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1
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Fire Museum Presents: Mourning [A] BLKstar Multi-generational, gender, genre non-conforming amalgam of Black culture, Mourning [A] BLKstar, is dedicated to sharing stories and songs of America’s unfolding apocalypse. Their music melds live instrumentation with hip-hop production creating sonic frequencies that illuminate the African Diaspora. Founded in Cleveland, the US-based Afrofuturist collective continues touring their music globally across Europe and the US, playing festivals from Crossing Border in Berlin with Lonnie Holley to Big Ears Festival and Le Guess Who? in Utrecht. A band whose importance is fast becoming evident', wrote Wire Magazine's Neil Kulkarni on Mourning [A] BLKstar. The collective, made up of musicians, writers, and multimedia artists, has a bountiful track record, amassing several releases under its belt since 2015. Their music is for both eulogies and revolutions, as they expand upon contemporary Black consciousness by forging ongoing dialogues between hip-hop production techniques and live instrumentation.Free/donations appreciated. Advance registration is not required but is appreciated. Please register HERE |
2
5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Join us for a night of reunion and entertainment. This event is all about fundraising and celebrating talent and creativity that has been in our community for over a decade. Audience members will judge the pieces showcased by Philly Reincarnated Slam Team as a way of preparing for going to Knoxville, Tennessee to represent Philly in Southern Fried National Slam. This fundraiser show will also consist of special guest artist features from various PYPM alumni. Join us for an unforgettable poetry reunion as we send this team off to nationals fully funded and grounded in community. Don't miss out on this opportunity to be a part of something special. See you there!Tickets are 2 for 1 until May 26. Click HERE for more info!
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3
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
The West Philadelphia Sanctuary invites you to Arts+Food! Come enjoy fun, connection, and community—no experience needed, just bring yourself! We'll have clay, knitting supplies, and paint supplies for a relaxing and engaging time. When: Tuesday, June 3rd, 10am-11:30am (you don't need to be here for the whole time!). This session is usually 10am-1pm but will be 10-11:30am today only Link to sign up [not required]: https://forms.gle/7gjfvy1KdQc8yWX49 What is the West Philadelphia Sanctuary? WPS represents a physical space for all people of the West Philadelphia community to gain respite and engage with one another. We aim to reduce stigma and loneliness and create a generative space in which people of all backgrounds can engage with each other. Everything is free! All are welcome! This session is usually 10am-1pm but will be 10-11:30am today only
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Practice for the balls! Vogue drop-in. All are welcome. These [almost] weekly sessions are free unless the event is a ball in which case the admission price will be stated in the event info. 6pm-9pm.
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4
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Weekly Improvised Music Session. All are welcome to come and jam if you like to play improvised music. Every Wednesday 12pm-2pm
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5
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Fire Museum Presents: An evening with Toshi Makihara: Toshi Makihara pursues non-idiomatic free improvised music using percussion and found objects / sound sites. Makihara studied drums and improvisation with Sabu Toyozumi and Butoh with the master Kazuo Ohno in Tokyo. His approach to free improvisation is founded on the process of “Becoming the Sound” without seeking any particular accomplishment. Toshi will be performing with a variety of improvisors in three different ensembles this evening. Jack Wright & Toshi Makihara duo: Jack Wright is a saxophonist in the Philadelphia area, one of the originals of American free improvisation, and still actively touring. Called "Johnny Appleseed of Free Improvisation" by guitarist Davey Williams, his playing consists of distorted pitches, precise timing, intrusive multiphonics, sudden changes of direction, obscene animalistic sounds, and occasional "real" notes. He published a book The Free Musics in 2017. Jonah Gelbart, Henry Allen & Toshi Makihara trio: Jonah Gelbart is an improviser and composer whose primary instruments are the trumpet and the shofar. He studied improvisation with Jonathan Ragonese and John Swana, and trumpet with George Rabbai and Robert Skoniczin at WCU. His work is guided by a trans-idiomatic, trans-spiritual position, and draws from innovations in contemporary creative music, European postwar modernism, and various global traditional musics. Henry Allen is a Philadelphia-based multi-instrumentalist with a focus on improvisation that aligns with and transcends idiomatic concepts found in rock, jazz, and 