The summer 2024 season of Friday Night Jazz at Cedar Park kicks off this week at the park, located at 49th and Baltimore. This is the 25th year of this popular event! The free shows featuring Philadelphia’s finest jazz musicians and bands, will run every Friday from 6-8 p.m. until the end of July (weather permitting). Here is the schedule:

June 14 – Firestorm
June 21 – Ray Wright’s Jazz Lab
June 28 – Yesseh & Friends
July 5 – Bobby Zankel & the Wonderful Sound 6
July 12 – Dr Ketchup
July 19 – Firestorm and Scholarship Award Night
July 26 – Clef Club

Guests are welcome to bring chairs, blankets and picnics!

This annual event is organized by Cedar Park Neighbors with the help from local businesses. This year’s sponsors are PFCU, Mariposa, Penn Live Arts, VIX Emporium and Cleo Bagels.

For more details and updates, visit the event’s Facebook page.

The 2024 West Philly Porchfest map (the full map is available at westphillyporchfest.com)

The annual West Philly Porchfest is scheduled to return Saturday, June 8, from 12-6 p.m. This year, the DIY music festival featuring dozens of free porch and stoop shows in various music genres (including folk, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, rap and hip hop, classical music and more!) will be held from 42nd to 56th Street and from Market St. to Woodland Ave. As always, the shows are divided into three two-hour time slots – from 12-2 p.m. (marked in red on the map), from 2-4 p.m. (marked in pink), and from 4-6 p.m. (marked in light blue).

The Porchfest provides an opportunity for local musicians to play and for West Philly residents and guests to host and enjoy free shows.

The full list of performers and schedule, as well as an interactive map, are available on the West Philly Porchfest website.

Gretchen Elise performing at a Pop-up at the Portal (Photo courtesy UCD).

Free, all-ages music performances, Pop-Ups at the Portal, are returning to Trolley Portal Gardens at 40th St. and Baltimore Ave. For five weeks starting May 9, University City District (UCD) in partnership with local musician Gretchen Elise will present inclusive musical performances featuring local talent every Thursday evening (from 5 – 7 p.m.)

“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. “Gretchen has deep connections with the neighborhood and other local musicians and made a great fit to collaborate with again as both a presenter and a curator.”

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The spring edition of West Craft Fest is set to return to The Woodlands on Saturday, April 27 after a two-year break. (Rain date is Sunday, April 28). Over 100 local artists and makers will showcase their unique, handmade wares: jewelry, ceramics, home wares, accessories, original art, prints, stationery, clothing, candles, soaps, stickers, and much more! Check out the vendors list here.

The popular event also features live music and entertainment, food from local vendors, craft activities (make & take crafts), and acrobatic performances by Tangle Movement Arts. It is free and open to the public.

The Fest hours are: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Here’s the performance schedule:

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Photo courtesy of Fairmount Park Conservancy.

This month, Fairmount Park Conservancy will host three public tours in West and East Fairmount Park that highlight Philadelphia’s history, including one on Philadelphia’s role in the Underground Railroad. The tours will include hikes and interactive conversations with experts in the neighborhoods’ past.

Walking in William Still’s Steps: Guided Hike and Community Conversation will take place on Saturday, Oct. 7, followed by Discover Strawberry Mansion: Neighborhood and East Park Walking Tour on October 22. The series will conclude on October 28 with Parkside Past, Parkside Present: Neighborhood and Centennial District Walking Tour.

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October is here and we’re happy to share some interesting and spooky events for adults and children alike happening in the neighborhood. Here’s what will go down at the historic Woodlands cemetery and mansion, Penn Museum, Bartram’s Garden, local libraries, and more locations.

The Woodlands (40th and Woodland)

Nature Nights: Raptor Night
Thu, Oct. 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Explore The Woodlands after dark and learn about the hawks, owls and other raptors who live there. Meet live birds with Courtney Douds, aka Raptor Jawns, and discover some of the mysteries of the urban wildlife that calls The Woodlands home. This event is free and open to the public but pre-registration is recommended. Click here for more info.

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