20 Things to Do in Philly This Weekend
The Theater of Life mural by Meg Saligman. © 2002 City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program. Photo by Jack Ramsdale
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
Mural Arts Month Kickoff Party @ Snyder Plaza
Mural Arts Philadelphia opens Mural Arts Month with a party at Snyder Plaza, where four new murals are up as part of the Murals at Swanson Walk, while I see how many times I can write “mural.” DJ Cash Money, Cosmo Baker, Gun$ Garcia and DJ Royale will provide the dance music and circus artists from Circadium will be performing.
Damon Wayans Jr. @ Punch Line Philly
Coach from New Girl, who’s the younger generation of the Wayans family of actors/comedians (In Living Color, Scary Movie, White Chicks, and so on) — and looks so very, very much like his dad — performs at Punch Line on Friday and Saturday. You also know him from the TV show Happy Endings.
Parks on Tap @ Lemon Hill
It’s last call for roving beer garden Parks on Tap, so head to the Lemon Hill mansion in Fairmount Park to drink outdoors with city and river views. Parks on Tap will be there through Sunday.
James Blake @ Electric Factory
British producer, singer and songwriter James Blake, who was a hit on Beyonce’s Lemonade, is on tour for his new album, The Colour in Anything. For the opener, WXPN presents Moses Sumney.
Point Break Live @ Underground Arts
So, I think this is exactly what it sounds like: The movie Point Break performed live (as a parody). But instead of Keanu Reeves in the lead, the role of undercover FBI agent Johnny Utah is filled by an audience member.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1
Bru Fall Fest is taking place within the Midtown Village Fall Festival.
Midtown Village Fall Festival @ Midtown Village
Four stages of live music, 15 restaurants, 40 vendors and, if past years are any indication of the crowd to expect, about 50,000 people will take over Midtown Village for the annual fall festival, stretching out along 13th Street from Market to Locust, on Chestnut and on Sansom from Broad to 11th, on Chancellor from Juniper to 13th, and on Drury (where McGillin’s is).
BRU Fall Fest @ 1300 Chestnut Street
This one is a fest within a fest. BRU Craft & Wurst is throwing an outdoor party inside the Midtown Village Fall Festival, with food, beer, and live music from the Chris Paterno Band, American Dinosaur and Levee Drivers.
Ahlan! @ Trinity Center for Urban Life
Get a sampling of Arab arts and culture at Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture’s second annual open house, featuring music from the Al-Bustan Takht Ensemble, an interactive drum circle, demonstrations of Arab art, a story-telling booth, and more. It’s free.
Joe Rogan @ Tower Theatre
Comedian Joe Rogan, who was the host of Fear Factor and on NBC’s NewsRadio (and is also a color commentator for the UFC), comes to the Tower for one night.
A Cappella Festival @ Bryn Mawr College
It’s just like Pitch Perfect! Extreme Keys is hosting the third annual Bryn Mawr Cappella Festival, with college a cappella groups performing and part of the proceeds going to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Geno’s Steaks 50th Anniversary Celebration @ Geno’s Steaks
Celebrate 50 years of “whiz wit” at Geno’s at a carnival-themed party with live music, hosted by Marc Summers of Double Dare.
Block Party @ Philly AIDS Thrift
Philly AIDS Thrift, which from my experience is staffed by some of the friendliest people in Philadelphia, is throwing an 11th birthday block party, with music from DJ Robert Drake, food trucks, magicians, carnival games including a moon bounce and a dunk tank, and an appearance by Joe Jack Talcum of the Dead Milkmen.
Opera on the Mall @ Independence Mall
Watch a broadcast of Opera Philadelphia’s Turandot, the epic opera from Puccini, outside on the big screen. Bring a blanket to sit on.
Kensington Gardens Pop-Up @ 2670 Coral Street
This is pop-up beer garden number four out of five from the Kensington Community Food Co-op and Nodding Head, with proceeds going to the KCFC, a member-owned grocery store that does not yet exist but is working hard on it.
Collingswood Book Festival @ Haddon Avenue in Collingswood
Authors, poets and booksellers — and readers — will converge on Collingswood for the 14th annual book festival.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 2
The Please Touch Museum features a life-sized 40-foot replica of the Statue of Liberty’s arm and torch, made from toys, games and other found objects gathered and assembled by local artist Leo Sewell. Photo by M. Edlow for Visit Philadelphia
40th Birthday Party @ Please Touch Museum
The Please Touch Museum is celebrating 40 years of catering to kids with an all-day birthday party, with Mayor Jim Kenney in attendance, music from Steve Pullara and the Cool Beans Band, and dancing with local choreographer Roger Lee. The museum will be displaying toys from each decade of the past 40 years, like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from the 1980s, and museum admission is 40-percent off.
Eddie Lang Day @ Kimmel Center
Celebrate the musical legacy of the South Philly born and bred Father of Jazz Guitar at the Kimmel Center, with the Blackbird Society Orchestra playing 1920s jazz, a dance performance, and a silent auction. Proceeds from the event go to two music-related charities, Musicopia and Dancing Classrooms Philly.
WXPN 5K Run for Musicians on Call @ Penn Park at University of Pennsylvania
Run — or stroll — to benefit WXPN’s Musicians on Call program, which brings local musicians into hospitals to perform for patients. There’s an ’80s dance party with DJ Robert Drake after the race at World Café Live.
Up and Over the Ben Franklin Bridge @ Ben Franklin Bridge
The Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia hosts several interesting walking tours. This one takes you across the Ben Franklin Bridge from Philly to Camden, with a guide talking about the history of the bridge and the future of waterfront development on both sides of the Delaware River. It meets in front of St. George’s United Methodist Church.
Theresa Caputo @ Liacouras Center
The Long Island Medium is bringing her live show to the Liacouras Center. I honestly don’t know if I’m including this sincerely.
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