West Philly community members will have a chance to see legendary female rap and hip-hop group Salt-N-Pepa perform at the annual Neighborhood-to-Neighborhood (N2N) Festival. This year’s festival celebrates women in hip-hop and will take place at 50th and Baltimore next Saturday, Sept. 7.

Salt-N-Pepa, who have broken barriers and opened doors that were once closed to women in hip-hop, are set to headline the 2019 N2N Festival, performing their hit songs. MC Lyte, one of hip-hop’s pioneer feminists, and Angie Stone who rose to fame as member of the hip hop trio The Sequence before starting her solo career are also performing. There will also be live performances by local Philadelphia artists.

The free festival will be hosted by legendary radio host Lady B from Classix 107.9 FM, and comedian, Skeet. More than 5,000 people from across the region will enjoy the free festival throughout the day.  Continue Reading

The School District’s 11th annual back-to-school event will be held on Thursday, August 22, at the High School of the Future (4021 Parkside Ave.) from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The first 8,000 students attending this event will receive free book bags filled with school supplies.

Over 100 vendors will be on-site providing information, student enrollment services and social service resources. The event will also offer free haircuts, children’s eye glass testing, and dental services. There will also be free educational workshops, and a fun Kids Zone.

The Blackwell Regional Library is hosting a community read-in and memorial construction for author Toni Morrison on Saturday, Aug. 10.

The event “will celebrate the life, work, and the love that Toni Morrison had for us,” according to the library, which is located at 125 S. 52nd St. It runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will include readings from her many impactful works.

Library staff are asking people to bring flowers, candles, notes or “whatever you feel moved to bring” to help build a memorial for Morrison, who died on Aug. 5 at the age of 88.

The local theater company Theatre in the X will stage the world premiere of The Beast of Nubia on Sunday, Aug. 4 at 5 p.m. in the center of Malcolm X. Park (51st and Pine). Performances will follow on the next two Sundays, Aug. 11 and 18, also at 5 p.m.

Here’s how they describe The Beast of Nubia, which was written by Jonathan Bethea:

“In the deserts of ancient Nubia there is a magical kingdom guarded by a monstrous beast. When a merchant wrongs the beast his eldest daughter agrees to sacrifice herself in his place. What follows is a grand adventure filled with romance and excitement, as two very different people learn to cope with one another.”  Continue Reading

Street Movies!, Scribe Video Center’s traveling film series that features a range of shorts – from internationally recognized award-winning fiction, documentary, and animation films – will be held next month at nine locations throughout the Greater Philadelphia Area and Camden, NJ. There will be a screening in West Philly as well – on Friday, August 30 at the Lucien Blackwell Community Center (47th and Aspen St).

This year, Street Movies! is coordinated and programmed by Nehad Khader, a filmmaker, curator, editor and the Program Director at Philadelphia’s BlackStar Film Festival. Marquee films include T.E.M.P.L.E.- Tell ‘Em My People Leave Enriched (USA, 2019), directed by Lamont Nathaniel Gibson, and They Charge for the Sun (USA, 2016, 16 min), directed by Terence Nance.  Continue Reading

Shakespeare in Clark Park is returning this week. For five nights (July 24-28), the popular outdoor theater company will present the classic tragedy “King Lear” in the park’s “Bowl” at 43rd and Chester.

Shakespeare in Clark Park brings to life this classic tale of power and madness with a company of Philly’s favorite actors including Brian Anthony Wilson and Charlotte Northeast, transforming Clark Park thanks to scenic design by Sebastienne Mundheim.  Continue Reading