A bunch of exciting events and happenings are taking place in our neck of the woods this upcoming weekend and here are some highlights. For more upcoming events, or if you want to submit an event, visit the Events Calendar.

Thursday, Sept 26

• Harvest Moon Social – 6:00 p.m. – The Woodlands (40th & Woodland) – UC Green, a non-profit organization that plants trees an maintains public gardens in West Philly, is celebrating 15 years of serving the community. Harvest Moon Social is a cocktail reception and a dinner fundraiser. Tickets are still available. For more information and to purchase tickets ($75), visit the event’s Facebook page.

• PSA-feat. Dead Prez – 9:00 p.m. – The Blockley (38th & Chestnut) – Hip-hop duo Dead Prez is visiting West Philly this Thursday to be part of the PSA, a continuing branded series of events at The Blockley. The concerts are intended to double as a social awareness effort, dedicated to educating people on the problems and plight of U.S.-held political prisoners, mass incarceration and solitary confinement. Tickets ($25) can be purchased here.

Friday, Sept 27

• Curio Benefit Night – 8:00 p.m. – St. Francis De Sales School Banquet Room (917 S. 47th St) – This Friday you can support Curio Theatre and enjoy a wonderful night of fun and entertainment. Admission ($50 per person) includes food, drinks (wine, beer and a special Wild West cocktail, live music, raffle and prizes. One of the benefit show highlights is the Best of the West (Philly) Talent Smackdown. To buy tickets, visit: http://www.curiotheatre.org/2013-benefit-night.html 

Saturday, Sept 28

• World Culture Afternoon: Turkish Delight! – 1 p.m. – Penn Museum (3260 South St) – Visitors are invited to an afternoon of pure Turkish delight! The event features Turkish dancing and music, talks on ancient and modern Turkey, an authentic cuisine demonstration, crafts, and more. This event is free with museum admission. For more information call 215-898-2680.

• Nine Philadelphia Poets for Change – 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Green Line Cafe (43rd & Baltimore) – Monthly Poetry Series presents a poetry reading linked to the 100000 Poets for Change event which is happening worldwide on that day. Along with their own work, the poets will read from W.S. Merwin’s The Lice (first published in September 1967). The entire book will be read throughout the afternoon. The reading will take place outdoor in front of The Green Line Cafe. For more info, go here.

• 2013 Progressive Dinner – 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. – Garden Court Neighborhood (various locations) – The Garden Court Community Association invites neighbors to this fun and fundraising event. Come and join your neighbors for a night of appetizers, dinner, dessert and dancing, all in support of community projects in the neighborhood. More information is available here.

• 40th Street Summer Series: Millennial Territory Orchestra – 6:00 p.m. – 40th & Walnut – In the last of the University City District’s 40th Street Summer Series concerts the Millennial Territory Orchestra performs the music of Sly & The Family Stone. Grammy nominated trumpet-composer Steven Bernstein leads this 12-piece ensemble featuring a top-flight roster of talent. This event is free and also includes entertainment for kids, like  face painting, jugglers and balloon art and complimentary ice-cream and snacks. For more info, visit the event’s Facebook page.

• Masters of the Celtic Harp concert  – 7:30 p.m. – Crossroads Music (801 S. 48th St) – Crossroads Music kicks off its 2013-2014 season with a Celtic music concert by Gráinne Hambly and William Jackson. Gráinne Hambly and William Jackson are two of the foremost harpers of Ireland and Scotland. More info and tickets ($10-$30) are available here.

Sunday, Sept 29

• Blessing of the Animals – 11:30 a.m. – St. Francis de Sales school yard (Farragut & Springfield) – If you want your little best friend to be blessed in honor of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the friend of all of God’s creatures, bring her/him to this event. For more info call 215-222-2255.

• Art-Reach Fall Festival – 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Ridgeland Mansion in West Fairmount Park (4100 Chamounix Drive) – Founded in 1986, Art-Reach increases access to the arts for traditionally underserved audiences, including people with disabilities, at-risk youth, the economically disadvantaged, and the elderly in need. This Sunday, join Art-Reach for an afternoon of art, music, food, and fun on the grounds of the Historic Ridgeland Mansion. Hear live music by local musicians Kwesi Kankam and Kruno Spisic Gypsy Jazz Trio. Your admission includes three vouchers to some of Philly’s finest food trucks. To purchase tickets ($15-$50), visit: http://art- reach.org/get-involved/special-events/

• Renaissance Arts Day – 1:00 – 6:30 p.m. – The Rotunda (40th & Walnut) – The Renaissance Arts Day at the Rotunda features historic arts and crafts demonstrations and classes, demonstrations of armored tournament combat (weather permitting), explorations of science in the middle ages, children’s activities (from 1-4 p.m.), dancing (4:30-6:30 p.m.), comedy, and music, with a special focus on welcoming the community to share our interests. This a free event. Click here for more information.