Live interactive music shows for all ages are coming to Trolley Portal Gardens at 40th and Baltimore. Starting May 11, University City District (UCD) is partnering with West Philadelphia-based jazz vocalist Gretchen Elise to present inclusive musical performances featuring local talent on Thursday evenings 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 as both a presenter and a curator.” Continue Reading

Two local DIY music festivals, Make Music Philly and West Philly Porchfest, are returning in June and currently recruiting musicians and venues.

West Philly Porchfest returns on June 3 from Noon – 6 p.m. It features musicians of all musical genres performing free shows on porches, stoops and lawns. Musicians who sign up to participate in the Fest will be matched with their host porch. Sign ups are still open for both parties. Sign up here if you want to host a show. Musicians who want to perform at the Fest can contact the organizers on this page. Both parties can connect on the West Philly Porchfest Musician/Porch Connector on Facebook. More info about the Fest is here. Continue Reading

BalletX returns to The Mann Center with a world premiere by Amy Hall Garner, the return of Justin Peck’s Become a Mountain (2021) with LIVE music by recording artist Dan Deacon, and Trey McIntyre’s Big Ones (2016) set to the music of Amy Winehouse.

Pre-show performances and festivities begin at 6 p.m. Picnics are welcomed for this performance, as a part of the Mann’s Picnic Series. Outside food and drinks are permitted!

Click here for more info and to purchase tickets. Also, check out this video: Continue Reading

Philly’s non-profit music venue World Cafe Live is inviting local community members – parents, students, and patrons – as well as fans of music everywhere, to join them on Saturday, Nov. 12 and experience a selection of WCL’s upcoming programming.

This event will be completely free to the public, fit for everyone! At 10:30 a.m., WCL’s Artistic Director of Education & Engagement, Josh Campbell, will host a Coffee & Conversation where he’ll talk about what his organization has been building for its guests and community.

At 11:00 a.m., Guachinangos will present one of WCL’s flagship Bridge Sessions, diving into son jarocho and cumbia traditions in the venue’s legendary Music Hall. This will transition directly to an interactive songwriting workshop with a WCL teaching artist, so attendees are encouraged to stick around for the fun. Admission will be on a first come, first served basis and RSVP is required (click here to register).

“We pride ourselves on being a place where artistry meets [social] impact and are hoping to expand this impact with an upcoming Community Open House on November 12th, 2022,” writes Jacinda Arellano, Program Manager.

For more information about World Cafe Live and its programming, visit: https://worldcafelive.com.

The Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival is returning Saturday, July 16 live and in-person! The 2022 Festival will be held at Saunders Park Greene (39th & Powelton) from Noon-7 p.m. and promises to be the best one yet.

The all-day event, which celebrates West Philadelphia and jazz musicians, is free and open to the public. It is organized by People’s Emergency Center (PEC), The Producer’s Guild of Philadelphia, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, and a committee of community members, with technical assistance from Nu Millennium Media Productions.

The headliner this year is the Orrin Evans Quartet, performing from the TD Bank Main Stage. The Quartet is led by none other than pianist, composer, and independent recording artist Orrin Evans, gracing the Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival stage for the first time. Continue Reading

Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll (archived photo).

The popular neighborhood event, Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll, will return Thursday, June 16 after a two-year hiatus.

This year, the event, organized by University City District (UCD), will feature $1, $3, and $5 deals from local businesses along Baltimore Avenue from 40th to 52nd. Over 25 local storefronts will participate, with additional community vendors, performers, and musicians providing entertainment and fun along the way.

Deals range from bites of tasty food and beverages offered by popular local businesses (Renata’s Kitchen, Dahlak Paradise, Mariposa Food Co-op, and more) to preview theatre tickets and merchandise offerings. Greensgrow West (5123 Baltimore Ave.) will be offering plants and planters ranging from $1-$5, as well as merchandise and children’s books. Continue Reading