Here’s a chance to better understand an African immigrant’s experience in West Philly. Asali Solomon will talk about her coming-of-age (in West Philadelphia) novel Disgruntled at the book launch event this Tuesday (Feb. 3) at the Penn Book Center (130 S. 34th St.).

Called a “masterful writer” in a recent review of Disgruntled by the Los Angeles Times (great review), Solomon invites readers into the journey of protagonist Kenya Curtis as she navigates childhood in West Philadelphia. We meet Kenya as a fourth grader at Henry C. Lea School where she tries to fit in but is confronted with her and her family’s Afrocentric identity and we follow her through adolescence and onto a private school in the suburbs as she continues to try to figure out her place in the larger scheme of things.

Disgruntled is partly autobiographical. Solomon, an English professor at Haverford College, was born and raised in West Philadelphia. She is also the author of the short story collection Get Down.

The event starts at 6:30 p.m. with a reception, followed by Solomon’s talk starting at 7:00 p.m.

If you’re looking for something fun to do on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day check out the events below happening in West Philly and elsewhere in the city. For more events, check our Events Calendar. Please note that subway trains will run all night for party-goers on New Year’s Eve.

Happy New Year, West Philly!

Wednesday, Dec. 31

Bach Christmas Oratorio
Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral, 13 S. 38 Street
4 – 8 p.m.
Choral Arts Philadelphia and the Bach Collegium present Johann Sebastian Bach’s Christmas Oratorio in its entirety on New Year’s Eve. Some Choral Arts members and artistic director, Matt Glandorf, are West Philly residents. Tickets ($45 general admission; $15 students; $30 seniors) can be purchased online or at the door.

New Year’s Eve with Philly Bloco
World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St
10:30 p.m.
Philly Bloco’s 20+ members return with their raucous mash-up of Samba, Funk and Reggae for a very special New Year’s Eve dance party at World Café Live. Get ready to dance! Doors open at 9:30 p.m. 21+. Tickets ($35) and more information are available here.

West Philadelphia Orchestra’s New Year’s Eve Blowout + Balkan Feast
Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St
9 p.m. – 4 a.m.
Four bands and a DJ will be performing on the main stage and at the black box theater: West Philadelphia Orchestra, Johnny Showcase & The Mystic Ticket, Mercury Radio Theater, You Do You, and Late Night DJ Set from DJ Lebeet. $30 general admission; $40 VIP. 21+. VIP tickets include Balkan Buffet prepared by WPO! Food will be served at 9 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online or at the Underground Arts box office.  Continue Reading

The University City Arts League (UCAL) is excited to bring back its annual Holiday Craft Show, which kicks off on Friday, Dec. 5. UCAL’s Holiday Craft Show is a neighborhood art and shopping tradition, which features work by more than 30 craftspeople. This is another great chance to find unique handmade holiday gifts. Your purchase will also support the crafters who will get a percentage of the sales.

The opening reception is on Friday, from 6 to 8 p.m. If you can’t make it on Friday, don’t worry – the craft show runs through Sunday, Dec. 21, when the closing reception will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. The UCAL gallery, where the craft show takes place, is open daily: Monday-Friday 3 – 8 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday 12 – 6 p.m.

UCAL is located at 4226 Spruce Street. For more information, visit the UCAL website.

Stuff the turkey, mash the potatoes, pour the gravy and sleep in because Black Friday is not the time to shop this holiday season. Instead, spend some holiday savings during Small Business Saturday! Buying local and supporting local business is a great way to give the community a boost.

West Philly is home to many great bookstores, including Bindlestiff Books (4530 Baltimore Ave), and Penn Book Center (130 S. 34th St), which is holding an Indies First event on Saturday, Nov. 29. Local authors are volunteering for a campaign spearheaded by Sherman Alexie (The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian) to support independent bookstores. Authors Anna Badkhen, Joan DeJean and Ken Kalfus will be helping all attendees pick out the perfect holiday reads for family and friends. Don’t miss out on this special opportunity to get advice from extraordinary authors.

From left to right: Anna Badkhen, Joan DeJean, and Ken Kalfus. (Photo courtesy Penn Book Center)

Badkhen, a West Philly based writer, is recommending “Citizen,” Claudia Rankins’ new book-length poem on racism and how our government deals with it as a way to sort through the recent events in Ferguson, Mo.

So, remember to attend Penn Book Center’s Indies First Small Business Saturday event on November 29th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and as part of the Small Business Saturday package Penn Book Center will be offering a two for one Holiday Sale on titles from the Everyman’s Library and a selection of cookbooks! Mulled wine, hot cider, and holiday treats will be served as well.

– Andrew Foronda

EDITOR’S NOTE: Small Business Saturday is a great opportunity to kick off your holiday shopping and support local businesses. Many of them will have special events and offers on Nov. 29, including businesses like Baltimore Pet Shoppe, VIX Emporium and others. Please check this page for more information.

Friday is finally here and despite chilly temperatures hitting our area a lot of cool and energizing stuff will be happening tonight on Lancaster Avenue, between 35th and 43rd Streets, as part of the monthly 2nd Fridays on Lancaster Avenue. Tonight’s program will include an art show opening, film screenings, live music and open mic, an orchestral disco party, coffee tasting, shopping, and more! Check out the flier below and also visit our Events Calendar for more information about tonight’s events. There is also a Facebook page for Lancaster Avenue – West Philadelphia, with tons of useful info.

Curio Theatre Company opens its 10th season this week with the world premiere of a performance that is, as they say, ripped straight from the headlines.

The Matter of Frank Schaefer tells the true story of the Methodist minister from Lebanon, Penna. who is defrocked for officiating his son’s gay wedding, refrocked on appeal and is currently threatened with another defrocking.

“What grabbed us right away with the story of Frank Schaefer is that it felt like a civil rights movement was starting right in front of us,” said Curio’s artistic director Paul Kuhn. “When we started this project gay marriage had not been legalized in Pennsylvania and Frank Schaefer had not yet been defrocked.”  Continue Reading