Tweeds and bikes, global films and ‘The Color Purple’

Philadelphia and its environs hold a rich diversity of things to do much of the time — and that’s abundantly apparent this week. Events include an old-school themed bike ride, a nature hike encompassing Delaware’s loveliest green spaces. and not one, but two, global film festivals.

Philly Tweed Ride
Waterworks, 640 Waterworks Drive (in Fairmount Park)
Nov. 10, 11 a.m.
Free

Philadelphia’s 10th annual Tweed Ride starts off at Waterworks in Fairmount Park (behind the art museum) and winds its way through Philadelphia’s historic district with a stop for a picnic at Independence Mall along the way. If you want to join in but can’t make the start time, the picnic starts at approximately 1:30 p.m. and is BYOB. The ride is meant for all ages, and it’s described as “leisurely,” so anyone can participate.

Tweed outfits of all kinds will be par for the course, so make sure you hit the thrift/vintage store if you don’t already have an appropriate ensemble in your wardrobe. You can ride any kind of bike, including one of the city’s ubiquitous Indego rentals, although many riders will be taking to charming vintage bikes. Vintage and fine menswear retailer Ransome and Gwynn is a sponsor, so you may find an outfit there, but wherever you find it, do make sure to wear tweed – it’s a themed ride, so don’t be that person.

Delaware Greenway Walk
RiverWalk Wilmington
Wilmington, Delaware
Nov. 10, 10:30 a.m.
Free

Freewalkers.org and The East Coast Greenway Alliance combine to host a nature walk through some of Delaware’s most lovely scenery.

Beginning at Riverwalk Wilmington near the train station, the walk follows a 10K route heading up the Brandywine to Rockford Tower and then back through the city before continuing on to the new East Coast Greenway route to New Castle Farmers Market. Buses will run every half hour to return walkers to Wilmington Station.

The terrain is flat, but comfortable walking shoes are recommended. You can register in advance, but walk-ups are welcome.

Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival
Gershman Jewish American Film Festival
Various venues in Philadelphia
Through Nov. 18
Admission prices vary; some events are free

The Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival presents more than 80 films from a diverse group of Asian filmmakers, including the Centerpiece Narrative film covering the life of Korean-American singer/songwriter Big Phony. A hip-hop music showcase and a Taste of the Philippines food event, along with panel discussions are other highlights.

The Gershman Y, once a branch of the Jewish Community Centers of Greater Philadelphia turned arts and culture nonprofit, announced this year that it would be leaving its South Broad Street location, a mainstay of Jewish life since the 1970s.

It is repurposing its mission to focus solely on the The Gershman Jewish American Film Festival. This year’s festival will screen 39 films from 12 countries across 11 venues. Some of its highly anticipated features include “Working Woman,” about an Israeli woman whose new job opportunity comes with sexual harassment, and “Crossroads,” about a North Carolina charter school changed by a lacrosse team coached by an ophthalmologist. A free master class on indie filmmaking includes a post-class reception.

Philly’s Men Are Cookin’
Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum
6825-31 Norwitch Drive, Philadelphia
Nov. 10, 7-10 p.m.
$35–$65

The annual event sponsored by a chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha (one of the nation’s oldest black Greek letter organizations) offers food, drink and music with a special theme – celebrating the 30-year anniversary of Spike Lee’s “School Daze.”

Manayunk Cocktail Week
Various venues
Nov. 12-18

Cocktails anyone? Now that mixed drinks are enjoying a renaissance via speakeasies and renewed attention to artisanal ingredients, a cocktail week seems like the perfect way to discover and enjoy a variety of intriguing libations. The event features a week of parties, festivals, dinners, a paint night, happy hours and cocktail competitions organized by several popular Manayunk bars and restaurants. Some specialty events are individually ticketed.

Suds and Stogies Beer and Wine Festival
Battleship New Jersey
100 Clinton St., Camden, New Jersey
Nov. 10, 1-5 p.m.
$50

Once the most decorated battleship in the U.S., the Battleship New Jersey has become an events space. This weekend, beer and cigar lovers will congregate in Camden for the Suds and Stogies Beer and Wine Festival. Craft beers and ciders will be available to sample, and cheeseteaks from Donkey’s Food Truck will be for sale. A fire pit will keep the chill off the battleship pier, where much of the event takes place. A ship tour is included with admission, and you can purchase a ticket for a designated driver.

 

Kamasi Washington Heaven and Earth Tour
Franklin Music Hall (formerly Electric Factory)
421 N. Seventh St., Philadelphia
Nov. 9, 8:30 p.m.
Tickets: $36.50-40

Veteran tenor saxophonist, composer, bandleader and producer Kamasi Washington has played with the likes of Harvey Mason, Wayne Shorter, Harvey Hancock, Stanley Clarke, Thundercat and Ryan Adams. His work with Pulitzer Prize-winning rap star Kendrick Lamar has brought him more mainstream attention, and he recently released his second solo album “Heaven and Earth.” He’ll be performing with Butcher Brown Friday.

“The Color Purple”
Theater Horizon, 401 DeKalb St., Norristown, Pennsylvania
Through Dec. 16, show times vary
$35 (previews) and $45

With themes of overcoming racism and abuse, while celebrating family and self-love, “The Color Purple” has resonated with audiences since Alice Walker published the novel in 1982. It became a film, a theater production and a musical.

Theater Horizon’s presentation of “The Color Purple” features a special “relaxed performance” Dec. 1 for those who have difficulty with sensory processing and a post-show discussion on domestic violence Nov. 18.

“Dancing With Giants” reading
Congregation Rodeph Shalom
615 N. Broad St., Philadelphia
Nov. 14, 7 p.m
$18 -$250

Acclaimed actress Tovah Feldshuh, a four-time Drama Desk Award winner, will give a dramatic reading of the play ‘Dancing With Giants.” Written by her brother David Feldshuh, who also wrote the Broadway play “Miss Evers’ Boys,” it is a fictionalized version of the true story of a friendship between boxers Max Schmeling and Joe Louis and boxing manager Joe “Yussle the Muscle” Jacobs during the rise of Nazi Germany.

Zora Neale Hurston’s “Barracoon: The Story of the Last Black Cargo”
First Person Arts Festival
Community College of Philadelphia
Bonnell Building, 556 N. 17 St.
Nov. 10, 6 p.m.
Free

Actor Keith David of the drama “Greenleaf” on OWN Network will read from Zora Neale Hurston’s last work “Barracoon: The Story of the Last Black Cargo.” The event is part of the First Person Arts Festival, taking place at various venues through Nov. 27.

Hurston’s manuscript was shut away in Howard University’s archives until it was rediscovered and published earlier this year. It’s a series of conversations converted to book form with Hurston and Cudjo Lewis, one of the last survivors of The Middle Passage. A panel discussion follows.