29 Things to Do in Philadelphia This Weekend

Ben Folds and yMusic, this weekend at the Fillmore

Ben Folds & yMusic @ The Fillmore | May 6th 

In his latest world tour, the renowned rock sing-songwriter collaborates with sextet instrumental troupe yMusic. The group, which exquisitely synthesizes orchestration and popular music, features local cellist Gabriel Cabezas, who is a product of the Curtis Institute of Music and has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra. 

Opening of Prisons Today: Questions in the Age of Mass Incarceration @ Eastern State Penitentiary | May 6th 

The groundbreaking exhibit explores the social phenomenon of mass incarceration in the United States.

SELDOM SEEN: A COMMUNITY-SOURCED EXHIBIT @ The Painted Bride | May 6th

This exhibit, which features photographs, artifacts, art works, writing and more from Philadelphians sharing their Philadelphia, hosts a First Friday reception, commemorating the conclusion of its one-month display.

The Naked Magic Show @ The Merriam Theatre | May 6th 

In this world-touring act, Australian magicians Mike Tyler and Christopher Wayne dabble with illusion to make more than just a rabbit disappear — their attire goes “Poof!” too. The unfiltered, uncanny and unclothed show specializes in “frontal illusions,” giving new meaning to “now you see it.” (Note: This show is 18 and over only; it includes coarse language, sexual references and, of course, nudity.)

Double Play Improv Comedy @ ComedySportz Philadelphia | May 6th 

The collaborative comics of troupes Triple Double and Playback set the stage for an orbit of improv. Playback uses playlists of songs as a source of spontaneous inspiration, while Triple Double creates fictitious worlds populated with peculiar personalities.

Red 40 and the Last Groovement @ FringeArts | May 6th

Mastering the art of seduction and song, the titillating troupe is seizing the stage for La Peg’s First Friday showcase.

Improv Comedy Fridays @ The N Crowd | May 6th

Every Friday night, the group performs 80 minutes of completely unscripted comedy. The crowd was ranked runner-up in Philly’s Comedy Club Hotlist of 2014.

Martha Graham Cracker @ The Art Museum | May 6th 

In honor of the museum’s  International Pop, the cabaret crashes the Great Stair Hall with sounds from the ’60s.

Max Major’s Think Again @ The Franklin Institute  | May 6th and 7th

After sold-out performances last fall, Mentalist Max Major returns to the Franklin Institute for an extended run of his nationally acclaimed act, THINK AGAIN! Major masters the art of magic, psychology and hypnosis to bespeak uncharted powers of the brain. Surreal demonstrations upon himself and audience members will make you, ahem, think again about the capability of your own cognitions.

Azuka Theatre’s Moth @ The Drake | May 6th and 8th

In Azuka’s fifth New Professionals Production, the troupe tackles Declan Greene’s tale about a young man’s bizarre vision, leading to an ominous quest with an unlikely parter: a moth in a jar he found next to his bed.

Season Opening of Spruce Street Harbor | May 7th
(Note: This has been pushed back from May 6th due to inclement weather.)

Penn’s Landing kickoffs another summer of food trucks, hammocks and floating gardens under the glow of those mesmerizing multicolored lights.

The World’s Largest Bar Crawl | May 7th

Ten thousand estimated participants, 50 planned stops and no regrets.

South Street Spring Fest | May 7th

The mammoth block party will take over the streets from South (between Front and 8th) and run along Headhouse Plaza (between South and Pine), hosting a range of festivities, including more than 30 restaurants and bars serving outside, more than 125 boutiques and businesses selling wares, and 40 bands rocking out.

Robot Universe Showdown @ Ventureforth | May 7th

Calling all robot buffs: Register your inventions for some good old-fashioned bot battles. The droids don’t discriminate, as all designs are welcome, from high-tech machines to hacked toys.

Philadelphia Improv Academy Grad Show @ Helium | May 7th

This month’s graduating class of The Philadelphia Improv Academy is commemorating its accomplished studies of humor at Helium. In their comedic capstones, the satirical scholars will perform a long-form unscripted acts from nothing more than than a one-word suggestions.

10th Annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Festival @ Franklin Square Park | May 7th

The Pan Asian Society of Greater Philadelphia hosts its annual celebration of Asian Pacific culture, featuring food, live performances and a children’s fair.

Art Star Craft Bazaar @ Penn’s Landing | May 7th and 8th

The extravaganza showcases a landscape of crafts from both local and national artists. Aside from perusing among over a 150 vendors of high-quality, handmade works, participants will also have the chance to produce their own creations.

Nature of Art @ Origin + Ash | May 7th

The exhibit features visiting artists Sarah Bazilian, Erika Deboever and standing works by TR Risk with live music by Ladybird. 

58th Annual May Fair @ Clark Park | May 7th 

In addition to pony rides and petting zoos, the festivities also provide platforms for groups and causes to do community outreach.

Doogie Horner @ The Centre Theatre | May 7th

The funny Philadelphian features material from his debut comedy album A Delicate Man.

The Brian Jonestown Massacre @ Union Transfer | May 7th 

The psychedelic band pitstops in Philly along its 2016 World Tour. 

Baby Metal @ Electric Factory | May 7th

The all-gal Japanese metal band makes a stop in Philly on their Legend – Metal Resistance world tour. Famed for their fusion of heavy metal and “J-Pop,” Suzuka Nakamoto, Yui Mizuno, and Moa Kikuchi pepper belligerent sounds with an ironic soprano delicacy.

Sheer Mag @ PhilaMOCA | May 7th

The Philadelphia-based three-piece punk band features hits from their debut 7″. 

Brian Regan @ The Merrian Theatre | May 7th

The comedy superstar makes a stop in Philly along his 38-city North American Tour. His observational, sarcastic and self-deprecating stand-ups have sold out venues across the continent. The comedian, who has been critically-acclaimed by Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock, has made cameo on countless shows, from guest-writing on Comedy Central Presents to 28 appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman.

Phoenixville Food Festival @ Downtown Phoenixville | May 7th 

Billed as “It’s Trucking Awesome,” the annual all-day foodie feast features dozens of trucks.

The Philaderby @ The Piazza | May 7th 

Catch the Kentucky Derby on the Piazza’s jumbo screen. During the race, make sure to hit the one-hour open bar, including the special “Derby Drink List.” Don’t forget your oversize hats, as the event encompasses best-dressed contests.

Chief Keep @ TLA | May 7th 

Represented as a “Chiraq” rapper, the hip-hop artist brings his Southside-of-Chicago style to our city.

Del the Funky Homosapien @ Union Transfer | May 8th

The tunes of Teren Delvon Jones, better known as Del the Funky Homosapien, will transport you back to the infancy of hip-hop.

L’elisir d’amore (The Elixir of Love) @ The Academy of Music | Through May 8th 

The Sante Fe Opera presents Gaetano Donizetti’s romantic tale, set in the 1940s Italian countryside. The opera centers on an impoverished peasant named Nemorino who is enticed by the quack Dr. Dulcamara. The peculiar enchanter persuades Nemorino to drink a tincture — billed as “the potent potion to drive devotion” — to gain the love of the wealthy and winsome Adina.