Weekly Entertainment Guide – PhilAesthetic

Robin Bloom offers 25 suggestions for what to do this week in the Philadelphia region!

What’s Happening

PhilAesthetic

The African American Museum in Philadelphia celebrates its 40th anniversary with a groundbreaking, two gallery exhibition showcasing four decades of collecting works by some of the country’s top Black visual artists. PhilAesthetic: 40 Years of Collecting African American Art offers works on paper, paintings, mixed media and sculpture, many of which were made at the height of the Black Arts Movement. Pulled from the museum’s collection, the exhibit features artists who were influential in the Philadelphia Art scene and beyond including Benny Andrews, Romare Bearden, Barbara Bullock, Moe Brooker, John Dowell, Barkley Hendricks, Paul Keene, Howardina Pindell, Joyce Scott, Alma Thomas, Pat Ward Williams, and many more, June 15 through September 17. An opening Reception takes place Thursday, June 15, 6 p.m. with a performance by Ursula Rucker (pictured), 701 Arch Street, Philadelphia. Photo by Wendel Patrick.

Fun Home

Fun Home, the true story that became a Tony Award-winning best musical, has its Philadelphia premiere at the Forrest Theatre through June 18. Based on Alison Bechdel’s best-selling graphic memoir about the discovery of her sexuality, the innovative, emotional show is the first play written exclusively by women to win a Tony and to have a lesbian as the protagonist. With music by Jeanine Tesori, book and lyrics by Lisa Kron, and direction by Sam Gold, the production stars Broadway veterans Robert Petkoff, Susan Moniz, and Kate Shindle, 1114 Walnut Street, Philadelphia. Photo by Joan Marcus.

The SoLow Festival

The SoLow Festival continues to challenge the norm of theatre making with new, low-cost, low-maintenance, experimental work (focusing on solo performance). Over 40 artists explore their own artistic voices with this year’s theme “Signs of Life.” Nearly all performances are pay what you can at various non-traditional, unexpected venues in Philadelphia, June 15-26. See the schedule online. Pictured: “Bridge to Somewhere” by Mira Treatman, a dance-theatre experiment meets curated walking tour of the 57th longest suspension bridge in the world between Philadelphia and Camden. Photo courtesy of SoLow Festival.

Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll

The Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll returns Thursday, June 15, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., an outdoor street festival with participating businesses offering $1 specials along with live music, street performances, and more, Baltimore Avenue from 43rd to 52nd Streets, University City. Rain or shine. Photo courtesy of University City District.

Firefly Music Festival

The annual 4 day summer music experience, the Firefly Music Festival, comes back to The Woodlands, June 15-18, and is the first-ever fan curated music festival, allowing voting on decisions including attractions, artists, experiences, designs, and more. Headliners include The Weeknd, Chance the Rapper, Bob Dylan & His Band, Kesha, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Weezer, Franz Ferdinand, 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.

Mad Tea Party Jam

Mad Tea Party Jam takes place June 15-18 with Papadosio, Tauk, BIG Something, Spafford, Aqueous, LITZ, The Fritz, and more, plus camping, artists and workshops, at Four Quarters Interfaith in Artemas, Pennsylvania. Photo by Roger Gupta, courtesy of Mad Tea Party Jam.

 

Celebrate “Bloomsday” in Philadelphia

The Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia celebrates author James Joyce with the annual Bloomsday, June 16, 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. The day-long reading of “Ulysses” features literati, artists, public figures, and familiar personalities from Philadelphia and beyond in front of the museum on Delancey Place. Joyce’s manuscript for Ulysses is housed at the Rosenbach. Additional activities include musical performances from and inspired by the novel, free admission to the current exhibition Clever Criminals and Daring Detectives, the first ever beer garden, food, and silent auction. Photo courtesy of the Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia.

World War I: USS Olympia at the Philly Seaport

Independence Seaport Museum commemorates the 100th anniversary of the end of the “Great War” with a focus on the role of the Cruiser Olympia. World War I: USS Olympia opens June 16 with an examination of the oldest steel warship afloat in the world, launched in 1892. Having served in the Spanish American War, on coastal patrol, as a ship escort, and on intervention, peace keeping, and humanitarianism missions, the Cruiser Olympia transported the Unknown Soldier back to the United States. Decommissioned in 1922, the ship is a National Historic Landmark and has been part of Independence Seaport Museum since 1996, docked outside on the Delaware River. Step aboard the ship and see what life was like for the naval personnel who lived there and on June 17, take part in an adult-oriented scavenger hunt, 211 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia. Photo courtesy of the Independence Seaport Museum.

Tongue & Groove’s 10th anniversary

Tongue & Groove, Philly’s unique unscripted theater company, reunites with past members for a 10th anniversary celebration with performances June 16-17. The audience is asked to anonymously submit true secrets and intimate information and the cast will instantly create a montage of funny and heartbreaking scenes and monologues. After the Friday performance, current and past staff members – including Adam Gertler who moved to L.A. to host the Food Network Show “Will Work for Food” and the FX “Movie Download” – invite audience members to join in a reception with live music and dancing, the Playground at the Adrienne Theater, 2030 Sansom Street, Philadelphia. Photo by Aaron Oster.

ArcheDream for HUMANKIND

ArcheDream for HUMANKIND, the black light mask and dance theater company, returns to its hometown of Philadelphia with the ADHK Variety Show, June 16-18. The montage of worlds past and present brings back some of the favorite archetypal characters with a high energy and uplifting dance at Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 N. American Street, Philadelphia. Show time is one hour with no intermission. Photo courtesy of ADHK.

