Jazz great Wynton Marsalis was in West Philly yesterday to do some teaching at St. Francis de Sales school near 47th and Springfield as part of the Play On!, Philly program.

Marsalis told advanced trumpet players who performed at the school yesterday morning that the musician’s job is to tell stories that people can’t see.

“Music is the art of the invisible,” he said.

Marsalis also advised students at the school to fine-tune their listening habits and to look beyond music for artistic inspiration.

“I want you to look at the work of (painter) Henri Matisse,” he told one trumpeter who had just finished playing. “See how he uses contrast in his work. Because that’s what you want to do with this piece.”

This has been a big week for Play On!, Philly, the after-school music program begun at St. Francis de Sales that aims to bring classical music training to kids at schools across the city. Earlier this week it was reported that a Bala Cynwyd couple had donated $1 million to the organization.

West Philly puppeteer Beth Nixon and her Ramshackle Enterprises have been creating puppets, organizing puppet and clown shows and participating in parades and pageants in the city for more than a decade. Don’t miss her Retrospectacular show opening tomorrow (Thu, April 5) from 6-9 p.m. at the AIR Gallery at 4007 Chestnut Street.

At the show you can read and fondle relics from Beth’s first Philly performance at the 2000 post RNC Puppet Uprising to this winter’s collaboration with Sarah Lowry in the creation of “Below and Beyond.” Puppets, masks, suitcase theaters, illustrations and cardboard constructions will be on display and almost everything will be for sale! Also enjoy snacks, door prizes, and favorite songs from puppet shows of old performed by Beth and Morgan FP Andrews (beginning at 7:30 p.m.).

If you can’t make it to the opening, you can stop by at the closing event on April 26 (6-9 p.m.). Free flying grandparent puppets will go to the first 15 guests who come to each event.

Gallery hours include the first three Fridays in April from 4-7 p.m. or by appointment (215-779-8553).

40th Street Artist in Residence, a program that awards West Philadelphia artists one year of free studio space, is now accepting applications for the 2012-2013 residency. If accepted to the program, artists will be granted a studio space at either 4007 Chestnut or 4013 Chestnut Street, beginning on August 25, 2012 and ending August 15, 2013.

The program, founded in 2003 by artist Edward M. Epstein, addresses the need for studio space in West Philadelphia and assists artists with their career development. In exchange, residents are asked to share their creative talents with neighbors. Examples of this include creating a public installation or holding a workshop or class.

To apply, please complete and submit the application that can be found HERE by Monday, May 7, 2012. Email it to 40th.AIR.app [at] gmail.com or mail it to 40th Street Artist-in-Residence Program, 4007 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. To read more about the program, click here.

In honor of the birthday of Paul Robeson, an acclaimed actor, concert singer, lawyer, athlete and social activist, The Lucien E. Blackwell Regional Library presents two programs in collaboration with the Friends of the Blackwell Library and the West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance.

On Saturday, April 7, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. two biographical films will be shown: “Speak of me as I Am” and “Paul Robeson, Tribute to an Artist.” Refreshments will be served.

On Tuesday, April 17, at 6:00 p.m. there will be a lecture by Frances Aulston, Founder & CEO of the West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance-Paul Robeson House. A reception will follow.

A series of panels depicting various stages of Paul Robeson’s life will be on display for both programs.

The Lucien E. Blackwell Regional Library is located at 125 South 52nd Street (corner of 52nd and Sansom). For more information call 215-685-7433.

This Saturday, March 24, from 1 – 4 p.m. Penn Museum presents Hello India!, a special event celebrating this vibrant nation. There will be classical dance performances and workshops, music, spicy food, and an assortment of arts and crafts activities for all ages.

Highlights include dance performers from Bharathiya Vidhyalaya presenting traditional Indian folk dances, Indian classical music performed by Penn’s student group Penn Sargam, and a Sari-wrapping station where visitors can dress in authentic Indian garb.

Children and families are especially welcome. The event is free with Museum admission ($10 general admission; $7, seniors and military; $6, children 6-17 and students with ID; free for children under 6). For more information and performance schedule, visit this page.

VIX Emporium has sent news that the location for GO WEST! Craft Fest has changed. This Spring’s Craft Fest will be held at The Woodlands (40th & Woodland) on Saturday, April 14 (rain date – Sunday, April 15). It is a cemetery, but the Craft Fest will be in a space that is set apart from it, so you don’t need to encounter any grave sites unless you want to stroll around the grounds and view historic grave markers and monuments.

This Craft Fest will be the biggest show yet, with 50 of Philadelphia’s finest artists and crafters presenting their work – jewelry, clothing, screen prints, home accents, fine art, toys, cards, accessories, soaps, candles, terrariums and more.

There will be live entertainment as well, with Jay Sand of All Around This World doing a kid’s music set, and a performance by Tiny Circus. There will also be random acts of juggling throughout the day and face painting for kids.

For more information, click here, or check out the event’s Pinterest board to see some examples of the vendors’ fine work.