Weekly Entertainment Guide – In Motion

Robin Bloom offers over 20 things to do this Memorial Day weekend!

What’s Happening

A Mirror Maze: Numbers in Nature at the Franklin Institute

Franklin Institute illustrates how math is all around us in everyday life with A Mirror Maze: Numbers in Nature. The newest special exhibition is designed to reveal and explain the mathematical patterns that exist in nature, the human body, and art and design with a seemingly infinite repeating pattern of floor-to-ceiling mirrors, an immersive film, more than a dozen hands-on activities, 30 mathematical artifacts, interactive areas, and more, through September 4, 271 North 21st Street, Philadelphia. Developed by the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. Photo by J.B. Spector/Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago.

“Saturday Night Fever” at Walnut Street Theatre

Walnut Street Theatre offers a fresh take on the disco classic Saturday Night Fever. The musical inspired by the 1977 film that became a cultural phenomenon features Jacob Tischler making is Walnut debut as disco king Tony Manero, with Alexandra Matteo, Nicole Colon, Will Stephan Connell, Fran Prisco, and Ben Dibble. Directed and choreographed by Richard Stafford, the high energy musical features a recently updated script and hits from the Bee Gees including the classics “Stayin’ Alive,” “Night Fever,” “Jive Talking,” “You Should Be Dancing,” and “How Deep is Your Love?” with additional songs added including the popular “More Than a Woman.” Produced in association with Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach, Florida through July 16, 825 Walnut Street, Philadelphia. Related events include an open captioned performance on June 11 and an ASL interpreted and Audio Described performance on July 5. Photo by Mark Garvin.

Devon Horse Show

The Devon Horse Show started as a one-day show in 1896 has now grown to be the oldest and largest outdoor multi-breed competition in the United States, drawing top competitors from around the world. May 25 through June 4, enjoy ponies, Clydesdales and everything in between and new this year is an Arena Eventing class, May 28, 7 p.m., as forty qualifying riders compete on a novel course featuring both cross country and show jumps arranged throughout the Gold Ring and Dixon Oval. Also, exhibitors, 50 unique vendors, food, the Country Fair featuring amusement rides, games for kids, entertainment, and special Family Days, Ladies Day, and Children’s Day, 23 Dorset Road, Devon, Pennsylvania. Photo by Brenda Carpenter.

Revolutionary: A Pop-Up Street Art Exhibition

Revolutionary: A Pop-Up Street Art Exhibition offers 13 works of art that interpret the spirit of revolution at 13 locations in Philadelphia’s Historic District, from the Delaware River to 7th Street and from Vine to Lombard Streets. The selected street artists – one for each of the stars on the original American flag – include Kid Hazo, Michelle Angela Ortiz, Shawn Theodore and Yasmine Mustafa and Monica O. Commissioned by VISIT PHILADELPHIA® and curated by streetsdept.com founder and editor Conrad Benner, the exhibit is on view May 25 through July 4. An artist panel discussion takes place on June 7 at the National Constitution Center to explore the exhibit’s revolutionary theme. Pictured: You Belong Here by Nero at Franklin Square. Photo by A. Ricketts for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®.

Long Strange Trip

Catch Long Strange Trip, the first full-length documentary chronicling the 30 year journey of the Grateful Dead. The four hour film by Amir Bar-Lev and executive producer Martin Scorsese comes to Philadelphia for one night only, Thursday, May 25, 7 p.m., exploring the band’s vision, innovation, and commitment as one of the most influential musical groups, Prince Theater, 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. Photo by Roberto Rabanne, courtesy of Sundance Institute.

Longwood Gardens welcomes summer

Longwood Gardens’ Summer Spectacle features the return of the Fountain Shows, May 27 through September 30 with fountain shows, tours, concerts, special events. After a two year $90 million revitalization project, the Main Fountain Garden returns with new features including jets that propel water as high as 175 feet and new lighting that creates an infinite number of color combinations. Six Fireworks & Fountains shows kick off Sunday, May 28, 9:15 p.m., with Fanfare & Fountains, and continue throughout the season with Star Spangled Spectacular, July 2, A Night at the Movies, July 22, Divas of Dance, August 12, Pictures at a Fountain Exhibition, September 2, and Over the Rainbow, September 16. Catch a concert with the Havana Lyceum Orchestra and Simone Dinnerstein, the Delaware Symphony Orchestra with Peter Serkin, Dianne Reeves, and more. Explore Spring Blooms, the Meadow Garden with 3 miles of walking trails, learning pavilions, a restored farmhouse, wildflower plantings and more, Route 1, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Grab a Treasure Trail Passport for admission to 11 Brandywine Valley attractions, valid through Labor Day. Photo by Larry Albee/courtesy of Longwood Gardens.

