Photo by AS Photography
FunTimes Magazine Culture + Entertainment column, week of October 7, 2024.
“Today, in the October sun, it’s all gold — sky and trees and water.
Everything just before it changes looks to be made of gold.”
— American writer Eudora Welty (1909-2001)
October comes alive chilled by the winds of change and the promise of winter. The month was once described as “the ending and beginning of things.” Enjoy the beginning of October, and check out these low-cost or free festivities focusing on career development, underground music, an abolitionist’s journey, and the music of Cuba. Please don’t forget: When event-going, take precautions, especially when among groups and while indoors, with the ongoing risk of COVID-19 variants.
Work It!
Friday, October 11, 2024. Female entrepreneurs and professionals, get ready for a day of inspiration, motivation, and empowerment at the Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week 2024 Empower Her Experience in Manayunk. Learn useful career tips from uplifting experts, and take part in interactive workshops that assist in professional decision-making and developing business goals. Get free stuff and enjoy a mixer, refreshments, and a soulful musical performance by event co-host Lavonne Nichols, who is an award-winning singer, author, and Certified Women’s Empowerment & Trauma-Informed Coach. Nichols is joined by co-host, Natasha Bryant, a psychotherapist and licensed mental health and confidence mindset expert on mental health and wellness education. Organized by Say Something Good LLC. Free parking, $55 per ticket, noon to 3 p.m. EST. MQ Factory, 126 Leverington Ave. eventbrite.com
Job One Is To Attend This Career Fair
Thursday, October 10, 2024. Job seekers here’s a chance to network and meet companies and organizations that may shape your future at the Philadelphia Job Fair. Show that you mean business. Suit up in your best professional attire, and bring your resume to this respected career fair. Mingle with dozens of employers from banking, insurance, sports, advertising, accounting, transportation, fashion and more. Your next job awaits. Free but pre-register, 11 a.m. EST to 2 p.m. EST. Courtyard Philadelphia City Avenue, 4100 Presidential Blvd. besthirecareerfairs.com.
Funk & Soul In The House…
Friday, October 11, 2024. Night birds, if you love house and soul music, then Shakedown 23rd Anniversary! Will be your forever jam. The club and underground scene has never been so vibrant in Philadelphia. Shakedown will feature producer Sandy Rivera/Kings of Tomorrow, whose songs have been covered by Alicia Keys, and sonic-scene songbird Lady Alma live with Rob Pane, WillYum, and Ty Salone. The Shakedown will highlight the music and artists recording on Worship Recordings, and the best of (we’ll call it “funkasoul”) soulful, funky house music. $20 per ticket, late night-early morning: 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. EST. Warehouse On Watts, 923 N. Watts St. Email: info@worshiprecs.com, https://cli.re/82800-the-shakedown-23-year-anniversary.
Have Fun But Register To Vote…
Saturdays, October 12 & October 19, 2024. The nonprofit Welcome America Inc. and its partners are taking it to the streets. And they are hoping their message registers. Or at least that you register. They are creating a fun way to engage in the voting process. When We All Vote for “Celebrate Philadelphia” is a two-weekend block party designed to raise voter registration and civic engagement for the November general elections. Learn all about voting while enjoying rodeo-themed games and pop-ups like a mechanical bull, line dancing, corn hole, sack racing, and free food including pizza courtesy of OnePhillyConnect and Herr’s. It’s all part of Michelle Obama’s national, nonpartisan voting initiative and the Every Voice, Every Vote project to get voters registered and ready to vote. The Celebrate Philadelphia block parties will feature performances, engaging conversations, activations, giveaways, and more. “As we kick off the Celebrate Philadelphia block party series, we are sending a powerful message: Voting is not just a duty, it’s a celebration. Through music, dialogue, and civic action, we are energizing our communities to come together and make sure their voices count,” said Chairman Omar Sabir, City Commissioner who was featured in these FunTimes’ pages recently. Part of the event will focus on new and young voters — millennials, Generation Z — and underrepresented communities, through voter education, community mobilization, and panel discussions. The Committee of Seventy, a nonpartisan advocacy group for better government in Pennsylvania, will offer election information for adults and activities for kids to learn about the democratic process. Free. Block Party on October 12th, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. EST, 4029 Market St. and Block Party on October 19th, 1 p.m. EST to 6 p.m. EST, 2301 N. Broad St. welcomeamerica.com or everyvoice-everyvote.org.
The Truth About The Struggle For Civil Rights
Sunday, October 13, 2024. Dive straight into history with AAMP Family Day: History is Alive! Sojourner Truth Storytime. Meet Sojourner Truth, an American abolitionist and activist who fought for civil rights, equality, and alcohol temperance. Truth was born into slavery in New York, escaping with her infant daughter in 1826. She died in 1883. Experience Sojourner’s life through a dramatic reading by Dr. Daisy Century, who chronicles Truth’s dangerous journey along the Underground Railroad. Truth crossed paths with historical figures including Susan B. Anthony, Abraham Lincoln, and Ulysses S. Grant. Meet the witty and imposing Truth; take part in a history game quiz, and later a family storytime session. Single tickets: $14 for Adults: $10 for kids ages 4 to 12, seniors, and students; 11 a.m. EST to 3 p.m. EST. African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch St. 215-574-0380 or aampmuseum.org.
Afro-Cuban All Stars Shine
Saturday, October 19, 2024. The Cuban slang for this event should be chévere, or cool. Try to resist getting up from your seat into the concert-floor aisles during the cool harmonic sundae of brass and percussions swinging hard with salsa, rumba, and bolero, rumba standards. The Afro-Cuban All-Stars are coming. Led proudly by Juan de Marcos, the boisterous band has kept Cuban music alive, and in the forefront, touring internationally. The band was born from the Buena Vista Social Club, a landmark recording — and musical movement — that re-introduced the world to Cuban beats of bolero and more. Individual tickets: $25 to $85, 7:30 p.m., Miller Theater, 250 S. Broad St. 215-893-1999 or ensembleartphilly.org.
