Image: Jermaine Rhoden will compete in the Stars and Strength Forever competition. Photo by Ellen Song Photography

FunTimes Magazine ‘Culture & Entertainment’ column, Week of October 2, 2023

October is many things, with many important themes, including Breast Cancer Awareness Month. From athletic competitions to vegan food workshops, here are some fun free, or low-cost entertaining activities in the Philadelphia area. Enjoy, but please take precautions, especially when in groups and indoors, with the onset of new COVID variants.

‘Stars and Strength Competition’ is uplifting

Saturday, October 7, 2023. If powerlifting like tire flipping, keg lifting, and beer-van pulling excites you, then Wissahickon Brewing Co. can tap into your interest big time. The East Falls family craft brewery’s Stars and Strength Forever presented by Fire for Effect Athletics is an outdoor strongman/woman tournament with plenty of muscle. And the best part is that the event ‘pulls its weight,’ raising money for military veterans’ charities. The competition includes up to 100 iron pushers performing tire flips and truck pulls in three weight classes — lightweight, middleweight, and heavyweight for Men and Women. Many strong-person competitions are for elite athletes, but this is a stepping stone for aspiring amateur powerlifters. Free entry for the public, with proceeds from food and beer purchases going to services supporting military veterans transitioning back to civilian life. 9:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. EST, including an awards ceremony. Wissahickon Brewing Co., 3705 West School House Ln., in East Fairmount Park, (parking lot area).215-483-8833 or http://www.wissahickonbrew.com/.

Image: Promotional poster for The Woman King. Source: swank.com

Kings of the Kingdom

Friday, October 6, 2023. With $97.2 million in earnings at the United States box office, The Woman Kingfilm is a huge hit! This well-written 2022 film reflects a refreshing theme of female empowerment. In the 1800s, a group of all-female warriors adeptly defended Dahomey, an African kingdom, using brawn and brains. Its war general, Nanisca, trains recruits to battle a foreign enemy that’s determined to destroy their community. The movie is directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood. The screening is all part of the FIRST FRIDAY FLICKS series hosted by the Fairmount Park Conservancy. Enjoy fare from local food trucks and a live musical performance before the movie. Free but register, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. EST. The movie is presented at nightfall. John Welsh Memorial Fountain (across from the Please Touch Museum), 1769-1825 State Rte. 3005, 301-395-7213 or creativephl.org

Image: Bring the whole family to the Slide-A-Thon. Source: smithplayground.org

Let it slide…

Saturday, October 7, 2023. Check out the Slide-A-Thon. Kids, ages 4-12, and adults can compete in timed slides and relay races. Enjoy games, crafts, burlap-sack decorating, and more. Race winners will receive medals. The Slide-A-Thon is an annual fundraiser to support the maintenance of Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse’s Ann Newman Giant Wooden Slide, which is 40 feet long. $5 for an individual facility All-access pass, $15 for four or more persons. 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse, 3500 Reservoir Dr. 215-765-4325 or https://smithplayground.org/slideathon/.

Image: Alfoncie B. Austin. Source: americanvegan.org

Meat me at the vegan workshop…

Sunday, October 8, 2023. Check out a delicious choice with Vegelution, a look at the trailblazing introduction of vegetarian and vegan food that started locally with the Austin family’s food stand at the Reading Terminal Market 31 years ago. The late Alfoncie B. Austin is credited with setting the plate for Philadelphia’s vegan dining popularity. She made her seitan, creating now-familiar vegan foods resembling the taste of corned beef, baloney, and cheesesteaks The discussion is led by Lisa Tynes, Austin’s daughter who assisted in operating the Reading Terminal stand called Alfoncie B. Austin’s Basic 4 Vegetarian Snack Bar. Sample Basic 4 foods from her mom’s recipes featuring healthy plant-based options known as “alt-meats.” Tickets: $10; $5 for students, or via ZOOM: $5, students free, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. EST. American Vegan Center, 17 N. 2nd St., 267-665-7753, americanvegan.org.

Image: Time for Three, and Chill Moody. Source: manncenter.org

Chill with Time for Three

Wednesday, October 11, 2023. Celebrate music, the performing arts, and community at The Mann Party in the Park. Fairmount Park, that is. It’s part of the Mann’s Downstage series presented by Cadillac featuring music from GRAMMY’s award-winning classical trio, Time for Three, and a spoken-word performance by Chill Moody with YungHoneyDip. Enjoy dinner and a concert. $37, 8 p.m. EST. Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave., (TD Pavilion/The Presser Foundation Stage). 215-546-7900 or MannCenter.org.