14 Things To Do In Philly This Weekend: Bastille Day, Blobfest, Blueberry-Infused Bluegrass, and More
Get our weekly picks of what to do this weekend and the latest on Philly's arts and entertainment scene.
Visit Philly Beer Garden Series: PHS Pop-Up Garden
Remember how the PHS Pop-Up Garden opened this week? If you haven't checked it out by now, get your post-work cocktail there today for week five of the Visit Philly Beer Garden Series. The special happy-hour series runs from 4-7 p.m. each Friday at different beer gardens throughout the city, and this week it's the PHS Pop-Up Garden. With tropical cocktails, cabanas, and eats from the Jamaican Jerk Hut, it'll feel like you're beach-bound. Friday, July 11th, 4-7 p.m., PHS Pop-Up Garden, 1438 South Street.
Smoke and Spiced Pop-Up Bar
From Foobooz: Forget sugar and spice because you’ve changed is hosting a Smoke & Spiced Pop-Up Bar on Friday from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Prime Stache in Old City. The event will feature a speciality cocktail menu of five smoky and five spiced creations for you to enjoy. And if you’re looking for that extra kick? Burned wood and peppers will be on site for you to add to your drink. Cocktails are $11, but for an extra $1 you can get a customized or spiced drink. More here.
Replay America: The Ultimate 80's Music Festival
0's music devotees, this festival is all you. 95.7 BEN FM presents Replay America: The Ultimate 80's Music Festival, a showcase of the very best of 80's music, including stars The Go-Go's, Patty Smyth and Scandal, Martha Davis and The Motels, and Naked Eyes featuring Pete Byrne. Legwarmers are optional, but encouraged. Tickets are available for purchase here. Friday, July 11th, 6:30 p.m., $25-150, The Plaza at PPL Park, 1 Stadium Drive, Chester, PA.
Bluegrass & Blueberries at Peddler's Village
Peddler's Village is devoting its weekend to all things blueberry, and you're invited. July is National Blueberry Month, and to celebrate, the Village is hosting a weekend full of delicious blueberry treats and live bluegrass and country tunes. There will be all sorts of blueberry-centric eats to sample–from blueberry pie to blueberry margaritas–and plenty of live entertainment and children's activities. Admission to the festival is free, but VIP packages (with preferred parking and air-conditioned dining areas) will also be available. For a full schedule of entertainment throughout the festival, click here. Saturday, July 12th & Sunday, July 13th, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Peddler's Village, Routes 202 & 263, Bucks County, PA.
Body Cycle Studio
Body Cycle Studio | Photograph by Chris Gabello
Blobfest 2014
This weekend is Phoenixville's Blobfest, the 15th annual celebration of the 1958 cult film, The Blob. The Colonial Theatre will be screening the movie throughout the weekend, along with King Kong vs. Godzilla, The Giant Spider, and Mothra. On Saturday from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., you can head to the all-Blob street fair, with tons of family-friendly fun, including live music, food, contests, vendors, special guests, and more. Fans are also invited to the nearby Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant before and after screenings for Blob-themed food and drink specials, like the Cherry Blob, their award-winning Belgian-style tripel beer. A full schedule of Blobfest events is available here. Saturday, July 12th & Sunday, July 13th, The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, PA.
Pure Classic Festival
If you're searching for a party this weekend, look no further. Philadelphia based brands Cult Classic and Pure Productions are teaming up to host the First Annual Pure Classic Festival. The all-day, all-night outdoor event will feature live music from several artists and DJs, including Noah Breakfast, Lindsay Lowend, and Nadus. To get your dance on, tickets are available here. Saturday, July 12th, 4 p.m.- Sunday, July 13th, 2 a.m., 21+, Bamboo Bar, 927 N. Delaware Ave.
Gtown Jazz on the Ave
Spend your Saturday afternoon jamming for a great cause: Cliveden, a historic mansion on Germantown Avenue, is hosting an afternoon of live jazz tunes this weekend. The Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble will headline the festival, along with several other local jazz musicians. Guests are invited to bring chairs and blankets and relax on the beautiful grounds of Cliveden while enjoying the music. There will be food, arts and crafts vendors, a spoken word poetry performance, and free tours of the Cliveden exhibit and museum. Partners with Bebashi–whose core initiatives include HIV/AIDS awareness, breast health, and hunger relief–the festival will help raise funds for health awareness while paying tribute to Philadelphia's rich jazz history. Saturday, July 12th, 5 p.m., $20 for adults, $10 for children, Cliveden, 6401 Germantown Avenue.
