Weekly Entertainment Guide – Patience, Pride & Palace of Exotic Wonders

Get some ARTspiration this week and check out a festival, concert or exhibit.  Robin Bloom shares her picks.

What’s Happening

Pennsylvania Ballet’s “Keigwin, Fonte, & Forsythe”

Pennsylvania Ballet closes its season with an all-premiere program, Keigwin, Fonte, & Forsythe. William Forsythe’s The Second Detail is set to a composition by Thom Willems, Larry Keigwin’s Canvas explores the fusion of classical and contemporary dance set to a score by Adam Crystal, and a world premiere by Nicolo Fonte is set to the music of Phillip Glass. Known for his daring and original approach to dance, Fonte’s unnamed piece features 12 dancers, with five performances, June 11-14, Merriam Theater, 250 South Broad Street, Philadelphia. Enjoy pre-show talks before performances. Photo by Alexander Iziliaev.

“Patience, or Bunthorne’s Bride” at Longwood Gardens

The all volunteer Savoy Company returns to Longwood Gardens for the 91st year to perform Patience, or Bunthorne’s Bride, the sixth of fourteen operas by Gilbert and Sullivan that satirizes the 1870s and 1880s “aesthetic movement” based on the principle of art for art’s sake. The musical comedy operetta by the English composer and librettist is costumed and fully-staged with a professional orchestra in the Open Air Theatre, Friday, June 12 and Saturday, June 13, 8:30pm (rain date June 14 and June 15), Kennett Square, PA. Cast includes Bob Binkley, Mark Baron, and Meghan Curry with stage direction by Bill Kiesling and musical direction by Peter Hilliard. Performances benefit the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA). Photo courtesy of the Savoy Company.

West Park Arts Fest

The West Park Arts Fest returns this Saturday, June 13, 11am-5pm, with the theme “Friends Across Cultures,” offering entertainment and activities for all ages including children’s activities, live music by Gretchen Elise, Kyo Daiko (pictured), Renee Hines, DMNQ, and Ceo Black, along with a dance stage, and more, centered around 4021 Parkside Avenue, Fairmount Park. The West Park Cultural Center partners with many cultural and community organizations like the Franklin Institute, Please Touch Museum, and Philadelphia Zoo. Photo courtesy of West Park Arts Fest.

Old Fashioned Picnic at the Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion

Head to Historic Germantown to the 6th annual Old Fashioned Picnic at the Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion, Saturday, June 13, 12pm-3pm. The afternoon includes activities for all ages including juggling, Victorian photographs, scavenger hunt, croquet, ring toss, Industrial Revolution gadgets, face painting, and foods popular during the Victorian era. Discover the Enchanted wood at the only Victorian house museum in Philadelphia, 200 W. Tulpehocken Street, West Central Germantown, Philadelphia. Admission free with fees for activities. Photo courtesy of Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion.

Brandywine Food & Wine Festival

The Brandywine Food & Wine Festival is Saturday, June 13, 12pm-6pm, as wineries of the Brandywine Valley gather to showcase the best of what their region has to offer along with food vendors, crafters, musical acts including Brian Brazil and the Hard Case Blues Band, and demonstrations, at a new location this year, the Greater Chester Valley Sports Association, 137 Line Road, Malvern, PA. Photo courtesy of the Brandywine Food & Wine Festival.

Victorian Fair in Cape May

Cape May hosts its annual Victorian Family Fair (pictured), Saturday, June 13, 10am-4pm, a traditional Victorian fair with activities for all ages including live musical performances, crafts, collectibles, living history characters, children’s activities, refreshments and more, on the grounds of the Victorian House museum, the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street, Cape May, NJ. Photo courtesy of Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC).

Dr. Entomo’s Palace of Exotic Wonders at the Delaware Museum of Natural History

Find out why scorpions give off an eerie green glow when placed under a black light and learn about weird and whacky bug behavior at the Delaware Museum of Natural History. Enjoy a Family Fun Day on Saturday, June 13, 9:30am-2pm, with an opportunity to explore the new exhibit Dr. Entomo’s Palace of Exotic Wonders, focusing on the world of arthropods. Resembling an old-fashioned circus sideshow, the marvels of the insect world are examined as wells as the mysteries surrounding the curious creatures such as the Giant African Millipede, Vietnamese Centipede, and more. Visit Dr. Entomo’s Kitchen Cabinet for a taste! Also, a fossil dig, puppet shows and other children’s activities, live animals from the Brandywine Zoo and Faithful Friends with adoptable dogs, crafts, giveaways, and treats, rain or shine, 4840 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE. The exhibit is on display through September 7. Photo courtesy of the Delaware Museum of Natural History.