Philadelphia Wind Symphony’s “Copland Celebration”

The Philadelphia Wind Symphony, the 51 member volunteer ensemble of woodwind, brass and percussion players, hosts a Copland Celebration, the final concert of its season, Friday, June 16, 8 p.m. Under the artistic direction of Paul Bryan, the program includes “Outdoor Overture,” “Variations on a Shaker Melody,” “Buckaroo Holiday,” “Emblems,” and “Lincoln Portrait,” Liberti Church, 123 S. 17th Street, Philadelphia. Pay what you wish at the door. Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Wind Symphony.

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 the Grammy Award-winning group the Trammps, the Vincent James Band, AnalogGroove, and Great Big House, Friday, June 16 and Saturday, June 17, rain or shine, on and around Butler Avenue, Ambler, Pennsylvania. Photo courtesy of Ambler Arts & Music Festival.

Art for the Cash Poor

The annual Art for the Cash Poor takes place this weekend, June 17-18, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., 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, plus block-party style entertainment including live music, food, and more, Crane Arts Building, 1400 N. American Street, Philadelphia. A Friday night ticketed preview party and meet and greet is June 16. Presented by InLiquid. Pictured: “Control Your Own Happiness,” by Tiff – the American Queen TJD, participating artist.

Roxborough Solstice Festival

The Roxborough Solstice Festival takes place Saturday, June 17, 12 p.m. – 9 p.m., with live music by Travel Lanes, Loose and Alright, Ben Arnold (pictured), Sonja Sofya, Pawnshop Roses and more, along with food trucks, a beer garden, art and craft vendors and children’s activities, Gorgas Park, 6300 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia. The festival is a free joint collaboration between the Roxborough Development Corporation and the Friends of Gorgas Park. Photo courtesy of Ben Arnold.

Newbold Blues Festival

The brand new Newbold Blues Festival is a music, BBQ, and craft beer street party celebrating the Newbold neighborhood with food, Newbold-based craft breweries, live music shows with Duality, Shakey Lyman, Blue Pharaohs, New Pony, and more. Festival is free and pay as you go for food and drinks, Saturday, June 17, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., 1900 block of South Bancroft Street, Philadelphia. Photo courtesy of Newbold Blues 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 17, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., including a “Freedom Walk” parade, music, dance, re-enactors, 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.

Enchanted Summer Day at Winterthur

Winterthur hosts an Enchanted Summer Day, Saturday, June 17, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., 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, Delaware. While you are there, take the Time Traveler’s Tour and visit the Touch-It Room. Photo courtesy of Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library.

Hot Club of Philadelphia at Crossing Vineyards

The Summer Wine and Music Series continues at Crossing Vineyards with the Hot Club of Philadelphia: Gypsy Jazz Quintet, Saturday, June 17, 7 p.m., rain or shine. Bring food and a lawn chair. Wine and cheese are available for purchase (no outside beverages are permitted). Complimentary table seating is available on a first come first served basis. The season continues with concerts each week through September 8, 1853 Wrightstown Rd., Newtown, Pennsylvania. Photo courtesy of Crossing Vineyards.

Reel East Film Festival

The annual Reel East Film Festival brings independent and upcoming feature films and shorts to South Jersey with screenings of new and classic films, discussions, and more, Saturday, June 17, Rohrer Center, 1889 Route 70 East, Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Films include “24 Hour Comic,” “The Green Girl,” “Red Christmas” (pictured), “Production Problems,” “Dollar Babies,” and more. Tiela Garnett, daughter of Golden Age director Tay Garnett will be on hand for a discussion at 5 p.m. after the screening of her father’s 1930 film “Her Man.” Photo courtesy of the Reel East Film Festival.

Brews and Bites at Pennsbury Manor

Pennsbury Manor hosts the annual Brews and Bites, Saturday, June 17, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.Sample beer, wine, and cider from more than thirteen area breweries including Naked Brewing, Yards, Round Guys Brewing Company, Vault Brewing, and Crooked Eye, a 17th century beer brewing demonstration, food, live music by the B.D. Lenz Band, and an appearance by William Penn (pictured). Stroll the 43 acre grounds of Penn’s country estate with views of the Delaware River, 400 Pennsbury Memorial Road, Morrisville, Pennsylvania. Photo courtesy of Pennsbury Manor.

Art All Night Trenton

Artworks presents Art All Night Trenton, Saturday, June 17, 3 p.m. until Sunday, June 18, 3 p.m., 24 hours of art, workshops, competitive arts, special events, film, children’s activities, live bands, and more, free and open to the public, Roebling Wire Works, 675 South Clinton Avenue, Trenton, New Jersey. Photo by Clifford Zink.

Shore Festivals

Celebrate South Jersey’s maritime history with the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Maritime Festival as historians, authors, artists, and even pirates celebrate the Sea in Angelsea, Saturday, June 17 and Sunday, June 18, with live music, food, crafters, children’s activities, boat show, and more including pirate shows and pirate encampment, along Central Avenue, North Wildwood, New Jersey. Admission is free, rain or shine. Photo courtesy of the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Maritime Festival.Sea Isle City, New Jersey hosts a Skimmer Festival, its largest summer festival, Saturday, June 17 and Sunday, June 18, with crafts, sand sculpting demonstrations and competitions, children’s activities, live music, antique auto show, historical trolley tours, amusement rides, and more, rain or shine, JFK Boulevard and The Promenade.

PrideDay

PrideDay 2017, the 29th annual LGBT Pride Parade and Festival, is Sunday, June 18 beginning at 11:30 a.m. at 13th and Locust Streets. The parade leads to the festival at Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing (around 1 p.m.), Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia. Photo by Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks.

 

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 21-24, with Arturo O’Farrill/African-Cuban Jazz Ensemble, Regina Carter “Simply Ella,” Sumi Tonooka, High & Mighty Brass Band (pictured), and more, Rodney Square, 11th and Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware. Photo by Michael Weintrob.

 

 

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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.