16 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.
Henna Happy Hour at the Bronzed Bee
Rittenhouse airbrush and waxing boutique—and former Best of Philly winner—Bronzed Bee is hosting its first-ever Henna Happy Hour. Henna artist Sarah Plonski will be there applying the intricate tattoos alongside Bronzed Bee owner Ashley Piotrowski. Friday, August 21st, 2-4 pm, starts at $25, The Bronzed Bee, 406 South 2nd Street.
Roller Derby Fundraiser at Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest
On Friday, Philly Roller Derby is hosting an anniversary party and fundraiser for member Nina Knockout, who was attacked along with her two children in July. DJ Code Freeze will spin tunes while Philly Roller Derby members past and present and the general public (yes, you're invited, too!) speed around Philly's first and only outdoor roller rink. Items will be auctioned off throughout the evening to raise money for Miss Knockout and her children's recovery. Friday, August 21st, 7 pm-1 am, $3 admission + optional $10 skate rental, Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest, Columbus Boulevard at Market Street.
Kevin Allison's Risk! Live at Underground Arts
What's the most embarrassing thing that's every happened to you? Sketch comedian Kevin Allison is on a mission to find out. Allison is the host of RISK!, an award winning podcast and live show featuring stories about the most intimate and often hysterical details of people's lives. This weekend, he will bring his hilarious wit to Philadelphia's Underground Arts for a live-recording of the podcast. Friday, August 21st, 9 pm, $20, Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill Street.
Drew Nugent & the Midnight Society
Take it back to the jazz age. Drew Nugent & the Midnight Society are Philadelphia's very own jazz ensemble. Their unique style is a blend of blues and pop with a touch of Roaring Twenties. The swinging band will join the FringeArts bill this weekend. Friday, August 21st, 10:30 pm, FringeArts, 140 North Columbus Boulevard.
Chris Brown at Susquehanna Bank Center
R&B/hip-hop artist, dancer and actor Chris Brown will take the stage in Camden this weekend. After signing with Jive Records in 2004, Brown's debut album peaked at No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and was later certified double platinum. Brown has won numerous awards, including two NAACP Image Awards, three American Music Awards and fourteen BET Awards. Listen before you go: "Run It!" Friday, August 21, 7pm, Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Boulevard, Camden. —Chelsey Hamilton
Macy’s Family Fun Day at African American Museum in Philadelphia
Celebrate the African diaspora during this event that's geared toward children and parents. African artifacts will be on display to exhibit the creative minds of African leaders both past and present. After perusing the museum you can take a seat at a crafts table and create your own take-home project. Saturday, August 22nd, 10 am, $7, African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street.
Franklin Flea
Franklin Flea will set up tables in Headhouse Plaza to bring you a market filled with 40-60 vendors. Purveyors will showcase a wide selection of locally made goods from vintage jewelry to reclaimed furniture. Visit the Food & Beer Hall under the Shambles to grab a bite in between each purchase. Saturday, August 22nd, 10 am, Headhouse Plaza on 2nd Street, between Lombard and South streets.
Water Moves at The Franklin Institute
Philly youth ages 6 to 8 are invited to participate in the ultimate science experiment. Help discover solutions to the city's irrigation problems by re-engineering a city block out of everyday items like sponges. Using basic concepts of "green infrastructure," kids will design models that capture as much rainwater as possible. This event is free, but registration is required here. Saturday, August 22nd, 10 am, free, The Franklin Institute, 222 North 20th Street.
Saved by The Bell '90s Party With The Bayside Tigers
The Troc is taking it back to a time when Doc Martins and Tamagotchi were in. Bayside Tigers are a New York-based band who play hits from '90s hit-makers, like Backstreet Boys, Smash Mouth, Spice Girls and so many more. So give yourself the ol' Zack Morris time out and head over to The Troc for a throwback jam sesh. Saturday, August 22nd, 8 pm, $12-15, Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch Street.
Sugar Ray at XFinity Live!
Hit ’90s and ’00s bands including Sugar Ray and Uncle Kracker will join the lineup for 95.7 BEN FM's Summer BENder 2015, featuring the Under the Sun Tour. End your summer right with a fun concert of popular throwback jams. Listen before you go: "Every Morning." Saturday, August 22, 7pm, Xfinity Live!, 1100 Pattison Avenue. —Chelsey Hamilton
Star Wars Day
The force will get a little stronger in Philadelphia when the Please Touch Museum celebrates all things Star Wars on Sunday, August 23rd. Journey on a galactic adventure through exhibits that feature rare Star Wars memorabilia, including an R2D2 unit that visitors can maneuver with a remote control. And remember, it's a family event only, so make sure to bring the kids. Sunday, August 23rd, noon, $17, Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic.
PhilaSoup Annual Kick-Off Fundraiser Party at Keystone Mini Golf
PhilaSoup is throwing a party in honor of Philadelphia teachers. Guests can enjoy a round of 18-holes at the indoor/outdoor mini golf course while sipping on beers from Philadelphia Brewing Company. Raffle prizes and arcade games will also be offered at the event. Bring the whole family. All proceeds support classroom grants for Philadelphia teachers. Sunday, August 23rd, 5:30, $20, Keystone Mini Golf, 161 Cecil B. Moore Avenue.
Summer Concert! The Maccabeats
The Maccabeats started off as a YouTube sensation back in 2007. Since then, their fan base has grown substantially. Maccabeats music videos have over 20 million views on Youtube, covering an array of musical genres from their own personalized covers of mainstream songs to jazzy revamped versions of traditional jewish tunes. Their local stop along the tour will include Shir Ami synagogue in Richboro, Pennsylvania. Indulge in kosher snacks starting at 5 pm. Sunday, August 23rd, 6 pm, $5, Shir Ami, 101 Richboro Road, Newtown.
The Good Life at Union Transfer
After an eight-year hiatus, The Good Life are back, touring in support of their latest record, Everybody's Coming Down. The folk-driven pop band will rock an acoustic tune this Sunday night with their complete four-musician ensemble. The band was started by frontman Tim Kasher back in 2002. They continued to grow and produce records till 2007, with the release of their fourth album, Help Wanted Nights. Their fifth and latest EP was released on August 14th and can be heard here. Sunday, August 23rd, 8 pm, $15, Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden Street.
Santana: The Corazon Tour at PNC Bank Art Center
This Latin rock band first gained widespread attention at Woodstock in 1969 after performing "Soul Sacrifice." Their style stood out among the other musicians in the Woodstock lineup and led them to record their first album, which they self-titled Santana. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame back in 1998 and has been awarded a total of eight Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammys. Purchase tickets—now on sale for $20—here. Sunday, August 23rd, 8 pm, PNC Bank Arts Center, 116 Garden State Parkway, Holmdel, New Jersey.
Lady B Basement Party at Dell Music Center
Lady B from the Lady B Show on Old School 100.3 is hosting her annual basement party this weekend at The Dell. The live show will include top artists Biz Markie, Naughty by Nature, Tuff Crew and more. Listen before you go: "Just A Friend." Sunday, August 23, 7pm, Dell Music Center, 2400 Strawberry Mansion Drive. —Chelsey Hamilton
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 Josh Middleton at jmiddleton@phillymag.com.
