Weekly Entertainment Guide – ‘Glow,’ Philly Beer Week, Heart & Soul Piano Project

Looking for something to do this week? WHYY’s Robin Bloom has some recommendations on what’s happening in the Philadelphia region. Here are her picks:

 

Glow: Living Lights at the Academy of Natural Sciences

“Glow: Living Lights” comes to Philadelphia to the Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University, exploring how organisms such as fireflies, glow worms, and deep-sea creatures produce their own light in a process called bioluminescence. Rare photographs, film footage of bioluminescent creatures, and preserved specimens, as well as live scorpions, firefly costumes, and hands-on activities are all part of the show, opening Saturday, June 1 through September 29, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia.

“A Little Night Music” at Arden Theatre Company

Arden Theatre Company closes its 25th season with Stephen Sondheim’s musical “A Little Night Music,” book by Hugh Wheeler, directed by Terrence J. Nolen and onstage through June 30. This production is the 11th Sondheim work at the Arden, making him the most-produced writer in the company’s history, and stars a cast of 15 including Grace Gonglewski as Desiree and Ben Dibble as Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm, 40 N. 2nd Street, Old City, Philadelphia.

InterAct Theatre Company’s “Some Other Kind of Person”

Opening this weekend at InterAct Theatre Company is “Some Other Kind of Person,” a biting new comedy by Eric Pfeffinger, which follows the story of Bill, a middle-aged yes-man who travels to Cambodia on business. When he finds himself in a brothel of under-aged sex workers, he attempts to liberate one of the girls by buying her. Meanwhile, his smooth talking associate will stop at nothing to seal a business deal, and a fragile young woman tries to save her marriage by adopting a Cambodian baby. Exploring intersections between the desire to help others and the profits of cheap labor, the play inspires both laughter and self-reflection, onstage through June 23, 2013 at the Adrienne Theatre, 2030 Sansom Street, Philadelphia.

Haverford College exhibits

Two exhibitions featuring the work of some of the masters of photography open this weekend at Haverford College. 49 historically important photographs, ranging from travel photography to portraiture to conceptual and postmodern work, are on display in “The Fogel Collection: A Collection Within a Collection” at the Atrium Gallery, Marshall Fine Arts Center. The show includes some of the 19th and 20th century’s finest photographers such Paul Strand, Elliott Erwitt, William Wegman, and Judith Taylor. “Harold Edgerton and Walker Evans: Photographs of Golf” at the Alcove Gallery, Magill Library, capture the sport of golf from very different angles. The exhibit anticipates the US Open golf tournament, which will be played across the street from the College, at the Merion Golf Club, June 10-16. Both exhibitions run through October 6 at Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA.

Appel Farm Arts & Music Festival

The Appel Farm Arts & Music Festival returns this Saturday, June 1, 11:30am-8pm, with Brandi Carlile (pictured), Delta Spirit, Colin Hay, John Gorka, Joe Crookston, and more, along with food vendors, crafts fair, craft beer, wine, Children’s Village with puppet theatre, magicians, jugglers, and storytellers, and more. Presented by Bank of America, the festival takes place on its 176 acre home, 457 Shirley Road, Elmer, NJ.

Philadelphia Folklore Project’s “Birthday Bash”

The Philadelphia Folklore Project’s “Birthday Bash” is this Saturday, June 1, 6:30pm, celebrating 26 years of documenting, supporting, and presenting Philadelphia-area folk arts and culture. The benefit spotlights the importance of local communities and cultural traditions with storyteller Linda Goss and educator Eric Joselyn, a masquerade procession, food, Kulu Mele African Dance and drum performances and more, at the Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine Street, in Philadelphia.

“Black Bodies in Propaganda: The Art of the War Poster” at Penn Museum

“Black Bodies in Propaganda: The Art of the War Poster,” opens this Sunday, June 2 at the Penn Museum, a unique collection of posters, collected and curated by Penn professor and PBS History Detectives host Tukufu Zuberi. The exhibit explores changing messages on race and politics through propaganda, from the American Civil War, to World War I, World War II, and through to the African independence movements. In addition to the posters, items on display include soldier attire from Sudan circa 1900 and interactive multimedia, through March 2, 2014, 3260 South Street, Philadelphia.

