#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Shades of green in West Kensington
(Photo by @thetinybun)
As the train station undergoes a multiyear renovation, its food hall has shuttered and options are limited. Chef Sunflower, who has a pop-up there, is broadening the menu with plant-based alternatives — and shining brightly. Continue reading …
Video games are sometimes viewed as a solo activity. But e-sports companies are trying to figure out how to bring people together.
Now, esports pioneer Nerd Street is expanding its Philly partnerships by hosting a youth sports league at several Free Library of Philadelphia branches this fall, that will use a popular game and bring gamers together at the libraries. Continue reading …
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• RFK Jr. demanded that prestigious scientific journal retract a vaccine study. Its Philly-based editor, a Jefferson Health physician, refused. [Inq$]
• With SEPTA cuts looming, Philly looks to increase parking enforcement, add “pop-up” lots and make other mitigation efforts. [WHYY/CBS3]
• After 2 years of controversy, public backlash, staff departures and leadership changes, the Mütter Museum announces a new human remains policy. [WHYY]
• ‘The most dangerous street in Philadelphia’: Speed cameras will soon go live along Broad Street, about every mile between East Oak Lane and South Philly. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
• The Free Library’s much-anticipated Fall 2025 Author Events lineup runs Sept. 3 through Nov. 12, and will welcome 24+ literary luminaries, from local leaders to a sitting Supreme Court Justice, Pulitzer Prize winners and international bestsellers. [Wooder Ice]
• 16 critically endangered western Santa Cruz tortoises born to very old parents nearly 100 years old got a slow walk and the red carpet treatment Wednesday at a Philadelphia Zoo event to show off the highly prized hatchlings. [AP]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker has no public events scheduled for today.
ON THE CALENDAR
📚 Philly Bookstore Crawl, Aug. 23
🎉 EarlyBirds Club party in Philly, Sept. 6
🏮 All about the 2025 Philly Lantern Festival
🏊🏽 Public pools in Philly 2025
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Thursday, Aug. 21: Boot Scoot w/ DJ Hugo
A free country line dancing event hosted on the roof of Bok. Start with a free lesson, then stay for an evening of showing off your moves. (6 to 9 p.m.)
Friday, Aug. 22: Fourth on Friday around South Street
Every Fourth Friday hosts sidewalk sales, food & drink specials, live performances, art shows, pop-up shops, and more. All day.
Friday, Aug. 22: Storyville: Bumpa by Kayla Naomi Watkins
This work-in-progress documentary will explore the Afro-Caribbean dance “whining,” alongside the practice of twerking, to analyze respectability politics, pressures to accommodate whiteness, and gendered criticism of sexual expression within the Black diaspora. $5 tickets at Scribe Video Center. (7 to 9 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 23: Summer aBroad Health Fest
A morning pop-up hub of health and wellness activities like dance fitness, outdoor yoga, sound baths, DIY flower bouquets, vendors and more. (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 23: Society Hill Sacred Sites Tour
Meet at the gates of St. Peters Church at 313 Pine St. for this guided audio tour of Philly’s history of welcoming worshipers of many faiths. $18 tickets. (10 a.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 23: Fungadelphia 2025
The second annual celebration of all things mushrooms is at the Schuylkill Center and includes guided trail walks, live music, mushroom- and nature-themed art, guided Shroomscape gameplay, DIY naturally-dyed mushrooms, myco alchemy and tincture making, and food demos. Plus lectures on fungi! And food and yoga. Free. (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 23: Urban Art Fest 52
The second annual explosion of creativity, music and community in West Philly. A celebration of visual arts, live music, culture and connection. 50+ local and emerging artists, 4 live bands, kids art stations and more. Free; RSVP required. (12 to 7 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 23: Friends of FDR Park Summer Music Fest
The inaugural fest celebrates the diverse cultures and communities that represent FDR Park with live music, great food and fun activities for kids. At the Lakes. (1 to 6 p.m.)
Saturday & Sunday, Aug. 23-24: KPop Demon Hunters sing-along event
Four Bourse screenings this weekend will allow kids and kids at heart to live their karaoke dreams while watching the hit Netflix movie. $15.50 adults and $13.50 seniors/students. (Saturday at 3:15 and 6 p.m.; Sunday at 1 and 3:15 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 23: Bald Fest
For the bald headed and bald at heart, all are welcome to 3600 Grays Ferry Ave. for this free show. BYOB/BYOW. (5 to 7 p.m.)
Sunday, Aug. 24: Split Thy Skull: Reemergence, at Doom Bar
A celebration of heavy, dark, and adventurous beverages, art, and music. Some of the gnarliest bevs will be available, with support from local artists and a metal soundtrack. The event returns to Philly after an initial run from 1995 to 2017. $45.10 tickets raise money for Circular Philadelphia’s mission of focusing on sustainability and true recycling/minimal waste. (2 p.m.)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
