116 Things to Do in Philly This Weekend

Things to do in Philly: Message in a Bottle continues through May 19th at the Miller Theater. / Photograph by Helen Maybanks

Multiple Days

On Stage

DANCE/THEATER
Message in a Bottle
This new dance theater show by Kate Prince is an “uplifting and poignant tale of humanity and hope” that examines themes of displacement, immigration and survival. Message in a Bottle features songs by Sting, including “Every Breath You Take,” “Roxanne,” “Walking On The Moon” and more.
$46-$130, through May 19th, Miller Theater, 250 South Broad Street.

THEATER
Noises Off!
Bucks County Playhouse stages Michael Frayn’s farce about a show that must go on despite an endless string of miscues and mishaps. Directed by Hunter Foster.
$32-$60, May 17th-June 16th, Bucks County Playhouse, 70 South Main Street, New Hope.

THEATER
Once on This Island
Arden Theatre presents this “radiant musical” with lyrics and book by Lynn Ahrens, music by Stephen Flaherty. Directed by Amina Robinson (who won a Barrymore directing The Color Purple).
$30-$60, May 16th-June 23rd, Arden Theatre, 40 North 2nd Street.

THEATER
The Second City: Comedian Rhapsody
A new revue from the Chicago-based comedy company, featuring sketch, improv, songs and more.
$55-$60, continues through June 2, Bristol Riverside Theatre, 120 Radcliffe Street, Bristol.

THEATER
Philly Grit: A Pirate, A School Girl, and A Good Person
Theatre Exile stages three “funny and irreverent” solo theater shows: Johnny Depp: a retrospective on late stage capitalism by Jenna Kuerzi & Val Dunn, Catholic Guilt by Kelly McCaughan, and Good Person by Brett Ashley Robinson.
$30 per show, through May 19th, Theatre Exile, 1340 South 13th Street.

THEATER
Hurricane Diane
Malvern-based theater company People’s Light presents the regional premiere of Madeleine George’s “comedic romp with a mythological twist.” Directed by Molly Rosa Houlahan.
$47, through May 19th, People’s Light, 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern.

THEATER
Pinocchio
Rebecca Wright direct Arden Children’s Theatre’s production of the famous story about a marionette who wants to be a real boy. And also his nose grows when he lies, which seems like an entirely different story. Stars Anthony Martinez-Briggs, Izzy Sazak, Nathan Alford-Tate and Reese Castaldi.
$20-$45, extended through June 9th, Arden Theatre, 40 North 2nd Street.

THEATER/VIRTUAL
The Good Person of Setzuan
Watch a livestream of the Wilma Theater’s recent run of Bertolt Brecht’s “classic parable” — translated by Wendy Arons, adapted by Tony Kushner — about three gods who arrive in town looking for one good person. Directed by Justin Jain.
$29, through May 19th.

MUSIC
Kur
The Philly rapper plays three (3!) shows at the TLA this week and next. Meek Mill pops up on his latest release, The Thurl. He knows his way around a dirty rhyme.
$26, May 17th, 24th & 25th, 7 p.m., TLA, 334 South Street.

MUSIC
Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus
The PGMC presents Live OUT Loud! at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, “a tribute to the struggles and progress of the LGBTQ+ community, and a proper send off for Joseph J. Buches, their longtime Artistic director and conductor. The program includes the commissioned piece “Long Live the Queen (a her-story of drag)” by composer Andrea Clearfied, performed by lyricist/drag soloist Cookie Diorio.
$35-$65, May 17th & 18th, Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 South Broad Street.

MUSIC
Simone Dinnerstein
The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia performs with pianist Dinnerstein in performing works by Mozart, George Walker and Beethoven. With Dirk Brossé, conductor.
$29-$82, May 17th-19th, Kimmel Center, 300 South Broad Street.

MUSIC
Buckethead
This is the guitarist with the KFC bucket on his head. He was in Guns N’ Roses for a while. He shreds.
Sold out, May 19th & 20th, 7 p.m., Ardmore Music Hall, 23 East Lancaster Avenue.

MUSIC
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Esa-Pekka Salonen returns to lead the orchestra in performing his own Sinfonia concertante, along with works by Saariaho and Ravel. Featuring organist Olivier Latry, and the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir led by Gabriel Crouch.
$25-$129, May 16th-18th, Kimmel Center, 300 South Broad Street.

COMEDY
Ian Bagg
The bowtie-wearing Last Comic Standing alum plays five shows at Punch Line this weekend.
$34-$47, May 16th-18th, Punch Line Philly, 33 East Laurel Street.

COMEDY
Al Franken
The SNL/Senate alum plays four standup shows at City Winery this weekend. Franken says he’s sort of winging it on this tour, but it’s a sure bet he’ll get political.
$45-$65, May 17th & 18th, 6 & 9:30 p.m., City Winery, 990 Filbert Street.

Festivals

The South 9th Street Italian Market Festival
The popular, annual, two-day street fest offers food, music and shopping along South Philly’s famous Oregano Row. (I just made that up, but it is a good place to buy oregano.) Events include a half-ball, cornhole, the Procession of the Saints and the very photogenic grease pole contest.
Free to enter, May 18th & 19th, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Italian Market, 9th Street and Washington Avenue and the surrounding area.

