A Confetti Day: Eagles’ players at a Super Bowl Victory Parade on Feb. 14 in Center City Philadelphia celebrate their Super Bowl win over the Kansas Chiefs on Feb. 9th. Photo right: Super Bowl Most Valuable Player quarterback Jalen Hurts waves from the top of the parade bus to the crowd estimated at 1 million people. Photos by Randy Giancaterino and edited by Donna Ryan
“Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.”
— Poet Langston Hughes (1902-1967)
The Philadelphia Eagles warmed up the winter with a Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in New Orleans, followed by a parade in Philadelphia this month. “Fly Eagles Fly,” the team’s spirited fight song, could be heard throughout the celebration on Broad Street and at a ceremony outside of the Philadelphia Museum of Art near the famous Rocky statue. Every month needs a parade, or at least a big calendar of endless events. And February does not disappoint. Spoil yourself with the riches of these events, ranging from Black History Month celebrations to the joy of jazz concerts. And please 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 infectious health concerns.
Flutist Althea René
A Smooth Jazz Flight On The Flute
Thursday, February 20, 2025. Treat yourself to a soulful concert with Althea René and Gerald Veasley, the acclaimed virtuoso six-string bassist and bandleader in West Philadelphia. The Detroit, Michigan native René did not have to go too far for musical inspiration: Her late dad, trumpeter Dezie B. McCullers, was one of Motown’s original famous Funk Brothers, the studio band that laid down the melodies and soulful soundtracks to smash hits in the 1960s and 70s. René is a dynamic solo improvisational soul-jazz flutist. In 2013, she released “In the Flow,” and co-wrote the title track that made history as the first flute-featured single to top the Billboard and Smooth Jazz charts. She understands the value of mentoring and is a passionate music educator and role model. In 2018, René wrote an insightful lessons-learned guide to women in the entertainment industry,” Becoming Chocolate Barbie — A guide for professional women in the music business.” She received the 2021 Presidential Volunteer Service Award recognizing those whose service impacts communities. Single tickets: $40; 7 p.m. EST to 9 p.m. EST (Doors open at 5:30 p.m. EST). South Jazz Club, 600 N. Broad St. 267-225-8018 or https://www.eventbrite.com/o/unscripted-jazz-23409615209.
A Look At Love In Black Culture
Friday, February 21, 2025. Dive into the Valentine’s season with FunTimes Magazine’s latest engaging community workshop, The Color of Love: How The Power Of Love Can Strengthen Black Communities. This post-Valentine’s virtual presentation was inspired by the phrase “loving on us.” It will celebrate love and the power of the Black community in an ever-changing and sometimes unwelcoming world. Explore ways to cultivate unity and collaboration within Black communities including among younger generations; the role of love in addressing systemic inequality, racism, and economic disparities. Discuss inspiring instances in history when communion and love have been a transformative force in Black communities as well as how the power of love can effectively build intergenerational bonds and preserve cultural heritage. Get some insights from expert panelists Dr. Kory Grice, of the Life Turn Network of therapists and Christian counselors, and “Your favorite church girl,” Kala West (a.k.a. Kala J.), host-producer of WURD Radio’s Sunday Morning Praise, a weekly faith-based program. The event moderator is Lavonne Nichols, a dynamic multi-media host-author-trauma recovery coach-certified ACEs trainer. Instagram Live. Free, noon to 1 p.m. EST. E-mail: info@funtimesmagazine.com or funtimesmagazine.com.
Laugh In The Aisles
Friday, February 21, 2025. You deserve a few belly laughs, and Love And Laughter, starring comedian Chris Benton, will deliver. For some respectful clean laugh-out-loud Christian comedy, check out this hilarious show that will keep you in stitches. Single tickets: $15 & $25; 7 p.m. EST to 9:30 p.m. EST. Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Germantown, 25 W. Rittenhouse St. 215-844-7614 or email: mzbcyouthcouncil@gmail.com or eventbrite.com.
Just Jazz…
Friday, February 21, 2025. Black History Month is in full swing at the Oak Lane Library. Vibe to a great jazz ensemble, the Renaissance Orchestra. The concert is designed for all ages and supported by AMF Local77 and the Music Performance Trust Fund. Free, 6 p.m. EST to 7 p.m. EST (Arrive early: doors will open at 5:30 p.m. EST). Oak Lane Library, 6614 N. 12th St. 215-685-2848 or Email: collinsc@freelibrary.org or https://libwww.freelibrary.org/locations/oak-lane-library or creativephl.org.
Kids: Be A Hero
Saturday, February 22, 2025. Kids (ages 13 and under) here’s a chance to to honor the contributions of Black History Heroes during Black History Month. Dress up as your favorite figure in Black History. Strike a pose with other prominent African-Americans in history in the Wax Museum Activity. Listen and learn in a dramatic reading about one of the Black History Heroes. Single tickets: adults, $14; kids $10; 1 p.m. EST to 3 p.m. EST. African American Musem in Philadelphia/ Jack T. Franklin Auditorium, 701 Arch St. 215-574-0380 or aampmuseum.org.
Two Races, One Goal: Equality
Sunday, February 23, 2025. Black History Month offers many treasures for the mind. One of them is the documentary film, “Frederick Douglass and the White Negro,” directed by John J. Doherty. It explores the struggles and unlikely union of abolitionist Frederick Douglass and the Irish during the 19th century. The film chronicles Douglass’ escape from slavery leading to his path to Ireland, where he found sympathetic support and commonality in freedom fighting. Afterward, take part in a discussion led by Dr. Joseph Lennon, of the Center for Irish Studies at Villanova University and Denise Burgher Director, of Community and Curricular Engagement, The Center for Black Digital Research, PhD Candidate from the University of Delaware. Free, 4 p.m. EST to 7 p.m. EST. The event will be presented by the Commodore John Barry Arts & Cultural Center, 6815 Emlen St. 215-843-8051, or Email: lisamaloney29@yahoo.com or https://theirishcenter.org or creativephl.org.
Exhibit Maps Out The Untold Past
Through Saturday, April 12, 2025. It will be well worth a trip to the library to experience the Black Histories of Philadelphia exhibition, which tells the stories of people and places “that makeup Philadelphia’s countless histories.” Checking out this exhibit is a great way to observe Black History Month. Find about the forgotten, untold, or misrepresented stories and the determined change-makers and innovators in an exhibit that preserves their legacy. The project was created through the efforts of the Children’s Literature Research Collection, the Map Collection, and the Print and Picture Collection. Free, 9 a.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST. Parkway Central Library (second floor, West Gallery), 1901 Vine St. 215-686-5416 or freelibrary.org/specialcollections or https://libwww.freelibrary.org/calendar/event/147465.
