August 3, 2025 1:00-6:00PM Freedom Now Fest on Lancaster Ave.

 

60 Years Ago, Dr. King Stood Here.

On August 3rd, We Gather Again.

 

We’re thrilled to invite you to the Freedom Now Fest, happening Sunday, August 3rd, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Lancaster Avenue between 38th and 40th Streets in West Philadelphia.

This powerful event commemorates the 60th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Freedom Now” Rally speech, delivered right here in our neighborhood as part of his 1965 Freedom Now Tour. This moment in history wasn’t just about civil rights—it was about collective power, community voice, and the future we build together.

Now, six decades later, we’re honoring that moment with a full day of celebration, reflection, and activation.

What to Expect: Live performances & community tributes on two stages “Then & Now” photo installation honoring Black Bottom residents Pop-up shops featuring Black-owned businesses Delicious bites from the Avenue of the Eats food truck zone Children’s storytelling, music, and games Free medical testing, hair & scalp exams, and wellness services Art exhibitions & film screenings focused on MLK, Black Philly history, and civil rights Shop The Ave deals from local stores And a Walking Tour sign-up to explore MLK’s legacy in West Philly Plus a Freedom Night Fit Party hosted by Body Rock Bootcamp — a high-energy celebration of movement, wellness, and unity before the big day!   📍 Freedom Now Fest 2025 📅 Sunday, August 3rd 🕐 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM 📌 Lancaster Ave (38th–40th Streets), Philadelphia, PA 19104 🌐 More info: www.freedomnowfest.site   Bring your friends, your family, your elders, and your joy. This is more than a festival—it’s a moment to remember and a movement to continue.

LEARN MORE

August 3, 2025 2:00-8:00PM ACANA African Festival at Cherry St. Pier

 

Join us for the 17th Annual ACANA African Festival at Cherry Street Pier on August 3 from 2 pm to 8 pm, part of the PECO Multicultural Series. It is FREE and OPEN to the public. All ages are welcome. Rain or Shine.

Don't miss the largest African festival on the East Coast, which celebrates the African diaspora with music, food, and vendors.

ACANA FEST 2025 will feature a diverse lineup of African music performances, globally inspired cuisine, and unique crafts from various African vendors.

Organized by: African Cultural Alliance of North America Inc. (ACANA)  

Join us all summer for all the free PECO Multicultural Festivals.

Parking on-site will be limited due to I-95 CAP construction. However, many great ways to access the Waterfront include walking and biking along the Delaware River Trail, rideshare, and public transit. To ensure a seamless visit, guests can visit the ‘Know Before You Go’ guide for parking recommendations, directions, FAQs, and more.

Know Before You Go:
As you plan your next visit to the Delaware River Waterfront, here is what you need to know before you go:

• Learn how to arrive at the Waterfront with travel information to help you plan your visit.

• The Waterfront is open. Learn about your favorite destinations, their operating hours, and amenities.

• 121 N. Columbus Boulevard
  Philadelphia, PA 19106215-923-0818cherrystreetpier@drwc.org

August 3, 2025 8:00-11:00PM Un Toque de Cache at Morgan's Pier

 

Dance to a live salsa band Sunday night at Morgan's Pier, with Un Toque de Cache

221 N. Columbus Ave.

Philadelphia, PA

small cover charge after 8:00PM

August 3, 2025 3:00-6:00PM Philly Roda de Samba e Choro at the Black Squirrel Club

 

Philly Roda plays classic samba and choro music from 3-6. Featuring @fernandabravomusica @robcurto @marcaosamba @marksphoto and @gmervine

The Black Squirrel Club

1049 Sarah St. in Fishtown

Philadelphia, PA

$10 cover

Full bar selection including caipirinhas : you are welcome to bring your own food.

August 2, 2025 11:00AM - 4:30PM Legacy in Motion Dance Workshops for Kids and Adults at AAMP

 

On August 2nd, join AAMP for the Legacy in Motion Dance Workshops featuring Lindsay Reneá Benton and Musiqologyday.

These exciting workshops kick off at 11 a.m. Kids ages 7–13 are invited to join dancer Lindsay Reneá Benton for a fun and energetic two-hour dance workshop inspired by the music of Pearl Bailey and her famous friends!