New Hope Celebrates PrideFest
The pride of New Hope’s annual Pridefest weekend is always the Pride Parade which will once again march across the bridge from Lambertville in NJ, to New Hope in PA, where the open-air Pride Fair is taking place. That’s on May 18th. Here’s the full rundown of New Hope’s many Pridefest events.
Free, through May 19th, multiple locations in New Hope and Lambertville.

Dogwood Festival & Parade
This edition of the annual multi-day fest in Phoenixville features rides, food, and live entertainment (depending on when you go) by Kuf Knots & Christine Elise, Cole Campbell, Vinyl Roots, Aunt Mary Pat, Smooth Riders (a Dave Matthews Band Experience), and more. The parade is Saturday at 1 p.m.
Free till you spend money, May 15th-18th, Reeves Park, Phoenixville.

Food & Drink

MARKET
The Southeast Asian Market
The weather’s getting warmer and that means the Southeast Asian Market is back at FDR Park, featuring vendors from area Lao, Khmer, Thai, Vietnamese and Indonesian communities. In addition to the many cuisine options, you can pick up produce, clothing, jewelry, etc.
Pay as you go; Saturdays & Sundays through October, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., FDR Park, 1500 Pattison Avenue.

BEER GARDEN
Parks on Tap
Parks & Rec’s traveling beer garden returns, hauling its taps, tables and grills to a new park each week. This weekend: Schuylkill Banks, May 8th-12th. See the whole schedule and more details here.
Pay as you go, continues through September 29th, Schuylkill Banks.

Shopping

Philadelphia Marketplace
Area makers, crafters and vendors sell their wares in Dilworth Park every weekend.
Free to enter, Fridays and Saturdays, noon-6 p.m., through June 29th, Dilworth Park, West side of City Hall.

Art

Philly Photo Day
TILT Institute For The Contemporary Image presents an exhibition of pics taken by your fellow Philadelphians for Philly Photo Day. This Saturday is the opening reception — and the annual InVISION 2024 fundraiser — featuring a fashion show by Prajjè Oscar, food by Eatible Delights, music by Oluwafemi and more. May 18th, 7-11 p.m., $25-$75.
The exhibition continues through June 1, TILT Institute for the Contemporary Image, 1400 North American Street.

Colors, Lines, Shapes & Space
An exhibition of oil paintings by Nancy Neil. Says the artist, “My abstract oil pastel series explores the feelings and emotions generated by color. These paintings use warm colors to evoke a passionate and uplifting feeling.”
Free, through June 2nd, Muse Gallery, 52 North 2nd Street.

Threads of Transformation
This new exhibition at the house the Isaiah Zagar built includes paintings, textiles, and sculptures by artists Krista Dedrick-Lai and Margaux McAllister. “Navigating brokenness, tenderness, and togetherness in these mixed-media works, they examine human connections and transformation.”
$15 admission, opens May 17th, continues through July 14th, Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, 1020 South Street.

Now Showing @ the Perkins Collingswood

• Threaded: Contemporary Expressions of Traditional Fiber Arts — This group show includes weaving, embroidery, quilting, and crocheting by 14 local and regional fiber artists. Through June 28th.
• The Pandemic Diaries — “Artist Dolores Poacelli’s unique collection of thought-provoking collages that blend graphic design, satire, and personal reflection on a global scale.” Through June 28th.

Free, Perkins Center for the Arts, 30 Irvin Avenue, Collingswood.

Dream House: Inside Music + Video
This group installation at Asian Arts Initiative sounds like a lot of fun. Dream House “highlights shifting roles of music video as a hybrid form of creative expression beyond their musical and cinematic quality as promotional tools of the music industry.” On monitors and TV screens, watch works by Alex Da Corte, Jordan Deal, Elle Hong, Maegan Houang, and more. Also, check out Zain Alam’s audio/video installation Meter & Light: Day. Plus Dance Dance Revolution and karaoke in the lounge.
Through August 3rd, Asian Arts Initiative, 1219 Vine Street.

Small Favors 2024
This annual group exhibition at the Clay Studio includes around 500 works displayed in four-inch cubes. Check out some of these cool, weird, compact pieces here.
Free, through June 2nd, Clay Studio, 1425 North American Street.

The Historic Crafts & Trades Fair
The Carpenters’ Company of the City and County of Philadelphia hosts this “showcase of historic crafts and trades” that were important in colonial city life, including demonstrations of blacksmithing, carpentry, masonry, basket-weaving and more, depending on when you go.
Pay as you go, Saturdays through May 18th, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Carpenters’ Court, in front of Carpenters’ Hall, 320 Chestnut Street.

Kameelah Janan Rasheed
The artist “grapples with the poetics-pleasures-politics of Black knowledge production, information technologies, and modes of [un]learning” in their new exhibition at Ulises and Ray (or Ulises at Ray or maybe it’s just Ray Philly), the No Libs art space/bookshop. Kameelah Janan Rasheed’s show i— titled the soft technology of your poems split — s My body into 18: secreting,100 Stanzas ——— That Bow TOWARD no moons.
Free, through August 25th, Ulises at Ray, Studio 105, 1525 North American Street.

