Fun Events in Philly This Week
This week: A rooftop springtime soiree, fun food collabs, Sixers take on the Knicks, a wedding stroll and more.
Snacktime playing at the annual Spring Awakening soiree at Stratus Rooftop Lounge / Photograph by Christopher Devern
This week: A springtime soiree, fun food collabs, Sixers take on the Knicks, a wedding stroll and more.
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Food & Drink
Stratus Rooftop Lounge’s annual Spring Awakening, a circus-inspired soiree, returns this Friday evening. This year’s theme is “Cirque du Stratus,” and will feature live music from Snacktime and DJ Hollywood, aerialists, magicians, stilt walkers, and contortionists, plus cocktails and hors d’ouevres. The VIP party runs 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., followed by general admission through 2 a.m. Dress in your best Greatest Showman getup! Tickets run $20-$100 and can be purchased here.
If your favorite pastimes include spending $76 on impulse purchases at Riverwards Produce (same), we’ve got great news for you: Today, in celebration of their anniversary, every single item at both locations will be 20 percent off! Stock up!
On Tuesday, April 23rd, Liberty Kitchen executive chef Beau Neidhardt is popping up at Superfolie for a fun French-themed “snacky prix-fixe.” For $50 per person, you and a friend can enjoy a selection of tomato pies, three small plates, Frenchie hoagies, and ice-cream sandwiches. Wine and cocktails on offer! Snag your ticket here.
Another not-to-miss food collab this week goes down this Wednesday and Thursday evenings, when Emmett pops up at Paffuto. Both nights will see a 5:30 p.m. and an 8 p.m. dinner service, with a five-course menu featuring dishes like beef carpaccio, octopus meunière, and a 14-day aged Rohan duck. Reserve your $125 seat here.
Recently launched plant-based wellness brand Radiant Roots is co-hosting a cooking experience this Wednesday evening, in community with Let Me Know Club and Hava Rose. Learn how to create a warm kale saute with tomato bruschetta and miso white bean mash. Buy your $33 ticket here.
Parks on Tap is back through the end of September. This week, catch the roving beer garden at Columbus Square in South Philly. There’ll be canned and draft beer, hard seltzers, wine, and cocktails, plus small bites. Even better: It’s dog-friendly. Find the full schedule here.
Speaking of outdoor drinking, the PHS pop-up gardens are now open on South Street and in Manayunk. In addition, on Wednesday, April 24th from 5 to 7 p.m., visit the PHS Gateway Garden at Drexel to meet the brewers of Succession Fermentory. Various beer styles will feature locally foraged ingredients, and beer will be available for purchase to be enjoyed at the garden or to be taken to-go.
Want some more outdoor dining inspo? Peep our guide here.
On Stage
Reese Castaldi (Pinocchio) and Izzy Sazak (Geppetto/Fox/Donkey) in Arden Theatre Company’s 2024 production of Pinocchio. / Photograph by Ashley Smith, Wide Eyed Studios.
Beautiful, the musical based on the life of singer-songwriter Carole King, is now playing at Walnut Street Theatre and runs through May 5th. The show follows her journey, with plenty of her hits along the way, including “One Fine Day,” “Natural Woman,” and, of course, the titular song.
Arden Theatre Company is staging a “modern retelling” of Pinocchio, in which the storytellers turn everyday objects into props and puppets. It runs through June 2nd, and Arden recommends the play for kids ages four and up. Meanwhile, Walnut Street Theatre’s kids’ offering for the season is a musical adaptation of the DreamWorks animated movie Madagascar. The “musical adventure” follows the friends as they escape from the Central Park Zoo, and it’s designed especially for little theatergoers. It runs through May 5th. Also for kids, ASH Theater Company is staging a musical version of Finding Nemo at Venice Island Performing Arts Center in Manayunk through April 28th.
Hedgerow Theatre presents the U.S. premiere of Beginners, a “playful thriller” about “three families trapped in a waterlogged cottage on their summer vacation.” Catch it at the Rose Valley venue through May 5th.
Chestnut Hill’s Stagecrafters Theater presents Sweat, Lynn Nottage’s play about people whose friendships are endangered during labor disputes at the factory where they work. The final performances run this Thursday through Sunday.
For something a little different, head to Tattooed Mom on Monday night as Theatre Contra does one of their fan-favorite live-script readings. This time, it’s M. Night Shymalan’s The Happening, “so grab a drink, hop in a bumper car and get ready to yell at some plastic plants.”
Sports
The Sixers take on the Knicks in the 2024 NBA playoffs. / Photograph by Elsa/Getty Images
Phillies are on the road this week until next weekend, but good thing the Sixers are playing at home this Thursday night. Their playoff game against the Knicks starts at 7:30 p.m., with an additional game on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Spring Stuff
Tulips in bloom at Holland Ridge Farms / Photograph by John Brandauer via Flickr
Springtime means getting outside — and not forgetting to take your allergy meds. Revel in seasonal beauty at any of the area’s gardens and arboretums or u-pick flower farms, or hit up Longwood Gardens‘s annual Spring Blooms, which features tulips, flowering trees, and geophytes galore.
