Through Friday, July 25, 2025
My City, My Story: Local Identity and Community
Creative Philadelphia’s Art In City Hall exhibition program is presenting My City, My Story: Local Identity and Community, a cool student exhibition by Photography Without Borders. The show celebrates the nonprofit’s 15th year. It features the works of 29 talented elementary and middle school students from Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School and Antonia Pantoja Charter School. Most of the students live in North Philly, Hunting Park, and Kensington. Urban Puerto Rican life comes alive on canvas and through the lens of photography. The mission of Photography Without Borders’ art program is to nurture the creative talent of photography students. The promotional material explains: “Students express their personal stories and perspectives offering a powerful reflection of local identity and the vibrant spirit of their neighborhoods.” Free, Mondays to Fridays, 10 a.m. EST to 4 p.m. EST. Philadelphia City Hall / northeast corner (4th-floor corner hallway) & the Creative Philadelphia Office (Rm. 116), Broad and Market Sts. 215-686-8446 or https://photographywithoutborders.org/
Through Friday, July 25, 2025
Patterns of Promise
More than a dozen high school students from diverse backgrounds show off their artwork using hand-screen printing applied to cotton sateen fabric in Patterns of Promise. The students’ newfound art and entrepreneurial skills are honed under the direction of professional artists and studio staff at The Fabric Workshop and Museum’s High School Apprentice Training Program (HSATP). The exhibit looks at themes of identity and personal expression. It is hosted by Creative Philadelphia’s Art In City Hall. Free, 10 a.m. EST to 4 p.m. EST weekdays. City Hall (2nd floor, northeast corner hallway), 1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd. 215-686-8446 or https://fabricworkshopandmuseum.org/ or https://www.creativephl.org
Through August 31, 2025.
DRWC Presents States of Change
Few symbols conjure up patriotism like flags. Check out the DRWC Presents States of Change flag display at Spruce Street Harbor Park along the Delaware River. The exhibition features 16 national, international, and Philadelphia-based artists whose work was judged competitively. Their charge was to create outdoor pendant flags. The riverside row of towering flags has deep meaning. The promotional material notes: “Some flags use bright colors and moving images to illustrate how things can change, while others challenge the notion that things always remain the same. Some include pieces of history to help people reflect on hidden stories and how we’re all connected, especially during times of change in our cities.” Free; 24 hours daily. Spruce Street Harbor Park, 301 S. Columbus Blvd. 215-922-2FUN or https://www.delawareriverwaterfront.com
Through Monday, September 1, 2025
Boom: Art and Design in the 1940s
In the 1940s, the arts bustled with new ideas in fashion, textiles, craft and design, printmaking, drawing, photography, painting, and sculpture. The exhibit Boom: Art and Design in the 1940s is a great reflection of the creative forces that emerged in the face of many restrictions and adversities in that era which was punctuated by the Second World War. Politics, science, economics, industry, the arts, and culture all were tested, but not suppressed, by the turmoil of the era. The exhibition will showcase 1940s works from the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s permanent collections. Individual tickets: $35; $33 for seniors 65+ & $19 for students (includes admission to view other museum exhibits); pay what you wish on the first Sundays of the month. Mondays: 10 a.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST, Thursdays: 10 a.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST, Fridays: 10 a.m. EST to 8:45 p.m. EST & Saturdays & Sundays: 10 a.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST. Philadelphia Museum of Art, Dorrance Galleries (Main Building), 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy. 215-763-8100 or philamuseum.org
Until November, 2025.
