Fun Things To Do This Weekend
REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM FUN TIMES MAGAZINE
The wait is over. Fall officially is here this week! Summer brought the heat. But September will bring the cool. So, put some fun in your fall with these cool (low cost or free) entertainment offerings.
City To proclaim ‘Nigerian Independence Day In Philadelphia’
Thursday, October 1, 2026. It will be a day of pride and patriotism. FunTimes will proudly and passionately celebrate “Nigerian Independence Day in Philadelphia,” with a local flag-raising, FunTimes’ leadership awards, and traditional ceremonial African gowning outside of Philadelphia City Hall. The program will feature prominent city and state political leaders. Event emcees are Leah Uko, Press Secretary & Deputy Director of Communications,/Mayor Cherelle Parker, and journalist & mutli-media storyteller Nkwa Asonye.
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Since 1960, October 1st has officially marked Nigeria’s independence from Great Britain. Communities in the Greater Philadelphia area freely wave the vertical bands of green, white, and green annually. Nigeria is often referred to as the “Giant of Africa” for its large population and economy. Nigeria is the welcoming home of more than 250 ethnic groups, and Philadelphia is populated by at least 4,000 residents of Nigerian descent.
Free registration is encouraged; 12:00 p.m. to 1 p.m.EST. Flag-raising /Awards. Philadelphia City Hall/ apron on north side of City Hall, 1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd. E-mail: in**@**************ne.com, 215-954-6300 or funtimesmagazine.com
A Deep Look Into Mr. Soul!
Friday, September 25, 2026. Check out Mr. SOUL!: A Screening & Community Conversation, a cool documentary about Ellis Haizlip and the groundbreaking television program SOUL! The film will be presented by DGriot Café in Germantown. The documentary looks at Ellis Haizlip and the trailblazing TV program SOUL!, which created a space for Black artists, writers, musicians, thinkers, and queer voices to freely express themselves through politics, music, literature, and culture. Mr. SOUL! Takes a deep dive into Haizlip’s vision and the people who helped bring SOUL! to life. After the screening, take part in a relevant community conversation about the film.
$25.31 per ticket; 6 p.m. EST to 9 p.m. EST. d’griot gallery, 51 Maplewood Mall. 267-875-2319 or https://www.eventbrite.com
Saxophonist-composer Isaiah Collier.
Collier Works At Playing Coltrane
Friday, September 25, 2026. Check out Collier Plays Coltrane, as Chicago’s sax star Isaiah Collier and the Chosen Few perform innovative interpretations and original compositions inspired by the great John Coltrane. The concert will pay tribute to the 60th anniversary of Coltrane’s masterpiece, A Love Supreme, and with the spirit and energy of a Coltrane riff, look towards Coltrane’s centennial.
Devotee Collier has even used the same recording equipment that was part of Coltrane’s ‘Love Supreme’ on his own albums. 7 p.m. EST to 9 p.m. EST. The performance is part of Coltrane 100 Philly, a citywide centennial celebration honoring the 100th birthday of jazz legend John Coltrane, who lived for a time in North Philadelphia, an influential place in his life. Coltrane100 includes performances, community programming, artist grants and educational initiatives.
Pay-what-you-wish as part of the Art Museum’s Friday evening programming; 5 p.m. EST to 8:30 p.m. EST. Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Great Stair Hall, 26th St. & the Ben Franklin Parkway. 215-763-8100 or https://www.philamuseum.org/events/isaiah-collier-plays-coltrane or coltrane100philly.org.
Awards Ceremony Marks 60 Years Of Jazz
Saturday, September 26, 2026. The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts’ answer to celebrating 60 years of making and showcasing music is Soundscapes for Tomorrow: Stage One Residencies. The program honors the past, present and future of local jazz. Through five immersive artist residencies, led by nationally and internationally acclaimed jazz artists, Soundscapes for Tomorrow is creating new works, rehearsals, artist conversations, master classes, and public workshops about contemporary jazz. Artists are selected by a committee and represent themes examining “the reimagining of jazz through Puerto Rican Indigenous music, the evolution of new genres through cultural fusion.” Participants in the residencies create and perform world-premiere performances at the Clef Club, supported by live streaming and professional video documentation.
