In celebration of Black History Month, many Free Library of Philadelphia branches will be hosting special events for both children and adults, including book readings and discussions, lectures, arts and crafts, and other educational and fun events and activities. Here’s a list of events happening in West Philadelphia branches and on-line this week. For more events, visit this page.

Monday, Jan. 31, 6:00 p.m.

Walnut Street West Library (40th and Walnut):

W. E. B. Du Bois’ The Ordeal of Mansart Community Reading Group – Stop by the library for a community reading group of W. E. B Du Bois’ classic novel The Ordeal of Mansart. W. E. B. Du Bois was a public intellectual, sociologist, and activist and profoundly shaped Black political culture in the United States. This is a weekly event through Feb. 28. Click here for more information. Continue Reading

The Spruce Hill Community Association is inviting families to kick off their trick-or-treating festivities at Clark Park, where the annual Halloween Tot Parade will be held this year. The decision to move the parade, which traditionally kicks off at 45th and Baltimore and proceeds down 45th St. to Osage Ave., was made because of COVID safety precautions.

The 2021 parade will take place around Clark Park and will not culminate in the traditional Osage Ave. block party, according to the organizers. Gathering begins at 4 p.m. at 43rd and Baltimore and the parade will begin at 4:30 p.m. The Penn Drum Line will participate in the event, and there will be treats and other fun activities.

The organizers are asking attendees to wear masks – the scary kind and the COVID-safe kind – and to follow social distancing guidelines.

Philadelphia Open Studio Tours (POST) are back in-person, with West Philadelphia artists inviting folks to visit them this Sunday, Oct. 24. Multiple studios in West Philly will be open to visitors from Noon to 6 p.m., so it’s a great chance to stop by and say hello to your creative neighbors and check out their work.

The following studios and artists are participating in the 2021 POST tours:

• 40th Street Artist-in-Residence Program, 4007 Chestnut St., 1st floor and 4013 Chestnut St. (pictured) Continue Reading

If you have been waiting for news about the Spruce Hill Halloween “Tot” Parade, here is a short update for now: the popular annual event that draws hundreds of participants will not return this year in its usual form, according to the organizers, the Spruce Hill Community Association. However, a smaller event is being planned in the neighborhood. Stay tuned for more information.

Families are also invited to celebrate Halloween at The Woodlands (40th and Woodland) during Halloween Family Fun Day. The event will take place on Sunday, Oct. 24 from Noon to 3 p.m. and will feature a digital Halloween themed self-guided tour, and performances by Tangle Movement Arts and Karen Smith’s “Spiritual Atmospheric Cleansing.” Also after a hiatus, All Hallow’s Read, a spooky book event, will return this year as part of the Family Fun Day. Please bring a spooky or seasonal book to swap. Readers of all ages and spooky costumes of all kinds are welcome. Go here for more info. Continue Reading

Hamilton Mansion (Photo courtesy of The Woodlands)

The Woodlands Cemetery and Mansion is bringing back some of its popular seasonal events, both for children and adults, after last year’s hiatus. Check out more info below about this year’s After Hours event, Halloween Family Fun Day and Halloween Cocktail Party. Also, bird lovers are invited to the Woodlands on Friday, Oct. 8 for an early morning bird walk (the event begins at 7:30 a.m.). This is a great chance to observe birds during fall migration. The event is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required. Go here for more info. Continue Reading

Fall is here, which means it’s time to spend more time outdoors and enjoy the beautiful weather. Check out these fun events and activities happening in West Philly’s Clark Park:

• Clark Park Youth Soccer League is returning this fall and registration is currently open for children ages 4 to 9. The 2021 Fall Season kicks off this Saturday, Oct. 2 and will continue until early November. Groups will be smaller this season due to COVID safety. The program meets every Saturday in the park’s “Bowl” near 43rd and Chester. This is a low-cost program run by volunteers. For more information and registration, go here.

• On Saturday, Oct. 2, from 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m., the University of the Sciences (USciences), located near the southwest edge of the park on Woodland Ave., is hosting a free Bicentennial Block Party for the community. The event will kick off a month-long celebration of the university’s 200th Anniversary. The event will include the following performances and activities for all ages: Continue Reading