The Northwest Weekender: Concerts, horses and comedy

If you plan on staying away from the large arts festival crowds along Manayunk’s Main Street this weekend, here are some other activities that might interest you.  

Sharon Abbott at Walk a Crooked Mile – 7423 Devon Street An arts city like Philadelphia has no shortage of singers, songwriters and artists – but troubadour is rarely uttered. Yet, Hataboro-based musician Sharon Abbott fits that title, and she will showcase her knack dulcimer playing and storytelling at Walk a Crooked Mile bookstore beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

Jesus Flix 2 Festival at the New Covenant Church of Philadelphia – 7500 Germantown Ave. Mount Airy’s own Amber Anderson performs her original gospel and soul music for the second annual festival of Christian music and film. She’ll also be joined by Philadelphia-native rap artist Han Soul. The weekend itinerary includes workshops, short and feature-length at 4 p.m., followed by the live music concert at 8:15 that night. Sunday features the allegorical play “The Kingdom” and another feature length- film, “Faith Like Potatoes” beginning at 5 p.m. The Double Wides and Brian Flanagan Band at Dawson Street Pub – 100 Dawson St. You might not recognize Jesse Lundy walking down the street, but there’s a good chance you have seen the shows he has put on as concert promoter for the Electric Factory in the late nineties, and later, the Point in Bryn Mawr, before it closed. Lundy celebrates his 40th birthday on Saturday night at the Dawson Street Pub in Manayunk with a night of folk and blues-infused rock and roll courtesy of the The Double Wides and the Brian Flanagan band. 

Horses in the Park at Valley Green Inn – Valley Green Road at Wissahickon Park  Weather pending, the last Sunday of the month brings horseback riders and steeds out for an equine-related meet and greet at 1 p.m. near Valley Green Inn on Forbidden Drive. This event will teach people proper horse etiquette, safety maneuvers when traversing through the Wissahickon trails. And while one is near Valley Green, he or she can enjoy a dip in Devil’s Pool or visit the Spot along the Creisham Creek. “Tartuffe” at Stagecrafters – 8130 Germantown Ave. This John Baptiste Poquelin de Moliere satirical comedy was originally banned by King Louis XIV because it poked fun at the Catholic Church because its title character is a sanctimonious fool, who fails to practice what he preaches. “Tartuffe” runs from Saturday and Sunday this weekend and from June 28 through July 1. Tickets are $16 online and $20 in person.