Resident artists are supported with honoraria, travel, lodging, rehearsal space, access to multitrack recording studios, professional audio and video production, as well as the Clef Club’s historic jazz archives. Support the endeavor at the Clef Club 60th Anniversary Awards Celebration honoring program participants and community cultural leaders, past and present. Pennsylvania Sen. Vincent J. Hughes will host the program. The evening will be capped off with a performance by Tia Fuller, who will present the world premiere of her commissioned Soundscapes for Tomorrow work. Fuller is a saxophonist, composer, educator, and member of Beyoncé’s touring band. The event will reflect the Clef Club’s goal to preserve and promote jazz through education, performances, and cultural engagement.
Tickets: $45 per person; 6 p.m. EST to 9 p.m. EST. Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, 736 S. Broad St. 215-893-9912 or https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/soundscapes-for-tomorrow
Musical Looks At Girl’s Dream to Return To Puerto Rico
Saturday, September 26, 2026. Enjoy an entertaining evening of music and storytelling featuring selections from La Guagua 47, a bilingual musical by Alba Martinez. Catch a preview before the production heads to its world premiere at Philadelphia Theatre Company for its 2027-28 season. La Guagua 47 chronicles the life of Lucía, a 15-year-old artist from Jayuya, Puerto Rico. She winds up in Philadelphia after her father lost his job at the local town’s pharmaceutical plant. Homesick, she is determined to make her way back home to her native island. But she discovers the 47 bus instead… The concert will highlight the La Guagua 47 Community Chorus and a live band.
Free, but a ticket donation is suggested, starting at $25; 7 p.m. EST to 9 p.m. EST. Taller Puertorriqueño, 2600 N. 5th St. 215-426-3311 or https://www.tickettailor.com/events/laguagua47communityarts/2365817/r/olkn
The ‘Fall for the Arts Festival’ is a day of art, music, foot, and fun.
The Arts Shine On Germantown Avenue
Sunday, September 27, 2026. The arts come alive in a big way, as more than 300 artists and vendors take over Germantown Avenue for Chestnut Hill’s 42nd annual Fall for the Arts Festival. Enjoy a Makers Market of paintings, photography, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, woodwork, and other artisan crafted works. Meet the artists, soak up live music, food, and the fun family activities. The area is home to the Woodmere Museum, Frances M. Maguire Hall for Art & Education, NoName Gallery, Gallery on the Avenue, The Little Gallery, Borrelli’s Chestnut Hill Gallery, and Gravers Lane Gallery. Experience the exhibitions, installations, demonstrations, lectures, and live music on Germantown Avenue at the festival and year-round.
Free admission; 11 a.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST. Germantown Avenue, from Willow Grove to Rex avenues, Chestnut Hill. Email: ko*****@************pa.com, 215-247-6696 or https://chestnuthillpa.com/fall-for-the-arts-festival/
What Just Happened?: Events Around Town
Photo by Joanne Bursich.
Hero Thrill Show Brings Out The Phanatic
Members of the Philadelphia Explorer Cadet Program, ages 14 to 20, participated in the 71st Annual Hero Thrill Show carnival fundraiser on Saturday, September 19, in South Philadelphia. The cadets assisted with various event duties. The Explorer Cadet Program provides training and experience for a potential career in firefighting and law enforcement. A furry friend in green, known as the Phillie Phanatic mascot joined the contingent of youth as they lined up for roll call (pictured above).
The Phanatic was a little too old to join the cadet program, but he did learn a few tips. The Hero Thrill Show raises funds from ticket sales and donations for the college tuition of children of Philadelphia police officers and firefighters who were killed while serving on duty. Thrill Show support removes a major challenge of footing the expense for college tuition for the survivors of police and firefighting families who have lost a loved one on duty. www.herothrillshow.org