Weekly Entertainment Guide – Happy Days

    Quintessence Theatre Group takes on Samuel Beckett’s

    Quintessence Theatre Group takes on Samuel Beckett’s "Happy Days

    From Juneteenth to Jamaica, “Happy Days” are here again. Robin Bloom shares 18 suggestions for what to do this week.

    What’s Happening

    Muddled, A Stage Comedy

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    New York Times best-selling humorist Josh Piven brings his unique brand of comedy to Philadelphia with the world premiere of Muddled, A Stage Comedy, June 16-26. The second play by the author of “The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook,” the craft-brewed comedy is about what happens when a group of hot-headed head-bangers meet the home-grown hipsters of Brooklyn. Directed by William Steinberger with a cast including Trevor Fayle, Amanda Schoonover, Hannah Gold, Bob Heath, Carlo Campbell, Dave Fiebert, Eric Cover, and Richard Chan, at Drexel URBN Annex, 3401 Filbert Street, Philadelphia. Photo by Photo 3 Photography.

    New Freedom Theatre’s “Jamaica”

    Onstage at New Freedom Theatre is Jamaica (book by E.Y. Harburg and Fred Saidy, music by Harold Arlen), the great American musical set in a small island community off the coast of Jamaica where a beautiful girl longs to escape to New York City to live a modern life, June 16-26. The show opened on Broadway in 1957 and ran for almost two years and is directed and choreographed by Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj, who directed the show in New York in 2001. Cast includes Aneesa Neibauer, Shabazz Green, LaTasha Morris, Reji Woods, and Walter DeShields, 1346 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia. Freedom Theatre showcases the diversity of the African American community. Photo by Ethimo Foto.

    “Trouble in Mind” at Stagecrafters

    Stagecrafters closes its season with Trouble in Mind, the landmark play by Alice Childress. The rarely performed play by the African American author takes place on an empty stage of a Broadway theater in the mid-1950s, where a black and white cast are rehearsing an inter-racial melodrama set in the rural Deep South. The slice of theatrical life is directed by Yaga Brady through June 26, 8130 Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill. Meet the director and cast at a Q&A after the show on Friday, June 17. Pictured: Vanessa Ballard in the lead role of Wiletta. Photo courtesy of Stagecrafters.

    Quintessence Theatre Group’s “Happy Days”

    Quintessence Theatre Group takes on Samuel Beckett’s Happy Days, about a woman’s ability to survive against overwhelming odds. Trapped in a scorched wasteland with her detached husband, Winnie keeps despair at bay with ritual, song, and her trusted lipstick. The summer production is directed by Artistic Director Alexander Burns and features ensemble cast members E. Ashley Izard and Gregory Isaac, through June 26, at the Sedgwick Theater in Mt. Airy, 7137 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia. Related programs and events include a post-show talkback on June 19. Photo by Shawn May.

    “The Servant of Two Masters” at Hedgerow Theatre

    Goldoni’s 1746 comedy of mistaken identities, The Servant of Two Masters, takes to the stage at Hedgerow Theatre. The Italian playwright created a new form of comedy by taking the best elements of the improvised style of commedia dell’arte and adding witty dialogue in longer, more complete stories. Adapted and directed by Aaron Cromie and starring Jared Reed, Zoran Kovcic, Allison Bloechl, Mark Swift, Susan Wefel, Brock D. Vickers, and Shaun Yates through June 26, 64 Rose Valley Road, Rose Valley, PA.  Photo by Ashley LaBonde.

    Mad Tea Party Jam

    Mad Tea Party Jam takes place June 16-19 with Papadosio, Twiddle, Tauk, Desert Dwellers and more, plus camping, artists and workshops, at Four Quarters Interfaith in Artemas, Pennsylvania. Photo courtesy of Mad Tea Party Jam.

     

    Stonehenge Music Festival

    The Stonehenge Music Festival is back June 16-18. The group-run music and arts venue set on top of 117 acres of historic northeast Pennsylvania features Mark Diomede and the Juggling Suns Project, Steal Your Face, Pure Jerry, Mason Porter (pictured), Mountain Sky Orchestra, Mike Montrey Band, and more plus camping and family activities, Jermyn, Pennsylvania.

    Firefly Music Festival

    The annual 4 day summer music experience, the Firefly Music Festival comes back to The Woodlands for a 5th year, June 16-19, with Mumford & Sons, Kings of Leon, Florence & the Machine, the Deadmau5, Ellie Goulding, Disclosure, Blink-182, Death Cab for Cutie, M83, The 1975, Chvches, Earth Wind & Fire and more than 100 additional acts, along with the Beercade, Coffee House, Market, Thicket, and Hammock Hangout. The festival offers camping and is all ages, rain or shine in Dover, Delaware. Photo courtesy of Firefly Music Festival.

