Dear Philly1.com Members,
It's going to be a very busy weekend and the weather forecast could not be better ... let's hope it holds up. This is going to be one of those weekends where you might not want to go down the shore because there will be too much fun to be had in town. According to our new tradition and prior to the weekend picks are some showcased events brought to us by members of the
Philly1.com: your place in the city community.
Site Member Events
J.B. Smoove @ Helium Comedy Club

Tonight through Saturday, site member
Pat at Helium Comedy Club (2031 Sansom St.) wants you to know that J. B. Smoove the award-winning actor and writer will be playing the club tonight through Sunday. Mr. Smoove is best known for his role as Leon Black in
Curb Your Enthusiasm and has also had recurring roles on Everybody Hates Chris and Saturday Night Live where he worked as a writer. In 2007 he received the Writers Guild of America award for Best Comedy/Variety Series. Smoove's films include Pootie Tang, Mr. Deeds, and the upcoming Frankenhood. He is a must see and if you are inclined to visit a comedy club, this engagement is your chance! For more information visit
http://www.philly1.com/events/event/show?id=594208:Event:22302.
"Silk and the City" @ Silk City
Site member
Sabrina Carrington wants you to know that Silk City is now the Sunday Night hotspot in Philadelphia. On June 22nd, join her at "Silk and the City" - a Sex and the City in Philadelphia Event brought to you by Denim Public Relations. Enjoy Sex and the City inspired cocktails, food, the best in Hip Hop, R&B and more! For more information visit
http://www.philly1.com/events/event/show?id=594208:Event:22864.
To keep up with all of the great events your fellow site members have planned please visit
http://www.philly1.com/events.
and now ... the listings
Thursday, June 19, 2008 (Juneteenth Day)
Celebrate Freedom's Prophet with the Library Company
Freedom's Prophet: Bishop Richard Allen, the AME Church, and the Black Founding Fathers by Richard S. Newman is a long-overdue biography of Richard Allen (1760–1831), founder of the first major African American church and the leading black activist in the age of Washington and Jefferson. A tireless minister, abolitionist, and reformer, Allen inaugurated some of the most important institutions in African American history and influenced nearly every Black leader of the 19th century, from Frederick Douglass to W.E.B. Dubois. The book restores Allen to his rightful place in history as one of America's "Black Founders." Reception begins at 5:30 p.m.; reading and book signing begin at 6:00 p.m. For more information visit
.
City Gardening Series: Containers for Small Garden Spaces

Presented by Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and Master gardener Robin Potter shares ideas for choosing and combining plants for a variety of containers at Dickinson Square (4th and Tasker Sts). This is a great event if you, like us, lack space but love plants and it starts at 6pm. For more information visit
http://www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org.
Ball on The Square

Presented by The Friends of Rittenhouse Square, this is the primary fundraising event to raise money for the upkeep and beautiful plantings in the square -- an urban oasis. It is a lovely black-tie evening where you can dance among the greenscape of Rittenhouse Square (18th and Walnut Sts) and enjoy wonderful food and company. If you act now, you might be able to find a last minute ticket or two by calling 610-352-5559 or by visiting
http://friendsofrittenhouse.org.
Firday, June 20, 2008
Popped! Music Festival (Friday-Sunday)

The POPPED! Festival is a 3-day event that will occur annually in Philadelphia. In its second year, POPPED! will use Drexel University, Trocadero, and World Cafe Live as its venues over three days, June 20, 21, 22nd 2008. POPPED! will host globally recognized artists as well as breakthrough local artists, creating lineups each night with unique performances in a boutique setting. In addition to extraordinary entertainment, POPPED! has a focus on sustainability. The Festival will have a focus on being "green" from working with sustainability minded businesses in the region to recycling plastic, glass, cans, and paper, while educating concert-goers on the importance of a sustainable lifestyle. Artists include Vampire Weekend, The Capitol Years, Slick Rick and more. For more information visit
http://www.poppedphiladelphia.org.
Date Night @ The Clay Studio

