The Culture Lab Events
Olney Culture Lab designs and produces an ongoing, annual season of robust events that celebrates diverse arts and culture in the greater Olney community. We welcome local residents and interested visitors alike to join us in making Olney a vital hub of creativity and inspiration.
Olney Youth Arts Festival
The Olney Youth Arts Festival is our signature event, and it had occurred annually in early October until the pandemic of 2020 interrupted it. The Festival celebrates vibrant youth arts programs, showcases different ethnic expressions to promote cross-cultural awareness, and brings positive energy to a business district along North 5th Street. We are excited to announce that we will be bringing it back on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at Thurgood Marshall School!
Olney Choir Festival
The Olney Choir Festival typically kicks off our season in the mid-spring. It was launched in 2015. This annual multi-generational event features local schools choirs from elementary through high school as well as adult singers usually from the faith-based institution that hosts our event. It showcases the artistic talents of Greater Olney residents whether they sing in school, in a house of worship, or at home. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, many choirs have not reformed and this event is indefinitely on hiatus.
Jazz on the Green at Fisher Park
Jazz on the Green at Fisher Park is the activation of open space in the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation system in the heart of Olney. It is designed to be a showcase of vibrant performances by local homegrown groups comprised of musicians of multiple generations, both young and seasoned. The annual concert is held outdoors in the late afternoon and evening in the summer on the lush grounds of Fisher Park off of North 5th Street. After a hiatus due to COVID, we brought back this event in 2022. Look forward to its return in the spring of 2025!
Global is Local Ethnic Food Tour
OCL designed and piloted the Global is Local Ethnic Food Tour in conjunction with the North 5th Street Revitalization Project, with the first one held in April 2016.
The tour celebrates the diverse culinary expressions created by various ethnic food businesses and restaurant owners in Olney. The tour seeks to promote a greater awareness of these establishments in order to attract more business and outside capital to the corridor and to celebrate the universality of food. These ticketed events are held for small groups of 10-15 people.
The food tour has garnered positive attention for the community and become a city-wide model of championing local commerce.
Second Friday Open Mic
Every month, Olney Culture Lab partners with North 5th Street Revitalization Project to hold the Second Friday Open Mic at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. This event welcomes any amateur and professional performing artists from the neighborhood to share their talents among like-minded creative individuals and supporters. Olney Culture Lab provides strategic planning and day of technical support.
We are happy to announce that the Open Mic is returning to St. Paul’s this spring on the Friday, April 14th at 7 PM!
