Lalla by Philadelphia artist Laurie Cooper-Giclee (octobergallery.com)
FunTimes Magazine Culture + Entertainment column, week of August 5, 2024.
“My biggest thrill in life is to read in the afternoon until I fall asleep and take a nap.”
— Academy Award-winning actor Sissy Spacek
Knock-knock. Who’s there?… August! Read on for low-cost or no-cost entertainment spotlighting some of the new month’s community music, films, food, and women’s empowerment, as a summer of sizzling events and leisure programs continues. And please don’t forget: When event-going, take precautions, especially when among groups and indoors, with the recent rise of COVID-19 variants.
Four Urban Films Hit Home
Thursday, August 8, 2024.Check out independent movies by local young and experienced filmmakers in an evening in the park. Hosted by the Friends of Vernon Park, enjoy Scribe Video Center’s 27th Annual Street Movies! featuring engaging coming-of-age stories “navigating survival, redemption, cultural history, and popular education.” The event kicks off with poetry by M. Nzadi Kieta at 8 p.m. EST, followed by four fabulous community movie screenings. The films include: Don’t Go Tellin’ Your Momma (Director Topaz Jones & rubberband, U.S.A., 2021), a film about teaching the Black ABCs in the United States; Bout Mine I Matter Cull Circle (Director Shameka Sawyer & Etderick Bettie, U.S.A., 2024) focuses on the perspective of young filmmakers affected by community gun violence; A Gem in Germantown by Center in the Park (Director Center in the Park, (U.S.A., 2009) looks at seniors who impart their wisdom since moving into a growing community of seniors at an older-adult center in Germantown, and The Love Machine (Director Jasmine Lynea, U.S.A., 2022) examines healing from childhood trauma through a time machine. Free, 7:45 p.m. EST to 10 p.m. EST. Vernon Park, 5800 Germantown Ave. eventbrite.com
See How This Quilt Is Built…
Friday, August 9, 2024. Fleisher Art Memorial is showing just how creative it is. Eleven nimble-fingered quilters will make a fan quilt from scratch, or should we say, from scraps, at the community arts school in South Philadelphia. In a 24-hour quilt marathon called Quilt-A-Thon, the quilters will communicate through whistles and other non-verbal communication methods. During the public hours of this all-nighter, there will be live musical performances judged by different experimental music groups. The final quilt creation will be raffled off to a lucky participating audience member on the following morning, August 10. It could be you. Bring and donate scraps of fabric for the making of the quilt. Free ($5 raffle tickets offered to win the quilt), public viewing: 5:30 p.m. EST to 11 p.m. EST. The entire event goes until 7:30 a.m. on August 10. Fleisher Art Memorial Sanctuary, 719 Catharine St. 215-922-3456 (Ext. 200) or fleisher.org.
Short Films On The Big Screen
Saturday, August 10, 2024. Esperanza Arts Center presents: Arte en las Calles has it all! And it doesn’t get any more neighborhood than this. Revel in a night of family movie watching, Latin food, music, and shopping at a local merchant fair outdoors under the stars. Check out award-winning Indie short films Canta Santiago, Fish Out of Town, Arroz, Leche, y Powerball, Key Lime Pie, and Supa Hair. The screenings will be followed by a community discussion. The night will be hosted by comedian-storyteller Che Guerrero. The event is curated by the Philadelphia Latino Arts & Film Festival and organized by Scribe Video Center S 27th Annual Street Movies! Free, 7 p.m. EST to 10 p.m. EST. Outside of the Esperanza Arts Centre, 4261 N. 5th St. 215-324-0746 or scribe.org or esperanzaartscenter.us.
American hip-hop ambassador TAMEARTZ was born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.
Photo courtesy of Mural Arts Philadelphia (muralarts.org).
Saturday, August 10, 2024. It’s hard to believe that it was more than a half-century ago, in 1973 when a few creative teenagers put on a back-to-school hip-hop party in New York’s Bronx. The occasion was credited as the site and birth of hip-hop. It proved to be culturally revolutionary and enduring. Curated by hip-hop ambassador and muralist Christian “TAMEARTZ” Rodrigues Hip Hop in the Park observes the profound musical and cultural impact of hip-hop at The Oval on the Ben Franklin Parkway Take a break to ‘break’ at this chill festival that celebrates the four elements of hip-hop: Graffiti, break-in,’ MCs, and DJs. Check out live performers, shop from local vendors, and enjoy one of the world’s most popular genres. Food and drink for purchase from Libertee Grounds beer garden-pop-up food bar and other Oval vendors. Free admission, noon to 10 p.m. EST. Hosted by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, The Oval activities are weather permitting. Changes or event cancellations will be announced on Instagram and X at @TheOvalPHL. E-mail: info@theoval.org or phila.gov.
Get Ready For Mexican Cemitas By Star Chefs….