Summer Garden Railway at Morris Arboretum

The grand opening of Morris Arboretum’s popular summer Garden Railway Display is this weekend with the theme “In Motion,” featuring structures that incorporate movement in their construct. Look for a replica of the Morris water mill that has a wheel that rotates, a windmill with blades that turn, the Compton Mansion, John and Lydia Morris’ original home, Philadelphia City Hall, Elfreth’s Alley, and more created with natural materials, on a quarter-mile track, nestled among woody plants and colorful flowers in the Arboretum’s 92 acre garden, open every day through Labor Day, September 4, 100 Northwestern Avenue, Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia. Grand opening celebration is Saturday, May 27, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., with children’s activities. Special upcoming weekends include Thomas the Train Engine and Friends Weekend, July 15-16 and August 12-13, Circus Week, July 1 through July 9 and August 26 through September 4. Photo by Arnold Winkler.

Festivals, Food, & Fun

At Penn’s Landing, the Blue Cross RiverRink’s Summerfest opens for the season Friday, May 26, as the ice skating rink and winter wonderland transitions to a roller skating rink and summer playground. The first annual Penn’s Landing Waterfront Day takes place Sunday, May 28, offering discounted admission at area attractions, activities, and the “Eat, Drink, and B. Mary Lunch Cruise” on the Spirit of Philadelphia. Join the party on the water with no admission charge, complimentary light bites, DJ, dancing, outdoor games, and full cash bar with drink specials at the dock-side pop-up Rooftop Beer Garden from 2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The evening culminates in the Memorial Day Weekend fireworks display and free concert by the United States Air Force Band at 8 p.m. and concert at 9:30 p.m. The Spirit of Philadelphia offers a Fireworks Dinner Cruise from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. Photo by Aaron Raysor Photography.  Hoagie Nation Festival, a Celebration of Everything Philly, is Saturday, May 27, 2 p.m., hosted by Daryl Hall and John Oates, who will perform along with Tears for Fears, G. Love and Special Sauce, Allen Stone, In the Pocket, Jeffrey Gaines, Ben Arnold, Richard Bush, Tommy Conwell, and more, Festival Pier, Penn’s Landing, Philadelphia.  Collingswood May Fair offers activities for all ages along Haddon Avenue. Enjoy over 200 artists and crafters, children’s activities in the Kid Zone, live music on several stages and much more including the Collingswood Farmers Market, Saturday, May 27, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Collingswood, New Jersey. Parking in the PATCO lots and on side streets.  The Downingtown Fine Arts Festival features artists, food trucks, vendors, music in the Armor Alley Pocket Park and more, Saturday, May 27, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Sunday, May 28, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., 100 Block of E. Lancaster Avenue, Downingtown, Pennsylvania.

Once Upon A Nation

Historic Philadelphia, Inc. opens a new season of Once Upon A Nation on Memorial Day Weekend with new stories in new locations, walking tours, and the 10th anniversary of programs at Valley Forge National Historical Park. Events include dinner with the heroes of 1776, Betsy Ross House events, Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival, a new storytelling bench at the Museum of the American Revolution and more in Old City Philadelphia. Photo by Jeff Fusco for Historic Philadelphia Inc.

Celebration of the Roses

Wyck Historic House hosts a Celebration of the Roses, programs honoring the oldest rose garden and its history, Saturday, May 27, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., with light refreshments, homemade rose tea, children’s activities, tours of the historic house, live music, and more. The Philadelphia Beekeepers Guild will be there and horticulturalist Martha Keen will present a lecture on “The Language of Roses.” The Wyck Rose Garden was designed and created in 1824 by Jane Bowne Haines, the wife of Reuben Haines III, co-founder of the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Franklin Institute, and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. The garden features over 50 types of heritage roses, most of which bloom in late May and early June, 6026 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia. Bring your art supplies to capture the beauty of the garden! Photo by Robert Buzzard.

