FunTimes Fun: Events Education, & Entertainment!
FunTimes Facts: In honor of Flag Day on June 14th in the United States …
More than two centuries ago, unheralded 13-year-old Grace Wisher, an African- American servant, helped Mary Pickersgill make The Star-Spangled Banner, or Garrison Flag, that flew over Fort McHenry in Maryland during the war of 1812. The flag inspired lawyer Francis Scott Key to author the U.S. national anthem in 1814. Wisher’s contributions of helping to sew the stars went unrecognized. The famous flag was finished in 6 weeks and now is displayed at the National Museum of American History in Washington, DC.
Making flags for the military is rooted in African-American history, as Black females made these important fabrics and (ironically) symbols of freedom in South Philadelphia at the Quartermaster Corps Depot, which manufactured and dyed flags, banners, fabrics and uniformed clothing for the U.S. armed forces. The dedicated folks who toiled in that still-standing factory-warehouse outfitted the major military branches — most of which were born in Philadelphia, where a tool-and-dye manufacturing flourished.June jitterbugs into another gear with an array of free neighborhood music festivals, park concerts, indoor-outdoor block parties and more. In honor of African Music Month, FunTimes’ focuses on music. But before venturing out, please check with the event organizers to confirm event hours and inquire about their updated COVID-19 safety protocols regarding mask-wearing and proof of vaccination.
Ladies in the music spotlight
June 6, 2022. You can’t go wrong with a talented lineup of ladies on stage. Hosted by Hip Hop groove guru Chill Moody, chill to the sick beats of Girls.Like.nicethings. Part of Nightlife at the Kimmel series, enjoy the performances of DJ Yung Honey Dip, justmadnice, Mare and Noel Scales. In Partnership with REC, “Girls.Like.nicethings” is a premier musical party showcase highlighting Philadelphia female. Free, 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Commonwealth Plaza in the Kimmel Cultural Campus, 300 S. Broad St. Registration is recommended, 215-893-1999, Kimmelculturalcampus.org
Around-the-horn salute to Philly jazz legends
June 7, 2022. “JOTSS” presents “Man With a Horn,” a local tribute to those mostly Philadelphia kings of the horns — Bootsy Barnes, John Coltrane, Jimmy “Little Bird” Heath, Sam Reed and Grover Washington, Jr. This community jazz concert will spotlight some of Philly’s supreme musicians under the expert direction of Grammy-nominated pianist Aaron Graves. Free, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., DiSilvestro Playground, 1701 S.15th St., South Philadelphia, 215-685-1598, Facebook page
Black Music City 2 Juneteenth Ceremony is jumpin’!
June 19, 2022. Mark down this date; you do not want to be late! REC Philly, WRTI and WXPN present a special Juneteenth event hosted by The Bul Bey to showcase the 2022 Black Music City grant recipients who will perform their new artistic creations. The afternoon of arts and culture will give props to Philadelphia’s rich Black music heritage. The Black Music City initiative highlights new works by Black creatives. More than $48,000 in grants was distributed to 23 recipients last year. Free, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., Register at: eventbrite.com
Get jazzed up in the park
June 9, 2022. Jazz at the Creek is all about music in the park. Enjoy the soulful sounds of Philly musicians Denise King and the King Kollective. Pack a picnic basket and frolic in the grass in scenic Cobbs Creek. Book give-away for the kids. Free, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., 700 Cobbs Creek Parkway (63rd and Catharine sts.), Southwest Philadelphia, creativephl.org
Get rail at this party in the park
June 11, 2022. Dance, ride, learn, plant and play! Get ready for some serious partying for 6 hours. Join Friends of the Rail Park for a day of “community connection and celebration” highlighting more than 10 nearby neighborhoods around Rail Park. Immerse yourself in live performances and family activities like street games, DJ music, a pop-up skate park, planting, painting, art and crafts. Free, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., The Rail Park, 1300 Noble St.,eventbrite.com
Broadway plays Broad Street
June 25, 2022. Rarely do you get to walk or even zip-line across Broad Street for hours. Here’s your chance: Part of the summer Wawa Welcome America festival, the Avenue of the Arts South turns into giant old-school block party — with entertainment, art and food — at the PNC Presents Avenue of the Arts Block Party. The event also extends inside to the Kimmel Center on the PNC Arts Alive Stage with performances by cast members from Moulin Rouge! The Musical and other popular titles on the Kimmel’s Broadway Series. Also, check out an interactive dance workshop led by Teaching Artists from Disney Theatrical Group. Learn choreography set to music from The Lion King on Tour and Broadway. Enjoy live performances from three-time Emmy Award-winning Bill Jolly, Rated Art and Zo led by singer Gina Castanzo from NBC’s amateur talent show, The Voice. Slide down the 120-foot slide or zip across Broad Street on a zip-line. Sip a cocktail at the Garces Beer Garden and grab a bite from local food trucks or nearby restaurants. Mostly free, 11 a.m., 215-893-1999, avenueofthearts.org
Flags of many colors
June 11-14, 2022. It’s a flag-tastic weekend at the Museum of the American Revolution, where you can learn about Revolutionary-era flags of all shapes, colors and sizes. The flags are the theme for fun activities like crafts and pop-up chats. Get a free flag replica from President George Washington’s headquarters. Also: Get lost in a virtual gallery tour exploring untold stories of the war. Find out about free and enslaved people of African descent during the Revolution. Learn about Deborah Squash, who ran away from Mount Vernon and sought protection with the British Army; Olaudah Equiano, who bought his own freedom and published a memoir, and Crispus Attucks, a dock worker of African and Native descent who was killed at the Boston Massacre; Attucks may have been the first casualty of the American Revolution.10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Kids under age 5 admitted to museum free, Discounts for seniors, military, teachers and kids, $13 and $19. Events are free outside of the museum, 101 S. 3d St., 215-253-6731, amrevmuseum.org
Radio documentary on Haitian music is a hit!
The Radio Television Digital News Association awarded WXPN (88.5 FM in the Philadelphia area) top honors for the public radio’s station’s nationally-distributed audio documentary, Kanaval: Haitian Rhythms and the Music of New Orleans. XPN received the 2022 Regional Murrow Award for “Best Radio Documentary.” The first-person storytelling documentary follows the history of Haiti and Haitian influences on the music, culture and community of New Orleans and “contextualizes the nation’s historical importance through its artistic and musical traditions.” According to Radio Television Digital News Association: “The documentary presents a compelling true story of the essential, positive contributions of an oft-maligned immigrant community…,” rtdna.org or xpn.org Listen to the documentary here.
Philly Afro-Caribbean Wine-Food festival is a tasty option
June 11, 2022. Lose yourself in the amazing rhythms of AFRO-SOCA & REGGAE at the Philly Afro-Caribbean Wine Food & Music Festival 2022. Enjoy the melodic sounds of live bands, the wine-tastings and all of the eclectic vendors. $20 to $45, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., 4717 Fishers Ln., Text to: 240-350-4304, eventbrite.com
