Photo by Steven Taylor, Ubuntu Fine Art https://ubuntufa.com/
FunTimes Magazine Culture + Entertainment column, week of September 16, 2024
“Just try new things. Don’t be afraid. Step out of your comfort zones and soar.”– Michelle Obama
September always is a month to remember. And it never seems to disappoint or cheat you of entertainment. So, get going and take on the so-called “Month of the Harvest Moon,” with these free or low-cost block parties, pop-up gardens, art festivals, carnivals, jazz concerts, and more. Don’t forget: When event-going, take precautions, especially when among groups and indoors, with the risk caused by COVID-19 variants.
Caribbean Networking Confab Means Business
Friday, September 20, 2024. Bring your ‘A’ game and make career-boosting professional connections at Caribbean Business Networking – Dare to Declare during the City of Philadelphia’s Welcoming Week. Business and civic leaders will gather for this huge networking opportunity for nonprofits and for-profits. Mingle over conversation and cuisine with other professionals, and share business goals and business cards. Health and business consultant Shewanna Livingston will teach you about the tools and tricks of a successful entrepreneur. Enjoy the work of emerging Haitian artists and creatives Sakapfet and Frito Bastien. It is all part of the ongoing PHILADELPHIA250 initiative designed to create activities that foster dialogue and debate about “the contemporary meanings of the Declaration of Independence – and inspire people to take action to ensure these ideas are made real.” Free, but pre-register. 7 p.m. EST to 10 p.m. EST. 21 years and over. Business casual attire is suggested. Martha’s Kitchen & Events, 723 Oak Ln. in East Oak Ln. https://www.eventbrite.com.
“Movies on the Mall”
Movies In America’s Birthplace
Friday, September 20, 2024. Last week was Friday the 13th, but your lucky Friday will be on the 20th. Check out Movies On the Mall hosted by the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation and Independence Historical Trust. Enjoy the 2000 film, “The Patriot” starring Mel Gibson, on a grand outdoor movie screen highlighting the themes and history of Independence National Historical Park. It’s a riveting account loosely based on an American soldier’s experience in the American Revolution. Before the movie, take part in historical 18th-century-style games, and arts and crafts, and chow down on refreshments from the Liberty Garden beer garden on Independence Mall. 5 p.m. EST: Family activities; 7:30 p.m. EST: Movie screening. Outside Independence Visitor Center, 599 Market St. 800-537-7676 or http://www.phlvisitorcenter.com/.
A Show Of Support
Saturday, September 21, 2024. Ride on the official fire truck, try on fire gear, sit in a police helicopter cockpit, watch a police canine dog chase down a would-be criminal, and enjoy daredevil motorcycle stunts. It will be all about Hot Wheels and cool fun at the 69th Annual Hero Thrill Show in South Philadelphia. The event will kick off with a grand entrance featuring a motorcade of police, fire, and Hero Thrill Show vehicles, along with speeches by the City of Philadelphia dignitaries. The carnival-style fundraiser will support the college education of children of Philadelphia police officers and firefighters who died in the line of duty. There have been about 600 police and fire personnel who perished on duty, since the 1800s, when official city records were first kept. Featured will be the Sound of Philadelphia music by DJ legend Bob Pantano, performances and displays of K-9 and bicycle units, the elite Philadelphia Police Motorcycle Highway Patrol Drill Team, mounted police horse, fire engines, crime-fighting equipment by the Police Aviation Unit, Bomb Squad, Marine Unit, Police Counter Terrorism Ops Major Incident Response Team, Firearms instructors, Police Academy and S.W.A.T. Unit. The families of the fallen police and firefighting heroes will be on hand. Get tickets online or at the event: $15 for individuals; $35 for families up to five members; noon (kickoff ceremony) to 4:30 p.m. EST. Wells Fargo Center Parking Lot, 3601 S. Broad St. (free parking). https://www.eventbrite.com or www.herothrillshow.org.
A Block Party In The Park, Baby!
Saturday, September 21, 2024. Some kids look forward to going back to school; others not so much, But as summer fades, all kids love a party in the park. Are you up for some good old-fashioned carnival-style block party fun? We got you! Embrace the fun of fall, and enjoy food, inflatable amusement activities, live music, a family photo session, giveaways, and more at the Philadelphia Tabernacle’s Block Party. Free. Noon to 4 p.m. EST, Roberto Clemente Park 1800 Wallace St. E-mail: info@philadelphiatabernacle.org, 267-820-8183 or https://www.philadelphiatabernacle.org/block-party.
