A South Philadelphia neighborhood association is hoping to reach out to the LGBT community with a new musical event this month.
Friends of Hawthorne Park will host LGBT Jazz Night at the park, at 12th and Catharine streets, 7 p.m. June 19.
Friends of Hawthorne Park entertainment committeemember Gregory Seaney-Ariano said the neighborhood has grown increasingly LGBT-centric.
“There have been so many gay people moving into the neighborhood, it’s now being called Gaythorne,” he said.
The organization wanted to host an inclusive event not only in celebration of Pride month but to also enhance ties among LGBT and ally residents in the neighborhood.
“Although this isn’t an LGBT-exclusive event, we wanted to foster a sense of community for LGBT residents in the neighborhood because right now, there isn’t a neighborhood LGBT group,” Seaney-Ariano said. “We would like to invite all LGBT neighbors out to this event and anyone else who would like to come listen. It is a chance to have fun and meet LGBT neighbors and friends.”
Hawthorne Park hosted its first Jazz Night last year. Participating musicians for the LGBT night have not yet been announced.
Seaney-Ariano said PennGALA will host a happy hour at a private residence before the show from 6-7 p.m.
The happy hour and musical performance are both free and open to the public.
For more information on the happy hour, email [email protected]. For more information on Friends of Hawthorne Park, visit www.hecphilly.org.