CCRA This Week – 5.28.26

This Week May 28, 2026

Better, Not Wetter

Well, the Summer of the Semiquincentennial could not have gotten off to a drearier start.

Cold, windy, rainy – In a word, Raw – and for our friends who chose to spend the weekend down the shore, we hope the restaurants had availability.

But maybe it’s best to get the dreadful weather out of the way early and focus on what promises to be a most unique summer in our fair city’s history.

You’ve probably seen signs already, and by signs we mean literally; there is attractive and informative signage popping up everywhere. We’re also seeing efforts at cleaning and general sprucing up.

So fasten your seatbelts and enjoy the ride.

For all the red, white and blue details, party over to here.

Annual Meeting Recap

Hello Members,

I will admit I did not know the students at The Curtis do not pay tuition. Having lived within blocks of that venerable institution for years and walked by more times than I can count, I never knew that basic fact. If there was any doubt the CCRA Annual Meeting would be educational for our members, the welcome address from our host erased the last bit.

The annual meeting proved to be a productive and educational 75 minutes. Clint Randall, the VP of Economic Development for the Center City District, offered insight into the ongoing evolution of Center City’s vibrant business community as well as the upcoming opportunities and challenges we face. We later said our thanks to CCRA board members reaching the end of their term before successfully electing a new slate of directors. Any volunteer led organization like CCRA relies on exceptionally talented & giving board members – I thank those board members past, present, and future for their work on behalf of the organization.

Finally, I spent a few minutes sharing some of my observations from a first year as president of the organization. While the last 12 months have had extreme challenges, I am confident CCRA is on the best footing it has seen in years, with opportunity to better engage the community. I am laser focused on having CCRA be the premier civic organization in Philadelphia, and everything we have coming is in service of that goal.

As we head into summer, I invite all our neighbors, members and non-members, to join for the CCRA Neighbors’ Night Out event at Veda on June 1st. Veda’s long history of partnership with CCRA and the arrival of some warmer weather should be reason enough to celebrate.

Sincerely,

Nathaniel Margolies

President, CCRA

CCRA NEWS and EVENTS

Few Openings Left - “CCRA Neighbors’ Night Out” @ Veda on June 1

Please join fellow neighbors for a fun-filled social happy hour at the posh restaurant Veda at 1920 Chestnut Street this Monday, June 1.

All of our events are great, but this one can only be super special. An upscale eatery with a modern vibe (and an expansive bar), Veda has a wide and tantalizing menu that will satisfy vegans, carnivores and everything in-between. Classic Indian dishes, clever new creations, and numerous shareable plates are all presented beautifully.

So here’s the deal: for only $20 for members and $25 for non-members, you get to enjoy a drink from Veda’s very large happy hour cocktail menu, plus Veda’s delicious appetizers and, of course, the lively company of other denizens of Center City. From 5 pm - 7 pm. First 100 people.

Mix, mingle, bring a neighbor! It’s a Neighbors’ Night Out!

Click here to sign up now! We’re your neighbors, so trust us on this one!

See you there!

Historical Tour of Rittenhouse Square

As part of Philadelphia’s 250th anniversary celebration, the Center City Residents Association (CCRA) and the Friends of Rittenhouse Square (FoRS) invite you to explore the history that shaped one of the city’s most recognizable neighborhoods.

Beginning in the 1830s, Rittenhouse Square developed into a sought-after residential address, known for its impressive homes and notable residents. This guided walking tour highlights the architecture, growth, and stories behind the Square’s transformation — offering fresh perspective on a place many of us pass every day.

Tour Overview

This approximately one-hour guided experience includes:

A walking tour tracing the Square’s 19th-century development
The history, art and architecture of Rittenhouse Square, the public park that continues to serve as the heart of our extraordinary community

Tickets for April and May were sold out, but June is around the corner, and there’s still a few openings, but if you don’t want to miss this, grab remaining tickets now.

For details and/or more info, “goat” to here .

Trash Committee Update □

The CCRA Trash Committee continues to work closely with our key partners at the Department of Sanitation and its SWEEP program to improve trash set-out compliance across Center City West.

The Department of Sanitation also previewed new public messaging that will encourage residents and property managers to use proper containers for both trash and recycling — not paper bags, which can break open, blow over, and contribute to sidewalk litter.

This work is a reminder that cleaner blocks require shared accountability from residents, property owners, property managers, and city agencies alike.

