FunTimes Magazine and its partners will celebrate “Nigerian Independence Week in Philadelphia” to locally observe the 66th anniversary of Nigeria’s separation from Great Britain. The program will feature a ceremonial flag-raising, a traditional gowning ceremony, performances by masquerade and drummers, and formal remarks by City and community officials. Just as it did in 2024 (pictured above), the Nigerian community in Philadelphia will raise the green-and-white colors of the flag and awareness of Nigeria’s rich history and cultural heritage. See event entry ‘City to proclaim ‘Nigerian Independence Day in Philadelphia’ below. Photos by Laura Elam.
Autumn has been described as the reversal of springtime. Its beauty has been explained through phrases like “every leaf is a flower.” Nevertheless, there’s no time to count the falling leaves, or you’ll miss a season teeming with cool events and entertainment. Here is a sampling of low-cost or free offerings to soothe your season-changing soul.
Kevin Whalum
Whalum Grabs Coltrane’s Legacy By The Horn
Wednesday, September 30, 2026. The ongoing Coltrane 100 Philly celebration’s next local train stop will be at the Highmark Mann Center. Check out the season finale in the Jazz Under the Stars series featuring Kevin Whalum & Gerald Veasley Band performing innovative interpretations and original compositions. The concert is inspired by the late sax sensation John Coltrane, a North Philly native who would be a century old this year. Grammy-winning saxophonist Whalum will team up with his brother vocalist Kevin Whalum on stage to celebrate the 15th anniversary of his album, Romance Language, a modern reimagining of Coltrane’s beloved recording. The performance will showcase Philly’s own Gerald Veasley, who keeps Coltrane’s legacy alive through his work as a bassist and curator on stage and in schools and the community. Kirk Whalum grabbed his first Grammy® Award in 2011 for Best Gospel Song with the tune It’s What I Do featuring Lalah Hathaway. $59 to $81 per ticket; 8 p.m. EST. (Doors open at 7 p.m. EST). TD Pavilion at Highmark Mann Center. Presser Foundation Stage). 5201 Parkside Ave. Fairmount Park. Email: info@highgmarkmann.org, 215-546-7900 or https://highmarkmann.org/events/2026-09-30/kirk-whalum
City to proclaim ‘Nigerian Independence Day in Philadelphia’
Thursday, October 1, 2026. It will be a day of pride, passion, and patriotism. FunTimes will celebrate “Nigerian Independence Day in Philadelphia,” with a local flag-raising, FunTimes’ leadership awards, and a traditional ceremonial African gowning outside of Philadelphia City Hall. The program will feature prominent city and state political leaders, including Pennsylvania State Representatives Carol Kazeem and Joanna E. McClinton, Speaker of the House. Event emcees are Leah Uko, Press Secretary & Deputy Director of Communications/Mayor Cherelle Parker, and President of NABJ, Philadelphia Chapter & multi-media storyteller Nkwa Asonye. Since 1960, October 1st has officially marked Nigeria’s independence from Great Britain. Communities in the Greater Philadelphia area freely wave the vertical bands of green, white, and green annually. Nigeria is considered to be the “Giant of Africa,” with its large population and economy. Nigeria is the welcoming home of more than 250 ethnic groups, and Philadelphia is populated by at least 4,000 residents of Nigerian descent. Registration is free; noon to 1 p.m. EST Flag-raising/ Awards. Philadelphia City Hall/ apron on north, 1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd. E-mail: info@funtimesmagazine.com, 215-954-6300 or funtimesmagazine.com
The Message Is In Her Music
Thursday, October 1, 2026. The University City Summer Series will light up the autumn stage with the soulful Lady Alma and Band at The Lawn at uCity Square. The event, rescheduled from August, is presented by University City District and Philadelphia Music Alliance. Philly’s own Lady Alma is known for her house music and powerful anthems with inspiring messages. Songs like “It’s House Music,” “Make You Move” and “Let It Fall” have entertained audiences locally. Ras Anthony will host the festivities. The uCity Square Beer Garden will be open for pay-as-you-go drinks.
Bring your own chair. Free, but donations will be accepted; reserve a spot. 5 p.m. EST to 8 p.m. EST (DJ REDDZ music: 5 p.m. EST; Lady Alma: 6:30 p.m.) The Lawn at uCity Square, 37th and Cuthbert Sts. https://www.eventbrite.com.
