Curio Theatre Company is celebrating 20 years of theatre in West Philadelphia this upcoming season and will present several great shows, both for adults and children, from October to May.

The company kicks off this anniversary season with the Philadelphia premiere of Larissa Fasthorse’s Broadway hit, The Thanksgiving Play. The play centers around a group of four well-meaning but culturally insensitive white theatre artists who attempt to create a politically correct elementary school play about the first Thanksgiving while struggling with their own biases and the lack of Native representation. Curio Theatre Co-Founder, Tim Martin, is directing this smart and funny premiere which runs October 23-November 9. Opening Night is Saturday, Oct. 26.

Next, in time for the holidays, Curio is bringing back its Make/Partake theatre experience. The next show is The Three Little Pigs, written by Company Co-Founder and Artistic Director Paul Kuhn.

As they did with Jack In The Beanstalk last year, children will begin by making theatre props, set pieces, voice recordings and more. All of these will then be incorporated into the story to create a magical theatre experience for all who attend. The Three Little Pigs runs December 12-29. Opening is Saturday, Dec. 14. Recommended for children 3-12 though the whole family will enjoy it!

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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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