Photo courtesy of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
FunTimes “Culture + Entertainment,” week of October 23, 2023
Women’s empowerment conferences, breast cancer webinars, classic Halloween films, the music of Motown, free tacos, and more. Indulge in these engaging free or low-cost autumn activities in the Philadelphia area. Enjoy the frenzied fun of fall, but please take precautions, especially when in groups and indoors, with the current new COVID variants.
Breast cancer awareness webinars look at recurrence risk
Thursday, October 26, 2023 & Thursday, November 2, 2023. To highlight October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Living Beyond Breast Cancer is hosting a two-part webinar series on how to navigate the various levels of risk recurrence and quality of life for patients. It will do a deep dive into the needs of those living with a high risk of recurrence; tests used to assess risk, including the latest in testing innovations, and treatments that can help reduce the risk. Leading the first online event is Dr. Virginia Borges, Deputy Head, Division of Medical Oncology Director, Breast Cancer Research Program & Young Women’s Breast Cancer Transitional Program at the University of Colorado Anschutz Campus. Dr. Borges will present lifestyle modifications to support health and wellbeing after a breast cancer diagnosis, and how to talk to your doctor about individual risk of recurrence. In the second part of the webinar on November 2nd, Evelyn Robles-Rodriquez, an oncology advanced practice nurse, will focus on managing potential treatment side effects of anti-estrogen therapies. Living Beyond Breast Cancer, a leading national nonprofit based in the Philadelphia area is a support organization and information source for cancer patients, survivors, and their families. Both events are free. 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. EST. 855-807-6386 or https://www.lbbc.org/community/events/recurrence-side-effects.
A mix of Motown and the Philly Sound
Saturday, October 28, 2023. “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now,” “You’ll Never Find A Love Like Mine,” “Love Train” “What’s Going On,” “I Heard It Through The Grapevine.” Enjoy two iconic sounds that meet in a musical marriage on stage, “Let’s Groove: Motown and The Philly Sound,” presented by the No Name Pops Orchestra. Get down with the pop rhythms of R&B from the two harmonious hit factories of Berry Gordy in Detroit and Gamble and Huff in Philly. Conducted by Herb Smith, Broadway’s Chester Gregory, Ashley Jayy, and Brik Liam will take you to the R&B altar with the soulful smashes of the Spinners, The Stylistics, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Lou Rawls, and Diana Ross. Kimmel Center/ Verizon Hall, 300 S Broad St. Tickets start at $41, 3 p.m. & 8 p.m. EST. 215-893-1999 or kimmelculturalcampus.org.
Halloween organ concert features ‘Nosferatu’
Sunday, October 29, 2023. Halloween is hauntingly here; check out a live-to-picture presentation of F.W. Murnau’s scary 1922 silent vampire film classic, Nosferatu. Rising 21–year–old organist Brett Miller has reconstructed and adapted Hans Erdmann’s lost original score for the modern organ. The German Expressionist film is about a vampire who terrorizes a woman in and small town. Miller was a finalist in the American Theatre Organ Society’s Young Theatre Organist Competition; he has performed nationwide specializing in silent film accompaniment. Free but reserved tickets, 5 p.m. EST., Kimmel Center/Verizon Hall, 300 S. Broad St, 215-893-1999 or philorch.org.
A look at beleaguered Haiti’s present and future
Monday, October 30, 2023. Explore Haiti’s present and future in a deep conversation, followed by a book signing with two recognized journalists “Lost Decade” takes you on an educational journey with Michael Matza, a former Philadelphia Inquirer writer and a two-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, and Garry Pierre-Pierre, a Pulitzer Prize-winning multimedia journalist, and a leading voice on Haiti, the Haitian diaspora, and community media. Both in-person and online, the conversation begins with the 2010 Haiti earthquake and the resulting humanitarian crisis, which impacted migration, the economy, and a cholera outbreak public health emergency. Political unrest and hurricanes also deterred recovery leading to the assassination of Haiti President Jovenel Moise. Haiti’s crisis continues today: The United Nations recently approved sending in a multinational security force to address Haiti’s widespread gang crisis. Hosted by the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, take a look at Haiti‘s future. $30 in-person; virtual: $5; students: in-person: $5, free virtual, 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. EST. One Penn Center, 1617 JFK Blvd., Suite 1055. E-mail: cstubanas@wacphila.org, 215-561-4700 (ext. 231) or wacphila.org.
