Photo courtesy Scribe Video Center.

As part of the annual (17th!) outdoor film screening series Street Movies!, Scribe Video Center will present a great selection of independent films on Thursday, Aug. 14 at Malcolm X. Park (52nd and Pine). Malcolm X. Park is the only West Philly location where the films are being presented this summer, from August 2 until August 21 (although you can catch them in other neighborhoods).  This year, the program includes animation, shorts, and powerful documentaries celebrating cultural histories and exploring issues of community concern. The events also include live entertainment and a video emcee to complete a great night of movies under the stars.

Tomorrow’s screening starts at 7:45 p.m. All the films are free and family-friendly! Emcee: DJ C (WPEB 88.1 FM).

Here’s more information on the films to be shown at tomorrow’s event (from the Street Movies! at Malcolm X Park Facebook page):

“The Mill Creek Documentary: Past, Present, and Future by Joyce Eli Bevins
‘The Mill Creek; Past, Present and Future’ documentary is an urban preservation outreach project documenting the Mill Creek Community during the 20th Century to date through personal interviews. The goal of the film is to serve as an outlet and resource to preserve, inform, empower, heal, and inspire the Mill Creek community, its residents and surrounding communities. (USA, 2014, 4 min)

711 Sidney King School of Dance by the 711 Precious Places Group and Scribe Video Center
The Sydney King School of Dance was one of several neighborhood-based black dance schools founded in Philadelphia during the 1940s, 50s, and early 60s. Responding to the cultural needs of a vibrant post-war black middle class, these studios produced world-recognized dance professionals and fostered a lasting appreciate for the arts. Through interviews with King’s students, this video underscores the role the Sydney King School of Dance played in supporting its West Philadelphia community and shaping the direction of American dance and performance. (USA, 2010, 10 min)

Creation Story by Natasha Ngaiza
Clay animation weaves in and out of live action to reveal the intimate relationship between mother and daughter, hair and history. (USA, 2011, 9 min)

The Moorish Science Temple of America: Branches to Philadelphia, Rooted in Peace by Moorish Science Temple of America, Inc., Temple #11 and Scribe Video Center
The Moorish Science Temple of America highlights its one hundred years of existence as one of the first Islamic organizations in America, and its historical impact in Philadelphia. (USA, 2014, 16 min)

Them That Do: Juanita Hatton by Lori Waselchuk
Part of the Them That Do series, which features local Philadelphia block captains. This segment highlights Juanita, who is passionate about keeping her neighborhood clean. (USA, 2014, 5 min) Editor’s Note: Check out a series of posts connected to Waselchuk’s multimedia documentary project Them That Do.

Revival From the Roots: Part 1 by Media Mobilizing Project
Media Mobilizing Project presents the first installment of a three-video series, “Revival From the Roots: A Tour of Neighborhood Schools.” The series follows Jerry Jordan, President of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, and Helen Gym, parents and award-winning education advocate, as they hear firsthand from students, parents and teachers fighting to turn around public education from the bottom up. Part one of ‘Revival From the Roots’ features West Philadelphia, with visits to school communities at West Philadelphia High, Lea Elementary, Penn Alexander Elementary, Barry Elementary, and the now closed Alexander Wilson Elementary School. (USA, 2014, 8 min)”

The Sloppy Film Fest, a West Philly-based one-day festival of short DIY films, is returning on September 6 and film submissions are currently accepted. If you have recently made a short film or video and would like it to be screened at the festival, submit it through August 25. You can either send a link to your uploaded video, or send a copy of the video file.

Here are the guidelines:

• Your film can be about anything
• No film is too short or too sloppy
• Start something new, or finish an old project
• Experimental. Quick and dirty. Fast and loose
• Aim for 5 minutes long/10 minutes max

To register your film follow this link. The event’s Facebook page is here.

Acceptees will be notified by email if their film has been selected for the Fest screening. The organizers say that it’s possible that they won’t be able to show every film that is submitted, but they hope they can. Please email sloppyfilmfest [at] gmail.com with any questions.

The festival, which is basically an evening of short films made by you, will be held at the Beaumont Warehouse (50th and Beaumont), starting at 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6. There will be free admission, but donations will be collected at the screening to cover the cost of the space and equipment.

So, are you ready to become a local film star? Go ahead and submit your creation. Who knows, maybe your submission will win the coveted Palme D’Slop?

The weather is perfect for the last outdoor concert in the 2014 Cedar Park Summer Jazz series, which taking place tonight, from 6 – 8 p.m. Rich Tucker (Facebook page) and the Universal Koncept will entertain the crowd at 49th and Baltimore for the last time this year, as we’re saying goodbye to the series until the next summer. As usual, bring your blanket, or chair and a picnic, or enjoy a takeout from your favorite neighborhood restaurant.

