FunTimes Fun: Events Education, & Entertainment!

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.”

                                                                                      — Maya Angelou

If April showers bring May flowers, then when it comes to events that engage the mind, body, and soul, this month is coming up roses. From multiculturalism at iconic LOVE Park to a brand new public art sculpture near the Cherry Street Pier, spring is in full bloom for both virtual and in-person (low-cost or free) activities in the area. 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.

Drumming up Support for Local Businesses of Color

Through May 28, 2022. LOVE is in the air at “The Spring in LOVE: A Multicultural Marketplace,” a pop-up marketplace featuring local vendors of color at iconic LOVE Park in Center City.

For the next three weekends, you can shop from entrepreneurs from Philadelphia neighborhoods – all members of the Greater Philadelphia African American and Hispanic Chambers of Commerce. The vendors are set up in repurposed shipping containers adorned with a floral motif designed by muralist Malachi Floyd, in collaboration with Mural Arts Philadelphia.

Shop for apparel, accessories, health and wellness items, food, art, and pottery. Order from food trucks, and enjoy live entertainment on Fridays from local musicians including Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture, performing on May 6. Let’s Rock Recess will lead daytime parties and family dance festivities on certain Sundays. Community yoga and meditation classes also are part of the activities.

Fridays and Saturdays: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Select Sundays: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is free. Hosted by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Magic Makers Marketing Collective, LOVE Park, 15th and JFK Blvd.

“Chip” Portrait of Kenyon Lakei Allford by Laura Madeleine

Artists Memorialize Gun-Violence Victims

Through July 15, 2022. The Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy remembers lives lost in Artists Honoring Victims of Gun Violence – The Souls Shot Portrait Project, a multi-media exhibition organized by The Souls Shot Portrait Project (SSPP). The exhibit connects artists with impacted families to create portraits that memorialize those lost to gun violence. It features 36 portraits by 28 artists from the Philadelphia region. Part of the goal is to encourage people to be aware and get involved in gun violence prevention. Visitors are asked to sign in at the northeast corner entrance of City Hall on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors, free, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays, 215-686-8446, creativephl.org

A Dance Step into ‘Behind the Stage Door’

Through May 26, 2022. Behind the Stage Door is an interactive multimedia performance exploring the behind-the-scenes “invisible forces that bring the ballet to life.” Through diverse voices, original musical composition, dance, film, sculpture, and interactive multimedia stage design, it features the personalities, stories, and experiences that go into creating this art form. Seven-foot stage doors are backdrops for the half-hour performances. The program’s concept and creative direction is by Sarah Cooper and Behind the Stage is performed by Artists of Philadelphia Ballet II under the direction of Eddy Tovar. Free, but tickets are required. Cherry Street Pier, 121 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd. Additional pop-up performances are also scheduled: May 7th (7:30 p.m.) at Teatro Esperanza, 4261 N. 5th Str.; May 8  (4 p.m.) at FDR Park, Broad St. and Pattison Ave.; May 25 (6 p.m.) at Bartram’s Gardens, 64th St. and Lindberg Blvd., and May 26 (6 p.m.) at Dilworth Plaza, west side of City Hall, Broad St. and JFK Blvd., 215-893-1999, www.philadelphiaballet.org

Getting a Lead on Issues & Trends in Communications

May 15-20, 2022. The Philadelphia Black Association of Journalists (PABJ) will join hands for The Multicultural Media Professionals Week localized to create a Philadelphia partnership for the first time. The whole concept is “building bridges and joining forces.” The week of informative virtual events by communications professionals in Philly offers a deep dive into resources and networking affairs for agencies, businesses, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals and students. The sessions are not just for communications pros and are open to the public. Some topics on tap are: equity in the newsroom, crisis management, diversity of communications jobs in healthcare and strategic communications for entrepreneurs, small business owners and nonprofits. The Multicultural Media Professionals Week is designed to help professionals find new ways to manage and grow their businesses, earn the public's trust, and promote services and events. Media professionals are a big part of a business's success. Free. To learn more: https://multiculturalmediaprofessionalsweek.org/

6 ‘Voices of Hope‘ Inspire Community Change

May 6, 2022. Six area trailblazers will be honored at The Mann’s Voices of Hope: A Celebration of Black Excellence. Recipients are some of the area’s most inspiring African-American community difference-makers: Carol Riddick (Innovation Award for Artistic Excellence); culinary entrepreneurs Robert & Benjamin Bynum, of SOUTH, (Innovation Award for Culinary Excellence); community leader and advocate Valarie Cofield, of Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council; (Innovation for Community Advancement); real estate developers Leslie Smallwood Lewis and Gregory Reaves, of Mosaic Development Partners, (Innovation Award for Community Impact.)

Featured performers are Philadelphia’s own Chill Moody, along with GRAMMY® Award-nominated R&B artists Eric Wortham II and Carol Riddick. The keynote speaker will be Rev. Dr. Lorina Marshall-Blake, President of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation. The event theme is joy, with a focus on music, cuisine, community, and unsung heroes. Free, but space is limited, so pre-registration is required. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., TD Pavilion at the Mann, 5201 Parkside Ave., Fairmount Park, (215) 878-0400, MannCenter.org/VoicesofHope

The Outdoors Is Your Museum…

Philly boasts one of the world’s largest public-art collections through a program that requires art in all city-funded or affiliated building projects and public spaces. Check out Philadelphia’s latest masterpiece. In the shadow of the Ben Franklin Bridge, it’s located between Cherry Street Pier and Race Street Pier on Columbus Boulevard near Penn’s Landing, right on the Delaware River Trail. 

The impressive piece is called Weaver’s Knot: Sheet Bend. It was created by LA-based Ball-Nogues Studio. The stainless steel sculpture was designed for the site and commissioned through the City's Percent for Art Program in partnership with the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation. Weaver’s Knot and Sheet Bend are named for a knot used to bind different thicknesses of rope. The knot recognizes the history of textile production and sailing on the Delaware River and serves as a reminder of Philadelphians whose lives intertwine to weave the fabric of community -- person to person and one knot at a time. The public artwork was chosen by a committee of neighbors, artists and city officials through the Percent for Art process. Free, creativephl.org

Calling All Artists…

Neighborhood Arts Grants up for Grabs…

The City of Philadelphia’s Office of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy’s Neighborhood Arts Program offer funding to annually support more than 150 free, family-friendly arts activities or events in Philadelphia’s neighborhoods. The neighborhood arts programs include theatrical and musical performances, film screenings, dance instruction, children’s art-making workshops, and more. Artists, arts / cultural organizations, cultural event producers, and civic leaders can apply: Oacce.submittable.com or e-mail [email protected] with questions.