Photo by Morgan Horell.
Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
“Spring is April’s way of saying, ‘Let’s bloom.’
– Author & Garden designer Vita Sackville-West (1892-1962)
The joy of April brings us Easter, Earth Day, and yes, April Showers Day, National Skipping Day, and Get Organized Day. So, get organized in between the April showers, and skip over to these entertaining places and activities. And don’t forget: When event-going, consider taking precautions, especially when among groups and while indoors, with the risk of COVID-19 variants and other still-existing infectious health concerns.
This Is For You, Health Professionals
Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Temple University Health and Wellness Center, along with Community Legal Services, is inviting health professionals to check out “Navigating Healthcare Coverage for Underserved Patients.” It will be an occupational training webinar providing insight about practical strategies to support low-income immigrant patients. Learn how to help them to navigate their eligibility for medical and health benefits and understand the various application processes. Explore ways to access health insurance to ensure more equitable care.
Sorting through the legal and medical systems can be overwhelming for immigrant communities. Healthcare providers are an important bridge to connect low-income immigrants to affordable care. The program’s speakers will be: Livia Luan, Independence Foundation Public Interest Law Fellow at the Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, and Carolina Villamil Grest, Assistant Professor at the School of Social Work, College of Public Health. Free, 4:30 p.m. EST to 5:30 p.m. EST. registration link.
Enabling The Disabled
Thursday, April 17, 2025. Enjoy the SpArc Rocks and Rhythm Showcase featuring vocal and drumming performances by adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. The concert will be hosted by SpArc Services and supported by a Voices and Bucket Drumming residency along with Musicopia. SpArc Services’ Cultural Arts program promotes creativity and community connections for adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities through the visual and performing arts. The participants are paired up with mentoring creatives to produce art, dance performances, poetry, scripts, and plays. Free, noon to 1 p.m. EST. Cherry Street Pier No. 9, 121 N. Columbus Blvd. 215-923-0818 or https://www.cherrystreetpier.com/news/sparc-services/ or cherrystreetpierwdrwc.org or cherrystreetpier.com
Visit the room where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution at Independence Hall were both signed. Photo courtesy of the National Park Service.
Celebrate National Historic Landmarks
Thursday & Friday, April 18 & 19, 2025. You can call it monumental. Celebrate International Day of Monuments and Sites and see dozens of historic landmarks, from Independence Hall to the Eastern State Penitentiary, in the United States’ birthplace over two days of guided tours and other activities. Hosted by the Global Philadelphia Association, experience firsthand Philadelphia’s seminal role in American and world history. Philadelphia’s 67 historic sites – some well-known and others unheralded — represent the themes of preservation, education, and public engagement. The celebration is part of a commitment to raise awareness about Philadelphia’s 2015 designation as a World Heritage City, which highlights World Heritage Week in May. According to Zaberh Teelucksingh, President of the Global Philadelphia Association: “Walk through history, connect with the stories that shaped our city, and be part of the ongoing effort to protect and preserve these treasures for generations to come.” Free or discounted; admission times vary. www.globalphiladelphia.org
Around The Horn
Friday, April 18, 2025. Vibe to Terell Stafford Quintet Live at Notsolatin. Experience the music of world-class and versatile trumpeter Stafford, who has been praised by some of music’s greats as a generational and innovative talent. The Notsolatin is an intimate community space, with limited indoor seating but with a sidewalk listening area. Free admission; two shows: 7:30 p.m. EST and 8:45 p.m. EST to 10 p.m. EST. (doors open at 7 p.m. EST). Notsolatin, 1440 W. Ritner St. E-mail: notsolatinproductions@gmail.com, notsolatin.org
Photo courtesy of freelibrary.org
Book These Dates
Saturday, April 19 to Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Here’s a great spring house-cleaning idea. The Falls of Schuylkill Library has a call out for adult and children’s books, CDs, DVDs, and jigsaw puzzles (no magazines, encyclopedias, videos, or audio cassettes). It’s called the Spring Book Sale Donation Drop-off, which is just in time for World Book Day (April 23rd). If you’re interested in “sharing your knowledge,” bring your bagged or boxed donations on April 19, from 10 a.m. EST to 4 p.m. EST, and April 21 & 22, from 2 p.m. EST to 6:30 p.m. EST. No donations will be accepted outside of the designated hours. The proceeds from the future sales from your donations will benefit the Free Library of Philadelphia. Falls of Schuylkill Library, 3501 Midvale Ave. (Warden Drive & Midvale Avenue). 215-685-2093 or https://libwww.freelibrary.org/locations/falls-of-schuylkill-library
Easter’s On Parade
Sunday, April 20, 2025. Enjoy the pageantry of the popular annual 92nd Annual Easter Promenade, which hops down South Street. See the spectacle of mascots like Phang of the Philadelphia Union soccer team, and neighborhood celebrities led by organizer and head bunny, Henri David, dressed in his full Easter Bunny splendor. Participate in a costume contest, with prizes and candy, before judges like MC Drew Anderson, from Fox29 TV, and others. Free bunny ears and admission; 12:30 p.m. EST. to 3:30 p.m. EST (the Best Dressed Contest: 1:15 p.m. EST), 5th & South streets to the Headhouse Plaza, 2nd and Lombard streets. Email: kscopephilly@gmail.com, https://southstreet.com/or https://southstreet.com/events/92nd-annual-easter-promenade/
Photo courtesy of pleasetouchmuseum.org
Down To Earth
Saturday, April 20. 2025. Build a little city with recycled cardboard. Make a wildflower seed-start for the garden. Explore the mini-ecosystem of a terrarium using materials and plant life to create your biome-in-a-glass. Enjoy a day of learning and fun to mark Earth Day at the Please Touch Museum. Check out an earthy performance by percussionist Dendê Macêdo who uses recycled instruments to deliver a message about protecting our environment. Join award-winning “kindie rocker” and puppeteer Esther Crow and her family for a cool puppet show about climate change. The fun continues with author Mélissa Smith who will introduce Alphabugs, a neat interactive musical show. Single tickets for adults & kids: $22; 9 a.m. EST to 3 p.m. EST. Please Touch Museum, Memorial Hall, 4231 Avenue of the Republic, in Fairmount Park. Email: tickets@pleasetouchmuseum.org, 215-581-3181 or https://www.pleasetouchmuseum.org/site-news/earth-day-2024/.
