Partying in Point Breeze

It’s not a rally organized to protest yet another young life lost to gun violence. And it has nothing to do with politics either, organizers said.

Instead, "it’s a day to bring the community together," said Claudia Sherrod, president of Point Breeze Community Development Coalition Inc. "Let’s have some peace within the community. We’ve had so much negativity in our community. We just want to bring everyone together for support." PBCDC partnered with Universal Companies for its second annual "Peace in the Park Sound of Music," which takes place Sunday, 4 to 9 p.m., at Wharton Square, 24th and Wharton streets. The rain date is Sept. 5.

Event co-chair Alice Gabbadon and other organizers are encouraging families to come out and enjoy a free inspirational gathering, the purpose of which is to promote peace and friendship through music.

Organizers are trying to target residents, especially seniors, who would appreciate the chance to sit back and be entertained in a park setting.

"Sounds of gospel, rap, jazz, reggae, oldies and rhythm and blues will fill the square.

The choir from the High School for the Creative and Performing Arts will sing, along with several church choirs. A Christian rap group from Delaware also is scheduled to take the stage.

In addition, Sunday’s event will feature mime and poetry.

Most of the performers are South Philadelphia natives and all are volunteering their time, said board member Shirley Hall.

"They are just coming out to give back," she said.

Close to 40 vendors — who were not required to pay a set-up fee — will sell food, wares and arts and crafts. Visitors will be able to indulge in soul and Jamaican foods and funnel cakes. A Christian bookseller, face painting and even massage will offer other diversions, Gabbadon said.

While organizers want the community to have a good time, they also hope to drum up awareness for the Point Breeze Community Development Coalition and recruit more members, Sherrod and Hall said.

PBCDC is a community umbrella organization comprised of about 28 agencies, churches and area businesses, including St. Agnes Medical Center. This October, the nonprofit celebrates its 10th anniversary.

One of the organization’s many ongoing efforts is to restore the corridor along Point Breeze Avenue, Sherrod said.

"The community needs to know that we’re working on behalf of their best interest," she said.

"We’re doing a lot in Point Breeze. We need attention down here," added Gabbadon. "There’s been a lot of crime and young people dying. We are a community in distress, but we’re trying to work our way out of this distress because violence impacts us all."

Last year’s Peace in the Park drew a couple hundred people, and organizers are hoping for at least that many this weekend.

"We hope that everyone will come out and enjoy the activities and performances, and hopefully some of them will want to come join us next year," said Hall.

PBCDC asked Universal to get involved this year to bridge the gap across Broad Street.

"There’s always been a barrier between Washington Avenue on the north side and south side," Gabbadon said. "So we decided to get together [with Universal] and just have a friendly time in Wharton Square."

Inspired by an island celebration, the eighth annual Junkanoo African Caribbean Festival will put culture on parade this Sunday.

By Lorraine Gennaro

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Junkanoo is a national festival celebrated twice a year in the Bahamas, on Dec. 26 and Jan. 1. While the origin of the word is obscure, the festival’s origin is not.

Junkanoo is believed to have started during the 16th and 17th centuries. African slaves were allowed three days off during the year — Christmas, Dec. 26 and Jan. 1 — to leave the plantations to be with their families and celebrate the holidays with dance, music and costumes of their homeland.

After emancipation, the tradition stuck and Junkanoo evolved from a family celebration to a community gathering.

In the 1920s, the Bahamas Development Board commercialized Junkanoo with parades, elaborate costumes (think Mummers Fancy Brigades), music and incentive prizes.

This Sunday, area residents won’t have to travel to the Bahamas to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Caribbean.

The eighth annual Junkanoo African Caribbean Festival takes place noon to 7 p.m. at 22nd and Tasker streets.

Hosted by the Point Breeze Civic Association, the event is expected to draw folks from all over the city and region, said the association’s Tiffany Green.

Organizers hope that, in time, Philadelphia’s Junkanoo will attract tens of thousands of visitors, just like the festival does in the islands.

"Junkanoo Philly-style is more bringing all the cultures together — African, Caribbean, as well as African American — to celebrate the combined similarities of each," Green said.

PBCA organizers are trying to stay true to Junkanoo’s roots.

They didn’t have to look too far for true Bahamian inspiration because board member Mark Fernandez grew up there.

Fernandez was eager to lend his support because he wanted to introduce the Philadelphia community to Junkanoo, Green noted.

Festivities will begin with a parade at noon down 22nd and 23rd streets.

Street vendors will sell Caribbean and American food.

Throughout the day, there will be performances by Caribbean, African and American dance groups specializing in West African dance, Afro-Caribbean folk dance and Junkanoo "Vola Shuffle."

Sunday’s event will feature local and national performers, including Philly’s own Billy Paul.

Paul is perhaps best known for his Grammy Award-winning 1970s hit, Me and Mrs. Jones, as well as his jazz classic, Feelin’ Good at the Cadillac Club. The recording artist will release a new album in the spring.

Rounding out the bill is local band Richard Ace and Sons of Ace, who recently wrapped up work on the forthcoming Cameron Diaz film, In Her Shoes. Ace, who played piano for late reggae legend Bob Marley, just released a new album of Caribbean music called Living Legends.

The heavenly sounds of gospel music also will fill the air when North Philly choir Citizens for Christ takes the stage. A gospel poet and rappers also are scheduled to perform.

In addition, Sunday’s event will feature drill teams, a health fair and kiddie carnival.

PBCA is encouraging families to catch the Junkanoo spirit. Many of the families and individuals who attend Junkanoo have never been exposed to Caribbean culture, nor do they have the privilege of attending cultural events at such venues as the Wilma Theater or Kimmel Center, Green said.

Bringing cultural performing groups to urban communities broadens people’s horizons and exposes them to something they might otherwise miss, she added.