On Friday, May 15th over 300 residents of the Norris Square community marched through the streets in celebration of unity and offering the promise of a stronger neighborhood. The Norris Square Parade brought neighbors together by presenting ideas generated during earlier community meetings in a public way.Hundreds of onlookers crowded sidewalks and leaned out windows to cheer the parade as it passed the narrow streets along the route.
“We were sending a message that our streets are not for drugs and violence, but for celebrating our community's creativity and hope. We were taking our streets back for our children and families,” says Eva Osorio, long time Norris Square resident and interim site-director for the Norris Square Civic Association after school program at McKinley school.
Following the parade, the Norris Square Park filled with more than 1000 long time collaborators and passersby for a full line up of local talent, including spoken word performances, the Hunter School step team, salsa dancers, and several youth dance ensembles. The diversity of acts mirrored the strength of diversity among the crowd. This event provided a safe space for celebration, criticism and reflection between communities within Norris Square.
“I haven't seen this many children together happy in the neighborhood like this in a long time. There was no violence. We brought the parents and families out so that they could see the good side of the community. My friends in recovery need this love. They can provide for people in the community and feel connected,” says Richard DeJesus of Richard and Friends in the Community, a group committed to creating a loving, safe and sustaining environment for communities and families.
The evening’s festivities ended in a powerful expression of love as strangers and friends embraced arms for moment of silence for all those lost to drugs and violence.
The Norris Square Parade and Celebration is the creative collaboration of Norris Square Civic Association, West Kensington Ministries, al-Aqsa Islamic Society, Richard and Friends in the Community, Weed and Seed, Men in Motion in the Community, and Spiral Q Puppet Theater.
Download the post event press release here.
About
FRIDAY MAY 15, 5:30 PM
In the Norris Square Park
(Hancock St, between Diamond and Susquehanna)
Join your neighbors as we celebrate the Norris Square community with a beautiful parade and neighborhood party at the park. Get your friends, family or community group to walk in the parade or perform at the celebration. Call Spiral Q at 215-222-6979 to sign up! All groups welcome.
The Norris Square Neighborhood Parade is the collaborative effort of Spiral Q Puppet Theater, Norris Square Civic Association, West Kensington Ministry, Al-Aqsa Islamic Society, Richard and Friends in the Community, M.I.M.IC, Senator Tartaglione and Councilwoman Quiñones-Sánchez. 
Community storycircles, facilitated by Spiral Q Puppet Theater, were held in mid-March to bring community members into dialogue about their neighborhood. Participants shared stories of generations of family celebrations, the role of faith in their lives, traditions of domino games and block parties, and generous support between neighbors.
Students at McKinley Elementary and Hunter School began work on the Norris Square Parade in early March. Spiral Q teaching artist and local activist, Beth Pulcinella, is teaching students at both schools to transform their ideas into public art though silk screening. Incorporating stories shared during earlier community meetings, students are producing powerful works of art that illuminate residents concerns and celebrate the possibility of a stronger community.
How to Participate
Calling all drummers, dancers, do-gooders and MORE! Everyone is invited to participate in this community-wide event. If you are part of or know a local group that should be in the parade, call Spiral Q or email community@spiralq.org, and we will do the rest. Groups interested in getting involved should download a participation form and email it to tedenoch@spiralq.org or fax 215-222-7002.
If you are an individual looking to get involved, join us at any of the Art Making Builds, Saturdays in Norris Square Park or volunteer on May 15th. We need parade marshals, extra hands, heavy lifters, puppet holders, performers, and loads more! Email becca@spiralq.org if you are interested.
I want to make PARADE ART!
Every Saturday, April 18th - May 9th, Spiral Q artists will be in Norris Square Park teaching people to make giant puppets and parade props. Park workshops are free and open to all!
Saturday, April 18th, 12 - 4 PM
Saturday, April 25th, 12 - 4 PM
Saturday, May 2nd, 12 - 4 PM
Saturday, May 9th, 12 - 4 PM
Rain plan: workshops will be held at West Kensington Ministries at Hancock & Susquehanna
Pictures
Parade photos taken by Pablo Virgo, www.pablovirgo.com
::Saturday Workshops in the Park::
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Click here for more photos!
Download a Flier & Spread the Word!
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Funders
This project is made possible in part by support from American Street Empowerment Zone Community Trust Board, Chace Granting Group, City of Philadelphia, The Fund for Children of the Philadelphia Foundation, The Barra Foundation, Stockton Rush Bartol Foundation, Connelly Foundation, Enterprise-Rent-A-Car Foundation, Samuel S. Fels Fund, Allen Hilles Fund, Independence Foundation, Lincoln Financial Foundation, Lumpkin Family Foundation, William Penn Foundation, The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Philadelphia Cultural Fund, Union Benevolent Foundation, Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial.
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