-Courtesy of Aversa PR & Events
Manayunk Development Corporation announces that Stroll the Street will return for its ninth year! Every Thursday, from June 6th to August 29th, Main Street Manayunk will come alive with monthly themes, weekly activations, live music, local artists, outdoor vendors, happy hour specials, and shopping deals all while leaning into the neighborhood’s creative community. Weekly stroll activities will start every Thursday at 5:00pm, with street vending ending at 8:00pm, and merchant/restaurant deals running throughout the night. Weekly themes for 2024 will center around Art in June, Music in July and Pets in August Back again is the popular MNYK Artbox which will host art demos, interactive installations, musical performances, a doggie fashion show, and more.
The event is open to the public and spans from Green Lane to Shurs Lane in collaboration with Manayunk’s many businesses. There is no charge to attend, food and drink are pay as you go. Stroll the Street will not take place on July 4th, and it is not rain or shine. Updates regarding weather and schedule changes can be found on the website- https://manayunk.com/events/stroll-the-street.html. Follow @manayunkdotcom for weekly updates and previews.
“Stroll has quickly become a fun, hyperlocal event in Manayunk highlighting the community, local businesses and vendors, and artists,” said Manayunk Development Corporation Events Coordinator Caitlin Marsilii. “We’re really excited to lean into the neighborhood’s creative side in creating community driven art projects, performances, and concerts. All are welcome to paint, sing, play, or dress up their dog on the MNYK Artbox!”
EVERY WEEK, ALL SUMMER LONG
Throughout Stroll the Street, Manayunk will host 15+ artisan vendors each night including everything from jewelry, art, vintage clothing, gourmet hot sauce, candles, pet treats, and more. Musicians will perform up and down Main Street at spots like Canal View Park, Ring Street, in alleyways, and out front of various businesses. Stroll the Street specific food, drink, and shopping specials will be listed on Manayunk.com each week, and Cotton Street will host rotating MNYK Artbox activations throughout the summer tying in with monthly themes.
Merchant specials so far include:
* City of Paws Pet Care – Staying open late until 8PM. Weekly specials during Pet Month
* Creative Collective – Neighborhood Portraits offered for a discounted price
* Minor Details – Extended store hours every Thursday until 8pm.
* Winnie’s Manayunk – Varied weekly food/drink specials tying in with arts, music, and pet month
* Vibe Philly Events – Handmade crafts
* Fat Lady Brewing – weekly live music and drink specials
* Jake’s & Cooper’s Wine Bar and Wine Shop – complimentary wine tasting and 10% off all wines tasted
* Tubby Robot Ice Cream Factory – Made-to-order ice cream sandwiches with cookies by local bakers at My Sweet Gluttony
* The Brass Tap – weekly promotion beer specials
* La Roca – live music and lots of food and drink specials
* Philadelphia Runner – weekly discounts and Thursday night group runs at 6:30PM
* Blondie – weekly drink specials
MNYK ARTBOX
Stroll the Street’s newest addition is the MNYK Artbox! Added in 2023, the mini-stage stationed on Cotton Street hosts art demos, interactive activities, and unique musical performances. This year, the MNYK Artbox will welcome a tufting demo, community paint night, drum circle, jazz band, open mic night, doggie fashion show, and more.
MNYK MURALS AND ALLEYWAYS
While taking a stroll, visitors are invited to explore the alleyways of Manayunk decorated with vibrant lights and art installations. Gay Street is home to 15+ hanging rainbow umbrellas while Station Street feels more like a garden with hanging leaves, twinkling lights, and succulent paintings adorning the fence. There’s a surprise waiting around almost every corner, and in addition to the alleyways, Manayunk is also home to 30+ murals. So, grab some ice cream on historic Main Street and explore all of Manayunk’s murals and alleyways. It’s a perfect photo-op!
MNYK Alleyways: Conarroe Street, Gay Street, Station Street, and Ring Street
MNYK Murals: For a list of all murals and their stories, click here.