Flag Fest 2015

Celebrate the joint birthdays of the American Flag and the U.S. Army (both had their start in Philadelphia) with the Stripes and Stars Festival, Sunday, June 14, 10am-5pm. The all-day event takes place at locations throughout Independence National Historical Park and historic Philadelphia, including Independence Hall, the National Constitution Center, and the Betsy Ross House, where the events begin with a 13-star flag raising ceremony. A 50-star flag raising follows on the front lawn of the NCC and then look forward to a parade, musical performances, craft activities, interactive programs and much more. Most programs are free. Admission to the NCC is just $5 courtesy of Macy’s. Betsy Ross raises the 13-star flag over City Hall Thursday, June 11, 9:30am to kick off Philadelphia’s Flag Day celebrations. Photo courtesy of Historic Philadelphia.

Rare Flags from American Revolution at Winterthur

Catch a unique one-day exhibition of rare Flags from the American Revolution at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, Sunday, June 14, 10am-5pm. Among only 35 from the Revolutionary War still in existence, the three flags include the Commander-in-Chief Flag (said to have accompanied General George Washington everywhere he went), the 8th Virginia Regiment’s Grand Division (or Muhlenberg) Flag, and the Forster Flag, marking the first time the three historic banners are being displayed together. Talk and Q&A with Dr. Scott Stephenson, Director of Collections and Interpretation at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, at 12:15pm. Pictured: Washington Commander-in-Chief Flag ca. 1777-83 from the collection of the Museum of the American Revolution. Conserved with funds provided by the Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution and its Color Guard. Photo courtesy of Winterthur.

Philadelphia Burger Brawl

Pick your favorites burger at the Philadelphia Burger Brawl, a benefit for Philadelphia public schools, Sunday, June 14, 3pm-6pm, as more than 55 of the city’s top burger chefs compete to see which burger is the best, Xfinity Live, South Philadelphia. Photo by John Bernardo for Stuart Goldenberg Photography.

40th annual Odunde Festival

The Odunde Festival is back, celebrating its 40th year on Sunday, June 14, 10am-8pm, offering an authentic African marketplace with vendors selling merchandise from many African nations, the Caribbean, and South America, live music and dance and entertainment by Kulu Mele, Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble, and much more, including the Hip Hop Legends Concert featuring Kurtis Blow (pictured), Chubb Rock, Special Ed, and Kwame. Covering 12 city blocks around 23rd and South Street, Philadelphia. Photo by Getty Images / Brian Ach.

PrideDay

PrideDay 2015, the 27th annual LGBT Pride Parade and Festival, is Sunday, June 14 beginning at 11:30am at 13th and Locust Streets. The parade leads to the festival at Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing (around 1pm) and Fran Drescher is the headliner, Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia. The theme this year is the 50th Anniversary of the Annual Reminders picketing of Independence Hall, July 4, 1965 through July 4, 1969, marking the beginning of the gay (LGBT) rights movement. Photo courtesy of Philly Pride Presents.

Music

Flannelpalooza Chuckoachella

Inaugural musical comedy festival Flannelpalooza Chuckoachella pokes fun at outdoor musical festivals with an indoor parody featuring over 10 bands with styles ranging from ska, punk, R&B, bluegrass, grunge, classical, funk, and more. Groups include soul funk-rockers Johnny Showcase and the Mystic Ticket (pictured), Daniel deJesus, Jawbone Junction, the Tubes, Useful Rooster, and hosts, the Flannel Chucks, the grunge rock parody band. Local vendors offer jewelry, art, baked goods and hopes and dreams, Thursday, June 11, 8pm-11pm, Figment Theater, 1219 Vine Street, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia. Photo courtesy of Flannelpalooza Chuckoachella.

Analog-A-Go-Go

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery’s 5th annual Analog-A-Go-Go music, beer, and arts festival returns June 11-13. Enjoy live music on Thursday, June 11 and Friday, June 12 in Rehoboth Beach, culminating in the festival on Saturday, June 13 in the Milton brewery with vendors, 10 casks and craft beers to sample, brewery tours, live music and more. Photo courtesy of Dogfish Head Brewery.

Ambler Arts & Music Festival

Ambler Arts & Music Festival takes over downtown Ambler with over 70 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, Nxt2Normal, Jumpstreet Band, the Vincent James Band, Friday, June 12 beginning at 6pm and Saturday, June 13 beginning at noon, rain or shine, on and around Butler Avenue, Ambler, PA. Photo courtesy of Ambler Arts & Music Festival.

