6 Things To Do In Philly This Week: The Oval Returns, a Pop-Up Beer Garden at PMA, and More
Get our weekly picks of what to do this weekend and the latest on Philly's arts and entertainment scene.

The Oval Kick-Off with Something New from Yards
From Foobooz: For the second summer, The Oval returns, as Philadelphia’s Parks and Recreation partnered with the Fairmount Park Conservancy and the Association for Public Art, changes the otherwise dull space into a public park. The Oval will be used to promote the parkway as a space all Philadelphians can utilize and enjoy, not just those looking for daytime parking. The kick-off event will feature music, food, BEER and a performance by the Philadelphia Rhythmic Academy. The space also doubles as a canvas for this year’s art installation and theme entitled, Magic Carpet by the artist Candy Coated. More here.


Brave New Voices
The 17th Annual Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam kicks off in Philadelphia this week. Beginning on Wednesday, July 16th, the multi-round poetry slam competition (BNV)–featuring 500 young poets and spoken word artists–will bring over fifty-four events to various venues around Philadelphia through Saturday, July 19th. Don’t miss the safe-space open dialogue event, Queeriosity: A Queer/Questioning Open Mic, on Thursday, July 17th, or Life is Living Presents: HOOD STOCK ft. Brave New Voices, a service-learning event with live performances, food, and more. The BNV Grand Slam Finals will be held on Saturday, July 19th. A full schedule of events can be found here. Wednesday, July 16th - Saturday, July 19th, various locations.


P.M. at the Penn Museum: Summer Nights Concert Series
The Penn Museum is back for it’s fifth week of eclectic live music, al fresco style. The Summer Nights Concert Series presents Trinidelphia this Wednesday, a fusion of Latin jazz, reggae, salsa, and American top 40. Head to the museum’s Stoner Courtyard to enjoy the live performance and sip drinks, courtesy of Dogfish Head Brewery. Light fare is available for purchase, and guests can explore the museum’s many galleries, all open late until 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 16th, 5 p.m., $10, Penn Museum, 3260 South Street.


Pop-up Beer Garden at The Philadelphia Museum of Art
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is joining the city’s summer beer garden craze. In addition to its weekly series, Pay-What-You-Wish Wednesdays, the art museum is featuring a Wednesday night beer tasting series. Hosted by Starr Events & Catering and the Art Museum, The Great Stair Hall will turn into a temporary beer garden, with local craft breweries offering tastes of five different beers each week during sampling sessions from 6-8:30 p.m. This week's featured brewery is Flying Fish–with Stoudt’s and Yards Brewing Company in the weeks to come. There will be beer garden-esque snacks to munch on as well, with the museum aesthetics providing a sophisticated sipping experience. Tickets for the series are available online. Wednesday, July 16th, 6 p.m., $25 for non-members, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.


Screening Under the Stars
Free movie with a waterfront view? Yes, please. The Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing is featuring another blockbuster on the big screen this week. Catch Sandra Bullock and George Clooney in Gravity, this Thursday, July 17th. Films begin at dusk, but come early as seats tend to fill up quickly. Movie-goers can also mosey around Great Plaza's neighbor, Spruce Street Harbor Park, for some pre-film fun. Thursday, July 17th, 8:30 p.m., Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, Columbus Blvd and Chestnut Street.


Movie Night at Schuylkill Banks
Catch an old favorite under the stars this week: Back to the Future is playing on the Schuylkill Banks Grays Ferry Crescent. Bring blankets and a picnic basket and get cozy for the free outdoor screening. Come early to participate in a free pre-movie raffle for gift cards from Philadelphia Runner. Oh, and free snacks, beverages, and Shake Shake custard (!) will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Thursday, July 17th, 8:30 p.m., Grays Ferry Crescent Esplanade, by Schuylkill Ave and Wharton Street.
