Keni Jackson (Facebook photo)

Great news for local jazz music fans! After a two-year break the popular Thursday night jazz series, Jazz Heritage Series, will return to Malcolm X Park this summer. The series will kick off this Thursday, July 1 (weather permitting), with a performance by Southwest Philadelphia native Keni Jackson, a bass player and vocalist.

All concerts are free and held every other Thursday evening from 7-9 p.m. Please bring your blanket or portable chair, and picnic! Please note that performances are not held in inclement weather.

Here’s the full schedule of performances through October 21st: Continue Reading

As the city is preparing to lift all COVID-related capacity restrictions on June 11, check out updates on these great outdoor events, all held in Clark Park at 43rd and Chester:

The next Uhuru Flea Market will be held on Saturday, June 12. It is an all-day (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) African marketplace featuring dozens of vendors showcasing a wide range of handmade goods, crafts, housewares, food, and more. Volunteers are always needed for this event, held monthly from May to October and vendor spaces are available. The Uhuru Flea Market is an economic development project of the African People’s Education and Defense Fund (APEDF). For more information, visit: uhurufleamarket.blogspot.com or call 267-875-FLEA (3532). Continue Reading

The Under the Stars in Clark Park film series kicks off on June 4 with a short film program from the 2021 Philadelphia Latino Film Festival (Photo courtesy of cinéSPEAK).

After holding virtual film screenings for a year due to the COVID pandemic, cinéSPEAK is bringing audiences together for four magical evenings of independent cinema at one of West Philly’s most popular public spaces – Clark Park.

This new outdoor cinema series, titled Under the Stars in Clark Park, will feature incredible independent films, DJs, arts and cultural organizations, and food trucks every Friday in June (June 4, 11, 18 and 25).

“Doors”/Live DJ performances kick off at 7 p.m. and film screenings begin at 8:30 p.m. (sundown) at “The Bowl” at 43rd and Chester. Continue Reading

The annual West Philly Porchfest, which was cancelled last year due to the COVID pandemic, is set to return in June!

Flyers in different colors have been posted around the neighborhood announcing that it will be held on Saturday, June 5, 2021 from 12 to 6 p.m.

The outdoor DIY music festival, which was first held in West Philly in 2016, gives an opportunity to local musicians to play and to West Philly residents and guests to enjoy free shows in various music genres. The Porchfest’s motto is that anyone can perform or host a show.

Folks who are interested in hosting a show on their porch can sign up here. The organizers have also created a Facebook group where porch hosts can connect with musicians looking for porches to perform on. Continue Reading

A 2015 rally at the Martin Luther King Memorial at 40th and Lancaster Avenue (Photo courtesy of PEC)

The life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. is being celebrated this Monday, Jan. 18. While a lot of MLK Day events and activities will not be held this year because of Covid restrictions, folks are invited to participate in virtual events and outdoor socially-distanced events:

Monday, January 18, 12:30 p.m. at The Bank, 3750 Lancaster Avenue (corner of 38th and Lancaster Ave):

People’s Emergency Center (PEC) will be giving away food and other resources at the site of Rev. King’s Freedom Now tour speech on August 3, 1965 – at the intersection of 40th Street, Haverford Avenue, and Lancaster Avenue. The event will begin at Noon and last until the food has been distributed. The location is also a site on PEC’s Martin Luther King Scavenger Hunt, with a prize of a $100 gift card (go here for more information).  Continue Reading

Here’s a great opportunity to watch two independent films with your family, friends and neighbors while in your own home! On Thursday, Aug. 13, at 5:30 p.m., join (via Zoom) this pop-up, virtual film club to screen two films from Mike Dennis of Reelblack Inc – “Hardest Part” and “Next Tuesday”. After the screening, stick around to have a community chat and share your thoughts and reactions to the films.

For more information and to register, click here.