All-you-can-eat Bottomless Taco Tuesdays. Delicioso
Tuesday, October 31, 2023.Who hates ‘free?’ No one! Let’s indulge in unlimited tacos. What? Yes, treat your taste buds to seven different tacos including the featured “Taco Exclusivo” — a Chicken Asado — chicken roasted with achiote and served with a salsa of blistered peppers. Feast on these all-you-can-eat tacos, along with sides of rice beans chips, and salsa. It’s all part of Bottomless Taco Tuesdays at Añejo. Plus, there’s a twist – the introduction of the Pink Charity Flight and other special-edition cocktails. Part of the drink proceeds benefit the Cancer Support Network/Greater Philadelphia on the last day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. EST. Añejo, 1001 N 2nd St., 267-534-5746 or wooderice.com.
‘SHE SHINES,’ She Rises to the occasion…
Saturday, November 4, 2023. Celebrating Sisterhood Presents SHE SHINES Conference 2023 has written the book on women’s empowerment. Philadelphia’s outstanding annual women’s conference offers hope and opportunities by engaging women of color who are disenfranchised and disproportionately represented in business, education, politics, and health. The motivational conference is ministry-based and features engaging topics by leading experts covering Civic Engagement/Voting Rights, Health/Wellness/Safety, Spiritual Enrichment, and networking Opportunities. Of particular focus will be educational programs on breast cancer — a focus during the current Breast Cancer Awareness Month — as well as the importance of voting leading up to the general municipal election in Philadelphia on November 7th. The main goals are to heighten women’s awareness about civic engagement by mobilizing women to collectively exercise their power, voice, and voting rights. Hosted by Celebrating Sisterhood and founder Robin Maddox, the organization also educates and provides health and self-care resources. In addition to workshops, the SHE SHINES Conference includes a “Vendors/Resource Information Marketplace” to support Black businesses, especially female entrepreneurs; healthcare and mental health screenings, access to healthcare providers, and a massage area. $100, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST. New Covenant Church of Philadelphia 7500 Germantown Ave. in Mt. Airy. E-mail: celebratingsisterhood1@gmail.com, 267-328-4592 or http://www.sheshinesconference.com/.
Lifestyle magazine awards spotlight community champions
Thursday, November 2, 2023. Music icons radio legend Patty Jackson and songstress Jean Carne will lead an impressive group of nine outstanding community champions who will be recognized in “A Salute of Service” at Philadelphia RowHome Magazine’s annual An Affair to Remember: Blue Sapphire Awards Gala. Angela Corosanite, Mark Squilla, Sonny Conto, the DeFino family, and Declan Cassidy also will be honored. RowHome is a local neighborhood business and lifestyle magazine. The awards recognize the life and legacy of difference makers in sports/entertainment, politics, business, education, health, and the community in Philadelphia. Cescaphe Event Group’s Vie, 600 N. Broad St. $150. 6 p.m. E-mail: info@gohomephilly.com. 215-462-9777 or gohomephilly.com.
Memorial to honor historic burial ground
Saturday, November 4. 2023. More than 5,000 African Americans are buried beneath Weccacoe Playground in South Philadelphia. The City of Philadelphia will recognize the significance of the site through the Bethel Burying Ground Public Art Memorial Project.Join City of Philadelphia officials, artist Karyn Olivier, and community stakeholders for a recognition event with live music and art-making for children. Free, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. EST. The designs also will be shared for the memorial through the city’s public art office. The historic Bethel Burying Ground beneath Weccacoe Playground, 400 Catharine St., in Queen Village. 215-686-8446 or arts@phila.gov.
