Weekly Entertainment Guide – The Art of Tony Auth, ‘Parade,’ Peace Day Philly
Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Tony Auth's exhibition "To Stir, Inform, and Inflame: The Art of Tony Auth" opens September 24 at WHYY.
Looking for something to do this week? WHYY’s Robin Bloom has some recommendations on what’s happening in the Philadelphia region. Here are her picks:
Art Appreciation
To Stir, Inform and Inflame: The Art of Tony Auth
WHYY mounts its first ever exhibition with “To Stir, Inform and Inflame: The Art of Tony Auth,” a display of 150 pieces by the Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist, September 24 through November 8. Spanning a half century, the retrospective features a wide range of Auth’s work, including drawings, paintings, prints and digital animation at 150 N. 6th Street, Philadelphia. Organized by the James A. Michener Art Museum and curated by David Leopold, the exhibit runs in conjunction with “AUTHentic Philly: Tony Auth’s Cartoons of Philadelphia,” with over 40 pieces on display at the Philadelphia History Museum, 15 S. 7th Street, Philadelphia, opening October 11.
The Rittenhouse Square Fine Arts Fall Show
The Rittenhouse Square Fine Arts Fall Show once again “Circles the Square” September 20-22, featuring a diverse range of art for purchase. Originating as a “Clothesline Show” in 1932, it is now regarded as one of the most respected and active outdoor art shows in the country and has expanded to twice a year, 18th & Walnut Streets, Philadelphia. Hours: Friday, September 20, 11am-7pm, Saturday, September 21, 11am-6pm, and Sunday, September 22, 11am-5pm.
The Mystery of the Mayan Medallion
Opening this weekend at Mercer Museum is “The Mystery of the Mayan Medallion.” The immersive exhibit invites families to learn more about the sophisticated Maya civilization, recognized for its advanced writing and mathematical systems, and knowledge of astronomy. Translate glyphs, discover which rainforest animals are poisonous, learn how the Mayans recorded dates, make rubbings from a sarcophagus, and interpret a “battle” mural, with archeology, biology and astro-mathematics field stations, an observatory and a tomb, September 21 through January 12, Pine Street and Scout Way, Doylestown, PA.
The Bedminster Regional Land Conservancy hosts the 7th annual Traditional Artisan Show “From Their Hands to Your Heart,” Saturday, September 21, 10am-5pm and Sunday, September 22, 10am-4pm. The show features over 50 artisans from 12 states offering quality, hand-made traditional items at Upper Bucks Technical School, 3115 Ridge Road, Perkasie, PA. Proceeds benefit the Bedminster Land Conservancy.
stadler-Kahn, the textiles and design shop, hosts the 2nd annual “Wool to Live II,” by Philadelphia-based sculptor Heidi Bleacher. The display of over 65 miniature figures formed in solid needle-felted wool can be seen through October 20 at 1724 Sansom Street, Rittenhouse Square.
Onstage
“Parade” at Arden Theatre Company
Arden Theatre Company opens its 26th season with the musical “Parade,” based on the book by playwright Alfred Uhry. The Tony Award-winning play tells the true story of Leo Frank, a Jewish factory manager in 1913 Atlanta, Georgia, who was accused of killing a young girl. When his sentence was commuted, Frank was kidnapped from jail, lynched and hanged. The landmark case raised issues of anti-Semitism and social justice and led to the founding of the Anti-Defamation League, now in its 100th year. Directed by Terrence J. Nolen and co-conceived with scenic and video designer Jorge Cousineau, The Arden takes on the Donmar Warehouse version of “Parade,” which premiered in 2007 and features additional songs. Ben Dibble leads the cast as Leo Frank, with Jennie Eisenhower as Lucille, Rachel Camp, Jeffrey Coon, Caroline Dooner, Sarah Gliko, Scott Greer, Anthony Lawton, and more, accompanied by an orchestra of eight. The production begins previews on Thursday, September 26 on the main stage through November 3 at 40 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia. A “Pay What You Can” performance is Wednesday, September 25, 8pm with all proceeds benefiting the Arden’s Hamilton Family Arts Center. Post-show discussions will be held following certain performances on October 10, 16, 20, 27, and 30.
“The Night of the Iguana” at University of Delaware
The Resident Ensemble Players of the University of Delaware presents “The Night of the Iguana,” Tennessee Williams’ haunting and moving tale of lost souls yearning for redemption in the jungle of 1940’s Mexico. The play, directed by Edward Stern, is onstage September 26 through October 13 at Thompson Theatre, Roselle Center for the Arts, 110 Orchard Road, Newark, DE. Onsite parking available. “REP Prologue,” pre-show discussion on Saturday, October 9 and “Roundup with the REP” after the Friday performances on October 4 and 11.
