On The DL

Da Bottom United

by Will Dean

Sat., June 23, noon-3 p.m. seminar, free, Mantua Center, 39th and Mt. Vernon streets; 3-8 p.m. festival, free, 39th Street Playground, 39th and Olive streets, arsin5@yahoo.com, www.myspace.com/da_bottom39

Rising murder rates, drug corners, urban blight — this is the only news you hear about some Philly neighborhoods. The folks behind Da Bottom United intend to change all that.

Run by youth in the Mantua section of West Philly, the group debuts with an event to get locals interesting in combatting social problems. "A lot of people say the youth around here are crazy," says 19-year-old Vinte Clemons, the main organizer of Da Bottom United. "But I think that's just because of things [the youth] lack."

The day starts with a march from 34th and Haverford streets to 38th and Mt. Vernon streets, followed by talks on issues that affect the community, such as HIV/AIDS, violence and drug abuse. The festival will continue at 39th and Olive streets, with live music, a talent showcase, a pool party and a mini basketball tournament. In addition to the festivities, representatives from local health and activist groups such as Action AIDS Coordinating Office (AACO), Penn's Children's Hospital, DHS, Youth Roundtable and Men United for a Better Philadelphia will all have tables offering information on social services.

Da Bottom United's moniker is derived from the Black Bottom, a vibrant community that existed where University City now sits, and whose energy Da Bottom United hopes to re-create. "There's a lot of things going on around here with housing and lack of social services," says Clemons. "I figured I'd do a one-time event to get people inspired to do more."