At 2:30 p.m. we invite adults to participate in a workshop inspired by the Sounds of Pearl Bailey & Friends. This program will be accompanied by live musical performances by Musiqology Media Group. This collective is devoted to producing powerful art that stimulates meaningful conversations within the artistic community and beyond.

All levels are welcome! Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind celebration.

 African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA

August 1, 2025 6:00-9:00PM First Friday at The Barnes: Navasha Daya and Blackstar Film Festival

 

Enjoy an evening of art, live music, cocktails, and light fare at our monthly First Friday mixer. Tonight’s program is presented in partnership with BlackStar Film Festival, an annual celebration of the visual storytelling traditions of the African diaspora, showcasing films by Black, Brown, and Indigenous artists from around the world.

Our collaboration with BlackStar features a special performance by Navasha Daya. The Baltimore-based soul singer has shared the stage with Common, Jill Scott, Joan Baez, Erykah Badu, and Run DMC as well as international artists such as South African jazz trumpeter Hugh Masekela, Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo, and Japanese pianist Hajime Yoshizawa. A music educator and activist, Daya works with Baltimore’s Youth Resiliency Institute, using the arts to mobilize and bring change to the community. Her forthcoming album, Legacy, is a tribute to her late cousin, the musician Gil Scott-Heron. Don’t miss this incredible evening of art, music, and community at the Barnes!

Performance: 6:45 – 8pm

This event includes access to the main and second-floor galleries and the exhibition From Paris to Provence: French Painting at the Barnes.

Tickets: $35; National, Patron, and Contributor members and students $10; Supporters and Sustainers free; BlackStar passholders free

2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19130
215.278.7000

Get directions

August 1, 2025 9:00PM Noche Alternativa with Bronson Tennis and DeVinil at The Fire

 

Headlining the night: DeVinil, Philly’s very own rock en Español band, bringing the classics to life with powerful energy and passion.

Opening the night is Bronson Tennis, a dynamic Philly-based solo artist who blends Latin, folk, funk, and reggae with rhythms and stories from across the Americas.

Don’t miss this celebration of Latin alternative sounds. Grab your tickets now and be part of the movement!

Noche Alternativa at The Fire
Join us for a high-energy night of Latin rock and musical fusion in the heart of Philly!

The Fire – 412 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA
Friday, August 1, 2025
Doors at 8:00 PM | Show at 9:00 PM
$12 Online | $20 at the Door

Doors: 8:30PM  Show: 9:00PM

Standing room only

August 1, 2025 8:00-11:00PM Johnny Showcase & The Mystic Ticket at iMPeRFeCT Gallery

 

On, Friday, August 1, come dance under the stars and among the trees across from iMPeRFeCT. Join us for the electrifying funk-rock experience that Johnny Showcase and The Mystic Ticket certainly are, an outdoor Summer night you won’t forget!

$20 Pay at the door (cash, Venmo, CashApp)

Doors open at 8pm, 5539 Germantown Ave (Tree Lab is across the street)

Get a taste of why their album THE OCTOPUS! was hailed by Philadelphia Magazine as a "thick, sweaty psychedelic masterpiece”. Come sweat with us!

More about Johnny Showcase and The Mystic Ticket

This Philadelphia-based group is an innovative, joyful tour-de-force that blissfully toes the line between performance art and a psychedelic soul revival. Carrying the torch of funk-rock pioneers like Funkadelic and Frank Zappa, as well as old school comedic entertainers such as Steve Martin and The Blues Brothers, their ecstatic and hilarious live shows have gained a massive following and propelled Johnny to something that of a funky Philly folk hero legend.

The brain-child of actor/ musician David Sweeny, Johnny Showcase is a sweaty, charismatic showman from Rhode Island who is equal parts Andy Kaufman and Prince. Surrounding him is a rag tag group of performers, including a spiritual adviser named Rumi Kitchen and the knife sharp backing band the Mystic Ticket.

In 2021, Showcase wowed judges on America’s Got Talent and expanded their talent worldwide.

