The monthly installment of Philadelphia’s longest running and most authentic hip-hop happening is Thursday at The Rotunda (4014 Walnut St.) Dubbed the community-based celebration of “The struggle, the Love,and the culture of Hip Hop,” The Gathering has been running since 1996 and usually takes place on the last Thursday of the month, except for November (Thanksgiving and all). It features b-boys/b-girls, emcees, pop-lockers, grafitti artists, DJs and men, women and children of all ages.

The night also features open cyphers and a tag wall. Warning, the cyphers and such often trickle outside the Rotunda and last well into the wee hours. Yep, even on a school night.

Admission is $3.

Below is a video of Philadelphia Slick at a 2007 edition of The Gathering.