Jerome Scott as Anansi in Curio Theatre’s Anansi the Spider (Photo by J.R. Blackwell)

What if going to the theater meant getting to help build the show yourself?

Starting this week, Curio Theatre Company is bringing back its interactive Make/Partake series with Anansi the Spider: A Make/Partake Experience, a hands-on family production running through Nov. 22.

Designed for children ages 3 and up, the show invites young audience members to do far more than just watch. Before seeing their work integrated into the performance, kids get to make props, craft sound effects, and even help “control the weather” on stage. Curio first introduced the Make/Partake format in 2021 to give local families a more accessible, engaging entry point to live theater.

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Photo: West Philly Local

Here’s some great news for Cedar Park families! Their neighborhood playground has recently received much-needed repairs and upgrades.

Cedar Park neighbors, local families and City officials gathered on Saturday for a festive ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the newly restored playground.

The $121,000 project was funded entirely through Councilmember Jamie Gauthier’s discretionary capital funding. This is the first major upgrade to the playground in over 20 years.

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If you’re looking to get involved and hear about what’s happening in the Spruce Hill neighborhood, mark your calendars for two upcoming public meetings taking place at the Penn Alexander School (4209 Spruce St., accessible via the 43rd Street entrance):

Friends of Clark Park Annual In-Person Meeting

When: Monday, Nov. 9 from 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Details: This meeting will cover updates on the Clark Park Plan, a review of awarded grant money, maintenance and planting achievements, upcoming community events, and more. Come out and see what’s ahead for the park!

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The University City District (UCD) has launched a new neighborhood survey to gather resident feedback on its ongoing services and priorities for the community.

For the purposes of this survey, University City is defined as the area between 50th Street and the Schuylkill River, stretching roughly from Spring Garden Street down to Woodland Avenue.

The online survey takes about 5 to 10 minutes to complete. All responses are voluntary and will be reported in aggregate without any personally identifying details.

As an added incentive, participants who complete the survey can enter their email address at the end to be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a $100 gift card to a University City area restaurant.

The survey will remain open through December 31, 2026.

To take part and share your thoughts on the future of the neighborhood, you can complete the survey online here.

Image: Free Library of Philadelphia

Roar into November! As part of Dinovember at the Free Library of Philadelphia, several neighborhood branches across the West Philly area are hosting exciting dinosaur-themed programs, crafts, storytimes, and movie screenings for kids and families all month long.

Here is a look at what is happening at local branches:

Walnut Street West Library (201 South 40th Street)

• Dinovember Dinosaur Crafts: Mondays (Nov 9, 16, 23, & 30) at 4 p.m. Join LEAP after school to make a different dinosaur-themed craft each week and explore dino books from the collection (geared for grades K-5).

• T-Rex Tea Party: Saturday, Nov. 21 at 3 p.m. Enjoy a dino-themed storytime, activities, snacks with herbal tea, and a photo op with the Mighty T-Rex (for ages 11 and under).

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Photo: West Philly Local

Get ready to fill the streets with color, rhythm, and radical joy. This Saturday, Nov. 7 (with a rain date of November 14), Spiral Q invites neighbors, artists, families, and activists to take part in one of West Philadelphia’s most cherished traditions: the 26th Annual Peoplehood Parade & Pageant.

For over two decades, Peoplehood has served as a vibrant testament to Philadelphia’s collective spirit, bringing together hundreds of community members to celebrate solidarity, creativity, and local movements for justice. In May of 2026, City Councilmember Rue Landau honored Spiral Q with a resolution to honor the previous year’s anniversary (see video below).

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Election Day is almost here! As voters across Philadelphia prepare to head to the polls this Tuesday, Nov. 3, attention naturally turns to statewide leadership, but local representation is where community impact hits closest to home.

For residents of West and Southwest Philadelphia, this year’s ballot features a marquee open congressional seat alongside vital state legislative races shaping policies on housing, criminal justice, public education, and community investment.

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UPDATE (Oct. 28, 2026): Sharing Excess has received an additional generous donation from regional farms and is now expecting to distribute thousands of free, rescued pumpkins to Philadelphia-area locals, including an additional pop-up happening this Saturday on Halloween in West Philadelphia:

Saturday, Oct. 31 | Noon-2 p.m.
Malcolm X Memorial Park
5200 Larchwood Avenue

(10/27/26): Much like candy, pumpkin prices have also risen significantly in recent years. Fortunately, help is on the way for local families looking to celebrate Halloween.

