John Bartram Jawn 2016, a free concert featuring Southwest Philly artists, will take place Sunday, Oct. 16 at Bartram’s Garden.

On Sunday, Oct. 16, Bartram’s Garden will be hosting Harvest Fest, an annual free community event packed with fun activities for the whole family, such as hayrides, cider pressing, face-painting, cooking and canning workshops, games of chance and skill, yoga, boating, and much more. The Fest will take place from 12 – 3 p.m., and more details can be found on the Bartram’s Garden website.

Following the Fest, John Bartram Jawn 2016 will kick off at 3 p.m. This is a FREE family-friendly outdoor concert featuring artists with roots in Southwest Philadelphia: Lee Mazin, E–Ness, Scorp Da Boy, Reed, Beat Peace, Solis, Zai & Rico, MTM, Shyster, DJ POOH GEEZ, Cheris Wimes, Music is Soul Good, FU, Dez, Vito, Jasmine Carter, Host JR Morris, and more.  Continue Reading

The Woodlands Cemetery and Mansion will be hosting a number of cool events this month to help you get into the Halloween spirit. We have compiled the listings below. Also check out The Woodlands website (www.woodlandsphila.org) for more information. Note: The annual Woodlands Gobble Wobble Fun Run will take place November 12. Click here for more details.

HollyWoodlands Movie Night 

Saturday, Oct. 15, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

HollyWoodlands is back for a Double Feature evening: first watch the original Ghostbusters and then stick around for the Halloween classic, Poltergeist! In addition, enjoy snacks from PB & Jams and BYO smores supplies for The Woodlands’ firepits. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., film starts at 7 p.m. Costumes are encouraged but not required. Requested donation: $10 for adults, $2 for children under 12. You can register online here. Rain date: Sunday, Oct. 16.  Continue Reading

A great way to say “goodbye” to the summer is by visiting the historic Woodlands cemetery grounds for the fall edition of Go West! Craft Fest. The fest is scheduled for this Saturday, Oct. 1 (rain date is Sunday, Oct. 2), from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and, as always, will feature handmade wares from about 100 local craftspeople, live music, and entertainment for the whole family. There will also be an opportunity to tour The Woodlands, sample delicious food from local eateries, and enjoy performances by Tangle’s tinycircus performers.

Here’s the schedule of performances:

11:00 – The Green Tambourine
12:00 – The River Bones
1:00 – West Philly Foot Tappers
2:00 – Brady And The Bear
3:00 – Tinycircus
4:00 – Christopher Davis-Shannon

For a sneak peek of what’s in store from the participating makers, go here. Also check out #gowestcraftfest on Instagram for more glimpses of Saturday’s offerings.

On Saturday, Sept. 24, community members and guests are invited to celebrate Viola Street in the Parkside section of West Philadelphia. There will be food, music, African dancers, an oral history project, community asset mapping, and other activities. The event highlights the history of the area and is a collaborative effort between residents of Parkside and neighborhood organizations, such as Viola Street Residents Association, and various large city organizations, such as Fairmount Park Conservancy, Free Library of Philadelphia, and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.

The event will be held from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on in the Viola Street Alley (42nd Street between Parkside Avenue and Viola Street; see map below).

In the recent years, there have been efforts to revitalize the area, including fixing up historic Flemish Revival brick row homes, turning vacant properties into new residences and greening the street. Read more about these efforts here.

More than 20 West Philly-based barbers will be at the West Philadelphia branch of YMCA this Sunday (Sept. 4) to provide free haircuts for youths as they prepare for the upcoming school year. This is the 2nd annual “Back 2 School” free hair-cutting event organized by the local group “Barbers Who Care.”

The event will run from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. and will also include child friendly activities, music, and special guests. West Philly YMCA is located at 5120 Chestnut Street.

Dozens received free haircuts at last year’s event.

Photo courtesy of University City District.

UCD’s annual outdoor movie program, Movies in Clark Park, will kick off Friday, Aug. 26 with a Disney Pixar classic, Finding Nemo. The screening will begin at 8 p.m. in the Clark Park “Bowl” near 43rd and Chester.

The program, which is in partnership with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation and Friends of Clark Park, will bring three weeks of free outdoor movies to the park as well as vendors offering food and dessert (come earlier to get them!). And don’t forget to bring your blanket or chairs.

Next Friday, Sept. 2, Creed will be screened. The program will conclude on Friday, Sept. 9 with Star Wars: The Force Awakens.