Photo courtesy Awesome Fest.

This summer, Clark Park is hosting some great arts events. The annual Shakespeare in Clark Park is returning on July 30 with epic performances of Henry IV (more info coming soon), and starting this Thursday, the park will welcome The Awesome Fest, also an annual event happening at various Philadelphia venues. The Awesome Fest was launched in 2010 and since then showcased over 200 Philadelphia premieres from the world’s most prestigious film festivals.

The fest opens tonight at 9 p.m. at Clark Park (43rd and Baltimore) with another Philadelphia premiere – Riot on the Dance Floor. Update: The remaining Awesome Fest movie screenings at Clark Park are: The Wizard Of Oz synced with Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of the Moon (July 10), Death Metal Angola (July 17), Jingle Bell Rocks! (July 24), Phantom of The Paradise (Aug 7), and Skanks (Aug 14), all starting at 9 p.m.. Films are presented on a state-of-the-art, 30-foot outdoor screen, and are free to the public. For more Awesome Fest events, click here. The fest closes on August 17.

Clark Park Summer Film Series also kicks off this week, with the first film showing on Friday, June 27, at 8 p.m. in the Bowl (45th and Regent). Gasland Part II will be shown. This showing is also free. Don’t forget to bring your popcorn, blankets and chairs.

Clark Park Farmers’ Market.

Here’s also a quick update on the Clark Park Thursday market events and vendors:

Unfortunately, Tune Up Philly (Facebook page) have cancelled the rest of their dates at Clark Park Thursday, according to Food Trust Market Director Lisa Kelly. West Philly Local reported last week on The Food Trust’s plans to bring Paul Smith of Tune Up Philly and the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra to the market every Thursday throughout June and July for interactive demonstrations on how to make musical instruments out of vegetables. There are no more details available at this time.

There is some good news about today’s market though. To coincide with the kickoff of The Awesome Fest at Clark Park, there will be a free canning demonstration from 4 – 6 p.m., led by local food writer Emily Teel. She will be sharing her knowledge on how to can produce from your favorite farmers’ market. Also, lots of information on home canning as well as recipes and other canning goodies will be offered at this event.

In addition, The Food Trust is bringing several new food trucks to the park today – Poi Dog, Curbside Creamery, Mom-Mom’s Polish Food Cart, Pie Stand (2014’s Vendy Award winners!), and Flavor Spot (a food truck spinoff of the popular Jamaican restaurant). The trucks will be on site for the market from 3 p.m. on through The Awesome Fest.

Please don’t forget that the usual market vendors will be there from 3 to 7 p.m. Quaff Meadows, Homestead Gardens, and Frecon Farms are bringing their fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, and more to the market.

Some of you may remember last summer’s Firefly Night held at the historic Woodland Cemetery’s grounds. Following this fun tradition, The Woodlands is kicking off a series of free events this week that would help bring local residents closer to nature and enjoy each other’s company. Nature Nights will take place on June 26, July 24, and August 21, from 6 to 9 p.m.. Each summer month, you’ll have an opportunity to learn more about the urban ecosystem and the creatures that are part of it: fireflies, moths, and bats.

The Firefly Night kicks off the series this Thursday and here’s what you should expect:

• Pack a picnic and bring your flashlights

• Spend the evening inside The Woodlands after dark searching for fireflies

• Educators from The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University will be on site to tell you more about the way animals, including fireflies, communicate and attract mates

• Sweet treats from Lil’ Pop Shop will be available for sale throughout the evening.

For more details and other upcoming events at The Woodlands, check out this page.

Bartram’s Garden (54th St and Lindbergh Blvd) is inviting community members, especially families, on Sunday, June 22, to spend a day filled with activities on the banks of the Schuylkill River. The Bartram’s Garden Community River Fest will offer activities both on water and land and absolutely free! Activities are scheduled throughout the day – from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.!

Photo courtesy of Bartram’s Garden.

On the river: there will be free kayak and rowboat rentals, free ferry boat rides and kid-friendly water activities. The highlight of the event, the Tidal Schuylkill Boat Parade, will begin at noon, amping up the party vibe with “gussied up sailors, tricked out skiff masons, heavily adorned floaters and bedizen paddlers,” according to Danielle Redden, boat parade organizer. Now in its third year, the parade is a nautical costume party on homemade river crafts, accompanied by a floating brass band. Community members are invited to come in costume and take part in the parade.

On land: Throughout the day, there will be nature scavenger hunts, a petting zoo with alpacas, donkeys, sheep, goats and Indian fantails and pony rides. The Philadelphia Zoo on Wheels will showcase a variety of wetland creatures, including owls, hawks and turtles. A mega farmers’ market will also be offering a beautiful array of locally-grown produce for sale, the majority of which was grown on site at the Community Farm and Food Resource Center at Bartram’s Garden. Finally, there will be cool treats served up by Little Baby’s Ice Cream (checkout their brand new Oyster Ice Cream), and free hot dogs and refreshments provided by Philadelphia Energy Solutions (while supplies last).

The Community River Fest will kick off a new series of river-focused programming at Bartram’s Garden. Check out its website for more information: http://www.bartramsgarden.org/.

