Haddington and Cobbs Creek: Teaching the Philly Bop Dance at Community Libraries
On Saturday afternoons throughout the summer, the Cobbs Creek and Haddington branches of the Free Library of Philadelphia host Philly Bop dance classes. The bop is a style of dance that was popular in the 1950s and throughout the 1960s that was created by African Americans based upon 1920’s era Lindy Hop, Jitterbug and East […]
Kingsessing: AFRICOM Serves As Center Of African Immigrant Community
Eric Edi arrived in the United States in 1999 from his native Ivory Coast during a turbulent time in many West African countries. Conflicts in countries such as Liberia, Sudan and Eritrea left many refugees seeking shelter in the United States. Edi was attending Temple University on a Fulbright scholarship when he found out about […]
Sustainability: The Philadelphia Orchard Project Provides Fresh Fruit to Communities
Just when you think the fast-paced, industrialized, city life is dry and desolate, the Philadelphia Orchard Project brings nature’s beauties to brighten up Philly’s urban neighborhoods. As a nonprofit, community-based organization, the Philadelphia Orchard Project transforms vacant lots, schoolyards, community gardens and areas in low-wealth neighborhoods into green spaces to harvest useful and edible plants for the […]
Powelton Village: Lancaster Mews Gets Historic
Lancaster Mews, a row of apartments and businesses on the 3600 block of Lancaster Avenue will keep its 19th century architecture after a city commission ruled on its importance. Last month, sites around the city were given historic designations by the Philadelphia Historical Commission. Along with Mews, Satterlee Heights and the Edward Corner Building in Fishtown […]
Arts & Entertainment: Artist Tyler Teran Uses the City As His Canvas
Tyler Teran didn’t plan on being an artist. During his freshman year at Temple University, Teran hadn’t declared a major and considered studying history. But while taking a class for non-art majors, Teran realized he was happiest when creating. “It was an 8 a.m. class,” Teran said. “I don’t think I ever passed a class […]
Rittenhouse Square: Koresh Dance Company Jetés Out Of Recession
During a time when many cultural organizations were snuffed out by a dismal economic climate, the Koresh Dance Company in Rittenhouse Square was able to weather the storm. Now in the wake of the Great Recession, the company continues to grow. For Alon Koresh, executive director of the Koresh, it was simply a matter of […]
Mantua: Richard Purdie Looking For a Full House at Community Center
As president of the Mantua Haverford Community Center, Richard Purdie is the heart of the neighborhood. He saw Mantua’s need for a reliable and safe place where children could get away from crime on the street and have a good meal. As a founding member of the Concerned Citizens of Mantua, created 15 years ago, […]
Spruce Hill: Local Artists Engage West Philadelphia Communities
The stereotypical starving artist is usually a common fixture in large cities but local art is alive and well in West Philadelphia. In October, the Center for Emerging Visual Artists hosted the annual Philadelphia Open Studio Tours, which allowed visitors to get an inside look at various art studios and meet some of the local […]
Spruce Hill: Hip City Veg Opens New Branch in West Philly
Fast food doesn’t have to be bad food. Hip City Veg opened its second restaurant, located on 40th Street across from Hamilton Village, on Oct. 11. The vegan restaurant serves plant-based dishes in the form of familiar foods, such as wraps, cheesesteaks, burgers and fries. HipCityVeg opened its flagship Rittenhouse store in April 2012. “I realized […]
Powelton Village: Red Cross House Key to Resident Recovery
The Red Cross House, located at 40th Street and Powelton Avenue in West Philadelphia, is one of the most unique branches of the well known humanitarian organization. The mission of the House is to help people recover from any fire, disaster or other catastrophe they may have endured by providing a place to stay. For […]