Weekly Entertainment Guide – Mural Arts Tours, Cézanne Uncovered & Cinedelphia

16 things to do this week in the Philly region.  Robin Bloom shares her picks.

What’s Happening

Cinedelphia Film Festival

Cinedelphia Film Festival returns for another year with an eclectic lineup of films showcasing interesting work rarely seen in Philadelphia. Events include Vietnam Appreciation Day, Thursday, April 9. Plus, As-Seen-On-TV Creature Feature, April 15, Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation, April 17, Beyond Clueless, the Philly premiere of the ultimate teen film comprised of clips from over 200 classic teen movies, April 23, Moron Movies Retrospective, April 24, Best Worst Movie Marathon, April 25, and more. All festival screenings April 9-25 are at PhilaMOCA, 531 N. 12th Street, Philadelphia. Pictured: Dwarves Kingdom (April 23, 10am). Photo courtesy of Cinedelphia.

The Trenton International Film Festival

The Trenton International Film Festival is April 9-11, featuring seven films from Quebec, Estonia, Mexico, Argentina, Iran, and more, including Charlie’s Country (Australia 2013), which earned iconic Aborigine actor David Gulpilil a Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival for his portrayal of Charlie, struggling to find his place within Australia’s white and indigenous cultures (pictured). Films screened at the Mill Hill Playhouse, Montgomery and Front Streets, Trenton, NJ. Photo courtesy of Trenton International Film Festival.

Philadelphia Invitational Furniture Show

The Philadelphia Invitational Furniture Show returns for its 21st year at the historic 23rd Street Armory, Saturday, April 11, 10am-6pm and Sunday, April 12, 10am-5pm. A Preview party will be held Friday, April 10, 6pm-9pm. Bringing together patrons and artisans, the longest running exhibition of its kind features modern and traditional handmade furniture and furnishings, including the designs of woodworkers, photographers, weavers, potters and others, 22 South 23rd Street, Philadelphia.  Pictured: The work of Peter Handler (courtesy of the Philadelphia Invitational Furniture Show)

Pasiòn y Arte at Drexel

Pasiòn y Arte presents the world premiere of Cosas de Mujeres or “things of women,” three performances April 10-12 of contemporary feminist flamenco dance at Drexel University’s Pearlstein Gallery. Merging modern flamenco with post-modern dance and accompanied by live original music by San Francisco based flamenco artist Ricardo Diaz, the performance is set against the backdrop of large scale paintings by Ray Bartkus (pictured), currently on view in the Gallery through May 24. An opening reception and gallery talk will be held April 9, 5pm-7pm, 3401 Filbert Street, Philadelphia. Photo courtesy of Drexel University’s Pearlstein Gallery.

Mural Arts Tours

Mural Arts, the nation’s largest public art program, kicks off a new season officially this month, with new tours and events, offering the opportunity to experience many of the over 3600 works of public art that make Philadelphia the “City of Murals.” New tours include two versions of the Masterpieces tour, a combination walking tour with a private visit to Isaiah Zagar’s Philadelphia Magic Gardens, a Segway Tour through Northern Liberties, and more. Tours depart from the brand new hub at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (and some now starting from a second location in Old City). Festivities begin on Saturday, April 11, 11am-2pm with an interactive scavenger hunt for all ages (rain date April 12). Free with registration required. In celebration of the partnership with PAFA, all 2015 tour guests can receive a $5 discount off general admission to the museum and PAFA members will receive the same discount on Mural Arts tours. Tours continue through November. Pictured: Garden of Delight (photo by Steve Weinik for the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts)

Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival

The Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival is Sunday, April 12, 11am-5pm, as Main Street is lined with over 50 of Philadelphia’s best food trucks, gourmet food vendors and local farmers’ markets, food-centric arts and crafts, beer garden, live music and more, to kick off the Manayunk Restaurant Week beginning Sunday, April 12. New this year, Recess, a kid-friendly zone hosted by Destination Schuylkill River, by Canal View Park. Photo courtesy of Manayunk Development Corporation.

Philly Farm & Food Fest

Learn more about how food travels from farm to the market or table at the 4th annual Philadelphia Farm and Food Fest, Sunday, April 12, 11am-4pm. One of the country’s biggest single-day food festivals, Fair Food and Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture offers activities for all ages including interaction with farmers, a screening of a local film “Watermelon Magic,” stories, an exhibit, free samples and more. Presented by Whole Foods Market, Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia. Children 12 and under free.

Losang Samten Mandala Residency

The Philadelphia Folklore Project welcomes Losang Samten, teacher of meditation and Spiritual Director of the Tibetan Buddhist Center of Philadelphia, back for his annual Sand Mandala Residency, April 13-17, 2pm-7pm, creating an image of the universe in colored sand over the course of the week. On Sunday, April 19, the mandala will be dismantled with a ceremony, 735 S. 50th Street, Philadelphia. A mandala is an intricate diagram of the universe, popular since around the 12th century, with various purposes and meanings, such as religious or political. Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Folklore Project.

Art Appreciation

Cézanne Uncovered

Get a glimpse into Cézanne’s artistic process with Cézanne Uncovered, a display of unfinished sketches by the Post-Impressionist French painter, available for viewing for a limited time at the Barnes Foundation. Two drawings, one graphite and one watercolor, were discovered during a recent paper conservation treatment on the reverse sides of two watercolors. The Chaine de l’Etoile Mountains (BF650) and Trees (BF655) – depicting the landscape of southern France – will be displayed in double-sided frames with both sides visible, from April 10 through May 18, marking the first time they have been seen since at least the early 20th century, when they were purchased by Dr. Barnes from art collector Leo Stein in 1921. Following the display, the watercolors will be returned to their original locations, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia. Photo courtesy of the Barnes Foundation.

