SEPTA is bringing back festively decorated vehicles to some routes to help bring holiday cheer to riders. Throughout this month, you can catch decorated “jolly trolleys” on Routes 10, 11, 13, 34 and 36.

In addition, SEPTA is holding a competition for decorated buses. There will be several chances to check out the buses participating in this year’s competition and even vote for your favorite one.

At least one of the buses will be in West Philly, at the Trolley Portal Gardens (40th and Woodland), on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The family-friendly event will include crafting activities, photos with the Grinch, and complimentary hot chocolate from Renata’s Kitchen from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This event is co-sponsored by University City District. Continue Reading

@thelawnphl is hosting the inaugural @ucitysquare Holiday Fest on Dec. 9th + 10th! Two days of FREE fun for all, including live music, artisan vendor marketplace, pop-up ice skating rink, a beer and wine garden, crafts, photos with Santa, food and so much more! Let us know you’re coming, register today!

The holiday season is here, which means time for shopping for holiday wreaths, greens and decorations and, of course, buying gifts for your loved ones. During this season, it’s important to support neighborhood businesses and makers, many of whom have been struggling in the past couple of years. Plus, there will be several holiday markets and other shopping events scheduled in the area.

Holiday Wreaths & Greens, Plants and Ornaments

For those who are looking for holiday wreaths and greens, Bartram’s Garden is holding its annual Handmade Holidays event this Saturday, Dec. 3, Noon – 5 p.m. Bartram’s signature evergreen wreaths and other holiday greens and plants are still available for purchase online. All orders will be available for pick-up at the event on Saturday, from Noon to 2 p.m. In addition, the event will include a make-and-take wreath-making workshop from Noon to 4 p.m.. For more information, go here.

Some local plant shops have holiday plants, gifts and ornaments available. Check out these two Black women-owned businesses: Plant & People (1431 N. 52nd St.) and Freebird Greenery (4711 Pine St.). Continue Reading

The Philadelphia Marathon, an annual event drawing thousands of guests to the City of Brotherly Love, is returning this weekend, with races happening on Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 19-20).

The Half Marathon will be held on Saturday from 7:00-11:30 a.m. The main Marathon event will take place Sunday, beginning at 7 a.m. Both races begin and end at 22nd St. and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, near the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

As always during both races, many roads along the course will be closed to accommodate the runners. Also, “No Parking” signs will be posted in the Parkway area and along the race course.

Street closures will be in effect for the Philadelphia Half Marathon and the Rothman Orthopaedics 8K on Saturday, from 2 a.m. until 3 p.m. Continue Reading

Philly’s non-profit music venue World Cafe Live is inviting local community members – parents, students, and patrons – as well as fans of music everywhere, to join them on Saturday, Nov. 12 and experience a selection of WCL’s upcoming programming.

This event will be completely free to the public, fit for everyone! At 10:30 a.m., WCL’s Artistic Director of Education & Engagement, Josh Campbell, will host a Coffee & Conversation where he’ll talk about what his organization has been building for its guests and community.

At 11:00 a.m., Guachinangos will present one of WCL’s flagship Bridge Sessions, diving into son jarocho and cumbia traditions in the venue’s legendary Music Hall. This will transition directly to an interactive songwriting workshop with a WCL teaching artist, so attendees are encouraged to stick around for the fun. Admission will be on a first come, first served basis and RSVP is required (click here to register).

“We pride ourselves on being a place where artistry meets [social] impact and are hoping to expand this impact with an upcoming Community Open House on November 12th, 2022,” writes Jacinda Arellano, Program Manager.

For more information about World Cafe Live and its programming, visit: https://worldcafelive.com.

West Philly’s Theatre in the X is partnering with Drexel University to present their new production Pac and Biggie Are Dead at Drexel’s Mandell Theater. The play, written by Biko Eisen-Martin, is a spin-off of Tom Stoppard’s classic, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, starring rap’s two iconic artists. Theatre in the X’s production, directed by Carlo Campbell, presents classic moments in hip hop, drama, and Black history.

Playwright Biko Eisen-Martin explains that the play “draws from the ethos of hip hop, African cosmology, and western staples of theatre.”

Pac is played by Joseph (Ankh Fyre) Xavier-Mack, and Nazeer Harper is cast as Biggie. Other cast members include: Richard Bradford, Abe Kaplan, Bryce Zenon, Matthew Lacy, Wendi Smith, Monet Debose, Rodd Dean, and Nieemah Powers. Continue Reading