The Philadelphia Orchestra’s arts education programming impacts 35,000 Philadelphia-Africa students. Be part of that change by donating through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program. Philadelphia Orchestra, philorch.org
FunTimes Magazine Culture + Entertainment column, week of September 30, 2024.
“Let us not go back in anger or forward in fear, but around in awareness.”
— American author-cartoonist James Thurber (1894 to 1961)
With sassy September firmly in the rear-view mirror, the winter holidays may be calling soon. But not if high-octane October has something to say about it! The refreshing chill of fall is filled with engaging entertainment. Check out these low-cost or free festivities focusing on Halloween, community flea markets, fundraisers, empowerment workshops, and jazz concerts. And please don’t forget: When event-going, take precautions, especially when among groups and while indoors, with the ongoing risk of COVID-19 variants.
Nigerian Independence Celebrated At City Hall
Wednesday, October 2, 2024. FunTimes and its partners will proudly and passionately celebrate “Nigerian Independence Week in Philadelphia,” with a procession and flag-raising ceremony, followed by a reception outside of Philadelphia City Hall. The program will feature performances by masquerade drummers and formal remarks by City and community officials, including Dr. Eric Nzeribe, publisher of FunTimes Magazine. FunTimes’ multimedia host Lavonne Nichols and Dr. Juliet Njoku, who also will sing the National Anthem, will be the event emcees. In 1960, October 1st officially marked Nigeria’s independence from Great Britain. The event is part of the city’s PHL Honors Diversity program, through the Office of City Representative and Office of Immigrant Affairs, to foster gender and ethnic relations in the community. Free, noon to 1 p.m. Flag-raising Ceremony: City Hall/ north side; Reception: City Hall Courtyard, 1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd. E-mail: info@funtimesmagazine.com, 215-954-6300 or funtimesmagazine.com.
Kids Can Go Classical On Halloween
Saturday, October 5, 2024. Calling all superheroes, witches, warlocks, and princesses: Celebrate Halloween with this sensory-friendly performance at The Philadelphia Orchestra Halloween Spectacular. The event will feature eight spooky musical selections, beginning with a performance from Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor, which will make the young ones feel like they are in a haunted castle. Then, enjoy Bernstein’s upbeat and funky Ghostbuster vibe. Fall into the fantasy land of Hogwarts with John Williams’ “Harry’s Wondrous World” from the movie, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Before the concert, get in the Halloween mood with face painting, arts and crafts, a photo booth, and then show off your cool costume in a contest. $22 to $39, Pre-concert activities: 10:30 a.m. EST. Orchestra performance: 11:30 a.m. EST. Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts/ Commonwealth Plaza & Marian Anderson Hall, 300 S. Broad St. 215-893-1900 or ensembleartsphilly.org.
‘Buttercup’ Is Coming To A Community Fundraiser
Sunday, October 6, 2024. It will be a carnival of fun at The HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy’s 3rd Annual Community Day. Observe “World Cerebral Palsy Day.” Come out for a great cause that raises money and awareness about a critical illness that causes abnormal brain development and lack of muscle control. It affects 18 million people worldwide. Enjoy a family-friendly event featuring a silent auction, and inclusive games for all ages, food, music, live performances, and an appearance by the beloved Buttercup, a therapy pony. HMS’s Community Day celebrates unity, diversity, and the potential of its students; event proceeds go to the school’s year-round educational and recreational programs. Free, 11 a.m. EST to 2 p.m. EST. The HMS School, 4400 Baltimore Ave. For event details, or to donate or bid on auction items: 215-222-2566 or www.hmsschool.org/communityday.
A Talk About Healing & Resistance For Young Adults
Tuesday, October 8, 2024. Take a deep dive into skills that foster leadership, healing, and community empowerment with Philadelphia author E. Morales-Williams, PhD, at Turn Up for Freedom: A Book Discussion for Young Adults. Through the work of the Turning Up for Freedom Girls Collective in North Philadelphia, the author offers a guidebook for youth development promoting strategies for girls and gender-expansive youth of color to resist and heal personally and collectively. They will learn how to manage and surmount challenges in their lives and the tools “to identify the traumatic impact that structural violence” has on Black and Brown communities, Facilitated by TUFF Girl alumnus Haneefa Mahoney Jackson, the discussion will focus on lifting communities, and “how youth can build personal, emotional, and collective freedom.” Young adults, ages 14 to 26, particularly young girls and gender-expansive youth of color in underserved communities, will enjoy this discussion of storytelling and enrichment. The event is hosted by the Making Worlds Bookstore and Social Center. Free but pre-register, 4 p.m. EST to 6 p.m. EST. Walnut Street West Library, 201 South 40th St. The first 15 participants will receive a free copy of the book. RSVP TurnUpForFreedom.eventbrite.com or 215-685-7671.
Jazz Jam To Hit High Note…
Wednesday, October 9, 2024. Catch the cool vibes at World Cafe Live Jazz Jam with Orrin Evans featuring trumpeter Thomas Marriott. Headliner, Grammy Award-nominated Orrin Evans, a fiercely independent pianist-composer-producer, and his house band will do their thing and perform. They will set the stage and invite a rotating lineup from Imani Records to jam. Instrumentalists and vocalists also can sign up and sit in throughout the lively impromptu sessions. Free but pre-register, and also make reservations to ensure seating. Without a reservation, seats will be assigned on a first-come basis. 8:30 p.m. EST to 11:30 p.m. EST. The Lounge at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. To make a table reservation and guarantee seating: 215-222-1400 or click here or worldcafelive.org.
How To Discuss Donald And Kamala Peacefully…
Wednesday, October 9, 2024. It’s an election year in the United States. And it means two things: Heated opinionated conversations about politics, or else avoidance of the topic altogether. Consider checking out the virtual lunchtime workshop, Preparing for Difficult Conversations, an interactive and informative series that will prepare you for meaningful yet hard life and civil political discussions at home, work, and in the community. The event host will be Interfaith Philadelphia, which promotes social harmony and inter-religious understanding, in our diverse communities. Free, noon to 2 p.m. EST. E-mail: info@interfaithphiladelphia.org, 215-222-1012 or interfaithphiladelphia.org.
This Market Has The Goods
Saturday, October 12, 2024. Looking for that rare John Coltrane record, or James Baldwin’s Go Tell It on the Mountain? We have the place. West Philly will be hoppin’, as the One Africa! One Nation! Uhuru Flea Market fills up Clark Park with books, records, crafts, collectibles, antiques, vintage and authentic clothing, artwork, jewelry, and many more buys. Get your flea market fix and get swept away by the trove of treasures in one of the hottest markets in town. Free entry, 9 a.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST. Clark Park, 43rd Street and Chester Avenue. E-mail: info@oneafricamarketphilly.org, 267-875-3532 or oneafricamarketphilly.org.