Artists as Cultivators
Includes drawings, paintings, prints, sculpture and more from PAFA’s permanent collection, that “reveal how American artists have cultivated discourse, care, critique, and change by way of engagement with nature.” Includes a special focus on Ruth Fine. Through July 7th.
$18 museum admission, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 128 North Broad Street.

In Pursuit: Artists’ Perspectives on a Nation
The National Liberty Museum examines “the power of art as civic dialogue” in its latest multi-media group exhibition featuring sculptures and large-scale installations by Anila Quayyum Agha, Angel Cabrales, Nicholas Galanin, Arghavan Khosravi, Aram Han Sifuentes, Artur Silva, and Marisa Williamson. Continues through October 28th.
$12 museum admission, National Liberty Museum, 321 Chestnut Street.

Now Showing @ the Art Museum

• Mary Cassatt at Work — The PMA presents the first major showing of the Pennsylvania-born French Impressionist artist’s oeuvre since 1998-99. Runs May 18th-September 8th.
• Jesse Krimes: Rikers Quilt — The Philly artist presents his work which combines “painting, textiles, sculpture, installation, and advocacy.” Through July 15th.
• In the Right Place: Photographs by Barbara Crane, Melissa Shook, and Carol Taback. Through July 7th.
• Transformations: American Photographs from the 1970s — Includes works by William Eggleston, Joel Meyerowitz, Mikki Ferrill, Susan Meiselas, Martha Rosler and more. Through July 7th.
• El Origen de la Noche (The Origin of Night) — “an immersive sound installation by 4Direcciones Audiovisual (directed by Diana Rico and Richard Decaillet) working in collaboration with a group of traditional authorities from indigenous communities of the north-west Amazon, as well as anthropologists, musicians and linguists.” Through May 12th.
• Mythical Creatures: China and the World, through June 1st.
• Seeing with Empathy: The Female Gaze in American Modernism, ongoing.
• Of God and Country: American Art from the Jill and Sheldon Bonovitz Collection. Works that “deal with shared themes of US history, the American landscape, religion, and mortality.” Through July 7th.
• Zoe Leonard: Strange Fruit — “Empty fruit skins that have been sutured together and sprawled across the gallery floor by the artist.” Through May 13th.

$14-$23 admission, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Now Showing @ Fabric Workshop

• John Jarboe: The Rose Garden — The trans artist presents “a multi-room domestic environment reimagining John’s gender journey.” The Rose Garden is an “immersive maze of memories and provocations” full of video sculptures, music, objects and more. Through September 29th.
• Risa Puno: Group Hug — This interactive installation by Brooklyn sculptor and installation artist uses the “language of games” to explore “the complex social relationships inherent in receiving and providing care.” Through July 21st.

Free (suggested donation $5), Fabric Workshop and Museum, 1214 Arch Street.

George R. Anthonisen: Meditations on the Human Condition
The Michener hosts a career-spanning exhibition of works by the accomplished sculptor, including 40 bronze sculptures, maquettes, and frescoes, inside and outside the museum. Through October 14th.
$15 museum admission, Michener Art Museum, 138 South Pine Street, Doylestown.

Betsy Z. Casañas: Call & Response
The Fairhill-based artist with more that 70 murals around the world to her name presents this two-part exhibition at Taller Puertorriqueño. One part focuses on her murals in the surrounding area, and the second focuses on her current work which “explores themes of familial and personal relationships, trauma, violence, anxiety, isolation, and the stages of healing.”
Free, through May 25th, Taller Puertorriqueño, 2600 North 5th Street.

Now Happening @ the Museum for Art in Wood

• The Poetry Gumball Machine Project — Poet and “multiform artist” LindoYes, the project is more or less what it sounds like, a mechanized sculpture that dispenses poetry stuffed inside little walnut shell capsules. The PGMP will be on display at the Museum for Art in Wood through the rest of the year. Through December 31st.
• Gina Siepel: To Understand a Tree — A new exhibition by designer/woodworker Gina Siepel. “A multi-disciplinary project that focuses on the dignity of a living tree, its network of eco-systemic relationships, and the ubiquity of the material of wood in design and daily life.” Through July 21st.
• Experiencing Form: Phil Brown and the Museum’s Residency Artist Alumni, group show. Through September 15th.
  

Free admission, Museum for Art in Wood, 141 North 3rd Street.

Imprint: Dox Thrash
Subtitled “Black Life, and American Culture,” this new exhibition at the African American Museum in Philadelphia invites visitors to “explore the life and artistic legacy” of Dox Thrash, who was a Buffalo Soldier and Black Vaudeville performer before he became a trailblazing Philly printmaker.
$10-$14, through August 4th, African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street.

Best of the Nest: Birdhouse Competition & Display
Forget the peeps. It’s birdhouse time now. Peddler’s Village is lousy with birdhouses — funny ones, cute ones, weird ones, ones no god-fearing bird would set foot in. Through May 19th.
Free till you buy something, Peddler’s Village, 2400 Street Road, New Hope.