“Freud’s Last Session” at Cape May Stage
Mark St. Germain’s thought-provoking play “Freud’s Last Session” is onstage through October 19 at Cape May Stage. Tackling the question of a higher power, the play stars Mark Irish and Joel Rooks as author C.S. Lewis and psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud and is directed by Roy Steinberg at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse, corner of Bank and Lafayette Streets, Cape May, NJ. Mark St. Germain visits the playhouse on Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22 for talkbacks after the 8pm performances. “Coffee and Conversation” on Saturday, September 29, 5pm with cast and crew.
McCarter Theatre kicks of its Fall Season with David Auburn’s “Proof.” Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for drama and Tony Award for best play, the show is an engaging story of passion, genius and family bonds. Directed by Emily Mann (McCarter’s Artistic Director) and onstage through October 6 at 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ. Post-show discussion on Sunday, September 22 after the 2pm performance.
Festivals, Fairs & More
Philadelphia takes part in the United Nations International Day of Peace with “Peace Day Philly,” a variety of events related to peace education, global citizenship and awareness, spiritual engagement, social justice, cultural storytelling, and more throughout the city and the surrounding region. A sampling of activities this Saturday and Sunday, September 21-22 include “American Casualties” street art project, with the goal of drawing as many chalk body outlines as there have been gun related deaths in the U.S. from January through September 21. Stories in Service: Day of Neighborhood Storytelling, Sing Along for Peace, an outdoor event with songs of peace and spoken word, and Israeli Yaron Kohlberg and Palestinian Bishara Haroni perform at the Kimmel Center to promote peace and friendship beyond borders. For a complete list of events, visit the website.
Scarecrow Festival at Peddler’s Village
Celebrate Fall’s arrival with the annual Scarecrow Festival at Peddler’s Village, Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22, 10am-6pm both days with pumpkin painting, pumpkin pie eating contests, live music, and a scarecrow-making workshop, Routes 202 and 263, Lahaska, Bucks County, PA. Free admission and parking, $30 to make a scarecrow (reservations recommended).
The German Society of Pennsylvania holds their traditional Oktoberfest celebration, Saturday, September 21, 2pm, with a menu of authentic German foods: wursts, potato salad, sauerkraut, and roasted pig, plus traditional German music, performances by the GTV Almrausch Schuhplattler Group, in the garden, 611 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia.
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society hosts the Fall Garden Festival, Saturday, September 21, 10am-7pm, at the Philadelphia Navy Yard with a day of food, music, gardening tips and workshops, children’s activities, and more, 4747 South Broad Street, Philadelphia. Free admission and parking.
The Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival is Saturday, September 21, 11am-5pm, as Main Street is lined with some of Philadelphia’s best food trucks, gourmet food vendors and local farmers’ markets, food-centric arts and crafts, live music and more, to kick off the five day Manayunk Restaurant Week beginning Sunday, September 22 through Friday, October 4, Manayunk.
Faerie Festival at Rockwood Park
Bring a picnic to Rockwood Park and enjoy a “Faerie Festival,” Sunday, September 22, 10am-4pm. This new, free event involves crafts, outdoor games, a bubble blowing station, storytime and more, along with the opportunity to take pictures with the Faerie Queen, on the South Lawn, 4651 Washington Street Extension, Wilmington, DE.
Music
Time in a Bottle, a Tribute to Jim Croce
Celebrate the life of Upper Darby’s Jim Croce at a live concert “Time in a Bottle, A Tribute to Jim Croce,” Saturday, September 21, 7:30pm. The singer/songwriter died 40 years ago and for one night his music lives on through performances and stories by friends and family like Mike DiBenedetto, Croce’s first musical partner, Ian, Duncan and Aidan Maxwell of the Silver Hammer Band, Maggie’s Guitar, and more, Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, 601 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Drexel Hill, PA. Emceed by Gene Shay.
Philadelphia Orchestra’s 114th Season
The Philadelphia Orchestra celebrates its 114th season on Wednesday, September 25 at 7pm with a not-to-be-missed all-Tchaikovsky Opening Night. Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin returns for his second season with guest violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter (pictured). Orchestra musicians are donating their services for this concert. The season continues with Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony from September 26-28, featuring the Westminster Symphonic Choir, soprano Christine Brewer, mezzo-soprano Mihoko Fujimura, tenor Christian Elsner, and bass-baritone Shenyang, the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Philadelphia. Are you a college student? You can attend unlimited Philadelphia Orchestra Concerts for $25!
Delaware Symphony Orchestra opens a new season
The Delaware Symphony Orchestra opens its new season with “Classic Romance,” under the baton of Maestro David Amado, Friday, September 27 at 7:30pm. The program includes “Festive Ode” by American composer Robert Ward, who died earlier this year. His son, Mark Ward is Assistant Principal Cellist for the DSO. The evening features soloist Misha Dichter on piano with Rachmaninoff’s “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini,” in Copeland Hall at The Grand Opera House, 818 North Market Street, Wilmington, DE.
Yifei Kong contributed reporting to this week’s guide.
To submit an event to be considered for the Weekly Entertainment Guide email Robin Bloom at artscalendar@whyy.org.
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