20th-century classical music. While heavily involved with the world of experimental and often highly technical rock and jazz music on the electric guitar, he also studies Western art music and the French horn. Relentlessly seeking to push the boundaries of his own understanding of all music and its creative process, Henry Allen draws inspiration from improvisatory rock and jazz music, the visual arts, the history of Western esotericism, personal meditation practices, and, above all, his fellow improvising musicians. intermission Fuzai (Victor Vieira-Branco + Toshi Makihara): Victor Vieira-Branco is a Brazilian/American vibraphonist, having spent the 2010s in the vibrant São Paulo music scene. While Bark Culture is Vieira-Branco’s primary vehicle as a leader, his performances include work with Rob Mazurek’s Exploding Star Orchestra, the Chad Taylor Quintet, and as active as an improviser having performed with Toshi Makihara, Ken Vandermark, Dorothy Carlos, Ben Hall, Jaribu Shahid and others. Toshi Makihara photo by Ken Weiss Admission is FREE/donations accepted. |
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7
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Saturday June 7th, 1pm-5pm. Live readings from S/He Speaks 3: Voices of Women, Trans & Nonbinary Folx
free
with readings by some of the writers whose poems/essays appear in this year's edition of S/He Speaks: Voices of Women, Trans & Nonbinary Folx. Q&A to follow. Copies of the anthology will be available for purchase (cash only).* Lisa Acerbo* Connelly Akstens* Grace Biddle* Mary Lou Buschi* Morgan Caudill* Constance Clark* Coalter* Kenna DeValor* Grace Dignazio* Marcia Emiliano* Cory Finch* Angela Yeungyung Lee* Travis Lusk* Ezra Mars* Naila Mathews * Riley McKibben* Adesuwa Olumhense* Sam Poliarco* C. Joi Sanchez* Megha Sood* M.J. Stanley* Cassendre Xavier* Samari ZyskReaders are subject to change
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8
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
D.I.M.E. Universal LLC in conjunction with The Philadelphia Peace Initiative presents Relax Your Mind and Let Your Conscious FlowSpoken Vocal SoundsOPEN MIC and featuresDoors open at 11amBenefits the TWAH (Thriving While at Home) Initiative Small business marketplaceDonation at the door: $20light refreshments providedTo feature, please contact info.dimeuniversal@protonmail.com
8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Thurman Barker. Growing up in Chicago in the 1950s, Thurman Barker was exposed to the city’s rich musical heritage, regularly hearing R&B, doo-wop, soul, jazz and blues musics. Accordingly, he began his professional career at age seventeen by anchoring the rhythm section for blues legend Mighty Joe Young. He then attended the American Conservatory of Music and later Roosevelt University where he received classical training. While serving as percussionist for the city’s Shubert Theatre throughout much of the 1960s, Thurman played for numerous national touring productions, including “Hair,” “The Wiz,” “Grease,” “One Mo’ Time” and “Ain’t Misbehavin’.” A versatile drummer and percussionist, Barker also performed with singers Billy Eckstine, Marvin Gaye, Bette Midler and Vicki Carr, and worked with classical groups like the Chicago Chamber Players and the New York City Opera. Perhaps Thurman Barker’s most notable musical experience has been with the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM), an organization founded in the 1960s to promote innovative music and its players. A charter member of the group, Thurman first appeared in AACM productions with Joseph Jarman’s pioneering ensemble. He then went on to play with many other members, including Muhal Richard Abrams, Amina Claudine Meyers, Anthony Braxton, Leroy Jenkins, Roscoe Mitchell and Henry Threadgill. In the 1970s and ‘80s, after moving to New York, Barker worked with jazz giants Cecil Taylor, Sam Rivers and Billy Bang, touring with their groups and recording numerous albums with them. Most recently, Thurman has performed with trombonist and composer George Lewis at the Festival International Musique Actuelle in Victoriaville, Quebec. Since creating Uptee Records in the late 1980s, Barker has released seven recordings as a leader, including Voyage (1987), The Way I Hear It (1999), Time Factor (2001), Strike Force (2004) and Rediscovered (2008), South Side Suite (2017) and Impact (2023, his first CD featuring chamber music. In 1994, his work “Dialogue,” commissioned by Mutable Music, premiered at Merkin Concert Hall in New York City. The Woodstock Chamber Orchestra premiered Thurman’s chamber piece, “Expansions,” in May 1999, and that same year he became a lecturer at Smolny University in St. Petersburg, Russia.Tara Middleton Tara Middleton is a dynamic vocalist, violinist and lyricist. Her performances are shaped by honesty and a deep connection to the moment. She is the lead vocalist for the grammy nominated Sun Ra Arkestra and makes new work with her cosmic duo Jupiter Blue, a project rooted in sonic sound, and creative freedom. Her music draws from jazz, experimental traditions, and her own spiritual roots. Whether on violin or voice, Tara