Now Happening @ the Barnes

• Alexey Brodovitch: Astonish Me — This new exhibition centers the work of “influential but often overlooked” Russian-born designer, photographer, and instructor Alexey Brodovitch, who was the art director of Harper’s Bazaar in the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s. Through May 19th.
• Education & Empowerment: Scholarship Recipients at the Barnes Foundation, 1927-1949. — Includes archival materials by Paul B. Moses, Ablyne Lockhart, Dr. DeHaven Hinkson and Aaron Douglas. Through August 15th.

Museum admission is $23-$30, Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Now Showing @ the ICA

• Dominique White and Alberta Whittle: Sargasso Sea — This major exhibition at the ICA “takes its name from the only body of water that is defined solely by oceanic currents rather than shorelines” and includes works by two artists which “invoke futures that upend this world with counter images of shipwreck, salvage, reciprocity and Black feminist led-revolution.” Through June 2nd.
• Tomashi Jackson: Across the Universe — This solo exhibition collects the artist’s works “moving paintings,” and presents examples of “videos in dialogue with paintings and sculpture, and articulates how Jackson’s approach to color and conceptual layering translates across these mediums.” Through June 2nd.
• Entryways: Nontsikelelo Mutiti — The Zimbabwean-born visual artist and educator was invited to reimagine the windows on the ICA’s facade. Through December 31st.

Free, Institute of Contemporary Art, 118 South 36th Street.

Henry Bermudez in Philadelphia
Woodmere Art Museum presents this exhibition of works by Philadelphia-based, Venezuela-born multimedia artist Henry Bermudez, who “incorporates painting with cut paper in large-scale works that display a density of intertwined, three-dimensional forms, rainbow-like color, patterning, and sparkling textures.”
$10 museum admission, through May 19th, Woodmere Art Museum, 9201 Germantown Avenue.

Now Showing @ the Brandywine Museum

• Every Leaf & Twig: Andrew Wyeth’s Botanical Imagination — The Brandywine Museum hosts this Andrew Wyeth exhibition focusing on “the fragile rhythms and intimate dramas of plant life,” and includes 40 watercolors and drawings, many of which have never been exhibited before. Through September 15th.
• Jamie Wyeth: Unsettled — And now for a completely different Wyeth. This exhibition focuses on Jamie Wyeth’s “darker and more troubling imagery,” a departure from his better-known paintings of people and landscapes. Through June 9th.

$18-$20, Brandywine Museum of Art, 1 Hoffman’s Mill Road, Chadds Ford.

Museums

The Sweetest Side of Life: Swedish Candy & Confections
The Swedish Museum in FDR Park hosts this pop-up exhibition featuring “the collection of Tyler Graybeal, owner of Sweetish–Swedish Candy and Goods.” Googled it. He’s a real person! His collection includes tins, wrappers, bottles, postcards and more. Swedish sweets are available for sale, too.
$15 admission, through September 15th, American Swedish Historical Museum, 1900 Pattison Avenue.

Witness to Revolution: The Unlikely Travels of Washington’s Tent
This exhibition will “bring to life the stories of individuals from all walks of life who saved Washington’s tent from being lost over the generations and who ultimately fashioned this relic into a symbol of the fragile American republic.” Includes art, artifacts, rare documents and the tent itself. Through January 5th.
Included in museum admission of $13-$22, Museum of the American Revolution, 101 South 3rd Street.

All View It As an Object of High Importance
This exhibition at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania tells the stories of important documents related to banking in the early republic.
Free, through May 31st, the Historical Society of Pennsylvania Library, 1300 Locust Street.

Unhoused: Personal Stories and Public Health
This new long-term exhibition at the Mütter Museum features black and white photos by Toronto-based photographer Leah den Bok, and art by Dallas-based artist Willie Baronet, “whose installation is composed of hundreds of cardboard signs the artist has purchased over the past thirty years from unhoused and unsheltered people in cities around the nation.”
$15-$20, through August 5th, Mütter Museum, 19 South 22nd Street.

Now Happening @ the Academy of Natural Sciences

• Under the Canopy: Animals of the Rainforest — This new special exhibit includes “interactive discovery stations, dynamic displays and engaging programming” surrounding the importance of rainforests and the plants and animals that live there. Through September 2nd.
• Life Onto Land: The Devonian — An exhibition on the life and ecosystems of the Devonian period, the geological era during which creatures wriggled up on dry land, which everybody agrees was a solid move with a lot of potential. Through September 29th.

Included with museum admission of $21-$25, Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

The Doan Gang: Outlaws of the Revolution
The Mercer Museum’s immersive exhibition tells the story of Revolutionary War-era loyalists. “Learn how these local outlaws plotted, schemed, and plundered their way through a divided world in the earliest days of a budding American nation, and why their deep loyalty to British rule in the colonies made them enemies of the Founding Fathers.”
$15, through December 31st, Mercer Museum, 84 South Pine Street, Doylestown. 

The Art of the Brick
The Franklin Institute presents this new long-running exhibition featuring a collection of “inspiring artwork” — bricked-up versions of Starry Night, Mona Lisa, etc. — made by LEGO master Nathan Sawaya. Plus a 9,000-square-foot brick play space. $20-$43, through September 2nd, Franklin Institute, 222 North 20th Street.