Bastille Day at Eastern State Penitentiary
This Saturday, Eastern State Penitentiary is teaming up with experimental cabaret troupe The Bearded Ladies for an exciting demonstration of the French Revolution: an hourlong spectacle filled with song, dance, and of course, beheadings. The annual Bastille Day festival features a re-enactment of the storming of the Bastille, with appearances by Benjamin Franklin, Joan of Arc, Napoleon, Marie Antoinette, and a life-size French baguette. Oh, and 2,000 Tastykakes will be flung from the prison's towers. The theatrical performance–which will take place along Fairmount Avenue–is free and open to the public, and afterward local Fairmount restaurants will be bustling with French-themed entertainment as well as food and drink specials. The Penitentiary will also re-open for special twilight hours at a discounted admission price ($10 for adults, $5 for students, seniors, and kids). VIP tickets to the show are available for a donation fee, and include seating, beer, refreshments, and revolution goodie bags. More information about the festival can be found here. Saturday, July 12th, 5:30 p.m., The Eastern State Penitentiary, 2027 Fairmount Avenue.
Moonlight Movies in Mt. Airy
Mount Airy is hosting two more al fresco movie nights this weekend. Moonlight Movies will screen Despicable Me 2 on Friday evening at Lovett Library Park, with delicious eats available before the movie (6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.) from popular food trucks Mucho Bueno and Curbside Creamery. On Saturday, you can head to the Trolley Car Diner for The Incredibles. Screenings are free, so bring family and friends (and some lawn chairs) and catch a movie under the stars. A schedule of upcoming films and food trucks is available here. Friday, July 11th, 8:30 p.m., Lovett Library Park, 6945 Germantown Avenue & Saturday, July 12th, 8:30 p.m., Trolley Car Diner, 7619 Germantown Avenue.
Taphophile Trivia: Quizzo in the Cemetery
The Antemortem Society and the Gentlemen of the Athletic Base Ball Club of Philadelphia want you to join them for an evening of trivia amongst the tombstones. Players can enjoy pub snacks and beer while engaging in a game of quizzo with a bit of a vintage twist, with categories focusing on 19th century sports, brew, and culture. Gather a team of your most knowledgeable friends–there will be a prize for the winners. Tickets are available here. Saturday, July 12th, 6 p.m., Laurel Hill Cemetery, 3822 Ridge Avenue.
Invisible River
Head to the shores of Fairmount Park this weekend for Invisible River, a fantastic public performance that includes aerial dance, music, and sculpture installations, spanning 2.5 miles along the Schuylkill River. Invisible River creates immersive live performances along the waterway, with a unique mix of dance, circus arts, nature, music, and theater, all while advocating for the health of the Schuylkill River. The public is welcome to watch the show for free from the shore, or purchase tickets to watch performances right on the water–in the seat of a dragon boat, kayak, or row boat–while traveling the river in a moving flotilla of 65 boats. Tickets for boat seating must be purchased in advance online. For more information and directions to the event, click here. Saturday, July 12th & Sunday, July 13th, 6:15 p.m. for ticket holders, show begins at 7 p.m., Fairmount Park.
Johnny Winter: Down & Dirty
The Awesome Fest presents the Philadelphia premiere of Johnny Winter: Down & Dirty this Saturday night at Liberty Lands Park. Director and producer Greg Olliver spent two years following Winter–the blues legend who played Woodstock, dated Janis Joplin, and jammed with Jimi Hendrix. His documentary, which was featured at SXSW this year, is an intimate portrait of the Texas musician's life: rock & roll debauchery and the consequences that followed. The outdoor screening is free and open to the public. Saturday, July 12th, 9 p.m., Liberty Lands Park, 926 N. American Street.
Live Music
Looking for a good show? Natalie Merchant’s performance Friday night at Keswick Theater is among our live-music picks for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night. See them all here.
