19 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.
Faith No More at Electric Factory
The recently regrouped California rock band still has a devoted cult following. Download their just-released album Sol Invictus for a taste of what they’re like 25 years after their epically overplayed “Epic.” Friday, May 15th, 8:30 pm, Electric Factory, 421 North 7th Street.
Jane Seymour: Up Close and Personal
Jane Seymour has won Emmy and Golden Globe awards, starred on Broadway, written books, and is an accomplished visual artist. Ocean Galleries in Stone Harbor is hosting a special exhibit of Ms Seymour's oil paintings and watercolors, which opens this Friday. All artwork on display will be available for acquisition. Through May 25th, various times, free, Ocean Galleries, 9618 Third Avenue, Stone Harbor
A Taste of Opera at Art After 5
Get a preview of the upcoming production of Charlie Parker's YARDBIRD at the Philadelphia Museum of Art this Friday. Artists from Opera Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Clef Club will preview several numbers from the upcoming world-premiere production, and there will be plenty of jazz, cocktails, and food to enjoy throughout the evening. Friday, May 15th, 5:45 pm, free after museum admission, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
South 9th Street Italian Market Festival
This weekend, the Italian Market Festival returns for the ninth time, and will feature Jerry Blavat and radio personalities from Ben 95.7 FM and 102.9 MGK. Besides all the great food and shopping, there will be a half-ball tournament, a car show, accordion corner, procession of saints, and dozens of crafters selling their wares. Saturday, May 16th-Sunday, May 17th, 11:00 am, free, 9th Street Italian Market, 919 South 9th Street
Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby
Get ready for a day of papier-mâché madness, sculpture, and mud pits: The Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby and Arts Festival is this Saturday, and the day is full of parades, viewing parties, music, and fun. If for some reason you can't make it to the event live, the organizers are streaming a mud-pit camera on the web. If this all sounds too strange for your tastes, perhaps stopping by one of the local bars to watch it might be more your speed. Saturday, May 16th, 12:00 pm, free, various locations throughout Kensington
CRAFT PHILA-Liberty Bell Fair
Dozens of the region's top artists and crafters will be featured at this weekend's CRAFT PHILA-Liberty Bell Fair. Guests can purchase handmade jewelry, accessories, and home wares while enjoying some of Philly's best food trucks. There will be live music, circus performers, art stations, sidewalk chalk drawings, a "selfie station," and more. Saturday, May 16th-Sunday, May 17th, various times, free, Historic District, Sixth Street to Seventh Street between Chestnut Street and Market Street
PLAY Manayunk
Take part in a Guinness World Record sit-up challenge, nature hikes, yoga classes, dragon boat rides, dance lessons, and more at PLAY Manayunk. The day-long celebration of all things reaction, fitness, and fun will also feature live performances, food trucks, crafts, a petting zoo, moon bounce, a lecture series, and more. Saturday, May 16th, 10 am, free, Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center, 7 Lock Street
MMRBQ at Susquehanna Bank Center
Slash (pictured), Bush and Breaking Benjamin take the top slots at WMMR’s annual excuse to get drunk. Saturday, May 16th, 1 pm, Susquehanna Bank Center, One Market Street, Camden.
Haverford Spring Fest at Brookline Boulevard
The Delco street celebration features local musical talents Charlie Gracie, Kuf Knotz (pictured), Cabin Dogs, and Hooters member David Uosikkinen. Sunday, May 17th, noon to 7 pm, Brookline Boulevard, Haverford.
Animal Grossology at Academy of Natural Sciences
The Academy of Natural Sciences is opening what they call "the slimiest, stinkiest, and downright yuckiest exhibit you will find in Philadelphia." Animal Grossology will immerse visitors in 3-D displays of things that you can't talk about at the dinner table, from poop to hairballs. There will be plenty of gross dissections, creepy bugs, and smelly animals to go around. Through August 30th, various times, free with museum admission, Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia Renaissance Faire
This weekend is the first ever Philadelphia Renaissance Faire, and the line-up is huge: Hafthor Julius Bjornsson from Game of Thrones (pictured) will be on hand, plus dozens of folk bands, dancers, and magicians will perform on two stages. There will also be vendors selling leather goods, masks, jewelry, chainmail, and more. Saturday, May 16th-Sunday, May 17th, 12:00 pm, $20-35, Fairmount Park, 4100 Chamounix Drive
10th Annual Wheat Beer Fest
The South Philadelphia Tap Room is invading the new Point Breeze Pop-Up on Saturday for their 10th annual Wheat Beer Fest. The afternoon will feature dozens of beers and ciders (including Brooklyn's Green Market Wheat, Witbiers, Hefeweizens, Saisons, Berliner Weisses, White IPAs, and more), food trucks, and live music. Saturday, May 16th, 12:00 pm, free, Point Breeze Pop-Up, 1622 Point Breeze Avenue
Jam on the River
This year's Jam on the River has a remarkable lineup: Lotus (pictured), Papadosio, Electron, Savoy, Dopapod, The Werks, Twiddle, Flux Capacitor, Tweed, and Catullus will be rocking out at Penn's Landing on Saturday. The new location at Festival Pier will provide concert goers with space to dance, more food options, and a great time. Saturday, May 16th, 1:00 pm, $66.10, Festival Pier, 601 North Columbus Boulevard
Plazapalooza 2015
It's street festival season again! This Saturday, Plazapalooza 2015, organized by the South of South Neighborhood Association, will feature food, drink, and live music by South Street Sounds and Metrophilly Kids. There will be games galore, including ping-pong, bean-bag toss, kanjam, giant Jenga, plus kids arts and crafts. Saturday, May 16th, 1:00 pm, free, Grays Ferry Triangles Plaza, 23rd Street and South Street
Preakness at the Piazza
Gentlemen: Get your bow ties ready! Ladies: Get your biggest hat! It's Preakness at the Piazza on Saturday, and yours truly is a fashion judge at this annual fundraiser for MS. In fact, 100 percent of the net proceeds from the event will support the National MS Society. What better way to celebrate charity, fashion, and sports while sipping on cocktails and enjoying some great food? Saturday, May 16th, 5:00 pm, $75, The Piazza, 1050 North Hancock Street
The Who at Wells Fargo Center
Don’t expect to hear too many B-sides; this show is an unapologetic hits fest. If you miss the Philly show, catch them at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on May 22nd. Sunday, May 17th, 7:30 pm, various prices, Wells Fargo Center, 3601 South Broad Street.
Rooms in Bloom
Historic Strawberry Mansion will be opening its doors starting this Sunday for a special "Rooms in Bloom" tour, which will feature floral arrangements throughout the mansion, along with a selection of watercolor paintings that can be purchased. This Sunday, admission will be free to celebrate International Museum Day. Through May 23rd, various times, $2-5, Historic Strawberry Mansion, 2450 Strawberry Mansion Drive
Let the Dog See the Rabbit
Featuring a 13-person ensemble, Lightning Rod Special's Let the Dog See the Rabbit is a performance-art piece that investigates how humans examine animals. The theater group, which tries to create performance "from the ground up," will present an actor-driven piece that strives to break common metaphorical stereotypes of our favorite zoo friends. Through May 21st, various times, $20, The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut 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.
