18 Things To Do In Philly This Weekend
The Arts
ADAM WALLACAVAGE FOR THE MURAL ARTS PROGRAM © CITY OF PHILADELPHIA MURAL ARTS PROGRAM
African American Iconic Images Collection Trolley Tours with the Mural Arts Program
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. the Mural Arts Program has teamed up with the African American Museum of Philadelphia to create a citywide mural trolley tour. Experienced guides will discuss each mural and its relation to civil rights, freedom, and equality. Sunday, February 21, 1 p.m., $32, tours begin and end at the African American Museum of Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street.
Picasso: The Great War, Experimentation and Change at The Barnes Foundation
The Barnes launches an exhibition of Picasso’s pieces inspired by World War I. Visitors can sift through 50 paintings that showcase Picasso’s move from his radical cubism towards the more classical method of figure drawing. For complete program guide and for more information on the exhibition, click here. Opens Sunday, February 21, 10 a.m., $29, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Blanket Statements at the Michener Art Museum
Fabric hasn’t been this jazzy since Joseph’s Technicolor Dreamcoat. The Michener Museum houses 35 historical and contemporary quilts with trans-Atlantic ties. Featured artist Kaffe Fassett will be lecturing and hosting a series of DYI workshops. Through Sunday, February 21, 10 a.m., $18, Michener Art Museum, 138 S. Pine Street, Doylestown, PA.
PAFA Open Studio Night
Tonight, the PAFA’s MFA and BFA students will show off their latest works. Come be a witness to the creative process students undergo when planning Annual Student Exhibition. Since the ASE features over 1000 works of art by PAFA students, there’s a great deal of pressure to stand out. See how some students are taking on the challenge. Friday, February 19, 5 p.m., free, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 118-128 N. Broad Street.
See a Show
Photo courtesy NGCB
Philadelphia Screendance Festival
Dancers will pirouette on the big screen in 2D, six-day dance recital. This film festival celebrates the connection between cinematography and dance. Audiences get a multicultural experience as they witness choreography by dance-makers from all over the world: Montreal, Greece, Iran, San Fransisco, London, and of course Philadelphia. Through Sunday, February 21, 8:30 p.m., $15, Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 N. American Street.
Beauty and the Beast playing at the Kimmel Center
A tale as old as time. Belle, The Beast and all his talking furniture star in the musical adaptation of a Disney classic. Featuring all the beloved songs from the original animated flick, this musical will have your inner child fighting back the urge to sing along. The show will also include additional numbers from composer Alan Menken and Tim Rice. Through Sunday, February 21, view varied ticket prices and times here, Kimmel Center, 1420 Locust Street.
The Ringling Bros, And Barnum & Bailey Circus
It’s everything you’d every want out of a circus and then some. A legend of the Wells Fargo Center returns this weekend. Watch trapeze artists fly through the air with the greatest of ease while a big-cat-tamer takes on the King of the Jungle. Through Sunday, February, 21, view ticket prices and times here, Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad Street.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Beloved picture books come to life with the help of an assortment of puppet characters. Kids will marvel at the Eric Carle three-part lineup, which includes the fanciful Very Hungry Caterpillar, Little Cloud and Mixed-Up Chameleon. See how these whimsical tales have been adapted for a stage performance. Sunday, February 21, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., ticket prices here, 1500 Walnut Street.
FingeArts Get Pegged Cabaret
FringeArts invites you to spend a little time in the raunchy zone. Join the Pegged Cabaret in welcoming a diverse array of performers who are sexy, satirical, delightful, queer, local and foreign. Friday, February 19, 10:30 p.m., $5-$40, FringeArts, 140 N. Columbus Boulevard.
Community engagement
Philly Fashion Week ends this Saturday
Check out the latest trends rocking the catwalk in the City Of Brotherly Love. Philly is celebrating its own fashion community with the return of runway shows, fashion mixers and more. Check out all the unique styles of both local and national fashion designers. Through Saturday, February 20, 7 p.m., $30-$80, 2300 S. Swanson Street.
Winter Soup at PhilSoup
PhilSoup has come up with a fabulous way to support Philadelphia teachers. This Sunday, you’re invited to family dinner. During the supper educator will present ideas for projects they would like to fund with the money raised throughout the night. Each presenter will be given three minutes to share his or her idea. At the end of the night everyone votes for their favorite projects, which the night’s funds will go towards. PhilaSoup will then match a portion of the night’s sales. Sunday, February 21, 11 a.m., $15- $25, Slought gallery, 4017 Walnut Street.
Salute to first responders
Dilworth Park will host an event that will include musical performances and displays of police and fire vehicles. Free admission to those who rent skates for up to 4 people, and a 10 percent discount will be offered on items inside the Rothman Cabin to those who present a badge or active military ID. Sunday, February 21, 11 a.m., prices here, 1 S. 15th Street.
East Passyunk Restaurant Week
Center City Restaurant week may be over, but you can still enjoy some gourmet grub at discount prices this weekend in East Passyunk. Starting this Sunday, 24 award-winning restaurants are offering three-course prix fixe lunch and/or dinner. Open Sunday, February 21, $15, $25, $35, find all the participating restaurants here.
BYOB Movie Screening at the Market & Shops at the Comcast Center
Catch a free flick at the Comcast Center, one Saturday a month. This week, tune into the Minions movie with smooth libation in hand. Saturday, February 20, 1 p.m., free, The Market and Shops at Comcast Center, 1701 John F Kennedy Boulevard.
Concerts
Animal Collective at Union Transfer
Known for its trippy harmonies, alt-pop flavor, pumped-up synths and busy song styling, Animal Collective continues to explore creative boundaries. Philly’s lucky because the band is scheduled to drop its tenth studio album, Painting With, the same night. The band has said that the new record dumps their signature (but now trendy) reverb effects and drawn-out musical sections. Can’t wait to see what the Collective comes up with this go-round. Friday, February 19, 8 p.m., $30, Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden Street. —Sarah Jordan
The Loved Ones at Union Transfer
Revered Philadelphia pop-punk band The Loved Ones reunites to honor the 10-year anniversary of its critically acclaimed self-titled 2005 EP. David Hause’s scruffy vocals + hard-charging punk rhythms = a raucous good time. Saturday, February 20, 8 p.m., $15-$17, Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden Street. —Sarah Jordan
Josh Ritter at Union Transfer
Josh Ritter’s new album, Sermon on the Rock, reflects happier times for the singer songwriter who was still processing his emotions on 2013’s The Beast in its Tracks, a break-up album inspired by his divorce. Described as a purveyor of “indie Americana,” Ritter has an earnest stage presence befitting a performer from Idaho and delivers heartfelt ballads and folksy storytelling. Sunday, February 21, 8 p.m., $35, Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden Street. —Sarah Jordan
AraabMuzik
Come witness this DJ slay his MCP drum machine. AraabMuzik takes his place behind the turntable tonight to deliver a sound that connects hip-hop and EDM worlds. The artist has performed alongside legends like Eminem and Cam’ron so you know you can expect one unforgettable face melting performance. Friday, February 19, 8:30 p.m., District N9NE, 460 N. Ninth Street.
