FunTimes Magazine Culture & Entertainment, Week of June 12, 2023

The time-honored tradition of the street block party is the theme this week. Nothing screams Philly like this summer neighborhood ritual of camaraderie and communion. These eventful activities highlight the best of street food, history, charity, music, dance, African culture, and trailblazing accomplishments. Here are some good excuses to venture out and explore these mostly free neighborhood festivities in Greater Philadelphia. Let’s go, FunTimers; don’t be tardy for the party!

Spotlight Shines on Black Excellence 

June 18, 2023. Even the title is inspiring: Voices of Hope: A Celebration of Black Excellence Powered by TD Bank. The annual celebration will honor Philadelphia trailblazers who demonstrate compassion and positive change. Four longtime devoted Philadelphians will be recognized: Loree D. Jones Brown, CEO, Philabundance; Pennsylvania State Sen. Vincent J. Hughes; Shermain Matlock-Turner, CEO, Urban Affairs Coalition; and Rev. Dr. Alyn E. Waller, Senior Pastor, Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church. Philly’s Chill Moody will curate various performances. Event host and gospel singer Jermaine Dolly will perform, along with justmadnice, Mare and Studio Wednesday House  Band. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., free but registration required. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave., Fairmount Park, 215-546-7900 (ext. 129) or https://manncenter.org/voicesofhope.

The coolest party on the block

North Philly Fair is fab

June 17, 2023. North Philly will be jumpin’ Saturday at The 1st Annual North Philadelphia Artists Fair. Local arts. Crafts vendors and creatives of all varieties will present a host of handcrafted items. Join the Nicetown-Tioga Improvement Team RCO and COSACOSA art at large, Inc. for some old-fashioned neighborhood family fun. Free food and music. Free, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Williams Moore Reed Memorial Park, 3600 N 11th St., https://www.eventbrite.com.

It’s a street party

June 19, 2023. Enjoy culture, history, and a celebration of liberation at the 2023 Juneteenth Block Party hosted by the African American Museum in Philadelphia, the first institution in a major city dedicated to the heritage of African Americans. The museum will host a family festival in partnership with Wawa and Welcome America Inc.’s summer festival – a block party and free museum access. The event kicks off the first day of the annual Welcome America’s 16-day festival citywide. W.U.R.D. radio host Tiffany Bacon will be the emcee for a day of entertainment, games, and educational activities. DJ-rapper-producer Spinderella (Dee Dee Roper) will spin her magic with a tribute marking the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. See the new museum’s multi-media exhibition, “Rising Sun: Artists in an Uncertain America,” hosted along with PAFA. The exhibit explores the themes of democracy, freedom, and justice; it includes new art pieces by emerging Black artists. Check out a community marketplace of Black-owned businesses, community resources, giveaways, art-making, food trucks, and line dancing. Bring a nonperishable donation such as peanut butter, pasta, or beans for a local family in need to a food drive organized by Philabundance. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., free, but registration is encouraged. African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch St., 215-574-0380 or July4thphilly.com.

Drop the “L’. It’s BOK party…

June 25, 2023. We can’t get enough of block parties. It must be a Philly thing. Take, for instance, The 7th annual B[L]OK PARTY at the renovated community Bok building in South Philly. What kid or adult would turn down a day of bouncy castle fun, food trucks, arts, crafts, music, and fire truck demos? Not this kid! The interactive vendor booths will feature creative “Bok makers,” nonprofits and small businesses like Bok Bar, Franklin & Whitman, Remark Glass, Studio Bladel, Holly Simple, Yaku Wear, Tuft the World, Char and Whiskers, Tenangos Philly, Brixxy & Co., Girls, Inc., and The Woven Soul. Community artists, partners, and merchants will join in this year’s festivities, including Hand Over The Henna, Philly AIDS Thrift, Lindsey Gill Art, Love City Vet, Visions Risen, Amelie’s Bark Shop, Indigo bikes, and more. Check out food from Lil Pop Shop, Pecel Ndeso, and Waffles Philly, and music from CAGE, Nuuxakun, and Girls Rock. It will be the best of both worlds, outdoors and indoors. Enjoy the food, pasties, coffee, and shopping on the first floor of Bok’s WKSHP retail corridor. Free, noon to 4 p.m. Mifflin Street, between 8th and 9th streets. Email: [email protected] or https://www.buildingbok.com/blok-party.

A run for your money

Sunday, June 17. Father’s Day has become a new community tradition with a 5K race on MLK Drive. It’s called the Philadelphia Father’s Day 5K Run/Walk, formerly the Gary Papa Father’s Day 5K/10K Run/Walk, which raises money for the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center Prostate Cancer Program. In the United States, 1 in 6 Black men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and are 1.7 times more likely to get the illness than White men. It is one of the most common cancers. For 15 years, the event was held in honor of the late 6abc sportscaster Papa. Now the run/walk has been combined with a similar event and energized by organizer Sharon Waxman. Race start: 8:30 a.m. (check-in: 7:30 a.m.) Registration: $30; $15 for kids ages 10 and under. Paine’s Park, Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, and Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., foxchase.org.

Open mic for comedy and music

June 19, 2023. It’s a win-win situation: Caribbean Fusion delicacies from Chef Tiya, dance to various Caribbean styles, and vibe to the hot rhythms of DJ SupaTang. The Fire in Philadelphia, music hall and comedy club, is ideal for open mic nights. It’s a venue where rising comics and musicians hone their skills and stage presence. The promotional literature boasts that musician John Legend cut his teeth there. Free admission. 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., The Fire, 412 West Girard Ave. 215-760-9996 or https://www.eventbrite.com.