Weekly Entertainment Guide: Festivals galore!

From Center City to the Jersey Shore, we’ve got your weekend 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 and listings.

The Marvelous Wonderettes

Take a trip down Memory Lane with 11th Hour Theatre Company’s production of “The Marvelous Wonderettes,” as jumping tunes from the 50’s and 60’s fill the Skybox at the Adrienne Theater sung by a quartet – Kat Borelli, Laura Catlaw, Colleen Hazlett, and Janet Rowley – who escort the audience back in time to the group’s high school prom, and later to its ten year reunion. Through a delightful selection of “oldies but goodies,” the songs that thrilled a generation provide the center thread along which the story is told. Great voices and high energy combine for a fast-paced, charming show onstage through June 24 at 2030 Sansom Street, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia. Tickets: $28.

reasons to be pretty at Philadelphia Theatre Company

Onstage at Philadelphia Theatre Company is “reasons to be pretty,” a play focusing on America’s modern day obsession with physical appearance and what is considered “pretty.” With superb direction by Maria Mileaf and excellent acting by Daniel Abeles, Paul Felder, Genevieve Perrier, and Elizabeth Stanley, this story about four ordinary young people who feel they are missing out on something in their lives will make you laugh and feel uncomfortable at the same time in classic Neil LaBute style. “reasons to be pretty,” the final installment in his critically acclaimed trilogy, is onstage through June 24 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, Broad and Lombard Streets, Philadelphia. Tickets start at $25.

Fete Day and Flag Festival

Begin the summer season with events in Historic Philadelphia: Elfreth’s Alley Fete Day Open House on June 9, offering the one-time opportunity to tour private historic homes from 12-5pm, historic interpreters, refreshments, colonial artisans, a fife & drum corps and the new exhibit “Fashioning Philadelphia,” on 2nd Street between Race & Arch Streets, Old City, Philadelphia. Admission: Adults $20, Seniors/Students $10.  The Betsy Ross House’s annual Flag Festival is June 10-16, a weeklong celebration including circus performances, puppet shows, a day in the life of a soldier, and the chance to meet George Washington, 230 Arch Street, Philadelphia. Admission: Adults $5, children and seniors $4.

Princeton Festival

The Princeton Festival is June 9-30 with dance, jazz, opera, musical theatre, chamber music, cabaret, and more with Gamalan Dharma Swara, the Rodriguez Brothers, and the musical “Once upon a Mattress” at various locations in Princeton, NJ.

 

Awesome Fest

Philadelphia’s Awesome Fest presents free weekly movie screenings at the Race Street Pier, debuting their new 30 foot screen on Saturday, June 9, with the first film in the series, “No Room for Rockstars: The Vans Warped Tour” at 8pm, Race Street Pier, North Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia. Free Admission.

 

Shady Grove Music Fest

The Shady Grove Music Fest is this Saturday, June 9, 12pm with 8 bands including Still Moon Servants, Deadbeatz Inc. and more, rain or shine at 2126 The Highway, Arden, Delaware. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, food and beverage available for purchase, no outside food or beverage permitted. Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the gate, children 12 and under free.

Reggae in the Park Festival

The Summer Reggae Festival, “Reggae in the Park,” is Sunday, June 10, 1:30pm with Jimmy Cliff, Beres Hammond & many more with two stages, live DJ sets, arts and craft vendors, Caribbean and global cuisine and more at the Mann Center in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park.

 

 

Moonstone Art Center’s Spring Celebration

Moonstone Art Center’s Spring Celebration is Sunday, June 10, 3pm with Philadelphia Poet Laureate Sonia Sanchez and jazz legend Odean Pope headlining a lineup of Philadelphia artists, First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, 2125 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. Tickets $40

 

 

Philadelphia Magic Gardens Family Jam

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens remembers Antoni Gaudi with “June Family Jam: Gaudi Glassworks,” Sunday, June 10, 12-4pm, by creating nature-inspired faux stained glass windows out of colored acetate, using the techniques of Gaudi and Isaiah Zagar. Kids tour at 2pm, 1020 South Street, Philadelphia. $5 for adults, $2 for ages 6-12, free for children 5 and under.

 

Odunde Festival

The Odunde Festival is Sunday, June 10, 10am-8pm, the longest running and largest African American festival on the East Coast, covering over 12 city blocks with more than 200 arts, crafts and food vendors, two stages of live entertainment and more from 23rd & Lombard to Grays Ferry and Christian and 20th & South Street to 24th & South Streets, Philadelphia. Free.

