16 Things to Do in Philly This Weekend
See Invisible River’s Beck Epoch this weekend.
FRIDAY, JULY 15
Beck Epoch @ Strawberry Mansion Bridge
Watch Invisible River dancers swing from the Strawberry Mansion Bridge, while fabric drops from 60 feet above the river and aerialists slide down. You can see the free performance from the river banks at the parking lot next to the bridge (near 2200 Kelly Drive), or rent a canoe or kayak and take it all in from the water — but you have to reserve that in advance. Beck Epoch takes place again on Saturday.
The Oval Opening @ Ben Franklin Parkway
The pop-up park in front of the Art Museum opens for the season, with music from DJ Reed Streets, food trucks, a Whole Foods tent with chips and guacamole, and a screening of Pitch Perfect.
Richard III @ Laurel Hill Cemetery
The Mechanical Theater puts on the bard’s dark tale as part of Shakespeare in the Cemetery. Performances are Friday and Saturday, and next weekend.
I Am Not My Motherland @ St. Stephen’s Theater
Orbiter 3 is putting on Emily Acker’s play about a Palestinian-American surgeon and an Israeli-American resident “as they botch a life-saving operation.” That sounds intense. Acker is young but she’s already racking up playwriting awards. It opens Friday and runs through the end of the month.
She Wants Revenge @ TLA
Musical duo She Wants Revenge sound like what the name makes me think they’d sound like — kind of angry post-punk but not so angry that it’s not fun. They’re on a 10th anniversary tour.
SATURDAY, JULY 16
DNC Donkey Run @ The Navy Yard
The creator of the Rocky 50K has plotted out a 14.28-mile run past the painted donkeys decorating the city for the Democratic National Convention. It starts at 8 a.m. and ends with beer and snacks at Philadelphia Runner at 36th and Walnut.
Lancaster Avenue Jazz and Arts Festival @ Saunders Park Green
For its 10th year, the Lancaster Avenue Jazz and Arts Festival is celebrating women in jazz, with a lineup of female musicians and vocalists, along with vendors and food trucks and activities for the kids.
Schuylkill River Arts Day @ Schuylkill River
Another one from the Invisible River crew: “S’RAD” is a performance festival with musicians, dancers, acrobats — and mermaids. It starts at Mander Recreation Center at 33rd and Diamond streets and then heads down Boxer’s Trail, led by the Positive Movement drill team, to the riverfront on Kelly Drive. From there, you can hang out on land and take in more performances, or hop in a boat to watch from the river.
Tropixxxx Beach Party @ FringeArts
FringeArts is hosting a beach-style party in a beer garden, with music from DJ Yolo Ono, who sounds like she’s spinning at spring break, outdoor games and, of course, frozen fruity drinks.
Girls Rock Philly Showcase @ Union Transfer
Spend the afternoon cheering on teens from Girls Rock Philly’s summer rock camp. When they’re famous, you can say you saw them first.
Tye Tribbett @ The Fillmore
Gospel singer Tye Tribbett, who’s originally from Camden, returns to the area for a reunion of Tye Tribbett & GA.
Bastille Day Festival @ Eastern State Penitentiary
The 22nd annual festival kicks off at 2 p.m. with a French Family Carnival, leading up to a performance from cabaret troupe The Bearded Ladies, the “beheading” of Marie Antoinette, played by London Grill’s Terry NcNally, and the traditional Tastykake toss from the prison towers.
Bluegrass and Blueberries Festival @ Peddler’s Village
I’m not sure if Peddler’s Village just puts these two things together because they both start with “B,” but eating a slice of fresh blueberry pie while listening to a bluegrass band sounds like a pretty decent summer day. The festival is on Sunday too.
SUNDAY, JULY 17
South Philly Pokémon Go @ Dickinson Square Park
Unless Pokémon Go was a thing long before I heard of it, everyone seems to have organized incredibly quickly, no? The South Philadelphia Pokémon League will provide detailed maps of the PokeRoute, which wanders around the city to stops “equipped with Lure Modules to optimize catching.” Indio Art Gallery is hosting a Pokémon Go event on Sunday too, starting at Washington Square. And there’s one in Rittenhouse Square on Friday.
Sunset Sessions with Sasha Grey @ Stratus Rooftop Lounge
Get some cocktails and dancing in before the weekend ends. Sasha Grey, the porn actress-turned-regular actress, guest DJs.
Nicky Jam @ The Mann
Latin artists Nicky Jam, Zion & Lennox, and Valentino bring their Fenix Tour to Fairmount Park (also, someone named De La Ghetto). Nicky Jam’s “El Perdón,” featuring Enrique Iglesias, won the Latin Grammy for Best Urban Performance last year.
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