Weekly Entertainment Guide – Pop Art

Enjoy Pop Art, films, beer, comedy, and great guitar music!  Robin Bloom shares 20 picks for this week.

Art Appreciation

“International Pop” at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

The Philadelphia Museum of Art explores Pop Art as a global phenomenon that was shaped by artists working in many different countries throughout the world. International Pop, the first traveling exhibition in the United States to present a comprehensive account of the development of Pop Art during the 1960s and 1970s, was organized by the Walker Art Center and the Philadelphia Museum of Art will be its final venue and the only East Coast presentation for this groundbreaking survey that features paintings, sculpture, assemblage, installation, printmaking, and film by eighty artists, drawn from public and private collections around the world. Artists include James Rosenquist, Claes Oldenburg, Jim Dine, Rosalyn Drexler, Andy Warhol, Peter Blake, Pauline Boty, Konrad Lueg, Sigmar Polke, Gerhard Richter, Keiichi Tanaami, Genpei Akasegawa, Antônio Dias, Marta Minujín, Dalila Puzzovio, Edgardo Costa, Sergio Lombardo, Mario Schifano, Yves Klein, Niki de Saint Phalle, and Martial Raysse. A key work shown only in Philadelphia will be Jasper Johns’ Flag, 1958 (from private collection). Also seen only in Philadelphia are Mimmo Rotella’s The Hot Marilyn, 1962, a décollage of an Italian movie poster, and Ed Ruscha’s Felix, 1960, an early example of his work in the idiom of Pop Art. Accompanied by a fully-illustrated catalogue through May 15, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia. Related programs and events include “Passport to Pop,” artist conversations, lectures, tours, and more. From February 24-28, the Museum offers reduced prices for new artist memberships. Pictured: Ice Cream, 1964, by Evelyne Axell (Collection of Serge Goisse, Belgium).

“More than Fifteen Minutes of Fame: Warhol’s Prints and Photographs” at Zimmerli

The Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University puts a spotlight on two artists, Honoré Daumier and Andy Warhol, who established legacies that remain relevant in today’s visual political commentary and pop culture. Two new exhibitions demonstrate how artists working nearly 150 years apart applied their understanding of the public’s fallibility to create iconic images, and how these artists took advantage of the new technologies of their eras to disseminate their work to a broad public, influencing the views and tastes of their contemporaries. Honoré Daumier and the Art of La Caricature offers a rare opportunity to view Celebrities of the Juste-Milieu, a series of clay busts that set a precedent in the history of political caricatures. More than Fifteen Minutes of Fame: Warhol’s Prints and Photographs captures the personality of the legendary pop artist whose seminal works continue to influence today’s art and pop culture. Look for iconic Warhol pieces, including Polaroids of celebrities and socialites, along with several recently acquired screen-prints shown at the Zimmerli for the first time, on view through July 31, 71 Hamilton Street (at George Street), New Brunswick, NJ. Pictured: Andy Warhol, Annie Oakley from Cowboys and Indians, 1986, Color screen-print, Collection Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers, Gift of The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. © 2015 The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Photo by Peter Jacobs.

“Vivianus” at the Delaware Contemporary

On display at the Delaware Contemporary is Vivianus, by Leslie Friedman. Influenced by Pop art, the Philadelphia artist explores human identity, belonging, and evolution. Utilizing printmaking and mixed media to present politically and socially subversive content for a colorful presentation on a utopian island where outcasts communicate through rock music and immerse themselves in indulgent individualism, through June 26, 200 South Madison Street, Wilmington. Related events include upcoming Art Salad Free Lunchtime Discussion and a Screen-printing workshop. Pictured: Born in Vivianus Animation Still, Leslie Friedman.

“Look Both Ways” at Woodmere Art Museum

Look Both Ways at Woodmere Art Museum considers the ways in which artists employ abstraction and representation, often within the same work, and the outcomes of the interaction of the two styles. The new exhibit features works by Ben Rose, Alex Kanevsky, Warren Rohrer, Neysa Grassi, Ron Tarver, and more through May 15. Related events include artist talks with Bill Scott and Neysa Grassi, February 27, 3pm and with Ron Tarver, March 19, 3pm. A “Blending Abstraction with Realism” class takes place March 17 through April 14, 9201 Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill. Pictured: Before the Storm by Magda Vitale.

