Weekly Entertainment Guide – Balloon festival and ‘A Night in Venice’
From Center City to the Jersey Shore, we’ve got your week covered. WHYY’s Arts Calendar curator Robin Bloom sorts through hundreds of listings each week to find out what’s happening in the Delaware Valley. Here are her picks:
New Jersey Festival of Ballooning
The 30th annual New Jersey Festival of Ballooning takes place this weekend, July 27-29, as more than 100 hot-air balloons fly at Solberg Airport, Readington, NJ, north of Princeton. The event, called the largest of its kind in North America, also includes arts and crafts booths, children’s activities, live music with Eddie Money, Smokey Robinson and more. Tickets: Adults $30, children (over 3) $15, other events individually priced.
The 40th Street Summer Series continues on the fourth Saturday of the month with Sun Ra Arkestra, returning for their third Summer Series in concert Saturday, July 28, 6pm, behind the Walnut Street Free Library, 40th and Walnut Streets, Philadelphia. Free. Bring your blankets and chairs. Free Rita’s Water Ice.
The 18th Annual “People’s Festival” pays tribute to Bob Marley in Wilmington, his first American home, with live music, international food, worldwide arts & crafts, and performances by I Wayne, Sister Carol, Spokey Speaky, and more, Saturday, July 28, noon-10pm, Tubman-Garret Riverfront Park, Water Street, Wilmington, DE. Tickets: In Advance $15.
Doris Staffel: Painter, Teacher
Opening this weekend at Woodmere Art Museum are several exhibitions that focus on the accomplishments of two significant figures in Philadelphia’s cultural life: “Doris Staffel: Painter, Teacher,” a retrospective chronicling her career as an abstractionist, including pieces by her teachers, colleagues, and students; and a three-part exhibition of Alex Kanevsky, “Artist, Curator, Juror,” featuring a decade’s worth of his key paintings and drawings along with a display of works by 46 local artists selected by Kanevsky, on view July 28 through September 30 at 9201 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia. Admission: Adults $10, Seniors $7, Students/Children/Members Free.
Ocean City’s annual “Night in Venice” returns this Saturday, July 28, 6pm, modeled after the traditional boat parades in Venice, as owners decorate their boats and parade through the city’s lagoons and back bays, from Longport Bridge to Tennessee Avenue, Ocean City, NJ, with live music, children’s activities and food. Admission: Bayside Center Adult Tickets $7, Children 12 and Under $3, Grand Stand Seating is Free. Gates open at 4pm.
The Abington Art Center hosts its annual “KidFest,” an outdoor event featuring hands-on workshops and exhibits, food, games, and live music all tailored for children. Musical guests, “The Plants,” will inspire imagination with their lighthearted tunes, Thursday, August 2, 5:30-9pm, 515 Meetinghouse Road, Jenkintown, PA. Free.
The 1st Annual “BlackStar Film Festival” is August 2-5, a celebration of film by and about people of African descent. The four-day festival includes 40 films, such as “Adopted ID” and “Soul Food Junkies,” industry workshops, conversations with filmmakers, and receptions or after-parties at venues including the African American Museum, 701 Arch Street, Old City; Art Sanctuary, 628 S. 16th Street, Center City; International House, 3701 Chestnut Street, University City. Tickets: All Access Festival Pass $75, Individual Tickets General $8, Students/Seniors $5, Panels/Workshops/Conversations Free. Register online for A Conversation with Ava Duvernay.
“ReSource Philadelphia” kicks off July 29 through August 5, showcasing more than 50 local and national artists from varying genres in a unique, week-long arts and community event, transforming Crane Arts Old School: The White Space into a center for emerging and established artists of all forms. Each day features live performances, workshops, open mic nights, short-film screenings, and more, 1417 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia. Ticket prices range from free to $60.
Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art
The National Collage Society celebrates the 100th anniversary of collage with the 28th Anniversary Juried Exhibition at the Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art, featuring 82 unique pieces, through August 12, Upper Gallery, 601 E. Main Street, Collegeville, PA. Collage existed in many craft forms before Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso incorporated it into their art in 1912, elevating it to a fine art. Free.
