21 Things to Do in Philly This Weekend

Jennifer Weiner, Tracy Morgan, Philly Geek Awards and cheesesteaks. What more do you need?

Author Jennifer Weiner is at the Free Library on Friday.

Author Jennifer Weiner is at the Free Library on Friday.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14

Jennifer Weiner @ Free Library of Philadelphia
New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Weiner, who’s from Philly, will be at the Parkway Central Library talking about her new book of essays, Hungry Heart: Adventures in Life, Love, and Writing.

Philadelphia, Goddamn: Art in Dissent @ Little Berlin
Little Berlin and Streets Dept put together this exhibit of socially conscious art featuring “artists that seek to expose, reveal, represent, and reflect the truths of our time.” Check out the opening reception Friday and then come back October 26th, when contributing artists Aubrie Costello, Carlos Lopez Rosa, Michelle Angela Ortiz, and Nether will talk about their inspirations in a panel discussion moderated by Street Dept’s Conrad Benner.

Ursula Rucker, SWOON & Friends Poetry Reading @ Painted Bride
Spoken word poet and recording artist Ursula Rucker spent the summer working with members of Mural Arts’ Restorative Justice program. Hear the results at this poetry reading curated by Rucker as part of Mural Arts Month.

David Alan Grier @ Punchline Philly
Comedian David Alan Grier, who’s a Tony-nominated Broadway actor but is probably still best known for sketch comedy show In Living Colour, performs at Punchline at Friday and Saturday.

From Indian Lakes @ Foundry at the Fillmore
Indie rockers From Indian Lakes play the upstairs venue at the Fillmore in support of their new album, Everything Feels Better Now, out today.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15

A rendering of Eric Okdeh's South Philly Musicians Remix mural.

A rendering of Eric Okdeh’s South Philly Musicians Remix mural.

South Philly Musicians Remix Mural Dedication and Block Party @ Broad and Tasker Streets
Frankie Avalon and Charlie Gracie will be at this mural dedication/block party celebrating South Philly musicians from the Bandstand era. Jerry Blavat is the event’s emcee; Jane Golden of Mural Arts Philadelphia, muralist Eric Okdeh, and Councilman Mark Squilla will also be there.

Philly Fights Cancer: Round 2 @ Legacy Youth Tennis Organization
Lionel Richie, Jennifer Hudson and comedian Tig Notaro headline a fundraising event for Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center.

Apple Harvest Festival @ Woodford Mansion
Embrace autumn with pumpkin painting, cider making and orchard touring at the 18th century Woodford Mansion in East Fairmount Park.

Tracy Morgan @ Valley Forge Casino Resort
The Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock star brings his Picking Up the Pieces tour to King of Prussia.

Murder At The Moulin: Murder Mystery Show @ West Laurel Hill Cemetery
Ooh, a murder mystery show at a cemetery! I dig it. It’s set in 1920s Paris.

OctoberFEAST @ Peddler’s Village
Peddler’s Village is hosting a kid-friendly Oktoberfest, with German food and drink, a beer garden tent, live music, a moon bounce and family entertainment. It’s on for Sunday, too.

Philly’s Cheesesteak and Food Fest @ Citizen’s Bank Park
There were some complaints about disorganization at the fest last year, but that was the first one so let’s give them another shot. Along with the food vendors, there will be a beer garden, live music, carnival games, a cheesesteak-eating contest (that sounds like a recipe for disaster), cooking demos, radio hosts from BEN-FM, WMMR, WMGK and 97.5 The Fanatic, and a visit from the Phillie Phanatic. Parking is free.

Beer and Whiskey Festival @ Tropicana Atlantic City
I’m usually Philly-focused, but I’ll give New Jersey some love: The Tropicana is hosting a beer and whiskey fest with 80 different brews to sample, including 60 made in New Jersey, and 30 whiskeys, bourbons and ryes. There will also be food to balance out all that alcohol, plus live music.

Blocktoberfest @ South Street from Broad to 18th Streets
Head to South Street for this big fall festival with plenty of beer, food from South Street restaurants and food trucks, and live music. Funds raised support neighborhood programs.

Tales from the Eraserhood @ 13th and Wood Streets, Southeast Corner
Hidden City’s Peter Woodall and David Lynch expert Bob Bruhin lead a walking tour through Lynch’s old neighborhood, where he lived — and got inspiration for his films — while attending PAFA.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16

Oliver “Twist” Feighan and DeQuincy “Moosh” Coleman. Photo provided

Oliver “Twist” Feighan and DeQuincy “Moosh” Coleman.

OCD: Moosh & Twist @ Foundry at the Fillmore
Hip-hop duo DeQuincy “Moosh” Coleman-McRae and Oliver “Twist” Feighan bring their high-energy raps back home to Philly.

Megadeth @ BB&T Pavilion
For the heavy metal fans, Megadeth plays BB&T, supported by Amon Amarth, Suicidal Tendencies, Metal Church and Butcher Babies.

Philly Geek Awards @ Free Library of Philadelphia
This black tie, red carpet awards ceremony celebrates the best and brightest geeks in Philly: “local game developers to comic book artists, social media marketers to the arts & culture community.” It’s hosted by Geekadelphia, Generocity and Technical.ly.

Jaymay @ Tin Angel
Singer-songwriter Jaymay is out with a new album, To Tell The Truth.

Yappy Hour @ Morgan’s Pier
Support the Pennsylvania SPCA by drinking with your dog at Morgan’s Pier — Tito’s vodka for you, water for the pups. Westminster Kennel Club dog show commentator David Frei will host a “worst in show” ugly dog contest, and the SPCA will bring along dogs hoping to be adopted.

UArts 140th Anniversary Gala @ Hyatt at the Bellevue
University of the Arts is calling this a “Grammy-style gala,” with Tony Award-winning Hamilton star Leslie Odom Jr. (who’s from East Oak Lane) performing.

Follow @RachelVigoda on twitter.