Get a little dirty on Friday night at The Clay Studio (139 N. 2nd St)! Bring a date, come with friends, or meet someone there. Either way, you are sure to have a great time! The Clay Studio's instructors will walk you through a simple project, or you are free to make your own creations. You may also try your hand at the wheel. If you're feeling adventurous, grab a partner and explore four-handed throwing! Your work will be glazed, fired, and ready for you to take home by July 5th. Best of all, Beer, wine, and snacks are included. It all starts at 7pm and for more information visit
http://www.theclaystudio.org.
Dr. Sketchy's Philadelphia @ Fleisher

In exchange for $12, artists are treated to burlesque dancers, fetish divas, sideshow freaks, and roller derby queens modeling in elaborate costumes. During breaks, artists compete for booze and prizes. There are fantastic tunes, smart-aleck emcees and a gossipy blog that dishes the dirt the next day. But wait, there's more! There will be ridiculously fantastic prizes for the winners of our drawing competitions! So come on out and celebrate with by drinking a complimentary cocktail from Sketchy's Pub, drawing some interesting folks, listening to fantastic tunes, winning some potential prizes, and basking in the glory of the Sanctuary at Fleisher Art Memorial (719 Catherine St). For more information visit
http://www.drsketchyphilly.blogspot.com.
Maze featuring Frankie Beverly with special guest Chaka Khan @ The Mann

One of the most soulful R & B groups in history, funky lead singer, Frankie Beverly ("Joy and Pain," "Back in Stride,") and powerhouse vocalist and eternal hottie, Chaka Khan ("I’m Every Woman," "Through the Fire,") will bring down the house at the Mann Center for Performing Arts (5201 Parkside Ave). It's Chaka Khan people, Chaka Khan! For ticket information visit
http://www.manncenter.org.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Ladies Hip-Hop Festival (June 18th-22nd)
Created by Montazh Performing Arts Company director, Michele Byrd-McPhee, "The Ladies of Hip-Hop Festival" is a five-day celebratory and educational festival of women in Hip-Hop culture. With four successful years of dance workshops this year the festival will be offering classes in graffiti art, Hip-Hop dance classes, as well as an art show featuring women graffiti artists, a panel discussion featuring women and girls professionally involved in Hip-Hop culture. Each year, an elite group of female instructors, artists and businesswomen that best fit the mission of Ladies of Hip-Hop by positively representing women and girls within the culture, helps bring this well attended event to females of all ages, shapes and colors. Saturday's workshops run from 9am-7pm and will be held at the University City Arts League (4226 Spruce St). For more information visit
http://www.ladiesofhiphop2008.com.
12th Annual Garden State Craftbrewers Fest

The Garden State Craft Brewers Guild is on the deck of the Battleship New Jersey (62 Battleship Pl/Clinton St. at the Waterfront) under a tent where it's nice and dry with a great view of Center City Philadelphia! Taste the fine and fun offerings from 16 great breweries in a family friendly environment from noon to 4pm. Tickets are $40 (includes tasting glass and a self-guided tour of the ship). Attendance is limited to 750 lucky people. There is live music and food is available for purchase. It's easy to get to the Battleship by public transit or driving. For more information visit
http://www.njbeer.org.
West Oaklane Jazz Festival (June 20-22)

Get ready for the 5th annual West Oak Lane Jazz & Arts Festival, the hottest new jazz fest on the east coast. Set your calendar for June 20, 21, and 22, 2008 when thousands of music fans will gather for three days of non-stop music, art, food, and fun. Groove to the sounds of The O’Jays… Ashford & Simpson… Mandrill… WAR… The Benny Golson Quartet… The Whispers… Pieces of a Dream… Kevin Eubanks… and more than 50 more live music performers from the Philadelphia region and around the country. No matter what your preferences are, you’re bound to find something to see and do at the 2008 Festival. And it all takes place on the 7100-7400 blocks of Ogontz Avenue in the heart of Philadelphia’s West Oak Lane neighborhood. For more information visit
http://www.westoaklanefestival.com.
Clark Park Music and Arts Festival