 

Pirates Invade the Five Minute Follies at the Rotunda

The Rotunda presents an evening for the family with “Pirates Invade the Five Minute Follies,” the sixth edition of their traditional variety show, featuring an appearance by the award-winning Valhall’s Pirates, a pirate costume contest, joke-off, and sing-a-long on June 9 at 8pm, 4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia. Tickets: $10 in advance, $12 at the door.

 

Prison Break Weekend

The Eastern State Penitentiary hosts a Prison Break Weekend, a family event commemorating some of the most infamous prison breaks in American history, such as the 1945 tunnel escape. Visitors can attempt Bocce Ball, a traditional Italian recreation used by prisoners to “escape” within the walls on June 9 and 10 from 10am-5pm along with other interactive and family-friendly activities at 2027 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia. Tickets: Adults $12, Seniors $10, Students and kids $8.

 

LGBT Pride Parade & Festival

PrideDay 2012, the 24th Annual LGBT Pride Parade & Festival, is Sunday, June 10, 12-6pm, including 90 different outreach organizations and over 40 merchants selling rainbow novelties and products. Wendy Williams headlines. Beginning at 13th & Locust Streets, the parade leads to the festival on the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia. Admission: $10.

 

Light installations at Longwood Gardens

Longwood Gardens hosts special events and concerts: Light: Installations by Bruce Munro, a debut exhibition illuminating the gardens with large-scale, site-specific installations opening June 9; Trout Fishing in America, Friday, June 15, 7pm; Fireworks and Fountains, illuminated fountain shows, fireworks and concerts scheduled throughout the summer on Route 1, Kennett Square, PA: Swan Lake, July 21, September 1, Stars and Strips, July 3, The Amazing ‘80s!, August 11, September 29. Ages 16 and over $38 (members $31), Ages 15 and under $22 (members $18), 0-12 months free.

Find out what events to catch “Down the Shore.”

The 18th annual North Wildwood Fancy Brigade Association Weekend kicks off Friday, June 8, 7pm with a Mummers Pub Crawl and Saturday, June 9, 3:30pm with a block party on Olde New Jersey Avenue, featuring 10 brigades from this year’s New Year’s Day Parade. Free.

 

 

Cape May, NJ hosts events: Victorian Fair, Saturday, June 9, 10am-4pm, a traditional outdoor fair with old-fashioned games, children’s activities, stilt walkers, crafters, music, food, and more with free admission and free parking on the grounds of the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street; 8th Annual Celtic Festival, June 9-10, 10am-4:30pm, a celebration of the Celtic Highlands with live music, entertainment, crafts, and more, Historic Cold Spring Village, 720 Route 9; The 23rd annual Cape May Music Festival is underway through June 14 with performances by The New York Chamber Ensemble, Eilen Jewell and more at various locations in Cape May, NJ. Events range from free to $25.

The 3rd annual All-Star Jazz Jam with Jazz Bridge Down the Shore is Sunday, June 10, 4-7:30pm, with saxophonist Larry McKenna, Tim Lekan Trio, and much more at Sandi Pointe Coastal Bistro, 908 Shore Road, Somers Point, NJ. Tickets $25 and includes buffet.

 

 

Sea Isle City hosts the Fish Alley Festival with live music, craft and food vendors, Antique Auto Show, and more, Saturday, June 9, 11am-4pm, 42nd Place, Sea Isle City, NJ. Free.

Long Beach Island events: LBIFest, Saturday, June 9, 11am-6pm, rain or shine, with food, music, art, games, and more, 68th Street, Brant Beach. Free.

The Jersey Shore Fine Arts Festival is Saturday, June 9, 10am-6pm and Sunday, June 10, 10am-5pm, Barnegat & 5th Street, Ship Bottom, NJ. Free.

Tuckerton Seaport hosts special events: Privateers and Pirates Festival, Saturday, June 9, 11am-5pm; Baymen’s Seafood and Music Festival, Saturday, June 23 and Sunday, June 24, 11am-5pm; 10th Annual Red Wine and Blues Festival, June 30, 3-8pm; Tuckerton Creek, 120 West Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ.

East Lynne Theater Company presents “Ruth Draper’s Company of Characters,” June 13-July 21 at First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, New Jersey at 500 Hughes Street. Tickets $0-$30.

