Events and Happenings

Center City Residents' Association

1900 Market St, FL 8, Philadelphia, PA 19103

PH: 215-546-6719 Email: centercity@centercityresidents.org

May 16, 2024

Only 3 weeks left to get your tickets to the House & Garden Tour

On Sunday, June 2, from 1-5 pm, you will get a chance to see fabulous townhomes and condos in the historic Rittenhouse and Fitler Square neighborhoods.

This week’s feature: Tour Stop #7

This large, two-floor, two-condo building was built as a carriage house around 1870 and transformed into a single-family home today. It must be seen to be believed.

It’s an intoxicating blend of vintage and modern: classic Vogue models here, Bridget Bardot photo there. Feet away from the original wrought-iron window-work sits a high-end “Frame TV”. The overall contrast of Black-and-White never felt so colorful, and it all seems so new that you can almost smell the wet paint as it wafts amidst the aroma emitted by the roaring fire from the mammoth fireplace.

Before or after the tour, dine at one of the participating restaurants, like Butcher Bar, located at 2034 Chestnut St, and receive a 10% discount off your food bill. Check the House & Garden Tour registration page on our website for more participating restaurants.

Get your tickets today at:

Register online here
Rittenhouse Hardware - 2001 Pine Street (CASH OR CHECK ONLY)
CCRA, 1900 Market St, 8th Floor (call 215-546-6719 or email to schedule a pick up)

CCRA Annual Meeting

Wednesday, May 29, 7pm

Freire Charter School, 2025 Chestnut St

Join our annual meeting as we sum up the fiscal year and vote in new and incumbent board members for 2024-2025.

Then, stay and meet the new City Managing Director, Adam Thiel, who will speak on Philadelphia's budget and safety plans. Director Thiel will address your concerns in the neighborhood, and you will be allowed to ask him questions you may have. This is an excellent opportunity to get to know the new Managing Director.

Registration is required; please register here.

Ladybug Release Party

Wednesday, May 22, 2024 | 5 pm

Swing by the Schuylkill River Park Community Garden 25th and Spruce Streets for fun festivities. Help release many ladybugs to protect our garden!

Philly Freedom Tour

Saturday, May 25 | 10 am - 6 pm

Explore the scenery and often forgotten historic facets of Philly on this 15 mile walk. Arrive before 10 am at the Porch at 30th Street Station. Enjoy a scenic walk through Philadelphia exploring several neighborhoods and parks and visit a multitude of historic and cultural landmarks. Click here to register for this free event and don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes.

Phila Renascence Faire

Saturday, May 25 to Monday, May 27 | 11 am - 6 pm

This year, the Philadelphia Renaissance Faire is expanding with twice as many artisanal vendors compared to last season. The Faire will feature an expanded menu of food and drink as well as a colorful lineup of performances including juggling, singing and magical acts. Click here to get your tickets now.

Threads of Transformation debuts at The Magic Gardens

The Magic Gardens is recognizable in its own right but there’s a new reason to head over there this summer. Beginning May 17, the space will be showcasing a new exhibition curated by Exhibitions Manager Chelsey Luster, and it surrounds the idea of “self-reflection and growth through womanhood and motherhood.” Titled ‘Threads of Transformation: Works by Krista Dedrick-Lai and Margaux McAllister,’ the new works come from Dedrick-Lai and McAllister and will be onsite at the Gardens until July 14. Click here to learn more about this exhibit.

City Institute Library - Book Swap

Tuesday, May 21 | 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm

Meeting Room of the PCI Library

1905 Locust Street on Rittenhouse Square (Accessibility: The Meeting Room of the PCI Library is temporarily not handicap accessible.)

Admission:

Bring books to swap
No more than 5
Hard back or paperback, fiction or nonfiction
Bring a book – take a book
Chat with other book lovers

Books that will NOT be accepted:

No textbooks or medical books
No travel guidebooks
No language other than English
No outdated topics such as computer, finance, technology, science.
No books with writing within pages, tattered or discolored by age

Garbage Gala 2024

Friday, May 17 | 6 pm– 9 pm

It’s all about sustainability at Drexel University’s annual Garbage Gala. See first-year fashion design students created looks from recycled materials at the Academy of Natural Sciences on Friday, May 17.

Get tickets here for either of the two live fashion runway shows.

South 9th Street Italian Market Festival

May 18 & 19 | 11 am – 5 pm

The countdown is on for the annual Italian Market Festival. For seven city blocks, this Philly favorite festival is sure to wow you! Taking place on 9th Street from Wharton to Fitzwater, the Italian Market Festival will feature over 100 vendors providing live music, food, drinks, jewelry, artists and more! Click here to see the rundown of the weekend.

PhilaLandmarks Early Music Series

Thursday, May 30 | 7 pm - 8 pm at The Powel House

PhilaLandmarks Early Music Series Presents Night Music. Night Music invites you to enjoy a great show, in which they present Haydn’s Princely Music in the ballroom of The Powel House. To learn more about this event or to purchase tickets click here.

Made on America Street Festival

Saturday May 18 | 2 pm - 6 pm

The Made on America Street Festival in Fishtown is back for its 18th year and is being hosted by Punch Buggy Brewing, Wissahickon Brewing Company, and Home Brewed Events. Sample a variety of ice cold beers, ciders, wines, while enjoying the sounds of summer. Check out the local artists as they showcase their art. Click here to learn more and purchase tickets.

Jazz Concert at Maja Park

Saturday May 18, 12 pm – 1:30 pm

Bring a blanket or chair to Maja Park (N 22nd Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway) for a free, outdoor jazz concert. The series is headlined by jazz trio Vibe-A-Delphia, and each week will feature a different instrumental soloist. Concerts will take place from 12–1:30 p.m., weather permitting. Visit the Parkway Council website here for more information.

The 2024 Gardens of Society Hill Tour:

Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9 (1 to 4 pm)

Take a delightful, self-guided walking tour of approximately 18 gardens in the beautiful and historic Society Hill neighborhood. Step into lush urban gardens and outdoor spaces often not in view from the street. Get ideas for your own garden! This tour is Society Hill Civic Association’s only annual fundraiser.

All proceeds from the tour benefit neighborhood improvement and beautification. The tour is rain or shine. Tickets can be purchased here.

CCRA Merchant Partner Feature

CCRA’s Merchant Partner program is a true Win-Win: It provides local businesses with complimentary advertising and exposure while giving CCRA members generous deals and discounts. This week we spotlight Center City classical music program Astral Artists.

The Kids Are All Right at Astral Artists

It’s not every city that has the good fortune to have an outfit like Astral Artists in its backyard. A non-profit intensive mentoring program, for 30 years Astral has specialized in developing the early careers of talented young classical musicians. Distinguished alumni include guitarist Jason Vieaux, bass-baritone Eric Owens, pianist Simone Dinnerstein and the string trio Time for Three.

The good news for locals is the “Astral in Concert” series, its public programming arm that introduces Philadelphians to some of the most extraordinary young musicians anywhere. How great it is to get to know future stars “when”.

For CCRA members it gets even better: a $10 discount on any performance (currently virtual). Please use promo code “CCRA”.