Onstage at People’s Light & Theatre Company is the World Premiere of Bruce Graham’s “Mr. Hart and Mr. Brown,” running through August 19, telling the story of a newspaper reporter who risks his life to write a story of two mysterious men, Steinbright Stage, 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, PA. Tickets: $25-$45.
Musikfest 2012 kicks off next Friday, August 3-12 with 10 days of concerts on 15 stages, and more than 500 performances including Joe Cocker, Huey Lewis and the News, Goo Goo Dolls, Janes Addiction, Sheryl Crow, Boston and much more in venues in downtown Bethlehem, PA.
Philly
In honor of Colombia’s 202nd Independence Day, Raices Culturales Latinoamericana hosts its monthly community program, Tertulia: Viva Colombia! Friday, July 27th at 7pm, with Colombian literature, music, art, and light refreshments with author Soldedad Chaez-Plumley and musical artists Tito “La Voz” Lopez and Jose Rico, Philadelphia’s Crane Arts Old School Building, 1417 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia. Suggested Donation of $10 is requested.
The Philadelphia Orchestra kicks off the Friday Night Lights firework series on Penn’s Landing, as part of their Free Neighborhood Concerts, Friday, July 27, 8pm, on the Riverstage. Assistant conductor Cristian Macelaru will lead the performance, including classics such as Mendelssohn’s Nocturne from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and Dvorak’s “Carnival” overture, Columbus Blvd, between Market and Walnut Streets, Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Dance Day is this Saturday, July 28, beginning at 10am, offering the opportunity to learn from the best with free workshops in various studios around Philly throughout the day, culminating in the main event at 6pm with showcase performances, a Zumba party, foxtrot and salsa lessons, and more at the Ethical Society Building, 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia. Admission: $5 for evening activities.
The first ever Philadelphia Modern Home Tour is Saturday, July 28, featuring six contemporary homes that exemplify modern living. This self-guided driving tour begins at 11am through 5pm at any of the six homes. Tickets: In Advance $25, Day of Tour $30. Tickets can be picked up at 3 of the 6 homes: 520 Station Avenue, Glenside; 2061 Amber Street, Philadelphia; 413 Burnt Mill Rd, Chadds Ford.
The 7th Annual Car Show and Street Festival returns on Sunday, July 29, noon-5pm, featuring over 140 classic and custom show cars, trucks, and motorcycles accompanied by live music, vendors, and the Bang! Boom! CRAFT! Show at the fountain, East Passyunk Avenue, between Broad and Dickinson Streets, South Philadelphia. Admission: $15 for Show Cars, Free for Attendees. Rain Date is Sunday, August 5.
Shakespeare in Clark Park returns for another season with “Merry Wives of Windsor,” through July 29, 7pm. The cast includes Jess Conda, is directed by Rebecca Wright, and features original music by Andrew Nelson, at “The Bowl,” 43rd Street & Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia. Free. Bring chairs and blankets. Rain location: Curio Theatre, 48th Street and Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia.
The Painted Bride Art Center hosts a lunch time DJ dance party on August 1, noon-2pm, encouraging neighbors and co-workers to take a break and engage with new people, based on the Swedish Lunch Beat movement. The Lucky Old Souls Burger Truck will be serving out front from 11:30am-2:30pm, 230 Vine Street, Philadelphia. Admission: $7.
Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre presents the tragicomedy, “Cymbeline,” directed by David O’Connor and performed by The Classical Acting Academy, opening Wednesday, August 1 through August 19. One of Shakespeare’s character-driven works, “Cymbeline” echoes the plays of his past as he attempts to create a new genre of theatre, 2111 Sansom Street, Philadelphia. Free.
Philly’s annual “Illadelph” Legends Festival is underway through August 1, the longest continually run Hip Hop Festival dedicated to the evolution of Hip Hop music and dance, with panel discussions, lecture demonstrations, master classes, open jam sessions, and more at the Rock School, the Avenue of the Arts, 1101 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, 9am-5pm daily.
PA Suburbs & Delaware
The 4th Annual Seafood and Arts Festival is this Saturday, July 28, 10am-6pm, at Indian River Marina, Delaware Seashore State Park, 39415 Inlet Road, Rehoboth Beach, DE. Free.