plays with purpose centered in truth and guided by instinct.Terry Lawson is a Philadelphia powerhouse. Originally from Roanoke, Virgina, Terry studied and performed in the Howard University Jazz Ensemble under the tutelage of Donald Byrd. Moving to Philadelphia, he has spent decades performing with the likes of the Odean Pope Sax Choir, The Sun Ra Arkestra, The Hip Ensemble under the direction of Roy Haynes, Sonic Liberation Front with Kevin Diehl, Larry Young's Organ Ensemble, The Stylistics, the Sam Reed Ensemble, and Leon Mitchell's Bid Band. Terry has also performed with organist Butch Cornell, trombonist Tyrone Hill, drummer Sunny Murray, bassist Jamaaledeen Tacuma, and more. Terry considers himself a student of Donald Byrd, Marshall Allen, David Baker, and Odean Pope. Carlos Santiago is a violinist, improvisor, and composer. Although he is well equipped to play within the classical tradition, Carlos chooses a path of self expression through the art of free improvisation, welcoming the challenges of spontaneous composition and deeper, active, listening. For decades he has operated within new music ensembles and improvisation groups (Arcana Ensemble, Network For New Music, The People's Music Supply), played in math rock/fusion groups (Normal Love, G. Calvin Weston), performed to silent films with "Not So Silent Cinema", and has recorded with many artists. He is also the founder of Arcx String quartet, and a former founding member of the Bismuth String Quartet. Salina Kuo is a singer/songwriter, percussionist, self-taught guzhengist, improviser, and educator, based in Philadelphia (Lenape territory). They have a deep admiration for black American music, world folk, free improvisation, and 60s/70s fem singer/songwriters. They write music that blends genres and utilizes uncommon instrumentation to create a unique yet cohesive and familiar sound. By confronting personal experiences with grief, depression, and love, Kuo’s storytelling invites listeners into their world and share in their healing. They release music under St. John’s Wort (vibraphone indie-pop/rnb/soul) and River Full of Fruit (freak-folk chamber orchestra). Their debut full-length album is forthcoming. They have performed in venues across the U.S. and Canada, ranging from basements to art galleries to concert halls.Pete Dennis (they/he) is a musician, improviser, composer, visual artist, and teacher. Living in West Philadelphia, Dennis is inspired by their beautiful community and the future. Other ever present inspirations include William Parker, the works of Octavia E. Butler, their partner Abigail, and the knowledge that all vibrations carry the potential to transmit the truths of life and death. Dennis’s recorded creations are released using the project name Search for the Infinite Light and include but are not limited to Killing a Dixie Hummingbird (2019), World’s End Welcoming Committee (2021), and pastē (2022). Their most current projects and collaborations include 99 Futures, Oarsman, Mitamu, St. John’s Wort, and an ongoing poetry/bass duet performance with Abigail Swoboda. They believe that sound is the foundation of healing and would like to acknowledge all master improvisers of the past,present, and future.Dan Blacksberg. Appearing everywhere from West Philly basements to Carnegie Hall, trombonist, composer, and educator Dan Blacksberg connects people, sounds, and cultures in respectful and vitalizing ways. Acknowledged as the foremost practitioner of klezmer trombone and a respected voice in jazz and experimental music, Dan creates music inside and outside known genres, from danceable klezmer melodies on his album Radiant Others, to genre-busting projects like his Hasidic doom metal band Deveykus. He has performed and recorded with artists such as klezmer masters Elaine Hoffman Watts and Adrienne Cooper, and experimentalists like Anthony Braxton and extreme doom metal band The Body. His latest solo record, The Psychic/Body Sound System has been called “a powerful improvised statement that blends wild soundscapes and drone with gnarled extended technique and commanding free trombone flights (Nick Metzger, Freejazzblog.org).” He also makes the Radiant Others Klezmer Podcast.Julius Masri is a Philadelphia based multi instrumentalist, and performer/composer for the city's dance community at large. Born in Tripoli, Lebanon, he moved to the States in 1990 and began drumming a year later. He studied with Philadelphia instructors Carl Mottola, Elaine Hoffman-Watts, and as an undergraduate at Bard College, with AACM's Thurman Barker, Richard Teitelbaum, and Joan Tower. Julius plays drums, circuit modified Casio keyboards, Oud, Kamancheh (aka Rabab, Spike Fiddle), and various other instruments. He currently performs in groups such as grind/crust metal bands Night Raids, Nomad War Machine, free jazz groups Humanosity Project and Dromedaries, trombone and synth duo Superlith, and more. In 2021, he released a solo album "The Arabic Room" under the name of Mephisto Halabi. Julius is a recipient of a 2022 Yaddo Fellowship for composition, as well as the 2022 University of the Arts Creative Research and Innovation grant.Donations appreciated.
