9 Things To Do In Philly This Week: One-Minute Plays, Summer On the Square, Mad Decent Pre-Party, and More
Get our weekly picks of what to do this weekend and the latest on Philly's arts and entertainment scene.
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Monday Jazz Jam
Jazz fans, musicians, and lovers of free live music: head to World Cafe Live for the Monday Jazz Jam. Each week, the house band opens the jam with two songs, and then invites any musician, instrumentalist or vocalist to perform with the band. Guests can look forward to a wide array of jazz tunes, while musicians get a chance to showcase their talent on the World Cafe Live stage. For more information, click here. Monday, August 4th, 5:30 p.m., World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut Street.
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One-Minute Play Festival
If you have a spare minute on Monday or Tuesday, head to InterAct Theatre Company for the One-Minute Play Festival, which brings over 60 mini-plays from emerging and established Philadelphia playwrights to the stage. The festival has travelled the country to over 20 major cities, showcasing the work of local playwrights and directors in a unique series of 60-second productions. Half of the festival's proceeds will benefit The Philadelphia New Play Initiative, an organization focused on gaining recognition for new plays in our area. Tickets are available for purchase online. Monday, August 4th & Tuesday, August 5th, 8 p.m., $20, Adrienne Theater, 2030 Sansom Street.
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GayFest!
From G Philly: Philly’s only LGBT theater festival, GayFest!, kicks off on August 5th. Now in its fourth year, GayFest! producer Rich Rubin says the theme of the season is new meets old. There are a handful of Philadelphia premieres—Next Fall, Some Are People, and You Know My Name—playing alongside old-school favorites. The Haunted Host, for instance, celebrates 50 years on the stage. “It is considered by many to be America’s first full-length gay play,” says Rubin. “I’m excited about combining the new and cutting-edge work with historic work. More than ever, there’s a real range of tone and style in the festival.” So get out there and support our city’s sole LGBT film festival. For a preview of what's opening this week at the festival, go here.
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B.Y.O. Quizzo
Hey, trivia buffs: Johnny Goodtimes and the Rad Girls are hosting B.Y.O Quizzo this Tuesday evening. Quiz fiends can bring their favorite beer or wine and compete for $100 gift cards to spend in the Market & Shops at the Comcast Center. Admission is free, and the games begin at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 5th, 5:30 p.m., Comcast Center, 1701 JFK Boulevard.
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Laurel Hill Cemetery
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Pink Floyd Tribute Concert
For all the psychedelic rock fans: Pink Floyd tribute band Think Pink Floyd will be playing a free concert at Pennypack Park this Wednesday. The band has quite the Floyd repertoire, from Dark Side Of The Moon to The Division Bell. The show is family-friendly, so grab chairs, blankets, and your favorite tie-dye tee and head to the park to enjoy an evening of al fresco tunes. Wednesday, August 6th, 6:30 p.m., Pennypack Park, Welsh Road & Cresco Ave.
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Global Passages: Young People's Concert Series
Here's something for the little ones. The Mann Center invites you on a musical journey through China and West Africa on Thursday. The kids will love the lively song and dance performance featuring the Huaxia Chinese Dancers, the Philadelphia Chinese Lion Dancers, and the Unviersal Dance & Drum Ensemble. Best of all, admission is free! Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Thursday, August 7th, 11 a.m., Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Avenue.
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Summer on the Square
Drexel Business Services is debuting their Summer on the Square series this week, an outdoor food and music event that will take place every Thursday evening in August. Guests can head to Chestnut Square to snag delicious eats from Shake Shack, coZara, vegetate, Yogorino, and Zavino, while enjoying live entertainment from a diverse lineup of musicians. It's the perfect spot to enjoy the happiest of hours on Thursday. Thursday, August 7th, 5-7 p.m., Chestnut Square, Chestnut Street between 32nd & 33rd.
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The Mad Decent Pre-Party
The 2014 Mad Decent Block Party doesn’t start till Friday, but if you can't wait, you can catch some pre-party action this Thursday night. Union Transfer is hosting Philly DJ and Mad Decent founder Diplo, and club music duo Gent & Jawns, for a pre-show bash. Let the raging commence. Tickets are available online. Thursday, August 7th, 8:30 p.m., $25, Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden Street.
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7 Shows to See in Philly This Week
Lots of great acts coming into town this week, including Sheryl Crow, Katy Perry, The Avett Brothers, and a parade of electronic hip-hoppers with Diplo's Mad Decent Block Party. For our full rundown of who to see, go here.
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Submit An Event
Have an event you'd like featured in an upcoming "Things to Do" post? Send information to ksordjan@phillymag.com.
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