20 Things to Do in Philly This Weekend
Sex with Timaree is recording live at Tattooed Mom during the Philadelphia Podcast Festival.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 19
Philadelphia Podcast Festival @ Tattooed Mom
Discover your next podcast addiction at the fourth annual Philadelphia Podcast Festival. It starts Friday and runs through August 28th, with a wide variety of podcasts being recorded live at Tattooed Mom and a few other spots. Topics range from the NSFW on Sex with Timaree, to food talk from DidjaEat?, to all the books you’ve been meaning to read broken down on Overdue.
Diamonds and Black Pearls @ Dell Music Center
Maestra Jeri Lynne Johnson leads the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra in a concert of Prince songs in memory of the late music legend.
Mustard Seed Film Festival @ Under the Reading Viaduct
Asian Arts Initiative hosts the kick-off party for Philly’s first Mustard Seed Film Festival, which focuses on filmmakers of South Asian descent. It continues on Saturday.
The Chintz Age Reading @ Philly AIDS Thrfit at Giovanni’s Room
Author Ed Hamilton comes down from New York to read from, and sign, his new book, The Chintz Age.
Philadelphia Folk Festival @ Old Pool Farm near Schwenksville
It’s the 55th year for this annual four-day folk music fest, with a lineup including Los Lobos, Peter Yarrow, the Wood Brothers and many more.
The Golden Gurlz Live @ Tabu Lounge
A crew of “your favorite Gayborhood divas” takes on the roles of Dorothy, Blanche, Rose and Sophia in this parody of the much-beloved sitcom. Your ticket gets you a free Patron XO Café cocktail and a slice of cheesecake.
Bobby Lee @ Helium Comedy Club
The MADtv comedian — he was also in Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle — makes a Philly stop on his stand-up tour.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 20
The PECO Multicultural Series’ Festival of India is Saturday. Photo by Douglas Bovitt
Festival of India @ Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing
I already eat Indian food several times a week, so I’m more than happy to have another helping in honor of India’s Independence Day at this waterfront festival with music, dance performances, vendors and, of course, food.
Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally’s Summer of 69: No Apostrophe @ Merriam Theater
Married comedians/actors/musicians Megan Mullally (Karen from Will & Grace) and Nick Offerman (Ron Swanson on Parks and Rec) bring their raunchy variety show to the Merriam for a one-night engagement.
People’s Poetry and Jazz Festival @ Vernon Park
Grammy-winning musician Stanley Clark headlines this all-day jazz festival from the Black Writers Museum, in Vernon Park on Germantown Avenue.
Movies on the Block @ Various Locations
The Philadelphia Film Society teams up with small neighborhoods orgs for Movies on the Block, an evening of outdoor film screenings paired with activities and community services, like yoga and bike safety checks. This Friday the movie is Ernest & Celestine in Kingsessing; next week the Brazilian film Boy and the World will be shown in Juniata Park/Feltonville.
DIVAS Simply Singing @ Dell Music Center
Sheryl Lee Ralph hosts the 26th DIVAS Simply Singing, an HIV/AIDS benefit concert presented by her DIVA — Divinely Inspired Victoriously Alive — foundation.
Bitter Homes & Gardens @ The Oval
Experimental cabaret troupe The Bearded Ladies brings their Bitter Homes & Gardens show to The Oval for the pop-up park’s final weekend. The performance is on Sunday too.
Barbra Streisand @ Wells Fargo Center
Babs performs her hits from the last 60 years (seriously, 60 years) at the Wells Fargo Center. If you buy your ticket online, you’ll get a copy of her new album, Encore: Movie Partners Sing Broadway, out August 26th.
Totally 80s Night @ Penn Treaty Park
Penn Treaty Park on the Delaware River is celebrating 30 years since it was renovated and expanded with music from the ’80s and drinks from the roving Parks On Tap, which will be set up at the park all weekend.
40th Street Summer Series @ 40th and Walnut
Up next in University City District’s family-friendly summer concert series is the Liberian Women’s Chorus for Change, plus a dance performance from Modero Dance Company.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 21
The Piazza is throwing a party this weekend.
Ultimate Summer Cookout @ The Piazza at Schmidt’s Commons
The Piazza is hosting a summer bash, with a Slip ’N Slide. And other stuff too, like live music from the West Philadelphia Orchestra, lawn games, food trucks, a 30-foot water slide and even a zip line. But mostly, a Slip ’N Slide.
Caribbean Festival @ Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing
Pretend it’s this hot because you’re in the islands at the 30th annual Philadelphia Caribbean Festival, complete with live music, poetry, dance shows, vendors and Caribbean food.
Bugs and Butterflies Festival @ Tyler Arboretum
Cozy up to insects at the Academy of Natural Sciences’ Amazing Arthropods Touch Table, see bees do their honey-making thing at Pieters Apiary and check out the Butterfly House during Tyler Arboretum’s family-friendly fest.
Drake and Future @ Wells Fargo Center
Grammy-winning, Billboard-topping hip-hop artist Drake is on a summer tour with his frequent collaborator, Southern rapper Future.
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