The Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival is returning Saturday, July 16 live and in-person! The 2022 Festival will be held at Saunders Park Greene (39th & Powelton) from Noon-7 p.m. and promises to be the best one yet.

The all-day event, which celebrates West Philadelphia and jazz musicians, is free and open to the public. It is organized by People’s Emergency Center (PEC), The Producer’s Guild of Philadelphia, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, and a committee of community members, with technical assistance from Nu Millennium Media Productions.

The headliner this year is the Orrin Evans Quartet, performing from the TD Bank Main Stage. The Quartet is led by none other than pianist, composer, and independent recording artist Orrin Evans, gracing the Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival stage for the first time. Continue Reading

Here’s a great chance to spend some time after dark at The Woodlands and learn more about one of nature’s magnificent creatures – the firefly! A popular summer event, Firefly Night, will return this Wednesday, June 29, from 6 – 9 p.m. to 40th and Woodland as part of the Nature Nights series.

At the event, guests can watch for fireflies in The Woodlands after dark, all while enjoying a sweet treat from the Popalong Truck. You can also learn about The Discovery Center and have fun with a nature activity. Tangle Movement Arts will present a firefly-inspired aerial performance. After the aerial performance, there will be a chance to explore the Philadelphia Orchard Project (POP) learning orchard located near Woodland Avenue.

Don’t forget to pack a picnic and a flashlight! Continue Reading

Drexel Square

This summer, Drexel Square, a 1.3-acre community park that opened near 30th Street Station in 2019 as part of the Schuylkill Yards development project, is hosting a wide variety of free activities, open to the community. “Summer at the Square” series events range from free fitness classes, live music, meditation, art classes, food trucks and pop-ups, and more.

See the full list of happenings at Drexel Square here: https://schuylkillyards.com/whats-happening.

Schuylkill Yards is a $3.5 billion project, a partnership between Drexel University and Brandywine Trust, which will include eight high rises connected by green public spaces and retail when completed. More info is available here.

Some major Juneteenth celebrations will be held in West Philly this Sunday. The Philadelphia Juneteenth Parade & Festival is returning after the pandemic-related hiatus. The 2022 Juneteenth Parade participants will march along 52nd Street – from Jefferson to Pine. The parade kicks off at 11 a.m. and will conclude at Malcolm X Park where the festival will take place (from 12-8 p.m.).

The Juneteenth Parade will include non-profit organizations, youth groups and schools, local politicians, as well as dance and music groups. The festival at Malcolm X Park will feature music and dance performances, local merchants, food vendors, and more. Residents can also get tested and vaccinated against COVID. Continue Reading

The annual outdoor independent film festival, Under the Stars at Clark Park, is returning this spring with four screenings scheduled for May, June and July. The festival, hosted by West Philly-based cinema cinéSPEAK, features city premieres of independent films from around the world, plus local DJs, food trucks and other activities. All events are free to attend.

Screenings take place on Fridays or Saturdays at 9 p.m. through July 9 (weather-permitting). The pre-show starts at 7:30 p.m.

The festival was scheduled to kick off on May 20, but the opening night was postponed due to rain. Here is the schedule for this Friday (May 27): Continue Reading

University City District has announced the return of its popular summer events, most of which were not held during the past two years due to the pandemic.

From the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll to Movies in Clark Park, here’s what’s happening in the district this summer. Also, check out events and activities at The Porch at 30th Street Station and Trolley Portal Gardens (40th and Woodland).

The Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll will return on Thursday, June 16 and Thursday, Sept. 15 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. During this unique event, neighborhood businesses and community vendors will present $1, $3, and $5 bargains – everything from bites from signature restaurants to pet supplies to theater tickets and much more. Plus enjoy live music, arts and crafts, and more fun! Read more about the 25+ participating vendors for the June 16th Dollar Stroll here. Details for the September Dollar Stroll will be available later this summer. Continue Reading