Onstage

“Harvey” at Walnut Street Theatre

Walnut Street Theatre’s Harvey is onstage through March 6. Elwood P. Dowd introduces his invisible friend, a 6 foot tall white rabbit named Harvey, to guests at a society party and confusion and chaos ensue in this classic Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway and Hollywood comedy by playwright Mary Chase (with additional dialogue by Ken Ludwig), directed by Bob Carlton. Cast includes Ben Dibble as Elwood, Mary Martello as his sister, Ellie Mooney, Dan Olmstead, and Ian Merrill Peakes, 825 Walnut Street, Philadelphia. Photo by Mark Garvin.

1812 Productions’ “A Tribute to Joan Rivers”

A Tribute to Joan Rivers pays homage to one of the most iconic comedians of the 20th century. Created by 1812 Productions’ Producing Artistic Director Jennifer Childs and Emily Kleimo, the show features work from all facets of Rivers’ career – from her nightclub days to the Ed Sullivan Show to The Tonight Show to Fashion Police, drawing from her best-selling books, tours, and more. The limited engagement is performed by Childs, Barrymore Award-winning actress Maureen Torsney-Weir, and Hillary Rea, founder of “Tell Me a Story,” Monday, February 29, 7:30pm and Tuesday, March 1, 7:30pm, Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey Street, Philadelphia. Photo by Dan Steinberg/AP.

Azuka Theatre’s “Local Girls”

Azuka Theatre’s scream rock fantasia, Local Girls, about searching for big-time glory in a small-time town, takes to the stage at The Drake. The world premiere by Emma Goidel tells the story of a high school chemistry genius desperately in need of friends who meets a high school burnout in need of a new screamer for her metal band. Directed by Azuka’s Associate Artistic Director’s Allison Heishman and starring Anna Zaida Szapiro, Mary Tuomanen, Tabitha Allen, Sam Henderson, and Jahzeer Terrell, with original music by Robert Kaplowitz, through March 13, 1512 Spruce Street, Philadelphia. Get your band together (up to four) and perform in the lobby an hour before each performance! Photo by Johanna Austin.

11th Hour Theatre Company’s “Big Red Sun”

11th Hour Theatre Company continues to develop intimate, character-driven musicals with Big Red Sun by John Jiler and Georgia Stitt. The brand new concert reading about the journey of aspiring writer who tries to uncover the truth about his family’s past is set to a score that ranges from klezmer to 1940s swing to 1960s jazz and pop, performed by a live four piece band (with musical direction by Dan Kazemi.) Cast includes Cameron Scot Slusser, Hillary Parker, Marybeth Gorman, Michael Philip O’Brien, Rob Tucker and Steve Pacek, directed by Megan Nicole O’Brien with three performances, February 27-29, Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 N. American Street, Old City Philadelphia. Photo by Billy B. Photography.

“Lobby Hero” at Theatre Horizon

Theatre Horizon asks audiences to consider how to do the right thing in a world that is never black and white with Kenneth Lonergan’s Lobby Hero, onstage through March 13. The comedic and timely play takes place in the lobby of an upscale apartment building, as four people – an African American man, two white police officers, and the building’s security guard – face the fallout of gender politics, police corruption and racial profiling. Directed by Matthew Decker (co-founder and Resident Director at Theatre Horizon) and starring Rachel Camp, Kevin Meehan, Akeem Davis, and Brian Ratcliffe, 401 Dekalb Street, Norristown, PA. Photo by Matthew J. Photography.

Pushcart Players’ “Alice in Wonderland”

The popular touring theater company for young audiences, the Pushcart Players, comes to our area with a re-imagined Alice in Wonderland, adapted from the classic book by Lewis Carroll, Sunday, February 28, 2pm, Wheaton Arts, 1701 North Second Street, Millville, NJ. Designed by Pushcart Players co-founder Ruth Fost and directed by artistic director Paul Whelihan with scenic elements and playfully designed puppets by Terrence P. Burnett, orchestrations by Tony and Drama Desk award-winner Larry Hochman, and music by Carole Wechter, co-founder of Pushcart Players, plus a talented cast. For grades 1-6. Photo courtesy of Pushcart Players.

Film

Oscar Shorts Festival

Trenton Film Society’s Oscar Shorts Festival returns to the Mill Hill Playhouse in Trenton with Oscar nominated documentary, live action, and animated shorts, February 25-27, 205 East Front Street (at Montgomery Street), Trenton, NJ. Offering a wide variety of films from around the world including Pixar’s animated “Sanjay’s Super Team,” “Stutterer” live action short from the UK/Ireland, the documentary short “Last Day of Freedom” from the United States. Join a reception during the special double feature of live action and animated shorts on Saturday night, February 27. Cast your ballot and enter to win two all access passes to the Trenton Film Festival in March or the International Film Festival in June. Pictured: “A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness,” dir. Sharmen Obaid-Chinoy, Pakistan, 40 minutes.

