Where I came from there are no seasons, our weather kind of stays together consistently so we do not experience real summers or winters, that might be one reason why we have festivals and carnival all year around.
My mom have had the chance to travel all around the world during the last years and something she was extremely excited about was summer. She describes it as the time when kids play at parks until midnight, cultural activities and free concerts abound and when everyone is just enjoying their time. I guess now I am and will be able to fully experience that.
Since the city is getting warmer each day and the night hours are starting to shortened, a round of cultural activities are taking place, one caught my attention: west Philly Porchfest.
Before continuing I have to point out that if you ever have the chance to visit Philadelphia there are beautiful pedestrian paths in west Philly, great porches, tranquility, stunning architecture, rhythm, repetition of forms, elements and configurations, also well put together gardens and beautiful shadows casted by even more stunning trees.
So, the porch fest… This was the kind of event my mom always talked about, I started walking around the neighborhoods and I stumbled across various artist performing free shows and gathering crowds around, everyone was happy, vibing, and enjoying the moment and the weather. I will never forget the act of a group called HoneyTron, definitely they were doing art there!
After, I found a Jazz group performing and two or three blocks away I heard Latin-Caribbean music, so I went there and literally they had taken half of the road and turned it into a dance floor. The next thing I knew was that I was invited to join the block party and was enjoying my time there with the lovely outgoing people I met there.
I ended my porch fest at Clark Park, an open Dj event was taking place there so I sat, enjoyed the sun, music and a last minute mini picnic.
All this was beyond what is portrayed as summer in movies, it is really the time when people enjoy outdoors with their families and friends, I think I like summer so far! Meanwhile, I will keep track on upcoming events and try to have fun as much as I can.
For now stay tuned, I will be waiting for you on verse 4.
Greg
