sitting with you. Continue Reading

Barnes West, a collaboration between People’s Emergency Center CDC and the Barnes Foundation, is seeking West Philly-based social impact artists and artist groups to participate in the new Everyday Places Artist Partnerships. The program is offering six artist partnership opportunities in West Philadelphia at everyday, neighborhood places like grocery stores, corner stores, restaurants, and parks.

The goal of the program, which launched in 2021, is to highlight the intersection between art and community and to provide an opportunity for local community members to experience and engage with art right where they live.

Interested artists and artist groups are invited to submit their proposals until Friday, Feb. 18. Artists working in any medium are welcome to apply – painters, sculptors, mixed-media artists, performers, writers, musicians, and muralists. Continue Reading