Photo from Sofar Sounds’ Facebook page.

Sofar Sounds has made it to West Philly! This is immersive experience that offers secret gigs and live, intimate concerts around the world, including neighborhoods all over Philadelphia. And now it is going to hold West Philly gigs a few times a month.

Sofar events feature three acts (most shows are music but some are poetry/comedy) and guests do not know who is performing until they arrive at the show.

Guests purchase tickets to the event based on which neighborhood they choose, and they find out the exact location of the show by email the day before. Ticket prices range from $15-$20.

This month, there will be some shows celebrating women and Women’s History Month. Here’s what’s happening in West Philly and University City:

Thursday, March 5
Sofar Philadelphia show in University City
Theme: Women Take The Stage 
Ticket link: https://www.sofarsounds.com/cities/philadelphia/events/33233

Friday, March 6
Sofar Philadelphia show in Spruce Hill
Ticket link: https://www.sofarsounds.com/cities/philadelphia/events/32882

Friday, March 20 
Sofar Philadelphia show in University City
Theme: Comedy show 
Ticket link: https://www.sofarsounds.com/cities/philadelphia/events/33557

The School District of Philadelphia has sent out a message to parents and guardians about the coronavirus.

So far, there are no confirmed coronavirus disease cases in Pennsylvania, and Philadelphia residents are at low risk of becoming infected, according to the message. The School District is working closely with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and taking into consideration the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“The School District of Philadelphia holds the well-being, health, and safety of students and staff as a top priority,” reads the message.  Continue Reading

The race for the 188th state house seat is beginning to heat up. The community is invited to hear from all four candidates – incumbent Rep. Jim Roebuck, Karen Dunn (Facebook page link), Gregory Benjamin, and Rick Krajewski – at a community forum/debate organized by the Penn Democrats (Facebook page link) on Monday, March 2.

The 188th House District (map) includes parts of Spruce Hill, Squirrel Hill, Walnut Hill, Spruce Hill, Garden Court, Beige Block and University City. Roebuck has held the seat since 1985.

The event will take place at the University of Pennsylvania Houston Hall (3417 Spruce St), Room 218 (Ben Franklin Room), starting at 5 p.m. Here’s the event Facebook page.

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The Sanctuary Jam: A Philadelphia First: At St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Hamilton Village (3916 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104) is open to both Drexel University and University of Pennsylvania students and musicians as well as West Philly residents.

Visit with us and hear the best of the universities instructors in jazz, and if you play an instrument you’re invited to sit in. Come support Jazz in all its Glory…FREE PIZZA – GREAT MUSIC – NO CHARGE.

A wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon:  ALL ARE WELCOME!

(This post is sponsored by The Jazz Sanctuary).

A 39-year-old man was killed and another man was critically injured in a shooting Monday night near 52nd and Sansom Streets, according to reports.

The shooting happened shortly before 10:30 p.m. The 39-year-old victim was shot three times – in the head, chest and leg. He was taken to the hospital and was pronounced dead shortly before 11 p.m., according to a report by CBS Philly. The second victim, a man in his 30s, was shot once in the chest. He is in critical condition.  Continue Reading

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The School District of Philadelphia hopes to better understand how the District is changing through the Comprehensive School Planning Review (CSPR), a collaborative process that will assess public school enrollment, educational program offerings, and school facilities.

This assessment can help plan for things like overcrowding or underuse or whether schools will need different resources to support changes in the languages they serve.

The CSPR process will take place across four years, and will assess public schools with traditional enrollment across the City of Philadelphia. Cycle 1 of the process started at the beginning of the 2019/2020 school and includes 21 schools spread across three areas of the city.  Continue Reading