Insta: @johnnyshowcase

FB: @Johnny Showcase and The Mystic Ticket

• Friday, August 1, 2025
• 8:00 PM  11:00 PM

• iMPeRFeCT Gallery5539 Germantown AvenuePhiladelphia, PA, 19144United States (map)

July 31, 2025 8:00-Midnight World Music Jam Session at Dahlak Paradise

 

Dahlak Paradise - Ethiopian Restaurant

4708 Baltimore Ave

Philadelphia, PA

(215) 726-6464

no cover

July 30, 2025 5:00-8:00PM Garden Jams at Penn Museum: Malidelphia

 

In July we jam! Penn Museum’s outdoor summer concert series returns! Live music with a low-key, high-chill, al fresco scene in Stoner Courtyard at the rose-gold hour.

Known for their mesmerizing rhythms and dynamic live performances, Malidelphia fuses the traditional sounds of Mali—home to one of the richest musical legacies in West Africa—with the diverse and vibrant musical landscape of Philadelphia. Drawing inspiration from the griot tradition—West African oral historians, poets, and musicians who preserve cultural stories through music—the band blends intricate kora melodies, powerful percussion, and deep, soulful grooves to create a sound that is both timeless and electrifying. Since their formation, Malidelphia has been a driving force in the city's global music scene, performing at festivals, cultural events, and community gatherings. Their albums Sunu Journi (2018) and Bridging Worlds (2022) are available on Bandcamp.com and streaming platforms.

Tickets: Free to $15

Penn Museum

3260 South Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

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215.898.4000

July 30, 2025 6:30-8:30PM Live Music and Art for the Soul at iMPeRFeCT Gallery

 

Live Music and Art for the Soul

• Wednesday, July 30, 2025
• 6:30 PM  8:30 PM
• iMPeRFeCT Gallery (map)

Together, let us rediscover love, light, and healing joy with a  night of live music, stories, and poetry. Reigniting the beauty and power of art and community in the midst of the chaos and unknowns. Featuring Tamara Anderson (vocals), Chris Farrell (guitar), and Karen Smith (percussion). 

July 29, 2025 5:30-8:30PM Urban Guerilla Orchestra at Morris Estate Recreation Center

 

Come party with us at the Morris Estates on July 29, 2025 from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. This is event is sponsored by Councilwoman Cindy Bass and its hosted by Patty Jackson & Derek Lee. Sounds by Dj Mike Hurt. This event is free.

July 25, 2025 6:30-8:00PM Mutya Philippine Dance Company at The Oval

 

Parkway Presents: Mutya Philippine Dance Company

• Friday, July 25, 2025
• 6:30 PM  8:00 PM

• Eakins Oval2451 Benjamin Franklin Parkway (map)

The Parkway Council’s Parkway Presents series highlights Philadelphia’s rich cultural diversity.

This week Mutya Philippine Dance Company performs. FREE

The Mutya Philippine Dance Company was formed in 1990 in response to young Filipino Americans who wanted to understand their roots. Mutya’s mission is to preserve, develop, teach, and share Filipino cultural heritage, art, folklore, and other indigenous cultural traditions through its dances, music, and songs. Click here to learn more.

July 25, 2025 5:00-8:30PM Friday Night Lounge with DJ Oluwafemi at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

 

Friday, July 25, 5:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Come join Philly’s art world when it shows up and shows out every Friday night.

We keep our galleries open and our Great Stair Hall hosts Philly’s finest musicians, DJs and performers. Join us for music, locally sourced spirits and wines, special events and tours alongside summer vibes to start your weekend.

General admission to Friday Night Lounge is $15 with $10 parking in our garage.

This event is part of the Friday Night Lounge program series.

Tickets/reservations required

General admission: $15

Students: $7

Seniors: $14

Buy tickets 

Member admission is always free.

July 24-27, 2025 North Philadelphia History Festival - Arts - Culture - Music - History

 

Photo Courtesy of the John W. Mosley Photograph Collection, Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection, Temple University Libraries.

The North Philadelphia History Festival (NPHF) is a cultural celebration of the African American and Puerto Rican communities in North Philadelphia. Across four days, historic sites along Ridge Avenue, North Broad Street, and other locales will be transformed into living exhibits created by artists, historians, curators and other cultural workers. These multimedia projects and events will explore the emergence and impact of these communities in the 19th and 20th centuries. All events will be free and open to the public. 

Registration for select events and activations is open now! Explore the collection on Eventbrite.

