So Many Things, Spring 2012

If you’re a local, you know there’s never a dull moment in Philly, if you’re not from here, May-June is a great time to visit. (Seriously, spring is the time to make the trip, before the sweltering heat kicks in, and the rains have let up.) Whether you love geeking out in your garden or arting it up in the streets, there is plenty to do around town, and these are just a few of the awesome adventures that I am looking forward to in the coming weeks:

LAST CHANCE Le Grand Continental OPEN TRY OUTS

When: Tuesday, June 6th 7—9pm
Where: Live Arts Studio 919 North 5th Street Philadelphia, PA 19123 [map]

Miss your chance to try out in May?!? Hear about it after the fact!?
NOW’S YOUR CHANCE to be part of one of the biggest single performances in Philadelphia’s history!

Montréal-based choreographer Sylvain Émard shatters the distinctions between line dancing and contemporary dance, creating an extremely colorful and contagious 30-minute event. Created at Montréal’s internationally renowned Festival TransAmériques (FTA) in 2009, Le Grand Continental originally featured sixty amateur dancers. Since then the show has tripled in size, most recently presented in the historic center of Mexico City with movement inspired by Latin social dancing. This time around, the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival will host the largest presentation of its kind with 200+ performers of all ages and backgrounds, ranging in experience from professional dancers to pure amateurs. It will be a line dance extravaganza filled with contagious community spirit, a show not to be missed.

Join the Largest Performance in Festival History. We want the most diverse group possible from all over Philly, so that we can show off the talent, charisma, and personality that makes our city one-of-a-kind! If you are a dancer — professional, amateur, or someone who just loves moving (even if only in front of the mirror) — WE WANT YOU! Ages 10 and up are welcome to participate. More information available at Live-Arts-Fringe.org
 

Art Fair for the Cash Poor 13

When: Saturday June 9th & Sunday 10th 12-6pm
Where: Crane Arts Building, 1400 N. American Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States, 19122 [map]

InLiquid’s Art for the Cash Poor is a fabulous annual block party-style art sale that allows art lovers the chance to meet the artists, see their work first-hand, and begin or add to their art collections without breaking the bank — all in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. Art for the Cash Poor traditionally brings together a group of talented fine artists and crafters, from the emerging, up and coming to the established. Works over the years have ranged the gamut from paintings, prints, photography, fiber arts, glass and ceramic ware, jewelry, and fashion all for under $199.

Art for the Cash Poor offers the opportunity to explore some of the city’s fresh local cuisine with some of Philadelphia’s new “Gastro Food Trucks,” while you enjoy a sampling from the local music scene. New this year! A special Preview event on Friday, June 8 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. More details coming soon!
 

The Food Trust Farmer’s Market

When: All summer long!
Where: Philadelphia! [map]

The Food Trust has been operating farmers’ markets since 1992, and currently operates farmers’ markets with community partners in diverse neighborhoods throughout southeastern Pennsylvania. By providing residents with fresh fruits and vegetables and nutrition-related educational activities and events, The Food Trust’s farmers’ markets directly impact an estimated 125,000 customers each year. The Food Trust’s staff also provides nutritional information at our markets as well as shopping tips and education about the different types of fresh fruits and vegetables found at the market.

Be sure to check out this interactive map to find your local farmers’ market, find directions to a market, look up more information about a particular market such as days and times of operation, and see what public transportation options are available.

Farm to City Farmers Markets

When: All summer long!
Where: Philadelphia!

In 2012, Farm to City will operate 16 farmers’ markets including 12 established markets, 2 existing markets in new locations, and two new markets. In addition to a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, many of the markets feature meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products from pastured animals.

Past Events (that were totally awesome!)

8th Annual Passyunk Square Civic Association Plant Sale

When: Saturday, May 5th 10-2
Where: Urban Jungle, 1528 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19147 [map]

It’s springtime – time to plant! Come shop for your plants and flowers at Urban Jungle. Support our local nursery and the Passyunk Square Civic Association. Proceeds from plant sales will go to support PSCA programming. New this year, buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win free landscape design consultation by Urban Jungle. Proceeds from the raffle will go to support PSCA programming.