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Halloween is right around the corner, bringing one of our favorite neighborhood traditions back to Spruce Hill!

The 28th Annual Little Tot Halloween Parade & Party is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 31. Costumed tots (age 6 and under) and their families are invited to gather at 45th and Larchwood starting at 4 p.m. The parade steps off promptly at 4:30 p.m., winding through car-free neighborhood streets and finishing up with the festive Little Osage block party on the 4200 block of Osage Avenue.

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7th Street Burger has opened at 3931 Walnut St. (Photo: West Philly Local)

7th Street Burger, the popular New York City-based smashburger brand, officially opened its doors in West Philadelphia on Wednesday, Oct. 21.

The new restaurant takes over the space at 3931 Walnut Street, previously occupied by Hummus Grill, which closed in May after 18 years of operation.

Known for its straightforward, no-fuss menu focusing on classic single and double cheeseburgers, Impossible burgers, and crispy fries, 7th Street Burger was founded in NYC’s East Village in 2021. Since then, the fast-growing brand has expanded rapidly across New York, New Jersey, DC, Boston, Connecticut, and the wider East Coast. This Walnut Street storefront marks the brand’s second location in Philadelphia, following its expansion into Fishtown.

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The West Philly Fright Registry Map screenshot as of October 20, 2026.

Your guide to all things wicked in West Philadelphia is officially back! The West Philly Fright Registry, which was first introduced last year, has officially opened its registration for 2026, welcoming everyone to map out their Halloween displays, treats, and festivities.

Whether you plan on handing out candy, building an elaborate haunted yard display, or hosting a neighborhood event, getting involved is quick and easy (taking less than two minutes).

How It Works

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The Friends of Clark Park is moving closer to updating the Clark Park playground, taking the exciting first step toward implementing the Clark Park Plan.

Following community feedback from pop-up “Play Jams,” stakeholder interviews, and public meetings—where neighbors emphasized a desire for climbing and heights, more swings, natural materials, and accessible spaces for all ages—the design team has put together a survey previewing the proposed new look.

The new design incorporates several core community priorities:

• Inclusive & Accessible: A strong focus on inclusive play and wheelchair-friendly access.
• Caregiver Comfort: Plenty of seating for caregivers and children.
• Tree Protection: Clark Park’s healthy trees are staying put. The design intentionally builds around them, utilizing special surfacing that protects roots while keeping kids safe.
• Natural Elements: The incorporation of natural materials like wood, stone, and plants throughout.
• Age-Appropriate Zones: Distinct areas tailored specifically for toddlers and older kids with appropriate equipment for each.

To share your thoughts and help shape the future of the space, please check out the survey and submit your feedback.

The Ethiopian Community Association building on 44th and Chestnut the day after a fatal fire. (Photo: West Philly Local)

As investigations continue into the devastating fire that broke out early Tuesday morning (Oct. 13) near 44th and Chestnut Streets, community leaders and local officials are expressing their deep sorrow and offering support to those impacted.

The fast-moving blaze began just after 6 a.m. on the third floor of a multi-family building that hosts the Ethiopian Community Center and is owned by the Ethiopian Community Association of Greater Philadelphia. Philadelphia Fire Department crews arrived to find heavy smoke and intense flames pouring from the upper floors and roof of the building, according to reports. Firefighters brought the fire under control within roughly an hour, but the severe structural damage left the building uninhabitable.

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In a moving tribute to local history and grassroots activism, community members, family, and local leaders gathered yesterday along Market Street to celebrate the ceremonial renaming of its 3600 block as “Walt Palmer-Black Bottom Way.”

Organized to honor the life, activism, and enduring legacy of Dr. Walter Palmer, the street renaming recognizes both an individual who spent decades fighting for civil rights and the historic Black Bottom neighborhood that was largely erased by 20th-century urban development.

During the ceremony, Councilmember Jamie Gauthier presented Dr. Palmer with an official City Council resolution formally recognizing “Black Bottom” as the original and historical name for this section of West Philadelphia.

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