'3rd Thursdays' debuts this week

The event near Sansom Common will include food, music and free transportation thoughout the area. This Thursday the University City District is hoping to give city and suburban residents a taste of West Philadelphia -- literally. At 4 p.m., the intersection of 36th and Sansom streets will be transformed into a festival called "Go West! Go International!" The event will feature booths from 18 local restaurants as well as dancers and musicians. By holding the festival, the UCD hopes to highlight attractions and restaurants in West Philadelphia. The event, held on this month's third Thursday, kicks off a series of similar festivals. The "3rd Thursday" series will continue through May. "Not enough people know about [the Institute of Contemporary Art]. Not enough people go to the University Museum," said Carol Scheman, the University's top community-affairs official. "There are a lot of people in the city who don't know that within 10 blocks in this area are dozens and dozens of ethnic restaurants of all different kinds." The UCD -- established in the summer of 1997 and led by Penn, Drexel University, Amtrak and other area institutions --Eaims to improve the quality of life in the area while promoting it to other city and suburban residents. The district is modeled on the Center City District, a quasi-governmental group designed to improve the appearance of downtown Philadelphia that is funded by a tax on area businesses. The UCD deploys 30 unarmed safety ambassadors throughout the area and workers regularly clean streets and remove graffiti. Penn Executive Vice President John Fry is the group's chairperson, and the University is the UCD's main source of funding. The UCD joined with ArtsWest, a coalition of 42 arts and cultural institutions, in sponsoring the event. Local performing-arts groups such as Philadanco, a Philadelphia dance company, and area bands 5nation and Three Doors Down will also perform. At 6 p.m. pop vocalist Michelle Lewis is scheduled to give a free, three-hour concert. The event is sponsored by University-owned radio station WXPN-FM (88.5), which will broadcast its World Cafe show live from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. during the festival. "It's good for the city because it highlights some things that people don't know about," said Joe Ruane, president of the Spruce Hill Community Association, a group of local residents. In an attempt to attract a crowd made up of more than just University students and community residents, city and University officials are lowering parking costs during the event. Parking at meters in University City will be free after 6 p.m. University-owned parking garages at 34th and Chestnut streets and 38th and Walnut streets will offer discounted rates and parking will be free after 5 p.m. in the lot at 40th and Walnut streets. In addition, a free shuttle bus will run in a continuous loop to transport festival-goers to activities at other University City attractions. These other attractions include the ICA's 35th anniversary exhibit, "From Warhol to Mapplethorpe: Three Decades of Art at ICA," a "Happy Hour for Social Activists" at the White Dog Cafe and a "Zesty Fiesta" at the University Museum with food and music to complement its collection of Meso-American artifacts. Attendees each Thursday will be able to enter a raffle spanning the program's duration. Prizes include a weekend stay for two at the Penn Tower Hotel, an overnight stay at the Sheraton University City and a one-year membership to the ICA. 3rd Thursdays are the third step in the UCD's attempt to make University City cleaner, safer and more attractive, according to UCD spokesperson Andrea King. Previous steps include the cleaning program and safety ambassador initiative. For more information about Thursday's festival, the UCD has an information line set up at 1-888-GOWEST7 and a Web site at http://www.gowest.org. UCD Executive Director Paul Steinke said he hopes the Web site will be "the place where people go to find out what's going on from month to month." 3rd Thursdays are sponsored by groups including UCD, ArtsWest, Sansom Common merchants, the Sheraton University City and the soon-to open Shula's Steak 2 restaurant. The program is based on the Center City District's "Make It a Night" retail and dining festivals, Steinke said.