Pop-Ups at the Portal returns to Trolley Portal Gardens at 40th and Baltimore on Thursday, May 8. University City District (UCD) is teaming up with local performer and curator Gretchen Elise to present five weeks of free, interactive, all-ages entertainment. Pop-ups will run every Thursday from May 8 through June 5, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and are fair-weather only.

“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.

Denise King, an international jazz vocalist and recording artist, launches the series on May 8.

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Piffaro, the Renaissance Band at Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral (Photo by Hoffer Photography)

Now is the Month of Maying
May 9 at 7:30 p.m. – Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral, 19 S 38th St.
Tickets & information at piffaro.org/tix

Piffaro, the Renaissance Band brings spring to West Philly with an all-instrumental program, “Now is the Month of Maying.” The concert takes place on Friday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral. Information about the concert can be found at piffaro.org/tix or by calling 215-235-8469.

“There is so much springtime music from the Renaissance,” says artistic director Priscilla Herreid. “Imagine living through a cold, dark winter in a time before electric lighting or central heating. Now it’s May and you’re emerging into warm sunlight. You want to celebrate being alive and being together again! You want to dance, maybe have a little wine, listen to birds sing, and strike up a tune yourself!”

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Photo by Albert Yee for Fairmount Park Conservancy.

Love Your Park Week, the annual celebration of Philadelphia’s public parks, will be held from May 10-18.

Organized by partners Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Fairmount Park Conservancy, and the Park Friends Network, this year’s Love Your Park Week features more than 100 local park volunteer groups hosting cleanups throughout the city to prepare Philadelphia’s parks for the busy spring and summer seasons.

The public is invited to sign up at the park of their choosing. Love Your Park Week will also feature free and low-cost activities focused on enjoying and exploring Philadelphia’s parks, from family yoga to birding tours.

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The annual Penn Relays has kicked off at Franklin Field (200 South 33rd St) on the University of Pennsylvania campus. The event will be held through Saturday, April 26th and will affect traffic near the field and in the surrounding area. Motorists should expect heavy traffic volume and delays in the area all day every day through Saturday.

Also, there will be intermittent closures on 33rd Street from South Street to Walnut Street every day Thursday through Saturday. Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes on these days.

The Penn Relays is the oldest and largest track and field competition in the United States, hosted annually since April 21, 1895 by the University of Pennsylvania. For additional information about the Penn Relays, including safety and security, please visit The Penn Relays website. The race schedule is available here.

UPDATE: Due to rain in the forecast for Saturday, West Craft Fest has been postponed to Sunday, April 27.

Here are some details on the annual spring edition of the popular West Craft Fest, which will be held this Sunday, April 27, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. at The Woodlands (40th and Woodland).

Over 100 local artists and makers are expected to participate in this year’s Fest and to showcase their unique handmade wares, including jewelry, ceramics, home wares, accessories, original art, prints, stationery, clothing, candles, soaps, stickers, and much more! The list of the vendors is available here.

The Fest is also a great opportunity to spend time outdoors at a beautiful historic setting, which is in full spring bloom right now, enjoying live music and aerial dance performances by Tangle Movement Arts (see photo below). If you get hungry, there are some great food truck choices this year (see more here). Just bring your picnic blanket or chair! Children are invited to take part in art & craft activities.

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The Human Rights Coalition of Philadelphia will hold a Town Hall in West Philly to discuss Community Solar projects this Saturday, April 26. The event is part of the organization’s campaign to raise Philadelphians’ climate consciousness and promote energy democracy.

Community Solar projects enable people to invest in clean solar energy and receive a credit for the resulting savings on their monthly electricity bills. Such projects are of particular value to renters, who today make up nearly half of all City residents. Projects can be organized by churches, civil organizations, or private companies, and they can be located in vacant lots, fields, or on warehouses roofs. While laws authorizing Community Solar have been enacted in 22 states and the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania is lagging behind this trend. However, a Community Solar bill (HB 1155, Schweyer) has been introduced in the PA State House.

The Town Hall will feature Elowyn Corby of the Our Solar Now Coalition as keynote speaker. State Rep. Rick Krajewski, a cosponsor of HB 1155, has been invited to join the discussion. The Town Hall will be held at 316 N. 42nd Street, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.. Lunch will be provided.

– Elaine Fultz