Photo courtesy of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
Pop In On The Pop-Ups
Saturday, September 21 & Sunday, September 22, 2024. Hot Toddies and marigolds. It will be the best of fall at the PHS Pop-Up Gardens on South Street and in Manayunk. As part of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s mission, empty lots are converted to flourishing floral neighborhood gardens. Bring on the colorful annuals… To mark its 10th anniversary, check out the pop-up on South Street with special activities, food and drink specials, floral installations, and performances by Seraiah Nicole, Niko Bryant, Junee, Chill Moody, and Julian King. The band, directed by University of the Arts alum and music director CC Hamilton, will lead the weekend with a tribute to the Philadelphia Sound of Music. The stage and garden bar will be adorned with botanical arrangements. On September 22nd, feast on a free slice of birthday cake. In Manayunk, chill with a Caramel Rum Hot Cider, Cinnamon Whiskey Cocoa, or Hot Toddy. PHS Pop Up Gardens at Manayunk, 106 Jamestown Ave., and South Street, 1438 South St. South Street. Free entry; September 21st, 2 p.m. EST to 10 p.m. EST; September 22nd, 2 p.m. EST to 6 p.m. EST. South Street will run through Halloween, and the Manayunk Pop Up Garden until October 6th. 215-988-8800 or PHSPopUpGardens.com or PHSonline.org.
Donna Summer & Marvin Gaye Sing-Alikes On Stage
Sunday, September 22, 2024. If you love Donna Summer or Marvin Gaye, then check out The South Philadelphia Lions Club Presents: Joe Staffieri’s An Evening with The Legends Fundraiser. It will be hosted by radio legends Bob Pantano and Joe Staffieri. That’s where you’ll be captivated by an entertaining show featuring impersonators Anthony Della Barbara (Michael Bublé), Rainere Martin (Donna Summer), Debbie Fesser (Barbra Streisand and Steve Cofeld and Sweet (Marvin Gaye). The event organizer, the Lions Club, is an international human service organization focusing on hunger, and vision. Childhood cancer and diabetes. $75; 3 p.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST. The 2300 Arena, 2300 S. Swanson St. E-mail: joe.staffieri@yahoo.com, 267-273-0934 or https://aneveningwiththelegends.com/.
Fall Into The Arts At The Kimmel Center
Saturday, September 21, 2024. There will be a whole lot going on at the Philadelphia Fall Arts Fest at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. Try to keep up: Some 50 cultural organizations will strut their stuff in a day of arts, painting, Hula hooping, and live performances featuring jazz, opera, classical music, and ballet. Your Philadelphia Orchestra, led by Assistant Conductor Austin Chanu, will perform works by Leonard Bernstein, Florence Price, and Pyotr Tchaikovsky. See the solo debut by Associate Principal Bassist Gabriel Polinsky in selections from Sergei Koussevitzky’s Double Bass Concerto. An innovative, ergonomically-designed Maene-Viñoly Concert Grand Piano paying tribute to the late musician-architect l Rafael Viñoly will be on display in the Kimmel Center, where it was designed. Meet and mingle with arts organizations and see performances on the Commonwealth Plaza stage and inside the Perelman Theater by PHILADANCO!, Broadway’s WICKED, Philadelphia Ballet, Opera Philadelphia, the No Name Pops, Philadelphia Heritage Chorale, BalletX, Koren Arts & Culture, Hip Hop Fundamentals, Curtis Institute of Music, and more. Check out the kids’ paint station inspired by the upcoming costume displays from Cirque Dreams Holidaze, and a pop-up panel discussion with Opera Philadelphia, Marian Anderson Historical Society, and Harriet’s Bookshop. Explore playing various instruments at “Keep Music Alive.” Free, 11 a.m. EST to 3 p.m. EST. Most activities are in Kimmel’s Commonwealth Plaza; Your Philadelphia Orchestra will perform in Verizon Hall at 3:30 p.m. EST. Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 S. Broad St. The Orchestra’s performance is free, but tickets are based on a first-come basis onsite. 215-790-5800 or ensembleartsphilly.org.
Jazz Concert For The Soul
Saturday, September 21, 2024. The Jazz Show fundraiser at Tindley Temple will showcase Dr. Jay Fluellen and the Marian Anderson Museum Instrumental Ensemble performing Dr. Fluellen’s special jazz arrangements by Rev. Dr. Charles Tindley and Billy Strayhorn. The compositions marry traditional music with pure jazz. Enjoy a concert and dinner. Concert at the Tindley Temple, 750 S. Broad St. Dinner at the Tindley Tea Café next door to Tindley Temple. Concert: $35; concert & Café dinner: $60; 3 p.m. EST to, 5 p.m. EST. E-mail: hello@tindleyphl.us or 215-735-0442 or https://www.tindleyphl.us.
Coltrane Birthday Tribute Has Sax Appeal
Monday, September 23, 2024. Ars Nova Workshop pulls out all of the stops at the 98th birthday celebration of John Coltrane, with a screening of the new short film, Speakin’ Trane, and a special performance by Bobby Zankel’s Wonderful Sound 7 featuring Immanuel Wilkins. Coltrane (1926 to 1967), also a composer and bandleader, turned bebop and hard bop on their heads, before emerging as a seminal force in the free jazz movement. The film is directed by award-winning filmmaker Shahkeem E. Williams, written and produced by John Coltrane Symposium founder Anyabwile Love, and filmed in Philadelphia at the jazz legend’s old residence, The John & Alice Coltrane House, in North Philly. Speaking’ Trane stars Cameron André as the iconic saxophonist, who sits for a revealing interview as he prepares to unveil his groundbreaking album, A Love Supreme. $43.26, 8 p.m. EST. For ages 21 and older. Solar Myth, 1131 S. Broad St. https://www.arsnovaworkshop.org.