Make Music Philly (MMP), the annual one-day only festival that features free music performances all across the city, will be back on Saturday, June 21. A bunch of music gigs, for kids and adults alike, are scheduled in our area as well, including at Clark Park, Penn Museum, Morris Park and more (see the list of added venues and performances below).

Also, check out the mobile venue Autographs & Aerosols (A&A), a converted U-Haul truck that uses its open-ended door lift as a stage. A&A will host performances in Cedar Park (49th and Baltimore).

Autographs & Aerosols (Mobile Venue, 49th and Baltimore)

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Salamander Sunset (Hip-Hop, Indie-Rock, Jazz)
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – The Philly Gathering All-Star Rap Group (Hip-Hop)

Clark Park Music and Arts Festival (43rd and Chester)

11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – Rock to the Future (Kids, Rock, Other)
12:45 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Lazy Susan (Rock)
1:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. – Lover’s League (Blues, Folk)
2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – On The Cooling Board (Blues, Rock, Soul)
2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. – Family Vacation (Indie-Rock)
3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Commonwealth Choir (Indie-Rock)
4:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. – Brian Fitzy (Pop, Rock)
5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. – City Rain (Electronic, Pop)

Morris Park (6601 Woodcrest Road)

1:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Bluesberry Blues Jamm (Blues)

Parent Infant Center (42nd and Locust)

10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. – The Larks (Other)
10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Brooks Wilson (Kids)
10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Scott Weidman (Blues, World)
11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. – Katie Foley (Folk, Rock)
11:45 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. – Brooks Wilson and the Troll Spit String Band (Americana/Bluegrass)
12:15 p.m – 12:30 p.m. – Barbara Gettes (Folk)

Penn Museum (3260 South St)

Update (6/21/14): Unfortunately, this concert has been cancelled: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Bear Cave Tower (Folk, Indie-Folk, Other)

State Sen. Anthony H. Williams is hosting a discussion this Saturday on the pros and cons of legalizing marijuana in Pennsylvania, as the Pennsylvania General Assembly considers legislation to legalize medical cannabis. The free public forum, called “The Great Marijuana Debate,” will take place at the University of Pennsylvania School of Law (see details below).

Some of the pros of legalizing marijuana in Pennsylvania to be discussed at tomorrow’s forum are: how potential revenue from a tax on legal marijuana would help Pennsylvania increase its funding of public education; impact the state’s pension problem; and the possibility of a multi-million dollar recurring revenue source.

The following officials from business, education, government, religion, and medicine are scheduled to participate in the forum, including:

• Derek Rosenzweig, Philly NORML and co-founder of Pennsylvanians for Medical Marijuana
• Yesha Ministries Bishop J. Darrell Robinson
• George Forsythe, former Maryland State Policeman and a member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, or LEAP
• Philadelphia City Councilman Jim Kenney
• Dr. Jahan Marcu, Americans for Safe Access Multidisciplinary Scientific Advisory Board and the 2012 “Cannabis Researcher of the Year”
• Kirsten Heine, Assistant Philadelphia District Attorney
• Capt. Thomas Davidson, Philly Police Department’s Narcotics Field Unit
• Rachelle Yeung, Esq., Marijuana Policy Project

Although this is a free event, tickets are required for admission. RSVP requests can be made at 215-492-2980.

WHO: Sen. Anthony H. Williams, advocates and opponents of marijuana legalization
WHEN: 9:30 a.m. (registration), 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (forum), Saturday, June 14
WHERE: Fitts Auditorium, University of Pennsylvania Law School, 3501 Sansom St., Philadelphia

Mixed People will perform this Friday in Cedar Park.

Last week, we reported about The Cedar Park Jazz Series, an annual celebration of summer, jazz and community in Cedar Park. The free outdoor series returned last Friday with a performance by Dr. Ketchup. This Friday, check out local band Mixed People whose performance will likely get you up on your feet and dancing and singing along. Mixed People was formed in 2012 by guitarist Paulette Branson. The band is a funky, soul fusion with hints of alternative rock and world music. The show begins at 6 p.m.

We have also finally been able to confirm that the annual summer Jazz Heritage Series will kick off tonight at Malcolm X Park (52nd and Pine), weather permitting. This year will mark the 14th anniversary of the series hosted by Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and Friends of Malcolm X Park.

Here’s the schedule for the shows being held every other Thursday, starting at 7 p.m.:

June 12 – Drummer-Lucky Thomas & Friends
June 26 – The Barbara Walker Story
July 10 – Glenn Bryan and Friends
July 24 – Vocalist Shirley Lites
Aug 7 – The Little Jazz Giants of Camden N.J.
Aug 21 – Alto Saxist Immanuel Wilkins
Sept 4 – Philadelphia CLEF Club Jr. Band
Sept 19 – The Nate Murray Band

Finally, here’s something for our jazz lovers north of Market Street: Concluding the three-part series of Jazz Jams & Art Exhibits and gearing up for PEC’s 8th Annual Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival on July 19th, there will be a live performance by Weez The Peeples (Facebook page) this Friday (see flier below). The show will take place at the lot next to 4110 Lancaster Ave. Neighbors are also invited to play along in the Jam and Open Mic session. The series is part of the Second Fridays on Lancaster Ave and is held in outdoor spaces in order to “float the beautiful tunes down the street.” For more information on what else is happening this Friday on Lancaster Ave, check out this Facebook page.