Delaware Chamber Music Festival

Delaware Chamber Music Festival returns for a 30th year, bringing world-class chamber music to the Delaware community, June 12-21 with four concerts over two weekends led by Philadelphia Orchestra violinist and Wilmington native Barbara Govatos. Program includes Strings and Keys, June 12, 7:30pm, featuring Schubert’s Piano Quintet “The Trout,” Brahms and Brubeck, June 14, 3pm, featuring Heidi Jacob’s Winter Light, It’s Personal, June 21, 3pm, featuring Smetana’s String Quartet “From My Life,” A Little Night Music, June 19, 7:30pm, featuring Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.  Performed at the Music School of Delaware, 4101 Washington Street, Wilmington. Photo courtesy of Delaware Chamber Music Festival.

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 16-20, with Jeff Lorber Fusion, Point Blank Smooth Jazz, Chuck Loeb, Jackie Brown Jazz Band, Tito Puente Jr. (pictured) and more, Rodney Square, 11th and Market Street, Wilmington, DE. Photo by K. Clements.

Penn Museum’s Summer Nights Concert Series

Penn Museum’s Summer Nights Concert Series is back for a 6th year on Wednesdays throughout the summer from 5pm-8pm beginning Wednesday, June 17 with Harrisburg Mandolin Ensemble. The diverse lineup of bands and musicians includes Xande Cruz, Zydeco-A-Go-Go, El Caribefunk, Trinidelphia, Animus, and more through September 2. The series offers drinks and light fare from the Pepper Mill Café’s garden bar and the opportunity to explore the Museum’s galleries at night, 3260 South Street, Philadelphia. Pictured: A native of São Paulo, Xande Cruz brings a combination of Afro-Brazilian rhythms with samples, funk guitars, bass, drums, horns, and vocals. Photo by David Gehosky.

Art Appreciation

“Hucksters: The Tumult of Dock Street” at Independence Seaport Museum

Independence Seaport Museum’s new exhibit showcases the vibrant culture of Philadelphia’s famous produce market. Hucksters: The Tumult of Dock Street, guest curated by Erich Weiss, the grandson of Old Original Bookbinder’s proprietor John M. Taxin, takes visitors from the market’s city-settler origin, continuing to the mid-1800s to the 1950s and also displays Huckster-inspired artwork by local artists and craftsmen including Hawk Krall, Jim House, Gina and Matt, House Industries, Whiskey and Chocolate and Adam Wallacavage. Opening Wednesday, June 10 through January 31, Penn’s Landing, 211 S. Columbus Boulevard and Walnut Street, Philadelphia. Photo courtesy of the Independence Seaport Museum.

Fleisher’s ARTspiration!

Fleisher Art Memorial’s annual ARTspiration! is this Saturday, June 13, 10am-3pm, a free community outdoor festival with family-oriented activities including art-making led by local artists, Fleisher faculty, and volunteers, music and dance performances, food, and more, along the 700 block of Catharine Street and in adjacent Palumbo Park, Philadelphia. Photo by Dominic Mercier.

Art for the Cash Poor

The annual Art for the Cash Poor takes place this weekend, June 13-14, 12pm-6pm, with the theme “Go Mad for Art,” a chance to meet the over 100 exhibiting artists and to purchase artwork at bargain prices, with a vast array of media all for under $199 and most pieces under $100, plus block-party style entertainment including live music, food, and an outdoor beer garden, Crane Arts Building, 1400 N. American Street, Philadelphia. A Friday night ticketed preview party and meet & greet is June 12.  Presented by Inliquid.  Pictured: Barnegate Bay, pinhole solargraph by Chris Macan, participating artist.

“The Usable Earth” at Esther Klein Gallery

Esther Klein Gallery (EKG) explores the role of ecology in society with the group exhibition, The Usable Earth. Curated by Kristen Neville Taylor, artists, architects, filmmakers, scholars, and authors with diverse perspectives focus on the multi-faceted relationship between humans and the earth. Exhibitors include Nate Ricciuto, Allen Crawford, TJ Hunt, Carolyn Lambert, David Scott Kessler and Leila Nadir, and Cary Peppermint. The exhibit includes a video by Eteam called The Backup Tapes of Moon and Mars (pictured), portraying each respective town as a simulated environment for living life on Mars and the moon, revealing the cyclical tendencies of human behavior. Opening reception Friday, June 12, 5pm-7:30pm, and on view through July 24 at the University City Science Center, 3600 Market Street, Philadelphia. Photo courtesy of Esther Klein Gallery.

 

 

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.