    Every ZIP Philadelphia Street Party

    Every ZIP Philadelphia and the Village of Arts and Humanities host a street party, Saturday, June 18, 3pm-6pm, as top storytellers from across Philly perform stories on the theme “A Story for my Younger Self.” Storytellers include Jacob Winterstein and Vashti DuBois, hosted by Philadelphia Poet Laureate Yolanda Wisher (pictured). Expect food, music, art activities, recording booth for your story, photo booth, and more at the historic Ile Ife Art Park, 2544 Germantown Avenue, North Philadelphia. Every ZIP Philadelphia is a community storytelling collaboration between the Association of Independents in Radio (AIR) and WHYY.

    Ambler Arts & Music Festival

    Ambler Arts & Music Festival takes over downtown Ambler with over 75 artists and crafters exhibiting fine art, acrylics, watercolors, sculpture, photography, pottery, fiber, wood work, jewelry, and more. Free performances from over a dozen bands including Marshall’s Highway Band, the Vincent James Band, YeeHaw, and Dynamo, Friday, June 17 beginning at 6pm and Saturday, June 18 beginning at 11am, rain or shine, on and around Butler Avenue, Ambler, PA. Photo courtesy of Ambler Arts & Music Festival.

    Juneteenth

    Historic Germantown celebrates the anniversary of Juneteenth, the passage and ratification of the 13th Amendment commemorating the end of slavery. See Liberty to Go to See, a play created by Cliveden from the perspective of the Chew family’s slaves and servants, who worked and lived at Cliveden from the 1760s through the 1860s, 6401 Germantown Avenue. The annual Juneteenth festival is Saturday, June 18, 10am-8pm, including a “Freedom Walk” parade, exhibits, music, dance, re-enactors, panel discussions, children’s activities and more, at the Johnson House, which was a stop on the Underground Railroad, 6300 block of Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia. Photo courtesy of Historic Germantown.  Join the African American Museum in Philadelphia for the Macy’s Family Fun Day Juneteenth Celebration, Saturday, June 18, 10am-5pm, a day of family friendly activities, exploring the art, history and culture of the people from the African Diaspora, 7th & Arch Streets, Philadelphia.

    Enchanted Summer Day at Winterthur

    Winterthur hosts an Enchanted Summer Day, Saturday, June 18, 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. Photo courtesy of Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library.

    40th Street Summer Series returns

    University City District’s 40th Street Summer Series returns this Saturday, June 18, 6pm, with a performance The Young Philadelphians. Upcoming monthly performances include Dendê & Band (pictured), The Liberian Women’s Chorus for Change, Rennie Harris RHAW, behind the Walnut Street Free Library, 40th and Walnut Streets, Philadelphia. Photo courtesy of University City District.

    One Day U

    One Day University offers professors from the finest universities across the country presenting special versions of their very best lectures live. Over 30 cities are participating, including Philadelphia with subjects including The Supreme Court, Law and History (both with Jeffery Rosen), and Hamilton vs. Jefferson: The Rivalry that Shaped the Nation (with Louis Masur), Saturday, June 18, International House Philadelphia, 3701 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.

    Shore Festivals

    Celebrate South Jersey’s maritime history with the 2016 Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Maritime Festival as historians, authors, artists, and even pirates celebrate the Sea in Angelsea, Saturday, June 18, 10am-5pm, and Sunday, June 19, 10am-4pm, with live music, food, crafters, children’s activities, boat show, and more including pirate shows and pirate encampment, along Central Avenue, North Wildwood, NJ. Admission is free, rain or shine. Photo courtesy of the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Maritime Festival.Sea Isle City, NJ hosts a Skimmer Festival, its largest summer festival, Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19, with crafts, sand sculpting demonstrations and competitions, children’s activities, live music by Funkybone Horn Band, antique auto show, historical trolley tours, and more, rain or shine, JFK Boulevard & The Promenade. New this year: free amusement rides from 9am-4pm.Somers Point’s first annual Art in the Park takes place Saturday, June 18, 10am-3pm, an art show and sale by local artists displaying work and painting “en plein aire,” overlooking Great Egg Harbor Bay at John F. Kennedy Park, Broadway Street, Somers Point, NJ.

    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 21-25, with Maya Belardo, Miles Jaye, Jibaro con Tumbao with Miguel Orlando, Adriel Gonzales, Nadjah Nicole, Saul Rubin Trio, Aniya Jazz, Kim Waters, Robert Glasper and more plus special events including Sax in the City, June 23 and a free Block Party, June 24, Rodney Square, 11th and Market Street, Wilmington, DE.

    Make Music Philly

    Music is everywhere with Make Music Philly, returning for another year this Tuesday, June 21. The free, citywide music celebration is open to all who wish to participate with over 50 free performances in public spaces. Make Music Day or World Music Day is an annual music celebration taking place on June 21, the first day of summer and the longest day of the year. Look for the John Byrne Band, West Philadelphia Orchestra, Monnette Sudler, and much more. Full schedule on website. Photo courtesy of Make Music Philly.

     

     

    Each week, the Entertainment Guide spotlights interesting local arts offerings happening now, including music, dance, theater, museums, special exhibitions and other arts events from across the region.

    To submit an event to be considered, email Robin Bloom at artscalendar@whyy.org.

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