Those who are curious about some of the culture in our city can learn about one particular section and its impact come this summer. From July 24 to 27, the inaugural North Philadelphia History Festival will be in full swing with four days of exhibitions, installations, performances, screenings, and conversations.
The experience from Scribe Video Center was created by artists, historians, cultural workers, and neighborhood organizations committed to “honoring the spirit and resilience of North Philadelphia.” What it all entails is a series of free events, housed in historic sites, community centers, and public spaces.
“The Festival celebrates the community, culture and cultural workers that have developed in this part of Philadelphia from the 19th century into the present day. It’s a community that has had a global significance,” explains Louis Massiah, Scribe Video Center founder.
The experience falls under the banner of “Arts. Culture. Music. History.”
What can visitors expect? As a release notes, festival programming features a stacked lineup. Christopher Rogers will present a Grover Washington Jr. Tribute concert alongside a storytelling event and archival photo installation focused on Strawberry Mansion, and a large-format installation titled ‘Return Home’ in collaboration with Friends of the Tanner House.
Locals can also head to a community panel dubbed ‘In Pursuit of Preservation: A Conversation for Our Black Historic District’ presented by The Dox Thrash House Project, Brewerytown-Sharswood Neighborhood Coalition, and Community Design Collaborative.
Other stand-outs taking place span a mobile concert and classic car parade, an outdoor video installation comprised of oral histories of North Philadelphia residents combined with photos from the Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection, a historical walking tour and projection piece, a video installation celebrating musical memory, screenings, and much more.
These multimedia projects and events will explore the emergence and impact of these communities in the 19th and 20th century while celebrating African American and Puerto Rican history. All events will be free and open to the public. Registration is recommended and will open soon online.
For a full list of activities for the first-ever North Philadelphia History Festival, visit scribe.org
