El Caribefunk will kickoff the 2014 Summer Nights Concert Series (Photo courtesy Penn Museum)

This summer, the Penn Museum is bringing back international music concerts every Wednesday night, starting June 18. Titled “P.M. @ Penn Museum,” the series is geared to “after-work” crowd as a good way to wind down by listening to some beautiful tunes in Penn Museum’s outdoor courtyards (or inside the museum if it rains), and enjoying drinks and light fare from the museum’s Pepper Mill Cafe.

This year’s lineup features a colorful mix of performances – from Samba, Turkish fusion, and rhythmic Afro-Cuban jazz  to American-influenced music, including bluegrass, swing, and good, old-fashioned rock n’ roll. Colombian band El Caribefunk will kick off the 2014 Summer Nights series with their powerful rhythm. To see the full lineup, click here.

Concerts begin at 5 p.m. at the museum’s Stoner Courtyard. Admission to each concert is now $10 (no more $5 tickets!) but still includes general Museum admission (the galleries stay open until 8 p.m.!). The series will run through Sept. 3.

Mixed People will perform this Friday in Cedar Park.

Last week, we reported about The Cedar Park Jazz Series, an annual celebration of summer, jazz and community in Cedar Park. The free outdoor series returned last Friday with a performance by Dr. Ketchup. This Friday, check out local band Mixed People whose performance will likely get you up on your feet and dancing and singing along. Mixed People was formed in 2012 by guitarist Paulette Branson. The band is a funky, soul fusion with hints of alternative rock and world music. The show begins at 6 p.m.

We have also finally been able to confirm that the annual summer Jazz Heritage Series will kick off tonight at Malcolm X Park (52nd and Pine), weather permitting. This year will mark the 14th anniversary of the series hosted by Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and Friends of Malcolm X Park.

Here’s the schedule for the shows being held every other Thursday, starting at 7 p.m.:

June 12 – Drummer-Lucky Thomas & Friends
June 26 – The Barbara Walker Story
July 10 – Glenn Bryan and Friends
July 24 – Vocalist Shirley Lites
Aug 7 – The Little Jazz Giants of Camden N.J.
Aug 21 – Alto Saxist Immanuel Wilkins
Sept 4 – Philadelphia CLEF Club Jr. Band
Sept 19 – The Nate Murray Band

Finally, here’s something for our jazz lovers north of Market Street: Concluding the three-part series of Jazz Jams & Art Exhibits and gearing up for PEC’s 8th Annual Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival on July 19th, there will be a live performance by Weez The Peeples (Facebook page) this Friday (see flier below). The show will take place at the lot next to 4110 Lancaster Ave. Neighbors are also invited to play along in the Jam and Open Mic session. The series is part of the Second Fridays on Lancaster Ave and is held in outdoor spaces in order to “float the beautiful tunes down the street.” For more information on what else is happening this Friday on Lancaster Ave, check out this Facebook page.

Here is a summary of some of the latest local news, upcoming events, and fundraising campaigns.

• Parents of West Philadelphia area school children are going to City Hall from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 12 to rally for funding for the public schools, according to an announcement by the Spruce Hill Community Association. A group is meeting outside the main entrance of Penn Alexander School (43rd & Locust) at 8:45 a.m. to travel by trolley together. The goal is to ask City Hall and Governor Corbett for much needed financial support for the school year 2014-15 and beyond. Children and community members are welcome to join the group.

Here’s the schedule:

10 – 10:15 a.m.: Press Conference Council 4th floor outside of Council chambers
10:20 – 10:40 a.m.: Make rounds and speak with other Council members
10:50 a.m.: Walk to Governor’s office at Broad and Walnut
11 a.m.: Press conference at Governor’s office
12 p.m.: Meeting with Governor’s staff and delivering letter to Governor’s office

• Curio Theatre is creating a ground breaking play about the Rev. Frank Schaefer who was defrocked in Lebanon PA for officiating his son’s gay wedding. The Frank Schaefer Project is Curio’s most ambitious production to date and needs help. The goal is $10,000 and there are 25 days to go. For more info and to donate, go here.

Magic Circle at PIC. (Photo from parentinfantcenter.org)

• The Parent Infant Center (PIC) is in the process of transforming their main play space into a nature-based outdoor classroom and playground for children, both at PIC and in the community, according to PIC’s Communication Manager Rachel Isaacson. The new space, called Magic Circle, will host a Make Music Philly event on Saturday, June 21 (more on this later). This will be a chance for PIC to not only celebrate music, but welcome their neighbors to the Magic Circle. Read more on the PIC News blog.

• If you’re looking to support a local cause this summer, try Ben & Jerry’s limited time “For the Birds” milkshake. $1.00 from each shake sold will benefit the Spruce Hill Bird Sanctuary. The shake features strawberry and vanilla ice cream blended together with chocolate sprinkles, with some Oreo’s on bottom, and topped off with fresh whipped cream and peanuts. From June 14th to June 28th at the 40th Street Ben & Jerry’s location (between Locust and Walnut).