Recently, the CCRA Trash Committee contacted the owner of a large multi-unit converted mansion on Spruce Street where sidewalk trash had become a recurring weekly issue. Using PhillyDataOne, we identified the building’s owner, who lives in Florida, as well as the property manager, who lives in New Jersey. After we shared photos documenting the weekly sidewalk trash problem, both were eager to address the situation. Since then, conditions at the property have improved significantly and they were one of three Property Managers who attended our Webinar.

This example shows that targeted outreach can make a real difference. Many problem properties are managed from outside the neighborhood, and the responsible parties may not see the weekly conditions on the sidewalk. When we identify the right contacts, document the issue clearly, and engage them constructively, we can help restore accountability and improve the block for everyone.

Thank you to our city partners and neighbors who continue to report problems through Philly311 and help move this work forward.

If you are having a recurring trash issue on your block you can also contact SWEEP directly at 215-685-4279. Cleaner sidewalks start with all of us.

CCRA MERCHANT PARTNER FEATURE:

CCRA’s Merchant Partner program is a true Win-Win: It provides local businesses with complimentary advertising and exposure while giving CCRA members generous deals and discounts. This week we spotlight Merchant Partner InterAct Theater Company.

It’s Always Showtime for Merchant Partner InterAct Theater

The work and plays at Philly’s InterAct Theater are new, but the theater company itself is anything but, as it’s been Philly’s go-to theater for new work and new plays since way back in 1988.

A theater very much for the modern world, InterAct utilizes theatre as a tool to promote civic discourse and stimulate dialogue around the most pressing and complex issues we face in contemporary society. For its 36th season, it is producing its first-ever season of all women playwrights.

And the backstory for CCRA members is that they receive a 20% discount off any show. Simply apply promo code CCRA20.

So don’t dillydally – get your tickets NOW!

Clean, Safe and Green

Discover Philadelphia Through Free Neighborhood Tours

Who are the people in our neighborhoods? Philadelphia 250’s Neighborhood Jawnts gives you the opportunity to explore the nooks and crannies of our city’s numerous and amazing neighborhoods, with free weekly tours on Fridays, from 2 - 5 pm, and Saturdays, from 10 am - 1 pm and 2 - 5 pm, through October.

All tours are led by experienced guides. Registration is required for the tours, which begin and end at the Independence Visitor Center, 599 Market Street. Transportation will be provided by the Philly PHLASH Bus.

Here’s the June Tour Lineup:

June 5 - 7, Main Street’s New Warp (Manayunk)
June 12 - 14, Tacony Drums, Tight and Strong (Frankford and Tacony)
June 19 - 21, Sacred Spaces, Shared Stories and Cake (Lower Bustleton and Castor Gardens)
June 26 - 28, Africatown Rising: Heritage, Art and Nature (Africatown and Southwest Philadelphia)

Click here for the complete tour lineup through October and for more information. Tickets are free and registration is required.

Secure Your Vouchers: FIFA Fan Festival Registration Opens!

While we all know the World Cup is heading to Philadelphia this summer, the countdown became official this week as registration opened for the city's massive, 39-day celebration.

The official FIFA Fan Festival™ Philadelphia is transforming nearby Lemon Hill in East Fairmount Park into a soccer hub running from June 11 through July 19, 2026. Because entry to the festival grounds each day is first-come, first-serve and strictly subject to venue capacity, organizers are urging residents to secure their free entry vouchers online now to guarantee access.

For Center City neighbors, having this global festival right in our backyard means effortless access to giant screens broadcasting matches live, a rotating "Philly Phlavor" lineup of independent local food trucks, and a Vendor Village showcasing neighborhood artisans. Admission is entirely free on match days, opening one hour before the first kickoff and closing an hour after the final whistle. On non-match days, the park will switch gears to host ticketed concert experiences and community cultural programming.

Because Lemon Hill is heavily pedestrian-focused for this event, getting there from Center City without driving will be a breeze. The seasonal Philly PHLASH Downtown Loop will offer extended service on late-match nights, dropping riders off just 0.4 miles from the entrance at Pennsylvania and Fairmount Avenues. Additionally, SEPTA routes 32 and 48 will provide direct service to that same central drop-off point, while nearby RideIndego bike-share stations at Kelly Drive and Sedgley Drive will be fully staffed to handle the extra two-wheeled traffic.

To keep the neighborhood celebration safe and comfortable, the festival will feature a fenced perimeter with security screenings. Keep in mind that while strollers and unopened personal care items are permitted, lawn chairs, outside food and drink, and hard-sided bags are prohibited. Families are fully welcome, though anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Don't wait until the tournament kicks off and lines form at the gates. To grab your free admission vouchers, view the daily match broadcast schedule, or check out the interactive transportation maps, head over to the official FIFA Fan Festival™ Philadelphia website here.

