FunTimes Fun Events Education & Entertainment!
Flea markets, walking history tours, pop-up lectures, parades, bike rides, festivals, foot races and more. Wow! What’s not to love, folks? Fall is in full gear, and you’re in the driver’s seat cruising on the road to fun! But before embarking on any of these in-person activities, please respect the ongoing pandemic safety protocols, and check individual event-attending instructions with the organizers. As a general rule: If you feel unwell, please do not attend in person.
‘Queen of Disco’ delivers Hot Stuff
October 15, 2022. It’s never the “Last Dance” with the long legacy of Donna Summer. FOREVER SUMMER: A Tribute to DONNA SUMMER starring Broadway’s N’Kenge is a testament to the endurance of the late singer’s music. Broadway’s N’Kenge brings the late star’s catalogue of danceable Donna hits to life…“Hot Stuff”, “McArthur Park”, “I Feel Love.” N’Kenge is the Queen of musical tributes. She played the role of Mary Wells in Broadway’s “Motown: The Musical” and also performed in Michael Jackson’s tribute show, “Man in the Mirror.” $20 to $50, 7 p.m. to 8:20 p.m., (doors open at 6:45 p.m.) The Adrienne Theater, 2030 Sansom St.,215-267-2848, eventbrite.com
U.S. history happened here
Saturday, October 15, 2022. The Black Journey: African-American History Walking Tour of Philadelphia focuses on African-Americans’ impact in the founding of the United States — enslaved people and abolitionists. Visit Independence Hall, The President’s House, Congress Hall, Old City Hall, First U.S. Supreme Court Building, the unmarked graves of free and indentured victims of the yellow fever epidemic. Learn about the desegregated Quaker school. Find out about Martha Washington’s enslaved handmaiden who escaped to freedom with others along the Underground Railroad. 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Independence Visitor Center, 599 Market St., Independence Mall. $35 (adults), $20 (Kids, ages 3 to12), $25 students, seniors and groups. eventbrite.com or blackjourneyphiladelphia.com.
Harvest Festival returns to Germantown
October 15, 2022. Pastorius Community Gardens Harvest Festival is a signature fall event in the Germantown community Groove to the music of Joy Ike, Lilian Hightower, Kuff Knotz, Elle and the John Doe Band. Walk the bountiful historic garden and orchard for fall fun. Screen-print personalized tote bags at the Fleisher Art Memorial’s ColorWheels mobile art van. Shop the craft market of more than 20 local vendors selling handmade jewelry, soaps, ceramics, herbal tinctures, cool threads, and other accessories. Kids can see farm animals and enjoy moon bounce activities and face painting. Sample food and drink from local restaurants like Young American Cider and the Nile Cafe!. Admission free, noon to 6 p.m., 10 E. Pastorius St., 215-988-8798, pastoriusgardens.org.
The power of Peoplehood
October 15, 2022. It will be a banner day at The 22nd Annual Peoplehood Parade presented by Spiral Q. The event unites activists and neighbors young and young at heart, in a community celebration. Enjoy the life-sized puppets, drum lines and live performances in this spirited procession of peace, solidarity and harmony. The parade starts at the Paul Robeson House and travels to Clark Park, 43rd Street and Chester Avenue. where performances will begin at 2:30 p.m., free, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., hosted by the Paul Robeson House & Museum, 4951 Walnut St., 215-222-6979, Facebook Page
Saturday in the park
October 15,2022. Hustle over to Africa! One Nation! Uhuru Flea Market Finale if you love a bargain. Up for grabs are arts, crafts, décor, jewelry, antiques and more authentic accessories. Presented by the African People’s Education and Defense Fund and Black Star Industries and designed to support “self-determination for the African community.” Free admission, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Clark Park, 43rd Street and Chester Avenue, 267-875-3532, oneafricamarketphilly.org.
Pedal power in Philly!
October 15, 2022. The only wheels on these streets will be a bike’s. Roll through Philly leisurely navigating iconic landmarks on Kelly Drive, Independence Mall and Penn’s Landing at the American Bike Ride, a non-competitive activity. There’s no annoying traffic jams and the streets are closed and car-free. Ride and roam on an unpolluted, uncongested course. Co-hosted by the American Bike Ride and Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, enjoy music, food, and selfies (at least with one hand on the handle bars, k?). Use your own bike or rent. Ride along a 20-mile or a 6-mile course, starting outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Take part in a free post-ride festival of live music, entertainment, food trucks and family activities, Registration: $75, $95 and $190 (students, $25 and a contest to win a discount).7:30 p.m., 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy. Sign up at Phillybikeride.com.
Run of show
October 16, 2022. The 9th Annual WXPN 5K Run for Musicians On Call is running, but not away from a community need. WXPN Musicians On Call brings the healing power of music from the stage to hospitals — and one of its signature fundraisers is the WXPN 5K Run. The race benefits the Musicians On Call program, which sends local volunteer musicians into the community to perform for hospital patients and their caretakers (virtually during the pandemic). You can run a 5K or walk one mile in-person at Penn Park, or do both conveniently at a course somewhere near you.
The in-person race is designed for individuals or teams on October 16 and includes The Funky Miler Walk as an alternative, on a family-friendly scenic path in Penn Park. The fastest run times earn awards in various categories. Participants get entry into the post-run 80s Dance Party with Land of the Lost DJ, Robert Drake! Virtual Run/Walk will be October 9 to 16 at any location you prefer.Registration includes a race t-shirt, admission to a1980s “Celebration and Dance Party,” Run/Walk Playlist and pre-race yoga warm-up. In-person participants are eligible for event medals. All races/walks: $40 registration fee ($25, students); in-person 5K races/walks: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., Penn Park, University of Pennsylvania campus, 3000 Walnut St., 215-573-8728, runsignup.com.
Going to the chapel of LOVE
October 12, 2022. Wedding Wednesdays at LOVE Park provide a great stage for professing your love to the world. As many as 6 couples can tie the knot outdoors at the iconic LOVE sculpture. There’s no problem with finding witnesses to share the dream moment, either. The popular weekly event, weather permitting, is hosted by Philadelphia Parks and Recreation. If spectating is not enough, you too can profess your love in public and sign up for the nuptials, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., free. LOVE Park, 15th and JFK Blvd., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. http://www.phila.gov.
Get down with these art popups
October 15, 2022. Enjoy two great pop ups in connection with Open Studio Tours. One is Ships on the Delaware focusing on 5 vessels on the Delaware River at the studio of Brooke Lanier. See the actual ships, which are docked near the artist’s studio, noon to 1 p.m., 820 S. 4th St. The second is Hidden Alleys, Untold Stories, a creation from Terri Saulin’s delightful, tucked-away studio. Learn about an over-the-top tale of the Mischianza, a Revolutionary War extravaganza in South Philadelphia; 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., No. 5 Butchie Alley near 13th and Federal streets. Pop-ups are free. Both artists engage and connect their communities in inspiring ways. Philly History Pop Ups are fun gatherings presented by Cara Schneider Bongiorno, a veteran tourism marketer who regales tour-goers with unheralded Philly stories of people, places and historic events, @phillyhistorypopups or email: caraschneiderbongiorno@gmail.com.
