West Philly community members will have a chance to see legendary female rap and hip-hop group Salt-N-Pepa perform at the annual Neighborhood-to-Neighborhood (N2N) Festival. This year’s festival celebrates women in hip-hop and will take place at 50th and Baltimore next Saturday, Sept. 7.

Salt-N-Pepa, who have broken barriers and opened doors that were once closed to women in hip-hop, are set to headline the 2019 N2N Festival, performing their hit songs. MC Lyte, one of hip-hop’s pioneer feminists, and Angie Stone who rose to fame as member of the hip hop trio The Sequence before starting her solo career are also performing. There will also be live performances by local Philadelphia artists.

The free festival will be hosted by legendary radio host Lady B from Classix 107.9 FM, and comedian, Skeet. More than 5,000 people from across the region will enjoy the free festival throughout the day.  Continue Reading

Many neighbors are organizing to fight a proposed luxury development near 51st and Spruce.

Developer Callahan Ward is planning to build a three-story, 30-unit mixed-use building at 303 S. 51st Street on the site of a former auto repair shop, which is surrounded by the backyards of residential homes. A zoning permit for the building, which also includes three commercial tenant spaces and 21 bicycle parking spaces, was issued on April 26, according to the Licenses and Inspections website. The 16,655 square-foot-lot was purchased in 2018, according to Realtor.com. The lot is zoned CMX2, which allows construction of 33 units by right, and no public hearings were required for the developer to proceed with their plans.  Continue Reading

Some of the recipients of the 2019 Gary Bronson Memorial Scholarship during Friday’s presentation. (Photo by Mike Lyons/West Philly Local).

Cedar Park Neighbors’ Scholarship Committee has announced 13 young people who will receive the 2019 Gary Bronson Memorial Scholarship. The presentation took place on Friday, July 12, during Cedar Park Jazz intermission at 50th and Baltimore.

The scholarship provides both mentorship and financial support to students. This year, Cedar Park Neighbors is celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the awards. The scholarship was established in 1989 and renamed as the Gary Bronson Memorial Scholarship in 2015 in honor of neighborhood visionary and scholarship founder. The funds for the scholarship are raised by neighbors and neighborhood businesses at an annual scholarship fundraising event and through additional donations. Continue Reading

West Philly neighborhood greening non-profit, UC Green, is hosting two events at Clark Park (43rd and Baltimore) this week.

On Friday, July 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., children ages 6-14 and their parents/caregivers are invited to the park for a Field Day filled with various activities centered around trees and healthy greening. Attendees will also receive giveaways, such as biodegradable toothbrushes. Children can make leaf IDs for different plants, create arts and craft projects, join a scavenger hunt or compete in a relay race. The Field Day aims to provides education on tree culture and environmentalism in a fun and active way.  Continue Reading

Mariposa Food Coop is currently accepting applications for their 2019-2020 Round-up for Change cycle. Through the program, Mariposa’s members and shoppers “round-up” their purchases to the nearest dollar and the extra change is then donated to Philly organizations, groups, and/or causes.

The first recipient will be selected for September 2019 and the cycle will run until August 2020.

Local organizations whose missions or objectives carry out one of the following will be considered:  Continue Reading

Over 90 porches are participating in this year’s West Philly Porchfest. Check out the full map on westphillyporchfest.com.

West Philly Porchfest is returning Saturday, June 8, with free music performances taking place around the area from 12 – 6 p.m. This year, 95 porches are hosting shows featuring musicians and groups representing a variety of musical genres.

Just like last year, all performances are divided into three groups. From 12 to 2 p.m., shows will be held on porches on and south of Baltimore Ave. between 43rd and 52nd Streets. From 2 to 4 p.m., performances will be held between Baltimore Ave. and Walnut St. from 41st to 50th. And finally, from 4 to 6 p.m., check out performances between Baltimore Ave. and Market St. from 46th to 59th streets.  Continue Reading