The Spruce Hill Community Association is inviting families to kick off their trick-or-treating festivities at Clark Park, where the annual Halloween Tot Parade will be held this year. The decision to move the parade, which traditionally kicks off at 45th and Baltimore and proceeds down 45th St. to Osage Ave., was made because of COVID safety precautions.

The 2021 parade will take place around Clark Park and will not culminate in the traditional Osage Ave. block party, according to the organizers. Gathering begins at 4 p.m. at 43rd and Baltimore and the parade will begin at 4:30 p.m. The Penn Drum Line will participate in the event, and there will be treats and other fun activities.

The organizers are asking attendees to wear masks – the scary kind and the COVID-safe kind – and to follow social distancing guidelines.

If you have been waiting for news about the Spruce Hill Halloween “Tot” Parade, here is a short update for now: the popular annual event that draws hundreds of participants will not return this year in its usual form, according to the organizers, the Spruce Hill Community Association. However, a smaller event is being planned in the neighborhood. Stay tuned for more information.

Families are also invited to celebrate Halloween at The Woodlands (40th and Woodland) during Halloween Family Fun Day. The event will take place on Sunday, Oct. 24 from Noon to 3 p.m. and will feature a digital Halloween themed self-guided tour, and performances by Tangle Movement Arts and Karen Smith’s “Spiritual Atmospheric Cleansing.” Also after a hiatus, All Hallow’s Read, a spooky book event, will return this year as part of the Family Fun Day. Please bring a spooky or seasonal book to swap. Readers of all ages and spooky costumes of all kinds are welcome. Go here for more info. Continue Reading

Summer Rock at The Green Tambourine.

The Green Tambourine is reopening soon for in-person learning!

Programs:

Beginning September 7th, the 9-year-old music studio located at 711 S. 50th St., will be offering in-person individual lessons for all ages, as well as group beginner instrumental classes for 2-4 kids and ensembles (vocal groups & rock bands). Go here for more info and to register.

Teachers:

• Julia is a vocalist and pianist with focus on classical and musical theater.

• Justin is a guitar player and classroom music educator who also plays bass, piano and ukulele. He loves funk, jazz and pop music.

• Evelyn is a pianist focusing on classical music. Continue Reading

The School District of Philadelphia is sending its Back-To-School buses to 31 city neighborhoods starting Monday, Aug. 9. This new program will provide important information and services to students and families, including free state-required childhood immunizations at four event sites, as they are preparing for the return to in-person learning on August 31st.

Students and families will also have an opportunity to communicate with the School District’s Street Team Ambassadors to receive back-to-school information, register for pre-Kindergarten through grade 12, sign up for the Parent Portal and receive a free backpack and school supplies. Continue Reading

The School District of Philadelphia has announced updates to their Plan for Safe Return to In-Person Learning on August 31st. All students, staff and visitors, regardless of their COVID vaccination status, will be required to wear masks indoors, according to the revised plan, which follows newly revised guidelines from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) on Philadelphia Schools.

The School District will also have the following safety measures in place when the new academic year kicks off on Aug. 31: Continue Reading

Photo courtesy of Curio Theatre Company

Curio Theatre Company will hold two in-person summer camp sessions for children in grades K through 8th next month with a limited number of students due to COVID safety protocols. Session one will be held from July 5-16 and Session Two from July 19-30. Session One has mostly sold out, but some spots are still available for campers in grades K through 2nd.

Some of you may be familiar with Curio’s scholarship program. The 16-year-old West Philly theatre company has always strived to offer year-round theatre education to all area children, regardless of their financial situation. Especially in 2021, Curio believes in the power of “safe and responsible” creative outlets for kids and is offering in-person education with limited capacity. After being virtual for so long, Curio staff can’t wait to get back into playing spaces with creative campers. Since the number of campers this year is limited and to be able to give scholarships to kids who cannot afford camp tuition Curio needs to raise about $7,500. Continue Reading