Clark Park Music and Arts community has been putting on festivals in Clark Park (43rd St & Baltimore Ave) in west Philadelphia for ~35 years. The Festival traditionally happens on the Sat. closest the Summer Solstice and Fall Equinox annually. The festival is time to celebrate West Philly generally and includes both rock and non-rock acts, kids activities and crafts and vendors. For more information visit
http://www.myspace.com/clarkparkfest.
APM's 4th Annual Sugar Cane Festival

APM's 4th Annual Sugar Cane Festival at 5th Street between Berks and Norris is the official start of summer in Latino Philadelphia. Featuring live entertainment, a Latino Bazaar with multicultural foods and crafts, children's activities, health screenings and dozens of community agencies and businesses. For more information visit
http://www.apmphila.org/sugarcanefestival.
Kimmel Center Summer Solstice Celebration
Visitors can take a nap, then come and celebrate the longest day of the year with a 15-hour party spectacular (3pm-6am) -- the annual Summer Solstice all-day/all-night extravaganza at the Kimmel Center (260 S. Broad St). While the sun is shining, guests can partake in games and face painting, jugglers, chair massages, classical, jazz, world, pop, and dance performances. But when the sun goes down, that's when the party really starts: indie bands, singer-songwriters, live bands, speed dating, a drag show, and maybe even a Guitar Hero competition; you never know what you'll encounter. Finally, as the sun comes up, everyone will bang in the summer with an enormous drum circle—BYOD (bring your own drum). For more information visit
http://www.kimmelcenter.org/events/summer-solstice08.php.
Summer Stroll Benefiting the Epilepsy Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania
Stroll along Forbidden Drive in Chestnut Hill starting 8am at Northwestern Ave and continuing along the Wissahickon Creek, the path is perfect for families, friends, colleagues, and 4-legged companions (on leashes, of course). The 5 mile walk is well shaded and flat and well suited for all walkers. Your fundraising dollars will support those with epilepsy and the Epilepsy Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania. For more information visit
http://strollforepilepsypa.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=....
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Hidden River Outfitters Kayak Tours
Professionally guided kayak tours of the Schuylkill River between Walnut Street Dock and Fairmount Water Works, including half hour of instruction. Street parking is available at the Locust St. entrance or park at the nearby lot at 24th & Sansom and then walk right onto Sansom Street, climb the stairs, turn right on Walnut St., cross the road (Walnut Street,) and go down the stairs to the Walnut Street Docking area. The day starts at 10am and for more information visit
http://www.schuylkillbanks.org/calendarEventView.aspx?topicID=0&....
House, Divided

In its final scheduled performance, a Jewish American family in Philadelphia is torn apart when one of two brothers decides to embrace Jewish orthodoxy and move to Israel during the height of the Vietnam war. Thirty years later, one is a retired officer of the Israeli army and the other is a senior director of Amnesty International. Divided by deep familial wounds and opposing religious and political beliefs, they are forced to re-engage one another when their sons make surprising life decisions of their own.
House, Divided, written by Larry Loebell, comes highly recommended by a fellow site member and is well worth the price of admission at the InterAct Theatre Company (2030 Sansom St) at 2pm. For more information and performance schedule visit
http://www.interacttheatre.org.
Money in Motion
Experience the history of banking, money, and the Federal Reserve with an exhibit that includes interactive dispays, a currency collection that dates back to the original 13 colonies and a rare 100,000 bill. This is a great trip for the kids. Sunday tours run from noon-4pm. We remember visiting The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia (100 N. 6th St) in grade school and it was one of the coolest experiences we can remember. For more information visit
http://www.philadelphiafed.org/money_in_motion.
That's about it. Have a great weekend! And, remember, if you have an event or item the rest of the community should know about please send it to listings@philly1.com so we can help get the word out.
Be well,
Brian & Harry
Co-Directors
Philly1.com, your place in the city
http://www.philly1.com
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Send listings to listings@philly1.com