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9
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
BE LOUDA creative workshop for trans/nonbinary adults to play and sing together7pm-9 pmFREE!Explore your voice and practice taking up space in this affirming, trans-only workshop. To experience play, to be silly, joyful, relaxed, and expressive is an act of resistance in a time when we are being silenced. We will not be silenced! We will take up physical and sonic space. We will speak up with joy, embody confidence, and celebrate ourselves and each other, even as the world tells us we don’t exist. We will embrace mistakes, and the complex, messy, multi-dimensional experience of existing as a human being. Your whole self is welcome here! No experience necessary. 18+. “Experimenting with sound was delightful and freeing.” -Past workshop participantFacilitated by Julie Lipson and Miles Crabtree, music therapists, performers in Ants on a Log, and long-time creators of community-music shenanigans. @antsonalogmusic @innerrhythmsphillyGrant funding provided by the Stockton Rush Bartol Foundation and the Marrazzo Family Foundation. Questions? Email InnerRhythmsTherapy@gmail.com |
10
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
The West Philadelphia Sanctuary invites you to Clay Studio at The Rotunda! Come enjoy fun, connection, and community—no experience needed, just bring yourself! Learn clay art with our friends at The Clay Studio, who will bring their Claymobile, which is a “pop-up” ceramics studio! When: Tuesday, June 10th, 10am-1pm (you don't need to be here for the whole time!) Where: The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street Link to sign up: https://forms.gle/vUZW6Y6dSeKPevdM6 What is the West Philadelphia Sanctuary? WPS represents a physical space for all people of the West Philadelphia community to gain respite and engage with one another. We aim to reduce stigma and loneliness and create a generative space in which people of all backgrounds can engage with each other. Everything is FREE!
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Practice for the balls! Vogue drop-in. All are welcome. These [almost] weekly sessions are free unless the event is a ball in which case the admission price will be stated in the event info. 6pm-9pm.
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11
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Weekly Improvised Music Session. All are welcome to come and jam if you like to play improvised music. Every Wednesday 12pm-2pm
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
The Bucket List Live Performance Competition. Up to 8 artists can win cash. 7:30pm Sharp. $15
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12
7:00 PM - 9:15 PM
Join cinéSPEAK, Queer Asian Social Club, and The Dazey Phase for the Philadelphia Premiere of DESIRE LINES (2024)!Event Flow:Doors: 6:30 PMRemarks: 7:00 PMFilm: 7:05-8:30 PMQ&A with Director Jules Rosskam and lead actor Aden Hakimi After the discussion, mix and mingle with QASC and the cinéSPEAK team at Renata's Kitchen for some late-night drinks and bites (the kitchen remains open until 10 PM). *Pay-as-you-go*
Film Info: Dir. Jules Rosskam / 2024 / US / English / 1 hr 21 min An Iranian American transman portals through the LGBTQ+ archive on a dizzying and erotic quest to unravel his own sexual desires.
Ticketing: Tickets are sliding scale and no one will be turned away for lack of funds; 25% of ticket sales benefit GALAEI —Serving the Latinx community while widening our embrace, GALAEI now provides services, support and advocacy for all Queer, Trans, Indigenous and People of Color (QTBIPOC) communities. Purchase HERE |
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14
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Open House/Info Session for United Block Captains Association Hospital Summer Fun Program
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
The Game Show Game Show at 3pm EasternIn this virtual event, contestants play mini-games based on classic game shows while competing for a $100 prize. The Game Show Game Show is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for host Michael Broussard. Ever since he was a kid in the 70s and 80s, playing hooky so he could watch game shows all day, he has dreamed of hosting one himself. When Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak retired, he was sure they would call him to take over. But alas, the call never came. So, he decided to make his dream come true by creating a show of his own.Potential contestants should email three interesting things about themselves to michaelbroussardarts@gmail.com.PAY WHAT YOU CAN tickets at: https://gameshowgameshow.eventbrite.comPlease register at the link above in order to receive the link to this virtual event.
