Out on Milk River in Northampton, Massachusetts.
Photo by Tu Huynh
FunTimes Magazine Culture + Entertainment column, week of November 4, 2024
“The river is constantly turning and bending and you never know where it’s going to go and where you’ll wind up.” — Broadway Star Eartha Kitt (1927-2008)
Poets over the decades have had a lukewarm, or maybe more accurately, a frigid relationship with November, which takes the last breath of fall. Early 20th-century modernist poet Robert Frost was the most complimentary of the literary bunch, describing the month diplomatically, as “The love of bare November days…. Before the coming of the snow.” In Philadelphia, we know that November days are never bare or dull. To prove it, here are free or low-cost activities showcasing 60s soul, Veterans Day, hip-hop, health, and holiday stress-busting tips. Please don’t forget: When event-going, take precautions, especially when among groups and while indoors, with the ongoing risk of COVID-19 variants.
Will Hart & The Delfonics in a 2023 award event promo poster.
The Delfonics Lead With Award-Winner Hart
Thursday, November 7, 2024.1960-70s soul sensations Wilbert Hart & The Delfonics will receive the Lifetime Music Achievement Award at Philadelphia RowHome’s 2024 Blue Sapphire Awards Ceremony. He is the last surviving member of the original trio, which included Wilbert’s brother and lead singer-lyricist, William, and Randy Cain. The Hart brothers and Cain gave us classic R&B classics La-La (Means I Love You) and Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time). Music at the award ceremony will be performed by Philly’s party band, The Business. Socks will be collected at the event for the homeless in a campaign organized by 15-year-old Declan Cassidy, a previous RowHome Magazine award recipient, who started his own nonprofit, Socks for the Streets. Philadelphia RowHome Magazine’s Blue Sapphire Award is bestowed to individuals whose dedication to the City of Philadelphia has left a positive impact on future generations. Hart, on behalf of the Delfonics, is one of 8 Blue Sapphire Award recipients in 2024. $150; free valet parking, Red Carpet: 6 p.m. EST., followed by a cocktail reception and dinner. Cescaphe Event Group’s Vie, 600 N. Broad St., North Philadelphia. E-mail: info@gohomephilly.com, 215-462-9777 or https://www.gohomephilly.com/blue-sapphire-awards.
‘Gangsta Paradise’ Lives On By Candlelight
Thursday, November 7, 2024. The undeniable in-your-face bravado of hip-hop normally wouldn’t be in harmony with the serenity of a candlelight setting. Yet here it is for your ears to behold. It seems polar opposites attract in music, too. Scratch out some time and check out Candlelight: Best of Hip-Hop on Strings, a live concert with candlelight as the backdrop. Bring back the days of the beatbox, breakdancing, and mixed tapes. Gently drop the mic with the Listeso String Quartet performing the best of Jay-Z, The Notorious B.I.G., Cardi B., 2Pac, and more. Youth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Bok (Auditorium), 1901 S. 9th St., South Philadelphia. $45, 6 p.m. EST to 7:15 p.m. EST. E-mail: fevereventvesta.com, 402-249-2445, feverup.com or https://eventvesta.com/events/83742/t/tickets
Sadie T.M. Alexander
Have A Say In The City’s Future Sadie T.M. Alexander Statue
Thursday, November 7, 2024. Creative Philadelphia (formerly the Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy) will hold a meeting to solicit your opinions about a future sculpture of Sadie T.M. Alexander (1898-1989). She was a trailblazing activist and Philadelphian who broke barriers in academia and law. Alexander fought to protect the civil rights of underserved communities. In 1921, Alexander was the first African-American woman in the U.S. to get a Ph.D. in economics. The public survey is part of the process that includes an open call to artists to create a statue of Alexander. The final commissioned piece will be the City of Philadelphia’s second public art statue of a historic Black female figure. American Abolitionist and social activist Harriet Tubman (1822-1913) will be the first; it is scheduled to be dedicated next year outside of City Hall. Philadelphia boasts one of the United States’ largest public art collections. Free but register online for this ZOOM meeting, 5:30 p.m. EST to 7 p.m. EST. E-mail: arts@phila.gov, 215-686-8446 or creativephl.org.
