At the time of the pandemic, when we can’t enjoy theater, Curio Theatre Company is working on A Symphony for Saint-Georges – a multi-disciplinary, ambulatory installation designed to encourage social distancing.

The installation will include sculpture, music, dance, fencing, projections, and spoken word that will tell the story of Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges – a Black fencing expert, virtuoso violinist, and accomplished composer whose life is left out of history books.

The project is supported by The Spotlight Fund, created in honor of Curio’s longtime friend and supporter, West Philadelphia resident Mary Allegra, who passed away last year. The fund continues her legacy by funding projects and initiatives that serve the community but are not otherwise covered by the theatre’s annual operating budget.  Continue Reading

The West Craft Fest held in spring and fall at The Woodlands will again take place virtually due to the ongoing pandemic. This Saturday, Sept. 26, work by West Craft Fest’s past vendors will be featured on its Instagram page (anyone who participated in the craft fest’s 2019 events is welcome to tag their IG posts with #virtualwestcraftfest).

Shoppers are invited to follow the Fest Instagram page and the #virtualwestcraftfest hashtag to find out what vendors have been creating, including some special one-day-only discounts. This is a great opportunity to shop for holiday gifts early and support local makers during these difficult times.

The December Fest, which was held at The Rotunda before the pandemic, will most likely be online-only also. The organizers hope that they will be able to return to the Woodlands in April 2021.

(Photo courtesy of West Craft Fest)

Still haven’t figured out your plan to vote in November’s general election? Here’s some info that will help.

First, there are some important dates. Oct. 19 is the last day to register before the Nov. 3 election. Check your registration status here. There are a number of ways to register, including online, by mail and in person. This is a good place to start.

Once registered, you have two choices. You can vote in person on Nov. 3 at, likely, a reduced number of polling places. Or, you can vote right now – by mail.  Continue Reading

St. Francis De Sales Church and Calvary Center are hosting a Red Cross blood drive on Friday, Sept. 25. For a limited time, the Red Cross will test all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies as an additional health service to donors. There is currently a shortage of “COVID-19 convalescent” plasma needed to treat sick people, so the Red Cross is also seeking fully recovered COVID-19 patients.

The blood drive will be held at Calvary Center for Culture and Community (801 S. 48th St.) from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

To sign up to be a donor at this drive please go to the Red Cross website. Use sponsor code: St Francis Calvary Community. If you want to save time on the day of the donation please visit www.redcrossblood.org/rapidpass to pre-register.  Continue Reading

Hundreds of residents gathered in Clark Park on Saturday to protest a rally planned in the park by far-right group “Proud Boys,” which never materialized. People held “Black Lives Matter,” “Fascists Go Home!” and other signs. Instead of confrontation, a peaceful pro-diversity rally ensued that included participation of local community leaders and West Philly-elected officials.

“These people came here to divide us, but look what they have done,” City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier said during the rally.  Continue Reading

The Food Trust, the organization that hosts Clark Park Farmers Markets, has adjusted hours of operation for this week’s market due to a rally planned at the park by the far-right group “Proud Boys.” The market will be held this Saturday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Due to the shortened duration of the market, The Food Trust will not have their usual designated shopping hours for senior and immunocompromised residents. Additional details about vendor participation and pre-orders can be found here. Market operations will return to normal hours on Saturday, Sept. 26: from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.  Continue Reading