Out and About: The Ten Coolest Events
1. Performance
Van Morrison
He’s one of rock’s greatest vocalists, but Van hasn’t played Philly in 16 years. In that time, he’s explored jazz, blues and country, and come out with his most recent album, Pay the Devil, which is sure to be a big part of this show. August 5th. $95-$175. Wachovia Spectrum, 3601 South Broad Street. 5 p.m. 215-336-2000; ticketmaster.com.
2. Film
10th & Wolf
In this offbeat crime film co-produced by Joe Pistone — the real-life “Donnie Brasco” — the feds recruit a Desert Storm vet to infiltrate the South Philadelphia mob. The impressive cast includes Val Kilmer, Dennis Hopper and local boy Leo Rossi. Opens August 18th at area theaters.
3. Festival
Chocolate and Vanilla Flavor Festival
Become a sweets expert at this celebration. You’ll decorate cookies, perform sniff tests, and vote on ice cream. Sounds like a job straight out of Willy Wonka. August 26th. $3-$5; under age three free. Camden Children’s Garden, 3 Riverside Drive, Camden. 11 a.m. 856-365-8733; camdenchildrensgarden.org.
4. Fair
Unity Day
One million people will head to the annual street fair on the Parkway to celebrate brotherly — and sisterly — love with food, fun, games and music. Kids, no fighting! August 20th. Free. Ben Franklin Parkway. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 610-617-8500; wdasfm.com.
5. Sports
12th Annual Eagles Carnival and Auction
Sell, Eagles, sell. At this annual event — whose proceeds go to the Eagles Youth Partnership — you can bid on silent auction items, get a locker-room tour, or buy a Fast Pass if you just want to snag autographs. Note: Fast Passes won’t work on cheerleaders. August 27th. Prices vary. Lincoln Financial Field, 11th Street and Pattison Avenue. 3 to 8 p.m. 215-463-2500; philadelphiaeagles.com/partnership.
6. Talk
Mann and Ornstein On “Broken Congress”
Government and political gurus Thomas Mann and Norman Ornstein discuss historical roots of current Congressional maladies, as detailed in their new book, The Broken Branch: How Congress Is Failing America and How to Get It Back on Track. August 31st. $6-$15. National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street. 6 p.m. 215-409-6700; constitutioncenter.org.
7. Festival
Sweet Corn Festival
Fresh cornbread, fritters, chowder and muffins — or just a nice juicy ear? It’ll all be here, along with appearances by Winnie the Pooh and Nemo to (temporarily) distract the kids from getting lost on this 300-acre farm. August 19th; rain date August 20th. Free. Linvilla Orchards, 137 West Knowlton Road, Media. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 610-876-7116; linvilla.com.
8. Music
Musikfest
Take a trip to Bethlehem for this musically inclined sibling of Oktoberfest (which, we all know, has a drinking problem). An eclectic group of 300 artists, ranging from Melissa Etheridge to Alice in Chains to local acts like Allentown’s Spitshine, performs over 10 days. August 4th-13th. Locations, prices and times vary. 610-332-FEST; musikfest.org.
9. Concert
Audra McDonald, The Soul of Broadway
This three-time Tony winner doesn’t offer typical “An Evening With … ” fare. Instead, McDonald reinterprets classic show tunes and drops in some original material. August 11th and 12th. $45. Lenape Regional Performing Arts Center, 130 Tomlinson Mill Road, Marlton. 8 p.m. 856-983-3366; sjtheater.com.
10. Exhibit
Charly “Carlos” Palmer Exhibit
Get a history lesson and an art lesson at this exhibit from painter Charly Palmer. Titled “Mama Made a Way,” it includes work about slavery, civil rights and the Holocaust. Tuesdays through Saturdays in August. Free. African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey, 661 Jackson Road, Newtonville. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 609-704-7262; aahmsnj.org.
