Weekly Entertainment Guide – Philadelphia in Style

See fashion and children’s literature from the past few centuries, plus world premieres, musical performances, theater and Pi!  Robin Bloom shares her picks for what to do this week.

What’s Happening

“The Science Behind Pixar” at the Franklin Institute

Get a unique inside look into the process of animation with The Science Behind Pixar, opening Saturday, March 12 at the Franklin Institute, the first stop on a national tour. The imaginative and interactive 14,000 square foot exhibition features more than 40 exhibit elements, demonstrating the STEM concepts used by the artists and scientists at Pixar Studios who help bring the films and their characters to the big screen. Eight distinct sections focus on one step of the filmmaking process: Modeling, Rigging, Surfaces, Sets & Cameras, Animation, Simulation, Lighting, and Rendering, offering a view of the production pipeline and concepts used at Pixar studios every day, through September 5, 222 North 20th Street, Philadelphia. The Science Behind Pixar made its world premiere at the Museum of Science in Boston, where it was developed, in collaboration with Pixar Animation Studios, and is part of the Science Museum Exhibit Collaborative (SMEC), that includes the Franklin Institute. Photo by Michael Malyszko.

Koresh Dance Company’s 25th Anniversary Celebration

Koresh Dance Company celebrates 25 years of artistry and innovation with a world premiere performance and gala March 10-12. Brothers Ronen (Roni), Alon and Nir founded Koresh Dance Company, widely recognized for its outstanding technique and collaborations. The evening length production features a new collaboration, 23: Deconstructing Mozart, reconstructing Mozart’s classical Piano Concerto No. 23 with multimedia artist, author, and composer Paul D. Miller (a.k.a. DJ Spooky), the first artist in residence at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art and co-produced by Stephen Levitin (a.k.a. Apple Juice Kid). Arrive at 6:30pm on Thursday, March 10 for happy hour in the lobby. A post-show talkback with the artists takes place on Friday, March 11. On Saturday, March 12, 6pm-10pm, is Koresh Kouture Silver Gala, with a silent auction and gala reception with food, drinks, and fashion displays by Philadelphia designers, Suzanne Roberts Theatre, Broad and Lombard Streets, Philadelphia. Pictured: Roni Koresh. Photo by Bicking Photography.

Onstage

“Two Trains Running” at Arden Theatre Company

August Wilson’s Two Trains Running opens at Arden Theatre Company March 10 through April 10. Set in 1969 as the civil rights movement is sweeping across Pittsburgh’s Hill District, the play focuses on the everyday lives of urban African Americans and their perspectives on race. Part of the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright’s Century Cycle, a 10 play series about African American life in each decade of the 20th century, the production is directed by Raelle Myrick-Hodges, Arden Professional Apprentice (and first former APA directing a mainstage show at Arden). Cast includes Johnnie Hobbs, Jr., Darian Dauchan, Kashmir Goins, Kes Khemnu, E. Roger Mitchell, Lakisha May, U.R. and Damian J. Wallace, 40 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia. Pay What You Can performance on Wednesday, March 9 benefiting Face to Face in Germantown. Photo by Mark Garvin.

“The Sound of Music” at the Academy of Music

The Sound of Music stops in Philadelphia on its national tour, March 15-20. A brand new production of the classic musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein, about Maria, who takes a job as a governess to the von Trapp family while she decides whether to become a nun in Austria in 1938 on the eve of the Anschluss. Directed by Tony Award-winner Jack O’Brien, with all of the favorites songs including “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “Edelweiss” and the title song, Academy of Music, Broad Street, Philadelphia. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

Art Appreciation

“Philadelphia in Style” at Michener Art Museum

A special exhibition showcasing Philadelphia’s role in the history of American fashion opens this weekend at the James A. Michener Art Museum. Philadelphia in Style: A Century of Fashion from the Robert & Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection, Drexel University is presented in partnership with the Westphal College of Media Arts & Design at Drexel University, whose Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection (FHCC) has loaned the items from its holdings of more than 14,000 garments, accessories and textiles from the last three centuries. The display includes dresses, wedding gowns, shoes, hats, and other items created, purchased, and worn in Philadelphia between 1896 and the mid-1990s, chronicling the shift in the history of fashion, from the practice of employing dressmakers and tailors to the rise of ready-to-wear clothing from local department stores and other fashion retailers, which led to the urban pastime of shopping. On view March 13 through June 26 with lectures, a film series, behind-the-scenes tours of regional fashion collections and more at 138 South Pine Street, Doylestown, PA. Pictured: Hook & Knowles (England, 1850–c. 1930s), Shoes, c. 1918, Polychrome silk brocade with silver kid, crystal, and metal, Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection, Drexel University, Gift of Mrs. Upton Sullivan. Photo by Michael J. Shepherd.

