Memory Café - Penn Memory Center

The Penn Memory Center is pleased to invite you to our monthly pop-up café at Ralston House. This event is open to older adults and their family caregivers.

Each month features new artistic performances and educational, engaging presentations in a one-hour, free event. Guests add a new experience to their day-to-day lives and connect with others living with cognitive impairment in a safe, social space. Enjoy coffee and conversation at this program, open to all members of the PMC community.

Questions? Contact Meg Kalafsky at 267-624-4282 or pennmemorycenter@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Fall Schedule

October Memory Café:
Mindful Birding

Friday, October 9
10 a.m. to noon
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge

By practicing simple mindfulness and nature-observation techniques, we can strengthen our connection to the birds and natural world around us, amplifying the benefits for our mind, body, and spirit. Join Holly Merker in this soothingly guided experience, designed to be welcoming and inclusive for all. No previous experience in mindfulness or birdwatching is necessary; all are welcome.

Sign up here

November Memory Café:
Mindful Stitching and Embroidery

Friday, November 20
10:30 a.m. to noon
Ralston House

Join PMC’s Director of Social Work Alison Lynn for a relaxed lesson in her favorite hobby: hand embroidery. Embroidery is a great craft to soothe anxiety, increase tactile stimulation, experience a sense of accomplishment, and spend time with others without the pressure of conversation. Together we will learn the basics of hand embroidery and engage in a little “mindful stitching,” or sewing for the fun of it, not to achieve a specific outcome. No prior experience is needed, and all materials will be included, including both standard-size and accessible embroidery needles. Not into embroidery? In the middle of a different fiber craft like knitting, crocheting, or quilting? Feel free to bring a personal project with you to stitch alongside us.

Sign up here

December Memory Café:
Yiddish Dancing

Friday, December 18
10:30 a.m. to noon
Ralston House

Come join us for an introduction to Yiddish dancing. In this workshop, we’ll learn basic Yiddish dances from Bulgars to Zhoks and Freylekhs. Together, we’ll explore the steps and gestures, as well as the Klezmer music behind it, and practice dancing together as a group. No previous experience necessary. Maddie Rabin, a local psychotherapist, performance artist, and Yiddish dance leader, will lead.

Sign up here

Spring Schedule

January Memory Café:
Claymobile

Friday, January 15
10:30 a.m. to noon
Ralston House

Join The Clay Studio for a hands-on clay-making experience! Our professional teaching artists are bringing the Claymobile, our pop-up ceramics studio, to The Memory Center. In this workshop, participants will explore their creativity and imagination while learning the fundamentals of clay building and decoration. No experience needed—just bring your curiosity and get ready to create!

Sign up here

February Memory Café:

More information coming soon.

March Memory Café:
Argentine Tango

Friday, March 19, 2027
10:30 a.m. to noon
Ralston House

Join us for an adapted dance session with music, simple guided steps, and an introduction to Argentine tango. The class supports mobility, balance, coordination, and social connection. Founded in 2023, the Tango Therapy Project brings adapted tango classes to people with Parkinson’s, stroke survivors, and older adults with neurological and motor challenges across Greater Philadelphia. This Memory Café session brings the same welcoming approach to the Memory Café community.
Registration coming soon.