20 Things to Do in Philly This Weekend
Colleen Hughes, Kyle Yackoski and Leah Holleran in Antihero. Photo by Lewis Harder
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
Antihero @ Painted Bride Art Center
Tribe of Fools bring back their Fringe Festival hit Antihero, a satire with a comic book vibe “filled with fighting, parkour, and acrobatics and action” as the unnamed protagonist tries to take down the Philadelphia Parking Authority. It runs through September 23rd.
Titus Andronicus @ TLA
New Jersey punk/indie rockers Titus Andronicus bring their fall tour to South Street.
Culture Club @ Electric Factory
Do you really want to hurt Boy George by not coming to his concert? This is the original Culture Club lineup, reunited for a 2016 tour.
Citizen @ FringeArts
Choreographer Reggie Wilson’s Fist & Heel Performance Group presents a contemporary dance about society and belonging as one of the curated selections of the Fringe Festival.
Adele @ Wells Fargo Center
The mega-star singer is in Philly for two shows, Friday and Saturday.
Bill Maher @ Academy of Music
Politically minded Maher brings his topical comedy to the Academy of Music.
In the Clearing @ Christ Church Neighborhood House
Birds on a Wire Dance Theatre is doing a picnic in the woods/dance performance combination for the Fringe Festival. Bring a blanket and settle in the center, while the dancers move around you and a soundtrack of lutes, drums and running water transports you to a fairy tale forest.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
The Kimmel Center is hosting an open house on Saturday. Photo provided
Open House @ Kimmel Center
The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Merriam Theater, the Academy of Music and the Avenue of the Arts kick off the fall arts season with a free open house, featuring performances, activities for the kids, behind-the-scenes tours and a panel discussion about Philly’s arts scene. More than 100 shows will go on sale, so if you’ve had your eye on an upcoming production buy tickets while you’re there to skip the usual processing fees.
They’ll Be Callin’ Us Witches @ Arden Theatre
This Fringe Festival play from Queen Mab’s Men, which is actually all women, was written by local Molly Lang, who might need some cheering up: It’s described as “a frightening new play” that “confronts themes of adolescent rage, violence, and personal agency,” and someone has the pox. It runs through September 15th.
Philly Block Arts Carnival @ N. American Street
Tied to the Philadelphia Photo Arts Center’s Philly Block Project is Saturday’s crowdfunded carnival with live music, food trucks, rides and an art-making tent where local artists will guide you through screen printing, painting a giant papier-mache sculpture, contributing to a new mural, and more.
The Elementary Spacetime Show @ Arts Bank at the University of the Arts
César Alvarez wrote the words and music for this world premiere musical with “up-tempo genre-bending songs and a healthy dose of the absurd” featuring UArts students in the cast (Alvarez teaches at the school). It’s in previews this weekend and runs through the end of the Fringe Festival on September 24th.
South Philly Sausage Fest @ West Passyunk Avenue and Broad Street
The second South Philly Sausage Fest, hosted by the Newbold Community Development Corporation, tempts with live music, beer from local breweries and, of course, sausage, though there will be plenty of other food options if sausage isn’t your thing.
Mushroom Festival @ Kennett Square
Mushrooms, mushrooms, everywhere. The 31st annual Mushroom Festival includes a cook-off, a photo contest, an antique and classic car show, live entertainment, and a “Mushroom Run/Walk” (if that’s not people in mushroom costumes running I’ll be so disappointed). It’s on for Sunday too. Festivities start Friday night with a carnival and parade.
Haverford Music Festival @ Eagle and Darby Roads in Havertown
Lisa Loeb headlines the sixth annual Haverford Music Festival, with 32 artists on four stages, the prerequisite festival beer garden, food vendors, and a moon bounce (for the kids, sorry).
Back from the Beach Block Party @ 1229 Spruce Street
We might all be back from the beach, but with this heat it still feels like summer. Valanni and Mercato are hosting a block party with music, games, food and summery cocktails like watermelon sangria.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
Greenfest Philly is back for the 11th year. Photo by Hughe Dillon
Greenfest Philly @ Headhouse Square
Pick up some new tips for going green — like eating bugs — at the Clean Air Council’s 11th annual Greenfest Philly. The daylong festival features live music, a beer garden, eco-friendly crafts for the kids, vegan and vegetarian cooking demos from the chefs behind Miss Rachel’s Pantry, Slice, and Revolution Taco, and vendors selling environmentally conscious goods. There are also edible bugs from Bug Yum, plus free iced coffee to wash them down. Bring clothes, accessories, toys or books you don’t need anymore for the Philly Swap and leave with a few free new-to-you items.
Oddball Comedy & Curiosity Festival @ BB&T Pavilion
The annual comedy festival from Funny or Die always includes some of the very best comedians out there. The lineup is different in each city, but Philly/Camden really lucked out: John Oliver headlines, with Sebastian Maniscalco, Josh Wolf, Katherine Ryan and more.
Philadelphia Honey Festival and Buzzed Ice Cream Social @ Bartram’s Garden
Shops plants and local crafts, check out cooking, honey-extracting and beer-brewing demonstrations, dress your kids up for the “bee parade,” watch the Philadelphia Bee Company do bee bearding (no, thank you) and, most importantly, sample the new flavor Little Baby’s Ice Cream made with ingredients found at Bartram’s. Art in the Age will also be on hand with cocktails and boozy ice cream floats. The Honey Festival is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the Buzzed Ice Cream Social is at the end and a bit beyond, from 3 to 5 p.m.
Shakespeare at the Bar @ City Tap University City
This is the Bard at his most casual, and possibly booziest. For $5, get a beer and a performance of The Taming of the Shrew.
Doylestown Arts Festival @ Pine and State Streets in Doylestown
The 25th Doylestown Arts Festival will showcase 160 juried artists, with art demonstrations, live music and food, including food truck favorites like The Cow and the Curd.
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