Photo: Palmsolutions.org

Palms Solutions – the African Diaspora Global Initiative – in collaboration with the Friends of Clark Park (FOCP) and the Mayor’s Commission on African & Caribbean Immigrant Affairs, is hosting the kick off of its annual “West Philly African & Caribbean Multicultural Festival (Westpac Fest)” event at Clark Park (43rd and Baltimore) on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2-6 p.m. The kick-off event features Ethiopia and Mali. The celebration is an opportunity to experience Philadelphia’s vibrant and growing African and Caribbean immigrant population.

According to the event organizers, the goal of WestPac Fest is to “break down the cultural and ethnic barriers among communities in West Philly, promote a friendly, and welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds, and together build a place where diversity is recognized and valued.”

This year‘s celebration is a tribute to the late Ms. Frances P. Aulston, President and CEO of the West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and the Paul Robeson House, who played a big role in the preservation of the last residence of Paul Robeson, a legendary artist, scholar, athlete, activist, and humanitarian.  Continue Reading

Each fall the Philadelphia Open Studio Tours (POST) provide a unique opportunity to meet local artists and learn more about their work. Artists who live and work west of the Schuylkill will open their homes and studios for POST tours this weekend (Oct. 17 & 18), and everyone is welcome to visit them. There will be exhibitions and special demonstrations.

Here are this year’s participating studios and artists:

University City Arts League
4226 Spruce Street
Open all day Saturday and Sunday
Artists: Marie Alarcon – The opening reception for her Scientism, Divination, and the State exhibit will be held on Saturday at 6 p.m.

The Cedar Works
4919 Pentridge Street
Artists:
Deena Ball – Demonstration of unique textured watercolor process – 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17.
Ken Beidler – Demonstration of how to make a pitcher – Saturday afternoon between 2:30-3:00 p.m.
Melinda Steffy – Translating music into abstract color patterns
Stefani Threet – Colorful handbuilt functional pottery by Threet Ceramics

40th Street AIR
4007 and 4013 Chestnut Street
Artists:
Jeane Cohen – Artist Books and Portrait Oil Paintings
Lori Waselchuk – BLOCK PARTY! A multimedia exhibit about community, neighbors, and friends
Erin Bernard
Dre Grigorpol
Quinha Faria
Genesis Crespo  Continue Reading

Well-known West Philly based photographer Lori Waselchuk has spent the last couple of years hanging out with block captains, attending block parties and photographing the people that hold streets and neighborhoods together.

You can get an intimate look at the results of that work at two exhibitions that open this Friday. Block Party is an exhibition of Waselchuk’s newest work connected with her multimedia project Them That Do.

West Philly block captain Lisa Barkley (Photo by Lori Waselchuk).

For Windowishes, Waselchuk teamed up with six block captains for an installation in the storefront display windows on the west side of South 40th Street between Chestnut and Ludlow. Waselchuk and her collaborators – block leaders and captains Lisa Barkely, Mary Campbell, Carol Dubie, Freda Egnal, Elizabeth Waring, and Renée McBride-Williams – installed “a small environment in each of the bay windows inspired by their community stewardship and neighborhood histories,” according to Waselchuk.

The result is seven stand-alone exhibits that invite us into the life of a single block. For example, the children of Dubie’s block on South 46^th Street made flags for her display, “Legends of the Block.” Teens from Waring’s block of Powelton Avenue helped design and construct a four-foot tree for her display, “Our Trees.”

A whole bunch of community organizations came together for this one. Local cabinet maker and carpenter Gordon Richardson of Oberholtzer Custom Cabinetry donated labor, materials and expertise. Community organizations such as the University City Arts League and the Spruce Hill Community Association also supported the project.

So come have a look and celebrate the launch of both exhibits on Friday, Oct. 16 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the AIRSpace Gallery (4007 Chestnut St.).

So it’s the not-too-distant future and an oppressive Christian theocracy has overthrown the U.S. government. Most women are not allowed to read. Things are fairly grim. That’s the setting for the opening performance of The Curio Theatre Company’s 11th season.

Curio is staging the Philadelphia premiere of Joe Stollenwerk’s The Handmaid’s Tale, a work based on the Margaret Atwood novel. The show previews on Oct. 15, and the opening is slated for Oct. 23.

In a solo work, Curio company member Isa St. Clair plays Offred, who takes us back to a world after a staged terrorist attack in a cautionary tale that predicts our worst fears of fundamentalism. Offred is a heroine who struggles to maintain her individuality, personhood, and hope for a better future.

The Handmaid’s Tale closes on November 14. Curio shows run on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15-$25 per person. Tickets and more information are available online at www.curiotheartre.org.

The annual Ethiopian Day Festival is Saturday. A photo from last year’s event. (From the Ethiopian Community Association website.)

The Ethiopian Community Association of Greater Philadelphia is putting on its annual Ethiopian Day Festival and free concert tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 44th and Chestnut.

Music, children’s games, food and poetry are on the schedule.

Halloween is less than a month away and the Woodlands Cemetery and Mansion (40th and Woodland) is once again presenting a series of fun and spooky events for kids and adults alike. More information is below. Also, Bindlestiff Books (4530 Baltimore Ave.) is accepting donations of children’s books for All Hallow’s Read: a spooky book swap that will be held at the Woodlands on Sunday, Oct. 25, from Noon to 4.

HollyWoodlands Movie Night featuring Ghostbusters
Saturday, Oct. 17
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., film starts at 7 p.m.
Requested donation: $10 for adults, $2 for children under 12yrs
Household Level Members and up: Free entry

The Woodlands will provide the firepits, you bring the s’mores, blankets and chairs. PB & Jams and Happy Hippy will be onsite to provide all your snacking needs.  Continue Reading