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15
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16
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
African American Resource Center (AARC) at the University of Pennsylvania presents For the L.O.V.E. and L.I.F.E. of Our Children, in commemoration of "THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD"Reflections • Re-awakenings • Re-centering • Recognitions • Refreshments6pm-8pmThe Day of the African Child (DAC) was launched by the Assembly of Heads of State of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1991 to be commemorated on June 16 each year. The DAC pays tribute to the 1976 student uprising in Soweto, South Africa, which resulted in the killings of students who demonstrated against the poor quality of education they received and demanding to be taught in their own language by the apartheid regime. Over the years, the Day has been an opportunity for all stakeholders and actors involved in the protection and promotion of children's rights in Africa to come together, to consolidate common goals and to tackle the obstacles that stand in the way of achieving an Africa fit for its children. Admission is FREE. Registration helps us to anticipate how to set up the room and how much food to bring. Please register HERE
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17
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Legendary Philly Mother Symiira @mirdaloner , Legendary Wally 007 @w.allace & Icon Sajuan Presents:The Pride Month Kiki Lounge - Mini BallFREE ENTRY1 FREE ENTRY! FREE ENTRY• ALL CATEGORIES ARE JUST BRING IT • EACH CATEGORY WILL HAVE $5 REDEMPTION • EVERY CATEGORY WILL BE FOR MONEY/GIFTCARD & A TROPHY 6-10PM! BE ON TIM!• MC’s of The Night: Jawn Mona Lisa & Kurt Unbothered-Cartier @dabqkurt • DJ of The Night: NYC’s TheTaurux @itsthetaurux THE ENTIRE BALL WILL BE LIVE STREAMED FROM @theekikiscene YOUTUBE CHANNEL SO MAKE SURE YOU’RE SUBSCRIBED & TUNED INAdmission is FREE
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18
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Weekly Improvised Music Session. All are welcome to come and jam if you like to play improvised music. Every Wednesday 12pm-2pm
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
SUMMER SOLSTICE ARTS CELEBRATION RETURNS TO WEST PHILADELPHIA Poet-Tree En Motion Presents Arts Showcase with Free Fire Performing, Live Music and Movement Meditations June 18 at The Rotunda
WEST PHILADELPHIA – Poet-tree En Motion returns Wednesday, June 18 to light up the summer solstice with live local art! Join from 7–9 p.m. at The Rotunda in West Philadelphia for a free multidisciplinary arts showcase that will ignite your senses and feed your soul.
The summer solstice brings passion and creativity. There will be an ample supply of both at this event with presentations of dance-theater, spoken-word poetry, movement meditations and live music. An incendiary fire show will culminate the night’s festivities.
Performer/Artist Lineup: Plum Dragoness – spoken word, dance and meditative movement KillerWhale – high-energy funk, ’80s synth-pop and hip-hop fusion Angi Vita – live painting magic Lucid Melody – soulful singer-songwriter vibes B.A.D. Blaze – blazing fire show with Ambra Renee, Bryce Adams and special guest Jules Weingart DJ JusFresh – hip-hop and old school R&B DJ’ed beats Valentina Sounds – indie-folk singer-songwriter
Bring your friends, your curiosity, and your summer spirit. It’s free, open to all, and not to be missed!
The Poet-tree En Motion is supported by grants from the University of Pennsylvania. Admission is free. Tips are welcome and encouraged for the individual artists.
For information about Poet-tree En Motion, email de Burke at plumdragoness@gmail.com. To be updated about the seasonal events, join the Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/116980678334215.
POET-TREE EN MOTION works to inspire both artist and audience to connect and work together toward cultivating the arts community in Philadelphia, welcoming artists of all kinds to experience performances local to the neighborhood.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Gabrielle de Burke (artist Plum Dragoness) Founder/Event Organizer Poet-tree En Motion 484-557-9605 plumdragoness@gmail.com
EVENT LISTINGS: Poet-tree En Motion Summer Solstice Celebration 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, June 18 at The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St. Philadelphia, Pa. 19104. The event is free to the community and will feature chi-gong, yogic arts, a fire performance, live music, live painting, and spoken-word poetry.