JUNE – ARTS MONTH
June 6th – Plein on Main: Stroll the Street kicks off with Manayunk’s very own plein air competition. Plein on Main, presented by Orbit Art Gallery is the perfect kick off to the event series. Taking place June 6th from 11:00am to 8:00pm, participating artists will paint scenes of historic Main Street Manayunk (Leverington Avenue to Shurs Lane) as they compete for the $1000 grand prize. All painting will take place in the natural elements, and we invite visitors to come and stroll the street as the artists bring their work to life. Prizes will also be awarded for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, & 5th place, and awards will be determined by the Plein on Main judges including Artist in Residence at The Barnes Foundation, Jonathan Pinkett. There will be a community showcase on Cotton Street from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, with award winners being announced at 8:00pm. Artwork will be available for purchase during and after the event.
PARTICIPATING PLEIN ON MAIN ARTISTS:
Sarah Baptist
Pauline Braun
Jean Broden
Daley Bullock
Myles Cavanaugh
Mateus Costa
Elissa Gore
Elaine Lisle
Joanne McIlvaine
Mark Mccoy
Denise Need
Michael Traines
Lisa Wetzler
Janet Williams
Rebecca Zajac
Rain date: Thursday, June 13th from 11:00am to 8:00pm.
June 13th – Manayunk Paint Night: Manayunk invites the community to join them on Cotton Street in painting a temporary MNYK Artbox painting. Visitors will be able to step up onto the Artbox to help fill in the Manayunk themed piece. Visitors will also be able to channel their inner artist with mini-canvases and paint available at the Manayunk tent.
June 20th – Tuft the World: Tuft the World will take on the MNYK Artbox with an interactive tufting demo. Visitors will get hands-on experience as they help create a colorful and collaborative rug with a tufting machine. Tuft the World will also have their art on display at the event.
June 27th – Family Fun Night: Bring the kids to Stroll’s Family Fun Night! Cotton Street will host caricaturists, face painting, games, and kid-friendly arts and crafts – that are fun for adults too!
JULY – MUSIC MONTH
July 11th – Interactive Drum Circle with Joseph Tayoun: Talented percussionist, Joseph Tayoun, will lead an open drum circle on the MNYK Artbox. The circle is open to anyone – all skill levels welcome. Drums will be provided, and guests are more than welcome to bring their own.
July 18th – Manayunk Open Mic Night: In collaboration with Fat Lady Brewing, Manayunk will be hosting a community open mic night on the MNYK Artbox. All are welcome to join. Information on sign ups can be found on their website.
July 25th – Gardyn Jazz Orchestra: In collaboration with Fat Lady Brewing, Manayunk will host Gardyn Jazz Orchestra on the MNYK Artbox. The group, composed of world class musicians, will bring an incredible performance full of enthusiasm, virtuosity, and incredible sounds. The show will bring hip arrangements, strong musical soloists, and unkempt hard groovin’ swing
AUGUST – PET MONTH (Pet-Specific Vendors & Puppy Agility Course All Month Long)
August 1st – Peanut Butter Puppy Paint: It’s a paint night for the pups! Visitors can bring their furry friends to Cotton Street to paint (or lick) their very own portrait. Who knows what doggie masterpieces will be created.
August 8th – Doggie Fashion Show with Roberto Negrin: Award winning pet fashion designer, TV personality, and animal advocate, Roberto Negrin, will take over the MNYK Artbox and host a doggie fashion show with local rescues. All original designs, the doggie outfits are sure to wow Manayunk visitors. Guests are encouraged to bring their pets dressed to impress as the night will also host a canine costume contest, and lucky winners might just receive Manayunk swag and gift certificates.
August 15th – Pet Bandana Making with Portable Picasso: Strollers can gift their furry friends a customized, handmade bandana. Portable Picasso will provide bandanas and art supplies to help deck out your pet.
August 22nd – Canine Caricatures: All night long, Dan’s Toonz will be sketching portraits of pet parents and their furry friends. Stop by Cotton Street to take home the memory – caricature style!
August 29th – Pup Cup Buffet: Visitors and their dogs can make their way on down to Cotton Street for a complimentary Pup Cup Buffet. The buffet menu will include toppings like peanut butter & bacon treats, natural peanut butter, and more!
Manayunk.com will be updating details about each night as the summer progresses. Make sure to visit the website and follow @manayunkdotcom for updates on social media.
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