17 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 Folk Festival at Old Pool Farm
The hills of Schwenksville, Pennsylvania are upholding their long-time tradition of the Philadelphia Folk Festival, a weekend-long festival of camping, craft fairs, workshops, family-friendly activities, food, drinks and of course, folk music. Seven different stages across the festival site will share the spotlight, hosting daytime and nighttime acts including new artists and this year's headliners: Lyle Lovett (pictured) and his Large Band, Hoots & Hellmouth, the North Mississippi Allstars and Arlo Guthrie. Friday, August 14-Sunday, August 16, various times, $30, Old Pool Farm, 1323 Salford Station Road, Schwenksville.
Forest-to-Plate Dinner at Awbury Arboretum
Head over to the Francis Cope House at the Awbury Arboretum this Friday to try delectable food and cocktails by local bartenders and chefs, and support a great cause. Throughout the night, guests will be taken on a walking tour of the arboretum, have the chance to try delicious herbed cocktails made with local herbs and be served a five-course tasting meal. Half of the proceeds from the night will go towards the Awbury Arboretum. Friday, August 14, 6-9:30pm, $65, Awbury Arboretum, 1 Awbury Drive.
Awkward Sex ... and the City at L'Etage
New York City-based comedy group Awkward Sex...and the City is bringing their hilarious stand-up routine to Philly this Friday. These six storytelling ladies will reveal some of their most embarrassing sexual encounters, so get ready for a night of insane laughter...and cringing. Friday, August 14, 7:30pm, $15, L'Etage, 624 South 6th Street.
Smooth Jazz Summer Nights at Penn's Landing
Friday evenings in August means the chance to see smooth jazz artists take the stage and enjoy a night of amazing music for free. Each Friday will host a new nationally-renown act, and each concert is free and open to the public. This Friday, contemporary jazz musician Brian Culbertson will be the leading act. Smooth Jazz Summer Nights is sponsored by WJJZ, WDAS FM and CBS 3 and The CW Philly. Friday, August 14, 7:30-11pm, free, Great Plaza at Penn's Landing.
Free Outdoor Movies at Water Tower Recreation Center
Nearly every Friday night in August, the Water Tower Recreation Center in Chestnut Hill will host free outdoor movie screenings along with bites from a different food truck each week. This week, guests can look forward to a screening of Ghost Busters and yummy American style bistro from Prime Stache Food Truck. Friday, August 14, 8pm, free, Water Tower Recreation Center, 200 E Hartwell Lane.
Awesome Fest Presents Deathgasm
During their eight-week series this summer, The Awesome Fest hosted free outdoor film screenings for all to enjoy on Friday nights at the Liberty Lands Park. Many of the movies screened have been independent films, and many were also Philadelphia premieres. The series ends with a bang this Friday night with the east coast premiere of Deathgasm,a gory, but hilarious, independent horror-comedy film. The Awesome Fest founder Josh Goldbloom calls it “the most insane film we’ve ever screened outdoors.” Remember, the film is not appropriate for children. Friday, August 14, 9pm, free, Liberty Lands Park, 926 North American Street.
Humming House at Tin Angel
This Nashville-based quintet creates a unique sound of folk, soul and bluegrass music with their skilled songwriting and use of acoustic instruments. Started in 2011, the band has released three albums including their most recent 2015 album, Revelries. Signed with Nashville record label Rock Ridge Music, they're currently on tour throughout the U.S. Listen before you go: "Gypsy Django." Friday, August 14, 8pm, The Tin Angel, 20 South 2nd Street.
Crabfest 2015 at City Tap House
City Tap House is teaming up with Boulevard Brewing for their sixth annual Crabfest, bringing the taste of the seashore to West Philly. Along with the seafood, Boulevard's diverse list of craft beers and City Tap House's signature White Peach Sangria Cocktails, local soul/funk band The Sermon will also be playing live music on the patio. A ticket gets you all-you-can-eat Maryland Blue Crabs, beer and cocktail specials and an enjoyable night of great food and live music. Saturday, August 15, 12-5pm, $35, City Tap House, 3925 Walnut Street.
