Curio Theatre Company, whose productions have been put on hold since Spring 2020, has announced plans for the rest of the 2021-2022 season. Curio will resume live in-person theatre in their black box space at 48th and Baltimore, in the Calvary Center for Culture and Community. Work is currently underway to bring Lanie Robertson’s critically acclaimed play, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, starring beloved company member and Barrymore award winner Ebony Pullum. The play explores the life of legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday during one of her final performances in Philadelphia. Continue Reading

The Office of City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier is hosting a Holiday Toy Drive for youth in the Third District, which encompasses West and Southwest Philadelphia. Donations of new, unwrapped toys are accepted through Friday, Dec. 17 at City Hall, Room 586 (1400 JFK Blvd.). Check out the flier below with more information.

Donations of toys and other items are also welcome at various West Philly-based non-profit organizations working with families and youth, such as Achievability, People’s Emergency Center, and Families Forward.

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The annual Holiday Basket Drive has returned to Cedar Park in its usual format after taking a break last year due to the pandemic. This is a great chance for neighbors to help other neighbors in need during the holidays.

The campaign is run by the neighborhood association Cedar Park Neighbors (CPN), who with the help of area churches and other nonprofit organizations will prepare and distribute food baskets for those in need on December 18. Volunteers are also welcome!

Currently, CPN is accepting donations from its members and everyone who would like to help. Suggested donation this year is $45, which will help feed two families. Continue Reading

After a very challenging couple of years, it’s important to remember about all the hard work done in the community by local not-for-profit organizations. There’s a chance to support them today, on #GivingTuesday. Today, we’ll be posting messages from local non-profits so that you can support them with your donation or volunteer work. Also, please check our Civic Life page for the list of local organizations. Continue Reading

The Curio Theatre Company staff cannot wait to welcome patrons back for live indoor shows for the first time since Fall 2019. But, to be able to put on a live performance, in compliance with the guidelines of the Actors’ Equity Association, the West Philly theatre needs to improve ventilation in their space (it is located in the old Calvary Church building at 48th and Baltimore). The cost of the required ventilation system is $10,000 and Curio is currently seeking help from the community.

“As you can imagine, this is a heavy financial lift for our small organization after nearly two years without our usual business activity,” reads Curio’s fundraising appeal. “That is why our second annual Spotlight Fund will be dedicated to raising the funds needed for this HVAC system rental.” Continue Reading

Neighborhood Bike Works (NBW), a West Philly-based non-profit organization that has been providing free bikes to essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, is holding a virtual Spring Fundraiser on Thursday, March 25, at 6:30 p.m.

Over the past year, the organization has been working through its Bikes for Neighbors program to connect people all over the city with safe and reliable bicycle transportation. The bikes were made available for free to essential workers – those working in hospitals, grocery stores, restaurants, warehouses, etc.

The Bikes for Neighbors program received over 540 requests for bicycles from Philadelphia residents in need, and 118 bicycles have been given out so far. Forty-five percent of the bikes have gone to healthcare workers and another 20 percent to grocery store employees. Continue Reading