It all began five years ago when a sculptor, a nurse practitioner, and an Eastern arts instructor, all longtime West Philly residents, opened a multipurpose space at 4522 Baltimore Avenue. Since then Studio 34 has been fostering a sense of community through their health and wellness classes, art exhibitions and events. To celebrate their 5th anniversary, the Studio 34 co-founders – Angela Norris, James Peniston and Stephen Fisher and owner Jason Schoen – are inviting everyone this Saturday to a big party “filled with all things West Philly and wonderful.”

Unidos de Filadelfia performing at Studio 34. (Photo courtesy jjtiziou.net)

Here’s what’s in store for Saturday evening at the studio, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

– Dessert Potluck
– Music by Philly’s favorite songstress, Birdie Busch
– Big dance party with West Philly’s samba drummers, Unidos de Filadelfia
– Free raffle with a chance to win classes and other goodies

Also on Saturday there will be a grand opening of Studio 34 BackSpace, with tours of the space offered during the event.

The BackSpace, which opened in October 2012, has an art and music focus and will include a low-cost community recording studio currently being built in collaboration with the West Philly band Buried Beds. Once the recording studio is up and running, Studio 34 will start offering Music Recording/Production 101 courses.

BackSpace recently hosted a baby shower. (Photo courtesy LoraReehlingPhotography.com)

The BackSpace is used for hosting private events, music shows, queer proms, workshops, theater rehearsals, and even baby showers. The grand opening on Saturday will kick off a schedule of classes (small to start) with local artists and musicians.

“Our goal is to collaborate with local talent in a way that brings awareness to the incredibly talented musicians who live in our community, offering quality classes and workshops with professional musicians, while providing another avenue of income for musicians who require a lot of flexibility in their schedules,” Norris said in an email. “Our hope is to offer courses that are not already available in the neighborhood and the larger Philly area.”

This Saturday in Malcolm X Park (51st and Pine) you have the chance to see some pit bulls and other rugged (or not rugged) pooches engaged in some thrilling, macho competition. But these are pullers, not fighters.

The Lug Nuts program was designed about a dozen years ago as a way to provide competition for (mostly) young men and their dogs that didn’t involve fighting. The dogs don padded harnesses hooked to plastic sleds filled with bags of dog food and do their damdest to pull the sled. No dog is forced to pull and any dog is welcome – from the smallest of chihuahuas to the greatest of Danes. Dogs are judged by how much weight they pull as a percentage of their body weight. So that chihuahua could walk away with the whole thing.

Saturday’s program includes low-cost vaccines, low-cost microchips, low-cost spay and neuter info and runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. rain or shine. The pulling competition is 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. No registration or training is required and entrants get free dog food and other gifts. The winners get cash money.

The Penn Vet Animal Welfare Society, Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and Philly Lug Nuts (Facebook page) are sponsoring the event.

Here’s some exciting news: Clark Park is hosting two big events in May – the annual Spruce Hill’s May Fair on Saturday, May 11 and Clark Park Party on May 18. Both events will be packed with fun activities for adults and children alike, music, food and vendors. We’ll let you know more about the details a little later, but for now here are a couple important messages from the event organizers.

Vendors at Spruce Hill May Fair. (Archive photo)

Mark Wagenveld of the Spruce Hill Community Association, who coordinates vendors at the May Fair, sent a note that there are still some slots available for vendors. Especially welcome are artists and crafts persons from West Philadelphia who are making unusual things. Also, groups that want to promote their cause, and businesses, especially unusual start-ups. Tables are $35 for those selling, $25 for non-profits. SHCA provides a table and chair for the day. The fair will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Interested persons or businesses should e-mail Mark by May 1 at: ma.wa@verizon.net

Michael Munson of The Thrive Fitness and Wellness, who’s in charge of field day events this year during the Clark Park Party, is seeking volunteers for the following  events and activities:  the 3 legged race, potato sack races, some fun fitness games, exercises and much more including face painting. Ideas and suggestions are welcome, too. If anyone has kids who would like to join in the fun (young or old) please let Michael know. Also needed: face paint, potato sacks, a rope for tug-o- war and maybe more. If you would like to volunteer, donate or for more information, please email Michael at: thrivefitnessandwellness@gmail.com

It looks like it will be a perfect night for some stargazing. Tonight from 6:00 – 9:30 p.m. two West Philly locations, the Woodlands Cemetery and the University of the Sciences, are inviting neighbors for Astronomy Night where you can check out the night skies and meet Philly-area astronomers. At the Woodlands (40th & Woodland), stargazing will be in the Center Circle, the highest point in the cemetery. You are also welcome to bring a blanket and enjoy a picnic with your friends and family.

Stargazing at the University of the Sciences will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Quad area on Woodland Avenue, between 42nd and 43rd Streets.

On Saturday, families are invited for Discovery Day at Clark Park that begins at 11 a.m. Kids can meet local scientists and science students, explore the park and its inhabitants and enjoy hands-on activities, such as sun gazing and creepy-crawly creatures.

Both events are part of the Philadelphia Science Festival.

Photo courtesy ThePennRelays.com

The nation’s oldest and largest track and field event, the Penn Relays, kicks off tomorrow at the University of Pennsylvania’s Franklin Field (233 S. 33rd St.) and there are a couple things West Philadelphia residents should know about the event.

First, traffic near Franklin Field will increase significantly as a result of the Relays, which run through Saturday. Penn security officials said 33rd Street from Walnut to South will be closed for about an hour on Saturday, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Those planning to attend the event, which attracts some 15,000 athletes ranging from high school students to Olympians, should expect much tighter security than in the past due to the recent bombings at the Boston Marathon. Security will be tight at every entrance to Franklin Field and everyone will be checked with metal detectors. Bomb-sniffing dogs and bomb disposal teams will also be on hand.

Here are the rules:

• Backpacks and large bags (gym bags etc.) will not be permitted into Franklin Field or the Relay Carnival Village.

• Participants (athletes, coaches, team medical personnel) will be permitted to bring in backpacks. These bags will be thoroughly checked and will only be allowed in via the designated participant entrances.

• All bags containing food must be smaller than 12x12x6 (inches) and in clear plastic bags. Sealed plastic water bottles and cardboard juice boxes are permitted inside the clear plastic bags.

• Coolers, glass bottles and cans will not be permitted.

For more info, including ticket information and schedule of events, go to the Penn Relays website.

The primary elections are on May 21 and here’s an opportunity to meet a candidate for Judge of Common Pleas. Timika Lane, who is a West Philadelphia local and chief legal counsel to State Senator and Democratic Whip Anthony H. Williams, will be at the University of Pennsylvania on Wednesday, April 24 for a meet-and-greet.

Timika is an advocate for people of color, women, children and low-income communities (her campaign video is available here) and has experience serving as an attorney in the Philadelphia court system (see another video here).

The event, which will be held at the LGBT Center at Penn (3907 Spruce St) beginning at 5:30 p.m., is free and open to the public. Everyone is welcome to bring their questions and discuss local issues. You can RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/326682774121772/