The 2024-2025 school year is starting soon and we have compiled a list of events for families to celebrate and receive free school supplies. For community members who would like to help out, check out a couple of drives for local children and families. If you know of more events, please post them in the comments section below.

• Community Block Party at 55th and Pine

5500 Pine St.

Friday, Aug. 23, 11 a.m-3 p.m.

The community block party at 55th and Pine, hosted by the 18th Police District, will feature vendors, food and sweet treats, a bounce house, games, free school supplies, and more!

• West Philly Unity in the Community Block Party

Market Street between 60th and 61st Streets

Friday, Aug. 23, 11 a.m-4 p.m.

Horizon House, a nonprofit serving those with mental and/or developmental disabilities across the Philadelphia region for over 70 years, is teaming up with fellow nonprofits and businesses headquartered in West Philadelphia for the West Philly Unity in the Community Block Party. This daylong event will provide numerous resources for families and individuals who call the local West Philly area home. There will be food, music and a backpack and art supply giveaway for all children in the area.

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Theatre in the X, the popular all-Black theatre company, is returning with a new summer production in the park this month. From Aug. 22-25, the company will present One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show, a comedic play by the American playwright Don Evans. Set in the 1970s in Philadelphia, the play deals with the clash between middle-class and working-class African Americans. Don’t miss this show filled with laughter and drama, and featuring unforgettable performances.

The show is directed by Maureen Henighan Booker and features actors Janan Ashton, Carlo Campbell, Eric Carter, Danielle Shaw-Oglesby, Sharese Salters, Tasha Holmes, Semaja Murphy, and Davon Cochran.

All performances are free and open to everyone, just bring your own chair (BYOC!). Tickets can be reserved here.

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Free outdoor movies will return to Clark Park next month when University City District (UCD) will present three popular film screenings on Friday nights. The annual program kicks off this Friday, Aug. 2 with a screening of a Hollywood classic, Men in Black.

On Friday, Aug. 9, UCD will present last year’s summer smash, Barbie. Finally, on August 16, don’t miss the screening of the 2023 family musical, Wonka.

All movies are shown at sundown (approximately 8:15 p.m.) during fair weather and with dry ground conditions. In case a screening has to be postponed, Saturday, Aug. 17 has been reserved as rain date. Please follow UCD on X, Facebook, or Instagram for updates.

For more details on each movie, visit: https://www.universitycity.org/events/movies.

Also, don’t forget that UCD is bringing back its popular summer outdoor concert series in August. More details are here.

University City District’s popular summer concert series is set to return next month after a few years’ hiatus and will be held at two new locations. The University City Summer Series features family-friendly evenings of free entertainment at standout public spaces in the neighborhood.

This year, UCD is partnering with World Cafe Live to present two concerts – on Thursday, Aug. 15 and Thursday, Sept. 12. The August 15 concert, featuring house music mainstay Lady Alma and Vertical Current, will be held at the Lawn at uCity Square (37th and Filbert). The September 12 concert, featuring Indie pop singer/songwriter Marielle Kraft, will take place at Drexel Square (3025 Market St).

The University City Summer Series shows run from 5 – 8 p.m. DJ AfrVbz kicks things off from 5 – 6:30 p.m., and then headliners perform from 6:30 – 8 p.m. Both shows are free to attend, but RSVPs are recommended to guarantee your spot. Click here for more details and to RSVP.

Also in August, outdoor movie fans are invited to Clark Park to enjoy free weekly screenings at sundown. More info is available here.

Also, don’t forget to check on this year’s University City Dining Days, which kicks off Thursday, July 18.

Free, Live and Family-Friendly

The 2024 Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival promises to be the best one yet, as it returns to Saunders Park Greene (39th & Powelton) on Saturday, July 20 from Noon to 7 p.m. The Festival celebrates West Philadelphia and jazz musicians with spectacular live performances, local vendors, fun children’s activities, and delectable treats from food trucks.

The all-day event is free and open to the public, organized by HopePHL (formerly People’s Emergency Center and Youth Service, Inc.), The Producer’s Guild of Philadelphia, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, and a committee of community members, with technical assistance from Nu Millennium Media Productions.

“We are very excited about this year’s Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival,” said Bernadine Hawes, HopePHL Community Development Corporation Board Chair, “it’s guaranteed to be an enjoyable day out for anyone in or near West Philadelphia on July 20.”

This year’s headline act is Jamaaladeen Tacuma Quintet featuring Odean Pope. Other performers include Joe Block Quintet, Timothy Vaughan Inside Outside Ensemble, Mollie Ducoste, Deborah Smith, and returning audience favorite, Glenn Bryan & Friends.

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The Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival is keeping live music alive with a series of four pop-up events presented by HopePHL and partners leading up to the Festival later this month! HopePHL’s team will be at 4017 Lancaster Avenue on Friday, July 12 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The event will feature a jazz performance by Justin Bowden. Everyone is welcome to listen and tap their feet to the music during the two-hour performance, curated by Leo Gadson at the Producer’s Guild of Philadelphia.

All are welcome to celebrate summer and jazz music – deeply rooted in West Philadelphia’s music scene –  at this free event, while talking to neighbors and making new friends. Other pop-up events this season featured performances by The Brent White Band, Wayne Smith Jr. Quartet, and Mervin Toussaint Quartet (pictured).

The Community pop-up series precedes the Lancaster Avenue Jazz  & Arts Festival on Saturday, July 20 from 12 p.m.-7 p.m. at Saunders Park Greene, 39th & Powelton Avenue. The Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival has been nominated for Metro Philly’s Best Annual Event/Festival and HopePHL has been nominated in the Best Not For Profit category.

You can vote once a day until August 9th. Vote daily in each category and share!

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