Teaspoon and Petals Iced Tea Pop-Up at COOK
Teaspoons and Petals blogger and tea consultant Alexis Siemons are hosting a special iced tea pop-up at COOK in honor of the release of her new quarterly magazine, with tea. Visitors will get to sample free sips of freshly brewed iced tea and cold-brewed tea, and the debut issue of with tea will be available for purchase at the pop-up for $25. Friday, August 14, Saturday, August 15, noon-2pm, pay as you go, COOK, 253 S. 20th Street.
Festival of India at Penn's Landing
As part of PECO's summer-long Multicultural Series, this celebration of Indian culture is hosted by the Council of Indian Organizations and is held on the same date of India’s Independence Day. Thousands come to attend this vibrant collection of Indian art, music, dance, and cuisine, which offers something for the whole family. The event is free and open to the public. Saturday, August 15, 1-7pm, free, Great Plaza at Penn's Landing.
Treat Y'Self Fest at PhilaMOCA
This weekend’s Treat Y’rself Fest is a benefit supporting October’s March to End Rape Culture, organized by Square of Opposition Records, Permanent Wave, Philly activist group Pussy Division and Pittsburgh music blog Grey Estates. For the day, curators have lined up a dozen bands, and a host of record, craft, clothing and food vendors so you can treat y’rself in a variety of ways. -Josh Middleton. Saturday, August 15, 1-11:30pm, $10-12, PhilaMOCA, 531 North 12th Street.
Jazz on the Ave at Broad and Cecil B. Moore Avenue
This Saturday, Beech Community Services presents the ninth annual “Jazz on the Ave” Music Fest, featuring Philly Soul Stock, the award-winning Jeff Bradshaw and Friends and more. This free event held on Cecil B. Moore Avenue will provide two stages of live jazz music and has been an exciting Philadelphia tradition for years. Saturday, August 15, Sunday, August 16, 12-8pm, free, Broad Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue.
Black Skin "Empowering Him" at Studio 10TwoFive
This Saturday, check out Black Skin"Empowering Him", a powerful photography, fashion and art exhibition dedicated to the evolution of the black man by renown photographer Vincent Marc. The event is free and open to the public, and light refreshments and wine will be served. Saturday, August 15, 6:30-11pm, free, Studio 10TwoFive, 1022 Buttonwood Street.
Zac Brown Band at Citizens Bank Park
Country music superstars Zac Brown Band have been active in the country music scene since 2002. Based out of Atlanta, Georgia, the band consists of seven members but is best known for frontman Zac Brown. Since signing with Southern Ground Artists label, the band has released four studio albums, two live albums, one greatest hits album and has charted sixteen singles on the Billboard country singles chart. They're currently on their Jekyll and Hyde Tour, a country-wide tour that ends in September. Listen before you go: "Chicken Fried." Saturday, August 15, 7pm, Citizens Bank Park, 1 Citizens Bank Way.
“The Other Rocky”at Theatre of Living Arts
An all-night celebration of Rocky Horror Picture Show, including a midnight screening. Saturday, August 15th, 9:30 pm, $20, TLA, 334 South Street.
Caribbean Festival at Penn's Landing
Another festival part of PECO's Multicultural Series, the Caribbean Festival celebrates the culture and unique music from 14 different Caribbean islands. Now in it's 28th year, the festival will offer a children’s corner for child-friendly activities, a Caribbean “workshop” to learn more about the culture and a Caribbean marketplace with traditional island foods. The festival is free and open to the public, and most importantly, is used to raise scholarship funds for college students of Caribbean descent. Sunday, August 16, 12-8pm, free, Great Plaza at Penn's Landing.
Maroon 5 at Atlantic City Beach
Maroon 5 will play a beach concert on Sunday, August 16th with special guests Nick Jonas and UArts grad and 2014 The Voice finalist Matt McAndrew. This will be one of two U.S. stops for Maroon 5 this summer. They're playing another gig in Hershey the day before the show in AC. They just finished a North American tour in support of their latest album V and their catchy seasonal anthem "This Summer's Gonna Hurt Like a Motherf****r." Tickets, which start at $39.50 plus fees, can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com.
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 Josh Middleton at jmiddleton@phillymag.com.