Now Showing @ Science History Institute
BOLD: Color from Test Tube to Textile — This new exhibition at Old City’s Science History Institute explores the complicated history and science of natural and synthetic dye-making “drawing on dye sample books, vivid clothing, and scientific instruments.” Through August.
Free admission, Science History Institute, 315 Chestnut Street.

Movies

Now Showing at Philly Film Society
Here’s what’s playing on Film Society screens in addition to the usual first-run fare.

• Star 80 (1993) Eric Roberts and Mariel Hemingway star in Bob Fosse’s tense biopic about a real-life conman Paul Snider obsessed with a rising Hollywood star. Tagline: “She was every man’s dream — and one man’s obsession.” May 19th at 6:15 p.m., May 22nd at 7:30 p.m.
• Safe (1996) Julianne Moore plays a woman plagued my mysterious ailments that make her seemingly incompatible with society. Directed by Todd Haynes. Also stars Xander Berkeley and Dean Norris. Tagline: “In the 21st century nobody will be… Safe.” May 19th at 6 p.m.
• Lenny (1974) Bob Fosse directed this biopic of controversial comedian Lenny Bruce. Stars Dustin Hoffman. Tagline: “Lenny’s Time Has Finally Come!” May 19th, 3:30 p.m.
• High and Low (1963) Akira Kurosawa’s procedural thriller stars Toshirô Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai, Kyôko Kagawa and Yutaka Sada. Tagline: “142 Screenful Minutes of Thrills and Suspense!” May 19th, 3 p.m.

$14 per screening, Philadelphia Film Center, 1412 Chestnut Street.

Outdoors

SPORTS
Phillies vs. Nationals
Baseball. Plus all fans at Friday’s game get a Bryson Stott bobble figurine. The Phils will be wearing their City Connect uniforms, but I bet Bobble Stott will not. On Sunday, all kids 14 and under will get a Phanatic children’s book. Of course the Phanatic can read.
$39-$136, May 17th-19th, Citizens Bank Park, 1 Citizens Bank Way.

WINE/HORSES
Derby at the Vineyard
Penns Woods Winery in Chadds Ford hosts its annual Hunter Derby or two-round horse jumping competition, in which jockeys attempt to leap over their horses. This is difficult because the jockeys are very small and the horses are very confused. Also: live music, food trucks, vendors, horse meet-and-greets and more.
$15 per day, May 18th & 19th, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Penns Woods Winery, 124 Beaver Valley Road, Chadds Ford.

PARKS
Love Your Park Week
This annual event encourages Philadelphians to celebrate (and clean up) the many grassy knolls of our “greene country towne.” Put on your least formal sweatpants and pick up rubbish with your friends and neighbors. Gloves and bags are provided. Pick a project here. Love Your Park Week also includes hikes, tours, movies and more.
Free, through May 19th, multiple locations.

FLOWERS/WATER
Festival of Fountains
Flowers and greenery are usually the focus of a trip to Longwood Gardens, but this annual summer show is all about the waterworks. And the lights. And there’s some mood music, too. Timed admission tickets are required, so plan your visit ahead of time — especially over Mother’s Day weekend.
$32, continues through October 27th, Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square.

SKATING
Rothman Orthopaedics Roller Rink
Lace up your skates or blades on the west side of City Hall and enjoy this “colorful, retro-inspired” outdoor roller rink. Reservations recommended.
$8-$10 (plus $6 for skate rental), continues through June 30th, Dilworth Park, 1 South 15th Street. 

Tours

Battleship New Jersey — Dry Docked
The historic Battleship New Jersey, used in WWII and the Vietnam War, recently made the journey from the Camden Waterfront back to Philly’s Navy Yard where it was built. The ship is 85 years old and needs to have a little work done. It’s a rare treat having the battleship on this side of the river, but also not in the river at all. During this 60-day vacation across state lines, visitors are invited to take guided tours around the exterior hull while learning about the restoration and history of the ship. It’s not cheap, but it’s also not something that will happen again for a long time.
$225 donation per person, Battleship New Jersey, Philadelphia Navy Yard, 5195 South 19th Street.

Andalusia Historic House, Gardens & Arboretum
The 50-acre historic estate along the Delaware River is open for self-guided tours of its formal gardens and native woodlands. Picnics encouraged.
$15, through November 8th, Andalusia Historic House & Gardens, 1237 State Road, Andalusia.

FRIDAY, MAY 17th

MUSIC
Ionnalee
Though Ionnalee (a.k.a. Jonna Lee, a.k.a. one half of iamamiwhoami) favors spooky masks, icicles and generally chilly vibes in her visually striking music videos, her music isn’t quite so intimidating. The Swedish singer-songwriter makes accessible, dreamy, often exhilarating europop that should work on most dance floors. Her next record Close Your Eyes/Blund drops in English and Swedish in June. Fellow Swede Jenny Wilson opens the show.
$27, 9 p.m., Underground Arts, 200 Callowhill Street.