Sunday, August 11, 2024. Fishtown food always surprises. The neighborhood goes Mexican at the Cemita Festival. La Placita Fishtown recently opened this summer in the trolley at the community park on Frankford Avenue in Fishtown. La Placita is the newest venture of husband and wife team Mariangeli Alicea Saez, who is of Puerto Rican descent, and Mexican chef Dionicio Jiménez, a James Beard Award finalist. La Placita, which offers Puerto Rican street food, will be hosting the festival showcasing traditional Mexican food and live Latin music. The duo are behind the popular Cantina la Martina — and hosted their inaugural Cemita Festival at 2800 D St. It will feature seven talented Philly chefs showing off their versions of cemitas. The chefs will include Jason Okdeh Reuben R. Asaram, Alejandro Gonzalez Duarte, Jake Loeffler, Sam Kalkut, Danny Griffiths, Karla Torres, Ernesto Ventura, Brian Mattera, Elvia Zavala, Mariangeli Alicea Saez. It will be a flavorful history lesson. A cemita is a mix of Puebla — quesillo, cemita bread, and papalo. The bread used in the cemita has ancient roots and has been enriched by employing various flavors and techniques developed by the French over the years. Sourdough and sesame seeds are key ingredients in a cemita. from 11 a.m. EST to 4 p.m. EST. Pay as you go (some of the vendors accept cash only). Outdoors, La Placita Fishtown, 2211-17 Frankford Ave. wooderice.com or cantinalamartinapa.com.
Image: Facebook | Dining in the Dark
This Meal Is Out Of Sight
Wednesday, August 14, 2024. So much for “plating,” and forget about love at first sight. Eating blindfolded is the premise behind Dining in the Dark. The idea is that this sight-unseen-experience sharpens your sense of taste and smell. Plus, the three-course menu will be a surprise. It will include an appetizer, main course, and dessert. Pick generally (not specific items) in advance among three categories: Meat, seafood, or vegan. The promo material says that the event teaches you how to “relearn your taste buds,” adding that the blindfold is a “gateway, as taste and aroma intensify, transforming each bite into an extraordinary adventure.” Sounds good. For ages 12 and older; those under age 16 must have an adult present. $64, 6pm The Twisted Tail, 509 S. 2nd St. patch.comor feverup.com or dininginthedarkexperience.com.
Tell Your Story At Women’s Empowerment Career Conference
Saturday, August 17, 2024. The Power Woman Experience Conference will be an expression of resilience, empowerment, and the transformative power of women, explains Seun Akinlotan, Founder, Convener & President of The Power Woman Experience Foundation, the event organizer.
FunTimes believes in the mission of The Power Woman Experience Foundation — a nonprofit that advances the lives of women — so much that we teamed up to be an event sponsor. Storytelling, networking, and career guidance are some of the topics that will be explored. The conference will take a deep dive into professional strategies covering leadership, career guidance advancement, business and nonprofit development, real estate, style, and personal branding. Six inspiring difference-makers will be recognized and share their stories of triumph and transformation in this celebration of creativity, community, and connection. The event spotlights influential and enterprising career women in the Delaware Valley and the United States. The distinguished speakers will include: LaQuanda McCoullum, Worth Advocate & author; Jocelyn Van Coney, Founder of Van Coney Business Strategies; Jackie Hudgins, Director of Accountability at Tuscaloosa County Schools; Kejuana Lilly, Commercial Leader, KML Resource Group; Cecilia Stoeckicht, Style Consultant & Founder of Image Atelier; Judy McMurtry, CEO/Presents of JM Excel Consultants, and Seun Akinlotan, Convener & President of The Power Woman Experience Foundation. FunTimes Associate Editor Sandra Lawrence says that the event will be “an opportunity to uplift and tell important stories of struggle and success from a female perspective.” The conference theme is “BLOOM,” focusing on the work of inspiring women who, against all odds, have blossomed into remarkable leaders. On Friday, August 16, there will be the Pre-Experience Dinner, from 6 p.m. EST to 8 p.m. EST. It will include a red-carpet walk of photo opportunities, interviews, and connecting with the conference speakers. The main event is the following day: 11 a.m. EST to 4 p.m. EST. Tickets are $60 for each event; and $100 for both. Embassy Suites, 654 College Ave., Newark, DE. Register at:bit.ly/pwe24. For more information or sponsorship/ partnership inquiries: 484-534-8956 orhello@pwefoundation.org or https://pwefoundation.org/.
Going To Events? Beat The Heat And Be Safe
The weather in many parts of the United States and the world has soared to extreme temperatures. Be weather-wise. Here are a few helpful safety tips from the City of Philadelphia for event-goers, as they brave the excessive temps: Know the forecast; humidity increases above what the actual temperature feels like. Get forecasts at the National Weather Service’s website. Get free weather alerts from the City of Philadelphia: www.phila.gov/ready. Remember to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and light, loose-fitting breathable clothing. Clean your hands after touching surfaces like door handles and railings.
