It’s the winter holiday season already, which means it is set-up time at the Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink and Cabin, the Wintergarden, and the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market. Those activities will all kick off this month at City Hall’s Dilworth Park in Center City. Pictured here are parts that were assembled into the ice skating rink last week. The outdoor rink will be open 7 days a week this winter. https://centercityphila.org/explore/dilworth-park/. Photo by Tu Huynh
Wow! It seems like January was just yesterday. November signals the end of another year that flew by faster than you could say “2026.” But there is time to make it a November to remember with these stellar entertainment options. Hop on the Trane and check out the John Coltrane tribute concert at Temple University, the site of his landmark recording that later won a Grammy and helped develop his signature ‘free jazz’ sound. (See the event entry: “Trane’s Landmark Recording Remembered With Temple Concert.”)
‘Teaching Freedom’ exhibit celebrates the work of Black educators.
Exhibit Symposium to Honor Early Black Educators
Thursday, November 5, 2026. Explore stories about Black educators and the education of Black Philadelphians, from the pre-Civil War era through desegregation, at Teaching Freedom! A Community Exhibit Symposium. The discussion will celebrate how Black teachers built a 200-year legacy of liberatory education in Philadelphia, highlighting the exhibit and its historical artifacts. Enjoy this engaging panel conversation about the past, present and future of Black education.
Join moderator Dr. Wayne W. Williams, of Temple University’s Fox School of Business. He will host panelist Sharif El-Mekki, Founder/CEO of The Center for Black Educator Development (CBED); Dr. David Eric Thomas, Board Vice-Chair of The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia; and Kristin Green-Hayes, who manages Freedom Schools Literacy Academy for CBED. Refreshments will be served.
Free, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. EST. You also can view the exhibit Mondays to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Philadelphia Department of Records/ Philadelphia City Archives, 548 Spring Garden St. https://www.phila.gov/2026-10-05-teaching-freedom-the-education-of-black-philadelphia-1840-1976/ or https://www.eventbrite.com
Women’s Empowerment to be on Radio Show Agenda
Thursday, November 5, 2026. Definitely carve out some time for a timely conversation on the Flipside Radio Show with host Dr. Veirdre Jackson and her guest Robin Shine Maddox, founder of the annual She Shines Conference, which will be held November 7th at the New Covenant Church of Philadelphia, 7500 Germantown Ave., in Mt. Airy (9 a.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST). The two visionaries will take a deep dive into women’s empowerment. They will discuss relevant topics like prioritizing physical, mental, emotional, behavioral, and spiritual well being, as well as the value of sisterhood, advocacy, faith, and self-care. The Flip Side of Adversity will also team up with the She Shines Conference to cover the popular women’s get-together live November 7.
Dr. Jackson is the CEO/Founder of Living Strong Consulting LLC, author and a Trauma-Informed Advocate, Equity and Social Justice Consultant and Leadership and Team Relational Coach and Trainer. The Flip Side of Adversity podcast and radio show highlights themes of resilience, wellness, and the message that “you still matter,” connected to events like the 7th Annual She Shines Conference 2026. Listen to the upcoming broadcast on Podbean: Listen directly on the Living Strong Podbean Page, Apple Podcasts: Stream or subscribe on Apple Podcasts; Spotify: Search and follow the show on your Spotify app; Stream on Amazon Music; iHeartRadio: Stream episodes online via iHeartRadio or YouTube. The Flip Side of Adversity episode with Dr. Jackson and Robin Maddox.
Free, 5:30 p.m. EST. To connect with the She Shines Conference: Email: Celebratingsisterhood1@gmail.com, 267-328-4592 or sheshinesconference.com
‘Josh Johnson’s Comedy Band Camp’ comes to Philly. Photo courtesy of Ensemble Arts Philly.
Get The Last Laugh
Friday, November 6 & Saturday, November 7, 2026. Comedian Josh Johnson has been called “the funniest guy on the internet” by WIRED. He is an Emmy-nominated writer, stand-up comedian, actor, and NAACP award-winner. Catch this rising comic at Josh Johnson’s Comedy Band Camp show, a mix and mash-up of stand-up comedy and live music. Johnson delivers the jokes and the credentials. He is a rotating host and correspondent on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show. He is also a former writer and performer on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
On multiple platforms (he has 12 million followers on social media), he is making his comedy mark. Johnson released his first HBO stand-up special, Symphony, which spent its debut week on the platform in the top 10 of all movies.
$82 to $90 per ticket. Friday, November 6: 7 p.m. EST; Saturday, November 7: 5 p.m. EST & 8:30 p.m. EST. Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St. 215-893-1999 or ensembleartsphilly.org, or in person: Academy of Music Box Office.
