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.
Our Night Out at the Ritz-Carlton
We named Our Night Out the "Best Gay Night Out" in our 2015 "Best of Philly" awards, and this Monday night, you'll find out why. The LGBTQ mixer invades the lovely Ritz-Carlton on Broad Street for cocktails and mingling. Monday, October 19th, 6 pm, $5, Ritz-Carlton.
The Four Seasons with Scott Yoo
The remarkable Scott Yoo will be leading the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia in a performance of both Piazzolla's and Vivaldi's versions of The Four Seasons. Mr. Yoo is a much in-demand musician known for his talents both as a violinist and a conductor. Monday, October 19th, 7:30 pm, $24-81, Kimmel Center.
Katharine Hepburn: Feminist and Icon
Social critic and University of the Arts Professor Camille Paglia presents an "illustrated lecture" on Katharine Hepburn, analyzing the legendary film actress's role as a star and feminist icon. Paglia is the author of six books and numerous essays on art, pop culture, film and politics. She has studied Hepburn for decades, so this lecture at Bryn Mawr Film Institute should be quite the must-do for lovers of badass women in classic cinema. Tuesday, October 20th, 7 pm, $15, Bryn Mawr Film Institute.
Philly History Quizzo
If you think you know a thing or two about Philly, test your knowledge at a special Quizzo game this Tuesday at National Mechanics. The event, hosted by a local Philadelphia archivist, will see just how much you know about the City of Brotherly Love. Tuesday, October 20th, 7 pm, pay as you go, National Mechanics Bar and Restaurant.
Brooklyn Brewery #PhillyMASH Tour
It's a beer and foodie lovers delight: The #PhillyMASH tour features an entire series of beer-focused events throughout the city, including plenty of tastings, secret dinners, and panel discussions. Now through Saturday, October 24th, various times, prices, and locations throughout Philadelphia.
Witch CRAFT Beer Crawl
Boo! This spooky event provides eager drinkers with a witch hat and stamp card which you can fill by purchasing beer or food from participating vendors. Fill the card and enter to win a gift certificate package. Wednesday, October 21st, 5:30 pm, $6.66, East Passyunk Avenue
Intersect Philly Speaker Series
Join Venture for America's Intersect Philly speaker series this Wednesday evening. They'll be featuring a panel from the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation and Friends of the Rail Park in this interactive session. Wednesday, October 21st, 6 pm, free, PHILAMOCA
Making the Stars Shine
This unique volunteer opportunity on Thursday morning lets you get up close and personal with Avenue of the Arts "stars" by cleaning and polishing the plaques along Broad Street. Volunteers will get a free T-shirt, breakfast, cleaning supplies, and Garces coffee. Thursday, October 22, 8:30 am, free, Suzanne Roberts Theater.
GLOW in the Park
Fairmount Park Conservancy (FPC)’s annual, much-loved GLOW in the Park festival sees the lighting-up of the historic Smith Memorial Arch, which was built on the grounds of the 1876 Centennial Exposition. Besides the glow that gives the event its name, the evening is one big ol’ party. Entertainment scheduled for the night includes an aerialist, glow-in-the-dark hula hooping and live music. Food and drink will be made available thanks to a lineup of food trucks, and local distiller WhistlePig will be there with a promised whiskey-based cocktail and all the fixin’s you’ll need to make s’mores. Thursday, October 22nd, 6:30 pm, $75 (in advance), $100 (at the door), Avenue of the Republic and North 41st Street.
Speed and Precision with the Pennsylvania Ballet
The Pennsylvania Ballet opens their season with a program of Balanchine, McGregor, and Wheeldon this Thursday evening. The Balanchine work, Concerto Barocco, was the first ballet ever performed by the company back in 1963. Thursday, October 22 through Sunday, October 25, various times, $30-135, Academy of Music.
Dracula at Hedgerow Theatre
Just in time for Halloween, the suburban theater company goes dark and deep into Bram Stoker’s novel. October 22-November 22, various times and prices, Hedgerow Theatre Company, Rose Valley.
Chance the Rapper at Electric Factory
This hip-hopper went from nowhere to everywhere with his 2013 mixtape release, Acid Rap. Now 22, he’s proving himself to be unafraid to assert his artistic interests. The Chicago native joined forces with a collective of jazz and soul artists, The Social Experiment, and released Surf this summer to warm reviews. You know he’s the hot ticket when Madonna snapped him up for a song on her Rebel Heart album. He’s known for giving it his all during concerts, so expect to dance, sweat and cheer. Thursday, October 22nd, 7:30 pm (doors), Electric Factory. —Sarah Jordan
The Ultimate Guide to Fall Events in Philly
Looking to play ahead a bit? Here, find our massive, gargantuan guide to 103 ways to have the best fall ever. From places to walk or run that are awash in gorgeous foliage to pumpkin-laced beauty treatments that are good enough to eat to warm seasonal cocktails that’ll help ward off the chill.
Rizzo at Christ Church Neighborhood House
Play readings don’t normally culminate in shouting matches or near-fistfights, but leave it to this world premiere about our controversial late mayor to change that. Actor Scott Greer, playwright Bruce Graham and director Joe Canuso met with everyone from former mayor Wilson Goode to a Rizzo bodyguard to ex-con Vince Fumo to Rizzo right-hand man Marty Weinberg to develop the play, loosely based on Sal Paolantonio’s definitive biography. Through November 8th, various times and prices, Christ Church Neighborhood House. —Victor Fiorillo
Metamorphoses at Arden Theatre
Yes, there’s a 2,600-gallon pool in the middle of the Arden Theater right now, and, of course, that’s what catches everyone’s attention the minute they walk into Metamorphoses, the divine staging of Mary Zimmerman’s acclaimed work currently running at the playhouse. However, that same pool, which is so shocking at start, ends up becoming a character itself, almost blending in as the gorgeous production starts. What the Arden's Metamorphoses does is remind us that theater is art, and that art can be beautiful and savage and fluid, very much like the water in the giant pool. That's the genius of Zimmerman's work, which is captured very well in this production. See the rest of our review here. Through November 1st, $36-$50, Arden Theatre Company.
Antigone at Wilma Theater
Eight Philly actors meet three Greek actors in this original adaptation of the Sophocles tragedy. October 7th-November 8th, various times and prices, Wilma Theater. —Victor Fiorillo
Hooked with Inis Nua Theatre Company
This site-specific production of Gillian Grattan's play Hooked! is being staged at none other than the upstairs lounge at Fergie's Pub. The dark comedy is about a "proper little village" with plenty of gossip, meddling, secrets, and scandals. Wednesday, October 7th through Sunday, October 25th, various times, $25-30, Fergie's Pub.
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.
