July is named after Roman dictator Julius Caesar (100 B.C.–44 B.C.). Caesar developed what eventually became the Gregorian calendar that we still use now.
July is hot with many observances like World USO Day (July 2), National Stay Out of the Sun Day (July 3), World Emoji Day (July 17) and Take the Houseplants for a Walk Day (July 27). Oh, and International Joke Day (July 1). This column is not funny, but it’s entertaining. From message music to movie nights, enjoy these free or low-cost events!
Please respect the pandemic safety protocols and check individual event-attending instructions with the organizers.
The power of prayer strikes a cord in this message music
July 9, 2022. Philadelphia’s CHILDREN OF ADAM BAND” (COA) takes to the community stage (in this case, the lawn) to uplift audiences with its hopeful, soulful music that covers relevant topics such as the pandemic. The 12-member “New World Music” group will perform original self-described “Positive Message Bearing Music.” The results are an inspirational union of jazz, funk, R & B, soul, Latin, African, Middle Eastern — with a dash of spoken word expression. The songs are multi-lingual with English and dialect. Promotional materials note: “Our platform of music builds human bridges of understanding and appreciation.” The internationally-known band will perform from its 2021 CD concept release, “TIMBUKTU-THE HUMAN JOURNEY,” featuring songs that “leave a positive impact on this world and inspire others.” 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., free but register for tickets, Johnson House Historic Site, 6306 Germantown Ave., https://childrenofadamband.com/
Volunteer to host a student dinner in your home.
Play dinner host to international students
Friday, July 18, 2022. Here’s a nice twist on dinner invites: Would you like to be sort of a goodwill cultural ambassador? Here’s your golden chance: Sign up to have young international students as guests for a dinner in your home. What’s more, whet your appetite and learn about an array of global cultures. As a host, you invite your friends to join you, too. It’s all part of The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders — a flagship program of the U.S. Government’s Young African Leaders Initiative. Its Fellows can meet you at their dorm at Drexel University in University City or at your nearest train station for pick-up. Program host, and nonprofit, CITIZEN DIPLOMACY, connects our region’s institutions and people to others around the world. Dinner is on you, so it’s not a free event, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., www.cdiphila.org
Afro-Latin rhythms of rebellion
August 4, 2022. For a potent musical cocktail of rock, reggae, salsa, cumbia, reggaeton, and hip-hop, there’s one place and person. Meet Taína Asili. The New York-based Puerto Rican singer, composer and activist gives the message a beat. She adeptly blends traditional and contemporary music through Afro-Latin “songs of love and liberation.” Her acclaimed freedom anthems have inspired global audiences and social movements focusing on racial, gender and climate justice. With her multi-genre and multilingual style, Asili resonates with diverse audiences. Her live concert is part of Puerta Abierta — a new series from World Cafe Live celebrating the diasporic rhythms of Latinx culture through programs showcasing Philly’s diverse communities. 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., free. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400; TicketingStaff@worldcafelive.com; https://worldcafelive.com/
Movies shine Under the Stars at Clark Park
July 9, 2022. Free is what you like, and free is what you get. And it happens under the city skies at the annual cinéSPEAK Under the Stars at Clark Park 2022. It’s the place to be for independent films from around the world, local food trucks and music by Prince’s SIGN O’ THE TIMES with DJ Duiji 13 and Starfire. The event is produced by the support of Independence Public Media Foundation, Leeway Foundation, WXPN and Philadelphia Federal Credit Union and various community partners. Bring blankets and chairs. Enter starting at 7:30 p.m.; film begins at 9 p.m. Clark Park, 4300 Baltimore Ave., free but register for tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com or www.cinespeak.org
A future songwriting career?
Through July 15, 2022. Alicia Keyes, Linda Perry. Everyone needs a place to explore and fuel their passion. Learn about various jobs for women in the music industry. Youth literacy group Mighty Writers’ Camp Leader Joy Ike leads Mighty Girls Rock – an empowering online sessions for girls, ages 7 to 11, Girls get to write their own songs. And we all know the big money in the music biz is in the writing rights. Free, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. mightywriters.org or e-mail: gbernicker@mightywriters.org
Fleas actually are a good thing at this market!
July 9, 2022. Phila. Flea Markets is organizing a vintage flea market with vintage home goods, electronics and more gems that will make you happy! Look at this as a treasure hunt and your map is your money. Columbus Blvd., from Cherry to Race streets ,and on Race Street Pier, Free admission, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 121 N. Columbus Blvd, 215-625-3532, PhilaFleaMarkets@aol.com or philafleamarkets.org
Cara Schneider Bongiorno (center) holds court at recent Philly Pop-up History Series.
New twists to old stories
July 23, 2022. Cara Schneider Bongiorno shaped history through the region’s hospitality and tourism industry, as a media director at VISIT PHILADELPHIA® for two decades. Today as part of her second career (let’s call it: Revisit Philadelphia), she is still telling Philadelphia’s story, but now as a grassroots historian. She’s expanding the Philadelphia narrative in her new passion project — Philly History Popup Series. The project is described as “Philly history stories and interesting twists to places you know.” Take part in the summer series and learn about two big moments in the city’s past as well as some intriguing spin on popular sites to visit. Hear the tales of one of Philly’s strangest events — Mischianza, a massive medieval-style party in South Philly during the Revolutionary War. And what better locale to have this than at an old prison? Free, 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Corinthian Gardens, Brown Street west of Corinthian Avenue, east side of Eastern Penitentiary, in the city’s Fairmont section. PhillyHistoryPopUps@gmail.com
