The Center for Emerging Visual Artists (CFEVA) is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Philadelphia Open Studio Tours (POST) this fall. Several West Philly artists and art organizations are inviting visitors to their studios this Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 19-20), from 12-6 p.m. The list of artists and organizations who will welcome visitors this weekend includes:

• The Arts League (4226 Spruce St)

• Painted Bride (5212 Market St)

• Caroline Santa, Colleen McCubbin Stepanic, Douglas Witmer, Mary Henderson, and Phillip Adams (Green Line Workspace, 4218 Lancaster Ave)

• The Soapbox (47th and Kingsessing)

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West Philly residents are invited to The Lawn at uCity Square (37th and Filbert) on Saturday, Oct. 19 for a day filled with live music, fitness activities, and community engagement. The Open Sweat Jam West Philly Community Music & Fitness Festival, which will be held from 12-7 p.m., promotes wellness and civic responsibility.

The festival will feature Live Beats Fitness, an innovative fusion of live music and fitness led by internationally renowned drummer Jeremy Boyd, also known as “Wheat Bread,” and Nate McIntyre, owner of BodyRock Boot Camp, a West Philadelphia-based gym that gained national attention after its appearance on Netflix’s hit show “Queer Eye.” Also performing is Boogiemandela, a Philadelphia-based rap artist, producer, and sound engineer. Known for his Open Vibe pop-up open mic events, Boogiemandela will curate a live music experience that reflects the city’s vibrant and diverse underground music scene.

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Market Street near 40th will be closed this Saturday, Oct. 12 due to a large voter registration/encouragement block party organized by “When We All Vote” and Welcome America. The Celebrate Philadelphia – When We All Vote Block Party will be held from 1 – 5 p.m. at 4029 Market Street outside the Satellite Election Office of the 3rd Council District. Market Street will be closed between 40th and Preston Streets from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

During the event, guests will be encouraged to take civic action – including checking their voter registration, registering to vote, or making a plan to vote.

The event will also include:

• A program/open dialogue by A Seat at the Table: The Power of Influence: How Digital Platforms and Influencers Impact Elections/Future Generations: Young Voters and Their Role in Shaping Tomorrow, featuring several notable panelists.

• Rodeo-themed games and pop ups like a mechanical bull, line dancing, corn hole, sack racing, and more.

• Food giveaways, including pizza courtesy of Pizza to the Polls and OnePhillyConnect, and other treats courtesy of Herr’s and Tony’s Chocolonely.

• Cowboy hat giveaways courtesy of When We All Vote.

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The Friends of Clark Park, the volunteer-run organization that oversees much of the management of the park, is gearing up for the 2024 Parktoberfest, which will take place next Saturday, Oct. 19, 2-8 p.m.. Parktoberfest is a family-friendly event and a great opportunity to spend time with your friends and neighbors at the park, located at 43rd and Chester. The event will include live musical performances by local bands, food from neighborhood restaurants, and beer from Carbon Copy. The event is suitable for all ages!

Parktoberfest is a fundraiser for the Clark Park Master Plan, which was approved by the City last year. This new plan aims to expand the park’s impact on the community through multiple improvements and renovations.

“We are currently working to fund its final design and implementation,” says the Friends of Clark Park board member Cameron O’Grady. “The plan serves as a vision document, outlining substantial renovations to Clark Park to rejuvenate Park B. It includes plans for new playgrounds, a social gathering space near 45th and Chester, and other amenities and improvements.”

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Piffaro, the Philadelphia-based and internationally renowned Renaissance wind band, New York City’s TENET Vocal Artists, and projection artist Camilla Tassi are collaborating to transform Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral. Artwork and poetry will be projected on the interior architecture of the historic building while the sounds of 16th century Italy will fill the sanctuary. The concert takes place at the Cathedral, located at 38th and Market, on Friday, Oct. 11, at 7:30 p.m., and the band is offering West Philly Local readers a special 50 percent discount off regular ticket prices with code WPL.

The occasion of the concert is the 650th anniversary of Francesco Petrarch’s death. The most influential poet of the Italian Renaissance, he wrote hundreds of poems grappling with his thwarted love for the lady we only know as Laura, who died young of the plague. Love, Chastity, Death, Fame, Time, and Eternity all make appearances, embodied by the superlative singers of TENET. The music will run the gamut of 16th century Italian musical styles, from Carnival songs to sacred hymns to yearning madrigals.

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West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WePAC), the non-profit that promotes literacy programs to local schoolchildren in grades K-4, will lead hundreds of kids and their families on a fun literacy journey at the first-ever West Philly Literacy Village Reading Promise Festival.

This family-focused event, in partnership with Reading Promise (a Read by 4th initiative), will take place on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 12-3 p.m., at Saunders Park (39th and Powelton).

The event’s goal is to promote a love of reading, books, and literacy. Folks will enjoy free kids books and giveaways as well as free food, games and crafts. Guest authors and entertainers, including Monica Allison, Thembi Palmer, Tony Cruz, and Charlotte Blake Alston, will present on the main stage.

Each child will receive a passport upon entry and will be encouraged to visit at least four literacy program partner tables for activities. Children will receive a special prize for their “travels” on the literacy journey. Also, the WePAC partner school (see the list here) with the most student attendees will receive a water ice party!

WePAC promotes childhood literacy by engaging volunteers in Philadelphia public schools through re-opening and operating libraries. WePAC has partnered with A Book a Day, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Free Library of Philadelphia, HopePHL, Lift Every Voice Philly, Penn Libraries Community Engagement, and other local organizations to present this event.