Photogravure at Philadelphia Museum of Art

On display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art is “Photogravure: Master Prints from the Collection,” featuring 60 examples, drawn from the museum’s collection, of the printing process favored by artists that combines aspects of photography and aquatint etching to yield exceptional tonal effects. Originally developed in the 1850s as a reliable method to reproduce photographs, the labor-intensive process proved to be impractical for everyday use. Instead, photogravure attracted artist-photographers for its pictorial qualities and craftsmanship. Pieces include Alfred Stieglitz’s “The Terminal” (pictured), through August 11, Lynne and Harold Honickman Gallery, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia.

New City Stage Company’s “American Sligo”

New City Stage Company brings Adam Rapp’s “American Sligo” to the stage for the first time in Philadelphia, through June 23. Art “Crazy Train” Sligo comes to life in this dark comedic production about a wrestler’s last night of his career. When unexpected guests join “Crazy Train” and his family on the eve of his last fight, family drama takes wind and Rapp’s commentary on American pop culture and the working class American family becomes evident, Skybox at the Adrienne Theatre, 2030 Sansom Street, Philadelphia.

Renegade Company’s “Glass: Shattered”

The Renegade Company presents “Glass: Shattered,” a new work inspired by Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie, written and directed by Artistic Director Michael Durkin. The play considers how digital technologies that allow us to easily recreate and reconstruct memories have changed our relationship to them. Also inspired by David Lynch’s films, the play is non-realistic, non-linear, and conjures a dreamlike experience, and stars Eric Scotolati, Megan Slater, Amanda Grove, and Griffin Stanton Ameisen, June 5-22 at the Philadelphia Church of the Crucifixion, 620 South 8th Street, Philadelphia. Taste Little Babies new ice cream flavor inspired by the production.

The Rascals: Once Upon a Dream

“The Rascals: Once Upon a Dream” comes to the Academy of Music June 5-8, a live theatrical event featuring the four original band members of the American “blue-eyed soul” group the Rascals, together as one for the first time since 1970. Written and directed by Steven Van Zandt with scenic design by Marc Brickman, the show features over two dozen songs including “Good Lovin’,” “Groovin’,” “It’s a Beautiful Morning,” and more, as part of the Kimmel Center’s Broadway series, Broad Street, Philadelphia.

Heart & Soul: The University City Public Piano Project

University City District presents the return of “Heart & Soul: The University City Public Piano Project,” a public art exhibition intertwining visual and performance art through 4 artist-decorated pianos, all in Clark Park. Philadelphia-based artist Joe Burochow was chosen to visually re-interpret the pianos, transforming each into a unique site-specific piece of art. Musicians of all backgrounds are invited to share their creativity through impromptu performances, June 6-16. Opening reception June 6, 3pm, in Clark Park, 43rd Street and Baltimore Avenue, with complimentary Little Baby’s ice cream along with the kickoff of the Thursday Clark Park Farmer’s Market.

The Lighthouse International Film Festival

The Lighthouse International Film Festival (LIFF) returns to Long Beach Island, NJ for a fifth year, June 6-9, featuring new films shown at festivals in Berlin, Sundance, and Toronto as well as innovative local productions, family films, as well as five surfing films (pictured). The first night of the festival, Thursday, June 6, honors Long Beach Island’s first responders, along with a documentary about Superstorm Sandy, Shored Up by Philadelphia native Ben Kalina. Locations vary.

“Barcelona” at People’s Light & Theatre

The People’s Light & Theatre presents “Barcelona” by Bess Wohl, the story of a young American woman who leaves her own party to embark on a daring adventure with an older Spanish man. The play touches on themes of identity, false facades and prejudice. Jackson Gay directs the one act piece through June 23 at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, PA. For history and context, attend a Sunday Scoop at 5:30pm before every Sunday evening performance.

Additional events in the region:

Philly Beer Week is May 31 through June 9, 10-day celebration of the “Best Beer-Drinking City in America,” the largest beer celebration of its kind in the United States, featuring hundreds of events including festivals, dinners, tours, pub crawls, tastings and meet-the-brewer nights at area bars, restaurants and other locations throughout Greater Philadelphia.