Contain yourself (and your garden), Container Gardening Workshop hosted by South Philly Food Co-op

When: Sunday, May 6th 2-4
Where: Passyunk Gardens, E. Passyunk and Wharton Philadelphia, PA 19147 [map]

Join Sarah DeGiorgis, who’s been blogging for us for over a year about growing in containers, as she shows you what type of containers to use, what plants to choose and information about sun and watering. We’ll also cover transplantation and maintenance of your new container garden. We’ll have soil, seeds and tools and attendees are encouraged to bring their own containers – they don’t have to be traditional pots! Anything that can hold soil and water, has drainage holes in the bottom and is made of something non-porous is just fine.

$5 suggested donation will go directly to the Co-op. RSVP not necessary but please visit our Facebook Event page and let us know you’re coming (and spread the word to others).
 

Art Star Craft Bazaar

When: Saturday, May 12th & Sunday, May 13th, 11-6pm
Where: The Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, on Columbus Blvd, between Walnut & Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19106[map]

The Spring Art Star Craft Bazaar is an outdoor retail art/craft show that is organized & juried by Philadelphia’s Art Star Gallery & Boutique. Over 140 local & national artists have been chosen to set up shop & sell their wares at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, right along the Delaware River. The event is being held on Mother’s Day weekend this year, so come to the show to pick up a perfect, one-of-a-kind gift for mom or better yet, bring your mom to the show for a fun day on the waterfront!

Shoppers can expect high quality handmade goods that reflect the unique & often quirky aesthetic of Art Star. Art Star has hand selected a diverse collection of artists that create anything & everything, including housewares, paper goods, dolls, prints, ceramics, clothing, accessories, paintings/drawings, sculpture, and many other one-of-a-kind curiosities. All items have been handmade from a variety of mediums that include fabric, clay, glass, wood, paper & much more. The event will also include Live Music by local Philly bands presented by Philebrity, as well as tasty vegetarian/vegan friendly food. There will also be family friendly interactive art demonstrations.
 

Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby &
Trenton Avenue Arts Festival

When: Saturday, May 19th 12-6
Where: Trenton Ave & Norris, Philadelphia, PA 19125 [map]

A Kinetic Sculpture is a human-powered vehicle that also has an artistic theme. Think of parade floats on bicycles, or mummers on hand crank driven pirate ships, or an alien space ship on 2 welded together bikes, it’s zombie Amish folks, it’s a bar and bar stools on a bike, it’s anything you can dream up.

Last year the festival attracted 10,000+ attendees to 200+ booths of local arts vendors selling their handmade creations, arts organizations featuring participatory activities, and non-profit / civic organizations promoting their wonderful activities. There will be live music as well as many local food vendors serving their delicious treats.
 

Philadelphia Sculpture Gym Gallery:
Charter Member Exhibition Opening Reception

When: Saturday, May 19th 12-6
Where: South 9th Street between Federal & Fitzwater, Philadelphia PA 19147 [map]

Come see the first exhibition in the Philadelphia Sculpture Gym Gallery, featuring artwork by our Charter Members! Opening Reception: Saturday, May 19th, 12-6pm, during the Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby and Trenton Avenue Arts Festival!

Includes artwork by Gustavo Actis, Terri Aluise, Joshua Parker Coombs, Justin Grant, Darla Jackson, Michael Konrad, Stephen Millner, Jedediah Morfit, and Jennifer Welsh.
 

South 9th Street Italian Market Festival

When: Saturday, May 19th & Sunday, May 20th 10-5
Where: South 9th Street between Federal & Fitzwater, Philadelphia PA 19147 [map]

Philadelphia’s South 9th Street Italian Market is the nation’s oldest outdoor market. Our merchants invite you to join them in a one-of-a-kind celebration on the 3rd weekend in May. It’s an extravaganza for the senses — streets lined with vendors offering every Italian delicacy possible, live entertainment, fun contests and more!
 

Night Market Northern Liberties

When: Thursday, May 24th 7-11pm
Where: 2nd & Poplar, Philadelphia, PA 19123 [map]

Philadelphia’s favorite street food festival is back, celebrating the city’s ethnic restaurants, gourmet food trucks and coolest neighborhoods. New this year: Introducing the Friends of Night Market experience, a chance to support one of the city’s coolest events and, yes, drink some good beer with fellow Philly food lovers under the Friends of Night Market tent. Become a friend of Night Market and get cool stuff

What events, going-ons or happenings are you looking forward to this spring?

Leave your suggestions in the comments below!