40th Street Summer Series, the free family-friendly outdoor concerts on the green space behind the Walnut West Library at 40th and Walnut are coming back again this year, thanks to University City District, Penn, and The Rotunda. This year, the series has expanded to five concerts with the following dates: on May 25, June 29, July 27, Aug 31, and Sept 28. The performers list is great, as always, including Philadelphia Ukulele Orchestra, Spaceship Aloha, Millennial Territory Orchestra and more.
This Saturday prepare to dance, shake, sweat and even whirl when Brooklyn Qawwali Party kicks off the series. This 11-piece brass band from NYC performs 700-year-old Pakistani Sufi music in a “thunderous” manner (see video below). “Funky, smart, and loving, BQP captures the joyful spirit of this Pakistani folk music in a unique instrumental blend of jazz and Qawwali. It’s a good time, it’s from the heart, and it’s like nothing you’ve ever heard,” according to the event’s website.
All Summer Series concerts begin at 6 p.m. and also feature Give and Take jugglers, fire artists, face painting, and balloon art that your kids will love.
Three more parklets, public seating platforms that replace parking spots, are coming to the University City area this week. A new parklet was installed near Manakeesh Cafe on Walnut Street near 45th on Tuesday. Two parklets, with new design developed by Philadelphia’s Shift Space Design, are returning to their last year’s locations today and Thursday – on 44th Street near Spruce, across from Honest Tom’s and Lil’ Pop Shop, and on Locust Street near 40th, across from Ramen Bar and Keswick Cycle.
Greene Street Consignment had a Grand Opening on Valentine’s Day.
Greene Street Consignment has opened a location in the University City area, at 3734 Spruce Street. The shop had a Grand Opening last week, on Valentine’s Day. This is the 9th location for the boutique-style shop that offers women’s and men’s recycled and new clothing, shoes and accessories (the 10th location will open in Soho, NYC in March).
A Greene Street representative said that the new shop is primarily aimed at students, faculty, tourists and parents in University City. According to Lynne Mastrilli, the owner, “there’s something about the perfect storm of everything about the college experience that works well with our business.”
The University City Science Center (UCSC) will soon get its own residential building. Plans have been revealed for a construction of a 27-story apartment building on the UCSC campus near 36th and Market Streets. The construction, which will begin in the fall of 2013, is expected to be completed in early 2015. The new 400,000 square feet building will be a mix of studio, efficiency and one- and two-bedroom apartments (364 total!) and will also include a fitness center, a rooftop pool, 200 parking spaces, and about 17,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. In addition, the building will be topped off with a green roof.
“This new project will add an entirely new dimension to the Science Center and our campus. It will help us achieve our goal of ‘activating’ our campus and creating a dynamic environment in which to live, work and play,” says Science Center President & CEO Stephen S. Tang, Ph.D., MBA. “As we celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2013, we are looking to the future – and the future of the Science Center centers on a vibrant 24/7 community.”
The project is a joint venture between Wexford Equities, the parent company of Wexford Science & Technology, and Southern Land Company.
The UCSC, one of the nation’s largest urban research parks, was established in 1963.
University City District is teaming up with EnergyWorks, a federally funded energy efficiency program, and inviting University City residents (see map below) to sign up for a discounted home energy audit. Application deadline is January 31, 2013. The audit will help identify areas in your home that need energy efficiency improvements that will make your home more comfortable and help reduce your utility bills.
Typically, the cost of a home energy audit is around $400, but with this program you can get a special $49 promotional rate. EnergyWorks also offers low-interest rate (%0.99) for energy retr0-fits.
For more information and to sign up, email: sustainability@universitycity.org
The 48th Street Neighbors group and the University City District are inviting all neighbors to the “Welcome to the Neighborhood – Meet the Grassroots” event this Sunday, Nov. 18, from 4 to 6 p.m., at Studio 34 (4522 Baltimore Ave).
There will be an opportunity to meet some dynamic people and get information on resources and opportunities in the neighborhood. Come to this event if you want to be a part of this living, growing, and effective community. And you’re welcome to bring a friend, especially if they are new to the neighborhood.
Here’s a list of the neighborhood groups and organizations participating in the event: 48th St. Neighbors, UCD, Garden Court Community Association, Cedar Park Neighbors, Protecting Our Waters, The Children’s Community School, West Philadelphia Coalition for Neighborhood Schools, Fred Kauffman and “Heeding God’s Call” – a group dedicated to getting illegal guns off the street, Shakespeare in Clark Park, West Philly Tool Library, Camp Sojourner, Girls’ Leadership Camp, International Student Support Group, Books through Bars, A-Space, City Kitties, Curio Theater Company and others.
Also, the event will include local activist Iris Bloom leading a safety/self-defense session from 5 to 6 p.m.
Refreshments will be served. Please contact Patty Bulack at pbulack@gmail.com with any questions.
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