The Great Migration: A City Transformed (1916-1930), a series of audio and video works that celebrate the historic journeys of African Americans to the North, are taking place this fall at libraries, rec centers and schools throughout the the city, including in West Philadelphia. The works range from profiles of local figures and institutions to experimental short films. Each screening offers a mix of local history and great film.

The films, produced by multi-media artists Julie Dash, Kevin Jerome Everson, and Tina Morton, look at the stories of Black migrants and the institutions that shaped their journey and settlement.

The screenings are presented by West Philly-based Scribe Video Center and community partners and will also feature works from Scribe’s Precious Places Community History Project, a citywide initiative to document the public spaces and landmarks that define our communities. These include short documentaries about the Belmont Plateau, the John Coltrane House, St. Paul’s Baptist Church, the Christian Street YMCA, and more.  Continue Reading

Polls were busy this morning in West Philly/University City. This photo was taken at 8:30 a.m. at the Garden Court polling station:

@WestPhillyLocal have you seen the lines at 47th and Pine to vote -taken at 8:30am pic.twitter.com/y8hqwBvZZU

— arezze1 (@arezze1) November 8, 2016

Here are some more tweets from West Philly voters:

An hour and twenty minute to vote in University City/West Philly. But a cheerful wait with a lot of smiling folks ready to have their say.

— Spencer Short (@Spencer_Short) November 8, 2016

Reports in Philadelphia of people blocking poll doors, handing out flyers – if you see it, please relay these kind of reports to #866OURVOTE

— NAACP (@NAACP) November 8, 2016

@phillyrecord voted in west philly in 34th ward pic.twitter.com/8TWIydLuoL

— arezze1 (@arezze1) November 8, 2016

Friend Adam driving voters to the polls in West Philly today. In a brand new Bentley. Srsly — it has dedicated umbrella holders. pic.twitter.com/gRR0LyqYz9

— csean00 (@csean00) November 8, 2016

Polls will close at 8 p.m. Here’s some important information for those who are planning to vote later today.

Community members are invited to attend the big annual meeting of the Spruce Hill Community Association on Nov. 15 at the Penn Alexander School (43rd and Locust).

Penn Alexander’s new principal, Michael Farrell, will address the meeting, which will be held in the school’s cafeteria. Farrel took over from founding principal Sheila Sydnor this fall. Read more about him here.

SHCA board members will also present the association’s activities over the year during the meeting and hold elections for a new board. Eric Santoro, SHCA’s current president, is running unopposed for a second one-year term. Election will also be held for four other officer positions and 10 board posts. Biographical information for those running will be available at the meeting.

Light snacks and refreshments will be served beginning at 7 p.m., and the meeting will start at 7:30 p.m.

Membership in SHCA is open to everyone. Dues are $20 per year.

On Tuesday, Nov. 1, Milk and Honey Market (45th and Baltimore) will host a meet and greet for Baltimore Avenue business owners and neighbors. This is an opportunity to meet owners of some of the recently opened Baltimore Avenue businesses, including Eight Limbs Academy, Greensgrow West, The Nesting House, Hair Vyce, and more. There will be some food, fun and opportunities for networking. The event will be held from 5 – 7 p.m.

The event is organized by Baltimore Avenue Business Association (BABA).

Giant puppets will again bring joy and civic awareness to the neighborhood as Peoplehood Parade returns on Saturday, Oct. 29, thanks to West Philly-based Spiral Q Puppet Theater. Everyone is welcome to join in this annual event celebrating diversity, communities’ creativity and unity. This year’s theme is about collective power and be(com)ing GIANT together.

The parade will kick off at the Paul Robeson House (50th and Walnut) at 1 p.m. (line-up starts at Noon) and will end at Clark Park at 45th and Chester (see map below). The parade will be followed by a participatory group art-making activity in Clark Park at around 2 p.m.  Continue Reading

John Bartram Jawn 2016, a free concert featuring Southwest Philly artists, will take place Sunday, Oct. 16 at Bartram’s Garden.

On Sunday, Oct. 16, Bartram’s Garden will be hosting Harvest Fest, an annual free community event packed with fun activities for the whole family, such as hayrides, cider pressing, face-painting, cooking and canning workshops, games of chance and skill, yoga, boating, and much more. The Fest will take place from 12 – 3 p.m., and more details can be found on the Bartram’s Garden website.

Following the Fest, John Bartram Jawn 2016 will kick off at 3 p.m. This is a FREE family-friendly outdoor concert featuring artists with roots in Southwest Philadelphia: Lee Mazin, E–Ness, Scorp Da Boy, Reed, Beat Peace, Solis, Zai & Rico, MTM, Shyster, DJ POOH GEEZ, Cheris Wimes, Music is Soul Good, FU, Dez, Vito, Jasmine Carter, Host JR Morris, and more.  Continue Reading