ARTIST BIOS:
Plum Dragoness (aka Gabrielle de Burke) Native to West Philadelphia, Plum Dragoness is a multi-talented thespian, dancer, martial artist, instructor, poetess, and writer who has been involved with performing arts since childhood. She is known for her poetic style, vocal performance, fire dance, flow arts, and choreographic flair throughout Philadelphia and abroad.
She has toured as a solo artist, founding member/core performer/assistant artistic director of Archedream for HumanKind among many others. She has independently released two albums of original work with the project Plum Dragoness & the Elements, known for its fusion of multimedia, live world-beat musical infusions, spoken-word vocals, and lyrical poetry. She has also helped bring together the all-female performance group trio The Femme-Mynistiques, who released their debut EP “Here She Comes…” in the summer of 2016.
Since 2007, Plum Dragoness has been a resident performance artist, as well as host and organizer for the successful performing arts series Poet-tree En Motion. This has allowed her the opportunity to share her own creative performances (including collaborative projects she initiated) and work created by many unique artists within the West Philadelphia community and beyond.
Her work as a healing arts practitioner and instructor continues to intersect with her work as an interdisciplinary performance artist through the incorporation of internal and martial arts forms in combination with dance, poetry, and theater presentation. She has been teaching in the Philadelphia area and abroad since 2000.
Instagram: @plumdragoness @dragonspiritarts @authentic.eccentrics
DJ_JusFresh (aka Justin Wakefield) DJ JusFresh’s style is hip-hop and old-school R&B party music. He was born and raised in Mt. Airy, Philadelphia. A Germantown resident, DJ Jusfresh has loved music since studying piano and theory as a toddler at Settlement Music School. He continued his love of the arts during his years at The William Penn Charter School and Penn State University. Today he is one of the best-kept secrets in Philadelphia's deep DJ scenes due to his open-format style and ability to play to any audience.
DJ_JusFresh on Instagram / Justin Wakefield Facebook profile
LucidMelody (aka Alexa Lahr) LucidMelody is a Philadelphia creative and yogi who will sing and play original songs. Also cofounder of Inspiration Station. She strives to cultivate creative spaces for people to inspire each other. She also loves to create jewelry, candles and clothing. She always works to stay well-rounded in her arts.
@_lucidmelody on Instagram
Valentina Sounds Valentina Sounds is an Italian-born, Philadelphia-based multi-talented creative. Her music draws from personal experiences, transforming challenges into messages of hope and resilience. Sarcastic, introspective, catchy and upbeat, Valentina will draw you in with her powerful vocals, compelling arrangements and heartfelt lyrics. She performs honest personal stories with a catchy pop twist.
Music video "Eat The Chocolate" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZTbY5G4KJE Music video "For both of us" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyCNi4ZRUDo @valentinasounds on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube @valentinasoundslessons on TikTok
KillerWhale Featured in Season 5 of Netflix’s Queer Eye and the brother of Grammy-winning artist Macy Gray, Nathon McIntyre—aka KillerWhale—is a Philadelphia-based artist and community builder blending music, movement, and mission. As the founder of Bodyrock Bootcamp, a hip-hop-infused, community-first fitness space in West Philly, he brings people together through rhythm, storytelling, and sweat. KillerWhale’s sound fuses high-energy funk, 80s synth-pop, and hip-hop into a sound that’s both nostalgic and futuristic—like Rick James piloting the Millennium Falcon on a mission to spread funk throughout the galaxy. From rooftop concert series to the Open Sweat Jam Festival and his underground music collective Privacy Policy, KillerWhale is building a funk-powered movement rooted in unity, rebellion, and joy. With roots in DIY culture and a mission to make movement and music tools for liberation, KillerWhale isn’t just an artist—he’s a movement.
Bryce Iz Nyce Bryce Iz Nyce is a dynamic force of movement and spectacle, blending athleticism with artistry in every performance. As a masterful fire spinner specializing in intricate poi tricks, Bryce lights up the night with hypnotic displays of skill and rhythm. Beyond the flames, he’s a professional Parkour and free-running athlete who has competed on the world stage in World Chase Tag, pushing the limits of speed, agility, and creativity. Off the course, Bryce shares his passion by teaching Parkour to kids and young adults, inspiring the next generation to move with confidence, discipline, and freedom. Whether leaping across rooftops or spinning fire under the stars, Bryce brings energy, precision, and heart to everything he does.
