21 Things to Do This Weekend
Friday, June 24
The Crossing premieres Seven Responses in Philadelphia this weekend.
Seven Responses @ Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral
Philly-based chamber choir The Crossing commissioned seven top composers, including two Pulitzer Prize winners, to respond to Dietrich Buxtehude’s 1680 choral work The Limbs of Our Jesus. The results will be performed along with Buxtehude’s original over two nights. This is the world premiere; next up is Lincoln Center.
Craigslistin’ @ Plays and Players Theatre
Aaron Nevins of Good Good Comedy combs through Craigslist, from the missed connections to the deeply NFSW sections.
“Nari Ward: Sun Splashed” @ Barnes Foundation
The Barnes is throwing an opening night party for the new exhibit “Sun Splashed,” which features the found-object art of Jamaican-born New Yorker Nari Ward. The exhibit will be up until August 22.
Core Playwrights Weekend @ InterAct Theatre Company
See the process of workshopping a play — and encourage local playwrights — at this series of staged readings. On the bill: Kill Me Softly, Lower Merion on Friday, Sensitive Guys and Matter Out of Place on Saturday, and Summon the Destroying Angel on Sunday.
Boy & Bear plays Underground Arts.
Boy & Bear @ Underground Arts
Australian indie-folk band Boy & Bear bring their guitar strumming to Underground Arts. Hannah Georgas opens.
Tchaikovsky Spectacular with the Philadelphia Orchestra @ The Mann
The Orchestra plays a night of Tchiakovsky’s best-known works, including the “1812 Overture” against a backdrop of fireworks.
Mercury Radio Theater @ Boot & Saddle
Philly band Mercury Radio Theater describes their genre as “Balkan/Klez-Punk-Math-Dance,” which is as elucidating as anything I could have come up with.
Saturday, June 25
Be free, lanterns!
The Lantern Fest @ Mohnton, Pennsylvania
Take a day trip to Mohnton to see thousands of lanterns float up into the sky. It’s pricey — $50-$55 per adult, $7 for kids — but part of the money goes to Angels of America’s Fallen and the admission fee gets you a lantern, a lighter, a marker (to write wishes or fears on the lantern, I think), and a S’mores kit. Live music and vendors selling food will also be there – you can bring your own food instead, but no alcohol.
Summer Solstice Festival @ Clark Park
Head to West Philly for Clark Park’s family-friendly arts and music fest, with Mumblr and Flyermile headlining. The after-party is at Millcreek Tavern with local bands The Deadeyes, American Dinosaurs, and Hannah Taylor and the Rekardo Lee Trio.
Morton Feldman’s Samuel Beckett, Words and Music @ Fleisher Art Memorial
Bowerbird and Pig Iron Theatre join Arcana New Music Ensemble to perform Morton Feldman’s composition, a radio play by Samuel Becket set to music.
Molestice @ Mole Street
Mole Street (marketing and branding agency) hosts its annual block party/music fest on Mole Street (the street), with some of Philly’s best food trucks and beer and wine from Fergie’s Pub. Chill Moody is in the lineup, along with Weekender and Muscle Tough.
VIVA NYICFF @ International house
Head to I-House for a matinee of kid-appropriate Spanish and Latin American short films, selected over five years of the New York International Children’s Film Festival.
Pere Ubu @ Johnny Brenda’s
“Avant-garage” band Pere Ubu has been playing garage rock/art punk since 1975. The group’s members shifted over the years, but lead vocalist David Thomas has been there since the beginning.
Filbert Street Flower Market @ Filbert Street between 11th and 12th
Stop and smell the roses at this new outdoor flower market, opening this weekend and coming back every last Saturday of the month through September. There will be seating and live music, so grab a bite from Reading Terminal and bring it outside to eat in the sunshine.
3rd Birthday Bash @ Spruce Street Harbor Park
I can’t promise hammock space at Spruce Street Harbor Park’s family-friendly birthday celebration, but there will be stilt walkers and other circus performers, a petting zoo, and live music.
Sunday, June 26
Spiral Q brings giant puppets to Tyler Arboretum.
Arts in Nature Festival @ Tyler Arboretum
Join the giant puppets of Spiral Q and the West Powelton Steppers Drill and Drum Line in a parade around the arboretum during this new festival.
Modern Baseball @ Fillmore Philadelphia
Alt Rockers Modern Baseball are on tour for their new album, Holy Ghost.
If/Then @ Academy of Music
The Broadway musical, starring members of the original cast, ends its brief Philly run on Sunday. Theater critic David Fox enjoyed the acting, especially Anthony Rapp (Rent), but had mixed feelings about the plot.
Philly Vegan Pop Flea @ The Rotunda
Snack and shop vegan at this pop-up market tailor-made for people who live near the Rotunda.
Sting & Peter Gabriel @ BB&T Pavilion
The former frontmen of the Police and Genesis team up for the Rock Paper Scissors tour, performing their greatest hits both together and solo.
Game of Thrones @ Frankford Hall
Eat meat and drink discounted drafts while watching the Season 6 finale of Game of Thrones. I’m not caught up yet – no spoilers, please.
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