FunTimes Fun Events Education & Entertainment!
The close of summer does not have to be a bummer! Even though the season is melting away like ice cream on a sizzling sunny day, the fun doesn’t have to end. Keep the party meter running. To make sure, here are a slew of options – from beer gardens in the park to jazzy nights in the street. Plus, we have a few more serious items to support the kids now that they are back to school. Before participating in any of these in-person activities, please respect the ongoing pandemic safety protocols, and check individual event-attending instructions with the organizers.
It’s great when you donate!
Through August 30, 2022. Schools are set to open, so who needs new backpacks or school supplies? Community groups and the School District of Philadelphia are offering backpacks stocked with essentials across the city. Also, here are ways to donate supplies. Young Chances Foundation, a youth-support nonprofit, is holding a Supplies 4 Success School Drive. If you have pens, books, notebooks, SEPTA passes, backpacks, flash drives and other school items, donate them. You can drop them off at the group’s Community Engagement Center in Grays Ferry. For your convenience, you can arrange for a pickup. YCF Community Engagement Center, 2703 Tasker St., Opens at 8 a.m., 267-585-2923, youngchancesfoundation.org.
Help college kids in foster care
Through August 31, 2022. Kids need the tools to succeed in school. Local nonprofit Valley Youth House and the Philadelphia Department of Human Services makes sure of that. They teamed up for Valley Youth House Backpack Challenge. Donate school and dorm living essentials for college-bounds student in foster care who are part of the city’s Achieving Independence Center. In-kind donations also are accepted such as Chromebooks, bed sheets, gift cards, or cleaning supplies, as well as monetary donations, care packages, textbooks or tuition assistance. Valley Youth House, 1500 Sansom St., Suite 300, 484-767-5445, valleyyouthhouse.org.
Keep it Caribbean!
September 2, 2022. Dust off your best mambo moves for World Cafe Live in The Lounge featuring Viernes Calientes Dance Party with Jibaro Con Tumbao. Philly fusion band De Tierra Caliente is off the hook with its funky fusion of Salsa, Merengue, Reggae, Samba, Chacha, Bolero and Rumba. It a saucy symphony of tropical music blended with Cuban vibes. SON, GUAJIRA, CHA CHA, BOLERO and other rhythms like Puertrican JIBARO music are signature sounds. Jibaro con Tumbao was founded in 2012 by vocalist Miguel Orlando, and Tres player Rolando Rivera. Two years later, arranger-producer-bassist Mike Colon joined as the musical director. Keeping Caribbean music alive in the Delaware Valley is the aim. The group’s instrumentation features Tres, Baby Bass, 2 trumpets, conga, bongo and vocals. 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., free but reservations encouraged. World Cafe Live in The Lounge, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.
Meet me on South Street
September 3 2022. Bring a chair and prepare for a jazzy day The 2022 Philadelphia Undefeated Jazz Festival, hosted by LifeLine Music Coalition, will showcase the rich talents of local jazz musicians. Check them out and peruse the rows of art and craft vendors along South Street,1 p.m. to 5 p.m., free; South Street, between Broad and 16th streets. 215-421-3688, lifelinemusic@comcast.net.
Get jazzed for the nightlife
September 7, 2022. Immerse your senses in the beats of rising saxophonist, bandleader and Managing and Co-Artistic Director of Jazz Lives Philadelphia, Joshua Lee. The sax never sounded more alive. Lee is busy bee-bopper; he’s a member of the Legendary Count Basie Orchestra, performs worldwide while moonlighting with the Vanguard Jazz orchestra, Delfeayo Marsalis’ Upton Jazz Orchestra and Terell Stafford’s Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia. Lee will be joined by the swing dancers of Philly Lindy Throwdown featuring fast swing outs, high-flying air steps and improvisation all in rhythm with the accompanying live jazz music. The jazz of Lee and the swing dancing are part of Nightlife at the Kimmel, a series of dynamic performance events exploring jazz to neo-soul, by Jazz Philadelphia, Jesse MALPICA Bermudez and AFROTAINO Productions. 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., free. Kimmel Center (Commonwealth Plaza), 300 S Broad St. 215-790-5800, kimmelculturalcampus.org.
