Weekly Entertainment Guide – Bastille Day, Blobfest & Invisible River

WHYY’s Robin Bloom on what not to miss this week in the Philadelphia region.

What’s Happening

Vive la France! Celebrate Bastille Day

Put on your best 18th century French peasant clothes and join the 20th annual Bastille Day Block Party, this Saturday, July 12, beginning at 2pm with French-themed entertainment, food and drink specials in the Fairmount Neighborhood of Philadelphia. Eastern State Penitentiary teams up with the experimental cabaret troupe, The Bearded Ladies, once again to present the entire French Revolution in a spectacle of song and dance all culminating in a playful re-enactment of the Storming of the Bastille at the historic prison at 5:30pm. Dozens of French revolutionaries will capture Marie Antoinette and, ignoring her mocking cries of “Let them eat Tastykake!,” will drag her to a real, functioning guillotine as 2,000 Tastykakes are flung from the prison’s towers. The performance, as always, is free and open to the public, with exclusive VIP seating available. Then, dancing in the street with the West Philadelphia Orchestra, French-themed entertainment, as well as twilight tours at the penitentiary, 22nd & Fairmount, Philadelphia. Liberté! Egalité! Fraternité!Check out the tallest Eiffel Tower sculpture in Pennsylvania at Media’s annual Bastille Day Celebration, Saturday July 12, beginning at 6pm with something for everyone – vendors, dancing in the street, Bob Read’s 26 foot Eiffel Tower sculpture, exhibits, paper lanterns, children’s activities and more. Admission to Media’s Bastille Day is free of charge.

Blobfest in Phoenixville

Since its first stage show in 1903, the Colonial Theatre carried on through two World Wars, the Great Depression, and in 1957, was featured in the movie “The Blob,” starring Steve McQueen. Phoenixville, PA celebrates its role in the film with the annual Blobfest, a kitschy, family-friendly event saluting the classic sci-fi movie, filmed in and around the town. Friday night, July 11, 7pm is the Run Out (sold out but you can still enjoy the parade & watch the Run out), the street fair, Saturday, July 12, 11am, as well as screenings of the movies, 227 Bridge Street. Tickets required for movies and street fair is free.

Art of the Barn Tour

The Bucks County Audubon Society’s Art of the Barn Tour is July 11-13, honoring Bucks County and their environmental preservation efforts by taking visitors around the county to the various old barns and green fields that have inspired artists for centuries and featuring a selection of their work. Kicking off Friday evening with a lecture and art preview, tours start 9:30am-4:30pm on Saturday and from 12pm-4pm on Sunday, 2877 Creamery Road, New Hope, PA. Artists featured include Ron Bevilacqua, Harry Boardman, Peg Cavanaugh, Megan Franklin, and more.

Angleasea Blues Festival

Enjoy lip smackin’ barbecue and smokin’ hot blues at the Angleasea Blues Festival, this weekend, July 11-13 in Wildwood, New Jersey. Rows of food vendors, a craft beer station and live cooking demonstrations as well as the New Jersey State Barbeque Championship give the festival a tasty edge and a chance to try ribs, chicken, pork and brisket made by barbeque competitors from across the country. On the outdoor main stage, hear Client Nine, Mike Guldin & Rollin & Tumblin, Blue Jay Slim & the Tone, Mark May Band, Bev Conklin, and more, 2nd and Olde New Jersey Avenues, North Wildwood, NJ.

Nanticoke Riverfest

“Float in” to the Nanticoke Riverfest, Seaford, Delaware’s annual two-day summer celebration, July 11-12, for food, live music, tubing and more river-oriented events. The float begins at 7:30am on Saturday (registration at 7:15am) so bring a tube or buy one on-site (first come, first served) and glide along the water to live music. Visit “Artist Alley” on Pine Street, enter canoe and kayak races, the “Duck Dash,” and much more.

Shakespeare in the Park

Commonwealth Classic Theatre Company continues their Free Theatre in the Parks series with Twelfth Night, or What You Will, by William Shakespeare, directed by Paul Parente. Performances take place Thursday, July 10, 7pm, Shakespeare Park at the Free Library of Philadelphia; Friday, July 11, 7pm, Kimberton Park, Kimberton; Saturday, July 12, 7pm, Everhart Park, West Chester; Sunday, July 13, 7pm, Auburn Road Vineyard, Pilesgrove, NJ; Tuesday, July 15, 7pm, The Willows Estate, Radnor; Wednesday, July 16, East Goshen Township Amphitheatre; Thursday, July 17, McMichael Park, East Falls. Concerts continue through July 26 with rain or shine locations at venues across the region.Delaware Shakespeare Festival performs Hamlet, July 11-27 at Rockwood Park, 4651 Washington Street Extension, Wilmington, DE. Bring blankets or chairs and picnic and enjoy pre-show entertainment including music, comedy, Shakespeare orientation, children’s activities and more.

Broadway at the Beach

Enjoy “Broadway at the Beach” with Fiddler on the Roof, onstage at Surflight Theatre. The musical tells the story of Tevye and his family and their life in Russia at the turn of the 20th century. Matt Ban plays Tevye and expect the classic Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock songs, through July 27, Engleside Avenue, Beach Haven, NJ. 65th Community Party on Thursday, July 17, 5:30pm-7pm with regional foods and the Odessa Klezmer Band.

Summer Festivals

Hispanic Fiesta on the Delaware River

The Annual Hispanic Fiesta returns to the Delaware River Waterfront as part of the PECO Multicultural Series, Saturday, July 12, and Sunday, July 13, 2pm-8pm, with music by MAFFIO and Charlie Cruz y Su Orquesta, dance, entertainment, and authentic Latin American cuisine, Great Plaza, Penn’s Landing, Columbus Boulevard and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia. Free, rain or shine.

