Weekly Entertainment Guide – Subversion & Surrealism

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

What’s Happening

Subversion and Surrealism in the Art of Honoré Sharrer at PAFA

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts offers a comprehensive examination of an artist, who in an era when anti-Communist sentiment and male-dominated Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art movements dominated American culture, pushed the boundaries of figurative painting. Subversion and Surrealism in the Art of Honoré Sharrer focuses on the leftist female figurative painter, who, despite a meteoric rise in the 1940s and 1950s, has receded from the public eye. The first critical reassessment of an artist features approximately 45 brightly colored, humorous, and distinctly feminine paintings that combine elements of social realism and surrealism, along with dozens of associated drawings, sketches, photographs, and prints from major public and private collections, many on view for the first time, through September 3, 128 North Broad Street, Philadelphia. The traveling exhibit is accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue published by Yale University Press and will next go to Smith College Museum of Art in Northampton, Massachusetts. Pictured: Art Scene, 1979 Oil on Masonite 8 ¾ x 11 in. Collection of Adam Zagorin and the late Perez Zagorin, on loan to the Columbus Museum of Art, Ohio. Photo: Ralphoto/Alan Geho.

“Mohamed Bourouissa: Urban Riders” at the Barnes Foundation

The Barnes Foundation provides a forum to reflect on issues of civic engagement with Mohamed Bourouissa: Urban Riders. The first major solo exhibition in Philadelphia of the internationally acclaimed French-Algerian artist brings together approximately 85 works inspired by the artist’s first project in the US, which focused on a North Philadelphia community’s efforts at neighborhood revitalization and youth empowerment. Finding similarities between the Philly neighborhood and the neighborhood where he grew up in Paris, Bourouissa focused on the Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club, a safe haven in which inner-city youth can learn to ride and care for horses. He collaborated to create a “Horse Day” riding competition and documented the event with films, photographs, drawings, and more, depicting the young riders as fantastic figures, transcending their economic circumstances and subverting the stereotype of the classic cowboy of the American West. The results are showing in an exhibit on view through October 2, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia. Pictured: Mohamed Bourouissa, Horse Day, 2015. Stills. Vidéo diptyque. 13 minutes 28. © ADAGP Mohamed Bourouissa. Courtesy the artist and kamel mennour, Paris/London.

“The Nerd” at Bucks County Playhouse

Laugh out loud at Bucks County Playhouse’s The Nerd, onstage through July 15. Willum was rescued by a fellow GI, Rick, during the Vietnam War. Although they had never met, the two stayed in touch and Willum told Rick that he could come to him if he ever needed anything. Low and behold, Rick shows up on Willum’s doorstep at an inopportune time and decides he wants to stay. Directed by Marc Vietor, the comical production features Broadway, TV, and stage veterans Grant Shaud (from Berwyn, Pennsylvania), Zuzanna Szadkowski, and Joe Kinosian as the “Nerd,” 70 South Main Street, New Hope, Pennsylvania. Photo by Mark Garvin.

Hispanic Fiesta on the Delaware River

The annual Hispanic Fiesta returns to the Delaware River Waterfront as part of the PECO Multicultural Series, Saturday, July 8, and Sunday, July 9, 2 p.m. – 8 p.m., with live music, dance, entertainment, children’s activities, and authentic Latin American cuisine, Great Plaza, Penn’s Landing, Columbus Boulevard and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia. Free, rain or shine. Photo courtesy of Concilio.

Petapalooza in Chestnut Hill

Bring your pooch to Petapalooza for some free canine carousing this Sunday, July 9, noon – 3 p.m. Events include pet caricatures, paws reader, pet trainers, food, music, arts and crafts activities, and more. New this year, Woodmere Art Museum hosts Pet Walk with Art, a pet-friendly outdoor tour of the museum grounds and sculpture garden at 2 p.m. This event features pet rescue organizations with furry friends to be adopted, Germantown and East Highland Avenues, Chestnut Hill.

Haddonfield Fine Art and Crafts Festival

The 25th annual Haddonfield Fine Art and Crafts Festival is Saturday July 8, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sunday July 9, Noon – 5 p.m. Count on local and national artisans showing different styles and artistic techniques, from ceramics, metal, and photography to glass, fiber and wearable art. Also, musical entertainment, outdoor cafés, activities for the kids and more, along Kings Highway between Washington Avenue and Haddon Avenue and along Tanner Street to Euclid Avenue. Free parking and admission. Photo courtesy of the Haddonfield Fine Art and Crafts Festival.

Wildwood Crest Sand Sculpting Festival

The Wildwood Crest Sand Sculpting Festival returns this Saturday, July 8, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., welcoming competitors of all ages and abilities, and directed by internationally known sand sculptor Matt Long. Registration is free at the Wildwood Crest Beach Pier at Heather Road. Enjoy live music in the sun in Wildwood Crest, New Jersey. Photo courtesy of Wildwood Crest Tourism Development Commission.

Anglesea Blues Festival

Enjoy lip smackin’ barbecue and smokin’ hot blues at the Anglesea Blues Festival, this weekend, July 7-9 in Wildwood. Rows of food vendors, a craft beer station and live cooking demonstrations as well as the New Jersey State Barbeque Championship give the festival a tasty edge and a chance to try ribs, chicken, pork and brisket made by barbeque competitors from across the country. On the outdoor main stage, hear Andy T Band featuring Alabama Mike, Jeff Fetterman Band, Bev Conklin, and more, 2nd and Olde New Jersey Avenues, North Wildwood, New Jersey.

Nanticoke Riverfest

“Float in” to the Nanticoke Riverfest, Seaford, Delaware’s annual summer celebration, Saturday, July 8, for food, live music, tubing and more river-oriented events. The float begins at 7:30 a.m. so bring a tube or buy one on-site (first come, first served) and glide along the water to live music. Visit “Artist Alley” on Pine Street, enter canoe and kayak races, the “Duck Dash,” and much more.

“The New & Improved Stages of Grief” at Act II Playhouse

Philly improv maven Mary Carpenter makes sorrow funny and relatable in her one-woman show The New & Improved Stages of Grief, onstage at Act II Playhouse. Directed by Megan Bellwoar-Hollinger, the tender and also amusing roller coaster performance – that had its premiere at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival – guides audiences through the path from woe to wonder, through July 16, 56 E. Butler Avenue, Ambler, Pennsylvania. Photo by Bill D’Agostino.

 

 

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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.