The Best Things You Can Possibly Do in Philly This Week
The return of Lena Dunham, the return of the Phillies, a record-setting show on South Street, and more this week in Philly.
The Anaïs Reno concert at Chris’ Jazz Cafe and the Nick Offerman show at the Met are among the best things you can do in Philadelphia this week and weekend (photo credits below)
The return of Lena Dunham. The return of the Phillies. A record-setting show on South Street. And, speaking of South Street, let’s ban cars and have a big block party. It’s all right here in our compilation of the best things to do in Philadelphia this week, as carefully curated by Philly Mag’s arts and entertainment editor.
CONCERTS
Cardi B
I must admit to cranking up “Bodak Yellow” and “WAP” whenever they pop up on my wackadoodle playlist. That said, spending $325 on one nosebleed might not be in the cards for me on a Tuesday night. Should be a fun show, though.
April 7th at Xfinity Mobile Arena
The Wonder Years
The Montco-spawned rock outfit is probably setting a record for the most shows on South Street in a week.
April 9th through 15th at the TLA
Floetry
Philly trivia: The British R&B/spoken word duo was once managed by Julius Erving III – son of the good Dr. – until they reportedly had a falling out with him over creative differences. Then Floetry split up and hasn’t performed together for about ten years until this new reunion tour.
April 10th at the Met
The Anaïs Reno concert at Chris’ Jazz Cafe is one of the best things you can do in Philadelphia this week or weekend. / Photograph courtesy of Anaïs Reno
Anaïs Reno
Did you know that April is Jazz Month in Philadelphia? ‘Tis true. There are some jazz concerts that are “official” Jazz Month events. And a bunch that aren’t. I can’t really make heads or tails of what is or what isn’t, but what I can say is that you could go see this gifted New York-based jazz vocalist, who has been singing since she was eight accompanied by the Tim Brey/Aidan McKeon Quartet.
April 11th at Chris’ Jazz Cafe
Alash
This ensemble is composed of masters of Tuvan throat singing, i.e. they can sing each multiple pitches at the same time. A rare chance to see it happen live. Bonus: Admission is free.
April 12th at the Rotunda
CLASSICAL
Lang Lang
The Chinese-born Curtis grad is coming to town for a fundraising concert benefiting the Philadelphia Orchestra’s Retired Musicians’ Fund. Yannick is conducting, and the musicians of the Philadelphia Orchestra are performing gratis. The program includes some Beethoven and Brahms, and Lang Lang will be signing CDs after the show. (You can buy them in the lobby.)
April 7th at the Kimmel Center
“Mozart’s Requiem”
The majestic piece will be performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra, some intensely talented opera soloists, and the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir.
April 9th through 12th at the Kimmel Center
COMEDY
Bridget Everett
The New York cabaret queen and creator and star of the HBO show Somebody Somewhere brings her “Big Titties, Big Dreams” tour to Broad Street. With Everett, you should always expect the unexpected.
April 11th at the Miller Theater
The Nick Offerman show is one of the best things to do in Philadelphia this week. / Photograph courtesy of Live Nation
Nick Offerman
Best beard in standup. (Sorry, Gaffigan.)
April 12th at the Met
THEATER
New This Week:
The Mystery of Edwin Drood
This show within a show is great fun and based on the Charles Dickens murder-mystery novel by the same way. The unique thing about this particular Dickens novel is that he died before he could complete it, so the audience gets to vote on who the murderer is.
April 10th and 11th at the Annenberg Center
I Think We’re Lost at Theatre Exile is one of the best things to do in Philadelphia this weekend / Image courtesy of Theatre Exile
I Think We’re Lost
I’m always down for a “darkly comedic reimagining of Peter Pan.” It’s 2026. Wendy is gone. And Tinker Bell finds herself a Wendy 2.0, which, I presume, is a nod to the recent M3GAN film series.
April 10th through 19th at Theatre Exile
Ongoing:
The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington
The 2014 play from the brilliant mind of South Philly Pulitzer-winner James Ijames, Miz Martha sees the first First Lady of the United States on her deathbed when she’s put on trial by those she enslaved. I had the chance to see this when it originally came out way back when, and the show comes with my highest possible recommendation.
Through April 5th at the Wilma
Romeo & Juliet
Barrymore-winning director Amina Robinson puts her own spin on Shakespeare’s tale of romance and violence.
