Just Do It

Paine's Park Benefit

by Mark Maurer

Sat., June 28, 9 p.m.-1 a.m., $20-$22, 21+, Naval Shipyard, 1413 Langley Ave., tickets available at painesparkproject.eventbrite.com or at local Urban Outfitters stores

(CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VERSION)

Franklin's Paine Skatepark Fund (FPSF) is extending its hands a little bit further this weekend. The next stop on the nonprofit's tour for funding Paine's Park is at the door of the corporate empire: a benefit with Urban Outfitters at the store's Naval Shipyard headquarters.

(A quick recap for the uninitiated: For the past five years, FPSF has been attempting to acquire the necessary means to construct a 2.5-acre public skate park and pedestrian plaza just south of the Art Museum. Last December, the city granted them $1 million, and FPSF is now seeking state funding in hopes of breaking ground next spring.)

The benefit will feature performances by Yah Mos Def, Rock Tits and Broadzilla, as well as an art show, skate demos, an open bar and the ultimate standby for sheer merriment, a boxing ring-style moon bounce. Additionally, Shepard Fairy will have artwork on display.

Jamie Elfant, executive director of FPSF, hopes to show local businesses that people really do care about the park. "The community is our number one supporter, and they are the ones who will most benefit from the park," she says. "It's important they share their enthusiasm because the average person isn't capable of contributing $7 million, but they are capable of supporting our efforts."

A chauffeur service for the evening (in the form of yellow school buses) will be on a constant loop around the city from Northern Liberties to Broad and Washington.