Chicken Bone Beach Concerts continue on Thursdays in Atlantic City, NJ: Dahi Divine, June 14; Michael Pedicin, June 21; Ella Gahnt, June 28 at Brighton Avenue and the Boardwalk. All shows at 7pm. Tickets $10.

Experience Broadway at the Beach with the Surflight Theatre’s production, “All I Ask of You,” honoring composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and featuring classics from his musicals, including “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” and “Evita,” performed by a cast of four, through June 16 at 201 Engleside Avenue, Beach Haven, NJ. Tickets $36-$54.

The Franklin Institute presents “Identity: An Exhibition of You,” focusing on how science can shed light on 2 areas of your identity: physical, psychological and social, open daily noon-7pm, through September 3, Trump Plaza, Boardwalk and Mississippi, Atlantic City, NJ. Tickets: Adults $10, children 12 and under $8.

Other events, festivals, and listings happening around the Delaware Valley.

The 20th Annual Islamic Heritage Festival is Saturday, June 9, beginning with a parade at 1pm at Independence National Park, 5th & Market Street, proceeding to Penn’s Landing from 2-8pm with authentic Islamic cuisine, music, entertainment, children’s activities, open market bazaar, and more, Riverstage, Columbus Blvd and Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. Free.

The Creative Collective Craft and Fine Arts Fair is Saturday, June 9, 10am-9pm, held at the Historic Headhouse Shambles, rain or shine, 2nd & Pine Street, Society Hill, Philadelphia. Free.

The annual “Art For the Cash Poor” takes place this weekend, June 9-10, 12-6pm…a chance to meet artists and to purchase artwork at bargain prices, with a vast array of media, plus live entertainment, Crane Arts Building, 1400 N. American Street, Philadelphia. New this year – a special preview event Friday, June 8, 5:30-8:30pm.

Fleisher Art Memorial’s annual ARTspiration! is this Saturday, June 9, 10am-4pm, an outdoor festival with family-oriented activities, book sale, crafts, performances, food, and more, along the 700 block of Catharine Street and in adjacent Palumbo Park, Philadelphia.

The Brandywine Food & Wine Festival is Saturday, June 9, 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. Tickets $0-$15

Tyler Arboretum hosts a Storybook Celebration, Saturday, June 9, 10am-2pm, with storytellers, gently used book exchange, puppet show, parade, crafts and more, rain or shine, 515 Painter Road, Media, PA. Included with admission: Adults $9, Seniors, $8, Youths $5, children under 3 free.

The 5th Annual West Park Arts Fest returns to West Fairmount Park with the theme “Friends Across Cultures” on Saturday, June 9, from 11am-5pm. The 2012 festival focuses on the multicultural richness of art, nature, and community with events and performances such as a Youth Chess Tournament, Poetry Slam, Film Screenings, Camerata Philadelphia, and Universal Dance and Drum Ensemble at 40th and Parkside Avenue, Philadelphia. Free Admission. http://www.westparkcultural.org/content/5th-annual-west-park-arts-fest

The June Festival of Antiques, hosted by The Yellow Garage Antiques, returns for a sixth year on June 9, 9am-4pm, with over 100 exhibitors of Americana including furniture, quilts, stoneware, paintings, and more at the Gloucester County 4-H Fairgrounds on Route 77, Mullica Hill, NJ. Admission: $6. http://www.yellowgarageantiques.com/index.html

The 3rd Annual Chester County Blues Barbeque returns on June 9, from 2-7pm with Gary Allegretto headlining, along with “Midnight Shift” and “The Roger Girke Band,” 2550 Ridge Road, Elverson, PA. Admission: Pre-Registered $15, At-the-Gate $20.

Delaware’s original capitol, New Castle, hosts the annual Separation Day, Saturday, June 9, a celebration of Delaware’s independence from the British Crown on May 15, 1776. The parade begins at 11am, followed by musical performances, military rituals, and amusement rides, concluding with fireworks at 9:30pm at Historic New Castle, New Castle, DE. Free Admission.

Camden Children’s Garden hosts a StrawBEARy Surprise & Nature in Art Day Family Festival, Saturday & Sunday, June 9 & 10, 1-4pm, 3 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ. Admission $6 per person, free for children two and under.

Philly Beer Week continues through June 10 with festivals, dinners, tours, pub crawls, tastings, and meet-the-brewer nights at area bars, restaurants and other locations throughout Greater Philadelphia.