WATER Elemental Crafts and Fine Art combines the visual and the acoustic in “Music & Art: Art that is Made by Musicians,” through August 26. This Saturday, July 28 at 7pm, the band “Hobo Pie” will feature Irish/Celtic and Old Time music, as well as their visual display. Other artist/musician visual works include unique jewelry, folk guitars made from cigar boxes, photographs of a town near Dublin, and more, 319 W. Main Street, Lansdale, PA. Free.
Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Delaware State Park’s Summer Concert Series with the Americana band, Sin City, Sunday, July 29, 6:30pm, at the Bandshell in Bellevue State Park, 800 Carr Road, Wilmington, DE. Park Entrance Fee: Delaware Registered Vehicle $3, Out of State Vehicle $6.
Bring a blanket or lawn chair to Stango Park as the WSFS Lewes Summer Concert Series continues on Tuesday, July 31, 7pm, with Cajun & Creole artists, Zydeco A-Go-Go, 110 Adam Street, Lewes, DE. Free.
St. Joseph’s University inspires meditation through a creative use of pattern and shape in “Depth of Illusion: Paintings by Laura Watt,” showcasing the yantra, a visual meditation tool composed of geometric forms used to represent the universe, through August 3, University Gallery, Merion Hall, Maguire Campus, 376 N. Latches Lane, Merion Station, PA.
New Jersey
Internationally renowned guitarist David Grier performs in concert Saturday, July 28, 7pm, at Medford Friends Meetinghouse, 14 Union Street, Medford, NJ. Tickets $23 in advance, $25 at the door. Sponsored by the South Jersey Acoustic Roots Music Society.
The Annual New Jersey Peach Festival and Gloucester County 4-H Fair is underway through Sunday, July 29, with peach activities for all ages along with live music, carnival rides, animal shows, craft fair, and much more at the 4-H Fairgrounds south of Mullica Hill, on Route 77, Bridgeton Pike. Parking donation of $10, good for all days.
The Mainstage Center for the Arts combines beloved Disney characters in the Summer Stage finale, “Disney Heroes,” August 1, 7:30pm and August 2 & 3, 10:30am. This musical revue features medleys and songs from “Snow White,” “Lion King,” Tarzan,” “Newsies,” and more, Dennis Flyer Theatre, Lincoln Hall, Camden County College, 200 College Drive, Blackwood, NJ. Tickets: Morning Performances Adults $10, Students/Seniors $9, Evening Performance Adults $12, Students/Seniors $11.
Princeton’s “ArtWalk” is Thursday, August 2, 5-8pm, as downtown art institutions open their doors to sample visual arts and related activities. This upcoming ArtWalk is designed specially for children, with hands on art-making, a scavenger hunt, and a BBQ. Parking is located in parking garages on Spring, Chambers, and Hulfish Streets, Princeton, NJ.
“Down the Shore”
The Christmas in July Boat Parade is Saturday, July 28, 7:30pm, at Shawcrest Marina proceeding to West Wildwood, Ottens Harbor, then Sunset Lake and ends with a party with live entertainment at Lighthouse Point, Wildwood, NJ.
The Atlantic City Food & Wine Festival is underway through July 29, with celebrity chefs including Paula Deen, Anne Burrell, Robert Irvine, Buddy Valastro and Andrew Zimmerman along with events including The Grand Market, Book Store & Signings, Define “Cheese-Steak,” Blues Brews & BBQ, Sunset Sliders, Sushi & Saki and Sweet and Stylish, at various locations in Atlantic City, NJ. Tickets: $40-$149
The Ocean Professional Theater Company presents “Gypsy,” August 2-19, at Barnegat Ocean High School, 180 Bengal Blvd, Barnegat, NJ. Tickets: Adults $35, Children under 12 $20.
East Lynne Theater Company presents “The Poe Mysteries,” through September 1, a World Premiere, adapted by James Rana, based on the first modern detective stories ever written, with six actors portraying 50 roles in Edgar Allen Poe’s famous mysteries, First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, New Jersey at 500 Hughes Street. Tickets $0-$30.
To submit an event to be considered for the Weekly Entertainment Guide email Robin Bloom at artscalendar@whyy.org.
Kelly Hagerty and Pamela Seaton contributed reporting to this week’s guide.
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