Fall festival gets street-savvy in Chestnut Hill
September 25, 2022. Chestnut Hill will be rockin’ at The Chestnut Hill Fall for the Arts Festival — a bustling outdoor arts and craft marketplace in one of Philadelphia’s most historic neighborhoods. It’s truly a crafter’s delight and fun way to spend a Sunday. Enjoy live demonstrations, children’s activities like face painting, live and DJ music, glass-blowing, food showing off the area’s reputable restaurant scene and boutique shopping for books, paintings, photography, pottery, crafts, jewelry and accessories. There’s even a sustainability area for makers promoting the latest in green innovation.11 a.m. to 5 p.m., free admission, 8000 to 8600 blocks of Germantown Avenue (Germantown Avenue, between Willow Grove and Rex avenues). 215-247-6696, chestnuthillpa.com.
What’s on tap near you?
August 31 through October 2, 2022. Parks on Tap will be back with its popular beer gardens in five neighborhoods in West Philly, South Philly, Logan Square and Schuylkill Banks at Penn Treaty Park (August 31 – September 5, open Labor Day, noon to 10 p.m.), Clark Park (September 7-11); Columbus Square (September 14-18); Matthias Baldwin (September 21-25) and Schuylkill Banks (September 28 – October 2). On tap are local brews, fresh food, seating, lighting in a contained relaxing dog-friendly area. It’s a partnership between FCM Hospitality and Philadelphia’s Parks and Recreation Department in an effort to encourage use of city’s parks. A portion of the proceeds will be donated from sales each Wednesday, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., during the first month to the Friends Groups of each participating park. Everything is served self-serve style from a mobile bar and kitchen. No reservations needed; seating is first come, first serve. You must be 21 and over. Children, families, and those under 21 are welcome to participate, if accompanied by a parent with legal identification. Food $4 to $12; tap beers, $7. 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays; noon to 10 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, Parksontap.com.
A fun show of support
Sept 10, 2022. These hot wheels are super cool. The Hero Thrill Show is enjoying its 67th year of carnival-style fun while helping out the families of deceased police officers and firefighters. The show raises funding for the post-high school education of members of surviving families of police and fire personnel killed in the line of duty. Catch an all-star lineup featuring the dazzling daredevil maneuvers of the Police Highway Patrol Motorcycle Drill Team, plus spectacular fire engines, the Philadelphia Bicycle Strike Force, Police Mounted Unit and more.
The show’s co-grand marshal is heroic Philadelphia Highway Patrol Officer Andy Chan, a 24-year veteran of the force, who was severely injured in an accident while on duty in 2019. Families can enjoy activities including a day of old-fashioned boardwalk-inspired fun with face-painting, amusements, music, professional team mascots and a few other big surprises.
Other highlights will be performances by the Police K-9 Unit. The Philadelphia Fire Department will display fire equipment and perform safety exercises focusing on rescue operations and procedures. The show features the music of “The Sound of Philly,” under the direction of legendary radio personality WOGL’s Bob Pantano. Wells Fargo Center Parking Lot (free parking), Broad Street and Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia. Noon to 5 p.m. Get tickets onsite at the entrance gates, or in advance: $15 (single purchase) and $35 (for families of up to 5 people); they are available at Philadelphia police and fire stations, or through eventbrite.com. For details: herothrillshow.org
Party from a distance!
September 3 & 4, 2022. Channeling “Born to Be Wild” (Steppenwolf, 1968). Are the 60s and 70s really gone? They don’t have to be. Relive those bygone eras. Grab those platform shoes in the back of your closet for this virtual weekend dance party of peace and love featuring DJ-Host Cynthia, who takes requests. The best part: Never leave your darn parlor. Can you dig it? We can! 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., free but you can tip the DJ if her grooves are making you feel groovy, eventbrite.com.
Savor a taste of Cuban cooking
September 6, 2022. Join a community of chefs and home cooks, as they demonstrate food that promises to stick to your soul. Garlic lovers, check out the mojo of Chef Nancy Ramirez for her Cuban breakfast of Yuca al Mojo (garlic sauce), a traditional dish from the islands. If you like rice and black beans, roast pork, chatinos or fried plantain, you’re in luck! The program will be in Spanish translated by Fátima. Delicioso! Just in time for dinner: 6 p.m., free. 718-651-1100, eventbrite.com.
