#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Summer produce in South Philly
(Photo by @kslouf)
Juneteenth 2025 in Philly: What to know and where to celebrate
Celebrated in Philadelphia since the 1980s, at least, and enshrined as a Pennsylvania state holiday in 2019, Juneteenth is an opportunity to honor liberation, Black culture and people, and the arts.
This year it falls on a Thursday, but events will continue through the following weekend. Continue reading …
Books Through Bars promotes education — and better futures
Books can be a lifeline for people who are incarcerated, and studies confirm that access to them while serving time can lead to better outcomes when people return to free society. The Books Through Bars program is dedicated to exactly that.
“Part of the importance of this program is just knowing that there’s something coming and someone is thinking of me and cares about my education and wants me to be enlightened a bit,” said a person who experienced the program while serving time and since has launched into a career in the arts. Continue reading …
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• President Trump directed ICE to expand deportations in blue cities, such as Philadelphia. [AP]
• GOP lawmakers praised an EPA plan to end restrictions on power plants over the amount of toxic pollutants allowed. Protesters at LOVE Park Monday said these and other rollbacks would prioritize polluters over people. [WHYY]
• Philly is tracking children via GPS, and turning information over to police. [Inq$]
• Security deposit rules are changing. Here’s what renters, landlords need to know. [WHYY]
• A little-known grant is powering small business in city. [Technical.ly]
• As the FIFA Club World Cup opens in Philly, questions increase about whether ICE will show up. [BP/Axios]
• Mawn’s Phila Lorn was named the 2025 James Beard Award winner for Emerging Chef, bringing the honor back to Philly. [Billy Penn/Inq$]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker will join the office of Creative Philadelphia at a virtual meeting with the five semifinalist artists competing to create a statue celebrating Sadie T.M. Alexander. Register here. 6 p.m.
ON THE CALENDAR
🌈 Pride Month celebrations
🏊🏽 Public pools in Philly 2025
🎭 Epic 3-week ‘space opera’ gaming theater
🌸 27 ways to get out and enjoy the warm weather
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
🎉 Juneteenth events in Philly
🌈 Pride Month celebrations
🏊🏽 Public pools in Philly 2025
🎭 Epic 3-week ‘space opera’ gaming theater
🌸 27 ways to get out and enjoy the warm weather
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Tuesday, June 17: Bridging Blocks | Invisible Barriers: How Ableism Affects Accessibility
How does Philadelphia show up for its residents living with a disability? What services are currently available and what can be improved? How did we get here and how do we move forward? Join WHYY for this second civic dialogue on Ableism, at the Parkway Central Library. (4:30 to 6:30 p.m.)
Tuesday, June 17: “Queer Love is Resilience” Poetry Open Mic + Q&A ft. Alison Lubar
Flashpoint Gallery & Community Space and Nutmeg Bar & Market host the open mic at 6:30 p.m. and show at 7 p.m. First-come, first-served. “Pride month, so bring your gayest poetry!” Reading and Q&A. Books, art and zines for sale; a portion of proceeds go to The Trans Lifeline. Free to register. (6:30 to 9 p.m.)
Wednesday, June 18: Justice & Journalism at Eastern State Penitentiary
Uncover the role of investigative journalism in shaping our understanding of the criminal justice system through live storytelling, panel discussions, and interactive exhibits at the historic prison. $17 in advance; $20 at the door. (5:30 to 9:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, June 18: Philly-Based Novels by Philly-Based Novelists
Join Swarthmore Creative Writing Professor Moriel Rothman-Zecher in conversation with Emma Copley Eisenberg, Asali Solomon, and James Earl Thomas. At American Grammar in Kensington. (6 p.m.)
Wednesday, June 18: Love Me Long Time Reading Group
This reading group explores desire, intimacy and love over 3 themed Wednesdays, collectively reading and discuss ingexcerpts from texts by Asian/Asian diasporic writers. June 18’s reading is from “I’m Laughing Because I’m Crying” (Chapter TBD) by Youngmi Mayer. Snacks provided. Free Registration recommended. (6 to 8 p.m.)
Wednesday, June 18: “Wicked” screening
Relive Elphaba and G(a)linda’s ahead of the second film’s premiere later this year. Sunset Social hosts this outdoor screening on a 60-foot screen. (7 p.m.)
Wednesday, June 18: Fishtown Choir sings Lady Gaga
Head to Ortlieb’s for the latest community choir performance! $15+fees in advance; $17 day of show. (7 to 11:30 p.m.)
Thursday, June 19: Kami’s Korner: Spoken-Word Soundscapes for the Black, Ancestral Body
Hang out in East Passyunk on Juneteenth for poetic soundscapes performed live with KAMI X, followed by an ancestral poetry workshop led by Nycir Keen. $17.85 tickets. (6:45 to 9:30 p.m.)
Friday, June 20: Singing Our Grief
The simple act of singing in community can transform our relationship to sorrow. Experience your grief through the vibration of sound, at Chestnut Hill United Church at 8812 Germantown Ave. $10-30 sliding scale. (7 to 8:30 p.m.)
Friday, June 20: Stogie Joe’s Speakeasy Night
Every Friday at 10 p.m. on East Passyunk. Password: OLD SPORT.