New Indego Bike Station Coming to 22nd & Spruce

A new Indego Bike Station coming to 22nd & Spruce. The station is planned for installation during the week of May 25th, 2026, on the northwest curb along Spruce at 22nd (a location CCRA apparently suggested for a station to Indego some time ago).

Indego's community rep said "We are excited to increase capacity in the area while bringing affordable, eco-friendly transportation options to Fitler Square."

Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion

Odunde 2026: Eat, Shop, Celebrate

The annual Odunde Festival is back! The weeklong event starts on Sunday, June 7, and ends on Sunday, June 14. The main celebration culminates on the last day, called Festival Day, and goes from 10 am to 8 pm. You don’t want to miss out on this event centered around 23rd and South Streets. Attendees can explore over 100 different food and shopping vendors. Bell Biv DeVoe is headlining, so sit back and enjoy the show.

For more information, click here.

Words of Pride: Local Journalism Spotlight at PCI Library

As we wrap up our neighborhood Pride Month celebrations, a fantastic local event is happening right in the heart of Rittenhouse Square. On Friday, June 26, 2026, from 3 pm to 4 pm, the Philadelphia City Institute (PCI) Library will host Words of Pride, an intimate afternoon discussion featuring Jeremy Rodriguez, the acclaimed editor of the Philadelphia Gay News.

Rodriguez, a celebrated queer nonbinary writer and editor, will pull back the curtain on their career interviewing high-profile activists, celebrities, and government officials. The talk will focus heavily on the vital, evolving role of independent journalism within the LGBTQ+ community.

The event will take place in the ground floor meeting room of the library, located at 1905 Locust Street, making it highly accessible. After the presentation, enjoy a Q&A.

Admission to the program is free, but a reservation is highly recommended. The venue is fully mobility-accessible.

More info can be found here.

Philly Pride Fest Returns This June!

Philly Pride Festival is moving to the Ben Franklin Parkway. Mark your calendar for one of Philly’s largest celebrations taking place on Sunday, June 7 from 12 to 7 pm. Expect a full day of music, community, food, and Pride-filled fun. Break out your brightest colors, glitter, and festive fits because this is the day to show your Pride. The festival will take place rain or shine, and tickets are $10 with advance registration required.

Get tickets today here.

Time to Glow at Party in the Park

Party in the Park returns to Schuylkill River Park on Saturday, June 6 - a full day of family fun on the plaza culminating in an adults-only Glow Party to support the Friends of Schuylkill River Park.

FSRP Party in the Park: Glow Edition (tickets here)

Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026

Location: Markward Plaza

Featuring: Panamaniacs (live band) with food from Miles Table and Pizzata, open bar and delicious sweets

All proceeds directly fund the maintenance, landscaping, and community programming for Schuylkill River Park.

Full Schedule:

10 –10:45 am | Mister John's Music: Kick off the morning with the city's most beloved sing-along, where the little ones run the show.
10 am – 3 pm | Plein Air Painting: Watch local artists turn the park into an open-air studio, then bid on their one-of-a-kind canvases that night.
1 - 3 pm | Coco Academy: Hands-on creative play that'll wear the kids out (in the best way) before nap time.
Evening | Adults-Only Glow Party: Trade the strollers for cocktails and step into a glowing plaza for the neighborhood's most stylish night out - all in support of the park we love.

Community News and Events

Looking For Volunteers

The Church of the Holy Trinity at 1904 Walnut Street in Rittenhouse Square is providing volunteer opportunities through its Open Hearts Cafe, including assisting with provision of meals and clothing to those experiencing homelessness. Sign ups are currently ongoing for slots from May 26 through July 21.

To view available dates and times for which you can sign up to volunteer go here.

Celebrate Trinity at Trinity Memorial

Art in the Park (for Toddlers)!

The Philadelphia City Institute (our local branch of The Free Library) is sponsoring a series of art making events for toddlers to be held outdoors in Rittenhouse Square by the Goat Statute. The events, starting at 11:15 am, will be held on the first and third Thursdays of June and July: (June 4 and 18 and July 2 and 16,) and will allow toddlers to experiment and “get messy” with colors, shapes and unconventional art materials. Wipes and smocks will be provided.

For more information, go play over here.

Kick off the World Cup with a Bar Crawl

The World Cup will floweth over with suds and alcoholic beverages at the day-long Crawl for the Cup, June 20, from 12 noon to 8 pm. This Urban Craft and Crawl event will include more than 20 of Philadelphia’s best bars, with giveaways and swag, entertainment, drink specials, a group photo contest and scavenger hunt. Toast your favorite soccer team with your bar crawl teammates at the ultimate World Cup celebration beyond the stadium bleachers.

