On August 3rd, African Cultural Alliance of North America (ACANA), promoted as the East Coast’s largest African music festival, showcased traditional dance moves in a performance by award-winning Cralorboi CIC at Cherry Street Pier at Penn’s Landing. For 17 years, it has been a festive celebration of African food, heritage, and culture.
Photo by Aidan Gallo, FunTimes
August 18, 2025: FunTimes Magazine “Culture & Entertainment” column
“Like the August heat, we too must learn to slow down and bask in the warmth of life’s moments.”— Anonymous
August is the ribbon wrapped around the golden gift of summer. August has also been described as the “Sunday of Summer,” in a poetic attempt to compare the close sequential relationship between Sunday and Monday as fall waits in the wings for summer to fade. So, let’s savor the Sunday of Summer before the humidity turns to frost. Here are some low-cost or free energizing activities to pursue.
A Life Of Public Service
Thursday, August 21, 2025. Learn all about Blondell Reynolds-Brown and her journey as a legislator and single mother juggling a City Council career at Philadelphia’s City Hall in a candid political and personal memoir at a book-signing event and conversation about Walking a Tightrope Backward in High Heels. Meet Reynolds-Brown, now a senior advisor and public policy-maker at Frank DiCicco Associates, as she reflects on her life and times. In a 20-year career with its share of ups and downs, she worked in a challenging and never-dull environment that one local columnist called “The Big Top.” Through it all, Reynolds-Brown was a staunch champion of the arts, minorities, women-owned businesses, LGBTQIA rights, and environmental issues. With charm and grit, she forwarded impactful legislation for women, children, and families. The promotional material offers: “Part political memoir, part leadership manifesto, this powerful account from a pioneering public servant shows what’s possible with equal measures of moxie and grace.” Hosted by WDAS’s Frankie Darcell, engage with the author, whose book is available for purchase. Free admission, 5:30 p.m. EST to 7:30 p.m. EST. Avana Restaurant, 2200 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy. 215-419-5971 or Avanaphilly.com
Photo courtesy of PHSonline.org
Celebrating Green & Clean
Friday, August 22, 2025. The nonprofit Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) will hold a community party, the “Love Where You Live” Unity Day,” to celebrate its progress in greening neighborhoods in North Philly. The event marks the fruitful finish of PHS’s “Love Where You Live” Greening Plan that engages communities to go ‘garden’ green. Since 2022, its “Love Where You Live” project has transformed the Nicetown and Tioga neighborhoods by reducing trash and crime; increasing access to fresh food, and creating jobs. Through the program, 400 trees have been planted and more than 1.2 million square feet of vacant land have been “cleaned and greened” block by block. Love Where You Live has empowered residents to take on the task of beautifying their neighborhoods. Unity Day will gather 200 residents and community partners to celebrate these achievements. Enjoy food, music, family activities, and a mini resource fair highlighting PHS’s Healthy Neighborhood programs. Free, 4 p.m. EST to 8 p.m. EST. Tioga Hope Park & Garden, 1823 W. Tioga St. 215-988-8800 or PHSonline.org
Books and Art For Kids
Saturday, August 23, 2025. Kids can get their hands and minds around free brand-new books at A Book A Day presents Children’s Day: Little Sprouts, Big Ideas! Enjoy the words of educator Thembi Palmer, comic book creator Dave White, registered dietician-nutritionist Stacy Woodson, and artist Alex Smith, who will lead a kids’ art-making workshop. Multilingual titles will be available. The event is organized by A Book A Day, a nonprofit in West Philadelphia. A Book A Day promotes literacy interdisciplinary and life-long learning among children in underserved and diverse communities. Since 2014, the organization has gifted more than 10,000 books to young readers in West, Southwest, and other areas of Philadelphia through donations. A Book A Day is run by first-generation immigrant women passionate about creating equal access to education for children. The books focus on music, art, history, poetry, street art, and science; they are selected to elevate underrepresented voices. Free event and books, but pre-register. 1 p.m. EST to 4 p.m. EST. Parkway Central Library/ Children’s Department, https://libwww.freelibrary.org 1901 Vine St. (between 19th & 20th streets on the Parkway) 215-567-4341 or https://abookadayprogram.com/ or https://www.eventbrite.com
Go To Clark Park On A Lark
Saturday, August 23, 2025. A fun day out in the park is always a good bet at West Philly’s One Africa! One nation! Uhuru Flea Market. Browse through all-natural skin and hair-care products, authentic African clothes & jewelry, and vinyl records from up to 100 vendors. Avid readers will enjoy the Uhuru Health Festival and Uhuru Book Fair. Free admission; 9 a.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST. Clark Park, 43rd Street, and Chester Ave. Email: uhuruFleaMarkets@gmail.com, 267-875-3532, or OneAfricaMarketPhilly.org
Dig Your Hands In The Sand
Saturday, August 23, 2025. What better place to enjoy one last blast of summer than at the Please Touch Museum? Kids will love the Sand Art Activation Workshop in which they can layer sand to make their craft items to take home. The activities will be all about imagination and fun. Free with museum general admission: $24; 11 a.m. EST to 2 p.m. EST. Pre-registration is required; limited spots. Please Touch Museum/ North Foyer (Main Level), 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Fairmont Park. 215-581 3151 or PleaseTouchMuseum.org
The Power of BBQ, Beats & Business
Sunday, August 24, 2025. The best way to get to the heart of a community is through its stomach. The PA Professional Image Alliance is hip to this. It will host a summer cookout and networking fundraiser, the Business Professionals BBQ, at Belmont Grove in Philadelphia. Business owners, aspiring hair stylists, corporate professionals, change-makers, and community residents can seize this opportunity to grow their networks. Organized by Antionette Morris-Turner, President of the PA Professional Image Alliance, the gathering will combine burgers with business to build community engagement and careers. Enjoy the music of DJ Touch Tone, a special appearance by local radio icon Patty Jackson, tug-of-war games, and face painting. Over hot dogs, chicken, soft drinks, and desserts make meaningful community connections. Part of the proceeds will support the Alliance’s Apprenticeship Program, training and mentoring the next generation of beauty professionals. Says organizer and beauty expert, Morris-Turner: “We’re …serving opportunity, culture, and connection. This is how we build careers, communities, and confidence.” Pre-register; $10 per person. 2 p.m. EST to 6 p.m. EST. Belmont Grove, 1800 Belmont Mansion Dr. https://www.eventbrite.com
Grants Open To Black & Caribbean Immigrant Groups
Through Tuesday, August 26, 2025. The Black Immigrant Capacity Building Project (BICBP) is offering grant funding to Philadelphia-based organizations serving Black immigrant communities. The grants are designed to build long-term sustainability, organizational infrastructure, and the work of African and Caribbean leaders in communities. They will assist those who are launching new initiatives or growing existing programs. BICBP is a newly organized network and resource. Free to apply here by August, 26, 2025, or https://philacityfund.org/2025-bicbp-grants/
