Original paper cutting artwork by Sue Gettlin (Courtesy of The Woodlands).

The Woodlands Annual Benefit will be held on Thursday, June 12 and will be dedicated to the 10th Anniversary of the Grave Gardeners program. The benefit will feature food and drinks from local vendors and a silent auction, with the cemetery’s late spring beauty as the backdrop.

Often seen tending the “cradle graves” at The Woodlands, the Grave Gardeners are dedicated contributors to the historic cemetery and green space. Ten years ago, The Woodlands put out a call to help them garden some untended graves, and they were flooded with volunteers. The group became The Woodlands Grave Gardeners. Today, the program has grown to 160 volunteers gardening 250 adopted cradle graves, adding life and color to the grounds. The program has inspired historic cemeteries around the world.

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Film still from Rashaad Newsome’s Assembly, the Closing Night feature film of Under the Stars 2025. Courtesy of The Film Collaborative.

UPDATE: The opening night has been postponed to Saturday, May 24 and changed location. It will take place indoors at the Calvary Center for Culture and Community (801 S. 48th St), beginning at 6:30 p.m. Follow cinéSPEAK on Instagram for updates.

The 5th annual independent film festival, Under the Stars at Clark Park, is returning to 43rd and Chester this Friday, May 23. Every Friday through June 13, cinéSPEAK will present city premieres of independent films from around the world, live music from local artists, viral food pop-ups (including Manna Bakery and Darnel’s Cakes), and more.

This year’s program includes six Philadelphia premieres and a special repertory screening of legendary Palestinian filmmaker Elia Suleiman’s It Must Be Heaven, which makes one of its first U.S. appearances since its festival tour in 2019, and live musical performances in honor of West Philly Porchfest 2025. This year’s themes include Palestinian cultural preservation, Indigeneity and environmental stewardship, and Black and queer liberatory futures.

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The University City District (UCD) has recently announced the dates for its popular summer events, from the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll to Movies in Clark Park. Each summer, UCD partners with local businesses, restaurants, arts and culture organizations and performers to bring these fun events to community members. So mark your calendar with these dates and stay tuned for more details.

• The Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll will return on Thursday, June 5 and Thursday, Sept. 4 from 5 to 8 p.m. During this unique event, Baltimore Avenue businesses and community vendors offer $1, $3, and $5 bargains between 40th and 51st Streets.

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City officials, community members, and organizations are honoring MOVE bombing victims on the 40th anniversary of the tragic event.

Eleven people, including five children ages 9-14, were killed on May 13, 1985 when the Philadelphia Police Department dropped a military-grade bomb on the residence of the MOVE organization, a Black liberation group, at 6221 Osage Ave. The resulting explosion caused a devastating fire that destroyed dozens of homes in the Cobbs Creek neighborhood – two full city blocks were burned to the ground, destroying 61 houses.

In 2020, the Philadelphia City Council formally apologized for the bombing and passed a resolution to establish the MOVE bombing day, May 13, as an annual day of “observation, reflection and recommitment.” The first Day of Remembrance of the MOVE bombing, which included a march to Malcolm X. Park, was held on May 13, 2021.

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A petting zoo will return to Clark Park on May 10 as part of the Spruce Hill May Fair (archive photo).

A beloved Spruce Hill tradition is returning this Saturday. The 67th Annual Spruce Hill May Fair, hosted by the Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA), will take place on May 10, from 12 to 6 p.m. in Clark Park (43rd and Chester Ave). This free, family-friendly celebration is one of West Philadelphia’s longest-running community festivals and a highlight of the spring season.

This year’s May Fair will once again transform Clark Park into a lively hub of local culture, family fun, and community spirit. Attendees can enjoy:

• Live music all day from local performers

• A petting zoo, inflatable slide, face painting, and outdoor games

• A wide variety of food vendors offering tasty local eats

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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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