The d’griot Community Gallery, 51 Maplewood Mall, offers BeWell 101: Herbs, a Sunday in-person workshop, where you can learn to forage and identify herbs, prepare infusions, teas, salves, and other wellness remedies. The gallery is named after African storytellers and urban slang: “duh-gree-o.” The next session will be on August 23, from 1:30 EST to 3 p.m. EST. For workshop details click here. Photo courtesy of d’grio Café.
Someone once said that everything magical happens between June and August. From back-to-school community gatherings to cool jazz concerts, we hope you find the magic of August in these (low-cost or free) events, as summer takes its final stand.
Marion Meadows
Catch The Coltrane Vibe With Marion Meadows
Thursday, August 20, 2026. Jazz Under The Stars’ with Marion Meadows featuring Gerald Veasley Band takes center stage at the Highmark Mann’s Jazz Under The Stars. It is part of a concert series showcasing contemporary artists, curated by Curator-In-Residence Gerald Veasley. The concert will mark the 100th birthday of North Philadelphia jazz icon John Coltrane. Smooth-jazz saxophonist Meadows, along with bassist Veasley, will pay tribute to Coltrane’s musical and cultural legacy. Meadow’s performance on the soprano sax will be a treat. Meadow has been a student of jazz since age nine; over the years, he has studied with Sonny Fortune, Joe Henderson, Dave Liebman, and Eddie Daniels.
Tickets starting at $59 per person; 8 p.m. EST. (Doors open at 7 p.m. EST). TD Pavilion at the Highmark Mann (Presser Foundation Stage), 5201 Parkside Ave., Fairmount Park. https://highmarkmann.org/events/2026-08-20/marion-meadows or Ticketmaster.com
Chill Out To Music and Poetry At ‘Jam Session’
Thursday, August 20, 2026. Check out local poets and performers of color at Jam Session at the D’griot, a café, gallery, and herb shop. Shop, eat and enjoy live entertainment by musicians and wordsmiths.
Free but pre-register; 7 p.m. EST to 10 p.m. EST. d’griot gallery, 51 Maplewood Mall. If you’ ae interested in performing: Email rad.love.philly@gmail.com, 267-875-2319 or https://dgriot.co/ or eventbrite.com.
Farm Fresh Is The Way To Go
Friday, August 21, 2026. The best season for fresh, tasty produce is August. One smart shopping choice is One Art Farmers Market and Vendor Village, featuring local Black and Brown farmers, growers, artisans, and small businesses. It offers accessible fresh produce and wellness goods. Enjoy farm-to-table food by Mama Beverly, a tour of the One Art Farm, workshops, and art activations. Check it out this week and on the first and third Fridays in September.
Free entry, registration is encouraged; 5 p.m. EST to 8 p.m. EST. One Art Community Center, 1431-39 N. 52nd St. eventbrite.com
Get Free Back-to-school Backpacks & Haircuts
Saturday, August 22, 2026. Back to school was never so cool. Get ready for the new semester courtesy of the Mercy Worldwide Back to School Bash. The best things in life truly are free. Get free backpacks, school supplies, delicious food, and haircuts to impress your friends. And throw in games and face-painting for good measure. For school-aged kids. First come, first served; so get there on time.
Free, 2 p.m. EST to 6 p.m. EST. Dendy Recreation Center, 1515 N. 10th St. 207-272-2039, or reach out via the FunTimes Magazine Facebook Page.
If You are In The Market For Some Fun….
Saturday, August 22, 2026. Hurry over to the Strawberry Mansion Flea Market & Resource Fair if you want some fun in your life. Shop for new and used clothing, shoes, custom handbags, candles, jewelry, books, and more. Pick up resource material from government and community organizations. Smile for pics at a photo booth; enjoy food and music by DJ Uncle Jon Jon.
