In December, PHILANDANCO! will perform Our Voices, Our Choices…This is US! (ensembleartsphilly.org) Photo courtesy of PHILANDANCO!
FunTimes Magazine Culture + Entertainment column, week of August 12, 2024
“Indulge your imagination in every possible flight.”
English author Jane Austen (1775 –1817), from “Pride and Prejudice”
There’s a bit of “a cool-down” this week. Go out and enjoy this brief relief. To encourage you, read on for low-cost or free entertainment of community music, films, food, dance, and photo exhibits, as a summer of sizzling (that’s a cross between sizzling and dazzling: Sazzling) neighborhood events heats up. And please don’t forget: When event-going, take precautions, especially when among groups and indoors, with the risk of COVID-19 variants.
Raise A cup Of Tea At High Noon
Friday, August 16, 2024. The Black Tea Rhapsody–An Homage to African American Tea Culture photo exhibit and panel discussion is a creative presentation about the history and practices of tea cultivation and consumption in the Black community. The interesting exhibit was curated by Dr. Rolanda Spencer, a professor at Xavier University, through scholarly material, interviews, and artwork. Find out about “the intersection of history and health,” the story of the age-old African-American tea culture, and how historically it promoted community wellness. Organized by the Free Library’s Central Senior Services and the Culinary Literacy Center. Free, noon to 2 p.m. EST. Parkway Central Library/ The Skyline Room, 1901 Vine St., E-mail: rspencer@xula.edu, 1-833-825-5357 or creativephl.org.
Filmmaker Tamara Jackson
‘The Invitation’ Invites You….
Friday, August 16, 2024. Check out Storyville: Tamara Jackson, a screening of The Invitation, a film by Tamara R. Jackson, and a discussion session. The film features the health journeys of four inspiring women with narratives and images of them as they go through their stages of autoimmune disease, from diagnosis to treatment to recovery. One in five people has an autoimmune disease, and most of the cases are women. Jackson is an award-winning filmmaker-writer-director-producer. Take part in a discussion with Jackson after the screening, Free but $5 donation is suggested. 7 p.m. EST to 9 p.m. EST. Register. Scribe Video Center, 3998 Lancaster Ave. E-mail: inquiry@scribe.org, 215-222-4201. or https://scribe.org/events/storyville-tamara-jackson.
Get All Jazzed Up!
Friday, August 16, 2024. Due to inclement weather, the organizers of Jazz Nights postponed their concert last week. But no worries. You can catch the cool summer vibe this week. Enjoy live jazz performances, food, and fun on the patio of the Philadelphia Tabernacle in a city that has two sacred institutions, religion and the art of jazz. Philadelphia Tabernacle, 1801 Spring Garden St. Free, 7 p.m. EST to 9 p.m. EST. E-mail: info@philadelphiatabernacle.org, 267-820-8183, or philadelphiatabernacle.org.
Dance To The Afrobeats
Saturday, August 17, 2024. The Upper Meadow will present the Afrobeats Dance series with AfrVbz, a fun-filled three-part Afro dancing class led by Rasaq Lawl of AfrVbz. Fitness instructor and choreographer AfrVbz fuses dance and wellness through African culture, eclectic music, and fitness. Dance and enjoy herbal tea refreshments from Ella’s Herbal Teas and hands-on craft activities at historic Bartram’s Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Blvd., in Southwest Philly. Free, 11:30 a.m. EST to 12:30 p.m. EST. 215-729-5281 orbartramsgarden.org.
A ton of back-to-school freebies & music at Bakers Centre
Carnival Of Fun & Freebies…
Saturday, August 17, 2024. Bakers Centre 2024 End of Summer Festival will be a fun way to close out the summer. It’s a cool neighborhood carnival with back-to-school giveaways including backpacks, water bottles, and school supplies. Enjoy cotton candy, popcorn, snow cones, face painting, making balloons and animals and a live art installation show by artist Jason Lee & JD Sports Get custom t-shirts & bags by local artists. Vibe to the music of Idea Art Center and live DJ music from Radio One. The freebies will be donated by JD Sports and ShopRite. The organizer, Bakers Centre, is a community hub of local and national retailers in the Eat Falls and Hunting Park West areas. Free, 2 p.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST. Bakers Centre, 2800 Fox St.creativephl.org.
Cecil B. Moore Avenue Hits High Jazz Note
Saturday, August 17, 2024.Get juiced for Jazz on the Ave. Music Fest, hosted by radio legends Patty Jackson, Dyana Williams, and Mina Say What? on Cecil B. Moore Avenue. Folks come from as far away as California to take in the smooth sounds at the annual North Philly festival. Chill to live performances by Lydia Hilliard, Raged Art, E Mack, Carla Gamble, Fitch Means, She’ J Q’Dee, and Mad Beatz Philly. The neighborhood staple is organized by Beech Community Services and the 22nd Police District. Free admission, noon to 8:30 p.m. EST. 1510 Cecil B. Moore Ave., E-mail: info@beechinterplex.com, 215-763-8824 or beechcompanies.com.
Shop For Fun Finds At Uhuru Flea Market
Saturday, August 17, 2024. One Africa! One Nation’s Uhuru Flea Market always is a golden opportunity to discover some new and repurposed Afro-centric finds like art, crafts, jewelry, apparel, records, books, antiques of all kinds, and other treasures. A Saturday in busy Clark Park in West Philly is worth your time while contributing to the community of entrepreneurs and makers in the local economy. Free admission, 9 a.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST. Clark Park, 43rd Street and Chester Avenue. Vending opportunities are available as well: 267-875-3532 or oneafricamarketphilly.org.
