What’s Worth Seeing in August: Weezer, Philadelphia Folk Festival, Fire-Breathers, Funnel Cakes, and More
Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
August 30th and 31st: Made in America
Ben Franklin Parkway
There are only two places to be this Labor Day weekend: the Jersey Shore, or the Parkway, where Jay Z and tens of thousands of his closest friends will finish out summer concert season with the third annual installment of his huge two-day music festival. This year’s co-headliners are Kanye West and Kings of Leon, with Pharrell, Girl Talk, the National and De La Soul among the many other acts that made the cut. Though our friends in Fairmount hate MIA, we have to say we’re sold on it. But we do have one modest proposal: a couple of satellite stages in cool places like FDR and Penn Treaty parks, where local bands can share the stage with some of the bigger boys and girls. Are you listening, Mr. Z?
More of this month’s must-do events. Click on links for ticket/location information.
The Book of Mormon plays through September 14th at Forrest Theatre.
Through August 30th: “All Different Colors”
Fleisher/Ollman Gallery
Fascinating exhibit featuring works by disabled artists from the region.
Through September 14th: The Book of Mormon
Forrest Theatre
Good luck getting a ticket, though some $25 day-of rush tix are available.
Through September 22nd: “The World Is an Apple: The Still Lifes of Paul Cézanne”
The Barnes
Twenty-one masterpieces.
August 5th–23rd: GayFest!
Various locations
If you like your theater gay, Quince Productions’ annual series is for you.
Weezer
August 9th: Weezer
ArtsQuest
One of the more fun offerings of Bethlehem’s MusikFest, which runs August 1st through 10th.
August 10th: Tori Amos
Kimmel Center
A rare chance to see one of the best live performers of her generation in a symphony hall.
Fire breaters and funnel cake at The Franklin Institute.
August 12th: “Science of the Circus: Fire-Breathers and Funnel Cake”
Franklin Institute
A grown-up party at your favorite science museum, featuring burlesque, circus acts and plenty of cocktails.
August 13th: “Thunder Over the Boardwalk”
Atlantic City
A.k.a. the Atlantic City Air Show.
August 14th–17th: Philadelphia Folk Festival
Old Pool Farm
The lineup is more folkie than in the past few years, which is a good thing.
August 16th: The Oddball Comedy and Curiosity Festival
Susquehanna Bank Center
Starring Amy Schumer, Sarah Silverman and Louis CK.
August 20th: George Clinton
Ardmore Music Hall
Will people pay $40 to see him and his Parliament Funkadelic on the Main Line?
The Polyphonic Spree plays The Prince on August 27th
August 23rd: Mötley Crüe
Susquehanna Bank Center
They’re contractually obligated never to tour again, which is either a very good thing or a very bad thing, depending on your tastes. A final final tour.
Our “Stinker of the Month” is Yanni, playing The Mann Center on August 23d.
August 27th: The Polyphonic Spree
The Prince
This Texas-based choral rock band makes a joyful noise.
August 30th: The Hooters
The Social at Revel
Assuming the bankrupt casino is still open.
STINKER OF THE MONTH: Yanni
The Mann Center, August 23rd
Utterly torturous.
Originally published as “What’s Worth Seeing in August” in the August 2014 issue of Philadelphia magazine.
