17 Things to Do in Philly This Week
Get our weekly picks of what to do this weekend and the latest on Philly's arts and entertainment scene.
NAACP Annual Convention Featuring President Obama
The NAACP's Annual Convention is here in Philly this week, and features dozens of speakers, including President Obama, former President Clinton, Mayor Nutter, and many more. There's also a host of panels, discussions, workshops, and celebrations throughout the multi-day event. Through July 15th, various times and prices, Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch Street
Breathless at the Roxy
This is Godard's first film presented in 35mm. If any of those words mean anything to you, you're probably ready to get in line now. July 13th to July 18th, $8, The Roxy, 2023 Sansom Street.
High Point Story Slam with First Person Arts
Join First Person Arts this Monday at World Cafe Live for their "High Point" Story Slam. Bring your best storytelling skills to the competition and, if you get picked, you might be named the evening's best tall tale teller (with a cash prize). Monday, July 13th, 8:30 pm, $10, World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut Street
PMA's Latest Exhibit On the Big Screen
The Impressionists and the Man Who Made Them brings the latest special exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art to the big screen, showcasing the Parisian art dealer Paul Durand-Ruel and his work to bring Impressionism to American audiences during the late-19th century. Screening for one night only in a handful of theaters in the area, the film will "allow audiences to experience exclusive interviews with art experts and historical figures, and rare glimpses behind the scenes" during the creation of the exhibit that has toured the globe but only gets one stop in the U.S.: Philadelphia. For a rundown of local participating theaters, which includes University 6 in University City, go here. And don't miss a chance to see the PMA exhibit with your own eyes. It's up through September 13th. Tuesday, July 14th, 7 pm, various theaters.
Beatlemania Now
The "World's Best Beatles Tribute Band" may have a clunky title, but they are supposed to be fantastic. They're playing at the Golden Nugget on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. July 14th to September 6th, Golden Nugget, Atlantic City, New Jersey.
The Oval Opens With a Party
Eakins Oval officially kicks off for the summer on Thursday with an evening celebration featuring a festive face-painting station, lineup of food trucks and beer garden. As in years past, The Oval will host a variety of activities that will run from July 16th to sometime in August. More specifically, there will be live bluegrass music on Thursday nights, Quizzo pub trivia on Saturday afternoons in the beer garden, after-work dance parties with DJs on Fridays at 5 pm and kids karaoke and face-paining on Sundays. For the full schedule, go here. Thursday, July 16th, 5 pm-10 pm, The Oval, Benjamin Franklin Parkway at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Sittin' In at the Kimmel Center
The Kimmel Center's free monthly jazz jam session features Luke Carlos O'Reilly, Chartel Finlater, Lee Mo, Emcee Ciarra, and The IIIVibe Collective. The spontaneous nature of the evening means you never quite know what will happen, so join in on the fun. Wednesday, July 15th, 8 pm, free, Kimmel Center, 300 South Broad Street
Lulu's Golden Shoes at Caplan Studio UArts
Flashpoint Theatre Company presents this insanely funny (and insanely dark) satire set in Philadelphia, from our Tony- and Pulitzer-winning playwright, Quiara Alegría Hudes. July 15th through August 2nd, various times and prices, Caplan Studio Theater at University of the Arts, 211 South Broad Street.
Clueless at the Roxy
Pay $2 for a corkage fee, bring wine and watch Amy Heckerling's under-appreciated 1995 comic hit. Will you have a bad time at this show? As if. July 15th, 7:30 pm, $10 ($12 BYO), The Roxy, 2023 Sansom Street.
Bionic Beatdown with Dumpsta Players
After a two-year hiatus, Chardonna Jenkins is back to take on Foxx News, Lisa Jones, Taylor Swifty, and Piggy Azalea in this satirical show at Bob and Barbara's Lounge. A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Village of Arts and Humanities. Wednesday, July 15th, 10 pm, $1.99, Bob and Barbara's Lounge, 1509 South Street
“Horace Pippin: The Way I See It”
Horace Pippin, born in West Chester, was a self-taught artist who created bold works featuring everything from family moments to florals to scenes of war. The Brandywine River Museum is the only venue that is featuring this exhibit honoring the late painter, which is also the first exhibition of Pippin's work in over 20 years. Through July 19th, various times, free after museum admission, Brandywine River Museum of Art, 1 Hoffman's Mill Road, Chadds Ford.
Blackboard Society Orchestra at Glen Foerd on the Delaware
The Blackbird Society Orchestra will be performing a "pay what you wish" concert at Glen Foerd on the Delaware this Thursday evening. Enjoy sounds of the Gatsby era while taking in this outdoor musical evening, rain or shine. Thursday, July 16th, 7 pm, pay what you wish, Glen Foerd on the Delaware, 5001 Grant Avenue
Neil Young at Susquehanna Bank Center
Maybe he’ll sing his recently released anti-Starbucks song, “A Rock Star Bucks a Coffee Shop.” Regardless, he’s not getting any younger. See him while you can. Thursday, July 16th, 7:30 pm, Susquehanna Bank Center, One Market Street, Camden, NJ.
Moon Man Walk with Orbiter 3
Orbiter 3 launches with a new play, Moon Man Walk, written by Barrymore winner James Ijames. Set (mostly) in Philly, "This magical journey through space and time takes us literally from Philadelphia to the moon and back." Through July 19th, various times, $22, Prince Theatre, 1412 Chestnut Street.
Closer Than Ever with Mazeppa Productions
The popular musical review Closer Than Ever, featuring the songs of Maltby and Shire, returns to Philly with Mazeppa Productions. Featuring 24 songs about life after your twenties, the evening promises to be both humorous and touching. Through July 25th, various times, $25, Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 North American Street.
Plan-ta-shun at the African American Museum in Philadelphia
Contemporary artist Colin Quashie presents an installation of modern works titled Plan-ta-shun at the African American Museum in Philadelphia. Quashie uses "the language and imagery of marketing and mass media to lampoon racist historical norms and challenge contemporary racial and social constructs." Through August 16th, various times, free after museum admission, African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street.
Defending the Caveman at Penn's Landing Playhouse
The long-running Broadway play Defending the Caveman returns to Philadelphia at the Penn's Landing Playhouse. Local performer Vince Valentine takes on the comedic one-man show about gender, sex, and relationships, guaranteed to make you laugh in your seat. Through August 30th, various times, $45-65, Penn's Landing Playhouse, 211 South Columbus Boulevard.
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.
