Photo courtesy of PHILADANCO in Philadelphia.
FunTimes Magazine’s Culture + Entertainment column, the week of June 10, 2024
“June is the pearl of summer, shining with warmth and joy.”
— Writer L.M. Montgomery (1874–1942)
The joy of Juneteenth, a series of educational and cultural activities citywide celebrating the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States, continues. June is jumpin’ with a host of Juneteenth celebrations — along with Black Music Month observances started through the persistent efforts of Philadelphia music moguls Kenny Gamble, Ed Wright, and radio personality-commentator Dyana Williams in 1979. From the heartache of the blues to the in-your-face beats of hip-hop and soul-stirring harmonies of jazz and R&B, Black Music Month spotlights the “diversity and dynamism” reflected in the legacy of African Americans. These low-cost or no-cost offerings focus on fun for kids — as the Latin for June is juvenis, meaning ‘young people.’ It also highlights Juneteenth, the Black Music Month event, and other cultural activities that will entertain and enlighten.
Learn To Strike A Pose!
Wednesday, June 12, 2024.The Free Library of Philadelphia and Urban Movement Arts are dance partners for the Vogue dance class. Learn the form Vogue Femme spawned from the late 19th-century Underground Ballroom scene of urban masquerade balls and dance competitions. Under the guidance of instructor Rylee Locker (She/Her), also known as Rylee Prodigy, explore the various choreography and styles — Hands Performance, Catwalks, Duckwalks, Spins+Dips, and Floor Performance. Discussions about the history and cultural contexts of the Ballroom scene are part of the class. For dancers at all levels. Free, 6 p.m. EST to 7 p.m. EST. Free Library of Philadelphia Parkway Central (Skyline Room/4th fl.), 1901 Vine St. E-mail: erefmus@freelibrary.org, 215-686-5316 or https://libwww.freelibrary.org
Johnson House Represents The Meaning Of Juneteenth
Saturday, June 15, 2024. Celebrate Juneteenth, the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution marking the end of slavery and celebrating the passion of African-American culture. You can do all of this at the Philadelphia Juneteenth Festival at the Johnson House Historic Site, a FunTimes event partner. Few places in local history embody the essence of freedom than this site on the underground railroad (in the 1800s), which was a safe passage to freedom for many escaping slavery. Enjoy historic tours, reenactments, live music, fun kids’ games, a social-issue panel discussion, tables offering community resources, performance-arts exhibits, and festive food. Free, noon to 7 p.m. EST. 6300 block of Germantown Avenue. 215-438-1768 or johnsonhouse.org.
Get ‘Rollin’ With Kid ‘n’ Play’ At African American Museum’s Juneteenth Block Party
Wednesday, June 19, 2024. Check out the African American Museum in Philadelphia’s Juneteenth Block Party and Free Museum Day. Hosted by WURD radio’s Tiffany Bacon and Andrea Lawful-Sanders, enjoy live performances, including headliners hip-hop duo Kid ‘n Play, “Vendor Village,” food trucks, art-making, line-dancing, and interactive activities. The action-packed lineup includes artist Rich Medina; singer Seraiah Nicole; West Philadelphia’s band, Suede Lace and Philadelphia Poet Laureate Kai Davis. The 3rd Regiment Infantry United States Colored Troops will perform a reading of the General Order Number 3, which was recited in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to declare the freedom of enslaved individuals. Kids will have plenty of activities to hold their attention: A game zone with miniature golf, oversized chess, Connect 4, art activities by Mural Arts, and Secure the Bag: A real-world budget simulation TM, a life-sized, interactive financial literacy game by Teana Sykes, Financial Coach and creator of Tea Talk. Wawa Welcome America and VISIT PHILADELPHIA® are event partners. The block party will be part of the 45th anniversary of Black Music Month, with a theme, “Rhythms of Liberation: Celebrating Juneteenth Through Music,” highlighting Black musicians, culture and history. The event includes free admission to the AAMP museum thanks to Wawa. See the exhibition, “Imprint: Dox Thrash, Black Life and American Culture.” exploring the life of visionary artist and printmaker, Dox Thrash. Advance registration for timed-entry admission is encouraged for the exhibit. Get free Wawa smoothies, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST. At 6 p.m., attend “Shattering the Glass Ceiling: African American Women in Politics” a workshop moderated by nationally-syndicated journalist Soledad O’Brien. The block party outdoors is free, but register in advance for museum access and time slots. Entire event: Noon to 7 p.m. EST. African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch St. 215-574-0380 or aampmuseum.org.
Get Movin’ And Groovin’
Saturday, June 15, 2024.Get your morning juices flowing, and try Movement and Melodies with Music Play Patrol organized by the Fairmount Park Conservancy. It’s a movement-based musical program for kids in the park. So, get up and clap your hands, dance and learn new instruments while getting the blood circulating. It’s part of a “pop-up” event program designed to provide music and recreational education to schools, summer camps, and events. Kids are required to be accompanied by an adult. Free, but sign up in advance. 9:30 a.m. EST to 11:30 a.m. EST. Franklin D. Roosevelt Park/ Anna C. Verna Playground (Picnic Area #2), Broad Street and Pattison Avenue.in South Philadelphia. 215-988-9334 or https://myphillypark.org
Black Music Month At Art Museum To Hit High Note
Friday, June 21, 2024. The Juneteenth Family and Philadelphia Museum of Art will present JuneB Black Culture Month in observance of Black Music Month. Celebrate the authentic music of Africa, the Caribbean and African-American communities with featured artists Rashaan Rich and The JuneB All Stars and international recording artist, Shirley Lites. Pay as you wish; 6 p.m. EST to 8:30 p.m. EST. Philadelphia Museum of Art (The Great Stair Hall), 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy. Facebook:@phillyjuneteenthfamily, 215-763-8100 or philamuseum.org.
Feel An Artistic Island Breeze…
Through Sunday, June 23, 2024. If you like dramatic rain forests, towering waterfalls, colorful coral reefs, turquoise lagoons and world-famous beaches, but cannot get to the French West Indies. Well then get your flip flops over to the Arden Theatre, and get a theatrical taste of the islands of the French Caribbean at Once on This Island. It’s the next best thing to the acutal thing. Ti Moune (Nadia Ra’Shaun), a fearless young woman of the French Antilles, embarks on a remarkable uplifting journey to reunite with the one who has stolen her heart, with guidance, of course, from the island gods. It’s directed by Amina Robinson. $30 to $60 (discounts available); times vary: 2 p.m. EST and 7 p.m. EST. Arden Theatre, 40 N. 2nd St. 215-922-1122 or boxofficer@ardentheatre.org or ardentheatre.org.
Barrett Playground rendering
Call For Artists For Playground Project
Through Monday, June 24, 2024. The City of Philadelphia’s Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy (OACCE) and Rebuild are looking for permanent public art to be installed at Barrett Playground in North Philadelphia. An artist or artist team will get a chance to create two indoor public artworks in the main “Commons” area of the new community building — a sculptural ceiling-hung art installation and an indoor art-wall installation. Artists are advised to form a team. This public art commission is possible through the City’s Percent for Art program, and is part of a construction project at the site that will include a new community building and surrounding improvements. Barrett Playground, 641 Lindley Ave. Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, City Hall (Rm. 116), 1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd., 215-686-8446 or creativephl.org.
