UPDATE (7/29/15): The Winter’s Tale shows kick off tonight at Clark Park at 7 p.m., and according to a new announcement from Shakespeare in Clark Park (SCP), they will be raffling gift cards from local businesses:

Heads up! Every night of the #WintersTale we will be holding a raffle of some great gift cards generously donated by local businesses.

— SCP (@shakespeareincp) July 28, 2015

Also, don’t forget to bring your blanket or chairs, some picnic food (and drinks!) and a little bit of cash (if you can) for a donation. Donations help this awesome event return each summer.

Free outdoor Shakespeare in Clark Park shows draw big crowds to the “Bowl” near 43rd and Chester (archived photo/West Philly Local).

Shakespeare in Clark Park (SCP) is celebrating its 10th anniversary this summer with five nights of The Winter’s Tale, a tragicomedy of family and forgiveness. The annual popular outdoor theatre event that draws huge crowds of both locals and guests, returns on Wednesday, July 29 to Clark Park’s “Bowl” near 43rd and Chester.

Those who attended last year’s Henry IV shows must remember the epic battle scenes performed by a crowd of some 100 volunteers from various Philly neighborhoods (it’s truly hard to forget!). This year, a chorus of over 30 Philadelphia-area schoolchildren will perform along the company’s professional actors. Chorus members were selected after spring auditions.

The young performers are an integral part of the show; along with the audience they’re witnessing the triumph and failure of the adults. According to Director Kittson O’Neill, “The Chorus of Children not only helps perform The Winter’s Tale, it also allows the audience a way into this foreign world… It’s a tale of generations and how consequences are often felt most strongly by the next generation.”  Continue Reading

Mixed People band will perform this Saturday at 40th and Walnut.

The 40th Street Summer Festival which includes dazzling acts ranging from jugglers and fire dancers to puppets and percussions, kicks off at 5 p.m. this Saturday (July 25) in the green space behind the Walnut West Library near 40th and Walnut.

The festival will also feature live music from Mixed People, Red Cedar Strings (Facebook page) and Au Jus, and entertainment and activities for the whole family.

Later on Saturday the University Lutheran Church (3637 Chestnut St.) will host the Joe Hill Roadshow, a tour commemorating the 100th anniversary of the death of International Workers of the World activist and songwriter Joe Hill. Hill, who was executed in 1915, had a long-lasting influence on radical organizing in the country. The tribute concert starts at 7:30 p.m. and includes music from Magpie, Charlie King, George Mann and special guest John Braxton. Tickets for this show are also available at Bindlestiff Books at 4530 Baltimore Ave.

For more upcoming events, please visit our Events Calendar.

Friday night jazz at Cedar Park. Photo from Twitter feed of @DrStephenDavis.

Great news for local jazz fans and anyone who enjoys outdoor music and hanging with neighbors. The popular Cedar Park Jazz series, which runs every summer in the park at 49th and Baltimore, has been extended until August 14.

The Broke and Blue Band will perform this Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The two added dates – August 7 and 14 – will feature Dr. Ketchup (Aug. 7) and Clint Washington and Friends (Aug. 14). Side By Soul will take the stage next Friday.

And as if that isn’t enough live jazz … Jake’s Sandwich Board, a restaurant in that new building on 40th Street near Sansom, has announced (Facebook page) that there will be live music every Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the World’s Largest Parklet (on 40th Street across from Fresh Grocer). Yes, jazz at the parklet is now a thing. Don’t forget that while the parklet fronts a bunch of businesses, you don’t necessarily have to patronize one to sit there. It’s a park, just like any other park.

A great weekend is in store for local jazz fans, with a couple of awesome (and free!) events happening in the area. Plus, there will be a free classical jazz concert at a local library on Monday. More details are below.

• The annual Lancaster Avenue Jazz and Arts Fest is returning to Powelton Village on Saturday, July 18. The fest is an all-day fun for the whole family, featuring internationally renowned performers, vendors, food trucks, and children’s activities. The event, organized by People’s Emergency Center and the Producers’ Guild, celebrates the rich history of jazz and the arts in Philadelphia. The lineup includes a wide variety of both international and Philly jazz musicians, including Sonny Fortune, Charlene Holloway Band, Glenn Bryan & Friends, Kimpedro Nu Gruv, and more.

The festival will be held from noon to 7 p.m. at Saunders Park (39th and Powelton Ave). For more information, visit: www.lancasteravejazzfest.com.

• The weekly Summer Jazz series will be held on Friday night in Cedar Park (49th and Baltimore), starting at 6 p.m. This week features Dahi Divine and Friends.

• Charlie X will present a free classical jazz concert at Walnut St West Library (40th and Walnut) on Monday, July 20. This event starts at 6:30 p.m. Refreshments will also be served. The event is sponsored by the Library Friends. You can hear Charlie X at charliex.org.

2014 Cedar Park Neighbors scholarship recipients. (Photo courtesy CPN)

Tomorrow evening is a good chance to catch some outdoor jazz at Cedar Park (49th and Baltimore) and congratulate a hard-working group of neighborhood young people who are heading off to college.

Gretchen Elise and Friends is scheduled to take the stage at 6 p.m. as part of the Summer Live Jazz Fridays in Cedar Park series. In between sets, folks from the community group Cedar Park Neighbors will announce the recipients of college scholarships from the Gary Bronson Memorial Scholarship Fund. Each year Cedar Park Neighbors award scholarships to students in the neighborhood.

As always, the concerts are free and open to everyone.

Upcoming concerts in the Jazz Fridays series include:

• July 10th – Gretchen Elise and Friends
• July 17th – Dahi Divine and Friends
• July 24th – Broke and Blue Band
• July 31st – Side by Soul

Jazz vocalist Barbara Walker will perform at Malcolm X. Park on July 9. (Photo from thebarbarawalkerstory.com)

Recently we let you know about the Cedar Park Summer Jazz series happening every Friday night, and here’s information on the annual West Philadelphia Jazz Heritage Series held at Malcolm X. Park (52nd and Pine). Concerts are set for every other Thursday from May 28 to Sept. 17, starting at 7 p.m. (weather permitting). This summer, the popular concert series returns for its 15th season! All concerts are free and open to the public.

Here’s the concert schedule and line up of performers.

June 25 – The Budesa Brothers
July 9 – The Barbara Walker Story (vocalist)
July 23 – Shirley Lites (vocalist)
Aug. 6 – Geo. Barron (tenor sax), Janet Barron (vocalist)
Aug. 20 – Lawrence Jones (tenor sax)
Sept. 3 – Michelle Beckham
Sept. 17 – The Nate Murray Band