Philadelphia Photo Art Center’s “Philly Block Project”

Philadelphia Photo Art Center provides a visual introduction to its year-long Philly Block Project, that documents the past and present of South Kensington, with the debut of a group exhibition Preface, March 10-April 30. The socially-engaged collaboration features photography exhibitions curated by PPAC Executive Director Sarah Stolfa and lead photographer Hank Willis Thomas, whose work is on display along with pieces by Lisa Fairstein, Wyatt Gallery, Hiroyuki Ito, Will Steacy, HWT, and Lori Waselchuk. Opening March 10 with a community meeting from 5pm-6pm, a panel discussion with the artists from 6pm-7pm, and opening reception 7pm-8pm at PPAC Gallery, 1400 N. American Street, Philadelphia. Pictured: Envoy, Hank Willis Thomas.

“Lilt: New Works by Jacque Liu” at 20*20 House Gallery

On display at 20*20 House Gallery is Lilt: New Work by Jacque Liu. The Taipei born artist (who resides in Philadelphia) has exhibited nationally and internationally and has received numerous awards and grants. His recent body of work consists of wooden shelves with acrylic sheets placed on them, created based on shapes Liu found within urban environments, and is featured as part of Lansdowne Arts Board’s second show in its inaugural Juried Solo Exhibition Series. Artists in this exhibition series were selected by Bridgette Mayer of Philadelphia’s Bridgette Mayer Gallery. The exhibit opens March 12 through May 1 with an opening reception Saturday, March 12, 4pm-8pm, just six miles west of Center City, in the new art space at 20 Lansdowne Court, Lansdowne, PA. Pictured: Lilt-K. 2015. Plexiglass, wood, paint. 19 x 23.25″. Photo by Jaime Alvarez.

“By the Window, By the Sea” at Somerville Manning Gallery

Opening this weekend at Somerville Manning Gallery is By the Window, By the Sea, a solo exhibition of paintings by local artist Christine Lafuente, including seascapes, partially abstracted landscapes, and still lifes, March 11 through April 9. Opening reception with the artist on Friday, March 11, 5:30pm-7:30pm, Breck’s Mill, 101 Stone Block Row, Greenville, DE. Pictured: Iris, Jars and Strawberry, 2015 by Christine Lafuente. Photo courtesy of Somerville Manning Gallery.

67th Annual Chadds Ford Art Sale and Show

For two days only, new works by over 70 professional artists from the Brandywine Valley and beyond are on display at the 67th Annual Chadds Ford Art Sale and Show, March 11-12, established by Betsy Wyeth in 1949. This year’s show includes works by featured artist Helena van Emmerik-Finn and donating artist Mary Styer Holton. Special events include a Friday evening reception on March 11, 7pm-10pm, as well as an art salon, artisan showcase, and new this year, a guided tour of the show on Saturday, March 12, at the Chadds Ford Elementary School, 3 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, PA. Pictured: Barnyard Feast by Helena van Emmerik-Finn.

Music

AVA’s Jubilate! A Concert of Sacred Music

The Academy of Vocal Arts’ annual Jubilate! A Concert of Sacred Music returns with a selection of sacred music from over three centuries, as resident artists sing pieces from Mozart, Mendelssohn, Wagner, Handel, Rossini and more. Music director David Antony Lofton leads the AVA Opera Orchestra for three performances, Friday, March 11, 7:30pm, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 22, Chestnut Hill, Saturday, March 12, 7:30pm, Church of the Redeemer, Bryn Mawr, PA, and Sunday, March 13, 7pm, The Church of the Holy Trinity, Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia. Photo courtesy of AVA.

Intercultural Journeys’ “The Mandinga Experiment”

Intercultural Journeys continues its season “The Artistry of Identity and Transformation” with the The Mandinga Experiment, the latest project from Alex Shaw, director of the Brazilian ensemble Alô Brasil and long-standing member of Spoken Hand Percussion Orchestra. The collaborative tribute to the Afro-Brazilian martial art Capoeira Angola features original compositions and contemporary interpretations of traditional Afro-Brazilian rhythms and songs with musicians, dancers, and capoeiristas from the U.S. and Brazil, accompanied by live vintage visuals, Friday, March 11, 8pm. Join the dialogue, “Food for Thought,” before the performance with a discussion about Capoeira and Black Consciousness with Dr. Kenneth Dossar, Professor of Intellectual Heritage at Temple University. Open to the public. Guests requested to RSVP and bring a food item to share, 6pm, International House, 3701 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. A discussion with the artists follows the performance. Photo by Aidan Un.

