Weekly Entertainment Guide – Evita, Ritu & Leopold Bloom

Find ARTspiration, Art for the Cash Poor, see a film outside, go inside Your Brain, celebrate Old Glory, enjoy outdoor concerts and festivals, and much more!  Robin Bloom shares her picks.

What’s Happening

Pennsylvania Ballet’s 50th Finale: The Ultimate Celebration

Pennsylvania Ballet closes its golden anniversary season with 50th Finale: The Ultimate Celebration, five performances, June 12-15. The diverse program includes William Forsythe’s In the Middle, somewhat elevated and Jerome Robbins’ In the Night. Choreographer in Residence Matthew Neenan created two works – Penumbra (pictured), an intimate ballet for five dancers set to an Alberto Ginastera score for cello and piano, and his 15th commission for the Company, La Chasse, a duet created for Principal Dancer Lauren Fadeley and Company Member Alexander Peters, inspired by the 1911 Albert Gleizes painting, Merriam Theater, Broad Street, Philadelphia. Special events include a free pre-show talk on Friday, June 13, 6:30pm, final performance by Company member Jonathan Stiles, Sunday, June 15, 2pm, and Reaching New Heights: 50 and Beyond, Sunday, June 15, 6pm.

Celebrate “Bloomsday” in Philadelphia

The Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia celebrates author James Joyce with the annual Bloomsday Festival, June 13-18. Events include a Pub Quiz at Fergie’s Pub, the opening of the exhibit “I’ll Make a Ghost of Him: Joyce Haunted by Shakespeare,” and Bloomsday, all-day dramatic readings from Ulysses by Joyce enthusiasts now at three locations in Philadelphia including the Parkway Central Library, Rittenhouse Square and in front of the museum on Delancey Place, 9:30am-7:30pm on Monday, June 16 (free). WHYY’s Marty Moss-Coane reads at around 12:40pm! Joyce’s manuscript for Ulysses is housed at the Rosenbach.

Franklin Institute’s “Your Brain”

The Franklin Institute debuts a brand-new building on Saturday, June 14 with a brand-new exhibit, Your Brain. Inviting you to think about how you think, the interactive display features about 80 installations including a movie screen with sensors that pick up your silhouette as you move, artistic representations of the brain, visualizations of MRI scans, a two-story-tall climbing structure (pictured) with special lighting and sound effects that are triggered by your footsteps, and much more in the Frank Baldino, Jr. Gallery of the Nicholas and Athena Karabots Pavilion, 222 N. 20th Street, Philadelphia. While there, check out “Circus! Science under the Big Top” and “101 Inventions That Changed the World” in the Mandell Center.

Art Appreciation

Fleisher’s ARTspiration!

Fleisher Art Memorial’s annual ARTspiration! is this Saturday, June 14, beginning at 10am, a free community outdoor festival with family-oriented activities including art-making led by local artists, Fleisher faculty, and volunteers, music and dance performances, food, and more, along the 700 block of Catharine Street and in adjacent Palumbo Park, Philadelphia.

Art for the Cash Poor

The annual Art for the Cash Poor takes place this weekend, June 14-15, 12pm-6pm, a chance to meet artists and to purchase artwork at bargain prices, with a vast array of media all for under $199, and block-party style entertainment including live music, food, and an outdoor beer garden, Crane Arts Building, 1400 N. American Street, Philadelphia. New this year, a Friday night ticketed preview party and meet & greet, June 13. Pictured: Blue Storm by Debs Bleicher, participating artist.

Moore College of Art & Design’s Film al Fresco & Interchange

Moore College of Art & Design’s Film al Fresco is back for a 2nd year. The outdoor indie film series spotlights movies by filmmakers from the Delaware Valley, shown on a large outdoor screen in Aviator Park. The first is this Friday, June 13 beginning at dusk (approximately 8pm) in front of Moore, 20th Street and The Ben Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia. Free and open to the public. Food trucks on site. Additional dates are June 27, July 11 & 25. Head over to Moore early on Friday, June 13 and check out the opening reception of Interchange from 5pm-7pm. The exhibit is co-organized by members of the Philadelphia artist-run spaces Grizzly Grizzly and Practice along with Moore, and brings together objects and actions that rely on the exchange of ideas. Artists include Trevor Amery (Detroit), Maria Calandra (Brooklyn), Yevgeniy Fiks (New York), Hive76 (Philadelphia), Isauro Huizar (Mexico City), Lilly McElroy (Los Angeles), Yelena Popova (UK), Potters for Peace (Bisbee, AZ), and many more, on display June 14 through August 23. Pictured: Light Casting II, by Sophiel Aurora (UK).

