Weekly Entertainment Guide – Arts in Bloom

Robin Bloom offers 18 suggestions for what to do this week!

What’s Happening

Delaware Theatre Company’s “The Explorers Club”

Tickets are going fast for the Delaware Theatre Company’s The Explorers Club, the sidesplitting comedy by Nell Benjamin (Because of Winn-Dixie). Set in London in 1859, the prestigious Explorers Club is in crisis because their acting president wants to admit a woman and their bartender is terrible. How can such a decision be made without a decent drink? Only a few more performances left to find out! Directed by DTC Executive Director Bud Martin and starring Karen Peakes, Daniel Frederick, Dave Johnson, Dan Kern, Brian McCann, Harry Smith, Griffin Stanton-Ameisen, and Matt Tallman, the show is onstage through May 22 at 200 Water Street, Wilmington, DE. Catch a post-show talkback with the cast on May 19. Photo by Matt Urban, Mobius New Media.

Philadelphia International Tango Festival

The 6th Philadelphia International Tango Festival takes place May 19-22, organized and sponsored by the Philadelphia Argentine Tango School, with headliners Gustavo Naveira and Giselle Anne teaching and performing, along with 25 workshops for tango dancers at every level, late night milongas (tango social dances), classes and more, with almost all events taking place at Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 North American Street, Old City, Philadelphia. Photo courtesy of Philadelphia International Tango Festival.

Odean Pope in Hawthorne Park

Saxophonist, composer, educator and arranger Odean Pope performs with his quartet, Thursday, May 19, 7pm in Hawthorne Park, 12th and Catharine Streets, Philadelphia. The performance is the first of a four concert series, Jazz in Hawthorne Park, free summer concerts that continue into June, July and August with Vince Ector, Breckerville, and DeTierre Caliente. Presented by Jazz Bridge, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting jazz and blues musicians in the Greater Philadelphia area. Photo courtesy of Jazz Bridge.

Camp Jam in the Pines Music Festival

The Camp Jam in the Pines Music Festival takes place May 19-21. After a sold out five country European tour, Blues rocker Popa Chubby (pictured) headlines with selections from his upcoming Cleopatra release “Big, Bad, and Beautiful.” Plus, workshops, camping and more at the Paradise Lake Campground in the heart of the Pine Barrens in Wharton State Forest, Hammonton, NJ.

For more music festivals within driving distance of Philadelphia from now through September, check out the Music Festival Guide.

Cirque Goes to the Movies

The acrobats, aerialists, and contortionists of Cirque de la Symphonie dangle 30 feet above the 65 piece Philly Pops Orchestra in the world premiere Cirque Goes to the Movies, May 20-22. The final show of the Philly Pops subscription series was created by Music Director Michael Krajewski and is set to movie music from Star Wars, Harry Potter, West Side Story, Pirates of the Caribbean, Titanic, Back to the Future, Mission: Impossible and more in three performances that include pre-concert conversations with Krajewski and Cirque’s Executive Director Bill Allen, Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Broad Street, Philadelphia. Photo courtesy of Cirque de la Symphonie.

Keb’ Mo’ at Keswick Theatre

Three-time Grammy Award-winning singer, guitarist, and songwriter Keb’ Mo’ brings his “Hot Pink Blues” to the Keswick Theatre with his band Friday, May 20, 8pm, 291 N. Keswick Avenue, Glenside, PA.

 

 

Ardmore Music Hall’s Live from the Lot

Live from the Lot, Ardmore Music Hall’s music festival, is back this weekend, kicking off Friday night, May 20 with Electron. Festivities continue Saturday, May 21 (doors open at 12:30pm) and Sunday, May 22, 1pm, with Soulive and friends, Pimps of Joytime, Foundation of Funk with George Porter Jr., Zibagoo Modeliste of the Meters, Eric Krasno, and Neal Evans of Lettuce, Revivalists, Marco Benevento, Superhuman Happiness, Snarky Puppy, indoor after party with the Everyone Orchestra conducted by Matt Butler, Swift Technique, The Greyboy Allstars featuring Karl Denson, Robert Walter, Chris Stillwell, Elgin Park and Aaron Redfield, High and Mighty Brass Band, Steve Kimock, and more.  DUE TO THE WEATHER FORECAST, THE SATURDAY SHOWS HAVE BEEN MOVED INDOORS TO THE ELECTRIC FACTORY, 421 N. 7th Street, Philadelphia.  The Sunday shows will take place outside at Ardmore Music Hall, 23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, PA.  Festival is general admission, all ages and children under 12 admitted free, rain or shine.  Photo courtesy of Ardmore Music Hall.

The 9th Street Italian Market Festival

The 9th Street Italian Market Festival is this Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22, 11am-6pm, rain or shine, with 100 outdoor vendors, live music on several stages, Procession of the Saints, children’s activities and more, along South 9th Street, from Fitzwater to Federal Streets, in South Philly’s Italian Market, the nation’s oldest outdoor market. Photo courtesy of the 9th Street Italian Market Festival.

