The Philadelphia Orchestra’s strings section got into the spooky spirit at its ‘Halloween Spectacular’ on October 5th at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
FunTimes Magazine Culture + Entertainment column, week of October 14, 2024.
“I realized that I don’t have to be perfect. All I have to do is show up and enjoy the messy, imperfect, and beautiful journey of my life.”
— Actor-producer-author Kerry Washington
October may be long, but let’s keep this short (and keep in mind that we’re poets): Leaves are falling / autumn is calling. So, FunTimers, answer the call and, as October leads the wondrous way to winter, check out these low-cost or free spooky but sweet festivities focusing on history tours, flea markets, fun voter registration drives, Halloween hayrides, and book-author events. Please don’t forget: When event-going, take precautions, especially when among groups and while indoors, with the ongoing risk of COVID-19 variants.
This Event Is Bazaar…
Saturday, October 19, 2024. It’s fall. Need a new sweater, blanket, or anything else in living creation? Then, the 2024 Vernon Park Fall Community Bazaar & Market is your jam for a day of shopping. By the way, the term ‘flea market’ is derived from the French word, marché aux puces, an outdoor bazaar held in Paris. The flea part? Well, sometimes those little buggers nestled into the furniture. Free entry, 9 a.m. EST to 3 p.m. EST, Vernon Park, 5800 block of Germantown Ave., 215-385-0313, friendsofvernonpark.org/bazaar or https://thecenterofpeace.org.
Go Historical For Halloween
Friday, October 18 & Saturday, October 19, 2024. Kids, dust off your Spider-Man and Frozen costumes. You’re in for a Halloween treat in the historic district. Explore Philly landmarks while enjoying ghostly tales, Halloween-themed activities, hayrides, a craft market, and seasonal treats. The spicy, spooky weekend will be Halloween-scary and historical. Don’t forget: B.Y.O.C. = Bring Your Own Costume. On Friday, the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation will host the suspenseful movie, The Sixth Sense (1999), outside on Independence Mall (at 5 p.m.; movie at 6:30 p.m. EST.) They also will organize games and activities inspired by “The Raven,” at Poetober. Meet a re-enactor of the poem’s creator, the “Master of Macabre,” Edgar Allan Poe who lived in Philadelphia, from 1838 to 1844, his most prolific writing years, (5 p.m. EST to 6:30 p.m. EST). On Saturday, be ready for some cool trick-or-treating at 30+ historic sites. Check out the ‘Historic Hayrides on Independence Mall’ at the Visitor Center, from 11 a.m. EST to 2 p.m. EST, featuring hayrides and a view of the Liberty Bell and other landmarks near Independence Hall. The Visitor Center will offer Halloween bags and maps to guide you to various organizations’ events and, of course, candy treats, The activities are hosted by partners of the Historic District, Independence National Historical Park, and Independence Historical Trust. Free, 11 a.m. EST to 2 p.m. EST. The Visitor Center, 6th and Market streets, and throughout Independence Mall. 215-925-6101 or Phlvisitorcenter.com.
Author Event Is A Page-turner
Wednesday, October 23, 2024. Check out a virtual conversation with New York Times Best-selling author, Sadeqa Johnson, the recipient of the 16th Annual WOMEN’S WAY Book Prize. The event will be moderated by Jeannine A. Cook. Author and shopkeeper of Harriett’s Bookshop and Ida’s Bookshop. Dig deep into the themes of Johnson’s riveting novel, The House of Eve, followed by audience questions. The setting for House of Eve is in Philadelphia’s 1950s. It chronicles the life of 15-year-old college-bound Ruby Pearsall, who is working to become her family’s first college graduate. But a love affair and social-class clashes threaten a promising future. You can buy The House of Eve at: https://bookshop.org/lists/women-s-way-book-award-winner-2024. The author event is free, but donations will be welcome to support WOMEN’S WAY’s author events and mission of advancing girls and women through gender and racial equality. 5:30 p.m. EST. 215-985-3222 or womensway.org.
You’ll Flip Out…
Friday, October 25, 2024 & Saturday, October 26, 2024. Get ready to enter the world of “How do they do that!” The Canadian troupe, FLIP Fabrique, will perform Flip Fabrique: Slam! — a dazzling daredevil display of acrobatics that is equal parts theater and wrestling. Free, 8 p.m. EST. Saturday, 2 p.m. EST. Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts-Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St. Free tickets. E-mail: lernerprose@gmail.com.
Honoring The Deceased & Forgotten
Saturday, October 26, 2024. Everyone loves a story. And to make sure their stories do not die with them, there’s a great event to uncover these important unheralded stories. The 1.4-mile historical tour, Bethel Burying Ground: Honoring the Lives Beneath the Soil, will explore the many lives of those buried at Bethel Burying Ground. Historians Michiko Quinones and Morgan Lloyd, of 1838 Black Metropolis, will lead the tour. The descendants’ stories come to life at key sites — some of which are standing today. Journey through the local history of Underground Railroad shelters and recently rediscovered Black-built churches. The promotional material notes: “…this tour confronts difficult histories while celebrating the resilience and achievements of our Black ancestors.” Join a post-tour reception with refreshments and a performance of Francis “Frank” Johnson’s music performed by guitarist Tyler Diaz at Settlement Music School in South Philadelphia. You can learn more about the lives of those buried at Bethel by reading this blog post by Michiko Quinones. Free but registration is required. For those at least 18 years old. 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. EST. The tour begins at Washington Square West at an exact location to be revealed when registering. The post-tour reception and concert will be at Settlement Music School, 416 Queen St. 3:30 p.m. EST to 4 p.m. EST. Full event details are available on Eventbrite or 1838blackmetropolis.com.
A Neighborly Festival For All Tastes
Sunday, October 27, 2024. Broad Street Love will host the Love Your Neighbor Festival, a fundraiser featuring fun games, parties, food, and drinks. Check out local vendors like Love City Brewing, which will serve its ‘Love Your Neighbor’ brew in a beer garden. Enjoy vintage-shopping pop-ups with local makers and thrifters; take part in a Karaoke competition, kids’ Halloween costume party and an Eagles watch party. Get lost in an eclectic lineup of live indie, folk, jazz, hip-hop soul, and rock entertainment by the Bearded Ladies, Crotchet-Quave, the Rests Interactive Drum Circle, Mister John Presents: Miss Alexis Bearded Ladies, and other musical acts. Broad Street Love is an alternative worship community focusing on poverty, homelessness, and hunger in Philadelphia. Pay what you wish; 11 a.m. EST to 7 p.m. EST. 315 S. Broad St. E-mail: info@broadstretlove.org, 215-735-4847 or broadstreetlove.org.
‘Poll Party’ Gets Our Vote!…
Tuesday, October 29, 2024. Who’s up for free food, rocking DJ music, dancers, and a surprise celebrity guest? We thought so. You’ve heard of pool parties; well, here‘s something new: Venture out to Party To The Polls Purple Tour. It will be a voter-recruitment event that is non-partisan and fun, while encouraging you to sign up and make a voting plan for the upcoming November 5th elections. You also can do your voter homework, and research here. The event is part of a national effort by Civic Responsibility Project, a nonpartisan nonprofit. Free, 7 p.m. EST to 10 p.m. EST. City Hall Courtyard, 1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd. Eventbrite.com.
