Experience the Best in Philly Jazz at the Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival

The 2025 Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival promises to be the best one yet, as it returns to Saunders Park Greene (39th and Powelton) on Saturday, July 19 from Noon to 7 p.m. The festival celebrates West Philadelphia and jazz musicians with spectacular live performances, local vendors, fun children’s activities, and delectable treats from food trucks. The event is rain or shine, free, live and family-friendly.

The all-day event is open to the public, organized by HopePHL (formerly People’s Emergency Center and Youth Service, Inc.), The Producer’s Guild of Philadelphia, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, a committee of community members and the Office of PA Senator Vincent Hughes, with technical assistance from Nu Millennium Media Productions.

“We are very excited about this year’s Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival,” said Bernadine Hawes, HopePHL Community Development Corporation Acting Board Chair, “it’s guaranteed to be an enjoyable day out for anyone in or near West Philadelphia on July 19.”

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The SEPTA trolley tunnel connecting West Philadelphia with Center City under the Schuylkill River will close for the annual maintenance project, Trolley Tunnel Blitz, for one month beginning Friday, July 11. Due to the closure, SEPTA Trolley Routes 10 (T1), 34 (T2), 13 (T3), 11 (T4) and 36 (T5) will not operate in the tunnel from 10 p.m. on Friday, July 11 through 6 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 11.

During the tunnel closure, trolleys will be diverted to 40th and Market via 42nd Street. Riders can board SEPTA’s Market-Frankford Line (L) at 40th Street Station for travel to Center City. For travel from Center City to West and Southwest Philadelphia, riders can board the L and then connect with trolley routes at 40th Street.

SEPTA crews will work on critical track and power maintenance, station upgrades and intensive cleaning as part of the 2025 Trolley Tunnel Blitz. In addition to the maintenance by SEPTA, PennDOT will be working on the tunnel under the Schuylkill River.

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West Philly jazz music lovers have many opportunities to enjoy live outdoor jazz every summer. Cedar Park Jazz nights kicked off last month at 49th and Baltimore with performances held every Friday night through the end of July. And here’s another great West Philly summer tradition: Jazz Heritage Series is held at Malcolm X Park (52nd and Pine) every other Thursday from May through September.

The series, presented by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and co-hosted by the Friends of Malcolm X Park and Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, features free live performances by some of the best local musicians. Showtime is 7 p.m. (weather permitting). Please bring your own chairs!

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Trash drop-off at 50th and Locust. (Photo by West Philly Local)

Some 9,000 city workers – from trash collectors to 911 call center operators and school crossing guards – voted to strike early this morning, demanding higher wages and improved health and pension benefits.

The strike, which 95 percent of union members voted for, will impact a host of services. Health centers across the city will be closed and the Philadelphia Water Department will stop repair and maintenance services, among other service disruptions.

It’s the first walk-out strike in the city in 39 years. That strike lasted 20 days.

The city has established trash drop-off sites across the city. You can start dropping trash off there today at 5 p.m. After today, they will be open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Here’s a searchable map that will locate the nearest temporary trash drop-off site and recycling collection center (see more on recycling below).

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Evans (center) visiting South 52nd Street in 2021. (Archived photo)

Congressman Dwight Evans, who represents the 3rd Congressional District which includes West Philadelphia, has announced that he will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026, concluding a remarkable career in public service spanning over four decades. He will serve full term ending Jan. 3, 2027.

“After some discussions this weekend and thoughtful reflection, I have decided that the time is right to announce that I will not be seeking re-election in 2026,” Evans said in a statement.

“Serving the people of Philadelphia has been the honor of my life… I am deeply proud of what I have been able to accomplish over my 45 years in elected office — from revitalizing neighborhoods block by block to fighting for justice, economic opportunity, investments in infrastructure and education. I cannot express the gratitude that I have for the trust that voters put in me as their voice in both state and federal office. It has been a privilege of a lifetime to serve as their advocate in government.”

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The historic Calvary Church building at 48th and Baltimore and organizations hosted under its roof need help from the community. On Saturday, June 28, from 5-9 p.m., the church is hosting a benefit concert, Rock This Roof, with the goal of raising funds for some critical roof repairs.

The 118-year-old building is home to the Calvary United Methodist Church and the Calvary Center for Culture and Community, which houses a diverse range of community organizations, such as Curio Theatre Company, Cedar Park Neighbors, Camp Sojourner, Ju-jitsu Shotokan Karate Association, phlAIR Gallery, and more.

The concert is more like a mini music festival. It will feature a variety of local artists, including Aidan Selmer, Lanie Altmiller, Ross Mann, Norris Person, Taupe, and vocal group Sing Slavic.

Suggested donation is $20, but if you can donate beyond this amount it will be much appreciated. You can purchase tickets or make a donation online or at the door (cash/Venmo). Light refreshments will also be available for purchase.

The concert will take place in the building’s chapel – please use the 48th Street entrance.