20 Things to Do in Philly This Weekend
Nightscape is on display at Longwood Gardens. Photo by Kevin Ritchie
FRIDAY, AUGUST 5
Nightscape @ Longwood Gardens
Longwood Garden’s light and sound installment, designed by the innovative Klip Collective, was a hit last summer so it’s back for round two, with some tweaks to keep things interesting. If you can’t get there this weekend, you have until October 29.
Marlon Wayans @ Punch Line Philly
Marlon Wayans must have a magic potion because he looks pretty much the same as he did on his siblings’ In Living Color almost 25 years ago. He performs at Punch Line on Saturday too.
“Elvis” @ Various Locations
I didn’t know what to call this one. To make sure everyone knows that tickets for the Philly Pops’ season opener, Elvis: The King’s Songbook, go on sale Friday, local singer/guitarist Billy Brown will be performing Elvis’ hits at five locations all across the city.
Past, Present and Future @ Old City Jewish Arts Center
The OCJAC is mounting an exhibit of Holocaust-themed art, “not only as a commemoration but most significantly as a means to generate a future.” The opening reception is Friday; the exhibit is up through the end of the month.
The Monster That Challenged the World @ Betsy Ross House
Next up in the First Friday Movies Under the Stars and Stripes series is this 1957 flick in which “giant mollusk monsters attack California,” says IMDB.
First Friday Rent Party @ Arch Street Meeting House
This is the last First Friday Rent Party from the Philadelphia Jazz Project, a series commemorating the 100th anniversary of the start of the Great Migration, when millions of black people moved up here from the South. Singer/guitarist Lili Anel will provide the music, and your ticket includes Southern food and drink.
The Australian Pink Floyd Show @ Tower Theater
Well this is just exactly what it sounds like. The Pink Floyd tribute band from Australia has been going strong since 1988.
Avery Sunshine @ Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing
Vocalist Avery Sunshine performs at Penn’s Landing, part of the 20th year of the Smooth Jazz Summer Nights series.
Roast of Donald Trump @ Rittenhouse Square
NextGen Climate is hosting this roast of the presidential candidate.
A Crown of Nobody: A Night of Performance @ Grizzly Grizzly
Five artists from Philly and New York perform five very different sets at Grizzly Grizzly, from Erin Hael’s live streaming from a karaoke room to Amalia Wilson practicing a “vertical jump.” (Aren’t most jumps vertical?)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 6
Namour, directed by Heidi Saman, gets its East Coast premiere during the BlackStar Film Festival. Photo provided
BlackStar Film Festival @ University City
The fifth annual BlackStar Film Festival runs through Sunday, with features and shorts at I-House and Drexel’s Pearlstein Gallery, a panel discussion titled with the fest’s tagline, “By Indie Means Necessary,” Saturday night’s BlackStar Awards ceremony at the Kimmel Center, and more.
I Love the 90s Tour @ BB&T Pavilion
Coolio! Salt N Pepa! Color Me Badd! Have fun, you crazy kids.
DJ Spinderella’s Rollin’ on the River Birthday Bash @ Blue Cross RiverRink
Our ’90s cup runneth over. Before Salt N Pepa and friends hit the stage at BB&T, DJ Spinderella is celebrating her birthday with a roller skating party at Blue Cross RiverRink.
Tolani Lawrence-Lightfoot @ A-Space Anarchist Community Center
A-Space is mounting a show of posters from artist Tolani Lawrence Lightfoot, which she calls “a serial diary of events re-imagined in a modernistic mythos.”
PokeWalk Philly @ Center City
People are still really into Pokeman Go, right? The exact locations will be revealed after you RSVP.
Women in Comedy Showcase @ Fergie’s Pub
Local comedian Rachel Fogletto hosts a lineup of very funny women. It’s part of the Philadelphia Women’s Theatre Festival.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 7
The 2nd Street Festival is back for the eighth year. Photo from Facebook
2nd Street Festival
Philly loves a block party. This one in Northern Liberties is huge, with 150 vendors — including the always-worth-it Art Star market — taking over Second Street from Germantown Avenue to Spring Garden. And of course no summer fest is complete without live music, pop-up beer gardens and a glut of food trucks.
Meet Me Here So We Can Do It @ Goldilocks Gallery
Check out a pop-up exhibit of mixed-media art about human connections while listening to acoustic sets from a few bands.
1st New Jersey Fringe Festival @ Eagle Theatre
We have to wait a few more weeks for Philly’s Fringe Festival, so in the meantime get yourself to Hammonton, New Jersey, for a mini-version this weekend, with performances at a different venues within walking distance of fest organizer Eagle Theatre. Outside there will be live music, street performers, vendors and a beer garden.
Radio 104.5 Summer Block Party @ Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing
The Struts, Bishop Briggs, The Rebel Light, 888 and Sonnder play this free concert on the waterfront.
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