From left to right: Chase Byrd, Nastassja Whitman, Trice Baldwin and Paul E Kuhn (Photo by Rebecca Gudelunas).

Curio Theatre Company is opening its 14th season this week with an American classic re-imagined. The West Philly-based theatre company will stage Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons” beginning Wednesday, Oct. 10.

In this 1947 play, Miller portrays a couple, Joe and Kate Keller, living a comfortable suburban life with their son Chris. Their other son, Larry, went missing in action a few years earlier and Chris becomes involved with Larry’s former fiancée, Kate, who must finally accepts that Larry is gone forever, and face the horrible truth about what caused his death.  Continue Reading

Fall is here, so it’s time to celebrate harvest, get spooked, show off your costume, and engage in more fun fall and Halloween-themed activities. In this post, check out Fall events, including events for the whole family, happening at two historic places in West and Southwest Philly – The Woodlands Cemetery and Mansion (40th and Woodland) and Bartram’s Garden (5400 Lindbergh Blvd).

HollyWoodlands
Friday, Oct. 12
6:00 –  9:00 p.m.

HollyWoodlands presents Buffy The Vampire Slayer on the big screen in the Hellmouth of The Woodlands. Showings begin at sundown. Watch three episodes of the 90’s cult classic, and come dressed in your Buffy Best for a costume contest before the showing. $5 suggested donation. For more information, go here.  Continue Reading

Two popular events, Bark in the Park and the Blessing of the Animals, will be held this weekend for dogs and their human friends.

Bark in the Park will get underway at Clark Park at 43rd and Chester on Saturday, Oct. 6, beginning at 2 p.m. (meet near the Bowl). There will be more than 25 contests, from the tallest dog to curliest tail to fastest runner, with chances to win doggie goodies. You can also meet the vet, Dr. David Littlejohn. The event is sponsored by Friends of Clark Park.

On Sunday, Oct. 7, dogs and other animals are welcome at St. Francis de Sales Prayer Garden at Farragut St. and Springfield Ave. (enter from the school yard). You can bring your little best friend to be blessed in honor of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the friend of all of God’s creatures. The event begins at Noon. Please keep your dogs on the leash.

Neighborhood residents (especially homeowners) may find this workshop very useful. A free Will and Estate Planning workshop, hosted by Cedar Park Neighbors and the Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law, will take place on Thursday, Oct. 4, at 6:30 p.m. at Calvary Center for Culture and Community (48th and Baltimore).

The workshop will cover simple wills, living wills and powers of attorney and will answer questions related to home ownership in case of the owner’s death or a serious illness when you can’t speak for yourself. Attendees are also welcome to sign up for a free one-on-one follow-up meeting at Drexel University to write their actual documents.

More information about the workshop is available here. You can also RSVP on Facebook.

The Fall edition of Go West! Craft Fest, featuring wares by 100 local makers, live entertainment and food, will be held this Saturday, Sept. 29, at The Woodlands (40th and Woodland). You can shop all day (11:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.) for unique and creative stuff, including artisan jewelry, ceramics, home wares, clothing, cards, candles, soaps, scents, sweets, toys, tinctures, treasures, and works of art. The full list of vendors and their offers can be found here.

And here’s the schedule of live performances:

12:00 p.m. – The Ludlow Five
1:00 and 2:00 p.m. – Philly Con Sabor
1:15 p.m. – West Philly Foot Tappers
2:15 p.m. – The Foxy Doxies
3:00 p.m. – Tangle Movement Arts
4:00 p.m. – Vessna Scheff  Continue Reading

Trolley Portal Gardens, the development project transforming the 40th Street Trolley Portal into a more welcoming public space, has been completed, and this Thursday, Sept. 27, the public are invited to a grand opening. The event will be held from 5 – 7 p.m. and will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony with city and state representatives, including Mayor Jim Kenney and Senator Anthony Williams, as well as speakers from University City District, SEPTA and business owners.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will begin at 5:15 p.m. and will be followed by an open house and refreshments. The event is free and open to the public (you can RSVP here).  Continue Reading