18 Things to Do in Philly This Weekend
Get our weekly picks of what to do this weekend and the latest on Philly's arts and entertainment scene.
Philadelphia Art Book Fair
This two-day event will feature over fifty photo and art publication vendors displaying and selling their cool creations, including zines, prints, and artist books. There will be a West Elm "reading room," plenty of food trucks, a coffee cafe, interactive lectures, and presentations throughout the fair. For artsy bookworms, this is your dream come true. Friday, April 24th and Saturday, April 25th, various times, free, The Annex on Filbert, 830 Filbert Street.
The Penn Relays
The first running of The Penn Relays was in 1895, and this year marks the 121st anniversary of the track and field event that takes place at the University of Pennsylvania's Franklin Field. The event brings thousands to Philly to watch some of the world's greatest track and field talent take part in a host of athletic events. Tickets are required, and get there early to avoid the crowds. Through Saturday, April 25th, various times, $18-24, Franklin Field, 235 South 33rd Street.
International Orchid Show and Sale
Another flower show of sorts is popping up this entire weekend at the Academy of Natural Sciences as the International Orchid Show and Sale blooms. Thousands of orchids will be on display throughout the museum, and guests can take guided tours with horticulture experts, learn about gardening, and purchase these gorgeous flowers at a market. Opens Friday, April 24th, various times, free after museum admission, Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
“Badass Art Man” at the African American Museum
A retrospective of the visual art of Danny Simmons, brother of hip-hop mogul Russell. April 24th-May 31st, African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street. —Victor Fiorillo
Martha Graham Cracker at the Art Museum
Philly's favorite cabaret act is playing this Friday's Art After 5 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. For those who have seen Miss Martha before, you may be wondering if it is okay to bring the kids to this "daytime" show. They've promised they'll keep it "PG," and you'll be able to enjoy a light bite and browse the museum's art collection while you're at it. Friday, April 24th, 5:00 pm, free after admission, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Don Carlo at Opera Philadelphia
Verdi’s classic tale of a love triangle gone wrong plays at the Academy of Music as Opera Philadelphia presents Don Carlo. The production features Philly-born opera legend Eric Owens as King Philip II, and includes a talented cast (we did a pretty fun Q&A with them here). Of course, Verdi's sweeping score will fill the gorgeous Academy. Through May 3rd, various times, $19-239, Academy of Music, 240 South Broad Street..
Now Now Oh Now at Fringe Arts
Performance art troupe Rude Mechs brings their show Now Now Oh Now to Fringe Arts this week, and it's the sort of thing that defies genre. Each performance is limited to 30 audience members, and features science, murder mystery, puzzles, and gaming that will immerse theater-goers. Come dressed ready to move about the space, and leave large bags at home. Through Saturday, April 25th, various times, $25-36, Fringe Arts, 140 North Columbus Boulevard.
Philadelphia Stories and Rosemont College present LitLife Poetry Festival
Any poetry festival that includes a Literary Death Match sounds right up my alley! Join some of the country's tops poets as they present at day-long celebration of all things poetic at Rosemont College this Saturday. There will be panel discussions, poetry master classes, speakers, readings, and a reception at the end of the event. Saturday, April 25th, 9:00 am, $95, Rosemont College, 1400 Montgomery Avenue, Rosemont.
Portside Community Arts Festival
This Saturday, enjoy a Philly street festival with a twist: The Portside Community Arts Festival will feature kids activities, artisan vendors, food trucks, live performances, and, most importantly, the Philly Puff Competition, which is an inflatable sculpture contest (think those things you see on people's yards during the holidays, but bigger and more extreme). Saturday, April 25th, 12:00 pm, free, Penn Treaty Park, 1341 North Delaware Avenue.
Center City Jazz Festival
This Saturday, nearly twenty sweet musical acts will be joining forces to present a full day of jazz throughout Center City. The Center City Jazz Festival features some of the most talented artists in the region, and Philly's awesome small-venue performance spaces will be highlighted, including Chris' Jazz Cafe, Time, and Franky Bradley's. Saturday, April 25th, starts at 1:00 pm, $20, various locations throughout Center City.
Storybook Ball at Please Touch Museum
Join Wild Thing, Ryan Lion, Paddington Bear, and Baby Mouse as they welcome guests to this year's Please Touch Museum Storybook Ball. On Saturday evening, the museum will be transformed into a magical fairytale land, complete with carnival games, a photo booth, and book nooks. Brûlée Catering will be serving up tasty food, and they'll be live music, too. Saturday, April 25th, 6:00 pm, $55, Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic.
Dance With the Bride 2015
This year's annual Painted Bride fundraiser will be a Brazilian themed dance party, filled with plenty of food, fun, and festivities. There will be a live 20-piece band, a Brazilian buffet filled with goodies, drinks by Art in the Age, and quite a lavish auction, including a trip for Greece up for bids. Saturday, April 25th, 7:00 pm, $100, Material Culture, 4700 Wissahickon Avenue #101.
They Might Be Giants at the TLA
Also known as the band responsible for the Malcolm In the Middle theme and excellent children’s albums. Saturday, April 25th, 9:15 pm, $27, TLA, 334 South Street. —Victor Fiorillo
Composing Our Lives with Curtis and First Person Arts
This unique collaboration between First Person Arts and the Curtis Institute will present totally memorable musical storytelling this Saturday evening. In Composing Our Lives, amazingly talented Curtis students were teamed up with professional storytellers to craft their own tales of how music shaped their world views and their own performances. Saturday, April 25th, 8:00 pm, $15, Curtis Institute of Music, 1616 Locust Street.
Robot Build Day at NextFab Studio
Get your inner dork on. This free Sunday workshop, which is part of the Philadelphia Science Festival, will teach eager engineers how to build robotics at the NextFab Studio. Participants will learn all about wiring LED's, making conductive dough, and how 3D printers can make objects, along with all of the ins and outs of creating your very own robot. Sunday, April 26th, 10:00 am, free, NextFab Studio, 2025 Washington Avenue.
More Philly Science Festival Picks
The Philadelphia Science Festival begins its fifth year on Friday, and there are scores of events where you can let out your inner science dork. We’ve selected six of the most interesting ones of the next week to highlight. None of them are more than $20 and two of them are free. For our full list, go here. Enjoy!
World Dance Day at the Piazza
This free day-long dance party at the Piazza in Northern Liberties celebrates World Dance Day, and even if you have two left feet, you'll be able to enjoy performances from dozens of local dancers across all cultures. If you're up to it, take part in mini dance lessons throughout the afternoon, and make a day of it by stopping into one of the many eateries at the Piazza for a bite. Sunday, April 26th, 12 pm, free, Piazza at Schmidt's, 1040 North American Street.
Beauty in Bloom at Hotel Monaco
It's a girls' afternoon out as Hotel Monaco transforms into a mini-fashion show on Sunday for Beauty in Bloom. Guests will enjoy complimentary blow-outs, makeup tutorials, a live fashion show from Saks Fifth Avenue, and goody bags with plenty of samples and takeaways. You can feel good about all of this pampering because a portion of the ticket sales goes to Dress for Success Philadelphia. Sunday, April 26th, 1:00 pm, $25, Hotel Monaco, 433 Chestnut Street.
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.
