COMING NOW: EVENTS AT THE PORCH

by Lou Mancinelli from NakedPhilly.com

We bring you yet another community initiative from the folks at University District (UCD), who, beginning today from 11 to 2 (and continuing this time every Wednesday through fall), will host a weekly farmer’s market at The Porch, located on the southern side of 30th Street Station.

The Porch In addition to the various artisans on board, like MyHouse Cookies, gourmet chocolate from JOHN & KIRA’S and MOMPOPS homemade popsicles, the collaboration with Farm to City features various organic produce from local farms. Plus, for the first 12 weeks, supplemental entertainment like jugglers and the bluegrass group Citywide Specials (a West Philly tradition) will surround the vendors.

Vendors at the porch The Porch was built last year and dedicated in November to serve as a public gathering space and innovative use of a strip of land that used to be a congested parking lane and barren sidewalk. It was transformed it into a block-long plaza with views of the skyline and river that one can enjoy among multi-colored tables and chairs set amidst various landscaping. The farmer’s market is but one example of the weekly community programming the people at UCD have planned. So far this spring they’ve had accordion players, pilates/yoga sessions, Philly’s Perseverance Jazz Band and more. Check out further listings here, and stay tuned for various public projects.

What can we say, we’ve only the choice to tip our hat once again to the vision of the folks at UCD for shaping public spaces in ways that promote both the city’s local artisans as well as artists while bringing people together over beautiful food, music and all the colors of vegetables and fruits.