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.
Songs You Left Behind at Kimmel Center
This free event at the Kimmel Center features folk lore, music, storytelling, and more. Six Hispanic nations will be represented at the Center's SEI Innovation Studio for this interactive conversation. Friday, July 17th, 7 pm, free, Kimmel Center, 300 South Broad Street
Philadanco at Dell Music Center
World-renown dance company PHILADANCO returns to the stage of The Dell Music Center Friday with more talent and diversified acts than ever before, and for a price that won't break your bank. Tickets are as low as $10. The fourth annual Founder's Day Concert will feature work by not only PHILADANCO's company dancers, but also their promising youth company, D/3, and their talented apprentice company, D/2. Special guest artists Waheed Works, Dance Iquail, Fuego Dance and Roger Lee Dance will also perform. Friday, July 17th, 7 pm, $15-40, Dell Music Center, 2400 Strawberry Mansion Drive. —Chelsey Hamilton
Pee-Wee's Big Adventure at The Oval
Join Pee-Wee on the big screen at The Oval this Friday night. Before a free screening of the ever-campy film, there will be a Pee-Wee dress-up contest, plus a concert by Los Strait Jackets. Friday, July 17th, 9 pm, free, The Oval, 2451 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Floetry at TLA
Based out of England, Floetry moved to the U.S. in 2000 and started their sound on the performance poetry stage. Since then, the R&B duo has released two studio albums, one live album and sold over 1,500,000 records nationwide. Consisting of "the Songstress," Marsha Ambrosius, and "the Floacist," Natalie Stewart, the group recorded their latest hit album, Flo'Ology, in 2005 before parting ways. The duo reunited this year for a reunion tour, the first time they've performed together in nine years. Listen before you go: "Say Yes." Friday, July 17, 9pm, TLA, 334 South Street.—Chelsey Hamilton
Giant Ice Cream Block Party at Reading Terminal
From Foobooz: July is a lot of things (humid and long are the first adjectives that come to mind), but it is also National Ice Cream Month. If you have yet to begin celebrating (or are looking for a way to do it in the company of others rather than alone on your couch in your underwear with a pint of rum raisin), look no further because on Saturday, July 19th, Reading Terminal Market will be celebrating with the return of their Sidewalk Sizzle and Ice Cream Freeze. More here.
Indoor Antique and Vintage Market
A unique indoor antique and vintage market is setting up shop at the Kimmel Center this Saturday. Dozens of vendors from the tri-state area will be selling jewelry, collectables, furniture, clothing, pottery, glass, and more. Saturday, July 18th, 8 am, free, Kimmel Center, 300 South Broad Street
LUXE: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Fashion
The National Liberty Museum is throwing a fashion jewelry show this weekend, and admission is free. There will be pop-up boutiques all over the museum, offering unique, one-of-a-kind pieces to add to your collection. Saturday, July 18th and Sunday, July 19th, 10 am, free, National Liberty Museum, 321 Chestnut Street
The Juice Merchant Grand Opening Celebration
Manayunk's newest dining establishment, The Juice Merchant, is holding a grand opening party this Saturday, and everyone is invited to get juicy. Guests will enjoy a DJ, free samples, a raffle, and more to celebrate the merchant's selection of gluten-free, raw, organic, vegan, vegetarians, paleo, and sustainable offerings. Saturday, July 18, 12 pm, free, The Juice Merchant, 4330 Main Street
Dog Days of Summer Hot Dog Cook Off
Celebrity judges will decide who has the best hot dog at the Annual Dog Days of Summer Cook-Off on Saturday. There will be a Design-A-Dog contest, plenty of beer, ice pops from Mom Pops, plus music by Swift Technique. Saturday, July 18th, 1 pm, free, Headhouse Square, 200 Pine Street
Free Pet CPR and Nutrition Class
VSEC and Doggie Style are teaming up to present a free pet CPR and nutrition class this Saturday at Columbus Square Park. Speciality veterinarians will be on hand to train participants on how to give cat and dog CPR, and well-behaved dogs and cats on leashes are welcome. Saturday, July 18th, 12 pm, free Columbus Square Park, 1200 Wharton Street
Wilhelmina Summer Goddess Model Search
Wilhelmina Models and European Wax are bringing their Summer Goddess Model Search to the Philly area this Saturday. Women aged 18 to 30 are invited to attend the open call, and the winner will receive a modeling contract. Saturday, July 18th, 1:30 pm, free, Wilhelmina of PA, 701 East Elm Street, Consohocken
Umphrey's McGee and Lettuce at Penn's Landing
Umphrey's McGee is a progressive rock and jam band formed in 1997 at the University of Notre Dame. The band has kept their current lineup of six men since 2003 and gained national attention in 2004 after the release of their album Anchor Drops. They've since released six more albums, along with many live albums and DVD releases. The band is currently on their U.S. tour to promote their latest, The London Session. Listen before you go: "In The Kitchen." Saturday, July 18, 6pm, Riverstage at Great Plaza - Penn's Landing, 101 South Christopher Columbus Boulevard. —Chelsey Hamilton
SmorgasBeer'd Festival
Enjoy some of Philly's best ales teamed up with traditional Swedish meatballs, cheeses, sausages, and more. This year's SmorgasBeer'd Festival at the American Swedish Historical Museum will feature your favorite local brews during an early evening party. Saturday, July 18th, 5 pm, $25, American Swedish Historical Museum, 1900 Pattison Avenue
Ghost Train Orchestra at Johnny Brenda's
If you're looking for something a little different, Ghost Train Orchestra is a Brooklyn-based jazz and instrumental band that specializes in avant-garde reconstruction of obscure music from the 1920s and 1930s. Formed and led by composer/singer Brian Carpenter, the ensemble includes 10 musicians and has recorded three studio albums since 2011. Listen before you go: "Hot Town." Sunday, July 19, 9:15pm, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 North Frankford Avenue. —Chelsey Hamilton
Moon Man Walk with Orbiter 3
LAST CHANCE: Orbiter 3 launches with a new play, Moon Man Walk, written by Barrymore winner James Ijames. Set (mostly) in Philly, "This magical journey through space and time takes us literally from Philadelphia to the moon and back." Through July 19th, various times, $22, Prince Theatre, 1412 Chestnut Street.
Defending the Caveman at Penn's Landing Playhouse
The long-running Broadway play Defending the Caveman returns to Philadelphia at the Penn's Landing Playhouse. Local performer Vince Valentine takes on the comedic one-man show about gender, sex, and relationships, guaranteed to make you laugh in your seat. Through August 30th, various times, $45-65, Penn's Landing Playhouse, 211 South Columbus Boulevard.
Closer Than Ever with Mazeppa Productions
The popular musical review Closer Than Ever, featuring the songs of Maltby and Shire, returns to Philly with Mazeppa Productions. Featuring 24 songs about life after your twenties, the evening promises to be both humorous and touching. Through July 25th, various times, $25, Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 North American Street.
Lulu's Golden Shoes at Caplan Studio UArts
Flashpoint Theatre Company presents this insanely funny (and insanely dark) satire set in Philadelphia, from our Tony- and Pulitzer-winning playwright, Quiara Alegría Hudes. July 15th through August 2nd, various times and prices, Caplan Studio Theater at University of the Arts, 211 South Broad 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.
