Celebrate Mantua is a vibrant, community‑driven arts and resources festival in the Mantua neighborhood of West Philadelphia. It was conceived in 2024 by Iquail Shaheed and his organization, Dance Iquail!, evolving from the 2020 “Art Thrives from Black Lives” Black Lives Matter march into a celebratory, empowering event .
Held at Miles Mack Playground (near 36th & Aspen Streets), the day-long festival typically runs 11 a.m.–4 p.m. and features:
Live performances — drill and drumline teams like the West Powelton Steppers and Sixers Stixers, plus hip‑hop, jazz, modern dance showcases.
Dance & fitness classes — ballet, modern, Pilates, yoga, and line dancing sessions led by Dance Iquail!
Community resource fair — booths covering wellness, finance, voter engagement, and more whyy.org
Family-friendly fun — bouncy castles, face painting, water play areas, cartoon characters, and food vendors
The event spotlights local Black cultural resilience, aims to strengthen neighborhood cohesion, and raises awareness about the impact of gentrification. Backed by the Philadelphia Cultural Fund and the PA Council on the Arts, Shaheed aims to make it an annual highlight for the community.
In 2025, “Celebrate Mantua” is scheduled for Saturday, July 12, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Miles Mack Playground (3601 Aspen St.)
