The Table Sessions, Sattriya Dance Company, May 2024. (Photo by Shannon Sophy)

After 20 years, a West Philadelphia visionary arts group which has staged more than 100 productions, including an ambitious (and sold-out) undertaking supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, is changing its name and evolving. Journey Arts is the new name and branding of Intercultural Journeys, a gem in Philadelphia’s performing arts world.

Journey Arts plans to increase its offerings, including more ambitious and complex shows, seeking new and additional funding, and offer artists more production/development time of projects. And another large-scale production is already underway this coming season.

“Journeys are for seekers – when we create, perform, and witness together, the journey is that much richer and more nuanced,” Carly Rapaport-Stein, Executive Director of Journey Arts said. “Wayfinding together is our artistic beating heart. We seek connection and we are on this journey together. Today, our new name and visual identity match our ethos of artist-forward work and belonging for all.”

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Market Street near 40th will be closed this Saturday, Oct. 12 due to a large voter registration/encouragement block party organized by “When We All Vote” and Welcome America. The Celebrate Philadelphia – When We All Vote Block Party will be held from 1 – 5 p.m. at 4029 Market Street outside the Satellite Election Office of the 3rd Council District. Market Street will be closed between 40th and Preston Streets from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

During the event, guests will be encouraged to take civic action – including checking their voter registration, registering to vote, or making a plan to vote.

The event will also include:

• A program/open dialogue by A Seat at the Table: The Power of Influence: How Digital Platforms and Influencers Impact Elections/Future Generations: Young Voters and Their Role in Shaping Tomorrow, featuring several notable panelists.

• Rodeo-themed games and pop ups like a mechanical bull, line dancing, corn hole, sack racing, and more.

• Food giveaways, including pizza courtesy of Pizza to the Polls and OnePhillyConnect, and other treats courtesy of Herr’s and Tony’s Chocolonely.

• Cowboy hat giveaways courtesy of When We All Vote.

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The Friends of Clark Park, the volunteer-run organization that oversees much of the management of the park, is gearing up for the 2024 Parktoberfest, which will take place next Saturday, Oct. 19, 2-8 p.m.. Parktoberfest is a family-friendly event and a great opportunity to spend time with your friends and neighbors at the park, located at 43rd and Chester. The event will include live musical performances by local bands, food from neighborhood restaurants, and beer from Carbon Copy. The event is suitable for all ages!

Parktoberfest is a fundraiser for the Clark Park Master Plan, which was approved by the City last year. This new plan aims to expand the park’s impact on the community through multiple improvements and renovations.

“We are currently working to fund its final design and implementation,” says the Friends of Clark Park board member Cameron O’Grady. “The plan serves as a vision document, outlining substantial renovations to Clark Park to rejuvenate Park B. It includes plans for new playgrounds, a social gathering space near 45th and Chester, and other amenities and improvements.”

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Here’s some exciting news about a West Philly-based organization that has been helping unemployed but motivated local talent to get job training and pursue hiring opportunities with local employers. The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative, founded by the University City District (UCD) in 2009, has recently dropped “West Philadelphia” from its name. The reason is the rapid expansion beyond the West Philly borders over the past few years, which is impacting new neighborhoods and new industries. So, the new simplified name is The Skills Initiative.

“Although West Philadelphia is no longer in our name, it will always be our home. We will continue to be anchored in West Philadelphia, close to our University City District offices and founding major employer partners,” reads a recent announcement by UCD.

To go along with this exciting news, UCD has released a digital publication titled Skills Initiative: The Next Chapter, a collection of stories about employer partners, program alumni, funders, and staff that showcases the new Skills Initiative brand and impact. Click here to view or download the new publication.

A new look and logo have also been developed, driven by “a desire to match the quality of our visual presentation with the quality of our staff, services, and the talent of our participants.” The different colored blocks in the new logo represent the many stakeholders who make the Skills Initiative’s work possible.

For more information about the Skills Initiative, visit: philadelphiaskills.org.

Piffaro, the Philadelphia-based and internationally renowned Renaissance wind band, New York City’s TENET Vocal Artists, and projection artist Camilla Tassi are collaborating to transform Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral. Artwork and poetry will be projected on the interior architecture of the historic building while the sounds of 16th century Italy will fill the sanctuary. The concert takes place at the Cathedral, located at 38th and Market, on Friday, Oct. 11, at 7:30 p.m., and the band is offering West Philly Local readers a special 50 percent discount off regular ticket prices with code WPL.

The occasion of the concert is the 650th anniversary of Francesco Petrarch’s death. The most influential poet of the Italian Renaissance, he wrote hundreds of poems grappling with his thwarted love for the lady we only know as Laura, who died young of the plague. Love, Chastity, Death, Fame, Time, and Eternity all make appearances, embodied by the superlative singers of TENET. The music will run the gamut of 16th century Italian musical styles, from Carnival songs to sacred hymns to yearning madrigals.

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West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WePAC), the non-profit that promotes literacy programs to local schoolchildren in grades K-4, will lead hundreds of kids and their families on a fun literacy journey at the first-ever West Philly Literacy Village Reading Promise Festival.

This family-focused event, in partnership with Reading Promise (a Read by 4th initiative), will take place on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 12-3 p.m., at Saunders Park (39th and Powelton).

The event’s goal is to promote a love of reading, books, and literacy. Folks will enjoy free kids books and giveaways as well as free food, games and crafts. Guest authors and entertainers, including Monica Allison, Thembi Palmer, Tony Cruz, and Charlotte Blake Alston, will present on the main stage.

Each child will receive a passport upon entry and will be encouraged to visit at least four literacy program partner tables for activities. Children will receive a special prize for their “travels” on the literacy journey. Also, the WePAC partner school (see the list here) with the most student attendees will receive a water ice party!

WePAC promotes childhood literacy by engaging volunteers in Philadelphia public schools through re-opening and operating libraries. WePAC has partnered with A Book a Day, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Free Library of Philadelphia, HopePHL, Lift Every Voice Philly, Penn Libraries Community Engagement, and other local organizations to present this event.