Summer jazz is back in Cedar Park with weekly shows scheduled to begin on Friday, June 16. The popular music series, presented by Cedar Park Neighbors (CPN), features free outdoor performances by some of the area’s prominent jazz musicians and bands at the park, located at 49th and Baltimore.

All shows are held from 6 to 8 p.m. in fair weather – please bring your blanket or chair and picnic! The series is sponsored by local businesses and individual donations from neighborhood residents.

Here’s the schedule through July 28:

June 16 – Rayburn Wright Group
June 30 – Webb Thomas SuperBand
July 7 – Glenn Bryan & Friends
July 14 – Bobby Zankel & the Wonderful Sound 5 Celebrates John Coltrane (7/17/67)
July 21 – Philadelphia Clef Club
July 28 – Rain date (rescheduled performance, TBA)

For updates or changes, follow CPN on Facebook. Updates about this event are also posted in the Cedar Park Neighbors Forum on Facebook.

The full map is available here.

West Philly Porchfest, the annual DIY music festival where anyone with a porch or stoop can host a show, is returning this Saturday, June 3. Dozens of free shows featuring a variety of music genres will take place all over the neighborhood from Noon-6 p.m. The festival has grown over the years (it was first held in 2016), and this year, it stretches from 42nd Street in the east to 59th Street in the west, and from south of Kingsessing to north of Chestnut.

From 12-2 p.m., most performances will take place south of Baltimore Avenue, then from 2 to 4 p.m., most shows will take place north of Baltimore from 42nd to 48th Street. Finally, from 4 to 6 p.m., most performances will be held north of Baltimore, from 48th to 59th.

For the full list of performers and schedule, visit the West Philly Porchfest website.

The vitality of The Woodlands will be on full display at the Annual Benefit on Thursday, June 22nd. We invite you to toast another year together in celebration of one of Philadelphia’s most active, significant, and well-loved places.

The doors to the Hamilton Mansion will be open, offering guests the opportunity to mingle and explore while enjoying Victorian-inspired hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and drinks—all while supporting The Woodlands.

Sponsorships and individual tickets are now available! By sponsoring or attending the Annual Benefit, you will help The Woodlands continue to serve as an oasis for future generations.

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Parks on Tap, the traveling beer garden that pops up at various Philadelphia parks in the spring and summer, will be back in Clark Park at 43rd and Baltimore on Wednesday, May 24 and stay through Memorial Day. The menu includes beers on tap, wine, non-alcoholic beverages and fresh food and snacks.

The hours of operation are:

Wednesday – Friday: 4:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday: 12:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Monday (Memorial Day): 12:00 – 10:00 p.m. Continue Reading

Max Roach: Courtesy of The Film Collaborative

The West Philly-based cinema project, cinéSPEAK, voted “Best of Philly 2020” by Philadelphia Magazine, is bringing back its independent film programming to Clark Park. On Friday, May 26, cinéSPEAK’s 3rd Annual “Under the Stars at Clark Park” festival kicks off with the Philadelphia premiere of Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes —the highly-anticipated documentary exploring the life and music of the legendary drummer, composer, bandleader, and social activist.

cinéSPEAK will present four film screenings every Friday through June 16 in fair weather. Rain dates are: Saturdays – May 27, June 3, June 10 and June 17. Continue Reading

The West Philly Tool Library, which boasts a massive selection of tools for house and yard/garden maintenance, is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a party for the whole community! This fundraising event will be held on Saturday, May 20 from 4-7 p.m. and will include food, drinks, games for all ages, raffles with prizes, and more.

To mark the anniversary, the Tool Library is also inviting its past and present members to share their favorite or impressive projects that were done using tools from the library. The most interesting or most community-minded projects will receive special awards, such as free Tool Library memberships, T-shirts, and more. Submissions are accepted until Thursday, May 18, at 12 p.m. Go here for more information and to fill out a submission form. Continue Reading