15 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.
Celebration of Black Writing Festival
It's been deemed the nation's longest-running festival to celebrate black writers: The 31st Annual Celebration of Black Writing runs through the month of May with a plethora of events throughout the city. Enjoy storytelling, receptions, presentations, readings, Added perk? Many of the events are free. Through May 31st, various times, prices, and locations throughout Philadelphia..
Kinky Boots at Forrest Theatre
The mega smash hit musical Kinky Boots is strutting its way into Philly's Forrest Theatre. Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the Cyndi Lauper-composed show tells the story of two unlikely friends who join together to show the world that anything is possible. Get your highest heels out for this one! Through May 10th, various times, $57-152, Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut Street...
Bernstein's MASS with The Philadelphia Orchestra
Yannick Nézet-Séguin leads some seriously large musical forces (two orchestras, a rock band, a marching band, a cast of Broadway vocalists, and multiple choirs) this weekend for an epic and rarely seen performance of Bernstein's MASS. This genre-bending work is one of the focal points of The Philadelphia Orchestra's current season, and sure to be an experience that you can't miss. Through May 3rd, various times, $40-195, Kimmel Center, 300 South Broad Street.
Science Carnival on the Parkway
The Science Carnival is the centerpiece of the Philadelphia Science Festival, and it is a dork's dream come true: Over 175 exhibitors will be showing off experiments, activities, games, and live entertainment. There will be live zoo animals, robots, helicopters, forensic crime scenes, and you'll even be able to extract the DNA from a strawberry. Saturday, May 2nd, 10:00 am, free, Benjamin Franklin Parkway near Franklin Institute, 222 North 20th Street.
The 45th Annual Mt. Airy Day
Celebrate all things Mt. Airy this Saturday during their annual Mt. Airy Day, which features something for just about everyone. A dozen performances are scheduled, along with plenty of shopping, food trucks, a specialized kids zone, arts, and crafts. Additionally, the festival has committed to "going green" by offering bike valet parking and plenty of recycling receptacles throughout the party. Saturday, May 2nd, 11:00 am, free, Cliveden of the National Trust, 6400 Germantown Avenue.
South Street Spring Festival
Celebrate Spring this Saturday as the South Street District features their annual Spring Festival. There will be over 30 restaurants, bars, and food trucks, 40 local musicians performing live, a German Maifest, kids zone, art exhibits, a 4D Insidious experience, shopping, dance performances, and more. Saturday, May 2nd, 11:00 am, free, Various locations throughout South Street.
Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival
One of the most anticipated events of the season, the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival is this Saturday, and you'll be sure to have a great time roaming down Walnut Street. There will be food from Continental Midtown, HipCity Veg, A. Bar, Oyster House, and plenty more, plus cocktails to wash everything down. Don't forget live music and plenty of shopping. Get there early! Saturday, May 2nd, 12:00 pm, free, Various locations throughout Walnut Street.
Sky Festival at Penn Treaty Park
Let's go fly a kite! This Saturday, Penn Treaty Park is hosting it's third annual Sky Festival, which will feature artists workshops, a drone, painting, food trucks, and, of course, tons of kites. This free event is perfect family fun to celebrate the start of both May and the lovely Spring weather. Saturday, May 2nd, 12:00 pm, free, Penn Treaty Park, 1341 North Delaware Avenue.
Liberty Unplugged with Play On, Philly!
Local composer David Carpenter was commissioned to create a work centralized around the words of Frederick Douglass. The result will premiere this Saturday as Play On, Philly! presents "Hallelujahs of the Free,” part of their series Liberty: Unplugged, which is co-sponsored by the Mann Center for the Performing Arts. Spoken word artist Douglas Mapp will share the words of Douglass during the unique event. Saturday, May 2nd, 2:00 pm, free, Mother Bethel AME Church, 419 South 6th Street.
Secret Cinema's Selected Short Subjects at Stephin Merritt Concert
This Saturday, the Secret Cinema will present a special film screening before a concert performance by Stephin Merritt at Union Transfer. Expect an emphasis on filmed pop music spanning multiple decades, including clips originally viewed on early film jukeboxes, movie trailers, and more. Saturday, May 2nd, 8:30 pm, $25, Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden Street.
Sunday Funday at Geno's Steaks
Everyone's favorite South Philly cheesesteak hut, Geno's Steaks, is hosting a Funday Sunday that is a great way to kick off the new week. Enjoy your sandwich with DJ Perry Angelozzi spinning sick beats all afternoon. This event will be returning during the first Sunday in June, so if you don't make it this week, program it in your iCalendar. Sunday, May 3rd, 12:00 pm, free, Geno's Steaks, 1219 South 9th Street.
Radio 104.5 Summer Block Party
It might be a little early to proclaim that it is summer, but the folks at Radio 104.5 think it is high time to throw a roaring, hot weather bender. They kick off their summer block party series this weekend with a concert at Festival Pier featuring The Airborne Toxic Event, BANKS, Catfish and the Bottlemen, and Bad Suns. Although it is free, make sure you register for an online ticket. Sunday, May 3rd, 1 pm, free, Festival Pier, 601 North Columbus Boulevard.
Instrument Petting Zoo with Dolce Suono Ensemble
One of Philly's most esteemed classical music groups, Dolce Suono Ensemble, is offering a musical instrument petting zoo this Sunday, which will allow future young musicians to experience the magic of holding a flute, guitar, and other instruments for the first time. It's part of their Musica en tus Manos (Music in Your Hands) program. Sunday, May 3rd, 2:00 pm, free, Iglesia Evangelica Bautista, 621 Rising Sun Avenue.
Peter Trout Gard's Wired
Lifelong Philadelphia resident and artist Peter Trout Gard has made sculptures that have weighed thousands of pounds. Now, his newest show, called Wired, presents work on a much smaller level: Gard turned to his collection of materials, parts, and hardware to create unique, functional works. Join him this Sunday as his show opens at the Show of Hands Gallery. Sunday, May 3rd, 3:00pm, free, Show of Hands Gallery, 1006 Pine Street.
Taste of the Nation
This Sunday evening party for a purpose features nearly fifty local restaurants serving up their signature dishes to benefit Share Our Strength. Philadelphia Taste of the Nation will also feature cocktails, wine, beers, a silent auction, and raffles. The best part? The event will provide an estimated 950 meals for hungry kids. Sunday, May 3rd, 6:00 pm, $95, Loews Philadelphia Hotel, 1200 Market 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.