Trenton Avenue Arts Festival & Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby

The annual Trenton Avenue Arts Festival is Saturday, May 21, 12pm-6pm, celebrating East Kensington’s mix of local artists, musicians and eateries. Organized by the volunteers of the East Kensington Neighbors Association and featuring over 200 local arts and food vendors, the festival is free and open to the public at Trenton Avenue and East Susquehanna, Philadelphia and is held in conjunction with the Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby, a design competition and parade of human powered vehicle floats, beginning at noon at Trenton Avenue and Norris Street, Philadelphia. Photo by Ellei Johndro/Shadowscene. #SassySays

Horseshoe Crab Festivals

Get a front row seat to witness the amazing spectacle of shorebird migration and horseshoe spawning season with the 4th annual Spring Shorebird & Horseshoe Crab Festival, Saturday, May 21 through Sunday, May 22, 9:30am-4:30pm, including guided shorebird viewings, horseshoe crab workshops, walks, and many other conservation-based, hands-on, interactive activities for all ages at the Wetlands Institute, 1075 Stone Harbor Blvd, Stone Harbor, NJ. Photo courtesy of the Wetlands Institute.    The 7th annual Peace, Love & Horseshoe Crab Festival is Saturday, May 21, 10am-3pm, celebrating the spring spectacle of migrating shorebirds and spawning horseshoe crabs. Festivities include live music, crafts, vendors, food, family activities and more at DuPont Nature Center at Mispillion Harbor Reserve, Milford, DE. Rain or shine, free and open to the public.

Arts in Bloom

Salem County’s annual Arts in Bloom is this Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22, 10am-5pm, showcasing new work by over 40 artists including painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, collage, glass art, ceramics, furniture making, woodworking, leatherwork, fashion design, fiber arts and more, along with family activities at more than 27 locations in Salem County, NJ. Photo courtesy of Salem County’s Arts in Bloom.

Celebration of the Roses

Wyck Historic House hosts a Celebration of the Roses, programs honoring the oldest rose garden and its history, Saturday, May 21, 11am-3pm, rain or shine, with light refreshments, rose tea, children’s activities, talk by local horticulturalist and Wyck rosarian Kerry Ann McLean, tours of the historic house, and more. The Wyck Rose Garden was designed and created in 1824 by Jane Bowne Haines, the wife of Reuben Haines III, co-founder of the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Franklin Institute, and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. The garden features over 50 types of heritage roses, most of which bloom in late May and early June, 6026 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia. Bring your art supplies to capture the beauty of the garden! Photo courtesy of Wyck Historic House.

Strawberry Festival at Peddler’s Village

Peddler’s Village hosts the 38th annual Strawberry Festival, Saturday, May 21, and Sunday, May 22, 10am-6pm, with strawberries served up in various forms, juried artisans showing their wares and demonstrating their skills, live entertainment, pie-eating contests and the new Strawberry Fields Fun Area, Routes 202 and 263, Lahaska, Bucks County, PA. Free admission, free parking, rain or shine. Photo courtesy of Peddler’s Village.

Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival

The Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival is back this Saturday, May 21, 12pm-5pm, rain or shine with live music, food, children’s activities and more at 19th and Walnut Streets in Philadelphia. Free and open to the public. Photo courtesy of the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival.

 

Avi Wisnia

Award-winning singer/songwriter Avi Wisnia performs his last Bucks County Cabaret of the season at Saturday, May 21, 8pm. Get there at 6pm and enjoy full dinner service before the show of original songs and inventive covers inspired by Brazilian bossa nova, acoustic American folk, 1950’s west-coast jazz, Rodeway Inn & Suites, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope, PA.

Handel & His Frenemies

Philadelphia Baroque Orchestra Tempesta di Mare explores the music of one of the Baroque era’s greatest composers and his interactions – sometimes friendly and at other times fraught – with his contemporaries. Handel & His Frenemies: concertos, overtures and symphonies by Handel and his London friends and rivals features Keiser’s Concerto for Orchestra in D, Bononcini’s Cello Concerto in F, Greene’s Overture no. 2 in G, Handel’s Concerto Grosso in E minor, Op 6, No 3 and Suite from Il Pastor Fido, Pepusch’s Overture to The Beggar’s Opera, and Arne’s Symphony No. 1 in eight parts, Saturday, May 21, 8pm, Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 South Broad Street, Philadelphia. Photo courtesy of Tempesta di Mare.

Mark Stinger Band

Let the good times roll with the Mark Stinger Band this Sunday, May 22, 5pm-9pm at Carolina Blue Smokehouse and Tap Room, playing a variety of genres including Blues, Americana, Classic Rock, Folk, Country, and more, 692 Lambs Road, Pitman NJ.

 

Check out the Music Festival Guide to the festivals within driving distance of Philadelphia from May through September from New York to Virginia.

Look for #SassySays for pet friendly events. Let us know if your event is pet-friendly! Email artscalendar@whyy.org and put #SassySays in the subject line.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each week, the Entertainment Guide spotlights interesting local arts offerings happening now, including music, dance, theater, museums, special exhibitions and other arts events from across the region.

To submit an event to be considered, email Robin Bloom at artscalendar@whyy.org.