#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Restaurant
(Photo by @stephen.levick)
While Pride Month officially begins on June 1 – there are events as early as today in the city. And, this upcoming weekend has a lot of events to kick things off. Here is a list of where you can get involved! Continue reading …
Formula 1 fans in Philly can now try to channel their inner Max Versappen or Lewis Hamilton with the new F1 Arcade that opens Thursday in Center City. BP’s Nick Kariuki gets a sneak peek. Continue reading …
RECAP
$ = paywalled
• Gov. Shapiro made a campaign-style stop in Philly’s Chinatown, visiting local businesses and hearing concerns about rising tariffs. [WHYY]
• Electricity bills in Pa., Del., and N.J. will rise starting June 1. Advocates say more renewables would lower future costs. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
• Penn researchers talk about the loss of USAID funding‘s impact on lost student opportunities, lost trust overseas, and lost benefits to the U.S. government. [WHYY]
• These Philly residents are tracking air quality on their own. [WHYY]
• “No cuts to Medicaid!” Activists, cancer survivors demand Pa. senators reject cuts [WHYY]
• Legislation aims to speed up affordable housing development, but faces concerns. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly}
• Thieves stole approximately $150,000 worth of frozen beef from a tractor-trailer truck that stopped overnight in Grays Ferry on Memorial Day, police said. A number of similar thefts were reported last year. [PhillyVoice]
• Philly’s Chinese Lantern Festival returns to Franklin Square Park in June. [BillyPenn]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker and city officials will tour Amazon facilities as part of the Philadelphia Taking Care of Business program, at 6901 Elmwood Ave., 10:40 a.m.
The mayor will host a town hall for a community conversation on housing, at The Life Church, 6750 Roosevelt Blvd., 6 p.m.
ON THE CALENDAR
❤️ Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander month events
🎪 Philadelphia Contemporary Circus Festival through June 1
🌸 27 ways to get out and enjoy the warm weather
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
❤️ Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander month events
🎪 Philadelphia Contemporary Circus Festival through June 1
🌈 Pride Month celebrations
🌸 27 ways to get out and enjoy the warm weather
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Thursday, May 29: Behind the Bookcase Tour | Fiction is a Lie: Writers on Writing
During this tour at the Rosenbach, enjoy Lewis Carroll’s advice about writing a good letter while holding one of his extraordinary letters in your hands. And explore Eudora Welthy and Rudyard Kipling’s understanding of the power of words. $30 tickets. (6 to 7 p.m.)
Thursday, May 29: Town Hall on Science, Policy and Higher Education
A town hall meeting in Old City to promote open dialogue between policymakers, scientists, educators, students and the broader Philadelphia community. Panelists include Pa. State Reps. Mary Isaacson, Christopher Rabb, and Tarik Khan. Free. (6 to 8 p.m.)
Thursday, May 29: Nutmeg Presents – YOU CAN’T FAIL! an evening of art
An evening of new works including: visual art, photography, theater, dance, performance art, comedy, story-telling, poetry, prose, sculpture, ballet, film, stand-up, and anything and everything will be presented at Nutmeg Nonalcoholic Bar and Market. Donations welcome. (6 to 10 p.m.)
Thursday, May 29: Philly Sketchfest Presents Theme Park
Sketch comedians from all over the Philly area ponder one specific theme. With Philly Sketchfest 2025 on the horizon, this edition will be: LOOKING AHEAD! $15 tickets. At 3rd floor of Plays & Players. (6:30 to 9 p.m.)
Friday, May 30: Queer Pride Kickoff
Tattooed Mom offers pool tables, food, drinks and “queer and joyful” company from 6 to 10 p.m. (although, they say this will likely go beyond that 10 p.m. cutoff). There is no cover.
Saturday, May 31: Philly Dyke March 2025
Celebrate Pride Month with an 11 a.m. meeting at Kahn Park (11th and Pine streets) and march at 12 p.m. The march has become a Philly tradition and allows members of the LGBTQ+ community to take over the Philly streets.
Saturday, May 31: Historic Rittenhouse Town Fair
The 5th annual fair at the 20-acre arboretum promotes local artists, crafts, history, and health & wellness activities. (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Saturday, May 31: 2nd Annual Kensington’s Got Talent
The show kicks-off at 8 p.m. and will be held at Thunderbird Hall (2856 Frankford Ave.) and will feature everything from circus acts to musical performances, all competing for a $300 grand prize. $25 tickets.
Saturday, May 31: Ten Times Better and Chinatown Cha-Cha Screening
Experience how dance transformed the lives and work of George Lee and The Grant Avenue Follies in this double-feature screening, curated by the Philadelphia Asian American Film Foundation in the PMA. The films will be followed by a special performance by the Grant Avenue Follies. $25 registration includes museum admission. (1 to 3 p.m.)
Sunday, June 1: Book Fair & Swap
Attic Brewing hosts a book lover’s dream event: a grown up book fair and swap! Bring a gently used book (or books )to swap, sip on a beverage and shop new books and merch from Multiverse. $5 tickets. (1 to 3 p.m.)