Marian: The Philadelphia Story
Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
A Protest History of the United States
Emmy Award-winning writer and activist Gloria J. Browne-Marshall takes a deep dive into the evolution of protests in the U.S. and the unheralded heroes of social movements in her seventh book, A Protest History of the United States. One goal is to give us clues about challenges confronting the current world. Enjoy a conversation and book-signing session with Browne-Marshall, an authoritative voice, educator, activist, playwright, and social-justice attorney as she discusses this history through primary sources, memoir, law, and interviews spanning 500 years of protests and protesters. It covers material from the colonial times up to today’s era of climate change. Browne-Marshall is a professor of Constitutional Law at John Jay College. She tried cases for the Southern Poverty Law Center), Community Legal Services in Philadelphia, and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Inc. She was a senior law clerk to Judge Herbert Hutton of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Pre-registration is encouraged but not required, free admission, 6 p.m. EST. Parkway Central Library/ Skyline Room (4th Floor), 1901 Vine St. 893-825-5357 or https://libwww.freelibrary.org/calendar/event/15294
Wellness on the Waterfront
Photo by BeauMonde Originals courtesy of The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation: https://www.delawareriverwaterfront.com
Through the summer. Hatha. Relax with yoga and mat Pilates classes at Race Street Pier. It’s all part of Wellness on the Waterfront presented by Independence Blue Cross’ health-and-wellness program. Enjoy scenic views and a refreshing workout by the waterfront. No stretching your budget here; Led by a professional instructor, it’s free all summer; pre-register, Mondays and Thursdays, 6 p.m. EST, Sundays at 10 a.m. EST. Race Street Pier, Race Street, and N. Columbus Blvd. https://www.delawareriverwaterfront.com or https://threequeensyoga.union.site/events/three-queens-yoga-wellness-on-the-waterfront-race-street-pier
Saturday-Sunday, July 26-27 2025.
Liberian Independence Weekend (PHL)
Celebrate the anniversary of Liberia’s independence from the United States and the adoption of its constitution established on July 26, 1847. Do it in style at the Liberian Independence Weekend (PHL) ~( 4 Da Culture Cookout – After Party). Get ready for a day of culture, cuisine, community connection, and live music. Kick off the day with a chill 4 Da Culture Cookout. Cookout: Noon to 6 p.m. EST. 1500 N 33rd St. After Party: 10 p.m. EST to 3:30 a.m. EST, pre-register; individual tickets: $23.18 (early bird) to $44.52; must be at least 21. Victorian Philly, 4809 Germantown Ave. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/liberian-independence-weekend-phl-4-da–
Tuesday, July 15, 2025 to Tuesday, August 12, 2025.
The Meaning of Work: Employment and Well-being During Difficult Times
Take a deep dive into the immigrant transition and experience in the American workplace. Learn the career and leadership skills needed, solutions to economic exclusion, and how to move forward in your job journey. Get insight about all of these tools at The Meaning of Work: Employment and Well-being During Difficult Times virtual workshop. Complete the program and earn a Certificate of Accomplishment. The five-week workshops are hosted by the IMMIGRANT LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE and the Welcoming Center to promote community leadership and engagement in the Philadelphia area. The seminar will be designed for immigrants, refugees, and asylees. You must be at least 21 years old. Free, pre-register online. 6:30 p.m. EST to 8:30 p.m. EST. 2156-686-0876 or https://thewelcomingcenter.jotform.com/25168364
Wednesday, August 13 7:30pm
Gregory Porter
His generation’s most soulful jazz artist, two-time Grammy Award-winning jazz singer-songwriter Gregory Porter takes the stage with his bone-deep baritone voice, warm sound, and stirring mix of jazz, soul, blues, and gospel music.
One of eight siblings raised by a minister mother in a poor part of Bakersfield, California, young Gregory found his voice both by singing in church and by studying her Nat King Cole records at home. Though Cole’s talent, wisdom, and poise made him something of a surrogate father to a musically gifted boy who lived in his own head, it was a football scholarship that eventually carried Porter from California’s Central Valley to San Diego State University. An injury derailed his athletic career, but while singing in jazz clubs in San Diego, he found a mentor in producer Kamau Kenyatta, who brought him into a Hubert Laws session and has worked with Porter ever since (in fact, he co-produced All Rise‘s L.A. sessions).
Location: Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348