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HopePHL, the non-profit organization that was formed at the beginning of the year as the result of a merger of People’s Emergency Center (PEC) and Youth Service, Inc., is hosting its first-ever community Program Fair on Wednesday, March 29. The fair will showcase all the programs and teams from PEC and Youth Service, Inc. that have combined into one organization.

Families, children, young adults and West Philadelphia community members are invited to attend this event, which features a wide range of programs that cater to different needs. From resources to computer classes, wellness to education, parenting support to employment opportunities, there is something for everyone. Participants can ask questions and enroll in programs on the spot, making it easier than ever to get involved.

The event will take place from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Rowan House located at 325 N. 39th St. Participants will have the chance to meet the teams behind the programs, win special prizes, and enjoy snacks and fun.

For more information and to RSVP, click here.

Get in the holiday spirit with the first ever uCity Square Holiday Fest! The uCity Square Holiday Fest features a local artisan marketplace, great for holiday shopping, alongside food trucks El Tlaloc and Grilled Salmon Stand and a beer and wine garden by Wissahickon Brewery and Chaddsford Winery.

Holiday Fest also offers FREE family-friendly activities including live music performances and DJs, holiday karaoke, a pop-up ice skating rink, photos with Santa, a kids ornament craft workshop, hot chocolate giveaway, and more.

Vendor fees benefit Theatre in the X, a neighborhood theater for the West Philadelphia and African-American community.

uCity Square Holiday Fest takes place at The Lawn at uCity Square (37th & Filbert) on Friday, Dec. 9 from 3-7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 10 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Rain date is the following week on December 16 and 17.

For the full schedule and list of vendors, visit www.thelawnphl.com/events. If you’re coming, please register here.

Here’s a great chance to visit West Philadelphia artist studios. The Philadelphia Open Studio Tours, a program of The Center for Emerging Visual Artists, will take place in West and Southwest Philly on Sunday, Oct. 16. These are self-guided and community-centered tours when folks are encouraged to stop by their neighborhood art studios to support the artists and check out their work. Studios will be open from Noon to 6 p.m.

The following artists, studios and POST community partners will open their doors to visitors this Sunday (an interactive map is available here): Continue Reading

Photo by Ryan Collerd

Since the beginning of the month, construction crews have worked on the restoration of high-need sections of paved roadways at The Woodlands cemetery. To commemorate the completion of this work, The Woodlands is holding a celebration on Tuesday, Aug. 23 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the front gates of the cemetery at 40th and Woodland (see more info below).

The roads were restored thanks to a $99,500 grant awarded to the historic Woodlands grounds to help with infrastructure improvements. State Representative Rick Krajewski worked with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to secure the grant. Continue Reading

Theatre in the X is back at Malcolm X. Park (5100 Pine St.) with the opening of celebrated musical Dreamgirls on Thursday, Aug. 18, at 7 p.m.

Based on the show business aspirations and successes of R&B acts such as The Supremes, James Brown, Jackie Wilson, and others, the musical follows the story of a young female singing trio “The Dreams,” who become music superstars.

The city’s Black theater company will stage four performances this year, including another 7 p.m. show on Aug. 19 and Saturday and Sunday performances (Aug. 20-21) beginning at 5 p.m. Admission, as always, is free. Just bring a chair or a blanket or whatever you want to sit on.

Dreamgirls is based on the Broadway hit by playwright Tom Eyden and composer Henry Krieger first staged in 1981. The play was adapted as 2006 film that starred Beyoncé, Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy, and also features Jennifer Hudson and Danny Glover.

West Philly native Ozzie Jones is directing the production and Sanchel Brown is choreographer. Will Brock will provide music direction and original compositions. Continue Reading

West Philly Porchfest, the annual DIY music festival where anyone with a porch can host a show, is back this Saturday, June 4. The festival kicks off at Noon with most performances scheduled south of Baltimore Avenue from 40th to 54th Street. 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 52nd (see the full map here).

West Philly Porchfest provides an opportunity to local musicians to play and to West Philly residents and guests to enjoy free shows in various music genres. For the full list of performers and schedule, visit the West Philly Porchfest website.