10 Things To Do In Philly This Weekend: Tig Notaro Live, First Friday, A New Barnes Exhibit, First Person Arts Festival and More
Get our weekly picks of what to do this weekend and the latest on Philly's arts and entertainment scene.
Art After 5
Celebrate First Friday at the OG of all galleries: the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This week's Art After 5 event will get spicy with live tunes compliments of Johnny Cruz Latin Jazz Ensemble. A dance party will definitely ensue, but if you aren't an experienced salsa dancer, instructors will be there to help show you how it's done. Stroll through the galleries at your leisure, and enjoy a variety of snacks and cocktails from Starr Events. Tickets are available for purchase online. Friday, November 7th, 5 p.m.-8:45 p.m., $23.50 general admission, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Tig Notaro at The Troc
Comedian Tig Notaro will be at the Troacadero tonight on her "Boyish Girl Interrupted" tour. Never heard of her? Well, she's been nominated for a Grammy, named to Rolling Stone's "50 Funniest People Now" list, and Louis CK loves her. If that wasn't enough, she has a TED talk, a Showtime special, and a memoir in the works. Believe me, you'll know her soon. Check out her podcast Professor Blastoff before the show. Friday, November 7th, 7:00 p.m., $25, The Trocadero, 1003 Arch Street. - Aubrey Nagle
Cynthia Oliver’s BOOM!
In the mood for some dance? Check out this duet choreographed by Cynthia Oliver and featuring performer Leslie Cuyjet. The New Yorker loved it and so did The New York Times. You can see this spell-binding work at Painted Bride Art Center, which describes the dance as "building upon a non-linear sequence of narratives around a life and a relationship—of a woman to herself, her history, her present and her future." Sounds dynamite. Friday, November 7th and Saturday, November 8th, 8:00 p.m., $25 in advance and $30 at the door, Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine Street. - Aubrey Nagle
Red 40 and the Last Groovement
Catch a slightly naughty, extra saucy performance from Red 40 and the Last Groovement this evening, as the funk/R&B group kicks off their First Friday residency at FringeArts. In addition to the cabaret, La Peg's outdoor beer garden will be open, featuring fire pits to cozy up next to, and seasonal menu items to nosh on. Drop a suggested donation at the door, and get your late-night groove on. Friday, November 7th, 11 p.m., La Peg at FringeArts, 140 N. Columbus Blvd.
Art Star Craft Bazaar
Jump start your holiday shopping at the Art Star Craft Bazaar this weekend, a retail arts and crafts show that is organized and juried by Art Star Gallery & Boutique. Peruse handmade goods in a variety of mediums from over 60 talented, independent makers from our hood and beyond. Shoppers can expect jewelry, prints, ceramics, clothing, housewares, paintings, drawings, and much more. Plus, food trucks will be parked alongside the venue serving up delicious eats, and local artists and nonprofits will host family-friendly craft demonstrations. For those less enthusiastic shoppers, Yards Beer will be onsite along with ring toss and corn hole games. Get there before noon for free admission! For more information, click here. Saturday, November 8th-Sunday, November 9th, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., $2 admission starting at 12 p.m., 23rd Street Armory, 22 S. 23rd Street.
William Glackens at The Barnes
It's opening weekend for The Barnes Foundation's latest exhibition, William Glackens. The exhibit is "highly selective, concentrating on the most pivotal, adventurous, accomplished, and distinctive works," with over 90 of the artist's major pieces on display, including several works that are on view for the very first time. Glackens, a realist painter whose influential career spanned five decades, was a proud Philadelphian and close friend of Albert C. Barnes. For more information about the exhibition, click here. Tickets are available onsite daily, or book in advance online. Saturday, November 8th-Sunday, February 2nd, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., $20 or $10 for members, The Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
First Person Arts Festival
This year's First Person Arts Festival stars Grammy winners, TV stars, comedians, and radio legends. Don't miss "Stripped Stories" starring Comedy Central's Margot Leitman and MTV and VH1's Giulia Rozzi or tips from This American Life's Elna Baker on how to turn your story into a great one. Or check out Story League Sings where comedy & karaoke collide. See our entire round up of the festival here. - Aubrey Nagle
Vampires, Sex & Ghost Tour
Grim Philly Twilight Tours takes groups around the city to learn new things about their favorite places. Until the end of the month they'll hold "Vampires, Sex & Ghost," an R-Rated nighttime tour around Independence Hall, The Library of Congress and more. You'll hear all the dirty details on Philly's historically seedy locations. Prudence is highly discouraged. Friday November 7th and Saturday, November 8th, 7:00 p.m., $19.99, Independence Visitor Center, 599 Market Street. - Aubrey Nagle
Theater to See
There's plenty of amazing stage productions going on right this second. Now through November 23rd, Theatre Exile will show Red Speedo, about a professional swimmer with a big decision to make, starring Keith Conallen and Brian Ratcliffe. Judith Lightfoot Clarke stars in Blood Wedding through November 23rd, and Josh Carpenter is Pip in Dickens' Great Expectations through December 14th. This is also your last weekend to see Detroit starring Geneviève Perrier. - Aubrey Nagle