Ambra Renee Ambra Renee is a dynamic multidisciplinary performance artist known for her playful, powerful presence onstage. Creator of the hilariously absurd roller-skating act Esther Rollz, she blends comedy, character work, and physicality in dazzling ways.
A skilled fire spinner, and trained in heels and burlesque, Ambra’s work spans the sacred, the sensual, and the downright silly—always inviting her audience into a world of bold movement and unexpected joy.
Follow the sparkle; follow the flame. Ambra Renee: where the magic rolls in.
B.A.D. Blaze Special Guest Fire Performer - Fae Effervescent With wind under her wings and fire to light her path, Fae Effervescent performs, enchants and mesmerizes with her fire dance. Fae appeals to the inner child inside each of us with her joy in movement and illuminated flow. She is ancient fire magic playfully casting spells of awe and wonder wherever she performs.
Angi Vita Angi Vita is a visual artist who will present live body painting and may paint faces of random audience members. |
19
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
The Bigga Dre Juneteenth Celebration 2025 is Philadelphia’s premier cultural event honoring Black freedom, resilience, and excellence. Spearheaded by renowned community leader and event curator Bigga Dre (Amun Sen Hotep Re), this annual celebration has become a vital space for connection, empowerment, and cultural expression in the city.Rooted in the legacy of Juneteenth—the historic commemoration of the emancipation of enslaved African Americans—this event is a vibrant reflection of Philadelphia’s Black community and its ongoing contributions to art, activism, and progress. Attendees can expect a powerful blend of live performances, spoken word, educational programming, and showcases of local Black-owned businesses and creatives.More than a celebration, this event serves as a platform to uplift voices, create opportunities, and educate the broader public on the significance of Juneteenth. Bigga Dre’s vision has turned a day of remembrance into a dynamic gathering that unites generations and builds lasting community pride.Join us in 2025 as we continue the tradition of honoring the past, celebrating the present, and investing in the future—right here in the heart of Philadelphia.Support Culture. Empower Community. Celebrate Freedom.The Bigga Dre Juneteenth Celebration is more than just an event—it's a movement that brings people together to honor the past, uplift the present, and inspire the future. By donating, you're helping create a space where families can gather, artists can shine, small businesses can thrive, and history is proudly celebrated.Your contribution helps us provide: • Free access to entertainment, food, and education for the community.• Youth engagement and cultural enrichment • A safe, inclusive environment for everyone to celebrate the meaning of JuneteenthJuneteenth is about freedom, resilience, and unity. Help us make this year's celebration bigger, brighter, and more impactful than ever. Donate today and be a part of something powerful.Donations appreciated. Suggested donation: $19DOWNLOAD: officialbiggadre.hearnow.com SUBSCRIBE:https://youtube.com/@officialbiggadre?si=zkpeGHV4idLvZj0Thttps://youtube.com/shorts/9izmQnwVD7c?si=KkxDwRwCyfKIw90LSIGN THE PETITION:https://www.change.org/p/bring-ebony-alert-law-to-pennsylvania-eschatology-bringourgirlsback-bringourboysback
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20
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Come celebrate Black Music Month with the sounds of West Philly’s own Blues man, Joe Becton of the Cobalt Blues Band. Learn about some cool upcoming events with Becton Tours and SHE’s GG events and view the THE PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF NEIGHBORHOODS (PMON) exhibit at The Rotunda. This is located downstairs on the east basement level of The Rotunda. This particular area is not ADA accessible. 6pm-8pm. Admission is FREE. More info: Shegg910@gmail.com
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24
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Practice for the balls! Vogue drop-in. All are welcome. These [almost] weekly sessions are free unless the event is a ball in which case the admission price will be stated in the event info. 6pm-9pm.
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25
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Weekly Improvised Music Session. All are welcome to come and jam if you like to play improvised music. Every Wednesday 12pm-2pm
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9:00 PM - 11:59 PM
The Gathering! breakin, DJs, ciphers, and more. So pull up! 9pm-1am. Admission is $3 before 10pm, $5 after. The most ill, most raw, most authentic since 1996. Every last Thursday of the month.
