Weekly Entertainment Guide – Summer Flings

Illuminate your mind with comedies, music, dance, arts, ice cream, tree house, tie-dye, Celtic, & crab festivals.  

Robin Bloom on what to do this week.

 

What’s Happening

Mind Illuminated: Art and the Brain

Mind Illuminated: Art and the Brain, an exhibit of artwork that uses a micro-etching technique to reveal new perspectives on the mind, is on display at the Mütter Museum. Greg Dunn, who recently exhibited his work at the New York Hall of Science, presents his first major exhibition in Philadelphia, incorporating his knowledge of neuroscience, physics, and biology into the artistic process through imagery, concept, and technique. After earning a PhD in neuroscience from the University of Pennsylvania, the artist-scientist has fused his love of neuroscience and Asian art into expressive pieces demonstrating that the qualities of neural forms cleanly fit into the aesthetic principles of minimalist Asian art and sumi-e scroll and gold leaf painting. On view in the College of Physicians of Philadelphia’s new contemporary art gallery space, 19 S. 22nd Street, Philadelphia. Pictured: Spiny Stellate (photo courtesy of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia).

Reading Terminal Market’s Sidewalk Sizzle & Ice Cream Freeze

Reading Terminal Market’s Sidewalk Sizzle & Ice Cream Freeze returns Saturday, July 18, 10am-4pm, offering special foods from a selection of market merchants including kabobs, grilled shrimp tacos, ribs, bratwurst, Cajun burgers, turkey legs, grilled gelato sandwiches, grilled fruit sundaes, ice cream eating contest (pictured) along with live music with original songs all about ice cream written by Caitlin Antram and Liz Filios and performed by Matthew Mastronardi, Amanda Jill Robinson, and Caitlin Antram (presented by FringeArts), plus arts and crafts for the kids, games, and more, outside the market on Filbert Street. The historic market first opened its doors in 1892 on the site of what had been an open air market from the late 17th century. Admission free and pay as you go.

Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival

The 9th Annual Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival hits Philly on Saturday, July 18. The line-up includes Philadelphia musicians and vocalists and is headlined by internationally-renowned saxophonist Sonny Fortune (pictured), Glenn Bryan & Friends, the Charlene Holloway Band, Kimpedro Nu Gruv, Sistahs Layin Down Hands, and Vince Turnbull. The free jazz and arts celebration kicks off at noon at Saunders Park, 39th & Powelton, with food trucks, vendors, and family friendly activities. Hosted by the People’s Emergency Center, whose mission is to nurture and strengthen families and neighborhoods in West Philadelphia. Free parking. Sonny Fortune is offering a master class on Friday, July 17. Photo courtesy of People’s Emergency Center. #SassySays

Five Dollar Comedy Week

Want to start a cult or learn how to paint while intoxicated? Check out Five Dollar Comedy Week, July 20-26, seven days of over 30 original comedy shows and workshops. The only festival in Philadelphia devoted to interactive, original comedy, offers shows each day from 4pm to midnight. Highlights include The Love Show, Tell, Don’t Show, Black Mass, Air Band, One Minute Monologues, and Let’s Start a Cult Workshop and Makeup Tips. Each show only $5, Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey Street, Philadelphia. Photo courtesy of Five Dollar Comedy Week.

“No Sex Please, We’re British” at Hedgerow Theatre

A young bride innocently sends a mail order off for Scandinavian glassware and receives pornography in return. What happens next?  Find out in No Sex Please, We’re British, onstage at Hedgerow Theatre. The British farce, written by Alistair Foot and Anthony Marriott, premiered in London’s West End in 1971 and was unanimously panned by critics, but played to full houses until 1987 at three different theatres. Directed by Damon Bonetti, through August 23 at 64 Rose Valley Road, Media, PA. Special events include matinee teas, Sweet and Savory Night, Music Mixer, Post-show talkbacks, Beer tasting, and more. Photo courtesy of Hedgerow Theatre.

Mazeppa Productions’ “Closer Than Ever”

Mazeppa Productions takes a fresh look at the celebrated musical revue Closer Than Ever. Artistic Director Rob Henry transforms the theater – Christ Church Neighborhood House – into an eclectic dream-like café as Deirdre Finnegan, Will Connell, Erica Scanlon Harr, and Paul McElwee perform twenty-four songs by Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire. Choreography by Dawn Morningstar and musical direction by Zachary Wisely, through July 25, 20 North American Street, Old City, Philadelphia. Photo courtesy of Kelly Anne Pipe Photography.

“Summer Flings” at Act II Playhouse

Act II Playhouse’s Summer Flings offers comedy with the improv comics Just Wingin’ It (pictured) performing July 16-19. The group, drawn from the area’s best improvisation comedy troupes, offers improv games based on audience suggestions. Just Wingin’ It is created by Mary Carpenter (pictured). Then, don’t miss A Tribute to Phyllis Diller, as comedy performers Jennifer Childs and Mary Martello honor the legacy of late comedienne extraordinaire, July 23-26. Created by Childs, the Artistic Director of 1812 Productions in Philadelphia, this show features original and classic material, including celebrated Diller routines, as well as those from comediennes inspired by her. Piano accompaniment by Owen Robbins. Shows Thursdays through Sunday, 56 E. Butler Avenue, Ambler, PA. Photo by Bill D’Agostino.

