Five things to do if you’re not into ‘Barnes-storming’

Hey have you heard? There’s this new museum — or something — opening up this weekend on the Ben Franklin Parkway. Looking for an alternative? We have some ideas. What are you doing this weekend?

Hey have you heard? There’s this new museum — or something — opening up this weekend on the Ben Franklin Parkway. You know: new building; something about paintings hanging on door hinges; sculptures and murals shipped in from the ‘burbs; a big aluminum lightning bolt standing outside.

It’s not getting much attention at all, strangely. Pretty much no one’s covering it. Oh, what’s it called? It’s right on the tip of my tongue.

It’ll come to me.

Anyway, a bunch of people are going to check out that on Saturday. I wish I could remember the details.

Got a better idea? Tell us below!

In the meantime, if you wanted to do something else artsy, here are five alternatives around the city that I’m considering.

1. In Kensington: The 7th Annual Trenton Avenue Art Festival — Where hipster meets sports bar crowd and oenophile meets beer nut. The highlight of this neighborhood festival is undoubtedly the Annual Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby, now in it’s sixth year. Come for the Kenzinger and the Lucky Old Souls Burger Truck — stay for the death-defying antics of bike mechanics and human-powered whirligigs!Saturday, 12-6 p.m. 

2. In Rittenhouse: The Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival — This annual street party takes over six blocks of Walnut Street between Rittenhouse Square and Broad Street featuring music, art, kids’ events, and nibbles from dozens of top restaurants. Saturday, 12-5 p.m. 

3. In South Philly: Italian Market Festival — Some call this festival running along S. 9th Street’s Italian Market the “oldest, largest open-air market in the United States.” We call it a food orgy. Of course, there’s live music and entertainment for kids. But really, we’re talking about sausages, sandwiches, and water ice. And what festival organized around a predominantly Catholic enclave would be complete without the Procession of Saints?Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

4. In Fairmount: Philadelphia on Parade — I love a parade! But it’s not that kind of parade. The Mann Center is hossting a free family arts festival this weekend. There’ll be live classical, gospel, jazz, R&B, funk, and rock; dance and spoken word performance; children’s activities; food and drink — all in the surroundings of Philadelphia’s titanic Fairmount Park. Bring a picnic basket.Saturday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

5. In Old City: Hooked on Wood — And now, for something completely different, you might consider the Center for Art in Wood, on 3rd Street between Arch and Race streets is presenting two new (free) exhibits. The theme is sea life: “Hooked on Wood: The Allure of the Fish Decoy” and “Life Aquatic,” featuring new work from six artists inspired by water, sea animals and plants.Starts Saturday, runs though July.

For more options, check out our weekend entertainment guide.