18 Things to Do in Philly This Weekend
Get our weekly picks of what to do this weekend and the latest on Philly's arts and entertainment scene.
“Cézanne Uncovered” Opens at the Barnes Foundation
This highly anticipated exhibition opens at the Barnes Foundation on Friday, and features two unfinished sketches by Cézanne, both that were found on the backside of his watercolors. The museum estimates that this is the first time these sketches have been seen since the early 20th century, and you can be one of the first to view them. Through May 18th, various times, free after museum admission, Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Art Unleashed at University of the Arts
Art lovers must head over to the University of the Arts this weekend to browse and perhaps purchase something from the Art Unleashed show. Visitors can find jewelry, ceramics, photography, crafts, furniture, painting, and sculpture from UArts students, and proceeds benefit the Sam McKeel Promising Young Artists Scholarship Fund. Through April 14th, 12-5 pm, free, University of the Arts Hamilton Hall, 320 South Broad Street.
Sufjan Stevens at the Academy of Music
The multi-instrumentalist has written songs about everything from his home state of Michigan to killer John Wayne Gacy. A second show was added due to popular demand. Friday, April 10th, 8 pm, $35-$40, Academy of Music, 240 South Broad Street. —Victor Fiorillo
Philadelphia Invitational Furniture Show
Forget IKEA: The Philadelphia Invitational Furniture Show returns for the 21st year, and will highlight hundreds of heirloom handmade furniture from across the country. Some of the most innovative craftsmen will be on hand to provide home décor advice along with their signature work. And I don't know about you, but I can't wait to sit in the chair pictured above. Preview party Friday, April 10th, 6-9 pm, $40, general admission Saturday, April 11th and Sunday, April 12th, 12-5 pm, $12-15, 23rd Street Armory, 22 South 23rd Street.
“My Son Matters” at Mount Airy Art Garage
This touching and powerful exhibit examines the relationship between single African American mothers and their sons. Over 35 portraits by Denise Allen feature declarations written by mothers in a post-Ferguson world, where these women must tell their sons that "being black in America means they must watch how they dress, how they move, how they behave." Friday marks the opening of this innovative show. Through May 31st, various times, free, Mt. Airy Art Garage, 11 West Mt. Airy Avenue.
Bike-Themed Movie Night at The Glass Factory
Cinema fans and bicyclists alike will get a kick out of an event this Friday that features two foreign-language films (Jitensha and Wadjda) about bikes. cineSPEAK and Spoke Magazine present the evening, which includes a pop-up art gallery, bicycling advocacy discussions, beer, music, and photography. Post-film chats will also be part of the night. Friday, April 10th, 6:30-10 pm, $8-10, The Glass Factory, 1517 North Bailey Street.
Dan Deacon at First Unitarian Church
Crazy live dance music from a crazy bearded guy from Baltimore. Look up the recent Tiny Desk Concert he did for NPR. Friday, April 10th, 8:30 pm, $15, First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut Street. —Victor Fiorillo
Bob Dylan at Borgata
You either love him or hate him. If it’s the former, good luck getting tickets! Friday, April 10th, 9 pm, $85-$125, Borgata Casino, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City. —Victor Fiorillo
2015 Philly Spring Cleanup
If you're feeling like lending a hand to make Philly a more beautiful place, then roll up your sleeves this Saturday for the 2015 Philly Spring Cleanup. There are dozens of volunteer locations throughout the city that are looking for folks to get a little dirty to spruce up parks and other common areas. Last year's Spring Cleanup collected over 900,000 pounds of trash from these sites. Saturday, April 11th, 9 am-2 pm, free, various locations throughout Philadelphia.
Antiques Tour at Woodford Mansion
This Saturday, explore the historic Woodford Mansion in this special guided tour that will highlight the mansion's Naomi Wood Collection of American Antiques. Noted antique dealer Skip Chalfant will be on hand to provide insider information on the collection, and guests will be able to explore the historic, picturesque estate. Saturday, April 11th, 2 pm, $5, Woodford Mansion, 2300 North 33rd Street.
TEDxPenn
Calling all thinkers: This Sunday, TEDxPenn invades the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. The theme for this TED series is "What Lies Ahead," and over twenty speakers and performers will present talks, including local musician Nic Hanson, cellist Tessa Seymour, cavity-fighter Spencer Penn, and architect Eric Corey Freed. Sunday, April 12th, 10 am-6 pm, $29.50-100, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut Street.
BLINGO to Cure Duchenne
Join a host of local celebrities, including Ed Rendell, CBS 3's Stephanie Stahl, former Eagles quarterback A.J. Feeley, John Bolaris, and Marisa Magnatta from Preston and Steve, as they come together to help fight Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. This party for a purpose at the Rittenhouse Hotel will feature food, drink, auctions, and, of course, Bingo. Saturday, April 11th, 7:00 pm, $150, The Rittenhouse Hotel, 210 West Rittenhouse Square.
Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock at Academy of Music
They rarely perform solo, let alone together. Saturday, April 11th, 8 pm, Academy of Music, $55-$99, Academy of Music, 240 South Broad Street. —Victor Fiorillo
Zappa Plays Zappa at the Keswick Theatre
It would be easy to imagine that Dweezil Zappa is simply riding the coattails of his deceased father, Frank, with this long-running tribute show. But that’s not the case. The younger Zappa is a consummate guitarist and does his dad’s complex music justice while expanding on it. A must for any Frank Zappa fan. Saturday, April 11th, 8 pm, $39.50-$89.50, Keswick Theatre, 291 North Keswick Avenue. —Victor Fiorillo
Sakura Sunday at Cherry Blossom Festival
The centerpiece of the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival occurs this Sunday, as Fairmount Park transforms into an all-day Sakura festival. Guests will experience live music, dance, martial arts, crafts, karaoke, anime, cosplay, fashion shows, and a pink pet parade amongst the cherry blossoms. Also, don't miss the crowning of the Sushi Samurai of the Year. Sunday, April 12th, 9:30 am-5:00 pm, $10, Horticulture Center at Fairmount Park, 100 North Horticulture Drive.
Manayunk Spring StrEAT Food Festival
Come very hungry! This Sunday, celebrate all things Manayunk during their annual StrEAT Food Festival. Over 50 local food trucks and vendors will be on hand serving up their special fares, plus participating vendors will be presenting a dish that is a take on this year's festival theme: the strawberry. There will be a pop-up beer garden plus live music to keep the afternoon rolling. Sunday, April 12th, 11 am-5 pm, free, Main Street Manayunk.
Philly Farm and Food Fest
Everything from artisan pickles to natural, organic chai tea will be featured at this year's Philly Farm and Food Fest. Browse your way through dozens of local vendors selling their quality green wares, and meet some of your favorite cookbook authors, including Joy Manning, Jeremy Nolen, and Tara Desmond. There will also be a pop-up Summer CSA shop. Sunday, April 12th, 11 am-4 pm, $20, Pennsylvania Convention Center Annex, 1101 Arch Street.
The Indigo Girls at Kimmel Center
Amy Ray and Emily Sailers, better known as The Indigo Girls, will be taking the City of Brotherly Love by storm this Sunday evening as they team up with the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra for a one-of-a-kind concert at the Kimmel Center. Ray and Sailers are the only duo with top 40 titles on the Billboard 200 chart in each of the past four decades. Sunday, April 12th, 8 pm, $46-58, Kimmel Center, 300 South Broad Street.
Submit Your Event
Have an event you'd like featured in an upcoming "Things to Do" post? Send information at least two weeks in advance to Bryan Buttler at bbuttler@phillymag.com.