Spring Family Matinee Series at International House Philadelphia

International House Philadelphia’s Spring Family Matinee Series is underway with films from around the world for children. Saturday, February 27 at 2pm is The Prophet (pictured) by Lebanese author Kahlil Gibran. The animated feature film version of the book of poetry is presented in English at 3701 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. Upcoming films include “Zarafa,” “The Tale of Princess Kaguya,” “Sita Sings the Blues,” “Tales of the Night,” and more.

An Evening with Neil Young

Spend An Evening with Neil Young in a special one-night-only event, Monday, February 29, 8pm, as select movie theaters nationwide will bring the legendary musician’s 1978 concert tour and musical comedy to the big screen. See Young’s critically-acclaimed post-apocalyptic musical comedy “Human Highway” in an all new digital restoration along with his concert feature “Rust Never Sleeps,” the full-length feature about his 1978 concert tour, followed by a live Q&A hosted by Cameron Crowe interviewing Young and his cast. Screenings will take place at eleven theaters in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Photo by Julie Gardner.

 Philly Bierfest

The 5th annual Bierfest returns to the German Society of Pennsylvania (pictured) Saturday, February 27, 1pm-5:30pm, celebrating Pennsylvania’s rich heritage of German beer brewing. The family friendly afternoon offers German-style beer from nearly two dozen craft and legacy brewers from Pennsylvania, German cuisine, live bluegrass music and oompah-funk, the Philly Roller Girls, the new Sam Adams Lager Learning Lounge, Beer Quizzo, cabaret-themed Berlin-Style BEERlesque, and more. Participating brewers include Lion Brewery, Yards Brewing Company, Philadelphia Brewing Company, Yuengling & Sons Brewery, and more, at 611 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia. Photo courtesy of the German Society of Pennsylvania.

Music

John Gorka at the Twentieth Century Club

Folk legend John Gorka brings his guitar to the Twentieth Century Club as part of the Lansdowne Folk Club’s spring concert series, Thursday, February 25, 7:30pm, performing songs from his latest album “Bright Side of Down,” his first release in over four years, 84 S. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, PA. Photo by Brian Blauser.

Delaware Symphony Orchestra’s “Fantastic Guitars”

Brazilian guitarists João Luiz and Douglas Lora – the Brasil Guitar Duo – join the Delaware Symphony Orchestra as guest artists for Fantastic Guitars, three double guitar concertos by Brazilians Paulo Bellinati and Egberto Gismonti and the U.S. premiere of “The Book of Signs” by Cuban composer and cultural icon Leo Brouwer, Friday, February 26, 7:30pm and Sunday, February 28, 2pm at the new Geipel Center at Sanford School in Hockessin, DE. Music Director David Amado conducts. Program also includes Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique. Pre-concert talks one hour before each performance. Photo by Gal Oppido.

Anders Osborne at Ardmore Music Hall

Anders Osborne promises to rock out the stage with his blend of hard-rocking, raw, edgy, New Orleans jazz and blues at Ardmore Music Hall with special guests including Amy Helm and the Handsome Strangers (opening), Saturday, February 27, 8pm (doors at 7pm), 23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, PA. Photo by Paul Heller.

Warren Haynes at The Grand

Warren Haynes brings his introspective acoustic sound from his newest solo studio album to The Grand, Tuesday, March 1, 8pm. The Grammy Award winning guitarist who played with the Allman Brothers Band, Gov’t Mule and surviving members of the Grateful Dead, performs with his Ashes & Dust Band, 818 N. Market Street, Wilmington. Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images.

International Guitar Night

Catch International Guitar Night, the mobile guitar festival, featuring internationally acclaimed guitarists from around the world including Gypsy jazz legend Lulo Reinhardt (pictured), Andrew Krengel from Germany, Mike Dawes from England, and San Francisco “guitar poet” Brian Gore (the program’s founder), with two performances in our region: Tuesday, March 1, 8pm, at Sellersville Theatre ST94, 24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, PA and Sunday, March 6, 7:30pm, hosted by Crossroads Music at Calvary Church, 801 South 48th Street at Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia.

Stanley Jordan at Sellersville Theatre

Fresh off performing with Phil Lesh and before heading off on a European tour, virtuoso guitarist Stanley Jordan comes to Sellersville Theatre, Wednesday, March 2, 8pm, 24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, PA.

 

 

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.