A petting zoo will be back in Clark Park this Saturday (Photo West Philly Local)

The annual Spruce Hill May Fair, a neighborhood tradition for 60 years, will take place at Clark Park (43rd and Chester) this Saturday, May 12, from noon to 6 p.m. This year, the event will include:

– A musical line-up with well-known composer Dan Blacksberg and the Haimishers and special guests HardWork Movement.
– Over 50 local artisans who will offer a wide range of arts and crafts and other unique products
– Tables with information about local groups and causes
– University City Garden Club annual plant sale
– Food for every taste from food trucks and vendors working in University City Continue Reading

A great Cedar Park summer tradition – Cedar Park Jazz Series – is returning June 1st to 49th and Baltimore! The series, presented by Cedar Park Neighbors, will run through July 27th with performances every Friday, from 6-8 p.m. (weather permitting).

The series kicks off with a performance by pianist and composer Alfred “Alfie” Pollitt. Here’s a lineup of this year’s performances:

As always, all performances are free and open to the public. Just bring your lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the music.

For updates, please check the Cedar Park Neighbors Facebook page.

University City District (UCD) has announced the return of their signature summer events this summer, including Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll and 40th Street Summer Concert Series. UCD has released their 2018 “Summer in University City” event schedule, so check out what’s happening this spring, summer and early fall:

40th Street Summer Series

The 40th Street Summer Series, co-produced by University City District, the University of Pennsylvania, and The Rotunda, returns to the green area behind the Walnut Street Library at 40th Street with free monthly concerts and
performances. This year’s programming offers a wide array of musical styles and performers and will run on five Saturdays from May through September.  Continue Reading

Scribe Video Center, the local nonprofit with a 35-year history of educating youth and adults on how to use electronic media as a tool for social change, has recently moved to a new location. The organization moved from its temporary home at 41st and Walnut to 3908 Lancaster Ave., where all in-house events and workshops will now be held. Currently, the organization is accepting donations that will go toward furnishing their new headquarters, including tables, chairs, speakers and more. Any size donation is welcome; for more information and how to donate, please visit this page.

Speaking of workshops, a new workshop series, “How to Create Your Own Podcast,” kicks off at Scribe Video tonight, at 7 p.m., and some spots may still be available. Participants will learn the basics of podcasting and how to develop their podcast ideas into fully-formed audio productions. Information on this and other upcoming workshops is available here.  Continue Reading

Jane’s Walk, the annual festival of free, citizen-led walking tours inspired by the American-Canadian journalist, author and activist Jane Jacobs, returns to Philadelphia on May 4-6 with 27 walks around the city! Three walks will be held in West Philly and University City – all on Friday, May 4th and all new. Here are more details:

• 3 – 5 p.m.: The Gardens of West Philadelphia walk and conversation with Jeff Barg of Pennsylvania Horticultural Society will begin and end at UCity Square PHS Pop-Up Garden (3601 Filbert St.). Join PHS on a walking tour of one of Philadelphia’s most garden-rich neighborhoods. This two-hour walking tour will explore the gardens of Powelton Village and West Powelton, some of which boast decades of history. Kids, dogs and bicycles are welcome. Event Facebook page.  Continue Reading

Who said poetry doesn’t go with beer? There’s a chance to try it out this Saturday (April 28) at the West Philly shop of Philly Homebrew Outlet where the Spring 2018 edition of their book reading series will be held. Local authors James Hoch, Rachel Howe, Steven Kleinman and Susan Barr-Toman will read from their work.

Also, enjoy some popcorn, and homebrew beer and wine, of course.

The event, which will be held from 5:30 until about 7:45 p.m., is free and open to the public. You can RSVP here. The shop is located at 1314 S. 47th St.

Also, on Saturday, but a little earlier – from 2-3 p.m. – PHO West will present a Sourdough Bread workshop on the basics of creating and maintaining your own sourdough starter. This event is also free and open to the public. More info can be found here.