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The Thursday Farmers’ Market returned to Clark Park on June 4, bringing a bunch of great local vendors and new programs, including cooking demonstrations. This Thursday (June 11), The Food Trust, the nonprofit that manages the Clark Park Farmers’ Market, will introduce another new program for local residents – Thursday Market Tours. The tours are a great opportunity to learn more about the market, its vendors and programs and also allow for local residents to participate in a discussion about healthy eating, wellness, and how that ties with local community development.

Clark Park Thursday Farmers’ Market tours are absolutely free and open to the public, but individuals and groups are asked to sign up beforehand.

The tours will take place every Thursday, from June 11 and August 27, at 4 and 6 p.m., but only if at least five people sign up for them. If you are interested to take part in one of these tours, please click here to sign up and select a date and time when you want to participate.

If you have questions, feel free to email The Food Trust’s Community Outreach Associate Kalie Wertz at: kwertz@thefoodtrust.org

This weekend, two cool events are happening in the area: one is for beer and music fans and the other one is a family-friendly ice cream tasting event. More details are below and please check our Events Calendar for more upcoming events.

Photo courtesy of Dock Street Brewery.

Dock Street Brewery is hosting its 7th annual Beer Week Music Fest on Sunday, June 7, from 3:30 – 8 p.m. The event is a celebration of local beer, food and music and includes a free outdoor concert and a scavenger run. The run, where you can put to use your knowledge of the City of Brotherly Love, kicks off at 3:30 p.m. Participation is $25 and gets you a beer ticket, a t-shirt and the chance to win beer prizes for the hunters with the fastest times. Click here to sign up for the run or email Sasha at: dockstreetfunrun@gmail.com

The concert starts at 4 p.m., and here’s the lineup:

4 p.m. – Flightschool
5 p.m. – Honey Radar
5:45 p.m. – Pushin’ It 2 the Limit
6:30 p.m. – The Women’s Revolutionary Vagime
7 p.m. – Rosemary Fiki

Photo from ucartsleague.org.

Also on Sunday, from 1 – 4 p.m., University City Arts League (4226 Spruce St), is holding a delicious fundraiser, Ice Cream Bowl, where you can enjoy ice cream from the following local makers and businesses: Bassett’s, Little Baby’s, Shake Shack, Lil’ Pop Shop, More Than Just Ice Cream, Milk and Honey, and even Mister Softee! Just like UCAL’s popular Chili Bowl fundraiser held every winter or early spring, this summertime event supports their pottery studio. For only $10 you get a beautiful hand-made ceramic bowl filled with all the ice cream you can eat. There will also be some fun activities for families: face painting, music, and a raffle. Check the UCAL website for more information.

Here’s a great chance to see the first and longest performing feminist chorus in the nation. This Saturday and Sunday, the Anna Crusis Women’s Choir will perform at International House Philadelphia (37th and Chestnut). The series of concerts, titled “Reclaiming the ‘F’ word,” is part of the choir’s 40th anniversary celebration. The choir, which includes both lesbian and straight women, was founded in 1975 in Philadelphia by Catherine Roma. It is the first women’s choir to become a member of the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses (GALA).

The chorus consists of over 60 singers, plus a sign language interpreter for the deaf and hearing-impaired. The choir celebrates the diversity of women’s lives and culture, and strives to “build a bridge between the world we live in and the world we hope for.”

The songs performed by the choir are about and for women, from a variety of composers, including historical pieces from women composers.

The performances are on Saturday, June 6, at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, June 7, at 4 p.m. Tickets ($25) can be purchased online or through the International House box office. For more information about the chorus, visit annacrusis.com.

This Saturday, June 6, Women in Transition (WIT), an organization that provides empowerment counseling and advocacy to women in Philadelphia, is hosting a class on self-defense and safety strategies. The class is part of the WAVE anti-violence education program by WIT and is open to women, girls (ages 14+), transgender and gender non-conforming individuals.

WAVE classes teach safety strategies that students can use in situations ranging from verbal harassment to physical assault, including awareness, trusting your instincts, boundary setting, verbal assertiveness, and easy-to-learn physical techniques. Students of all skills, abilities, sizes and body types are strongly encouraged to join.

The workshop will be held at Studio 34 (4522 Baltimore Ave), beginning at 1:30 p.m., and is available on a sliding scale from $5 to $25, to allow for financial hardships. More info and registration is available at www.helpwomen.org.

A great annual tradition that helps bring the community together returns this week to Cedar Park. Live Jazz Fridays, a free and fun outdoor event for the whole family, kicks off at 6 p.m. on June 5 with a performance by Progressive Movement. The event, organized by Cedar Park Neighbors and supported by many local businesses and organizations, is held every Friday, from 6 to 8 p.m., through July 31 (see the performance schedule below). And don’t forget to bring your blanket or chair.

June 5 – Progressive Movement
June 12 – Rich Tucker and the Universal Experience
June 19 – Brent White Group
June 26 – Glenn Bryan and Friends
July 3 – Clef Club Youth Ensemble
July 10 – Gretchen Elise and Friends
July 17 – Dahi Divine and Friends
July 24 – Broke and Blue Band
July 31 – Side by Soul

The “bamboo lot” at 5123-29 Baltimore Avenue (Google Street View).

Greensgrow Farms recently signed a lease for a new garden center on Baltimore Avenue, and now they would like to present their plans to the community and get some feedback. A community meeting will take place on Thursday, June 4 at People’s Baptist Church (5039 Baltimore Ave), from 6 to 8 p.m. The meeting is a great opportunity for neighbors to share ideas about what they want to see at this location.

The new garden center is planned for the overgrown vacant lot (aka “the bamboo lot”) at 5123-29 Baltimore Ave. Some likely features of the new location will be a small farm, nursery, an outdoor classroom space and possibly a farmers’ market. However, Greensgrow is willing to work with the community to figure out what the new space should include.

Greensgrow, which is based in Kensington, is also inviting neighbors to check out their temporary West Philly location at 4912 Baltimore Ave. to meet the staff and learn more about their mission and impact.