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6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Doors at 6:30Future Smoke issue #1An afrocosmic future-punk zine in real time. Post-xerox futurity through workshops, rituals, meditations, performances done in a DIY, cut-n-paste style, through a queer informed Black lens. Alex Smith: the superhero as a response to oppression, the avatar as an embodied link to creation, creation and myth as an alternative to “turnt” and “crunk” cultural normativity Warren Longmire: poet with multimedia, song and visual accompaniment, a journey through the adinkra in jazz poeticsDeep Space Mind: meditative practices and realignment with spirit and radical activism, using sci-fi and speculative fiction for empowerment$10 donation
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10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
WELL.YES LGBT+ Youth Symposium: Stigma to Strength. 10am-4:30pmThe Symposium indoor activities are geared towards Black and Brown LGBT+ students ages 13-24; outdoor activities are open to the public. Please register HERE 
6:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Join Us for the WELL.YES Dunk & Pumps: KiKi Lounge! 6PM–11PMA bold fusion of style, health, and culture—this FREE evening event celebrates Black & Brown LGBTQIA+ folks of all ages through runway, performance, wellness, and joy. Categories: Walk a Mile in My Louis Vuittons - OTA Runway: Strut in an all-red look that celebrates the beauty of HIV advocacy. Your fit should reflect a journey—from stigma to strength. Kiss My Kicks, Clock My Mug - OTA Face: Face card stays valid—and your sneakers must match the message. Think ribbon laces, glittered slogans, or glow-in-the-dark condoms for a full glam-to-ground prevention serve. Activated by Access in "The Statement Look” - GNC Best Dressed: Show us what thriving looks like in a fit rooted in care and access. Wear PrEP blue, pill-bottle orange, or pharmacy yellow. Come laced with intention. Full Court Press - OTA Performance: In sportswear-inspired fashion with a visible message about sexual health. This is ballroom meets game day—score on stigma, don’t fumble prevention. Handle with Consent - OTA Hand Performance: Serve precision and story through your hands—but your tens require more than technique. Gloves must feature a consent-affirming message, painted, printed, or sewn with purpose. Sophistication @ Every Step - Trans Man – Executive Realness: You’re the president of the board, serve corporate realness with a sneaker twist and answer aloud: What does trans-masculine sexual health mean to you? Hey Sole-SISTERS - Tag Team Realness: Two femmes. Two twin looks. One unshakable bond. Walk the runway repping peer support through HIV care—sisterhood, solidarity, and stomping out stigma. Boots on the Ground - Butch Queen Realness: You’re not just marching—you’re moving mountains. Come as the peer navigator, the street outreach icon, or the grassroots king—boots mandatory because real change takes real steps. Reeboks with the Straps: Bizarre: Construct your look using real sneaker parts—straps, tongues, soles, or logos—and let your outfit deliver the message. This is where prevention meets performance art: wearable sculpture meets public health PSA. GRAND PRIZE: We’re Live: Dunks, Pumps, & Public Health! Your house is the campaign crew—featuring a Trans Woman, Trans Man, and Trans Nonbinary/GNC team member as Anchor, Camera Op, and Director of Photography. The Anchor must deliver one STI prevention method and a fact about its effectiveness—on-air and in character. Dressed for the camera with sneakers or heels that speak just as loud as your stats.
Please RSVP HERE
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11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
WE ARE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS We are very excited to announce our new volunteer program aimed to strengthen ties between our friends & neighbors and the arts & culture happenings at our venue. We welcome volunteers who would enjoy assisting local DIY event curators with a wide variety of light and fun tasks that support the flow of events. We are also looking for organizations and small businesses interested in providing small scale TLC to our historic building. We graciously encourage whatever you would like to offer! Bring your ideas! So come out Sunday June 29 at 11:00am, meet some staff, get a tour of the venue, and learn some history and background! We’ll provide light refreshments and good vibes! |
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Event Categories
- Education
- Poet-tree en Motion
- Philly Youth Poetry Night
- Bright Bulb Screening Series (formerly Andrew's Video Vault)
- Ars Nova Workshop
- Bowerbird Presents Gate
- The Gathering
- Open Mic
- Philly Fringe Festival
- 40th Street Summer Series
- Event Horizon
- Bowerbird Liminal States Series
- The Bigger Picture (TBP) workshop series (formerly Vision Driven Artist Workshop Series)
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