After taking a two-year break due to the pandemic, a popular live music event, Cedar Park Jazz Fridays, is set to return this week. The annual series, presented by Cedar Park Neighbors, features free outdoor performances by the area’s finest jazz musicians and bands at the park located at 49th and Baltimore. The 2022 series kicks off June 3 at 6 p.m. with a performance by The Dirk Quinn Band.

Here’s the schedule through July 22:

June 3: The Dirk Quinn Band
June 24: The Philadelphia Clef Club Ensemble
July 8: Bobby Zankel and The Wonderful Warriors of Sound
July 22: Nasir Ebo and Friends

All shows are held from 6 to 8 p.m. in fair weather.

The series is sponsored by local businesses and individual donations from neighborhood residents.

Photo courtesy of West Philly Porchfest

Two popular outdoor music festivals are set to return next month – West Philly Porchfest and Make Music Philly – and the organizers are currently looking for participants.

West Philly Porchfest will be held on Saturday, June 4, from 12-6 p.m. The DYI festival features musicians who perform in all music genres, presenting free shows on porches all around the neighborhood. The festival has grown over the years – last year over 125 porches hosted Porchfest performances. Porch sign-up for this year’s fest is currently open. If you live in West Philly and would like to host a show on your porch, please go to this page and fill out a registration form. Continue Reading

West Craft Fest’s Spring edition will be held this Saturday, April 30, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the beautiful Woodlands. This popular outdoor event is now bigger than ever: more than 130 local artists and crafts people will showcase their handmade, unique art pieces and wares. More than 70 percent of these talented makers are based in West Philly! The event will also include live music, food trucks, and the crowd favorites, Tangle Movement Arts, will present their aerial performances.

Like last September, the Fest layout will be extended, stretching along Woodland Avenue on both sides of the main entrance. Food trucks will be on the East end of the action, and the stage area on the West, with all of the makers’ booths in between (see the map below). Continue Reading

People’s Emergency Center (PEC) brings jazz musicians and artists from the Lancaster Avenue Jazz and Arts Festival for a preview of their big event on July 16th! Stop by The Porch at 30th Street Station this Friday, April 22 between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. to browse the art exhibitions (and meet the artists) and to hear a performance by the Mike Boone Quartet in conjunction with The Producer’s Guild of Philadelphia.

Pitruco brick oven pizza will be set up and selling delicious pizzas. Last year’s event drew dozens of guests to The Porch to hear the Jazz stylings of Kenny Sykes and the Ivory Keys Band (pictured).

For updates on the free, live, in-person, Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival on Saturday July 16, visit: https://www.lancasteravephilly.com/jazzfest.html.

Photo courtesy of PEC.

The 2019 Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll (Photo by Lora Reehling).

Baltimore Avenue Dollar Strolls, typically taking place twice every summer, have always been very popular, drawing huge crowds of both West Philly residents and guests. But this year, the event is returning with a new take, after taking a break last summer due to the pandemic.

On Saturday, Sept. 25, from 12 – 4 p.m., visitors are invited to stroll up and down Baltimore Avenue between 40th and 52nd Streets to visit local small businesses and restaurants during the Baltimore Avenue Saturday Stroll. Although there won’t be $1 offers from most participating businesses like during the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll, they will offer Stroll specials, discounts, and unique offerings during the event. Continue Reading

Keni Jackson (Facebook photo)

Great news for local jazz music fans! After a two-year break the popular Thursday night jazz series, Jazz Heritage Series, will return to Malcolm X Park this summer. The series will kick off this Thursday, July 1 (weather permitting), with a performance by Southwest Philadelphia native Keni Jackson, a bass player and vocalist.

All concerts are free and held every other Thursday evening from 7-9 p.m. Please bring your blanket or portable chair, and picnic! Please note that performances are not held in inclement weather.

Here’s the full schedule of performances through October 21st: Continue Reading