When was the last time you played at recess? The Philadelphia branch of Playworks, a non-profit organization that promotes play and physical activity at schools, is inviting local residents to rekindle the joy of play and lunchtime recess at Philly Recess Day, a free community event happening on Tuesday, June 4, from 12-12:30 p.m. The event draws awareness to the benefits of physical activity by offering adults all over Philadelphia the “chance to experience the joy of participating in their very own recess.”

Playworks will host games at The Porch at 30th Street Station and other locations in the city, but everyone is encouraged to participate in the event by having your own recess fun wherever you are (work, school, etc). If you need a reminder of what games you can play at your recess, download a free game book on the Playworks website.

Happy Recess Day!

It all began five years ago when a sculptor, a nurse practitioner, and an Eastern arts instructor, all longtime West Philly residents, opened a multipurpose space at 4522 Baltimore Avenue. Since then Studio 34 has been fostering a sense of community through their health and wellness classes, art exhibitions and events. To celebrate their 5th anniversary, the Studio 34 co-founders – Angela Norris, James Peniston and Stephen Fisher and owner Jason Schoen – are inviting everyone this Saturday to a big party “filled with all things West Philly and wonderful.”

Unidos de Filadelfia performing at Studio 34. (Photo courtesy jjtiziou.net)

Here’s what’s in store for Saturday evening at the studio, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

– Dessert Potluck
– Music by Philly’s favorite songstress, Birdie Busch
– Big dance party with West Philly’s samba drummers, Unidos de Filadelfia
– Free raffle with a chance to win classes and other goodies

Also on Saturday there will be a grand opening of Studio 34 BackSpace, with tours of the space offered during the event.

The BackSpace, which opened in October 2012, has an art and music focus and will include a low-cost community recording studio currently being built in collaboration with the West Philly band Buried Beds. Once the recording studio is up and running, Studio 34 will start offering Music Recording/Production 101 courses.

BackSpace recently hosted a baby shower. (Photo courtesy LoraReehlingPhotography.com)

The BackSpace is used for hosting private events, music shows, queer proms, workshops, theater rehearsals, and even baby showers. The grand opening on Saturday will kick off a schedule of classes (small to start) with local artists and musicians.

“Our goal is to collaborate with local talent in a way that brings awareness to the incredibly talented musicians who live in our community, offering quality classes and workshops with professional musicians, while providing another avenue of income for musicians who require a lot of flexibility in their schedules,” Norris said in an email. “Our hope is to offer courses that are not already available in the neighborhood and the larger Philly area.”

The new large, second-floor space at 4145 Chestnut Street already hosts Bikram Yoga and this week another fitness studio is opening there. Focus Fitness Studios, which is headquartered on the Main Line, is branching out to West Philly and inviting everyone to a Grand Opening of Barre Focus Fitness this Thursday (Nov. 1). The Grand Opening celebration includes a complimentary class beginning at 6 p.m. and all classes through Sunday, Nov. 4 are free!

“We are thrilled to be opening in this thriving West Philadelphia neighborhood,” said co-owner Amy Feeney. “We are looking forward to sharing the barre workout with the colleges in the area and the community as a whole. Our classes are designed to be challenging for all fitness levels and abilities, from the collegiate athlete to the beginner.”

Barre Focus Fitness is also committed to supporting local communities through such programs as donation-based classes, book clubs, and nutrition and health seminars.

The studio’s signature offering, the BFF class, combines the most effective bodyweight exercises into one 60 minute power-packed workout using a traditional ballet barre. Most classes at the studio are accompanied by custom tracks spun by a local DJ. The studio can accommodate up to 25 students, and the adjacent lounge offers a peaceful place to change and prepare for class. Barre Focus Fitness carries snacks and water and also jewelry, accessories, and fitness apparel by local designers.

For more information, visit Barre Focus Fitness online at www.barreuniversitycity.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/barreuniversitycity, and on Twitter at @BarreUniversityCity.

A series of free health-minded events is scheduled in various locations around West Philadelphia from Oct. 1 through mid-November as part of “Health Awareness Season” sponsored by State Sen. Anthony H. Williams.

“A healthy lifestyle is something we can all strive toward, whether we resolve to make better food choices, exercise more or maintain regular check-ups with our physician. We don’t have to make huge changes, but even little lifestyle improvements make a major difference,” Williams said. “These events will help folks learn new forms of exercise while having fun, all for free.”

Registration is not required and there will be free giveaways at the events while supplies last. Here are the details:

– Learn what it takes to keep a body fit with a personal trainer, who will be available from 7 to 8 p.m. every Monday from Oct. 1 to Nov. 5 at Sayre Morris Recreation Center, 5835 Spruce St.

– Have fun and get the blood moving with great music and line dancing from 6 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday from Oct. 3 to Nov. 7 at SOCCA, Turner School, 5900 Baltimore Ave.

– Discover the Latin dance-inspired, calorie-burning workout Zumba from 6 to 7 p.m. every Thursday from Oct. 4 to Nov. 1 at Kingsessing Recreational Center, 4901 Kingsessing Ave.

For more information on these events, call Desaree Jones at 215-492-2980 or e-mail djones@pasenate.com.

Clark Park Youth Soccer, a non-competitive and family-friendly program, is looking for volunteer coaches to work with children between ages 5 and 11.

The Fall season begins on Saturday, September 22 and continues until November 17. Kids ages 5-7 practice and play at 10:30-Noon; kids ages 7-11 practice and play from Noon to 1:30. Each team has two to three coaches assigned (with a roster of subs).

If you want fresh air and exercise on Saturday mornings or afternoons and enjoy working with kids, please email to: clarkparksoccer@yahoo.com. Parents, students, or neighborhood soccer enthusiasts are welcome to apply. More information about the program is available here.

Bikram Yoga instructors Jill Holden, Schuyler Ferguson and Ammie Ferguson.

A Bikram Yoga studio is opening this Wednesday (Aug. 29) at 42nd and Chestnut and offering free classes through Tuesday, September 4. The brand new 5,000-square-foot studio space was built this year as a second level of the one-story building housing West Philadelphia Locksmith Co. The studio includes a 1,500-square-foot yoga room and space for a planned juice bar and organic foods store.

Bikram Yoga is the original form of “hot” yoga practiced in a heated room, so the studio has a custom built heating system, allowing it to maintain a 105-degree temperature and 40 percent humidity for every class. Although conditions like that may seem daunting, we hear that Bikram is the world’s fastest growing form of yoga. People of all ages and skill levels are welcome in the studio, local residents and students alike. A staff of eight Bikram certified instructors with extensive training and in-class experience will guide you through classes.

For more information on classes at Bikram Yoga University City, visit their homepage bikramyogaucp.com or Facebook page.