Tie-Dye Music Festival

The 3rd annual Tie-Dye Music Festival returns to the Community Arts Center in Wallingford, PA, uniting art, music and the community with a free, family event, Saturday, July 18, 2pm-7pm. The afternoon features five local bands including Jimmy Shoe & the Shine, the Obsoleets, Bickel Brothers and Paul Brion, vendors, raffles, and tie-dye activities! Bring your own items to tie-dye (up to 2) for $5 or buy t-shirts, onesies and aprons on site with the help of tie-dye guru Bob Deane. Food and beverages available for purchase. Bring your own and set up chairs and blankets on the side lawn of the Center. The event is rain or shine and will be moved inside if it rains. If outdoors, leashed pets are welcome. Parking provided, 414 Plush Mill Road. Photo courtesy of the Community Arts Center. #SassySays

Tree House Festival at Tyler Arboretum

Explore one of Tyler Arboretum’s ten “Totally Terrific Treehouses” with the annual Tree House Festival, Sunday, July 19, 10am-2pm. Celebrate trees and the wildlife that call trees home with a bird show featuring hawks, falcons, and other birds of prey, tree-climbing activities, learn how to build a tree house with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Woodmobile, crafting and learning stations, and more. Explore Tyler’s 650 acres of meadows, wetlands and unbroken forest with over 17 miles of hiking trails, 515 Painter Road, Media, PA. Open to the public with cost of admission, rain or shine.

Live from the Lot at Ardmore Music Hall

Ardmore Music Hall hosts an outdoor music festival Sunday, July 19, 2pm (doors open at 1:30pm) with Dr. John and the Nite Trippers, Bustle in Your Hedgerow (Joe Russo, Marco Benevento, Dave Dreiwitz and Scott Metzger play Led Zeppelin), Pink Talking Fish – mashup tribute to Pink Floyd, talking Heads and Phish, and American Babies featuring Tom Hamilton. Also, a beer tent, local food vendors, artist/craft tables and more, plus an indoor after party with Marco Benevento (pictured) at 9pm. Rain or shine, 23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, PA. Photo by Chad Anderson Photography.

Atlantic City Carnivals

The Tri-State Caribbean Cultural Foundation hosts the 5th annual Atlantic City Caribbean Carnival Weekend, July 17-18, celebrating Caribbean tra¬di¬tions with ticketed events including the Miss Caribbean pageant, parties, and more. The free costumed parade takes place on Saturday, July 18, 12pm-4pm on the boardwalk starting at Rhode Island and Atlantic Avenue in front of the former Revel Casino. Enjoy the sounds of Soca, Tassa, Calypso, Reggae and steel drums with the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean.While in AC, celebrate Lucy the Elephant’s 134th birthday with Lucy’s Carnival, Saturday, July 18, 10am-8pm and carnival games, rides, activities, food, and more, 9200 Atlantic Avenue, Margate, NJ. Free parking and shuttle service.

Shady Grove Music Fest

The Shady Grove Music Fest is this Saturday, July 18, 11am, with 9 bands including Tweed, Left & Right, Thin Lips, Tracy Chapstick, and Arden Kind, in the grove behind Gild Hall, at 2126 The Highway, Arden, DE. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Food and beverage available for purchase – no outside food or beverage permitted. Children 12 and under free. In the event of rain, performances move to Gild Hall.

Crabulous Crab Weekend at the Jersey Shore!

Crabulous Crab Day is Friday, July 17 at the Wetlands Institute, 9:30am-3pm. Learn about crabs with crabbing at the dock, tips and tricks, crab cake cook-off and cooking lessons, teaching tank, photos, scavenger hunt, crab races, games and more, 1075 Stone Harbor Boulevard, Stone Harbor, NJ.  Photo courtesy of the Wetlands Institute.The NJ Crab Festival is Saturday, July 18, beginning at 11am, with blue claw crabs, beer garden, vendors, children’s activities, and more including live entertainment by Parrotbeach at 7pm (Jimmy Buffett tribute band), along Park Boulevard (in front of the Ice House Restaurant), Wildwood, NJ.

Celtic Festival at Historic Cold Spring Village

Head to Cape May for the 11th annual Celtic Festival at Historic Cold Spring Village, Saturday and Sunday, July 18-19 and celebrate all things Irish and Scottish. Enjoy musical entertainment throughout the grounds with Nae Breeks Pipes & Drums Band (pictured), Smitty’s Kitchen, Dancers from the Emerald Isle Academy, Joe McGonigle, and Tom Brett. Also, interactive demonstrations, a pub area, children’s activities and rescue dogs to adopt. The Village’s restored, historic buildings will also be open, with historical interpreters demonstrating the trades and crafts of the 1800s, 10am-4:30pm, on Route 9, three miles north of Cape May City and four miles south of Rio Grande, NJ. Photo courtesy of Historic Cold Spring Village.

Koresh Dance Company’s “Come Together”

Koresh Dance Company unites Philadelphia’s dance community with the 3rd Come Together Festival, five mixed programs July 22-26 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, Broad Street at Lombard, Philadelphia.  33 regional and (for the first time) national dance companies that represent numerous unique dance styles ranging from modern dance, tap, contemporary ballet, hip hop, acrobatic physical theatre, traditional African and Indian dances, and more. Companies include Rennie Harris Puremovement, Brian Sanders’ JUNK, Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers, Alchemy Dance Company (pictured), Anne-Marie Mulgrew Dancers and Co., and SHARP Dance Company. Special events include a complimentary opening night toast, audience talk-backs with artistic directors, workshops with visiting festival choreographers, closing night happy hour and more. Photo by Figtree Photography.

 

 

Look for #SassySays for pet friendly events. Let us know if your event is pet-friendly! Email artscalendar@whyy.org and put #SassySays in the subject line.

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.