#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Swimming together
(Photo by @photolope)
Dozens gathered outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Philadelphia on Thursday morning to show their support for a proposal in Harrisburg to require ICE agents to take off their masks. Continue reading …
With more than 300 productions, and nearly 1,200 performances, the lineup for this year’s Fringe Festival is overwhelming. Which is ironic, as many of the productions are intimate and focused on bringing the audience and performers together.
BP contributor Jane Von Bergen has been going for years — and she shares some of this year’s highlights, and approaches to help you find the exact right show for you. Continue reading …
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• A study spells out the economic and social impact of Pennsylvania’s private, independent colleges on their communities. [WHYY]
• At open house in Northeast Philly, many frustrated by lack of progress in addressing SEPTA funding. [WHYY]
• Philly’s air quality is bad and getting worse, according to the American Lung Association, which has released its latest annual report on the state of the nation’s air. [Grid]
• The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission will consider holding hearings on Penn Carey Law’s decision to pause scholarships in honor of Sadie Alexander, its first Black female graduate, and close its equal opportunity office. [Inq$]
• Philadelphians fighting FDR Park’s renovation can continue their case in city court, a judge says. [Billy Penn/WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
• The world’s most popular soccer league returns this weekend, and here are the local fan groups and bars where you can catch (almost) all of the English Premier League action. [Billy Penn]
• The Wells Fargo Center is now officially the Xfinity Mobile Arena. Billy Penn readers suggested better names last summer, though. [6ABC/Billy Penn]
• Essen Bakery owners say they closed for a mental health break. Their employees say they’ve been ghosted. [PhillyVoice]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker has no public events scheduled for today.
ON THE CALENDAR
📚 Philly Bookstore Crawl preview
⚽ Bars to watch English Premier League games
🎉 EarlyBirds Club party in Philly, Sept. 6
🏮 All about the 2025 Philly Lantern Festival
🏊🏽 Public pools in Philly 2025
🌸 27 ways to get out and enjoy the warm weather
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Friday, Aug. 15: Book Arts: Binding Community Cookbooks
Learn to craft your own card-keeper recipe book and exchange recipes (and the stories behind them) with your fellow attendees. At the Rosenbach Museum and Library. $45 tickets. (4 to 6 p.m.)
Saturday to Sunday, Aug. 16-17: UArts Pop-up with Thunderbird Salvage
Two full days of UArts Madness, with hundreds of rescued books, original artworks, thousands of prints, tools, supplies and everything the Thunderbird team could grab from the school. Saturday before 2 p.m., the priority is for UArts community to find their work and get discounted sales by showing a UArts ID. Saturday after 2 p.m. and all day Sunday, will be for sales open to the public. At Thunderbird Hall, 2856 Frankford Ave. (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 16: Three-Mile Vision Tour for the Rail Park
A historic walking tour that explores the past, present and future of the Rail Park, highlighting the potential for this project to connect thousands of Philadelphia residents and visitors to green space and each other. Around three miles, beginning at 2700 Pennsylvania Ave. and ending at Phase One of the Rail Park at 1100 Callowhill St. $9 to $20 tickets. (10 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 16: The Water Shed’s EcoFEST Block Party
Celebrate environmental resilience and community creativity with hands-on learning, local vendors, art, performances and resources. Activities include a Drop-In Science Lab, the Philly Water Bar, paper shredding, electronic recycling, the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership’s Creekmobile, an art and nature activity, poetry readings, drumming and dancing, food, raffles and free giveaways! (12 to 6 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 16: Jazz On The Ave Music Festival
The 16th annual festival in North Philly returns to Cecil B. Moore Avenue from 12 to 8 p.m. Live Performances by Suzann Christine, Safa, Dominic Patrick, Queen of the Pen, Imani “Sax Bae” Lauren, Peyton “Ms. Drumz” Bailey, Mad Beatz Philly, She’J Q’dee, and a special performance by Gab’Amour. Free.
Saturday, Aug. 16: Festival of India
Celebrate India’s Independence Day on Cherry Street Pier with various cultural organizations, Northern and Southern-style Indian cuisine, Bollywood performances, music, shopping and fun. (2 to 8 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 16: Art Under the Stars
Dress code is “barbecue fresh” for this annual summer celebration of living artists, community and life, set at the rustic Sculpture Courtyard between Kensington and Fishtown. “The art is high quality. The talent is loud. The energy is undeniable.” Live DJ, food, cocktails, gelato. $23.18 tickets. (5 to 10 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 16: Philadelphia Mosaic: Immigrant Film Showcase
Head to Fleisher Art Memorial to celebrate and amplify the voices of Philadelphia’s immigrant communities through screenings and conversations around family separation, building community and activism. Food and drink will be provided. Free; donations welcome. (6 p.m.)
Sunday, Aug. 17: Fiesta Futbolera
Immerse yourself in a soccer festival ahead of the World Cup by heading to the Italian Market for this event co-hosted by the Philadelphia Union. Where: 9th Street between Federal and Christian streets. What: 50+ food, craft and service vendors, representing the diversity of Latin America, plus live DJs and dances, a health fair led by the Consulate of Mexico, a meet & greet with Union players and family-friendly games. (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
Sunday, Aug. 17: 39th annual Philly Caribbean Festival
Get ready to dance, eat, and celebrate with music, food, lots of Caribbean fashion, and cultural pride. At Cherry Street Pier. (12 to 8 p.m.)
Sunday, Aug. 17: 8th annual Philadelphia Taco Festival
One-day taco festival at Xfinity Live! featuring 45+ taco vendors, margarita bars, a giant nacho station, Lucha Libra wrestling, kids pinata smash, tequila fights, hot chili pepper and taco-eating contests, mechanical bull riding, bounce houses, axe throwing, general vendor market, and live bands on multiple stages. Tickets are $10-$18 general admission, more for VIP. (2 to 10 p.m.)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
