Fall into September with these cool events
FunTimes Fun Events Education & Entertainment!
September has its share of days to observe themes like String Cheese Day or Fried Rice Day or School Backpack Day. Or hey, how about Remote Employee Appreciation Day (it’s the new normal)? Not far behind is the old-school Dear Diary Day – and don’t forget Elephant Appreciation Day; only to be out-done by Ice Cream Cone Day (the cone lives in the shadow of its sister, ice cream, but not now, baby!) ...followed by Hug a Vegetarian Day (too skinny for me, plus less contact is preferred). Sometimes these themes are celebrated through special events. One of them is below, International Peace Day, on September 21st. Themes or no themes, enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of fall.
Before participating in any of these in-person activities, please respect the ongoing pandemic safety protocols, and check individual event-attending instructions with the organizers. As a general rule: If you feel unwell, please do not attend in person.
Celebrating International Peace Day
September 21, 2022. Peace Day Philly 2022 - Ending Racism, Building Peace brings us one step closer to solutions in race relations and fostering peace. And you’re invited to be part of the peace process. Philadelphia will team up with community organizations around the world to localize this global day of peace. The Peace Day theme, set by the United Nations, is focused on halting bigotry universally and in communities closer to home. A moment of silence will be observed in unison worldwide. Live music and poetry, Chalk 4 Peace and peace button art-making all will be featured. The speaking program will include Romana Lee-Akiyama, MSS, MLSP, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Public Engagement; Kia Ghee, Esq., Executive Director of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations Performing will be poet L’Tajh Carter and musicians Marcy Francis, Jan Jeffries and Hugh Taft-Morales. Free, 11:20 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., North apron outside of City Hall, Broad Street and JFK Blvd., 215-688-6127, https://bit.ly/PeaceDayProgram2022 or Peacedayphilly.org.
Meet you on the block!
September 24, 2022. Local neighborhood street parties abound this autumn. And nothing beats an old-school block party. Check out the annual Community Block Party – a neighborhood street shindig featuring live music by the Jazz Sanctuary. Enjoy food, children's games and church/retreat house tours. Celebrate the opening of the Rosemont Community Retreat House. The Church of the Good Shepherd, 1116 West Lancaster Ave, Bryn Mawr, Pa., 610-525-7070, https://www.goodshepherdrosemont.com/retreathouse, eventbrite.com.
A fall festival for fun!
September 25, 2022. Chestnut Hill is rolling out the red carpet with a day of art, music, food and boutique shopping at the Fall for the Arts Festival. And you can be there. Germantown Avenue will turn into an outdoor arts and crafts marketplace. Fall for the Arts will feature 100 vendors including 50+ new local artists – many of whom featuring live demonstrations in The Makers Village. Kids can have fun at the Children’s Amusement Zone with face painting, rides and engaging art activities. Enjoy live music or dine al fresco at a myriad of restaurants. Free admission, 11 a.m., between the 8000 and 8600 blocks of Germantown Ave., 215-247-6696, chestnuthillpa.com.
Inspiring stories of business women & change-makers
September 21, 2022. Spend an inspiring evening with Center City Business Association members and friends for a moderated in-person and virtual discussion highlighting a diverse group of dynamic women who share their inspirational stories of success. It’s part of Women Changing the City, a series spotlighting accomplished powerbrokers in business. The moderator is Dr. Brandi Baldwin, CEO, Millennial Ventures Holdings. Panelists will be Valerie Camillo, President & CEO, Spectacor Sports & Entertainment; Dr. Jayatri Das, Director of Science Content and Chief Bioscientist, The Franklin Institute; Romana Lee-Akiyama, Executive Director, Mayor’s Office of Public Engagement; Mia Mendoza, President and CEO, Mendoza Group, Inc., and Leslie Patterson-Tyler, Vice President of Program Communications and Partnerships, The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc. The in-person session includes a Q&A and opportunities to share stories and network. Limited space; reservations and pre-payment required. Fees are for in-person or virtual sessions; $60 ($30 for Center City Business Association members), 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., Academy of Music Ballroom, 240 S. Broad St., 2nd Fl., 215-545-7766, e-mail: [email protected] or centercitybusiness.org.
Vibe to the Caribbean nightclub beats
September 24, 2022. Swing to the rhythm of Afrobeats, dancehall, soca, reggae and hip- hop by DJ Master Rich and the Philadelphia area’s hottest DJs. (No parking permitted on South Street after 10 p.m.),10 p.m. to 2 p.m., Drink specials before 11 p.m., 11 p.m. to 2 p.m.; free admission by reserving before 11 p.m., Reef Restaurant & Lounge, 605 S. 3rd St., 215-629-0102, eventbrite.com.
The Rail Park is long on fun with summer short films
September 30, 2022. Do you like animated short films and mini documentaries? Then there’s absolutely something for you, especially if your attention span is a bit short. Watch five engaging short films, ranging from 6 to 20 minutes in length at Final Fridays organized by the Philadelphia Asian American Film & Filmmakers (PAAFF). Bring a blanket, chair and snack on light refreshments, or grab a pizza from Wood Street and enjoy the movies under the stars. Hosted by Friends of The Rail Park, it’s an exciting showcase of short films by Asian and Pacific Islander filmmakers, chronicling stories of land and humans relationship to it. The PAAFF non-profit supports Asian and Pacific Islander diasporic films and media makers. Free, but donations accepted. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., The Rail Park, 1300 Noble St., paaff.org or eventbrite.com.
September 24, 2022. “Pool: A Social History of Segregation” (POOL) is a 4,700-square- foot museum exhibition examining America’s handling of race relations related to public pools. See a curated collection of art installations including seldom seen archival film footage and photographs. In 1883, America’s first outdoor municipal pool opened in Philadelphia, which has the largest number of public pools, with more than 70. Free, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Dr., (along the Schuylkill River behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art)., 215-685-0723, fairmountwaterworks.org.
Free plants, everyone
September 22, 2022. Free is good. So, we rooted out some free plants for you! Get a plant at the Mini Plant Giveaway from STUMP. But plant yourself in line early: First come, first serve, one plant per person. Sponsored by PECO, as part of the PECO Pop-Ups at The Porch summer series. As noted: Free, noon to 1 p.m., The Porch, 30th Street Station, 2955 Market St., burbio.com or peco.com.
West Philly street fair is crafty
September 24, 2022. Are you up for some craft shopping? The West Craft Fest at The Woodlands is for you, then. You’ll have your pick all day from dozens of local artists, crafters and makers of find handmade jewelry, original artworks, prints, clothing, ceramics, baby gifts, stationery, candles, soaps, toys and treasures galore. While shopping, enjoy live music, food trucks, craft activities and acrobatic performances. (No cars allowed on site; street parking available in the surrounding neighborhoods. Free but a small donation to the nonprofit Woodland historic venue/active cemetery would be appreciated. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., The Woodlands, 4000 Woodland Ave. in West Philadelphia, westcraftfest.com.