COMEDY/PODCAST
The Basement Yard Experience
Joe Santagato and Frank Alvarez, seemingly identical hosts of the Basement Yard Experience podcast come to the Met for a live show. “It’s unscripted, unpredictable, and if you’re shy you might want to sit in the back.” Fill out an “audience submission form” if you want to participate in the show.
$49-$49, 8 p.m., The Met, 858 North Broad Street.

MUSIC
Kara Jackson
The Chicago-based singer-songwriter and poet — she was the National Youth Poet Laureate in 2019 — released Why Does The Earth Give Us People To Love? last year. Brooklyn-based “alternative indie J-pop” artist Mei Semones opens the show; she released the Kabutomushi EP in April. Let’s listen to both.
$15, 9 p.m., Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 North Frankford Avenue.

DANCE PARTY
Sapphic Factory
This “modern queer joy dance party” promises a playlist that includes Muna, Chappell Roan, Phoebe Bridgers, Kim Petras, Girl in Red and lots more.
$27-$36, 9 p.m., Fillmore Philly, 29 East Allen Street.

MUSIC
Helmet
For some bands, the key to longevity is lineup changes. After frontman Page Hamilton — who founded Helmet in 1989 — the second most tenured member of the alt-metal band joined in 2006. Not important. Just trivia. I’m sure the current dudes can do “Unsung” and “In the Meantime” well enough. Thrash-punk survivor Harley Flanagan and his current crop of Cro-Mags open the show, and I’m sure you’ll hardly .
$29-$50, 8 p.m., Brooklyn Bowl Philly, 1009 Canal Street.

MUSIC
Kate Dressed Up
Philly indie folk band Kate Dressed Up — whom NPR described as tangy and fulfilling — celebrates the release of the vinyl version of their In Another Lifetime record this Friday at WCL. (P.S. — Last week they dropped the single “Strongest Woman in the World” in time for Mother’s Day.)
$15-$18, 8:30 p.m., World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut Street.

More Friday Stuff

• MUSIC
  • Kim Myhr Sympathetic Magic, $30.90, 8 p.m., Solar Myth, 1131 South Broad Street.
  • Harry Chapin’s Greatest Stories Live, $39.50-$100, 8 p.m., Keswick Theatre, 291 North Keswick Avenue, Glenside.
  • Femmes of Rock, $25-$40, 8 p.m., Xcite Center at Parx Casino, 2999 Street Road, Bensalem.
  • Ron Gallo, with Santa Chiara, $20, 8 p.m., First Unitarian Church Side Chapel, 2125 Chestnut Street.
• MOVIES
  • Prom Night (1980, John Carpenter, stars Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasence) 9:45 p.m., Hiway Theater, 212 Old York Road, Jenkintown.
• BOOKS
  • George Stephanopoulos, The Situation Room: The Inside Story of Presidents in Crisis, $45, 7:30 p.m., Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine Street.

SATURDAY, MAY 18th

COMEDY
Jordan Klepper
The Daily Show’s official sufferer of fools at Trump rallies is on his Suffering Fools comedy tour. He’s playing two shows in Phoenixville on Saturday, and already a couple Jersey dates, but is not currently booked to play Philly.
$29.50, 3 & 8 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville.

MUSIC
Sebastian Bach
The ex-Skid Row frontman is at Parx as part of his What Do I Got To Lose Tour, and that’s …  kind of a depressing tour name. But that’s not important right now. Let’s play two truths and a lie!

• Sebastian Bach’s father David Bierk painted the cover art for several of his son’s records.
• Sebastian Bach tried out for Velvet Revolver but ultimately lost out to Scott Weiland.
• Sebastian Bach was originally cast as Rory on the TV show Gilmore Girls until producers decided it made more sense to hire a young woman to play Lorelei’s teenage daughter.

$25-$40, 8 p.m., Xcite Center at Parx Casino, 2999 Street Road, Bensalem.

FESTIVAL
Made on American Street Festival
Made in America may be on indefinite hiatus but Made on American Street is rolling on. Beer, cider, spirits and wine will flow like wine at this outdoor fest at Punch Buggy Brewing (in the Ludlow/Fishtown area). Also: mini-gold, vendors, food trucks, live music and more.
$50-$300, 2-6 p.m., Punch Buggy Brewing Company, 1445 North American Street.

MUSIC
Lyric Fest
Esperanza Arts Center hosts this afternoon concert by Cecilia Violetta Lopez and Levi Hernandez performing Mexican classical song and ranchera folksong with Mariachi.
$5, 2-4 p.m., Teatro Esperanza, Esperanza Arts Center, 4261 North 5th Street.

KIDS
Parkway Pals Play Day
The free day of play includes performances, storytelling, hands-on activities, face-painting, and even a visit from Bluey. And the pond is open for the season, too, so schedule some time for splashing.
Free, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Sister Cities Park, 210 North 18th Street.

DANCE PARTY
My Chemical Slow Dance
This event is billed as the “saddest, most glamorous emo event of the year.” While formal attires is not required, it’s vigorously requested. It’s about time the emo kids got a prom of their own.
$22, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., Underground Arts, 200 Callowhill Street.