The Atlantic City Multi-Cultural Heritage Festival is May 31 through June 2, three days and two nights of music, parade, Gospel Fest, and more, at various locations in Atlantic City, NJ.

Ritz Theatre Company’s 2nd annual Camden County June Theatre Festival returns May 31 through June 23 featuring two full length shows “The Great American Trailer Park Musical” and “The Shape of Things,” as well as a series of themed cabarets, including “A Very Princess Cabaret,” “Songs of the 80s,” and “Strangers Next Door,” 915 White Horse Pike, Haddon Township, NJ.

First Person Arts hosts “Grand Slam,” winners from monthly StorySlams competing for the title of “Best Storyteller in Philadelphia,” Friday, May 31, 8pm, Underground Arts at the Wolf Building, 1200 Callowhill Street, Philadelphia.

Maestro Valentin Radu conducts the Camerata Ama Deus Baroque period chamber orchestra in “Baroque Spring,” with a program of concertos from Johann Sebastian Bach, Benedetto Marcello and Georg Philipp Telemann, three composers of the Baroque period-between years 1600 and 1750, Friday, May 31, 8pm, at the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Chestnut Hill, and on Sunday, June 2, 6pm, in Daylesford Abbey, Paoli.

The Odunde Festival kicks off a week’s worth of events June 1 with African Family Day, as well as children’s programs, receptions, panels, classes and more, culminating in the festival, Sunday, June 9, 10am-8pm, 23rd and South Street, Philadelphia.

The Emancipation Proclamation Jubilees Celebration Weekend is Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, 12pm-10pm, 2 days of interactive programs and activities including a “guest appearance” by President Abraham Lincoln, live dramatic reenactments, and more, in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and Emancipation Proclamation, Community Education Center, 3500 Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia and New Africa Center and Museum, 4243 Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia.

Sruti, the India Music and Dance Society of Philadelphia, presents Mandolin Maestro U. Srinivas and his brother U. Rajesh in a mandolin duet. Maestro U. Srinivas is a world-renowned mandolin expert in Carnatic music, music from southern India. U. Rajesh has performed extensively with his brother and with other artists around the world, Saturday, June 1, 4:30pm, Great Valley High School, 225 N. Phoenixville Pike, Malvern, PA

Johnny Kay and the JK Rockets perform this Saturday, June 1, 6pm, at New Candlelight Theatre. Enjoy dinner and a show with the lead guitarist for Bill Haley & the Comets performing songs by Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and, of course, Bill Haley, 2208 Millers Road, Ardentown, DE.

East Passyunk celebrates Philly Beer Week with two events on June 2: Craft Beer Day and Italian National Day Festival.  Starting at 11am, Craft Beer Day offers opportunities to taste and meet the brewers of new craft beers, eat beer infused treats and buy beer inspired apparel. At noon, the Filitalia La Festa della Rebubblica offers fun for the whole family, with a spaghetti eating contest, live music, moon-bounce and face painting for kids as well as specialty cocktails and Italian draft and bottled beer, East Passyunk Avenue between Mifflin and Moore streets, Philadelphia.

The cooperative chamber chorus, the Chestnut Street Singers, perform the final concert of their season, “Ahoy, Stranger! Music of Travel and Adventure,” considering why people go exploring and the experiences they bring home from their travels. Works by Robert Schumann, Zoltán Kodály, Alice Parker, Robert Shaw, and Philadelphia’s David Ludwig are on the program, Sunday, June 2, 5pm, First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.

Center City District hosts lunchtime concerts every Wednesday at noon at various outdoor Philadelphia locations: Alligator Zydeco, June 5, 1515 Market Street; The Rockafillys, June 12, 3 Logan Square, 1717 Arch Street; Chris Despo, June 19, Café Cret, 16th Street & Ben Franklin Parkway; Jae the Rock Goddess, June 26, The Shops at Liberty Place, 16th & Market Streets, June 27. Free.

Cecily Garber and Ilana Levinson 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.

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