Woodmere Annual: 73rd Juried Exhibition

Woodmere Art Museum’s annual juried exhibition has spotlighted the unique changes that have taken place in contemporary art in Philadelphia for over 7 decades. This year’s show has gathered about 80 locally created works of art of 50 artists who live within a 50 mile radius of Philadelphia. The installation explores such diverse themes as the urban landscape, isolation and self-reflection and were selected by Philly painter Sarah McEneaney. The Woodmere Annual: 73rd Juried Exhibition opens June 14 and featured artists include Betsey Batchelor, Mariel Capanna, Kevin Finklea, Catherine Mulligan, Seneca Weintraut and many more. Juror McEneaney’s paintings and sketches will also be on view along with objects from Woodmere’s permanent collection that relate to the shows’ theme, through September 1, 9201 Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill. Accompanied by an online catalogue with an opening reception on June 28, noon-4pm. Special events include Friday night jazz program Nina Simone: High Priestess of Soul, June 13, 6pm-8pm and “Tales of Philadelphia’s Art World: Past and Present” lecture with Nathaniel Popkin, Saturday, June 14, 3pm. Pictured: Rio Grande Hot Springs by Sarah McEneaney.

Festivals

Stripes and Stars Festival

Celebrate the joint birthdays of the American Flag and the U.S. Army (both had their start in Philadelphia) with the Stripes and Stars Festival, Saturday, June 14, 8am-7pm. The all-day event takes place at locations throughout Independence National Historical Park and historic Philadelphia, including Independence Hall, the National Constitution Center, and the Betsy Ross House, where the events begin with a 13-star flag raising ceremony. A 50-star flag raising follows on the front lawn of the NCC and then look forward to a parade, musical performances, craft activities, interactive programs and much more. Most programs are free. Admission to the NCC is just $5 courtesy of The Macy’s Foundation. View a new exhibition on the history of the American flag (museum open from 9:30am-6pm).

Cape May Harbor Fest

Cape May’s Harbor Fest is a celebration of the sea: its culture, economy, and ecology. The festival includes arts and crafts vendors, kids’ activities, a scallop challenge, boat tours, and live music on Saturday, June 14, 10am-5pm. Outdoor activities at Cape May’s harbor; Indoor activities in the Nature Center, 1600 Delaware Avenue, Cape May, NJ. Free.

West Park Arts Fest

The West Park Arts Fest returns this Saturday, June 14, 11am-5pm, with the theme “Friends Across Cultures,” offering entertainment and activities for all ages including children’s activities, live music by Donn T, Selina Carrera, Johnny Popcorn (pictured), Amari Rebel & the Movement, West Philadelphia Orchestra, and more, along with a dance and piano stage, and a guided historical trolley tour of the Centennial District, centered around 4021 Parkside Avenue, Fairmount Park. The West Park Cultural Center partners with more than thirty cultural and community organizations likethe Franklin Institute, Please Touch Museum, and Philadelphia Zoo.

Enchanted Summer Day at Winterthur

Winterthur hosts an Enchanted Summer Day, Saturday, June 14, 11am-3pm, with entertainment, crafts, treats and activities for the whole family including magic, roving Celtic musicians and more, rain or shine, in the children’s garden, Winterthur, DE. While you are there, take the Once Upon a Family Tour of the museum and visit the Touch-It Room.

Old Fashioned Picnic at the Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion

Head to Historic Germantown to visit one of the 16 houses opening on Second Saturday, June 14, including the Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion, hosting the 5th annual Old Fashioned Picnic from 12pm-3pm. The afternoon includes activities for all ages including juggling, Victorian photographs, scavenger hunt, croquet, ring toss, Industrial Revolution gadgets, face painting, and foods popular during the Victorian era. Tours of the first floor of the mansion will be offered. Discover the Enchanted wood at the only Victorian house museum in Philadelphia, 200 W. Tulpehocken Street, West Central Germantown, Philadelphia. Admission free with fees for activities.

Brandywine Food & Wine Festival

The Brandywine Food & Wine Festival is Saturday, June 14, 12pm-6pm, as wineries of the Brandywine Valley gather at the Myrick Conservation Center to showcase the best of what their region has to offer along with food vendors, crafters, musical acts, and demonstrations, 1760 Unionville-Wawaset Road, West Chester, PA.

Chasing Dreams Mall Extravaganza

Spend Father’s Day on Independence Mall with the National Museum of American Jewish History’s Chasing Dreams Mall Extravaganza, Sunday, June 15. The free, day-long, family-friendly event includes free admission to the exhibition “Chasing Dreams: Baseball and Becoming American.” Take a self-guided tour, share your favorite baseball memory in a recording booth. At 2pm, the outdoor festivities begin with live music, a speed pitch challenge, children’s activities, photos with former MLB players including former Philadelphia Phillie Thomas Greene, and more, concluding with an outdoor screening of the movie Field of Dreams (celebrating its 25th anniversary) at 9pm, 5th & Market Streets, Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Portuguese Heritage Festival

The 21st annual Philadelphia Portuguese Heritage Festival takes place this Sunday, June 15, 1pm-7pm, designed to bring attention to Portuguese-Americans’ contributions to the city of Philadelphia. The afternoon features a variety of traditional foods, art, folklore, dance, music, and the traditional blessing of the fleet aboard the Tall Ship Gazela, Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing.

