After taking a two-year break due to the pandemic, a popular live music event, Cedar Park Jazz Fridays, is set to return this week. The annual series, presented by Cedar Park Neighbors, features free outdoor performances by the area’s finest jazz musicians and bands at the park located at 49th and Baltimore. The 2022 series kicks off June 3 at 6 p.m. with a performance by The Dirk Quinn Band.

Here’s the schedule through July 22:

June 3: The Dirk Quinn Band
June 24: The Philadelphia Clef Club Ensemble
July 8: Bobby Zankel and The Wonderful Warriors of Sound
July 22: Nasir Ebo and Friends

All shows are held from 6 to 8 p.m. in fair weather.

The series is sponsored by local businesses and individual donations from neighborhood residents.

With hot weather starting to set in in the area, Philadelphia Parks & Rec has opened spraygrounds around the city ahead of the summer public pool season which kicks off in mid- to late-June. The city has over 90 spraygrounds and sites with some water features, all of which are now open to keep residents cool, according to the Parks & Rec website.

Spraygrounds will stay open until Labor Day and will operate 7 days a week (with exceptions for inclement weather) with the following hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday and 12-5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Here is the list of spraygrounds operating in West Philadelphia (for more locations, visit this page): Continue Reading

This spring and summer, SEPTA will be conducting a trolley track renovation project along 40th Street between Powelton Ave. and Spruce St. and at 42nd and Spruce. Vehicular traffic will be restricted in the work areas and the Route 40, 30, and 42 buses will be impacted at times.

Pre-construction work is scheduled to begin Tuesday, May 31 and may affect traffic and parking along 40th Street between Powelton and Filbert.

More extensive work is scheduled to begin on Monday, June 13. It will affect 40th Street from Filbert to Chestnut. This work will continue through July 1. Work is scheduled to resume Aug. 1 (no work is planned for July) and will take place on 40th St. from Chestnut to Spruce. This portion of 40th Street trolley tracks is expected to be renovated by August 19th. Continue Reading

The annual outdoor independent film festival, Under the Stars at Clark Park, is returning this spring with four screenings scheduled for May, June and July. The festival, hosted by West Philly-based cinema cinéSPEAK, features city premieres of independent films from around the world, plus local DJs, food trucks and other activities. All events are free to attend.

Screenings take place on Fridays or Saturdays at 9 p.m. through July 9 (weather-permitting). The pre-show starts at 7:30 p.m.

The festival was scheduled to kick off on May 20, but the opening night was postponed due to rain. Here is the schedule for this Friday (May 27): Continue Reading

University City District has announced the return of its popular summer events, most of which were not held during the past two years due to the pandemic.

From the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll to Movies in Clark Park, here’s what’s happening in the district this summer. Also, check out events and activities at The Porch at 30th Street Station and Trolley Portal Gardens (40th and Woodland).

The Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll will return on Thursday, June 16 and Thursday, Sept. 15 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. During this unique event, neighborhood businesses and community vendors will present $1, $3, and $5 bargains – everything from bites from signature restaurants to pet supplies to theater tickets and much more. Plus enjoy live music, arts and crafts, and more fun! Read more about the 25+ participating vendors for the June 16th Dollar Stroll here. Details for the September Dollar Stroll will be available later this summer. Continue Reading

All that’s left of the strip mall on the north side of the 4300 block of Chestnut Street.

A seven-story 275-unit apartment complex is coming to the 4300 block of Chestnut Street – the site of the former strip mall and parking lot. Construction has already begun – the strip mall buildings have been recently demolished to make room for the complex.

The complex will include retail space on the ground floor and an underground garage with 75 parking spaces. The plans for this development were announced last summer and renderings were revealed last fall. Continue Reading