The Porch Heats up in June with Music, Food, Crafts, Golf and More

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Philadelphia’s Premiere Public Space Will Showcase Food, Crafts, Music, Fitness and the Return of Free Mini Golf

(Philadelphia, PA) – The Porch at 30th Street Station, once a congested parking lane and bland, barren sidewalk, has now become one of the most animated public places in Philadelphia. The Porch features amenities such as abundant and comfortable seating, sun and shade, trees and plantings, and ongoing performances, fitness classes, and a variety of special events and festivities.

Adjacent to the second busiest train station in the country, between two magnificent historic buildings and within 1,200 feet of over 16,000 jobs, The Porch is part of a key gateway to the Philadelphia region. This summer, The Porch will be a place to showcase some of the best culture that Philadelphia has to offer. All events at The Porch are free.

SPECIAL EVENTS 

The 30th Street Craft Market 
The popular market returns to the Porch on Friday, June 13 from 11-4. Presented by Vix Emporium, the craft market features local wares such as jewelry, ceramics, prints, stationary, clothing, children’s items and more from over 30 local vendors, plus food trucks, and performances by The Give & Take Jugglers. A full list of participating vendors can be found here.  

The Return of Mini Golf at the Porch
Beginning June 1 and running through the month, University City District will present 9 holes of free mini golf every day from 10am-8pm at the Porch. Completed score cards will be entered into a drawing to win gift certificates to University City restaurants.

 

FOOD

A Taste of University City Dining Days Event
University City Dining Days, a program in which top University City restaurants offer special pre-fixe dinners, is excited to celebrate its tenth year in 2014. As part of the celebration, Dining Days is offering a sneak preview of some of the participating restaurants with a Taste of University City Dining Days event on Thursday, June 12 from 4-7pm at the Porch. Guests can enjoy 10 tastes for $10, including both “sips and sampling,” along with raffles and live music.  University Dining Days runs July 17 to July 27. Find more info at www.ucdiningdays.com

 

Gourmet Food Trucks  Mon, Wed, Fri (11:30am - 2:30pm); Tu & Th  (7:30am-2pm)

MONDAYS
Farm Truck
Local 215
Street Food
Zsa’s Gourmet Ice Cream

WEDNESDAYS
Buttercream Cupcake
Ka-Chi
Pitruco Pizza
Vernalicious                                                                      

FRIDAYS
Mama’s Meatballs
Rueben on Rye
Say Cheese
Sweetbox Cupcakes

TUESDAYS
Foolish Waffles

THURSDAYS
Undrgrnd Donut 

 

MUSIC

WXPN Local Wednesdays

Noon on the first Wednesday of the month

Live music from Philly’s rising stars!

John Francis: June 4

John Francis has released 2 critically-acclaimed full-length records, The Better Angels and Strong Wine & Spirits, and 1 EP, The Philadelphia EP. Francis has toured extensively sharing the stage with Loretta Lynn, Wilco, Amos Lee and others, and is renowned for his impassioned live shows and his poetic songwriting.

Lunchtime Accordion Serenade

Tuesdays, Noon-1pm

Enjoy live accordion music while you relax and have lunch or take a break from the daily grind.

 

FITNESS 

Come out and sweat in the cool evening air with fitness programming from BodyRock Boot Camp. 

Thursdays, 6pm
Zumba: June 6 & 26
Bokwa: June 12
Bootcamp: June 19

 

FUN

MM2 Modern Dance Company
BREATH
Sun, 6/1, 1pm – 2pm
(rain date July 27)

Our BREATH is the bridge which connects our consciousness to nature and life itself.  By our breathing we are attuned to the world around us, our BREATH expresses our inner feelings, our state of well-being, our excitement and even our anxieties.  BREATH flows endlessly through all, sustaining us, and allowing us to express life’s nuances.

School of the Future
Mon, 6/2 & Mon, 6/9,  Noon – 1pm

6/2: Jazz Band
Witness the pride and joy of School of the Future — a jazz band like no other!

6/9: Drumline
Be moved by the beat and dazzled by dance as the School of the Future Firebirds Drumline and Band Front Dancers preview the upcoming West Park Arts Fest “Friends Across Cultures event.”

Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture
Crossing Genres
Thurs, 6/5, Noon – 1pm
(rain date June 6)

Al-Bustan Takht Ensemble and guest artists David Brodie and Barry Sames will explore interpretations of Arab classical and contemporary compositions and jazz music.  

Please Touch Museum
Roadside Attractions 
Sat, 6/7 & Sat, 6/21, 10:30am – 11:30am

Children and adults will be guided around a discussion of trains and automobiles told through stories and dramatic games that will encourage all to use their imaginations. 

Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
Academy On-The-Go
Mon, 6/9, Noon – 2pm & Sat, 6/21, 11am – 1pm

Fantastic Feathers! Not only do birds come in an amazing array of sizes, shapes and colors, they are also living dinosaurs! Touch specimens and investigate feathered dinosaurs. 

University City Arts League
Hoop Dance
Wed, 6/17, 11:30am – 2pm
(rain date June 24)

An upbeat, fun lunchtime Hoop Dance led by the hula hoop dance foursome, Inspyre. Following their performance, this ensemble will host a hoop dance lesson. 

Kùlú Mèlé
Dundunba Dance Party
Fri, 6/27, 12:30pm – 1:30pm
(rain date June 30)

Kùlú Mèlé will transform The Porch into a Dundunba Dance Party! A dundunba is a communal celebration led by musicians and dancers, where everyone is encouraged to participate. Join Kùlú Mèlé’s electrifying dancers and drummers in learning traditional West African dance movements. 

 

These cultural events are presented by University City District (UCD), made possible with generous support from the William Penn Foundation, which has provided leadership support for UCD's efforts to showcase innovative cultural programming at The Porch.

University City District is a partnership of world-renowned anchor institutions, small businesses and residents that creates opportunity, improves economic vitality and quality of life in the University City area of West Philadelphia. Our primary mission is community revitalization. We work within a place-based, data-driven framework to invest in world-class public spaces, address crime and public safety, bring life to commercial corridors, connect low-income residents to careers, and promote job growth and innovation.

For more information, visit theporchat30th.com and follow theporchat30th on Facebook and Twitter.