Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Orchestra
FunTimes Magazine ‘Culture + Entertainment’ column, Week of April 15, 2024
“April is the sweetest month of the year, the mellow season of rebirth and renewal.”
– Novelist Mary Sojourner
Get jazzed for some upcoming events covering music, education, the environment, art, and health during the month of renewal. FunTimers, read on for low-cost, or free events. And don’t forget: When event-going, please take precautions, especially when in groups and indoors, with the current COVID-19 variants and other infectious health threats. Check with the event organizers about their safety protocols, and also any changes due to inclement weather.
Shattering the myths of living with autism
Saturday, April 27, 2024. Join Johnson House Historic Site, with partner FunTimes Magazine, and discover the realities of more than 500,00 non speaking autistic children and 1.7 million adults in the U.S. at the Busting Myths: Autistic Self-Advocates Speak Out workshop. This presentation and panel discussion will educate families of non-speaking autistics, of all ages across the spectrum. Learn how family members of autistic individuals can live an active life filled with purpose, relationships, self-advocacy, and interdependence. Get information from experts; explore the challenges and stereotypes preventing autistic individuals from pursuing education and unemployment resources and opportunities. An open dialogue helps to empower these individuals and their caretakers by understanding the misconceptions and raising awareness for their families. Free, 2 p.m. EST to 4 p.m. EST. Johnson House Historic Site, 6306 Germantown Ave. in Germantown. E-mail: info@johnsonhouse.org, 215-438-1768 or www.johnsonhouse.org.
Jazz pizazz Latin style
Saturday, April 20, 2024. Vibe to the cool rhythms of Latin jazz featuring AMLA All-Stars 2024 at the Teatro Esperanza. Led by pianist-arranger Suzette Ortiz, the ensemble brings together a dynamic lineup. The artists are committed to preserving and promoting the musical heritage of the Puerto Rican and Cuban diaspora. The concert is all part of Philly Loves Jazz locally, and National Jazz Heritage Month to promote the legacy of Latin jazz. Free, 7:30 p.m. EST to 9:30 p.m. EST. Teatro Esperanza, 4261 N. 5th St. 215-324-2542 or creativephl.org or amla.org.
A soft touch to hard bop
Friday, April 19, 2024. Philadelphia’s Lee Morgan played or recorded with the jazz greats: John Coltrane, Curtis Fullers, Dizzy Gillespie, Hank Mobley, Wayne Shorter, and Art Blakey. The hard-bop-era trumpeter died at age 33 in 1972, but his post-bop and avant-garde musical legacy endured. The musical chords of Morgan and Connecticut-born Horace Silver were connected by drummer-bandleader Art Blakey’s bands; composer-arranger Sliver’s percussive and dance-inspiring piano style serves as a natural complement to the hard bop style of Morgan’s. To honor the two legends during April’s National Jazz Appreciation Month, Woodmere Art Museum is hosting A Tribute to Lee Morgan and Horace Silver, Trumpet, and Piano Giants. The concert brings their music to center stage with renditions of Morgan’s crossover R&B and pop hit, “The Sidewinder,” plus Morgan’s early 1960s hit album, “Song For My Father,” which effectively defined hard bop. Free. 6 p.m. EST to 7 p.m. EST. Woodmere Art Museum, 9201 Germantown Ave. Email: info@woodmereartmuseum.org, creativephl.org or 215-247-0476.
Envisioning a non-violent future, artfully
Thursday, April 18, 2024. Meet and greet the artists and enjoy a live musical performance at an opening reception of a new exhibit, Future Without Guns, The multimedia exhibit will feature the new works of nine artists who envision a society without gun violence using various artistic mediums. It will take a deep dive into potential solutions to gun violence, and its relation to health inequity. With a focus on Philadelphia, the project encourages those impacted by gun violence to share their experiences. 5 p.m. EST to 8 p.m. EST. The exhibit continues through Friday, June 21. Free, inquire about exhibit times. Quorum Lounge at University City Science Center, 3675 Market St, First Floor. 215-966-6000 or sciencecenter.org.
Image Source: Bartram’s Garden
Don’t skip ‘Spring Fest’
April 20, 2024. Get on over to Bartram’s Garden for Spring Fest, an annual celebration of spring. Enjoy workshops, tours of the garden, music, children’s activities, free soft pretzels and water ice, biking, pony rides, and eco-printing of print patterns, textures, and natural materials. Exchange seeds for your garden. Buy some plants. Get a free yard tree. Most activities are free, from 10 a.m. EST to 2 p.m. EST. Bartram’s Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Blvd. 215-729-5281 or bartramsgardens.org.
Spruce up your park
Saturday, May 11 to Sunday, May 19, 2024. Love Your Park Week 2024 is here. Volunteer for any of more than 100 neighborhood Philly parks to plant flower bulbs, tend trees, collect leaves for compost, and generally prepare for the summer season. It’s part of a partnership with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department and 130 volunteer parks groups. The goal is to create a safer, cleaner, greener Philadelphia. loveyourpark.org or phila.gov or Sign up to volunteer during Love Your Park Week.
Saturday festival in Clark Park
Saturday, April 20, 2024. If you are looking for a fun Saturday in the park, look no further than the Uhuru Health Festival + Flea Market. What’s not to like about live music, fitness demonstrations, yoga, giveaways, free health screenings, and shopping at 100 vending booths? Free admission, 9 a.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST. Clark Park, 43rd Street and Chester Avenue, West Philadelphia. 267-875-3532 or oneafricaamarketphillly.org or apedf.org.
Get your Jawn on…
Thursday, April 18, 2024. 420 Jawn will bring you Sister Nancy, known as the original queen of dancehall reggae, with the Unity Vibration band. The stellar lineup includes Philly hometown favorites I Yahn I Arkestra, Federation Sound & Solomonic Sound System. The energetic Sister Nancy will light up the stage with the rhythm of reggae. $24.13 to $29.54, 7 p.m. EST to 11 p.m. EST. For ages 21 and older. Warehouse on Watts/ Cambridge Hall, 923 N. Watts St. etix.com.
