Pocket Guide: 5 ways to spend your week in the Philly region
The Ben Franklin Museum on Market Street in Philadelphia reopens this weekend after a renovation.
Looking for something to do this week? WHYY’s Robin Bloom has some recommendations on what’s happening in the Philadelphia region. Here are her picks:
The Benjamin Franklin Museum reopens this weekend, celebrating the life and legacy of the Founding Father, on the site of the former Franklin Court. Arranged according to the personality traits of the inventor, statesman, scientist, printer, and revolutionary, the museum offers educational and entertaining exhibits, artifacts, inventions, writings, and computer animations that capture the spirit of the man whose vision helped shape the future of the United States. Free Admission on Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, August 25, 9am-5pm, Independence National Historic Park, between 3rd and 4th Streets off of Market or Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia.
Regional Festivals
The 2nd Annual Brandywine Folk Festival is this weekend, August 23-25, with over 30 national and international acts including Good Old War, Sean Hoots Trio, Secret Sisters, Pearl & the Beard, Mason Porter, and more, along with vendors, beer gardens and children’s activities at Anson B. Nixon Park, Kennett Square, PA.
The 4th Annual Cohansey Riverfest & Bridgeton Crabfest, featuring kayaking, artist competitions, food and craft vendors, live music and more, returns on Saturday, August 24, 10am-8pm, at the East Commerce Street riverfront, Bridgeton, NJ. Free admission. Cost of activities vary.
The 22nd Annual Ukrainian Folk Festival celebrates Ukraine’s independence with ethnic dance, polka music, traditional food, crafts, children’s activities and more, including performances by the Voloshky Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, Iskra Ukrainian Dance Company, violinist Innesa Tymochko Dekajlo, the Vox Ethnica Band, and more, Sunday, August 25, 12pm-8pm, at Tryzub, the Ukrainian American Sport Center, County Line & Lower State Roads, Horsham, PA.
Dover Downs Hotel & Casino showcases microbreweries from the Mid-Atlantic region with the 3rd Annual Brew Festival, Saturday, August 24, 3pm-7pm, including Dogfish Head, Evil Genius, Fordham, 3rd Wave, Evolution, Twin Lakes, Lancaster, Yards, and more, along with live entertainment, food and more, 1131 North DuPont Highway, Dover, DE.
With the Kids
The Historic Cold Spring Village hosts a Seafarers Weekend, celebrating maritime culture and the history of the Jersey Cape, Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, August 25, as pirates invade with performances, exhibits and activities, along with antique boats, duck decoy carving and more, 10am-4:30pm, 720 Route 9 South, Cape May, NJ.
Learn how to create a butterfly friendly habitat in your home garden at Tyler Arboretum’s Butterfly Festival, Saturday, August 24, 10am-2pm, as the monarch butterflies are tagged and released for their southern migration. Live and mounted specimens, games, crafts, and more, with regular admission, rain or shine, 515 Painter Road, Media, PA.
Morris Arboretum hosts “Let’s Move – Garden Dance Party!,” Thursday, August 29, 6pm-7:30pm, with dancing and games, and more, included with regular admission, 100 E. Northwestern Avenue, Chestnut Hill. Bring a picnic and enjoy the summer evening in the garden. Rescheduled from July 18.
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the “I Have a Dream…” speech
On display in Woodmere Art Museum’s Helen Millard Children’s Gallery is “The Dream at 50: A Tribute to MLK,” artwork created by Philadelphia school children as part of THEDREAM@50, a global celebration and art competition to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous speech. The exhibit, featuring work by students from kindergarten through grade twelve, is on view August 25 through October 20 at 9201 Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill. Reception Sunday, September 15, 2pm-4pm.
The National Constitution Center celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the “I Have a Dream” speech with special activities including a concert, theatrical recitation of the speech, discussions, stories, crafts and more, during museum hours with regular admission, Wednesday, August 28, 9:30am-5pm. The event is in conjunction with the “1968” exhibit, on display through September 2, 525 Arch Street, Independence Mall, Philadelphia. Event partners include Global Citizen, the Philadelphia Folksong Society, the William Way LGBT Community Center, White Pines Productions, and the African American Museum in Philadelphia.
Open air concerts in Fairmount Park
Umphrey’s McGee (pictured) is back in Philly at the Mann, Friday, August 30, with Sound Tribe Sector 9, beginning at 6:45pm on the Skyline Stage, 5201 Parkside Avenue, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia.
The Dell Music Center concludes their Essence of Entertainment concerts with a “Funkfest,” featuring Cameo, Dazz Band, Confunkshun, Bar-Kays, Bloodstone, and New Birth, Thursday, August 29, 7pm, Ridge Avenue and Huntingdon Street, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia.
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