Run Or Walk in Honor Of ODUNDE Co-founder
Sunday, November 8, 2026. Lace up your sneakers for a good cause: The Lois 5K Run/Walk in commemoration of ODUNDE festival co-founder Lois Hernandez, who died in 2017 (Ruth Arthur is also a co-founder). Some 200 participants will walk and run. Get a free T-shirt and medal upon completion. Established by Fernandez in 1975 after a visit to Nigeria, ODUNDE celebrates African heritage and the Yoruba New Year annually in South Philadelphia. It is considered to be the largest African-American street festival in North America.
Free, pre-registration required; 8 a.m. EST to noon. Girard College Track, 2101 S. College Ave. https://www.odundefestival.org/lois-5k
Time Out For A Deep Breath…
Tuesday, November 10, 2026. Yoga Flow with Jade Javon will get you grounded and healthy. Every Tuesday, get into the Yoga Flow through mindful movement, breath control, strength and mobility. Instructor Javon, a West Philly native, practices somatic style yoga inspired by African spiritual movements. This community class is prenatal-safe. Bring your own mat.
$15 per person, pre-register; 7:30 p.m. EST to 8:30 pm EST. One Art Community Center/ One Heart Wellness Studio, 1431 N. 52nd St. Eventbrite or the One Art Community Center Events Page or https://www.oneart.love/
Trane’s Landmark Recording Remembered With Temple Concert
Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Check out a 60th anniversary concert, The 2026 Jazz Philadelphia Summit Offering Edition, honoring John Coltrane’s album, Offering. The tribute concert will happen at Temple University’s Mitten Hall – on the very date and place where Coltrane first recorded the music on November 11, 1966. It was a live performance recorded and broadcast on the student radio station WRTI. It was released belatedly as a live album by Resonance Records in 2014, and won a Grammy Award.
The tribute concert is part of Coltrane 100 Philly, a centennial celebration observing the jazz saxophonist-composer’s 100th birthday. Coltrane came of age in Philadelphia, where he lived variously for 15 years and crafted his trailblazing “free jazz” sound. Coltrane 100 has been celebrating his impact through performances, community concert programming, artist grants, and educational initiatives citywide.
Pay what you wish ($20 is recommended); 1:30 p.m. EST to 4:30 p.m. EST. Temple University’s Mitten Hall, 1913 N. Broad St. Email: info@coltrane100philly.org, coltrane100philly.org or http://jazzphiladelphia.org/coltrane/ or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jazz-philadelphia-summit-2026-offering-edition-tickets-2003326989955
Visit Philadelphia’s Las Huellas bilingual audio trail celebrates the Hispanic and Latino change-makers who shaped the city. Photo courtesy of Visit Philadelphia.
Latino Change-makers Make an Imprint on The Footprint
Through Thursday, November 19, 2026. Explore Philly on foot through Visit Philadelphia’s Las Huellas, a self-guided audio trail highlighting stories of 12 Latino change-makers in riveting pop-up installations designed by local artists Cindy Lozito, Manuela Guillén, and Fabiola Lara. The change-makers include award-winning chefs, artists, community advocates, and civic leaders. Their stories come to life at local restaurants, museums, neighborhood landmarks, and cultural institutions.
The installations are designed in the shape of footprints. Scan a QR code at each installation to hear the change-maker’s story in English or Spanish.
Las Huellas represents the various contributions of these impactful Hispanic figures, and the places connected to their stories. Learn about their journeys through accompanying illustrations highlighting influential figures such as Luis Castro, Cristina Martínez, and Diego Rivera, and others whose achievements have defined Philadelphia’s identity. Visit stops along the audio trail to see the colorful footprint installations. Scan the installation’s QR code onsite to access the audio tour and explore the stories. Visit Philadelphia is the region’s official tourism marketing agency, designed to build Greater Philadelphia’s image, drive visitation, and boost the economy.
Free; 24 hours. visitphilly.com/huellas.
What Just Happened?: Events Around Town
Left to right: Participants Robin Maddox, Monica Mason-Buggs, and Mayor Cherelle Parker at the ‘One Philly Pass the Baton Breast Cancer Walk,’ LOVE Park on October 17th.
The Power of Pink Shines at Breast Cancer Awareness Walk
On October 17, dozens of folks walked to LOVE Park in Center City from Broad and Spring Garden streets for the One Philly Pass the Baton Breast Cancer Walk and recognition program. The walk was hosted by the Mayor’s Office of Women’s Engagement and Robin Maddox, founder of She Shines Women Conference, and a breast cancer advocate. Mayor Cherelle Parker, neighbors, coworkers, church family, sorority sisters, community organizations, survivors, and caregivers all turned out for a good cause during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, supporting breast cancer patients, survivors and their families. Free mammogram screenings and educational resources were offered.
