‘Motown Philly is Back Again,’ but we are talking about much more than the hit song.
By Bill Gelman
Boyz II Men, the best-selling R&B group of all time with 64 million albums sold, will be part of the Wawa Welcome America July 4th concert.
The iconic group continues to enjoy a residency at the Mirage in Las Vegas, but on Independence Day they will appear at the Celebration of Freedom Ceremony at Independence Hall where the City of Philadelphia will officially recognize their historic achievements in music and philanthropy. The trio with four Grammy Awards to their name, have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
This will be one of the many highlights to the six-day festival taking place Thursday, June 29 through Tuesday, July 4. The theme of this year’s 25th Anniversary Wawa Welcome America is “Everyone is a History Maker.” Multi — platinum artist Mary J. Blige, aka the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, will headline the concert. Additional Wawa Welcome America entertainment, festival information and details about 50 free events for 2017 will be announced in the coming weeks. Visit welcomeamerica.com. …
Turn on Ed Snider Way. A special ceremony is taking place 3 p.m. today (May 18) at the sports complex honoring the late Philadelphia Flyers chairman who passed away in April 2016 from bladder cancer. The special sign will be placed on 11th Street, between Pattison and Terminal avenues. Members of the Snider Family and 2nd District Councilman Kenyatta Johnson are scheduled to appear. …
Avenged Sevenfold had to cancel last Friday’s show at Lincoln Financial Field with Metallica for a very good reason. Guitarist Synyster Gates flew home to be with his wife, who went into early labor. As a thank you to fans for their support and understanding, the band will return to the Philadelphia area on Wednesday, June 21 for a special show at the BB&T Pavilion in Camden, New Jersey. Visit avengedsevenfold.com/news. …
Former teen idol Bobby Rydell will be stopping by the Fumo Family Library, 2437 S. Broad St., on Wednesday, June 7 for a Meet and Greet Book Signing for his bio “Idol On The Rocks,” which details Bobby’s public triumphs, private demons and behind the scenes stories. Books will be available for purchase for the former resident of the 2400 block of S. 11th St. to sign. Registration is required (There is currently a wait list). Call 215–685–1758. ..
The South Philadelphia High School Alumni Association is holding its 107th Alumni Banquet on Sunday, May 21 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Adelphia Restaurant in Deptford, N.J. The cost is $50 per person. Visit sphsalumni.com for PayPal payment only (deadline is May 18). Call 267–278–2837. …
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is celebrating the accomplishments of Delaware Valley-based gardeners of all interests with its Gardening and Greening Contest. Backyard and community gardeners, who are passionate about greening public spaces, are invited to enter through June 10. Visit phsonline.org/contest, call 215–988–8897 or email ggcontest@pennhort.org.
