sent by Porch LightOct 8, 2026

Events Radar: Oct 8 to Oct 22

AI AND TECH

  • Tue Oct 13, 6 to 8:30pm: Code for Philly Hack Night, Philadelphia (Indy Hall, 709 N 2nd St). link Drop in and work on community tech projects with other local devs, a good recurring way to meet people; free. Date is inferred from their usual 2nd Tuesday pattern, confirm on Meetup before heading over.

CERAMICS AND CLAY

  • Thu Oct 8 (today) through Dec 31: “Small Favors” 20th anniversary exhibition opens, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia. link Nearly 400 tiny (4 inch) works in clay and other media from artists worldwide, priced 15 to 3,500; opening reception time wasn’t posted, check the site.

DANCE

  • Thu Oct 8, 15 and 22, 7:30pm beginner lesson, 8 to 10:30pm dance: Thursday Night Contra Dance, Commodore Barry Center, 6815 Emlen St, Philadelphia (Mt. Airy). link Weekly contra with a new dancer lesson built in, exactly the repeat and meet people format you’re after; 5 to 20 sliding scale, no partner needed.

Thu (weekly, time to confirm): Lindy 101 drop in beginner swing lesson, Jazz Attack, 1336 Spring Garden St, Philadelphia. jazzattackswings.com (check Instagram @jazzattackswings for this week’s time) A standing weekly beginner Lindy Hop class from a volunteer swing nonprofit; $7 and up, no partner needed.

  • Thu (weekly), 8pm doors, lesson before the social floor opens: “Ultimate Thursdays” salsa and bachata, Lucky Strike, 1336 Chestnut St, Philadelphia. link Beginner friendly salsa and bachata lesson followed by social dancing; 5 before 9pm, 10 after, 21+, no partner needed.

  • Tue Oct 13, time to confirm: Park Avenue Contra, Swarthmore. link Second and fourth Tuesday community contra dance, a short drive west of the city; confirm start time and lesson details on the listing.

  • Sat Oct 17, 7:30pm beginner lesson: Contra Dance, Summit Presbyterian Church, 6757 Greene St, Philadelphia (Mt. Airy). link Monthly third Saturday contra, same beginner lesson first format; 5 to 20 sliding scale, no partner needed.

ADJACENT

  • Weekends Oct 10 to 11 and Oct 17 to 18, noon to 6pm: Philadelphia Open Studio Tours (POST), citywide. link Free self guided tours of 150+ artist studios across the city, a good way to see working ceramicists and makers in their own spaces; no registration required to attend, maps posted on the site.

Act now: nothing here needs advance tickets, but confirm the exact time for the Lindy 101 class and the Park Avenue Contra dance, and double check the Code for Philly Hack Night is still on the 13th, before you go.