Free entry, 10 a.m. EST to 3 p.m. EST. The Dell Music Center, 2400 Strawberry Mansion Dr., East Fairmount Park. Email: brothersos@gmail.com, 267-568-1163.
Celebrate Caribbean Freedom At Community Festival
Saturday, August 22, 2026. Pay homage to freedom and the rich culture of the Caribbean at the All U.S. Caribbean Emancipation Day Celebration. Strut down Market Street and enjoy a cultural showcase featuring music, dance, an expo, authentic food, and a fashion presentation.
Free, noon to 7 p.m. EST. Noon program at City Hall and 2 p.m. procession kickoff east on Market Street in Center City to the Independence Visitor Center Grounds (Liberty Bell Plaza), 6th and Market streets, on Independence Mall. Email: Alluscaribbean@gmail.com, 267-770-8117 or https://globalphiladelphia.org/events/all-us-caribbean-emancipation-celebrating-freedom-independence
Celebrating Philly Milestones, From 1776 To 2026
Saturday, August 22, 2026. Head over to the Highmark Mann’s Milestone Mashup, a community event celebrating key Philadelphia moments in American history. Experience 250 years of milestones, from the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 to the Philly-hosted 1876 Centennial Exposition, welcoming 10 million visitors worldwide to Fairmount Park for the first American World’s Fair, which is now called the Centennial District. The event will celebrate both the nation’s Semiquincentennial and Highmark Mann’s ongoing 50th anniversary. Enjoy live performances, a community sing-along, “strolling entertainment,” a Kids Zone with face painting, a Vendor Village, and “throwback” food from different eras.
Free admission, but pre-registration is required; 11 a.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST. Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave. Register now or https://highmarkmann.org
Members of Theatre in the X are prepping for an award-winning production.
Help Out Community Theater
Thursday, August 20 to Sunday, August 23. Theatre in the X is looking for your help as it raises funds for the community theater company’s upcoming outdoor production of For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf by Ntozake Shange during the 50th anniversary of this seminal work. Enjoy the evocative Obie Award-winning play, which will take a look at the importance of women of color in the 21st century. It will be directed by Cheyenne Barboza. See the play and make a contribution, big or small, to help defray costs for sets, artists, costumes, rehearsal spaces, and production.
August 20 & 21: 7 p.m. EST; August 22 & 23: 5 p.m. EST. Bring your own chair. Malcolm X Park, 5100 Pine St., West Philadelphia. You can donate by contacting Theatre in the X by: Email: theatreinthex@gmail.com, 484-326-2596, or Contributions can be made directly through its GoFundMe Page: https://www.theatreinthex.com/for-colored-girls.html
Friday, September 18. Colgate University will welcome President Barack Obama to campus at 6:30 p.m. for a special conversation as part of the Kerschner Family Series Global Leaders at Colgate. Hamilton, New York, nestled in the Chenango Valley of central New York. Held during Family Weekend, the event continues the University’s tradition of bringing leaders of consequence to campus, giving students the opportunity to hear directly from influential figures whose ideas and experiences have shaped public life.
Reservations are required. More information will be available at colgate.edu/familyweekend in the coming weeks. bit.ly/4cbzL4v
What Just Happened? Recent Events Around Town
‘Gear Up for School’ helped kids get ready for the coming school year by providing new school supplies. Photo courtesy of community organization ECS Philly NAC’s newsletter.
Kids Get Into Gear For School Year
Kids in West Philadelphia got some cool free school supplies at The Gear Up for School at St. Barnabas Community Resource Center on West Girard Avenue on August 8th. Students picked up their own backpacks and school supplies on August 8th. The back-to-school efforts engaged volunteers and community partners, and, most importantly, put big smiles on the faces of grade-schoolers. The event was organized by Episcopal Community Services (ECS) Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC), which serves residents in the Haddington-Carroll Park area. NAC is part of the city’s Department of Planning and Development. https://www.ecsphilly.org/events/gear-up-for-school/