Music

This weekend at the Mann

Catch the legendary Willie Nelson & Family along with Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglass and special guest Kacey Musgraves this Friday, June 13, 7pm. On Saturday, June 14, 7:30pm Widespread Panic performs with special guest Galactic. Both shows are for all ages and doors open at 6pm, Mann Center for the Performing Arts, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia.

Bring Your Sing!

The 2nd annual Bring Your Sing! Community Sing-In invites singers from all over the Philadelphia region to join with members of the Philadelphia Singers and the Orchestra Society of Philadelphia. The free performance is conducted by Brian Schkeeper on Friday, June 13, 7pm, Friends Center, 15th & Cherry Streets, Philadelphia. Register online and get a copy of the score (selections from Mendelssohn’s Elijah).

The Wailers at Wiggins Park

The Camden County Sunset Jazz Music Series kicks off with the Wailers, Monday, June 16. Upcoming concerts with the Michael Pedicin Quintet featuring Justin Faulkner, June 30, Mozaic Flow & Friends, July 14, The Brubeck Brothers Tribute to Dave Brubeck, July 28, Lynn Riley & The World Mix with special guest Kathy Sledge, August 11, and Lalah Hathaway, August 25. All concerts at 8pm, Wiggins Park Riverstage, Camden, NJ. Pictured: The Wailers at The Newport Yachting Center. Photo by Mojo Photography.

The DuPont Clifford Brown Jazz Festival

The DuPont Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, called the “largest free jazz festival on the East Coast,” celebrates the local jazz trumpeter June 18-21, with Brian Culbertson, Habana Sax (pictured), Dianne Schuur, Lynn Riley, The Brownie-Roach Project, Amel Larruiex, Mindi Abair, and more, Rodney Square, 11th and Market Street, Wilmington, DE.

Penn Museum’s Summer Nights Concert Series

Penn Museum’s Summer Nights Concert Series is back for a 5th year on Wednesdays throughout the summer from 5pm-8pm beginning Wednesday, June 18 with El Caribefunk (pictured). The diverse lineup of bands and musicians includes Barakka, Philly Songwriters, Zydeco-A-Go-Go, Trinidelphia, and more through September 3. The series offers drinks and light fare from the Pepper Mill Café’s garden bar and the opportunity to explore the Museum’s galleries at night, 3620 South Street, Philadelphia.

Onstage

“Evita” at the Academy of Music

The national tour of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tony Award-winning musical Evita stops in Philadelphia after a successful Broadway run. The powerful story of Eva Perón, who rose up from the slums of Argentina to the presidential mansion as First Lady, is onstage at the Academy of Music June 17-22. Directed by Tony winner Michael Grandage, choreographed by Tony winner Rob Ashford, and starring Caroline Bowman as Eva, the production features favorites like “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina,” “Another Suitcase in Another Hall” and “High Flying, Adored,” Broad Street Philadelphia. American Sign Language (ASL) performance on Friday, June 20 and Audio Description (AD) on Sunday, June 22, 1pm matinee.

InterAct Theatre Company’s “Ritu Comes Home”

Brendan and Jason, a gay couple living in Bryn Mawr, pay 80 cents a day to support a poor child living across the world in Bangladesh. One day, the child-turned teenager shows up on their doorstep unexpectedly and turns their lives into a comedic, irreverent adventure in InterAct Theatre Company’s Ritu Comes Home. The world premiere by Peter Gil-Sheridan is directed by Seth Rozin and stars David Bardeen, Jered McLenigan, Annie Henk, Amar Srivastava, and Rebecca Khalil as Ritu through June 22 on the main stage at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom Street, Philadelphia. Special events include InterAct with Us post-show reception on Friday, June 13, Coffee Conversations, June 17-18, Speaker Sundays, June 15 & 22.

Iron Age Theatre’s “The Toughest Boy in Philadelphia”

Iron Age Theatre continues to showcase plays that confront social issues with the gender bending, world premiere of The Toughest Boy in Philadelphia by Andrea Kennedy Hart, June 12-29. The production, directed by John Doyle, focuses on the true story of a woman who lived as a man in the early 1900s in Philadelphia and rose up to be one of the most powerful gangsters. Featuring an all-female cast including KO DelMarcelle as Irish gang kingpin Jack McConnell, Michelle Pauls, Gina Martino, Susan Giddings, and Colleen Hughes, the show incorporates physical humor and 1900s music hall style songs, exploring issues of personal identity and acceptance at Luna Theater, 620 S. 8th Street, Philadelphia. Talk backs with the actors and director on Thursday, June 19 and 26 after the performance.

12’X9′ at New Freedom Theatre

Onstage at the historic New Freedom Theatre is the east coast premiere of 12’X9′ by Philly native Fred Thomas Jr., who wrote, directs, and stars in the NAACP Theatre Award-winning play that shines a spotlight on an overpopulated federal prison system. The raw and edgy drama about three conniving inmates who are forced to share a cell also features Maurice G. Smith and Damien D. Smith and is produced by Adenrele Ojo, daughter of John E. Allen, Jr., the late founder and artistic director of Freedom Theater (the oldest African-American theater in Pennsylvania), June 13-15, 1346 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia.

 

 

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