Weekly Entertainment Guide – Welcome Summer

Celebrate the solstice and Father’s Day with live music and performances in unexpected places this weekend.  Robin Bloom shares her picks.

What’s Happening

Night Market Callowhill

Night Market Philadelphia is back at Callowhill, Thursday, June 18, 6pm-10pm, a street food festival spotlighting more than 50 of the city’s best ethnic and regional restaurants and food trucks, plus music and more, 13th and Callowhill. Indego, Philly’s new bike share program guarantees open docks for all riders throughout the evening. Rain or shine. Presented by the Food Trust. Photo by Tug Haines for The Food Trust.

The SoLow Festival

The SoLow Festival continues to challenges 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 “The Day After Tomorrow.” Nearly all performances are pay-what-you-can at various non-traditional, unexpected venues in Philadelphia, June 18-28. See the schedule online. Pictured: Steve Gravelle, A Brief History of Food, Augusta, ME to Philadelphia, PA, 1983 to the Present; Or, Let Me Cook You Dinner. The interdisciplinary one-man food performance takes you on a tour of the most important food moments of Gravelle’s life, with an eight-course tasting menu. Photo courtesy of SoLow Festival.

Latino Film Festival

The Philadelphia Latino Film Festival (previously Filadelfia Latin American Film Festival) returns June 19-21, as the Greater Philadelphia region’s only festival showcasing the extraordinary and innovative work of emerging and established Latin American and Latino filmmakers. Showcasing ground-breaking works from all genres including short film, narrative, documentary, animation, and full feature films. Also, public discussion groups, workshops, lectures and special events at Caplan Recital Hall at the University of the Arts, 211 South Broad Street, Philadelphia. Pictured: Tengo Talento, Cuba, 2014, opening night film about the new generation of talent in Cuba.

Manayunk Arts Festival & Roxborough Solstice Festival

The 26th Annual Manayunk Arts Festival, considered the region’s largest outdoor juried arts festival, is Saturday, June 20, 11am-7pm, and Sunday, June 21, 11am-6pm. 300 artists along Main Street offering original works in photography, jewelry, paintings, woodwork and more. An “Emerging Artist Tent” features local artists new to the business on the corner of Main and Roxborough Streets. Train, bus and shuttle info at Manayunk.com. Free. Photo by Bas Slabbers for NewsWorks.  The 2nd Roxborough Solstice Festival takes place Saturday, June 20, Noon-9pm with live music by John Faye, Andrew Lipke, John Francis, Crosstown Traffic and more, along with food trucks, a beer garden, art and craft vendors and children’s activities, Gorgas Park, 6300 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia. Free. Rain Date Sunday, June 21.

Clark Park Music & Arts Festival

In what’s become a neighborhood tradition, the Clark Park Music & Arts Festival returns Saturday, June 20 beginning at noon with live music from local bands including Cheap Dinosaurs (pictured), Darla, Nathan Earl and Rachel Joyce, and more, along with crafts vendors, and children’s activities, 43rd & Chester, West Philadelphia. Free. Photo by FalseBit.

Juneteenth

Historic Germantown celebrates the anniversary of Juneteenth, the passage and ratification of the 13th Amendment commemorating the end of slavery and the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. See “Liberty to Go to See,” a play created by Cliveden and the Philadelphia Young Playwrights and presented with the New Freedom Theatre, 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 20, 10am-4pm, including a “Freedom Walk” parade, exhibits, music, dance, re-enactors, panel discussions, children’s activities and more, at the Johnson House, which was a stop on the Underground Railroad, 6300 block of Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia. Free. Join the African American Museum in Philadelphia for the Macy’s Family Fun Day Juneteenth Celebration, Saturday, June 20, 10am-5pm, a day of family friendly activities, exploring the art, history and culture of the people from the African Diaspora, 7th & Arch Streets, Philadelphia. Photo courtesy of Historic Germantown.