Wildwoods International Kite Festival

The Wildwoods International Kite Festival returns this weekend, Friday, May 26 through Monday, May 29, called the largest kite festival in North America, as kite makers from around the world showcase their creations. Events include an illuminated kite fly, kite exhibits, workshops, auction, competition, mass ascension, and more, taking place inside the Wildwoods Convention Center and on the beach at Rio Grande Avenue in Wildwood, New Jersey. Photo by Alan Tu/WHYY.

Camden Children’s Garden Fit & Fun Festival

Camden Children’s Garden’s annual Fit & Fun Family Festival is back, highlighting easy and fun ideas for a healthy lifestyle, with music, crafts, a veggie make-n-take planting activity and educational activities that support healthy living, Saturday and Sunday, May 27-28, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., 3 Riverside Drive, Camden, New Jersey. Photo by Keenly Kristen.

Antiques Show at Brandywine River Museum of Art

The annual Antiques Show returns to the Brandywine River Museum of Art this Memorial Day Weekend, May 27-29, with 27 prominent antiques dealers showcasing American country and formal furniture, decorative arts, folk art, needlework, Chinese export porcelain, glass, jewelry, rugs, clock cases, and more. Events include dealer talks, a preview reception, Friday, May 26, a Saturday, May 27 breakfast and lecture on the exhibit Sipped and Savored: The Art of Chocolate, on view through May 29 at U.S. Route 1, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. Grab a Treasure Trail Passport for admission to 11 Brandywine Valley attractions including Brandywine River Museum of Art and Longwood Gardens, valid May 29 through September 4. Photo courtesy of Brandywine River Museum of Art.

Delaware By Hand Spring Show

The Biggs Museum of American Art hosts the annual Delaware By Hand Fine Arts and Crafts Show, spotlighting the First State’s fine arts and crafts community, Saturday, May 27 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., in the park at the Zwaanendael Museum, Lewes, Delaware. The show features a wide array of works for sale by the artists of the Biggs Museum of American Art, including furniture, wood, metal, glass, ceramics, photography, fiber, sculpture, baskets, printmaking, jewelry and painting. Photo courtesy of the Biggs Museum of American Art.

Cape May Music Festival

The Cape May Music Festival returns for the 28th year with a mix of music, May 28 through June 15, presented by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities. Enjoy brass band music, classical music, jazz and more from the 35 piece Atlantic Brass Band, New York Chamber Ensemble, Bay-Atlantic Symphony, Avi Wisnia (pictured), a Champagne Jazz Brunch, and other performances at various venues in Cape May, New Jersey. Photo courtesy of Avi Wisnia.

Josef Kote – Drifting Away

Josef Kote brings his latest collection of vibrant paintings to Ocean Galleries. A native of Albania, the artist spent years in Greece and then Toronto, eventually settling in New York where he is now based. His unique works reflect the many changes in his locales as his style became bolder over the years. Josef Kote – Drifting Away opens Friday, May 26 through Monday, May 29, with all artwork on display available for purchase. Kote will be on hand to meet guests and sign purchased artwork during receptions on Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m., 9618 Third Avenue, Stone Harbor, New Jersey. All events free and open to the public. Pictured: “Endless Summer,” by Josef Kote©.

Remembering on Memorial Day

The National Constitution Center pays tribute to our nation’s service men and women with a weekend full of activities, May 27-29, including flag ceremonies, The Star Spangled Banner: A History of Our National Anthem Show, flag etiquette workshop, 18th century games, Thank-A-Vet postcards and other family activities, and the opportunity to check out the new exhibit John Marshall: Patriot, Statesman, Chief Justice, exploring the life of the nation’s fourth and longest-serving chief justice. See rare artifacts, personal items, and priceless documents that tell the story of Marshall’s influential role in the early republic from his time as a soldier during the American Revolution to his leadership that transformed the United States Supreme Court, opening May 25 through December 31, 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia. Pictured: Regimental Muster Roll, 1778, National Archives, Washington, D.C. Photo courtesy of the National Constitution Center.  Independence Seaport Museum and The Chapel of Four Chaplains host a Memorial Day celebration aboard the Spanish-American War Cruiser Olympia, Monday, May 29, 2 p.m., 211 S. Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia.  The Museum of the American Revolution honors our nation’s veterans with activities during Memorial Day weekend including costumed historical interpreters and storytellers, family activities, and $5 off museum admission for veterans, 101 South Third Street, Philadelphia.

 

 

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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