The other day, when walking along Baltimore Ave we lamented that there was only one Dollar Stroll this year. It took place June 19 – seems like a long time ago. Today University City District (UCD) announced that due to popular demand, a second Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll this season is coming on Thursday, Sept 18! That’s great news for Dollar Stroll fans.

A record number of visitors flocked to the area for the last stroll, so UCD together with the Baltimore Avenue Business Association (BABA) are excited to bring the season’s second Dollar Stroll to Baltimore Avenue, between 43rd and 51st Streets.

As always, the event will start at 5:30 p.m. and go on until 8:30 and all are welcome to sample $1 items from local vendors during these three hours. There’s something for everyone – from $1 pours of craft beers to various bites for a buck to special memberships and ticket offers. In addition, there will be live entertainment at the 46th Street Triangle, including music from Y-Not radio, jugglers and fire artists.

The event (Facebook page) will happen rain or shine, according to the organizers. More information about participating businesses and their $1 specials is coming soon. Stay tuned.

Friday night Gush Gallery opened its doors. During dusk hours on the otherwise quiet 5000 block of Baltimore Avenue, warm yellow light and dozens of people spilled into the streets. People were here to see Gush’s first show, Embark, which features a number of lesser known artists from around Philadelphia.

The crowd had a punk feel and included artists, art lovers, neighbors and family. Interesting pieces included a skull reconstructed with crochet, a light shaded with faux bones, an image of a row home floating in a lake with bass swimming underneath, and a set of cherished family items sewn firmly into felt, reminiscent of bugs in a spider web.

A year long buildup came before Friday night. It started with a casual conversation between two Pratt classmates, Stephanie Slate and Sarah Thielke. Next came an Indiegogo campaign bolstered by an active Facebook and Tumblr feed. Plans had the gallery opening in 2015 but a Craigslist discovery of an old barbershop at a great price in a prime location accelerated the schedule.

Now that Gush is open (5015 Baltimore Ave, T-F 1-8 p.m., S-S 12-6 p.m.), the owners hope to maintain their business not just through the sale of art, consignment and T-shirts. They also offer by-the-hour use of a high quality workstation, scanner and printer. More events will come too, including art classes, and group critiques.

Stephanie and Sarah are very eager to invigorate the West Philadelphia art community. They hope to collaborate with other West Philly artist hubs such as the Gold Standard Cafe, and Soapbox Gallery. They would love to bring First Fridays out west as well. In the words of Stephanie, “We totally want people to come in and say ‘Hey I’m an artist’ and hang out. We want to see their work and we want to show their work.”

– Selah Lynch

Photos by Selah Lynch / West Philly Local.

West Philly is lucky to host the BlackStar Film Festival again this year. We sketched out the weekend line-up below. One of the highlights is the debut of They Die By Dawn, featuring Erykah Badu and Michael K. Williams (“Omar” from The Wire). The two main venues are the International House (3701 Chestnut) and Penn’s Annenberg School of Communications (3620 Walnut St.).

Click on the links for descriptions and trailers.

Many events are free. Where noted, tickets cost $10 for the general public, $7 for seniors and students and $5 for International House members.

Saturday, Aug. 2

• Forever Young: Coming of Age Shorts • 11:30 a.m. • International House Philadelphia (IHP) • $10/$7/$5

• Troop 491: The Adventures of the Muddy Lions • 1 p.m. • Penn’s Annenberg School of Communications (ASC) • Free

• Planet Rock: Hip Hop Shorts • 1:40 p.m. • IHP • $10/$7/$5

• Youth Program Screening • 3 p.m. • ASC • Free

• Book signing – Dismantle: An Anthology of Writing from the VONA/Voices Writing Workshop • Marissa Johnson-Valenzuela and Andrea Wall • Immediately after Youth Program Screening • ASC

• Little White Lie w/Window Dressing Fail • 3:10 p.m. • IHP • Free

• Book signing: (1)ne Drop: Shifting the Lens on Race • Immediately after Little White Lie • IHP

• Panel – The Crossover Between Film and Music • 5 p.m. • IHP • Free

• Culture Strike: Social Justice Shorts • 5:15 p.m. • ASC • Free

• They Die By Dawn • 6:50 p.m. • IHP • $10/$7/$5

• Half a Yellow Sun • 8:30 p.m. • IHP • $10/$7/$5

Sunday, Aug. 3

• Creative Class: Makers Shorts • 11:30 a.m. • IHP • $10/$7/$5

• Evolution of a Criminal • 12:45 p.m. • IHP • $10/$7/$5 (Q and A with Darius Clark Monroe follows)

• Panel – Composing for Film • 3 p.m. • IHP • Free

• Time is Illmatic • 5 p.m. • IHP • $10/$7/$5