• Local independent publisher The Head & The Hand Press will be hosting an opening at Milk & Honey Market (45th & Baltimore) on Thursday, June 12 at 6-7:30 p.m. to celebrate the new placement of their chapbook vending machine (a first one in West Philly!). The vending machine features $2 chapbooks from up-and-coming writers, many of which are Philadelphia area residents. The event will feature author readings from the Press’ newer chapbooks, including West Philly resident Patrick McNeil, Joey Sweeney (of local entertainment blog Philebrity), and Simone Zelitch (author of forthcoming novel, Waveland). The event is free and open to the public and light refreshments will be provided. No RSVP is required, but attendees are welcome to visit the event’s Facebook page.

Our #chapbook #vendingmachine is at @milkandhoneymkt! celebrate its new home w/ readings & refreshments this thurs! pic.twitter.com/4y82SV8YjR

— The Head & The Hand (@HeadandHand) June 8, 2014

The Green Tambourine founder Ann Schwartz in front of her expanded studio at 4614-16 Baltimore Avenue (Photo by Annamarya Scaccia / West Philly Local)

As West Philly Local reported last month, HALO Foundation Boutique at 4616 Baltimore Avenue—which we profiled in March—has closed down, becoming just another failed business in a space that’s known as a revolving door for entrepreneurial spirits. But it was undergoing renovations, which means it wasn’t going to stay empty for long. So what or who was now moving into that space?

A West Philly Local reader tipped us off: The Green Tambourine (4614 Baltimore Ave), Ann Schwartz’s music program—turned—music studio, is expanding next door after two years of operations. When we caught up with Schwartz at her space last Wednesday, the veteran musician told West Philly Local that she had been working on the adjacent space for about a month, and should be ready to open it within a few days.

As part of the expansion, Schwartz will install a drum set and more pianos in the new space, add drum classes and adult ensemble rehearsals (think bluegrass, Irish fiddle, and jazz) to her program, and bring in more teachers to accommodate for the additional students she hopes to attract (right now, Schwartz is the only teacher). “My schedule is completely booked, so it’s the right time to do it,” she told West Philly Local.

An open house for the expanded space is scheduled for Saturday, June 14 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Sunday, June 15 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in order to introduce the new Green Tambourine to the public. Schwartz wants locals to drop by, check out the studio, learn more about her programs, and check out the different instruments.

“I’m really excited. [I’m] just looking for new ways to grow and be active in the community. It’s all about having music be a fun experience,” Schwartz told West Philly Local. “It’s been awesome being here, and I’ve so appreciated community support and involvement, which has allowed me to grow so quickly.”

–Annamarya Scaccia

Some really creative and entrepreneurial folks work at the University City Arts League, one of the oldest nonprofits in West Philly. They always find fun and delicious ways to raise money. Many of our readers have probably heard about UCAL’s annual Chili Bowl, all-you-can-eat chili as long as it fits in a handmade bowl from UCAL’s pottery studio (you need to buy it at the event). And now, quite fitting for summertime, UCAL introduces a first ever Ice Cream Bowl on Sunday, June 8, 1 – 4 p.m.. Sounds yummy, right? So here are the deets from the UCAL website:

UCAL pottery studio. (Photo courtesy UCAL)

“Bassett’s, Little Baby’s, Shake Shack, ‘Lil Pop Shop, Ben & Jerry’s and Weckerly’s will be offering their delicious goodies, but it’s the ice cream bowls that will share center stage. Cost for a handmade bowl with ice cream is $10 per person or $30 for a family of four. Each additional family member costs $5. An array of toppings will be available for outfitting your ice cream including Greg Salisbury’s mean chocolate sauce and whipped cream.”

Sunday’s event will also include family-friendly events like face painting, live music and wheel throwing from the pottery studio. There will also be a raffle and a sale of pottery “seconds.” Proceeds will go towards improvements to the pottery studio.

University City Arts League is located at 4226 Spruce St. More information is available at the UCAL website.

Dr. Ketchup performing in Cedar Park. (Photo courtesy Cedar Park Jazz)

Starting this Friday, June 6, live jazz will again waft through Cedar Park. The Cedar Park Jazz series, an annual summertime staple, brings some great jazz and blues musicians to the park every Friday. The free shows begin at 6 p.m.

The local band Dr. Ketchup will open the series this Friday. Here’s the full schedule (please note that there’s no concert on July 4):

Every Friday 6 to 8 p.m.:

June 6 – Dr. Ketchup
June 13 – Mixed People
June 20 – Shirley Lites Band
June 27 – Gretchen Elise and Crew
July 11 – Rich Tucker and the Universal Experience
July 18 – Gregory McDonald & Friends
July 25 – Glenn Bryan and Friends
August 1 – Broke and Blue Band

Community contributions to the Cedar Park Jazz are always welcome. Please follow this link to make a donation:

The sponsor list of Cedar Park Jazz includes: Cedar Park Neighbors, Philadelphia Parks and Rec, Fairmount Park Conservancy, Baltimore Avenue Business Association, Gold Standard Cafe, and other local businesses and organizations.