#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Flamingo fashion
(Photo by @bookczuk)
A competition that aims for a more equitable city
The Fair City Challenge pits four teams competing for a $50,000 prize and a purpose — to develop solutions that help to address the city’s inequalities. Meet two of the contestants, and their unique proposals. Continue reading …
‘There’s always room for ice cream’: Reading Terminal Market hosts festival Saturday
The decades-old festival on Filbert Street returns, with old standbys and new faves. Go and enjoy a scoop — or four. Or an ice cream taco. Intrigued? We thought so. Continue reading …
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• The Trump administration is pressuring Pa. for info on how it manages its voter rolls. [Spotlight PA]
• Gov. Shapiro signs a bill to allow hunting on Sundays. “It’s a ban that well outlived its usefulness,” said a game commissioner. [WHYY]
• Local EPA workers protest the suspensions of employees who signed a letter that criticized recent changes. [Philly Voice]
• DC 33 workers to vote on new contract next week. Trash service resumes Monday. [Inq$/Billy Penn]
• Second- and third-generation Latino communities give Philly culture added depth. [MetroPhilly/2Puntos]
• Meet the inventor of a gummy cone for water ice for everyone. It’s vegan, halal and gluten-free. [Inq$]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker has no public events scheduled for Friday.
ON THE CALENDAR
📝 Billy Penn & WHYY pop-up newsroom July 14
🍦 Reading Terminal Market Ice Cream Festival
🏮 All about the 2025 Philly Lantern Festival
🏊🏽 Public pools in Philly 2025
🌸 27 ways to get out and enjoy the warm weather
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Friday, July 11: Tacony LAB First Friday – Autistic Art Coalition of Philadelphia art exhibition
This special First Friday brings the 6th annual exhibit back, plus, by popular demand, the Spin Choir, Neurodiversity & Neuroinclusion Awards, and the first Starfish Award. Light refreshments provided. Free RSVP recommended here. (6 to 9 p.m.)
Saturday, July 12: Tanabata at Shofuso
In Japanese folklore, star-crossed lovers are said to reunite during the Star Festival, or Tanabata. During the festival, people write wishes and dreams on colorful paper, or tanzaku, which is then hung on bamboo wish trees. Shofuso celebrates the festival with origami folding, storytelling, music, calligraphy and more. Tickets are $2 to $15. (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Saturday, July 12: The Katika Festival
A day for families that showcases Black-owned food trucks, artists, DJs and vendors from across the tri-state area. Hosted at the Lawn @uCity in West Philadelphia. Free tickets. (12 to 6 p.m.)
Saturday, July 12: Live Aid Philadelphia 1985: 40th Anniversary – Music History Livestream
Sign up for the free livestream recapping the music history of Philly’s Live Aid 1985. (3 to 5 p.m.)
Saturday, July 12: Pancakes & Booze Art Show
This 21+ pop-up art exhibit brings 150 local artists to Underground Arts for live body painting, DJ sets and a wide array of visual art, along with complimentary pancakes. The beer, alas, you have to pay for. Tickets are $21.06 in advance, $27.74 day-of. (8 p.m. to midnight)
Sunday, July 13: Barnes on the Block 2025
Head to the Ben Franklin Parkway for this annual event. The Mural Arts’ 2025 theme is “The Place Where Art Meets Hope” and celebrates the power of creativity to inspire and uplift communities. Live music, performances, hands-on art making, local bites and a beer garden. Free, but registration required for gallery access. (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Sunday, July 13: Summer Grief Walk with the Goats
This free grief walk is done as a group and guided by Naila Francis with 13 goats. Walk starts promptly at 12 p.m.. Everyone welcome, regardless of loss and regardless of time since the loss.
Sunday, July 13: Manayunk-Roxborough Members and Friends Show
The community arts space hosts a curated exhibit spotlighting artwork created by connections within its community, in this case, friends of current members of the Manayunk-Roxborough Art Center, whose art has deeply influenced them. Light refreshments served. (1 to 4 p.m.)
Sunday, July 13: Red Fish Blue Fish: Fishadelphia Oyster Party 2025
Hosted outdoors at Pentridge Station, with food, live music, a “learn to shuck” raw bar, arts and crafts, and giant lawn games! Celebrate and support Fishadelphia! Pay-at-the-door sliding scale $15-25. (5:30 to 10:30 p.m.)
Monday, July 14: PHA Finale Event: Sharswood Revitalization Celebration
A community-centered event featuring a walk-through of key redevelopment sites and activations from local partners. Mural Arts Philadelphia showcases current public art projects Sharswood. (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
Monday, July 14: NPR Presents: Tiny Desk Concert on the Road
Philly is one of 10 cities presenting a one-of-a-kind concert featuring a different surprise Tiny Desk alum headliner, plus the 2025 Contest winner, Ruby Ibarra, and an up-and-coming artist from each city. For Philadelphia, the opener is De Tierra Caliente. Ibarra is a rapper, spoken word artist and director whose winning Tiny Desk Contest entry, “Bakunawa,” is an intergenerational collaboration with Filipina artists that spans both genres and languages. At the Fillmore. $33 tickets. (7 p.m.)
