Art-making class at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art workshop in August.
FunTimes Magazine Culture + Entertainment column, week of September 2, 2024
“Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.”
— African proverb (from Zambia)
September means back to school and the end of the sweet lull and leisure of summer. It’s also a premiere events month. Here are some mostly low-cost or free festivities focusing on art, photography music, and books. Many of these engaging activities take a deep dive into the untold and historical impact of the Black experience. And please don’t forget: When event-going, take precautions, especially when among groups and indoors, with the risk of COVID-19 variants.
Eye on the Evolution of Photography
Saturday, September 7, 2024 Get the complete picture through a photo book fair, artist talks, book signings, exhibitions, and workshops at the 20/20 Photo Festival sponsored by Unique Photo. Learn about the development and profound impact of technology on modern photography. Explore old and new technologies; take a deep dive into changes in film and chemistry from collotypes to darkroom silver prints, color prints, digital prints, and today’s images creating Artificial Intelligence. Free, noon to 7 p.m. EST. Cherry Street Pier. 121 N. Columbus Blvd. E-mail: info@2020photofestival.org, https://www.2020photofestival.org.
Uncovering Buried History
September 4-7, 2024 & September 12-14, 2024. On Buried Ground is an insightful theatrical performance and exhibition that sheds light on the hidden histories of enslaved and emancipated individuals of African descent in Colonial Philadelphia, America’s birthplace. Dancer Shayla-Vie Jenkins, playwright Rayne (Angela Bey), and director Nia Benjamin will bring the Black colonial-era experience to life and survival through “theatrical storytelling,” digitized archives, and Groundings: An Exhibition — a collection of visual art and historical records of Black congregants at Christ Church in Philadelphia. $5 to $50, 7 p.m. EST. Christ Burial Ground and Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 N. American St. 215-413-1318 or https://neighborhood-house.com/projects/on-buried-ground/.
Photo by Jerome McGriff
A Cool Show With Hot Wheels
Wednesday, September 11, 2024. Enjoy super-cool performances on sizzling-hot wheels at the 2024 Hero Thrill Show Preview & Pep Rally. It will be a sneak preview of the carnival-style Thrill Show coming up later in September. Center City will be souped up at lunchtime with the dazzling daredevil maneuvers of the elite world-famous Philadelphia Police Highway Motorcycle Patrol Drill Team. The Motorcycle Drill Team will be joined by Mounted Police horses, the K-9 Unit, the bicycle patrol, and fire engines. The police and fire departments will give you a glimpse of the Hero Thrill Show that has entertained the wide-eyed masses for 69 years. The ticketed Hero Thrill Show is a fundraiser on Saturday, September 21st at noon outside of the Wells Fargo Center near Broad Street and Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia. Support the college educations of the families of Philadelphia police and fire personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty. The day also marks 23 years since the tragic 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City, where firefighters and police personnel heroically responded… Staged kickoff program, with DJ Bob Pantano’s Sound of Philadelphia music, in front of 1818 Market St. The Pep Rally is free, noon to 12:45 p.m. EST, outdoors, on Market Street, between 18th and 19th streets Tickets to the September 21st Hero Thrill Show are $15 for individuals, $35 for families up to five people: http://www.herothrillshow.org or eventbrite.com.
History Event Highlights Blacks’ Legacy
Thursday, September 12, 2024. Writer-historian Amy Jane Cohen will discuss the history of African Americans in Philadelphia, the topic of her comprehensive book, Black History in the Philadelphia Landscape: Deep Roots, Continuing Legacy. The conversation, Black History in the Philadelphia Landscape, will include how the influence of Blacks is presented through monuments, markers, murals, and historical symbols. The author will focus on the history of the All Wars Memorial to Colored Soldiers and Sailors, a 1934 monument across from the Franklin Institute, 20th Street, and the Ben Franklin Parkway. It’s one of a handful of the city’s public artworks dedicated to African Americans. Cohen’s book chronicles Black Philadelphians from the city’s birth in the 17th century through the 20th century. The event is part of the “Great Talks at Gloria Dei” educational series and is hosted by the Historic Gloria Dei Preservation Corporation. A reception will follow the discussion. 7 p.m. EST, $10; pre-registration is suggested. Proceeds will benefit the preservation of Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church, 916 S. Swanson St. E-mail: info@old-swedes.org or 215-389-1513 or https://www.old-swedes.org.