Festival de Aibonito at Camden Children’s Garden

Camden Children’s Garden hosts Festival de Aibonito, Puerto Rico Family Festival, Saturday, June 20, 12pm-4pm, with Hispanic arts and crafts, games, Puerto Rican activities and tropical fruit! Also, live music, part of Camden’s Parada San Juan Bautista (St. John the Baptist parade), 3 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ. Photo courtesy of Camden Children’s Garden.

Enchanted Summer Day at Winterthur

Winterthur hosts an Enchanted Summer Day, Saturday, June 20, 11am-3pm, 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, DE. While you are there, pick up an Enchanted Woods Backpack, take the Once Upon a Family Tour of the museum and visit the Touch-It Room. Photo courtesy of Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library.

Art All Night Trenton

Artworks presents Art All Night Trenton, Saturday, June 20, 3pm until Sunday, June 21, 3pm, 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, NJ. Photo by Clifford Zink.

Midsommarfest at American Swedish Historical Museum

The annual Midsommarfest takes place this Saturday, June 20, 4pm-7:30pm, at the American Swedish Historical Museum, with family entertainment including the raising of the Maypole, Swedish food, music by the Stockholm Boys Choir, crafts, games, and more, at 1900 Pattison Avenue, Philadelphia. Photo courtesy of the American Swedish Historical Museum.

Make Music Philly

Music is everywhere with Make Music Philly, returning for a third year this Sunday, June 21. The free, citywide music celebration is open to all who wish to participate with over 100 free performances in public spaces. Make Music Day or World Music Day is an annual music celebration taking place on June 21, the first day of summer in cities around the world. Philadelphia is one of 23 cities in the U.S. celebrating. Look for the Philly Drum Project, Mass Appeal Harmonica/Ukuleles and much more. Full schedule on website. Get the free Make Music Day app. Photo courtesy of Make Music Philly.

Portuguese Heritage Festival

The 22nd annual Philadelphia Portuguese Heritage Festival takes place this Sunday, June 21, 1pm-7pm, designed to bring attention to Portuguese-Americans’ contributions to the city of Philadelphia. The afternoon features a variety of traditional foods, art, folklore, dance, music, and the traditional blessing of the fleet aboard the Tall Ship Gazela, Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing. Photo courtesy of the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation.

Firefly Festival at Terhune Orchards

Terhune Orchards hosts a Firefly Festival, celebrating the insects and wild animals living on the farm in this “electrifying” event Sunday, June 21, 3pm-9pm, with an evening of nature, music, wagon rides, crafts, games, food, and more, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ. Free Admission and parking. Fees for certain activities. Sample wines in the tasting room (pictured). Photo courtesy of Terhune Orchards.

Music

Steve Coleman at Bartram’s Garden

Alto saxophonist, composer and MacArthur Fellowship award-winner Steve Coleman will “translate” the summer solstice musically with his Five Elements ensemble on Sunday, June 21, 2015, 5pm and 7pm in the oldest barn in Philadelphia County at Bartram’s Garden. Only 50 tickets available per set and tickets are for one set only, 5400 Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia. Presented by Arts Nova Workshop (ANW). Photo by John Rogers NYC Photography.

Philadelphia Orchestra summer concerts at the Mann

The Philadelphia Orchestra kicks off its summer season at the Mann, Tuesday, June 23 with a celebration of Tchaikovsky, featuring Conductor-in-Residence Cristian Măcelaru and Principal Cello Hai-Ye Ni. Doors open at 6pm, concert at 8pm with a fireworks finale. Upcoming concerts include June 25 as the Academy Award-winning film The Godfather comes to life on the big screen with the Orchestra performing Nino Rota’s score, led by Maestro Justin Freer. On June 26, Măcelaru leads an evening dedicated to George Gershwin, featuring Rhapsody in Blue, An American in Paris, and excerpts from Porgy and Bess and Girl Crazy with soprano Taylor Johnson, baritone Normal Garrett, and pianist Terrence Wilson joining the orchestra, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. Photo courtesy of the Mann Center for the Performing Arts.

