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Blooming with block parties, Black Swan Revealed, and the Philly Flower Show
The Weekly Roundup, June 8-15
Kyle V. Hiller
This week is a great chance to get out to a block party if you haven’t been to one in a while—which I assume is likely given that there’s a pandemic and all. West Park Arts Fest is back at Fairmount Park, and the Rail Park hosts its first official block party. The ODUNDE Festival gets the longevity award as it kicks off its 45th year this week.
Does the Philadelphia Flower Show count as a block party since it’s outside? Let’s call it that for the sake of my roundup this week, shall we?
For the inside things, Freestyle Love Supreme takes over Broad Street, Chocolate Ballerina previews its upcoming take on Swan Lake, and PMAY mends the diversity gap in classical music.
Block parties
West Park Arts Fest
Saturday, June 11, 1-6pm
West Fairmount Park, 4200 Parkside Avenue, Philadelphia
West Park Arts Fest is back for its 14th edition with a public event featuring music, dance, and a variety of other activities. Appearances from Philly Fusion, Snacktime, Philly Gumbo & the New Orleans Funk Dance Party, Three Aksha, Kun-Yang Lin Dancers, Penn Chinese Dance Club, and more are slated for the robust event in Fairmount Park. The event is free and open to the public.
The Rail Park Block Party
Saturday, June 11, 2-8pm
The Rail Park, 1300 Noble Street, Philadelphia
The Rail Park launches its first annual Block Party, a day of community connection. Live performances, activities, and public displays will help celebrate the neighborhoods that border the park. Festivities include skateboarding lessons with Skate the Foundry at a pop-up skate park, a cello performance by Aijee Evans, Snacktime will somehow make its way from Parkside to the Rail Park, “Plant and Paint,” a DJ set … the list goes on.
ODUNDE Festival
Now through Sunday, June 12
Various locations
Contributor Crystal Sparrow already covered the bases, but I wanted to toss it in here for you, too, in case you missed her preview of the festival that kicks off today. The week features a variety of events in celebration of the festival’s 45th year. Yes, the ODUNDE Festival has been around for nearly half a century now. Be sure to check out the events for the festival, and keep an eye out for ODUNDE365—there’s more to explore outside of this week’s activities all year round.
Philadelphia Flower Show
June 11-19
FDR Park, 1500 Pattison Avenue, Philadelphia
The Flower Show is back and it’s staying outdoors again this year. This year’s edition, “In Full Bloom,” promises a journey to explore the restorative and healing power of nature and plants.
Music and dance
Freestyle Love Supreme
Now through June 12
Miller Theater (formerly the Merriam Theater), 250 South Broad Street, Philadelphia
The improv sensation makes its Philly premiere this week, and the performance is the genius of Philadelphia native Anthony Veneziale and Allentown’s own Morgan Reilly in collaboration with Lin-Manuel Miranda. The musical comedy, born before Hamilton and In the Heights, “brings the unexpected, as the crew takes the crowd on a freestyle, hip-hop, improvisational comedy ride.” Miranda is slated to appear with the cast for Friday’s performance, but as you might have imagined, that’s already sold out. Maybe you can talk someone you know into taking you out that night?
PMAY Artists' Initiative 5th Year Anniversary Concert
Friday, June 10, 7-8:30pm
Temple Performing Arts Center, 1837 North Broad Street, Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Music Alliance for Youth Artists Initiative looks to honor its new and former PMAY artists with a free concert open to everyone this week. The initiative looks to work on the diversity gap in classical performing arts, with an inclusive roster of performers set to take the stage and participate in the program.
The Black Swan Revealed
Saturday, June 11, 8pm
The Performance Garage, 1515 Brandywine Street, Studio B, Philadelphia
Chocolate Ballerina Company hosts a public preview of its all-Black production of Swan Lake titled The Black Swan Revealed. The performance features original choreography to the Tchaikovsky classic. Keep an eye out on this company—they’re growing and are already making an impact, especially for young Black dancers.
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