DANCE PARTY
Bridgerton-Inspired Dance Party
Riot Nerd presents Diamond of the Season Ball, where you can “dance to the original, non-orchestral, versions of the pop hits” featured in the popular Shondaland/Netflix show about, like, noble snobs and gentry slobs dancing around in high fashion. I’m just gleaning here. Prizes for the finest “Bridgerton-inspired costume/look.” It’s about time scandalized doyennes got a prom of their own.
$15-$20, 9 p.m., World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut Street.

FESTIVAL
Roxborough Spring Fest
The annual street fair returns to Ridge Avenue with food, live music, kid stuff and more.
Free, noon-6 p.m., Ridge Avenue, from Lyceum to Leverington avenues.

COMICS/POP CULTURE
East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention
ECBACC — the convention celebrating positive Black images in comic books and sci-fi —is back with another free full day of panels, workshops, the AfriCoz Cosplay Contest, and more. Includes appearances by Andrew Owens, Uzo Ngwu, Aaron Beatty, Omar Bilal, Christine Churchwell and lots more.
Free, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Temple University Student Faculty Center, 3340 N. Broad Street.

FESTIVAL
Girard Ave. Street Fest
Fairmount CDC presents its annual street fest featuring a bouncy house and other kid stuff, more than a hundred vendors, and a busy music stages featuring performances by West Philly Orchestra, OOLALA, Dirty Soap, Perlin Noise and more.
Free till you spend money, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m., West Girard Avenue, from 26th to 29th streets.

COMEDY/MAGIC/TOUR
The Great Philadelphia Comedy Magic Walking Tour
Led by close magician Robert Malissa. Beyond that, I think the title does the trick.
$32.40, May 18th, meet at the Bourse, near 4th and Ranstead Streets.

RACE/FUNDRAISER
Eagles Autism Challenge
Bike, run and/or walk to raise money for the Eagles Autism Foundation this Saturday, then party at the finish line. There are also sensory walk and virtual options.
Prices vary by event, 6 a.m.-5 p.m., Lincoln Financial Field, 1 Lincoln Financial Field Way.

WINE/ANIMALS
Philly Wine Fest
The Zoo’s Impala Lawn — it’s just a lawn, the impalas live elsewhere — hosts this wine fest featuring two sessions of fine reds, whites and rosés from a couple dozen wineries. Once you’ve got your buzz on, go look the impalas. They don’t look so fast. You could beat one in a race couldn’t you?
$45-$69, 1-3 p.m. & 4:30-6:30 p.m., Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 West Girard Avenue.

TALK
The Parent/Artist: A Panel Discussion
Kelly Writers house hosts this panel discussion featuring parent writers, artists, and musicians, including my old pal Nate “I Was on Magnum P.I.” Chinen, Lauren Francis-Sharma, Natalie Eve Garrett, Aimee Koran and Joseph Earl Thomas. Moderated by Catherine Ricketts. More on the panelists and a link to register here.
Free, 4 p.m., Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk

MUSIC
Moor Mother / Lea Bertucci
This “double bill of visionary experimentalism” features Philly-based musician/poet/activist Moor Mother and NYC composer/sound designer Lea Bertucci. Both are known for using tech and tenacity to create sonic wonders that defy expectations. Should be a memorable night at Solar Myth.
$37.08, 8 p.m., Solar Myth, 1131 South Broad Street.

COMEDY/PODCASTS
World’s Biggest Army
The hosts of Podcast About List, Home Planet and Pierce Campion host this evening of sketch comedy, videos, and tactical combat. I don’t know what they mean by that,
$20-$25, 7:30 p.m., PhilaMOCA, 531 North 12th Street.

SHOPPING
LoMo Spring Flea Market
Lower Moyamensing Civic Association hosts this large outdoor shopping op featuring 60 vendors, live music and more.
Free till you buy something, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., next to South Philly High School, 2437 South Broad Street.

BEER/FESTIVAL
Taste The Rainbow: A Sour Beer Festival
Evil Genius Beer Company hosts this Skittles-inspired fest featuring lemon, lime, strawberry, orange, and grape sour beers, along with other “vintage” flavors.
$15, noon-5 p.m., Evil Genius Beer Company, 1727 North Front Street.

SPORTS/COMPETITION
Radnor Hunt Races
Now in its 93rd year, the Radnor Hunt features steeplechase races and promises a full day of “elegance, excitement and fun.” You hear that, horses? Wear a fascinator!
Lots of price packages to choose from, starts at 9 a.m., Radnor Hunt in Willistown Township, Chester County.

FESTIVAL/MUSIC
Natural Lands Field Jam
The Stroud Preserve in in West Chester hosts an outdoor family-friendly day of “music without walls” (featuring Dylan Zangwill and David Wax Museum), plus beer, music, food trucks, etc. BYO blankets or lawn chairs.
$37-$47, 6-9 p.m., Natural Lands’ Stroud Preserve, 454 North Creek Road, West Chester.