“Bluegrass & Blueberries” Festival at Peddler’s Village

Peddler’s Village hosts their Bluegrass & Blueberries Festival, Saturday and Sunday, July 12-13, 10am-6pm both days with a weekend full of blueberry treats and live bluegrass and country music, children’s activities, and more, Routes 202 & 263, Lahaska, PA.

Smyrna Craft Beer, Wine & Food Festival

The Smyrna Craft Beer, Wine & Food Festival returns for the 3rd year to Market Street Plaza Saturday, July 12, 2pm-8pm with craft beers and wines for tasting, craft vendors, food, live music, reptile show, children’s activities, and more. Proceeds benefit local charities, Smyrna, DE.

Sand Castle contests at the shore!

The Wildwood Crest Sand Sculpting Festival returns this Saturday, July 12, 10am-2pm, welcoming competitors of all ages and abilities, and directed by internationally known sand sculptor Matt Long. Registration is free, begins at 9am, at the Wildwood Crest Beach Pier at Heather Road. Enjoy live music by Twelve:01 and The Mango Men. Rain date is Sunday, July 13, Wildwood Crest, NJ.The annual Sandcastle Contest at Delaware Seashore State Park has been a tradition for more than 30 years. Register at the South Inlet Day Area (south of the Indian River Inlet Bridge) on Saturday, July 12. The program is free but park entrance fees apply. The hours are 9:30am-2pm in Rehoboth Beach, DE.

Invisible River

Join Alie and the Brigade for the return of Invisible River, a 2 mile performance journey on the Schuylkill River, Saturday, July 12 and Sunday, July 13. Arrive by 6:15pm to travel by boat – a moving flotilla of kayaks, whaleboats, skiffs and rowboats, accompanied by a new-medieval musical ensemble, departing from the western shores in Fairmount Park. Or watch on the shore. Show starts at 7pm. Enjoy aerial dancers at the Strawberry Mansion Bridge, music, dance and installations on the river. Invisible River aims to celebrate the importance of waterways through the act of live performance, advocacy and educational outreach programs.

ANDY: A Popera

Opera Philadelphia and the experimental cabaret troupe The Bearded Ladies team up once again for the second installment of their Andy Warhol inspired pop art opera. ANDY: A Popera can be seen at the Wilma Theater July 16-27 and draws upon the life, fame and philosophy of the legendary artist. The year-long collaboration between the organizations will culminate in the third and final production to premiere in 2015 as part of Opera Philadelphia’s Opera in the City Series. The show features original music by Heath Allen and is an experiment so expect changes from one performance to the next, Broad Street, Philadelphia. July 16 is a pay what you can preview.

Germantown Jazz on the Ave

Cliveden and Bebashi team up to host G-town Jazz on the Ave, Saturday, July 12, 5pm-8pm, a health awareness festival with live jazz music by the Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble (pictured), Mozaic Flow and other Philly jazz artists, plus spoken word poet Krissy Mosely of Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, along with food, arts and crafts vendors, and more, 6401 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia. Entrance on Cliveden Street. Bring your own chairs or blankets. Bebashi is a full service HIV/AIDS case management agency that serves low-income people of color with HIV disease.

“Performance Now” at Delaware Art Museum

Delaware Art Museum presents Performance Now, a traveling exhibition that surveys visual performance art at the start of the 21st century. The display includes objects, ephemera, sound, and video revealing how live performance is captured by artists and transformed into new work that contains the power and content of the original work. Curated by RoseLee Goldberg and co-organized by Independence Curators International, and made possible in part by the Andy Warhol Foundation. In conjunction with the exhibit Retro*active: Performance Art from 1964-1987 also on display through September 21, 2301 Kentmere Parkway. Members preview on Friday, July 11, 6pm-8pm and Art is After Dark: Performance Art event on Friday, July 18, 6pm-10pm. Pictured: Yoko Ono (born 1933). Cut Piece, 1964. Performed by the artist on March 25, 1965, Carnegie Recital Hall, New York City. Film by the Maysles Brothers. 16mm film transferred to DVD (black and white, sound), 9:13 min. Courtesy of the artist.

Sassy Says…

It’s the debut of “Sassy Says,” occasional picks by my 3 year old Bichon-Poodle, Sassy. She has a couple of fun recommendations for some dog-friendly events this week!

 

 Chestnut Hill Dog Days of Summer

Bring your pooch to the Chestnut Hill Dog Days of Summer for some free canine carousing this Sunday, July 13, noon-4pm. Events include a pet parade, pet photos, face painting, Paws reader, Pet trainers, food, music, scavenger hunt, arts & crafts activities, and more, Germantown and Highland Avenues, Chestnut Hill. This event features pet rescue organizations with furry friends to be adopted. Sassy was picked up at the SPCA – so this is her TOP PICK!

Haddonfield Fine Art and Crafts Festival

The 22nd annual Haddonfield Fine Art and Crafts Festival is a pet friendly event, Saturday July 12, 11am-7pm and Sunday July 13, Noon-5pm. Count on local and national artisans showing different styles and artistic techniques, from ceramics, metal, and photography to glass, fiber and wearable art. Also, musical entertainment, outdoor cafés, activities for the kids and more, along Kings Highway between Washington Avenue and Haddon Avenue and along Tanner Street to Euclid Avenue. Free parking and admission.

 

 

Tricia Whiting contributed reporting to this week’s Guide.

To submit an event to be considered for the Weekly Entertainment Guide email Robin Bloom at artscalendar@whyy.org.