Fine Art Music Company’s “A Musical Ode to Earth”

Join a classical music tribute to our relationship with planet Earth with Fine Art Music Company’s A Musical Ode to Earth. Program centerpiece is “Pale Blue Dot” for string quartet by Philadelphia composer David Ludwig, inspired by Carl Sagan’s portrayal of Earth and the famous image of the planet taken by NASA’s Voyager in 1990. Also, composer George Crumb’s Vox Balaenae, known for its surprising performance style, and works by Debussy, Boulanger, Bloch, and more, accompanied by mood lighting, projected imagery, and costume elements, Saturday, March 12, 8pm, Ivy Hall, International Institute for Culture, 6331 Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia and Sunday, March 13, 3pm, Ethical Society of Philadelphia, 1906 S. Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia. Performers include Rollin Wilber, Artistic Director, piano, Katarzyna Marzec-Salwinski, piano, Azer Damirov and James Lawrence Wilson, violin, Lorenzo Raval, viola, Julia Morelli, cello, and Elivi Varga, flute. Reception with artists follows concert. Photo courtesy of Fine Art Music Company.

Celebrating Sibelius at new Crossroads Concert Series

The new Crossroads Concert Series at the First Presbyterian Church in Germantown (pictured) celebrates the 150th anniversary of Finnish composer Jean Sibelius with four Delaware Valley Opera Company soloists performing his seldom heard vocal music, Sunday, March 13, 3pm. Featuring soprano Laurice Kennel, tenor David Price, mezzo-soprano Raffaella Lo Castro, bass Milo Morris, with Marja Kaisla, prominent interpreter of piano music of Sibelius in the United States, 35 West Chelten Avenue, Philadelphia. Free admission with donations encouraged.

With the Kids

Pi Day Princeton

Celebrate Albert Einstein’s birthday (March 14) at Pi Day Princeton, March 10-14, with numerous events including pie eating, pie judging, pie throwing, Pi recitation, pizza pie, Einstein look-a-like contest, live musical performances, tours, movies, lectures, parties, cupcake decorating contest, and much more, honoring Pi, mathematics, science, famous Princeton geniuses, local merchants and Einstein, at various venues in Princeton, NJ. Free unless specified. Photo courtesy of Princeton Tour Company.

“Or Else: Cautionary Tales for Children” at the Free Library of Philadelphia

Free Library of Philadelphia takes you through the darker side of children’s literature from the past three centuries with Or Else: Cautionary Tales for Children. The exhibit features over 100 books and illustrations that highlight the moral reckonings – both morbidly satirical and mortally serious – in children’s books from the 18th century through today. Look for titles by Isaac Watts, William Blake, Heinrich Hoffmann, Lewis Carroll, Tomi Ungerer, Maurice Sendak and more. A stocked reading nook is available for visitors to experience the stories directly, with guided tours offered daily, through July 23, Rare Book Department, Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia. Pictured: Little Jacob, and How He Became Fat, New York: McLoughlin Bros., ca. 1870-1880. Photo courtesy of the Free Library of Philadelphia.

Kennett Symphony’s Annual Children’s Concert

Ignite your child’s imagination and love of classical music at the Kennett Symphony of Chester County’s annual children’s concert with Music Can Change the World, Sunday, March 13, 2pm, Emilie K. Asplundh Hall, West Chester University, under the direction of Music Director Michael Hall. The interactive program includes Olympic Fanfare by Williams, Adagio for Strings by Barber, Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 by Liszt, Siegfried Idyll by Wagner, Anvil Chorus by Verdi, Finlandia by Sibelius, and Ode to Joy by Beethoven. The popular Instrument Zoo follows each performance, with the opportunity to meet the musicians. Photo courtesy of Kennett Symphony.

Cheltenham Center for the Arts’ Family Fun Day

Cheltenham Center for the Arts’ annual Family Fun Day is Sunday, March 13, noon-4pm. Dress accordingly for activities involving pottery, painting, printmaking, theater, and more, along with art demonstrations and performances by Ants on a Log. Take in the works of elementary and middle school children from the surrounding areas with the 8th Annual Regional Children’s Art Show on display. Admission is free and open to the public with some paid events, 439 Ashbourne Road, Cheltenham, PA. Photo courtesy of Cheltenham Center for the Arts.

 

 

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.