Through April 11th at the Arden
EXHIBITS
New This Week:
The new Dufala Bros. exhibit at Fleisher/Ollman Gallery is one of the best things to do in Philadelphia this weekend / Photograph courtesy of Fleisher/Ollman Gallery
“Dufala Brothers: Uuughhh”
Sometimes the artists describe their projects the best themselves: “Think a grown-up version of the 1960s children’s Christmas animation Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’s island of misfit toys.” These are the same brothers who once converted a bunch of toilets into tricycles and then raced them through the streets of Philadelphia. This exhibition will feature new drawings and sculptures.
April 9th through May 21st at Fleisher/Ollman Gallery
Ongoing:
“Noah Davis”
A retrospective of the late American painter and founder of the Underground Museum in Los Angeles. He died at just 32.
Through April 26th at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
“Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition”
For a complete rundown on this fun exhibit that’s really more about STEM than it is about Jaws and Jurassic Park, check out this review by my colleague Laura Swartz.
Through September 7th at the Franklin Institute
The Ministry of Awe
A new massive, six-story immersive arts space in Old City from the brain of acclaimed Philadelphia muralist Meg Saligman. For more on exactly what this is, go here, where we do our best to explain it. (You really have to see it to fully comprehend.)
Ongoing at 27 North 3rd Street
SPORTS
Photograph courtesy of the Phillies
Diamondbacks vs. Phillies
For the Saturday game, kids 14 and under get free hoodies, courtesy sponsor Cavity Busters. And on Sunday, kids get bobbleheads of the Phillies Phanatic dressed in Colonial-era garb.
April 10th through 12th at Citizens Bank Park
Bucks vs. Sixers
Last game of the regular season! Plus, the team will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of their 2001 Eastern Conference Championship win.
April 12th at Xfinity Mobile Arena
Lit
“One Book, One Philadelphia”
Philly’s annual literary celebration kicks off on Tuesday . This year’s book is the dystopian novel Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng. She’ll be at the Parkway Central Library on Tuesday to discuss it.
April 7th through May 28th in various location
The Lena Dunham appearance is one of the best things in Philadelphia you can do this weekend. / Photograph courtesy of Ensemble Arts Philly
Lena Dunham
The creator and star of the hit HBO show Girls just released a memoir, Famesick. She’ll be in conversation about it with model and actress Emily Ratajkowski. (You definitely know her from the “Blurred Lines” video.)
April 12th at the Miller Theater
MISCELLANY
Open Call: “Philly Photo Day: How We Stay Free”
The TILT Institute for Contemporary image is back with its annual Philly Photo Day, which is really a photo week. Here’s how this works. Through this Sunday, take a photo of Philadelphia that responds to this year’s prompt: “How We Stay Free.” (Smartphone photos are fine; you don’t have to go out and buy a Nikon). Then submit your favorite. The curators will sift through the photos and find their favorites, which will be printed and on display at TILT’s gallery in the Crane Arts Building from May 13th through June 27th. Here are some helpful hints from TILT: “Participants can show simple acts of freedom that sustain them, such as participating in a peaceful protest, engaging with their religion, or attending a public gathering. They can also capture sights and symbols of freedom found throughout Philadelphia, including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, or murals dedicated to historic local activists like W.E.B. Du Bois.”
April 6th through 12th citywide
Philly Contraption Contest
Wherein middle school teams from the region compete to see who can build the best Rube Goldberg machine (i.e. a ridiculously complicated machine that accomplishes something simple in the most ridiculous way possible) that fulfills the assigned task: ring a bell. Free and open to the public.
April 11th at the Bok Building
Rex Manning Day
If “Rex Manning Day” means nothing to you, watch the ’90s movie Empire Records. Then get down to South Street for this annual block party featuring live bands, food vendors, ’90s-themed shirts, and – ooh! – a prize wheel.
April 11th on the 400 block of South Street
Open Streets: West Walnut
The city is closing Walnut Street from Broad to 19th and 18th Street from Locust to Chestnut, meaning you can finally spend way too much money at your much-coveted table outside of Parc without having to listen to car engines and inhale exhaust fumes.
April 12th in Rittenhouse Square
See Also: The Best Spring Festivals to Check Out in Philly
LOOKING AHEAD
The term “legend” is often thrown around too loosely, but when I say that Herbie Hancock is a legend, who can argue with that? He’s been making music professionally for more than 70 years, and he’s headed to the Kimmel Center on July 9th. There’s also a VIP option, which gets you access to an intimate Q&A with him before the show. More info here.
