Photo from Theatre in the X website.

One of our favorite things about summer in West Philly is performances by Theatre in the X, the company that stages free Afrocentric plays at Malcolm X. Park. This summer they will present the world premiere of “The Beast of Nubia” on Aug. 4, 11 and 18. (look for a more detailed preview later this month). Check out the trailer below. For now, we wanted to let people know about their fundraiser and volunteer sign-up.

Theatre in the X has a GoFundMe campaign here to keep the summer performances going well into the future. They are also seeking volunteers for everything from ushers to wardrobe assistants to set builders. Go here to fill out the volunteer form.  Continue Reading

Friday Night Jazz in Cedar Park will continue until August 2nd, and here’s another West Philly park that has been hosting free live jazz performances this summer. The Jazz Heritage Series is held every other Thursday at 7 p.m. at Malcolm X Park (52nd and Pine). The series is hosted by Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and Friends of Malcolm X Park. The next performance is this Thursday (July 4) by vocalist Shirley Lites.

Here’s a full schedule of performances through September 12:  Continue Reading

Happy Juneteenth! The celebration of America’s “other Independence Day” kicks off around the city today (if you need background on the holiday that marks the end of slavery see the video below from The Root). The epicenter of the city’s Juneteenth celebration will be in West Philly this Saturday, June 22, with a parade down 52nd Street and and a festival in Malcom X. Park complete with vendors, food and lots of music.

The day kicks off with an “Honor Our Ancestors” breakfast. The parade begins at noon at 52nd and Jefferson and proceeds south on 52nd Street, which will be renamed “Muhammad Ali Way” during a ceremony in Malcolm X. Park (3 – 4 p.m.). The Juneteenth Musicfest will run from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the park. The featured performer is Kindred The Family Soul. Their performance is scheduled from 6 to 7 p.m. Continue Reading

The community theater group Theatre in the X will be back in Malcolm X. Park (52nd and Pine) over the next three Sundays to reimagine The Wiz. 

Theatre in the X’s staging of the African American classic will be an homage to Hip Hop and Black cinema of the 1980s and 90s.

“Our iconic characters will journey through Oz remixed with all the nuance and cultural swag of the Black experience in America,” according to their Facebook post for the event.  Continue Reading

The City is ready to unveil the green infrastructure improvements at Malcolm X Park. New green tools installed at the park will manage approximately 84,000 gallons of stormwater runoff from surrounding streets each time the neighborhood gets an inch of rain.

The reconstruction of the sidewalks around the perimeter of the park also included planting nearly 30 new trees that are specially designed to hold enough stormwater to fill three water tanks the size of SEPTA buses. These trees will filter millions of gallons of captured runoff over the course of a year.

A special ribbon-cutting event with the participation of City officials and representatives of neighborhood organizations will take place tonight (Wednesday, Aug. 2), beginning at 5:30 p.m. and will be followed by a free concert featuring Tony “TNT” Jones & Beyond the Dream as part of the bi-weekly Jazz Heritage Series.  Continue Reading

Another great West Philly summer tradition, Jazz Heritage Series, will kick off this Thursday (May 24) at Malcolm X Park at 52nd and Pine. The series, presented by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and co-hosted by the Friends of Malcolm X Park and Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, will feature free live performances by well-known Philadelphia area musicians every other Thursday (weather permitted) at 7 p.m. through September 13. Here’s the full lineup:

May 24 – Keni Jackson, Experience
June 7 – Keyboardist Glenn Bryan & Friends
June 21 – The Budesa Brothers
July 5 – Drummer Carlos DeVaughn & The All-Stars
July 19 – Vocalist Shirley Lites
Aug. 2 – Bassist Tony (TNT) Jones & Beyond The Dream
Aug. 16 – The Barbara Walker Story
Aug. 30 – The Clef Club Student Ensemble
Sept. 13 – The Sam Reed Band

Just a reminder that Cedar Park Jazz series will also return this summer. The first performance is next Friday, June 1, at 6 p.m.