Hidden City Festival 2013 Kicks Off Tomorrow in Pennsport at Shivtei Yeshuron-Ezras Israel

Hidden City Festival - Shivtei Yeshuron from Hidden City Philadelphia on Vimeo.


The Hidden City Festival gives the general public a glimpse in to the world of under appreciated  city landmarks. There is a huge kick off shin dig this Saturday at the Reading Viaduct with food trucks and live music. Here's the kicker though, the fun actually starts Thursday right here in good old Pennsport. Purchase a pass - it's going to be worth it.


As many of you know, Pennsport is a neighborhood rich in Philadelphia history. What you may not have known is that Pennsport was once the center of Philadelphia's Jewish culture. That's where Hidden City comes in - to educate, inform, and entertain.

It's here to bring some much needed attention and resources to the Shivtei Yeshuron-Ezras Israel - one the oldest and last remaining house synagogues in Philadelphia and located at 2015 S. 4th Street (between McKean and Snyder).

The site page for Shivtei Yeshuron-Ezras Israel gives a glimpse at the two main programs being run through the festival - which takes place from 5/23 through 6/30.

During the Radical Jewish Music there will be a series (most likely four) of concerts based on the works of John Zorn. ABRAXAS (on 6/3) and VOLAC (6/12), part of Zorn's "Masada Book Two - The Book of Angels," will be features during this concert series. Check out the screening of the documentary "Punk Jews" on June 20th. The film centers on "profiling Hassdic punk rockers, Yiddish street performers, African American Jewish activists and more." Co-producer Saul Sudin will be leading a discussion after the screening.

A look the knitting machine (photo via Hidden City)

The second project is lead by Andrew Dahlgren as he leads the ADMK Knit Lab. Kicking off Thursday, May 23rd (tomorrow) at 1pm - this project pays homage to the many Jews who worked in sweat shops located in the upper floors of row homes. The goal is to piece together knit squares made on an antique knitting machine housed within the synagogue. The final product being a large knit "sweater" for the front of the building.  Knitting takes place on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday from 1-6pm throughout the festival

The "sweater" will be installed during the final week of the festival - which should be awesome.

Moral of the story - get out and enjoy Pennsport by exploring the neighborhood's amazing and diverse past. Hit up the Hidden City Festival to contribute your time, talent, and treasure to ensure a piece of history remains (and thrives) in our neighborhood.