Join Dock Street Brewing Co. for their 5-K race through University City, ending with their annual music festival on Sunday, June 10, 2pm including beer and pizza and Hoots & Hellmouth, O’Death, The Extraordinaires and more performing. On-Site Registration begins at noon at 701 South 50th Street, West Philadelphia. Tickets: Pre-Registration $35, On-Site $40.

The Camden County June Theatre Festival continues with the Peanuts parody, “Dog Sees God,” “Miscast Cabaret,” “Classical Night,” and “[title of show]” through July 1 at The Ritz Theatre Company, 915 White Horse Pike, Arts District, Haddon Township, NJ. Tickets: $10-$20.

The first annual ReelAbilities: Philadelphia Disabilities Film Festival, is underway through June 10 to raise money for The Center for Special Needs and SpecialNeedsPhilly.org by providing a creative and informative venue to learn more about disabled members of our community. All films are followed by discussion. Locations Vary. Presented by the Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia. Tickets: $10-$36.

The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church hosts their annual Festival, bringing Greece to America, Friday, June 8 & Saturday, June 9, 11am-11pm, with homemade Greek foods and desserts, as well as ethnic music and performances, 9th and Broom Streets, Wilmington, DE. Free Admission.

Center City District hosts lunchtime concerts every Wednesday at noon at various outdoor locations in Philadelphia: Gas Money, Centre Square, June 13; Minas, Café Cret, 16th Street & Ben Franklin Parkway, June 20; Chris Despo, The Shops at Liberty Place, 16th & Market Streets, June 27; Mark Stinger Band, July 11, Bellevue, 200 S. Broad Street; Randy Lippincott Band, July 18, 1700 Market Street. Free.

University City District presents “Heart & Soul: The University City Public Piano Project,” a public art exhibition intertwining visual and performance art through 8 artist-decorated pianos distributed among 8 locations. Musicians of all backgrounds are invited to share their creativity through impromptu performances in various spaces through June 17. Check the website for a map of piano locations:

Bootless Stageworks presents “Star Wars, A New Musical Hope,” a parody with original songs, light sabers, dancing Stormtroopers, and more for all ages, through June 17 at OperaDelaware Black Box Theater, 4 South Poplar Street, Wilmington, DE. Tickets $5-$18, family fun pack available.

Celebrate independent films in the 9th annual Southside Film Festival from June 12-16 in Bethlehem, PA. Opening night includes a 6-7:30pm party at the Comfort Suites followed by a screening of “Swerve” at 8:30pm. Other films include “I’m Not Dead Yet!” “Boy” and “Teddy Bear.” Locations vary. Admission: All Access Pass $65, Single Tickets: Opening/Late Night $10, All Other Film Blocks $5.

The Delaware Chamber Music Festival’s 27th season, “At Your Request,” is June 15-24 and features an all Beethoven evening on opening night, followed by performances of Debussy, Schubert, and Mozart throughout the week along with composer Vivian Fung’s world-premiere piece, “And This is My Beloved: For Julian” on June 22, in memory of her husband. All performances at the Music School of Delaware, 4101 Washington Street, Wilmington, DE. Admission: Adult Subscription $80/Single Ticket $22, Senior Subscription $70/Single Ticket $20, Student Subscription $36/Single Ticket $10.

The Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus concludes their 30th season with “Legacy: Celebrating 30 years Towards Harmony,” featuring previously performed selections and the world premiere of “Raise Our Voice,” a piece developed from the stories of the Chorus’ own singers, composed by Michael Djupstrom with libretto by Chip Alfred, Friday, June 15, 8pm and Saturday, June 16, 2pm & 8pm at the Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. Tickets: $25-$55.

Get your nostalgia on with the crowd-pleasing production of “Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story,” onstage at Walnut Street Theatre, directed and choreographed by Casey Hushion, with the music and lyrics of Buddy Holly. The play that has toured world-wide is in town through July 22 paying tribute to the seminal musician who at the young age of 22 had an immense impact on the music industry and changed the face of popular music. Featuring a host of his greatest hits including Peggy Sue, That’ll be the Day, Oh Boy, Maybe Baby, Not Fade Away, and much more – performed live onstage by a talented cast of actors/musicians – “Buddy” tells the story of the three years in which Buddy Holly became a music legend, 825 Walnut Street, Philadelphia. Tickets $10-$95

Wilma Theater concludes its season with the Tony Award winning epic “Angels in America, Part One: Millennium Approaches,” by Tony Kushner, directed by Blanka Zizka, through July 1, 265 South Broad Street, Philadelphia. Tickets $39-$66

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.