She Shines Conference Inspires Women
Saturday, November 9, 2024. There’s power in the bond of sisterhood. It’s this belief that drives Robin Maddox, founder of the 5th Annual Celebrating Sisterhood Presents She Shines Conference. Maddox, a Germantown resident and minister, is a community difference-maker who practices what she preaches. She helps women stand in their power. As a breast cancer survivor who has overcome great odds, she lives her truth. Inspired by this year’s theme of “She Rose, She Soars, She Shines,” her event empowers, and offers hope, guidance, and assistance to women of color. She Shines is the premier annual gathering that engages women who are disenfranchised and underrepresented in healthcare, education, business, and many walks of life. The daylong event in Mt. Airy will focus on health, wellness, safety, civic engagement, networking opportunities, and spirituality. Part of the event’s focus is on breast cancer awareness; free life-saving mammograms will be offered. The conference will include a continental breakfast, a lunch, a resource fair, and lively panel workshop discussions facilitated by leading national and local speakers. Maddox says the event will “celebrate survival, strength, and sisterhood.” $100, 9 a.m. EST to 4:30 p.m. EST. New Covenant Church of Philadelphia, 7500 Germantown Ave., Mt. Airy. E-mail: celebratingsisterhood1@gmail.com, 267-441-5984 or www.sheshinesconference.com.
‘Day Of The Dead’ Closes With A Movie
Saturday, November 9 2024. Catch the final event of the 12th Annual Day of the Dead or Dia De Los Muertos Celebration — the Mexican and Central American sacred tradition of honoring and remembering loved ones. On the closing day of five events, enjoy a film screening of the Cineclub El Conejo del Faro: El esqueleto de la señora Morales (Rogelio A. González, 1959). Free, 6 p.m. EST. Fleisher Art Memorial, 719 Catharine St., South Philadelphia. E-mail: gsilva@fleisher.org, 215-922-3456 or https://fleisher.community/programs/dia-de-los-muertos/?p=event_id-24824.
Health & Wellness Event For Military, First-Responders
Monday, November 11, 2024. Military members and first responders: Spend part of Veterans Day at a health & wellness day dedicated to you and your service. Learn from experts in the medical, health, and culinary fields; network with other military and first responders, and gain valuable insights to simplify your approach to diet and exercise. Take part in interactive workshops about heart health, hydration, and more; take classes with cooking experts and learn how to make 9 meals for $8 or less. Get a free t-shirt and breakfast. The event is hosted by 98 Octane, a network of military vets and first responders committed to health and fitness. For ages 18 and older. Free but pre-register. 8 a.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST. The Heroes Health Impact Academy, 2929 Arch St. (Suite 250). E-mail: info@98octane.com, eventbrite.com or 98octane.com.
Stress-Busters To Eat Healthy This Holiday Season
Wednesday, November 13, 2024. The winter holidays bring joy and also stress. The workshop, Managing Stress Through Foods During the Holidays, will show you how to cope with holiday angst through the proper diet and nutrition. Hosted by Jefferson Health nursing students and Weavers Way Co-op, explore the impact of what we eat, and employ healthy strategies to address rising pressures and anxiety during this busy time. Beat the hustle and bustle. Learn to make a tasty pomegranate salad recipe and take part in a shopping tour, with coupon discounts, at the Weavers Way Co-op store to help find healthy ingredients and holiday-friendly foods to boost your mood and energy. Free but pre-register, 6:30 p.m. EST to 7:30 p.m. EST. Weavers Way Outreach Office, 326B W. Chelten Ave., Germantown. 215-843-1886 or eventbrite.com or https://weaversway.coop/pages/germantown-now-open.
A View From Inside Of Incarceration
Wednesday, November 13, 2024. Get an inside look at the link between the gender wealth gap and the strategies of exploitation employed in the criminal legal system at WOMENS WAY’s virtual event, Closing the Gender Wealth Gap: Incarceration as Wealth Extraction. Those who have served prison time will recount their experiences of making Beyond The Razor Wire Fence, an insightful podcast of personal stories streaming on platforms widely. The moderator will be LaTonya Myers, founder of Above All Odds, an advocacy program for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals. Pre-register, free but donations accepted, 4 p.m. EST. 215-985-3322 or womensway.org.
