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Growing up in Tasker Homes, Anton Moore, along with his peers, couldn’t afford to attend concerts, so he vowed to bring free entertainment to his community if he had the opportunity.
These days, the 26-year-old is smiling about fulfilling that childhood dream by orchestrating his fifth annual Unity in the Community gathering along the 2000 block of Snyder Avenue. Saturday’s festivities included free food and entertainment for the crowd of about 600 attendees.
“I always thought that was something the community would look forward to and can appreciate,” the resident of 20th Street and Snyder Avenue said.
Dionne Thomas, of 18th Street and Snyder Avenue, has attended every year.
“He don’t forget about his neighborhood,” she said. “He gives back once a year [with the block party]. If it were me, they’d have to buy a hot dog and a hamburger.”
Instead, donations from ShopRite, 24th Street and Oregon Avenue; K&A Sandwiches and Grocery, 1439 S. 20th St.; and Cicione Beverage, 1729 S. 20th St., allowed Moore’s nonprofit Unity in the Community to grill burgers and hot dogs while offering pasta salad and a variety of water, sodas and juices to visitors.
Meanwhile Power99 and Philadelphia 76ers goodies, along with Jay-Z tickets, were handed out, as local acts, The Smooth Edge Band and State Property kept the crowds entertained during the six-hour event.
During Smooth Edge’s rendition of Janet Jackson’s “When I Think of You,” Siani Parker, of Northeast Philly, who was visiting her aunt, Deborah Terry, of 21st Street and Snyder Avenue, was invited to show off her moves onstage.
“First I was nervous, nervous, nervous. Now it‘s amazing, amazing, amazing,” the 11-year-old said. “[While onstage,] I thought ‘I should be relaxed. I’m a dancer. I need to perform in front of a lot of people.’”
Paula Johnson, of 19th and Norwood streets, was happy about the children’s activities that included dancing, bicycling, playing basketball and jumping around in moon bounces.
“It’s shows that [Unity organizers] care about the younger kids to give them something to do than all that violence,” Johnson, who was sitting out in front of her daughter’s in-laws’ home watching her grandchildren, Freddie, 10, and Maniyah, 5, said.
This year, Moore expanded his one-day festival into Peace Week with a rally, teen night, success conference, senior day and basketball game.
“I think that trying to do it in one day is a big rush,” he said. “I wanted to touch every age group.”
While Friday’s contest was postponed until Sept. 1 due to inclement weather, only a brief 15-minute downpour interrupted the block party. Guests, including Rodney Talives Sr., who had to work during last year’s festivities, found cover nearby. He passed by earlier as volunteers were setting up and decided to swing by with his son, Rodney Talives Jr., 16.
“The rain ain’t gonna stop nobody,” he said after noting the good cause. “… I think it’ll have a good impact. This area of the city — they need this sort of thing especially now with the shootings going on.”
Contact Managing Editor Amanda L. Snyder at asnyder@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.
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