CCH Pounder
Actor’s Art Exhibit Is A SharedVision
Saturday, September 14, 2024. It’s worth your time to check out Opening Conversation with CCH Pounder, the launch of a riveting art exhibition celebrating the African diaspora. Award-winning actor CCH Pounder will lead a discussion to highlight SharedVision: Portraits from The CCH Pounder-Koné Collection, which includes inspiring works by Black artists. The exhibition is amassed from Pounder’s collection of 40 pieces by Bisa Butler, Elizabeth Colomba, Samella Lewis, and Lezley Saar, as well as rising artists such as Luke Agada and Alex Peter Idoko. The art is bound by themes focusing on beauty, identity, autonomy, and power. Pre-registration is required. $14 (adults), $10 (seniors, students, and kids, ages 4 to 12), 3 p.m. EST to 4 p.m. EST. African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch St. 215-574-0380 or aampmuseum.org.
A Look At The Black Experience In Philly
Saturday, September 14, 2024. Check out the always enlightening Free Library’s Author Event series featuring a conversation with Louis J. Parascandola, who will discuss his latest book, A Black Philadelphia Reader. The collection looks at the city’s complex history through the minds of Black writers who have connections to Philadelphia; authors such as W. E. B. Du Bois, Harriet Jacobs, Sonia Sanchez, and John Edgar Wideman. It tackles racial discrimination and gender inequality that impact health, housing, education, policing, criminal justice, and public transportation. While examining the pressing issues of a big urban city, the enduring message is one of hope. Parascandola is a Professor of Humanities at Long Island University, Brooklyn. He has published books on Black authors including Eric Walrond, Gwendolyn Bennett, J. A. Rogers, and Amy Jacques Garvey. Free, 1 p.m. EST Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St., First Floor (Rm. 108). 215-567-4341 or Parkway Central Library or https://libwww.freelibrary.org.
The Philadelphia Story, First & Foremost
Saturday, September 14, 2024. Museum After Hours: Saturday Night at the Museum Live! at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts is an entertaining and educational way to spend a weekend night. Go behind the scenes of the exhibit Philadelphia Revealed: Unpacking the Attic, with hosts Che Guerrero and Alyssa Al-Dookhi. It’s an interactive collection of historical images and more than 600 authentic objects chronicling the heritage of America’s oldest city. Enjoy refreshments at the Frances M. Maguire Gallery of the Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building and then see the actual exhibit in the Frances M. Maguire Gallery and Fisher Brooks Gallery. Afterward, join Che and Alyssa in the Rhoden Arts Center for a live show featuring a conversation with storytellers from the Philadelphia Revealed podcast sharing individual stories behind the exhibit’s objects The podcast is produced by WHYY and Rowhome Productions; learn about personal connections to Philly’s history, and ask the hosts questions. Registration requested. Free, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. EST, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, 118-128 N. Broad St. E-mail: info@pafa.org, 215-972-7600 or https://www.pafa.org.
Celebrating A World Distinction
Thursday, September 5, 2024. Global Philadelphia is observing nine years as a “World Heritage City” at the World Heritage City Celebration. Daniel J. Hilferty, the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Comcast Spectacor, who serves as Governor of the Philadelphia Flyers, will be presented with the organization’s Distinguished Global Leadership Award. America’s first World Heritage City designation highlights Philadelphia’s influence in business, culture, and tourism. The city is considered to be of ‘Outstanding Universal Value’ as determined by the World Heritage Committee. The World Heritage City distinction for Philadelphia brings prestige and recognizes the seminal role of America’s birthplace in modern democracy in addition to its significant cultural assets. Philadelphia works with other World Heritage Cities as a global ambassador to affect positive, sustainable change in cities through promoting local heritage, events, cultural exchanges, and new business opportunities. Individual tickets: $350, 5:30 p.m. EST to 8:30 p.m. EST. 215-563-2482 or globalphiladelphia.org.
