Swann Memorial Fountain, Philadelphia. Photo courtesy of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
FunTimes “Culture + Entertainment,” week of October 16, 2023.
The colors of fall are descending upon us. So, let’s go crazy and breathe in (ujjayi!) the rest of this eventful October, as it teases the winter holidays. From downhome fun on the farm to Halloween costume parties at the zoo, here are some engaging free or low-cost entertaining autumn activities in the Philadelphia area. Enjoy, but please take precautions, especially when in groups and indoors, with the current new COVID variants.
Farm fresh fun
Saturday, October 21, 2023. Raise your hands if you’re up for fresh pumpkins, pressed apple cider, hayrides, candle dipping, apple butter making, games, and live music. And don’t forget about seeing all of the animals. Put Applefest at Fox Chase Farm on your “weekend to-do list.” Fox Chase Farm is a historic landmark and goes way back to 1762 when Philadelphia’s founder William Penn gave a land grant of 500 acres to William Stanley to establish a working farm on the property. Admission is $5 (cash only) for adults and children, ages 3 and up, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. EST. Fox Chase Farm, 8500 Pine Rd. 215-685-0470, foxchasefarm.org.
Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Zoo
It’s spooky scary at the zoo
Saturdays, October 21 & 28, & Sundays October 22 & 29, 2023.Kids can get dressed up in costumes resembling cool animals like spiders and scorpions. Where else but at Boo at the Zoo at the Philadelphia Zoo. Bring along a trick-or-treat bag. All of you little pandas and rabbits can visit the trick-or-treat “safari” featuring candy stations, all decorated with Halloween-themed animal activities. Check out “Spiders Alive” highlighting 17 species of arachnids — from tarantulas to orb weavers to scorpions and also the zoo’s colony of vampire bats. Meet the new puma cubs. See the Rare Animal Conservation Center’s bright ‘pumpkin spice’-colored baby Francois langur. Free with a zoo admission ($25 adults; $20, kids under age 12; free for kids under 2, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 W. Girard Ave., 215-243-1100 or philadelphiazoo.org.
‘Peoplehood Parade & Pageant,’ a day of unity
Saturday, October 21, 2023. The 23rd Annual Peoplehood Parade & Pageant does exactly what its name implies – it celebrates people, particularly those who are struggling. Peoplehood is a grassroots project led by activists, neighbors, and youth. It features huge puppets, drum lines, banners, and performances. The single-day event represents a year-round creative, collaborative community crusade. Free, noon to 3:30 p.m. EST, with a parade kickoff at 1 p.m. The route will begin at the Paul Robeson House & Museum, 4951 Walnut St., and end with a pageant at Clark Park, 43rd St. and Baltimore Ave., at 2:30 p.m. EST. Organized by Spiral Q. E-mail: community@spiralq.org, 215-222-6979 or creativephl.org.
Image coutesy of egopo.org
Theatrical Play on Racism is Black & White
Through November 5, 2023. Les Blancs takes a hard look at racial violence and slavery conditions in Africa. In collaboration with Abrahamse and Meyer Productions of Cape Town, South Africa, EgoPo presents the Philadelphia premiere of the late Lorraine Hansberry’s masterwork set in revolutionary Africa. Hansberry was the first African-American female whose play was performed on Broadway (A Raisin in the Sun). According to the promotional literature: “Les Blancs asks whether we can move beyond a colonial mindset, and, if so, what new paradigm will exist on the other side.” An international cast brings the stage to life. Les Blancs is adapted by Robert Nemiroff and co-directed by Fred Abrahamse and Damien J. Wallace. Enjoy African food, drink, dance, and music. Two and a half hours. $25, times vary: 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. EST. Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 N. American St. E-mail: info@egopo.org, 267-273-1414 or https://egopo.org/les-blancs.
Image courtesy of Penn Live Arts
The art of reality
Friday & Saturday, October 20 & 21, 2023. The onslaught of violence in the streets prevails in the minds of many these days. New York’s distinguished Negro Ensemble Company is not afraid to tackle this issue head-on. In the case of art imitating life, the theater company will perform the world premiere of two commissioned one-act plays: Breathe by Cynthia Grace Robinson and Elevator Not Necessary by Mona Washington. The plays focus on the national gun epidemic and “its disproportionate impact on communities of color.” 8 p.m. EST on October 20th and 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. EST on October 21st, $42.The goal is to present Black voices, stories, and perspectives. The play’s director is Ralph McCain. Penn Live Arts/University of Pennsylvania, Annenberg Center (Montgomery Theatre), 3680 Walnut St. 215-898-3900 or pennlivearts.org.
Robin Shines Maddox
‘She Shines’ a light on women
Saturday, November 4, 2023. Robin Shine Maddox’s quiet mission always has been “to encourage, inspire and support women to realize their dreams, pursue their purpose, and create a legacy for future generations.” But her mission now has a microphone. Maddox’s voice is louder, her stage is bigger; she has developed a stellar educational conference that wraps key issues like social justice, voting rights, healthcare, and women’s empowerment into a one-stop special day of community. The Celebrating Sisterhood Presents SHE SHINES Conference has emerged as an influential annual women’s gathering. It empowers (there’s that word again) inspires and offers hope and opportunities by engaging women, particularly those of color who are disenfranchised and disproportionately represented in various sectors.
Maddox, of Mt. Airy, is a bright light of inspiration herself. She is a breast cancer survivor, and four years ago, she founded the SHE SHINES Conference to make a powerful community impact. She is the subject of a recent documentary about her brave professional and personal journey — and today continues to use her first-hand experience as a staunch advocate of all matters impacting girls and women.
The topics of focus at the She Shines Conference 2023 are Civic Engagement/Voting Rights, Health/Wellness/Safety, Spiritual Enrichment & Networking Opportunities. The summit particularly is relevant now during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and with the upcoming November 7th general municipal election in Philadelphia. Conference program leaders will take a deep dive into the value of civic engagement and mobilizing women to collectively exercise their power, voice, and voting rights. They also will educate and provide nurturing health and self-care resources to aid breast cancer patients and survivors. The conference offers a “Vendors/Resource Information Marketplace” supporting Black businesses, especially entrepreneurs; healthcare and mental health screenings; access to healthcare providers and a relaxation-massage area. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at New Covenant Church of Philadelphia, 7500 Germantown Ave., in Mt, Airy. Email: celebratingsisterhood1@gmail.com or https://www.sheshinesconference.com/.
Firehouse Arts Germantown
Feel the ‘History Pop-Up’
Sunday, October 22, 2023. Are you curious about Philadelphia, and want to learn more than what’s in the history books about America’s first city? Feel the history in the space where it happened. Experience Philly History Pop-Ups at Firehouse Arts Germantown, which is part of the Philadelphia Open Studio Tours, a program of the Center of Emerging Visual Arts. Walk through the historic firehouse-turned-studios to see the artwork, vintage building features, and their surprisingly important connections to Philly history. Free, 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. EST. Tour guide Cara Schneider Bongiorno, a veteran in the regional hospitality and tourism industry, says that the history popups are a passion project: “Sharing my take on Philly history is the culmination of a lifetime interest. I’m grateful to keep finding audiences equally as curious as I am.” https://linktr.ee/phillycara.
