Scribe Video Center is hosting its annual Street Movies!, a free screening series for audiences of all ages that tours neighborhoods around the Philadelphia region, bringing a program of independent film – fiction, animation, documentary, and youth and community produced work – from around the world to local parks, lots, playgrounds, and community spaces.

This Saturday, Aug. 26, the Street Movies! series will make a stop in West Philly for a screening in Saunders Park Greene (39th and Powelton). The screening is co-hosted by Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture, the Arab cultural organization based in West Philadelphia. The screening, which begins at 7:30 p.m., will include the following short films that focus on diasporic Arab experience:

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Shamus, who directed Shakespeare in Clark Park’s 2023 production of Two Gentlemen Of Verona, is pictured as Malvolio in the 2018 production of Twelfth Night (Photo courtesy of SCP).

Shakespeare in Clark Park (SCP) is returning for the 2023 season with a Tony award-winning musical! The popular non-profit organization, which has been presenting professional theatre productions in Clark Park’s “Bowl” since 2006, will present a musical adaptation of Two Gentlemen of Verona for five nights – from July 26 to July 30. Continue Reading

Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll (Photos by Lora Reehling).

West Philly folks and visitors are invited to this summer’s first Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll, which will take place Thursday, June 15, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. The popular outdoor event, organized by University City District (UCD), features dozens of local businesses and vendors offering deals on food, merchandise and other items along Baltimore Avenue between 40th to 51st Streets.

This year, the event will again feature $1, $3, and $5 bargains from neighborhood standouts like Booker’s, Vientiane Café, Dahlak Paradise and more, as well as newcomers including brewery Carbon Copy and Ethiopian chicken house Doro Bet. The vendors list, including West Philly-based merchandise vendors and food trucks, has also expanded since last year.

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The full map is available here.

West Philly Porchfest, the annual DIY music festival where anyone with a porch or stoop can host a show, is returning this Saturday, June 3. Dozens of free shows featuring a variety of music genres will take place all over the neighborhood from Noon-6 p.m. The festival has grown over the years (it was first held in 2016), and this year, it stretches from 42nd Street in the east to 59th Street in the west, and from south of Kingsessing to north of Chestnut.

From 12-2 p.m., most performances will take place south of Baltimore Avenue, then from 2 to 4 p.m., most shows will take place north of Baltimore from 42nd to 48th Street. Finally, from 4 to 6 p.m., most performances will be held north of Baltimore, from 48th to 59th.

For the full list of performers and schedule, visit the West Philly Porchfest website.

A petting zoo will return to Clark Park on May 13 as part of the Spruce Hill May Fair (archive photo).

The Spruce Hill Community Association’s annual May Fair is set to return to Clark Park at 43rd and Chester after a three-year break on Saturday, May 13 from noon to 6 p.m. The 65th annual edition of the fair features family-friendly activities, arts and crafts vendors, live music, food purveyors and a raffle. The event is free and open to the public.

The 2023 May Fair will again be focused on family fun, with live music, outdoor games, an inflatable slide, face painting and a petting zoo. As always, food vendors will be on hand to serve up delicious treats.

The event will also feature vendors offering an array of arts, crafts and other items for sale. The University City Garden Club will be present with a large selection of herbs, perennials, vegetables, and other plants for sale. A raffle will offer attendees the opportunity to win a variety of exciting prizes from some of West Philadelphia’s favorite businesses. And live music will be playing on the stage throughout the day! Continue Reading

Voted Metro Philly’s Best Annual Festival, the Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival is kicking off Earth Day Weekend this Friday (April 21) with the first of six Community Pop-Ups. The festival organizer, HopePHL’s team will be at The Porch at 30th Street Station from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. with Dylan Band. All are invited to enjoy the food vendors, meet other jazz enthusiasts, and swing on the big swings!

Save the date for the Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival, Saturday, July 15, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Saunders Park Greene (39th St. and Powelton Ave.). Visit the HopePHL website for all of the upcoming events.