Onstage

Arden Shakespeare Gild’s King Lear”

Enjoy Shakespeare under the stars with the Arden Shakespeare Gild’s production of King Lear. The Bard’s tragedy is directed by Mary Catherine Kelley and stars Greg Tigani as Lear, with Dan Tucker, Robert and George Tietze, Kerry Kristine McElrone, Emma D. Orr, and Lily Dove Ozer. Performed outdoors June 18, 19, 20, 26, and 27 at 7:30pm at the Frank Stephens Memorial Theater, Arden Village Green, Arden, DE. Rain location is Arden Gild Hall, 2126 The Highway, Arden, DE. Photo courtesy of Arden Shakespeare Gild.

“Mary, Mary” at Cape May Stage

Mary, Mary, one of the longest-running productions on Broadway in the 1906s, takes to the stage at Cape May Stage, June 18 through July 24. The romantic comedy by Jean Kerr, author of Please Don’t Eat the Daisies, is a witty portrayal of marriage gone awry. Directed by Roy Steinberg, producing artistic director of Cape May Stage, who calls the production a “light-hearted and entertaining equivalent of a beach read.” Katharine McLeod performs the title role, with Shakespearean actor Sam Perwin, soap opera star Grant Aleksander, Bill Tatum, and English actress Natasha Edwards. Related programs and events include half-price senior night on June 28, pay-what-you-wish performance on July 5, and a post-show discussion with cast and crew on July 10, The Robert Shackleton Playhouse, 405 Lafayette Street, Cape May, NJ. Photo courtesy of Cape May Stage.

“Good People” at The Stagecrafters

The award-winning Broadway hit Good People is onstage at The Stagecrafters.  Written by Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire and directed by David Flagg, the play centers on single mother Margie in South Boston who, desperate for a job, tracks down her now successful high school sweetheart, Mikey, through Sunday, June 28, 8130 Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill. “Meet the Cast & Director” Q&A session following the June 19 performance. Photo by Sara Stewart.

Down the Shore

The Art of John Lennon at Ocean Galleries

The Art of John Lennon is on exhibit and available for purchase for one weekend only at Ocean Galleries. The posthumous, limited edition prints were adapted from Lennon’s original drawings, selected from rare archival sketches and reproduced, then approved and hand-signed by Yoko Ono. Open daily from 10am-10pm, June 18-22. A special reception with the Collection Curator and Exhibition Coordinator Michele Rosen takes place on Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 20 at 7pm and Sunday, June 21 at 1pm.  All events free and open to the public, 9618 Third Avenue, Stone Harbor, NJ. Pictured: Family of Peace © Yoko Ono.

Shore Festivals

Celebrate South Jersey’s maritime history with the 2015 Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Maritime Festival as historians, authors, artists, and even pirates celebrate the Sea in Angelsea, Saturday, June 20, 10am-6pm, and Sunday, June 21, 10am-5pm, with live music, food, crafters, children’s activities, boat show, and more including pirate shows and pirate encampment, along Central Avenue, North Wildwood, NJ. Admission is free, rain or shine. Photo courtesy of the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Maritime Festival.  The Tuckerton Seaport is a village sitting on 40 acres in Ocean County and includes historic and recreated buildings, maritime activities, live animals, boardwalk, miniature golf course and exhibits. Their 23rd Annual Baymen’s Seafood & Music Festival returns this Saturday and Sunday, June 20-21, 11am-5pm, with Jersey fresh clams, crabs, scallops and shrimp, craft beer, vendors, crafts, boat rides, boat builders, decoy carvers, clam shucking classes, family activities and live music, Tuckerton Creek, 120 West Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ.  Sea Isle City, NJ hosts a Skimmer Festival, its largest summer festival, Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21, with crafts, sand sculpting demonstrations and competitions, children’s activities, live music by Just in Time and Split Decision, antique auto show, historical trolley tours, and more, rain or shine, JFK Boulevard & The Promenade.

 

 

Listen for the Entertainment Guide Fridays and Saturdays on WHYY-FM (90.9).

To submit an event to be considered, email Robin Bloom at artscalendar@whyy.org.