Philadelphia’s 8th Annual Black Women’s Arts Festival (BWAF) is taking place this week, July 27-31, at several city venues, including West Philly’s The Rotunda (4014 Walnut Street), which will host a series of events starting Thursday, July 28. This year’s festival’s theme is Healing & Joy, celebrating the healing and creative arts.

On Thursday there will be a free clothing and book swap from noon to 5 p.m. Women are encouraged to bring gently worn clothing and books for others to take and enjoy.

On Friday and Saturday there will be day-long events with a wide range of scheduled music performances, workshops, lectures, presentations, fashion shows and exhibitions from noon to 11 p.m. (both days free until 8 p.m., with some exceptions).

Finally, on Sunday, July 31, there will be another all-day event starting at 11:00 a.m. with music and dance performances by a variety of artists. Highlights of this day include dance classes by Shandra Staley – modern dance class at 1 p.m. and African dance class at 3 p.m. ($8 in advance; $10 at the door), and stage performances by Zoe Flowers and O, at 6 and 7:05 p.m. respectively.

For more information about the schedule and participants visit the festival’s schedule of events page.

Today’s cat is Sonny, a 12-week-old orange tabby kitten.

Sonny is a very sweet and cuddly kitten. He purrs readily and loves to be petted. He is also playful, and enjoys chasing toys or wrestling with other kitties. Sonny is very gentle and would make a great companion for families with kids or other cats.

Sonny currently lives with his foster mom and three other cats, but his foster mom is moving cross-country in a couple of weeks, so he really needs a permanent home. Sonny is fostered through PAWS (www.phillypaws.org) and his adoption fee ($75) covers the cost of his microchip, shots, and neuter, which have all been taken care of at the PAWS Spay, Neuter, and Wellness Clinic.

To meet this adorable kitten please send an email to Sonny’s foster mom at: kathleenharbin [at] gmail.com.

Curio Theatre Company has announced that its 2011-2012 season will include a free performance of “Lord of the Flies” in Clark Park, Kurt Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse-Five” and Dario Fo’s “Accidental Death of an Anarchist.”

The company has announced that discounted ticket packages are available for the upcoming season that amounts to a free ticket to one of four productions.

Curio’s season kicks off on September 2 with a special staging of Nigel Williams’ adaptation of “Lord of the Flies” in Clark Park as part of the Philly Fringe Live Arts Festival. The run also includes performances on Sept. 3, 7, 8 and 9 that are free and open to the public.

Its regular schedule includes:

• “Eurydice” – Oct. 12 through Nov. 12

• “Accidental Death of an Anarchist” – Dec. 7 through Jan. 7

• “Slaughterhouse-Five” – Feb 2 through March 3

• “The Tempest” – April 19 through May 19.

Click here for more information or to buy season tickets.

A neighbor Tiffany spotted this black & white cat at Clark Park yesterday, July 24. She writes:

“I spotted this cat at Clark Park at 8:00 p.m. Sunday. He/she followed me home, and I gave him/her some food. The cat is pretty jumpy to sounds outside, so I think it is not just a stray kitty. I can’t let him/her in for the night, but if this is your kitty, it has been spotted and was last spending time at 46th and Chester at 8:40 p.m. Sunday.

Very friendly but chased a dog down on the sidewalk.“

Cyro Baptista, a great Brazilian percussionist, is likely to bring the house down when he performs tonight at the second concert of the 40th Street Summer Series (free live outdoor music concerts).

Baptista is known for his highly entertaining “Beat the Donkey” shows which feature a blend of music from all over the globe, martial arts, tap dance, samba, jazz, rock and funk and Baptista’s innovative percussion on instruments created by himself. Per Baptista’s website, “There is an undeniable aura of fun and humor whenever Cyro Baptista takes the stage.”

Tonight Baptista will present compositions from his album “Banquet of the Spirits.” Percussionist Adam Rudolph and multi-instrumentalist Joseph Bowie will open the show.

The concert will begin at 6 p.m. on the field behind Walnut West Library (40th & Walnut). Upon the conclusion of the show there will be a daredevil fire dance and fire breathing performance for those who stick around.

The temperatures are expected to top 100 today and many people, kids and adults alike, will rush to water ice vending trucks and carts in the hood to stay cool.

But, if the trucks are not in sight where do you get your fix?

A couple of places that we like are located on Spruce Street (between 48th and 49th). Quick Stop Deli (4832 Spruce St) and Great Taste Chinese Food restaurant (right next door at 4834 Spruce St) have several flavors of water ice on tap.

If you know of any other shops or restaurants selling water ice please share information about them below. And by “water ice” we mean the delicious soft serve kind, not the pre-packaged one.