Summer Events in University City

We are pleased to announce dates for the return of four of its signature events: University City Dining Days, the 40th Street Summer Series, Movies in Clark Park, and the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll. Details for each event are still being finalized, but check back for updates.

University City Dining Days will return this year from Thursday, July 14 to Sunday, July 24. Now in its 12th year, Dining Days is the “3 courses, 3 prices” promotion at some of University City’s most popular dining destinations. University City is home to some of the most innovative and diverse dining options in the region. From exceptional craft beer bars to celebrity chef restaurants to cozy BYOBs, University City’s international dining scene features dishes from India, Ethiopia, China, Vietnam, and beyond.

Participating restaurants offer a pre-fixe three-course dinner special for $15, $25 or $35. The discounted price points make it possible to dine at a new location every night of the event, or as a tour of the globe without leaving a neighborhood. Dining Days drives traffic to University City restaurants during typically slow periods while introducing new customers to the neighborhood’s exciting and ever-growing dining scene. The full list of participating restaurants and different price points will be made available later this spring at www.ucdiningdays.com.

The 40th Street Summer Series—co-produced by University City District, Penn, and The Rotunda—will once again enliven the green area behind the Walnut Street Library at 40th Street with free monthly concerts. This year the programming will run from June-September, with performances on four Saturdays throughout the summer, falling on June 18th, July 23rd, August 20th, and September 17th.

This year features a wide mix of music and dance as unique acts will bring world music and performances to the series. June 18th will feature Marc Ribot's The Young Philadelphians with opener Monica "Spirit" McIntyre. On July 23, Dendê & Band will bring Afro-Brazilian rhythms to get the crowd moving. They'll be joined by PaPa Ed Stokes and Kunu Bi. Don't miss a powerful performance on August 20th by the Liberian Women's Chorus for Change, with openers Modero Dance Company. The final Summer Series performance on September 17 is all about dance as headliners Rennie Harris RHAW and openers Kalamandir Dance Company perform.

The Summer Series is made possible through support from the University of Pennsylvania, Ben & Jerr'ys, honeygrow, T-Mobile, Boom 107.9, and Old School 100.3. For more information on these acts, visit http://www.universitycity.org/40th-street-summer-series.

UCD, in partnership with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation and Friends of Clark Park, will present Movies in Clark Park, three weeks of free outdoor movies to help liven up summer nights in West Philadelphia. Beautiful Clark Park (43rd and Chester Ave) will transform into an outdoor amphitheater to showcase a great lineup of films projected on a giant for the entire family to enjoy. The Clark Park Movie Series will run on Friday nights from August 26th through September 9th with screenings beginning at dusk. Audience members are invited to bring chairs or blankets for the films, and can enjoy food and dessert offerings from a rotating list of vendors. Additionally, UCD will partner with local businesses to provide extra activities and promotions for the screenings.

Schedule

• August 26: Finding Nemo (100 minutes; rated G)
• September 2: Creed (133 minutes; rated PG-13)
• September 9: Star Wars: The Force Awakens (136 minutes; rated PG-13)

The Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll, presented in association with the Baltimore Avenue Business Association (BABA), will return for one night on Thursday, September 8th from 5:30 to 8:30pm. During this unique event, University City’s Baltimore Avenue between 43rd and 52nd Street showcases its charm and businesses with $1 bargains from neighborhood favorites, ranging from bites from signature restaurants to pet supplies to theater tickets.

The event also showcases new businesses along the constantly growing commercial corridor. The Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll has become a signature event for the neighborhood, routinely attracting crowds into the thousands. To go along with the dollar deals are live music, family entertainment, and more. Full details on participants and live entertainment coming soon at http://www.universitycity.org/baltimore-ave-dollar-stroll.