9 Things To Do in Philly This Week: Pay-What-You-Wish Wednesdays Begin at NMAJH, Riot On the Dance Floor Screening, SoLow Festival, and More
Get our weekly picks of what to do this weekend and the latest on Philly's arts and entertainment scene.
SoLow Festival
Local artists unite this week to showcase experimental work with a focus on solo performances in non-traditional locations. The citywide event is running now through Sunday, June 29th, with unique venues ranging from theaters to private homes. All shows are pay-what-you-can and promise one-of-a-kind performances from groundbreaking artists. A full schedule of events and locations can be found here. Now through Sunday, June 26th, various locations.
The Ben Folds Orchestral Experience with The Philadelphia Orchestra
The Mann Center presents multi-platinum singer-songwriter Ben Folds, accompanied by The Philadelphia Orchestra, this Tuesday, June 24th. Folds will perform his new piano concerto, along with orchestral arrangements of many of his pop and rock hits. The Philadelphia Orchestra will be accompanying several musical acts over a three-week span this summer at the Mann, kicking off with Folds. The series will continue with other performances over the next few weeks, including Il Volo this Thursday and Beethoven’s 9th this Friday. Tickets to The Ben Folds Orchestral Experience are available online. A full schedule of events for the music series can be found here. Tuesday, June 24th, 8 p.m., $15-49.50, Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Avenue.
Pay-What-You-Wish Wednesdays at the National Museum of American Jewish History
The National Museum of American Jewish History is hosting a pay-what-you-wish Wednesday promotion this summer, running through Labor Day. The public is invited to check out the permanent collection and special exhibitions, like “Chasing Dreams: Baseball & Becoming American,” for whatever size donation they wish. Baseball fans: This Wednesday will also feature an hour-long “Chasing Dreams” themed tour beginning at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 25th, 5-8 p.m., pay-what-you-wish, National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 S. Independence Mall E.
P.M. at the Penn Museum Summer Nights Concert Series
Penn Museum is back for its second week of eclectic live entertainment this Wednesday, June 25th. This week, the summer concert series (held outdoors in the museum’s Stoner Coutyard) will feature the Philadelphia-based group Barakka, who specialize in Turkish folk-rock with an array of instrumentation including guitar, darbuka, and drums. As always, the museum galleries will stay open late until 8 p.m., and drinks and light fare will be available for purchase. The full schedule of upcoming performances can be found here. Wednesday, June 25th, 5-8 p.m., $10, Penn Museum, 3260 South Street.
Spruce Street Harbor Park Promenade
The much-anticipated Spruce Street Harbor Park isn't opening till this weekend, but you can get a sneak preview of the pop-up oasis at the Spruce Street Harbor Park Promenade this Wednesday. Delaware River Waterfront's annual fundraiser will give guests a chance to check out the park's impressive amenities before anyone else, while sampling delicious food from restaurants like Alla Spina, Rouge, Vernick, Sbraga, and more. There will be live entertainment and fireworks, too, if you can look past the mouthwatering eats. All proceeds from the event will benefit the programming along the waterfront. Tickets are available here. Wednesday, June 25th, 6-9 p.m., $150, Spruce Street Harbor Park, 201 S. Columbus Blvd.
Love, Us at The Rotunda at Penn
This Wednesday, June 25th, the fifth-annual Love, Us will showcase a variety of exciting performers, all of whom are focused on promoting self-love through their art. The Rotunda at Penn will host the show, which will feature concerts, live dance performances, spoken word presentations, and more. The artists – ranging from dancers, to singers, to poets – will show audiences that love (and the arts!) is all you need. Tickets are available online, or at the door. Wednesday, June 25th, 7:30 p.m., $10 online, $12 at the door, Rotunda at Penn, 4014 Walnut Street.
A Tribute to City Gardens
Fan of old school punk rock? The Awesome Fest and This Is Hardcore present A Tribute to City Gardens, a celebration of the release of Riot on the Dance Floor: The City Garden Documentary. On Wednesday, June 25th, four bands who frequently played the legendary rock venue (Into Another, Murphy’s Law, Vision, and Pagan Babies) will take the stage at The Trocadero for a tribute show. On Thursday, June 26th, for the local premiere of Riot on the Dance Floor, there will be a free outdoor screening of the film at Clyde Park, followed by a Q&A session with the filmmakers. Tickets to the show, and more information about the documentary, can be found here. Concert: Wednesday, June 25th, 6:30 p.m, $16, Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch Street. Screening: Thursday, June 26th, 9 p.m., Clark Park in University City.
Cocktails in the Courtyard
The Young Friends of the Philadelphia History Museum are hosting a black-and-white themed garden party this Thursday evening, June 26th. Cocktails in the Courtyard will feature music spun by local Jaime Dillon, summer drink specialities by Dock St. Brewing Co., and a black-and-white pastry bar. Partiers can participate in a raffle, or have their picture snapped in the on-site photo booth. Guests are encouraged to don black-and-white cocktail attire. Tickets are available online (they include unlimited food and drink and one raffle ticket!), with proceeds benefiting the museum. Thursday, June 26th, 6-9 p.m., $20 for members, $25 for non-members, Philadelphia History Museum, 15. S. 7th Street.
Michelle Lordi at the Blue Bell Inn
If you’re in search of some live jazz this week, local musician Michelle Lordi will be playing at Montgomery County’s Blue Bell Inn this Thursday, June 26th. Lordi - a Philly native - also plays regularly at two of the city’s favorite live jazz destinations, Paris Bistro and Chris’s Jazz Cafe. Get to the recently renovated Blue Bell Inn in time to snag a happy hour cocktail, and stay for Lordi’s silky vocals. More information on Lordi’s upcoming performances can be found here. Thursday, June 26th, 8-11 p.m., Blue Bell Inn, 601 Skippack Pike, Blue Bell PA.
- events
- Mann-Center
- National Museum of American Jewish History
- Spruce Street Harbor Park
- things to do
- Trocadero