Thursday, July 24th

We Remember and We Recall: North Philadelphia Oral History Project
Artists: Dr. Diane Turner, Curator: Serkkadis Alemayehu, Technologist
Category: Oral History Event 
Location: The Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection, 1330 Polett Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Date & Time :Thursday, July 24th, 2:00-5:00PM

The Pyramid Club: Black Leisure and Cultural Empowerment
Artists: Leslie Willis-Lowry and Dr. William Dodd
Category: Photography Exhibition
Location: 1517 W Girard Avenue
Date & Time: Thursday, July 24th & Friday, July 25th, 4:00-8:00PM / Saturday, July 26th & Sunday, July 27th, 12:00-5:00PM

In Pursuit of Preservation: A Community Conversation for our Black Historic District
Artists: The Dox Thrash House Project, Brewerytown-Sharswood Neighborhood Coalition, and Community Design Collaborative
Category: Panel Event
Location: 2100 Ridge Avenue
Date & Time: Thursday July 24th, 5:30-8:00PM

it be your own people
Artist: muthi reed
Category: Video Installation
Location: Sorellina at the Divine Lorraine, 699 N. Broad St
Date & Time: Thursday, July 24th - Sunday, August 3rd

reForm
Artist: Pepón Osorio
Category: Video Installation
Location: Cicala at the Divine Lorraine, 699 N. Broad St
Date & Time: Thursday July 24th - Sunday, August 3rd

Tenants of Lenapehocking in the Age of Magnets
Artists: Louis Massiah, Scribe Video Center
Category: Video Installation/Oral History
Location: Uptown Theater, 2240 N. Broad Street
Date & Time: Coming Soon

Old School Philly: Reminiscing with Dottie Smith Gayle's Jazz Community
Artists: Malkia Lydia and Ryan Saunders
Category: Video Installation
Location: New Barber's Hall, 1402 W Oxford Street
Date & Time: Coming Soon

(Return Home) Installation w/ Friends of the Tanner House
Artist: Christopher R. Rogers, Ph.D
Category: Visual Installation
Location: 2908 W Diamond Street
Date & Time: Thursday July 24th - Sunday July 27th

Friday, July 25th

Return of the Freedom Library
Artist: Jubilee School Students
Location: Wagner Free Institute of Science, 1700 W. Montgomery Ave
Date & Time: Friday, July 25th,  11:00AM - 4:00PM

Black Buttafly & The Nu School Collective: Jam Session Tribute to Grover Washington Jr.
Artist: Christopher R. Rogers, Ph.D
Category: Concert
Location: The Yard at John Coltrane Street, 1517 N 33rd St
Date & Time: Friday, July 25th, 7:00-9:00PM

My Story, My Block
Artist: Jacqueline Wiggins
Category: Screening Event
Location: The AAUF Conference Center, 2231 N. Broad Street
Date & Time:  Friday, July 25th, 2:00-5:00PM

Saturday, July 26th

Places of Power - Villa Africana Colobó Garden
Artists: Iris Brown, Norris Square Neighborhood Project & Anula Shetty and Michael Kuetemeyer, Termite TV Collective
Category: AR Installation
Location: Villa Africana Colobó Garden, 2267 N Palethorp St
Date & Time: Saturday, July 26th - Reception: 12-2PM , Open Hours/Tours: 11-6PM

Strawberry Mansion Photography Exhibition and "Pass the Mic"
Artist: Christopher R. Rogers, Ph.D
Category: Photography Exhibition
Location: Strawberry Mansion Learning Center, 2946 W Dauphin St
Date & Time: Saturday, July 26th, 12:00-4:00PM

SlowDrag
Artists: Mendi + Keith Obadike
Category: Mobile Sound Installation
Location: Ridge Avenue
Date & Time: 3:00-5:00PM

Sunday, July 27th

Extraordinary Ordinary: Black People in Northern Liberties before 1860. 
Artist: 1838 Black Metropolis
Category: Walking Tour 
Location:  Northern Liberties
Date & Time: Sunday, July 27th, 4:00-6:30PM

Jazzing on Ridge

Artist: Lower North Philadelphia CDC
Location: 2200 Block of Ridge Avenue
Date & Time: Sunday, July 27th, 12:00-6:00PM

More details at Scribe Video