The Rotunda has been closed to the public since March due to COVID-19, but the pandemic has not stopped the popular West Philly venue and arts organization from offering many virtual events this summer: performances, classes & workshops and even festivals! All events are free and available to the public via Zoom or Facebook.

The list of events for the rest of the summer is below. On September 19 and 20, The Rotunda is hosting Philadelphia’s 14th Annual Black Women’s Arts Festival and is currently seeking participants – singers, dancers and other performers and poets, storytellers and other artists who can live stream (by Zoom) from their home or studio. Short film submissions and workshop presenters/speakers/panelists are also wanted. Artists will receive a stipend which will be decided based on fundraising. Volunteers and interns of all colors and genders are also sought to assist in planning and organizing for this event. Artists, presenters, and volunteers/interns can contact Cassendre Xavier, Founder & Director by email: BWAFphilly@gmail.com.

Donations can be sent via Paypal to cxmusic@gmail.com (Please use the Friends & Family option) or use this link.  Continue Reading

A 28-year-old man died Thursday evening from multiple gunshot wounds near 49th and Chester, according to police. The shooting took place at about 6:30 p.m., reportedly inside a laundromat located on the 1000 block of S. 49th Street.

Three unidentified men approached the victim and began firing. The victim, later identified by the police as Shawn Best, a Philadelphia resident, was transported to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was pronounced dead at 6:56 p.m.

The victim was reportedly with two children and there were about 10 other people inside the laundromat at the time of the shooting, according to NBC Philadelphia. No other injuries were reported.  Continue Reading

The School District of Philadelphia plans to open schools on Sept. 2 under a hybrid model that for most students will include two days a week in the classroom and three days a week online, officials announced Wednesday morning.

The plan calls for four-day-a-week instruction (Monday through Thursday) for special education students with “complex needs” and Pre-K students.

Students will also be able to opt-in to an all online “digital academy.” Registration for this program will begin at the end of July, according to the plan. Students who choose the digital academy will have to remain in that mode of instruction through the end of the first quarter and then can opt in to the hybrid model if they choose. More information on enrollment in the digital academy will be available later this month.  Continue Reading

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, large public gatherings – 50 people or more – will continue to be banned in Philadelphia until at least through the end of February 2021, according to an announcement today by Mayor Jim Kenney. This decision means that popular outdoor events, like the Broad Street Run, which had been rescheduled for October 4, and the Philadelphia Marathon, currently planned for November 22, as well as Thanksgiving Day and Mummers parades will likely be cancelled.

The School District of Philadelphia is expected to make an announcement about the upcoming school year and whether the buildings will reopen tomorrow.

Philadelphia is currently in a modified Green phase of reopening, which allows social gatherings of up to 50 people outdoors.

The annual SEPTA trolley tunnel repair and maintenance project, “Trolley Tunnel Blitz” has begun. The tunnel will be closed until Monday, July 20 and all trolleys will be on diversion to 40th and Market Streets where passengers can board the Market-Frankford Line to continue their travel to Center City. No additional fare is required when you switch to/from the Market-Frankford Line.

SEPTA crews will work around the clock during the Blitz to tackle track and power maintenance in the tunnel. This summer the focus will also be on intensive cleaning at all stations.

This is the eight consecutive year SEPTA has held the Trolley Tunnel Blitz. It is usually scheduled during summer months when ridership is traditionally lower.

Regular trolley service through the tunnel is expected to resume at 5 a.m. on Monday, July 20.

After a four-month break, the City’s Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) will resume hearings that will be held online until further notice. The first two hearings are scheduled for July 14 and July 15. Following these meetings, ZBA will hold meetings online twice a week through July to hear rescheduled cases.

The proposal to build a five-story “entrepreneur hub” on 53 N. 52nd Street, which was presented to the community last month, will be considered by the ZBA on Wednesday, July 15 at 10 a.m. Members of the public are invited to participate in the meeting via Zoom or by phone (see more info below).  Continue Reading