Could not disagree more.

With the long tradition of basement house parties, alternative performance venues like the Rotunda and Danger Danger Gallery, formerly active spots like the CODE space and the Fakehouse, weekly accoustic music venues like Fiume, I think UCity/West Philly is a pretty lively part of town. Everytime I go past the bulletin board at the Satellite Cafe I'm overwhelmed at the number of concerts and alternative entertainment events i could go to every week without leaving the neighborhood. I doubt any neighborhood in the city can claim to have as many funky DIY entertainment venues - although outside of the World Cafe Live and the Mill Creek Tavern, I will agree there is something of a lack of officially sanctioned ones.

Then there are the various festivals, concerts, and theatre events that happen in Clark Park (like the Clark Park Fest and Best Fest) and in Calvary Church (including the Crossroads World Music Concerts and Curio Theatre Company). And sometimes arts venues that have classes like the CEC and UC Arts League

I think its possible the problem is more that you have sort of drifted out of the demographic of folks who organize DIY cultural events in West Philly and you are blaming the neighborhood.

There is also the free weekly Friday Night Jazz in Cedar Park that Denis King sets up, as well as the Summer Heritage Jazz in Malcolm X Park every other Thursday in the summer time.

For what its worth there was an old PB thread about West Philly's tradition of many alternative music and arts venues here. Also a thread about the Fringe/Live Arts Festival moving an increasing number of its performance to venues in West Philly.

There are also stores featuring local handicrafts and the occasional accoustic music performance like VIX Emporium and contemporary and cutting edge art venues like the ICA and the Slought Foundation.

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