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

Do you want to support early childhood education and have a great night out? Would you bid on a Cape May vacation or some original artwork? How about a birthday party package to University Family Fun Center or a new bike? These are some of over 100 items featured at the 14th annual Saint Mary’s Nursery School (SMNS) annual fundraiser:

Spring For Our School Silent Auction & Party

Saturday, April 21 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Harnwell College House Rooftop Lounge
3820 Locust Walk
Tickets: $45 (adults only) at www.stmarysnursery.org/sfos

Who is Saint Mary’s Nursery School? SMNS is a diverse, non-denominational school with a 54-year history in West Philadelphia, home to 150 children between 18 mo – 10 yrs and involve many active family members in our co-op program.  Continue Reading

On Sunday, Dec. 17, Kol Tzedek, West Philly’s reconstructionist synagogue, is hosting their annual Hanukkah Party. This year, the party is titled “Rejoice and Resist” and will benefit Kol Tzedek’s Jewish-Muslim solidarity work.

Kol Tzedek, which means Voice for Justice, has been actively participating in many social justice causes and projects in the area. The synagogue is a member of POWER (Philadelphians Organized to Witness, Empower and Rebuild), a consortium of faith communities from across the city. Kol Tzedek members participate in several social justice projects and movements, including the Jewish-Muslim Solidarity Project, whose goal is “to create relationships with local Muslim communities, and to work with them against Islamophobia and discrimination.”  Continue Reading

Photo by Ryan Collerd, courtesy University City District.

It’s hard to believe it but The Porch at 30th Street Station is celebrating its 5th anniversary this week. It opened in the fall of 2011 and transformed a parking lot and a dangerous walkway outside of the nation’s second busiest train stations into a vibrant and pedestrian-friendly public space complete with tables and chairs, umbrellas, swings and greenery.

The Porch’s 5th Anniversary Party will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 28 (weather permitting) and will feature food, drinks, giveaways, and music. University City District (UCD), who operates and programs The Porch, is partnering with 33rd Street Hospitality and Jet Wine Bar to bring $5 food and drink specials in honor of the five years since The Porch debuted.

Since its introduction in 2011, The Porch at 30th Street Station has been offering seasonal horticulture, special events, and lunch service from local food trucks. The Porch was Philadelphia’s first “lighter quicker cheaper” public space, and originally involved simple, cost-effective, and fully removable elements.

Five years later, The Porch has evolved into a more permanent mainstay, with elements contributed by Groundswell Design Group, Gehl Studio, and Visit Philly. The Porch has also cemented itself as a popular gathering space for commuters, local workers, and visitors to Philadelphia looking for a space to lounge and linger.  Continue Reading

Here’s a sampling of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day events and happenings in West Philly and Center City. Also, a reminder that subway trains will be running all night tonight to accommodate New Year’s Eve travelers. Happy New Year!

New Year’s Eve Fireworks

Philadelphia will ring in 2016 not once but twice with New Year’s Eve fireworks on the Delaware River waterfront (Penn’s Landing). The first show starts at 6 p.m., and the second one is at midnight. If you can’t make it to Penn’s Landing, check out this Visit Philly guide to the best spots to watch the fireworks and ring in the New Year.

New Year’s Eve Yoga

Studio 34 is hosting the annual New Year’s Eve Yoga and Mochi event from 8 – 10 p.m. This is a fun and inspiring all-levels yoga workshop led by Studio 34 teacher Morgan Andrews. After class, mochi (sweet chewy rice cakes) will be served. Admission for this class is sliding scale, $10-$20. Click here for more information. Also, you can try some hot yoga for free at Bikram Yoga West Philly (4145 Chestnut St), just bring a screenshot of this ad. Bikram Yoga is holding classes today until 4:30 p.m., and there will be one class on New Year’s Day, at 11 a.m. Here’s the schedule for this week.  Continue Reading

Philly Thriller performs in front of The Rotunda (Facebook photo).

We hope you prepared your spooky costumes because All Hallows’ Eve is almost here! Check out our Halloween events roundup (for kids and adults alike) below and we hope you have a lot of fun. Also, the popular local community dance group, Philly Thriller (Facebook page), will be performing again on West Philly streets. Here’s a tentative schedule of their performances:

4:30 p.m. – Dress rehearsal on The Rotunda Plaza (40th and Walnut)
5:00 – 5:15 p.m. – Performances at 42nd and Osage
5:30 to 6:45 p.m. – Clark Park performances

Also, there will be some “Catch us on Baltimore Ave” flash mob performances, according to Philly Thriller founder Rashida Holmes.

Continue Reading