More Saturday Stuff

• MUSIC
  • Baby’s First Rodeo with Sweet Megg, Midnight Flyer, DJ Lee Jennings Richards, & beginner country swing lessons by Rittenhop, $15, 7 p.m., Ortlieb’s Lounge, 47 North 3rd Street.
  • Wild Child, with Oh He Dead, $22, 8 p.m., Ardmore Music Hall, 23 East Lancaster Avenue.
  • Julia Holter, with Nyokabi Kariũki, $20, 8 p.m., First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut Street.
  • BoDeans, $33-$59.50, 8 p.m., Sellersville Theater, 24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville.
  • Sum 41 (farewell tour), with the Interrupters, $62-$205, 6:30 p.m., Skyline Stage, Mann Center, 5201 Parkside Avenue.
  • Herb Alpert & Lani Hall, sold out, 7 p.m., Kimmel Center, 300 South Broad Street.
• CABARET
  • Glitter & Garbage aka Lili St. Queer and Shannon Turner, $25-$50, 8 p.m., Franky Bradley’s, 1320 Chancellor Street.

SUNDAY, MAY 19th

MUSIC
Mannequin Pussy
The fearsome fourpiece (finally) celebrate their fourth record I Got Heaven, which dropped in March, with a hometown show. With Soul Go.
$25-$30, 7 p.m., Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden Street.

WELLNESS
Be Well Philly Fest
Philly Mag hosts our annual event focused on all things wellness to help you feel motivated, empowered and inspired! Expect an array of express workouts, hands-on wellness activities, and learning opportunities. Plus, there’ll be an interactive marketplace where you can sample and shop from local businesses. Even better: You’ll get a healthy lunch and access to our end-of-event happy hour so you can mingle with fellow attendees. See the full lineup here and buy tickets here.
$45, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Bok, 800 Mifflin Street.

SPORTS
Women’s Football Festival
This event at the Linc is aimed at “female Eagles fans of all ages” and includes a welcome address from Jalen Hurts, interactive football drills on the field, locker room tours and lots more.
$85, 10 a.m., Lincoln Financial Field, 1 Lincoln Financial Field Way.

MUSIC
100.3 WRNB Presents RnB Fest
Ashanti — the silky singer of “Foolish,” “Always On Time” (with Ja Rule) and “What’s Luv? (with Fat Joe) — headlines this all-R&B festival, supported by Lloyd, Mýa and Maeta.
$25-$197, 7 p.m., The Met, 858 North Broad Street.

MUSIC
Ringo Deathstarr
According to Wikipedia, the name of this Austin-shoegaze band “is a combination of the Beatles drummer Ringo Starr and the Star Wars Death Star.” Holy shit you guys. But for real, as far as punny band names you’ll have to live with forever, Ringo Deathstarr is not so bad — probably below Brian Jonestown Massacre, but above Dandy Warhols and Camper Van Beethoven. The Veldt and SOLD open.
$18, 7 p.m., Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 North Frankford Avenue.

MUSIC
Joyner Lucas
Believe it or not, Worcester, Massachusetts has a decent hip-hop history, but right now all search results point to Joyner Lucas, the rapper and producer known for “I’m Not Racist” and “Ramen & OJ” (with Lil Baby). He also worked with Will Smith on “Will”:
$48-$103, 8 p.m., Fillmore Philly, 29 East Allen Street.

MUSIC
Donny McCaslin
In addition to his many albums as a bandleader, the jazz saxophonist is known for working with David Bowie, Bobby McFerrin, Sun Kil Moon, Danilo Perez, and tons more.
$37.08, 8 p.m., Solar Myth, 1131 South Broad Street.

COMEDY
Dan Licata & Charles Gould
Licata wrote for SNL, Joe Pera Talks with You, and more. Gould has a standup on Comedy Central and appeared in Search Party, The Big Sick and more. Together they’re on their “Two Guys Who Ruin The Vibe” tour, hosted by Samantha Ruddy.
$18.66, 8 p.m., PhilaMOCA, 531 North 12th Street.

FESTIVAL/SHOPPING
Chestnut Hill Home and Garden Festival
Art, vendors, flowers, music, furniture and food highlight this annual family-friendly throwdown along Germantown Avenue. Buy some heirloom vegetable plants, learn about bee-keeping, visit the 200+ home and garden vendors, etc. Performers include Second Story Walkup, Dukes of Destiny, Red X, Jenks Choir, SNAP Co. and more.
Free, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., along Germantown Avenue, from Rex Avenue to Willow Grove Avenue.

MUSIC
Philadelphia Sinfonia
The Philly-based “full symphonic orchestra for talented students with significant orchestral experience” presents its Festival Concert in which they perform works by Mendelssohn, Rózsa, Tchaikovsky and more. Featuring soloists Meichen Liao-Barnes and Derek Barnes. Led by Danielle Garrett.
$26-$36, 8 p.m., Kimmel Center, 300 South Broad Street.

More Sunday Stuff

• MUSIC
  • Echo & The Bunnymen, $49.50, 8 p.m., Franklin Music Hall, 421 North 7th Street.
  • The Lovin’ Spoonful, $33 to $50, 3 & 8 p.m., Sellersville Theater, 24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville.
• SHOPPING
  • Clover Market, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 7 North Bryn Mawr Avenue, Bryn Mawr.
• ANIMALS
  • Feline Frenzy Cat Expo, pay-what-you-want donation, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, 100 Station Avenue, Oaks.
  • Goat Brunch, pay as you go, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 North Frankford Avenue.

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