A Day of Learning, Wellness, & Connection
Saturday, October 3, 2026. Black women are 37 percent more likely to die from breast cancer than white women, despite having a lower incidence of disease. (ACS, Cancer Facts & Figures 2026). They are less likely than white women to receive genetic testing for an inherited mutation due to different doctor recommendations and unequal access to care. (ACS, 2026). Living Beyond Breast Cancer is on a mission to do something about the inequalities in breast cancer. Join the national nonprofit as it observes Breast Cancer Awareness Month with the Living Beyond Breast Cancer Summit. The conference, offered both virtually and in person, will bring together breast cancer patients, people who are in treatment for early-stage breast cancer, individuals beyond primary treatment, and those living with metastatic breast cancer, for a day of learning and compassionate connection. Participants can take part in a live stream through Flourish, Living Beyond Breast Cancer’s free online community, or attend in person. Learn from health experts and select sessions covering “survivorship and “thrivership” in the early stages, decision-making, testing, nutrition, and sex and intimacy. Living Beyond Breast Cancer works with women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and their caregivers, assisting them through their diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
Virtual Live stream: $25 (If cost is a barrier, a free live stream ticket option is available and does not require an application). 9:30 a.m. EST to 4:30 p.m. EST. If you’re interested in attending the summit in-person, Eventbrite registration. (A recording of the summit will also be available afterwards at https://www.lbbc.org/). Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing, 201 S. Columbus Blvd. Email: programs@lbbc.org https://www.eventbrite.com or access the live stream through Flourish: 2026 Living Beyond Breast Cancer Summit
Conference Will Be All Business
Friday, October 9, 2026. Philadelphia City Councilmembers Katherine Gilmore Richardson and Kenyatta Johnson mean business. Join the councilmembers as they host Elevating Your Business Brand for Growth, which is part of the 2026 MED Week program (Maximizing Economic Development). The annual MED Week will offer business owners resources and support. With the theme “Capital, Capacity and Commerce,” enjoy breakfast and workshops focusing on how to boost your brand, how to effectively communicate your value, mentoring access, and positioning your business for new growth opportunities. Small businesses can connect with customers and partners, with an eye toward long-term success. The event is part of several MED Week workshops, from October 5 to 9, citywide. Free but pre-register; 8:30 a.m. EST to 1 p.m. EST; 201 Rouse Blvd. Email: Nayyar.Tenner@phila.gov, 215-686-0454 or bit.ly/KGRMedWeek21 or https://www.phila.gov/spotlight/maximizing-economic-development-med-week/
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel.
Summit Tackles School Violence
Thursday, October 8, 2026. Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel will lead a conversation about public safety in the schools at the Education to Action School Security Summit: Connected and Protected. The conference will gather local behavioral health professionals, law enforcement, security experts, and community leaders for a deep dive into the pressing issue of school violence, behavioral threat assessment, and student mental health. Presented by Allegion, the conference will focus on strategies for identifying warning signals to avoid a crisis. Commissioner Bethel is a respected law-enforcement leader with nearly 40 years of public service, including more than 3 decades with the Philadelphia Police Department. He served in specialized units (Special Investigations, Narcotics Strike Force, Intelligence, Internal Affairs) and was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Patrol Operations in 2009, advancing data‑driven policing, strategic resource deployment, and LGBTQIA+ policy development; his crime‑reduction techniques helped stem violent crime. He was Chief of Public Safety for the School District of Philadelphia from 2019 to 2023. Pre-register; $75 per person; 7:30 a.m. EST to 6:30 p.m. EST. Cyto Smartspace at Cira Centre, 2929 Arch St. https://lp.allegion.com/school-safety-summit or https://whova.com/portal/registration/hsoc08soElx6ihcUxxrp/
Writer’s New Book Focuses On Coping With Tragedy
Thursday, October 8, 2026. Get down to the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Author Events Series featuring Imbolo Mbue, who will discuss her engaging new book, Every Story is A Love Story. Mbue, the New York Times bestselling author of Behold the Dreamers, will discuss her new novel with moderator Justin McDaniel, a writer and Chair of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Pennsylvania.
Mbue’s novel takes a look at love lost and the burden that regret carries. The main character, Wolo, must pick up the pieces left by his wife’s tragic death in a car accident. It’s a difficult healing process. Despite opposition from his family, he eventually meets up with the driver who killed his wife. Author Mbue earned the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction and was an Oprah’s Book Club selection. Mbue’s books will be sold at the event. The event is part of the Free Library of Philadelphia Author Events Series. $5 per person or a donation; 7 p.m. EST. Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St. 215-567-4341 or https://libwww.freelibrary.org
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?: Recent Events Around Town
Academy of Natural Sciences goes extinct. Photo by Tu Huynh
Science Museum Closes After 2 Centuries
The Academy of Natural Sciences on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia closed this past weekend after nearly 200 years. The caretakers, Drexel University, said the museum’s surprise demise was due to dipping attendance and the university’s financial struggles. The institution is located in the city’s iconic cultural corridor along the Parkway. It opened to the public in 1828. It has been a treasure trove of historical and rare artifacts, demonstrations, documents, displays, and exhibits for researchers, educators, and schoolchildren. The facility housed 19 million scientific specimens, historic fossils, and exhibits including 37 handcrafted 3D dioramas of wildlife and ecosystems from Africa, Asia, and North America. Philadelphia City Council plans to hold a hearing in October with museum leaders regarding the closure. The William Foundation has offered to keep the museum open for one year.