Tickets can be purchased in advance through Eventbrite and POSH or at the door. For prices, participating bars and more details, click here.

Discuss Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng

One Book, One Philadelphia will hold a librarian-led discussion of Celeste Ng’s Our Missing Hearts, on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at noon at the Philadelphia City Institute (Free Library) 1905 Locust Street.

The discussion will explore the book’s central questions: “what does it mean to be a ‘good’ citizen, and what are we willing to sacrifice for the sake of our children’s futures?” The 24 year-old One Book One Philadelphia is “an outstanding literacy and civic dialogue initiative that encourages the greater Philadelphia region to come together through reading and conversation.” The event is free.

For more information, open this page.

A New Art Exhibit Featuring Quilts and 250th Celebration

Coinciding with the nation’s 250th birthday celebration and premiering in Philadelphia, Moore College of Art and Design will present an exhibition, Art Quilters Celebrate Independence , a juried show featuring artwork by Studio Art Quilt Association of Philadelphia.

The show will feature 39 quilts that explore “the broad meaning of independence and freedom of expression, including reflections on democratic values and human rights in America today.” The exhibition will run from Saturday, June 13 through Saturday. August 29. An opening reception for the exhibition will be held on Saturday, June 13, from 2 - 4 pm at the Galleries at Moore, 1916 Race Street.

For details on knitting this into your schedule, get more info at cross stitch .

Eat, Drink, Admire: A Garden Bar Escape at the Rodin Museum

The Rodin Museum Garden Bar is open on Friday nights once again for the summer season, opening this Friday, May 29th through Friday, August 28 from 4 pm - 8 pm (weather permitting). The Garden Bar will feature food and drink from Constellation Culinary Group and the Rising Up Kitchen food truck. And for all you art and sculpture fans, you will be pleased to note that Adam and The Shade are back in the arches of the Meudon Gate for the first time since 1963, after much-needed preservation work.

Admission to the Friday night garden bar is free and admission to the Rodin museum is pay what you wish. If you are planning your visit this summer, Friday, July 17 will feature a one-night only performance by The Crossing Choir at 6:30 pm. Learn more here.

Insider tip: BYO chair- their chairs go quickly!

Plein Air Artists

The Friends of the Schuylkill River Park is getting excited for their Plein Air event celebrating the beauty of Schuylkill River Park on Saturday, June 6. Artists are invited to paint outdoors in the park from 9 am to 2:30 pm, capturing the landscape in real time.

Artists are invited to submit completed works for public display and a silent auction, with proceeds benefiting the park. Participants will also receive a free ticket to the adults-only “Party in the Park” to use that same night from 7 to 10 pm, featuring food, drinks, and live music.

Cost is $20 to participate and registration is required by Monday, June 1. Find out more information here by scrolling through to the Plein Air Event listing.

Reduce, Reuse, Rewear

Spring cleaning isn’t just for your home, it’s for clothes too! Friends of Schuylkill River Park is hosting a Neighborhood Clothing Swap on Saturday, May 30 from 11 am to 1 pm at Trinity@22nd (2212 Spruce Street). Bring both adult and kid clothes. Items in poor condition will not be accepted. Don’t have anything to swap, stop by anyway. One person’s “so last season” could be your next favorite find.

For more details and clothes drop off times, click here.

Saturday is PlazaPalooza!

Get outside and party. Our neighbor community group, SOSNA, is having an Annual Spring Festival. PlazaPalooza returns Saturday, May 30 from 1 - 7 pm at Triangle Park (23rd and South Street). This family-friendly event will feature live music, kids arts and crafts, face painting, food trucks, a beer garden, and so much more.

Enjoy this sponsor-funded and volunteer-run community event right on South Street. Learn more here.

Editor – Barbara Halpern

Lead Writer – Richard Vaughn

Writer – Marc Werlinsky

Writer - Bob Vogel

Writer - Terry Demchak

Contributor - Bonnie Eisenfeld

Useful links

Merchant Partners "Deals and Discounts" Program

Please support our local merchants and save money too. These local merchants will provide a deal or discount to any member who shows a current CCRA membership card and personal identification.

Arts and Entertainment

Academy of Vocal Arts

Curtis Institute of Music

Interact Theatre Co.

Kimmel Cultural Campus

The Philadelphia Orchestra

The Philadelphia Theatre Co.

Violet Alexandre

Computers and Technology

Eazy Computers & iPhone Repair

Mr FIX

Home, Retail, and Lifestyle