The Penn Museum and West Philly Local would like to invite you to the fantastic Summer Nights Concert Series on Wednesday, August 15. Free of charge for our readers! Yep, that’s right, it’s “West Philly Local Night” at the Museum. No strings attached.

The August 15 edition of the Summer Night Series features La Pequeña Marimba Internacional, a family band that focuses on Guatemalan folk music, but also includes a smattering of international music like cumbria, merengue, bolero and more.

Drinks and light fare will be provided by the Museum’s Pepper Mill Café Garden Bar.

All you have to do is click on the link below and either print out the page or have it open on your mobile phone when you arrive at the Museum. That will get you general admission to the Museum and the garden concert.

Follow this link, print out the page or have it on your phone.

Seeds Gallery recently opened at 50th and Baltimore and this Saturday the public is invited to their official grand opening celebration. The gallery will present works by four super talented artists: Charles Barbin (Artist/Public Murals Designer), Bob Bruhin (Documentary Photographer), and West Philly artists Russell Brodie and Jeremy Fahringer.

Seeds Gallery is a modern art studio focused exclusively on local artists, both emerging and established, working in all media and styles. Exhibits are also showcased at other locations throughout the city, such as local restaurants, coffee shops, yoga studios, law firms and book stores. Visit www.seedsgallery.com for more information.

Grand opening of Seeds Gallery. Free and open to the public.
Saturday, August 11, 6 – 9pm
5011 Baltimore Avenue

The new school year hasn’t even started yet and already there is confusion. While the School District of Philadelphia has set the official date for new student registration as Aug. 20, at least two schools in West Philly are registering new students starting Monday, Aug. 13.

Henry C. Lea Elementary and Penn Alexander will accept new student registration beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday morning.

“They gave out the date late,” said an official at Penn Alexander referring to the District’s Aug. 20 date. “We’re sticking with our original plan for the 13th.”

Likewise, an official at Lea said, “the secretary will be here Monday morning registering students.”

No one answered the phone at  A.D. Harrington, Samuel B. Huey, Alain Locke, Samuel Powel and Alexander Wilson. New students who plan to attend those schools should call to double-check on registration dates (see the phone numbers below).

Last year, the line for registration at Penn Alexander began at 7:30 a.m. the previous day. Continue Reading

40th Street resident artists have been working hard over the past year to complete their community engagement projects. The opening reception for their exhibit is Friday night from 6-8 p.m. at the AIR gallery (4007 Chestnut St. on the first floor). The artists and their projects include: Marie Alarcon/Park Pleasant Nursing Home & Rehab, Michael Konrad/Neighborhood Bike Works, EK Miles/A Renaissance is What They Call It (student-led art class for all ages), Sarah Lowry & Beth Nixon/Ms. Weinraub’s Drama Classes at West Philadelphia High School, and Martina Plag/University City High School.

The 40th Street Artist-in-Residence program awards West Philadelphia artists one year of free studio space at 40th and Chestnut Streets. In exchange, each artist shares his/her talents with the community by leading workshops, teaching classes, exhibiting in the area, etc. The residents for 2012-2013 will also be introduced at the opening reception, which will include a barbeque.

2011-2012 40th Street resident artists Michael Conrad and Martina Plag.

 

About 1,500 cheering Barack Obama supporters packed the Bobby Morgan Arena at the University of the Sciences on Thursday for a rousing get-out-the-vote speech from First Lady Michelle Obama.

Obama was preaching to the proverbial choir in West Philly, a longtime Democratic stronghold. And her speech, aimed at rallying campaign supporters, even felt like a Sunday morning sermon. Obama punctuated a few of her most resonant points – on things like universal health care and education equity – with “Can I get an Amen?”

Obama’s day-long swing through eastern Pennsylvania will also take her to Montgomery County and Bethlehem to help keep Pennsylvania behind President Obama, who won the state in 2008.

“It’s all on the line,” she said. “Everything is at stake. That’s why we’re here.”

This week don’t miss the Second Friday on Lancaster Avenue, an event that fosters a great sense of community and showcases local talent and businesses in Powelton Village. Here’s what’s happening on the Avenue, from 34th to 45th Street, this Friday, from 5-9 p.m.:

The Community Education Center will be hosting a Summer Garden Series with an Open Mic Night, Poetry reading and performances (3500 Block). Green Line Cafe (3649 Lancaster Ave) will host a few acoustic players and free snacks. The 3800 block will feature music and Art by Emil Baumann and Jazz artist Alfie Pollitt at Art on the Avenue. The Make your Mark building (3861 Lancaster Ave) will be transformed to a small concert venue featuring performances by Drexel students. In addition to art and music, business owners will display their merchandise and food trucks and street vendors will be out on the sidewalk from 5-9 p.m. Please check the flyer below for Block by Block listings or visit the event’s Facebook page.