Indian Nation: Indian Motorcycles and America at ASHM

Opening Sunday, April 12 at the American Swedish Historical Museum is Indian Nation: Indian Motorcycles and America, highlighting the iconic American motorcycle brand and its connections to Sweden. The exhibit features vintage Indian motorcycles (a rare experimental Indian, 1919 Indian PowerPlus, and more), engines, and memorabilia, plus a focus on its co-founder Carl Oscar Hedstrom, a Swedish immigrant of the late 19th century, through August 23 in FDR Park, 1900 Pattison Avenue, South Philadelphia. Catch a gallery talk on April 12 with motorcycle expert Doug Strange, 3pm. Photo courtesy of American Swedish Historical Museum.

Chromography: Writing in Color at Rowan University Art Gallery

Music becomes color and writing becomes music in Rowan University Art Gallery’s latest exhibit Chromography: Writing in Color. The two artists featured in the exhibition interpret distinct methods of communication into visual artworks. Visual artist and musician Melinda Steffy translates compositions by J.S. Bach and Béla Bartók into watercolor paintings on paper with each of the notes of the chromatic scale corresponding with a hue on the color wheel. Writer, painter, and Assistant Professor at Temple University’s Tyler School of Art Gerard Brown explores the intersection of seeing and reading through May 9, lower level of Westby Hall on the Rowan University campus, Route 322, Glassboro, NJ. An artist’s talk and reception is Thursday, April 9, 5pm-8pm including a performance of excerpts from musical translations represented in the exhibit. Pictured: Preludes from The Well-Tempered Clavier in E-Flat Major (yellow-orange), No. 7 watercolor on paper, based on music by J.S. Bach, by Melinda Steffy. Photo courtesy of Rowan University Art Gallery.

Onstage

The Irish Heritage Theatre’s The Shadow of a Gunman

The Irish Heritage Theatre puts a spotlight on Sean O’Casey with the first of his “Dublin Trilogy” plays, The Shadow of a Gunman. The Irish playwright is known for writing about the Dublin working class and this comic tragedy is a tale of mistaken identity set during the War of Independence. Directed by Peggy Mecham and John Gallagher, with a cast including John Cannon, Dexter Anderson, Kevin Rodden, Eric Pedersen, Angelique Bouffiou, Josephine Patane, Jim Guckin, Keith Miller, Mary Pat Walsh, and John Reardon, April 9-25, The Skybox at the Adrienne, 20th and Sansom Streets, Philadelphia. Look for O’Casey’s Juno and the Paycock in the fall and The Plough and the Stars next spring. Photo courtesy of Irish Heritage Theatre.

City Theater Company’s “Green Day’s American Idiot”

The Delaware premiere of Green Day’s American Idiot comes to Wilmington with City Theater Company’s production of the Tony Award winning play based on the Grammy Award winning multi-platinum album of the same name. The sung-through rock opera follows three lifelong friends as they search for meaning in a post 9/11 world. Songs include “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “21 Guns,” “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” and the title song, written by lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer. Directed by Michael Gray and starring Brendan Sheehan as Johnny (pictured), April 10 through 25, the Black Box at Opera Delaware Studios, 4 South Poplar Street, Wilmington, DE. Presented through special arrangement with Music Theater International (MTI). Photo by Joe del Tufo.

“Marry Me a Little” at Montgomery Theater

Marry Me a Little takes to the stage at Montgomery Theater April 11. The musical revue features songs cut from Broadway master songwriter Stephen Sondheim’s shows, and stars Kim Carson and Peter Carrier as two single strangers, alone in their apartments one floor away, singing about their secret fantasies, never knowing how close they are to one another and the end of their lonely dreams. Directed by Stephen Casey with musical direction from Michele Ferdinand through May 3, 124 N. Main Street, Souderton, PA. Opening night after-party on April 11. Photo by Angela McMichael.

“Rainbowtown” at Act II Playhouse

Rainbowtown, an interactive play for kids, comes to Act II Playhouse April 11-19. Geared for ages 3-8, the quick change comedy was written by Carrie Nielsen and is directed by her husband Bill D’Agostino, Communications and Education Director at Act II Playhouse, with Amanda Curry playing Queen Annie and Amanda Jill Robinson as the other nine characters Queen Annie meets on her journey to find a new place to build her palace. Featuring original live music by Michael Covel and costumes by Melissa Murray, 56 E Butler Avenue, Ambler, PA. Photo courtesy of Act II Playhouse.

Villanova Theatre’s “The Threepenny Opera”

Villanova Theatre performs The Threepenny Opera, a reimagined production of Bertolt Brecht’s unusual musical that takes the audience on a romp through a seedy underworld of hoodlums, whores, and questionable morals. Set to Kurt Weill’s jazz and cabaret influenced score with the actors playing instruments, the play is directed by Valerie Joyce, April 14-26, Villanova University’s Vasey Hall, Lancaster and Ithan Avenues, Villanova, PA. April 23 is Speaker’s Night, offering a post-show discussion with the director, cast, crew, and special invited guest Villanova University Professor and author Dr. Eugene McCarraher. Free parking in VU’s main lot. Photo by Kimberly Reilly.

 

 

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.