UPDATE (11/10/2015): Curio Theatre’s Benefit scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 14 has been postponed to a later date. Stay tuned for more announcements.

Two local arts organizations, University City Arts League (UCAL) and Curio Theatre, are holding delicious and fun events soon, which will help them raise some cash.

The annual Chili Bowl fundraiser supports the Arts League’s pottery studio. (Photo courtesy UCAL)

• UCAL’s annual Chili Bowl event will be held this Sunday (Nov. 8), from 1 – 4 p.m. at 4226 Spruce Street. Everyone is invited to purchase a hand-crafted bowl for $20 and fill it with chili (kids eat free with a bowl-purchasing adult).

The chili, including vegetarian and vegan, is donated by local restaurants: Corner Bakery, Tortas Frontera, City Tap House, Rx the Farmacy, Harvest, Renata’s Kitchen, Milk and Honey Market, Qdoba, Distrito, The Restaurant School, and the Green Line Cafe. After guests stuff themselves with chili they can vote for their favorite.

All of the proceeds from the Chili Bowl supports UCAL and its beloved ceramic studio. Guests are encouraged to get to the Arts League early to insure that they get a ceramic bowl. Each bowl is individually crafted, a unique piece created by a potter, and they are in limited supply. For more information about the event, visit the UCAL website.  Continue Reading

The Woodlands is one of the most popular running spots in West Philadelphia and they’re hosting a fun run on Saturday, Nov. 14 to help raise money to maintain trails and add amenities to the site, such as water fountains, and eventually bathrooms! Here’s more information from The Woodlands:

“We love our runners at The Woodlands; they use the grounds more than anyone else. We’re hoping this group of users will help support the future of the site. The Gobble Wobble, our first ever 5K at The Woodlands, is a fun way for everyone to run together to support our mission. All race registrants will receive a 1-year membership to the Woodlands, which will get you invited to several Runner Happy Hours at The Woodlands that are being planned throughout the year. More info on runner level membership benefits can be found here: woodlandsphila.org/becomeamember/runner-membership

About the Run

This individual or team 5K Wobble takes you through the historic grounds of William Hamilton’s 18th century estate, 19th century cemetery and modern day urban oasis. Outrun the West Philly Turkey and support the neighborhood’s best running spot. Compete to win the first prize, a Thanksgiving turkey or tofurkey from Mariposa Food Co-Op!

Not sure you’re in good enough shape to run a full 5K? That’s okay! We have an option for you. Join a Team Relay! Register in teams of three, and make sure to designate your team name when registering. Each team member will run one third of the 5K.

The first 100 people to register will receive a limited edition Gobble Wobble pint glass to fill with a post race beer courtesy of Clarkville. Registration also includes a 1-year membership to The Woodlands.

Register for the race here: www.runtheday.com/registration/race_info/woodlands-gobble-wobble.”

Editor’s Note: The event will take place from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on November 14. On-site registration opens at 9 a.m. Registration fee (individual or team) is $35.

West Philly Runners stretching after a run at The Woodlands. Photo by Kyle Cassidy.

If you’re going grocery shopping this weekend, think about picking up some extra canned goods and help SEPTA and Philabundance feed our neighbors in need. SEPTA has been holding its annual “Stop Hunger At Your Station” Food Drive this month, and it has been extended until Monday, Nov. 2.

The response so far from SEPTA customers and employees has been great, according to General Manager Jeffrey D. Knueppel, but they decided to extend the food drive through Monday to give people a little more time to donate. Their goal is to top the 18 tons of food contributed last year.

SEPTA is collecting donations of canned goods in marked barrels at 43 designated stations throughout the transit system. In West Philadelphia, you can drop off your donations at the following stations:  Continue Reading

Here are some photos from Saturday’s 16th Annual Peoplehood Parade. The parade is led by the Spiral Q Puppet Theater and this year included help from the Paul Robeson House, Friends of Clark Park, Neighborhood Bike Works, the Caucus of Working Educators, the Philadelphia Coalition for REAL Justice, the West Powelton Steppers and artist Vitus Shell.

“Peoplehood is a celebration of our communities’ creativity, joy, can-do attitudes, and courage to act on their convictions,” according to Spiral Q.  Continue Reading

Fran Aulston, a West Philadelphia community activist, former President of the Paul Robeson House and founder of Peoplehood Parade passed away on August 9, 2015. The 16th annual Peoplehood Parade, in honor of Fran Aulston, will take place on Saturday, Oct. 24 (read more about the parade here).

The following is a letter from Spiral Q artistic director Tracy Broyles on Fran’s legacy.

              Fran Aulston

“Some argue that #BlackLivesMatter is little more than a hashtag. At Spiral Q, however, we see a vibrant and brave movement of young people of color standing up to injustice, channeling the long-fought struggles of our elders for the full dignity and humanity of Black lives. One of these elders, Paul Robeson, we plan to honor by celebrating the memory of a true West Philadelphia community leader: Fran Aulston.

Fran Aulston passed away on August 9, 2015, and her passing casts a heavy shadow in our hearts and across our city. Fran fought tirelessly to ensure that Paul Robeson’s legacy would endure in the city where he spent the final years of his life. For us, 2015 marks the first year that Spiral Q will step off on its annual Peoplehood Parade this coming Saturday, October 24th, without the blessing of Fran, longtime President of the Paul Robeson House and a founder of Peoplehood, to open the parade. As we continue to lose the profound voices of our generation, we deem it all the more important to honor the visionary leaders upon whose shoulders we stand: Gloria Casarez, Fran Aulston, Grace Lee Boggs, to name but a few who’ve touched our lives in countless ways.

As artists and cultural workers, we heed our imperative and are moved to create in honor of these visionaries. We will pay tribute to them, and to the struggles in our city and across the country that they fought to make our communities more just and equitable places to live for those most directly-impacted by injustice. On Saturday, October 24th, Spiral Q will dedicate our 16th annual Peoplehood Parade to the movement for Black lives. The parade, Soar in Solidarity, will feature a range of artistic offerings, including a special tribute just for Fran: a Paul Robeson puppet who will help us carry forward her vision of educating and engaging community in learning Mr. Robeson’s history and legacy.

In Fran’s memory, we will put the Paul Robeson puppet to work, alongside the staff of the Paul Robeson House, to ensure that our communities’ untold stories of fighting for justice continue to be told for years to come.”

Sincerely,

Tracy Broyles
Executive Artistic Director
Spiral Q | Philadelphia, PA

Peoplehood Parade map (click to enlarge).

The 16th annual Peoplehood Parade, organized by Spiral Q, is happening this Saturday (Oct 24). This year’s parade will pay tribute to the Black Lives Matter movement and honor the life of Fran Aulston, a community leader and former Paul Robeson House president, who passed away on August 9, 2015. People of all ages are invited to join Spiral Q artists and their puppets on Saturday and march, walk or roll through West Philly streets together (wheelchairs, bicycles and strollers are welcome).

The parade, which will span a 1.25 mile route, will feature Spiral Q’s signature giant puppets, stilt-walkers, a drum line, and the artwork of fine artist Vitus Shell, a Monroe, LA native.

The parade starts at 1 p.m. at the Paul Robeson House (4951 Walnut St)  and then moves into Clark Park (45th and Chester), where it will be followed by a participatory group art-making activity starting around 2 p.m. in the Bowl. Visit the Spiral Q website for more details.