The Pennsylvania Horticulture Society (PHS) and Chanticleer launched their 2024 gardening-class series last week. The second program, which takes place this Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., focuses on planting and caring for vegetable crops. Register for $45, or $40 if you’re a PHS member.
Angela Monaco Jewelry will host their second annual Solar Return Fundraiser this Wednesday, which partially benefits local rescue non-profit Hand2Paw. From 5 to 8 p.m., shop the jeweler’s new paw charms, enter a raffle for a chance to win a $500 gift card, and sip on N/A spritzes made with Philly’s own the Pathfinder. RSVPs are encouraged, but not required.
Peddler’s Village has said sayonora to Peeps in favor of bird houses! The “Best of the Nest” display boasts everything from funny ones to cute ones to weird ones to ones no god-fearing bird would set foot in. Catch it through May 19th.
And, of course, you can always take advantage of extended hours at Franklin Square for Philly-themed mini golf, carousel rides, and Tastykake shakes.
Roller Skate at Dilworth Park
Dilworth Park’s new retro-style Rothman roller skating rink installation / Photograph by Laura Swartz
The Rothman Orthopaedics Roller Rink is officially back at Dilworth Park with all its checkerboard-floor old-school happiness. Skating sessions are available in one-hour blocks, and advanced tickets are highly recommended. The rink will be open daily through June 30th. More info here.
Old City Wedding Stroll
Lovely Bride is among those taking part in the Old City Wedding Stroll on April 24th. / Photograph by Phil Kramer
Calling all engaged couples! The third annual Old City Wedding Stroll returns this Wednesday, April 24th. From 5 to 8 p.m., explore upwards of 35 wedding businesses from florists to bridal salons to venues to beauty spots, for all your Big Day desires. Plus, when you register, you’ll be entered to win a grand prize valued at almost $4,000 that’ll cover private dance lessons, hair and makeup application, a bouquet, a tungsten wedding band, tons of gift cards, and more.
The Art of the Brick
Photograph by Laura Swartz
The Art of the Brick is back in Philly, bigger and better than before. The exhibit features over 100 works by artist Nathan Sawaya, including a couple Philly-specific pieces. This time around there is also a 9,000-square-foot Lego play space where kids of all ages can get creative and play to their heart’s content. The exhibit runs through September 2nd, and an additional timed ticket is required for admission. Check out our preview for what to expect and what’s new this time around.
Art
George R. Anthonisen’s Tea Party / Photograph courtesy of the Michener Art Museum
Michener Art Museum hosts a career-spanning exhibition of works by accomplished sculptor George R. Anthonisen, including 40 bronze sculptures, maquettes, and frescoes, inside and outside the museum. Catch Meditations on the Human Condition now through October 14th.
Da Vinci Art Alliance’s annual community arts and science festival, Everyday Futures Fest, runs the entire month of April with exhibits, workshops and interactive experiences focusing on sustainability and the arts. Check out the Everyday Futures Fest schedule here.
Fairhill-based artist Betsy Z. Casañas presents Call & Response, a two-part exhibition at Taller Puertorriqueño. One part focuses on her murals in the surrounding neighborhood, 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.” Through May 25th.
The city’s favorite public mosaicist takes center stage at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens (again!) with Ritual of Self: Isaiah Zagar’s Self-Portraits in Paper, an exhibition of previously unseen mixed-media artworks. Runs through May 12th.
The Fabric Workshop and Museum’s newest special exhibit, Group Hug by Risa Puno, employs gameplay to explore social-emotional concepts. A giant 20-sided die prompts discussion questions inside a colorful bahay kubo. A collaborative game of Whac-a-Mole mirrors the act of caring for others and controls whimsical “Coconut Pods” that recline and play ocean sounds … but only while the game is played! The exhibit runs through July 21st. Read our review here.
Alexey Brodovitch: Astonish Me, a new exhibition that centers the work of “influential but often overlooked” Russian-born designer, photographer, and instructor Alexey Brodovitch, is now showing at the Barnes Foundation. Brodovitch was the art director of Harper’s Bazaar in the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s. Runs through May 19th.
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, with the exhibit Imprint: Dox Thrash. Through August 4th.
At the Woodmere Art Museum, Henry Bermudez in Philadelphia presents the most extensive collection to date of works by the Philadelphia-based, Venezuela-born multimedia artist. Bermudez “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.” The exhibit runs through May 19th.
The Brandywine Museum hosts Every Leaf & Twig: Andrew Wyeth’s Botanical Imagination, an exhibition focusing on “the fragile rhythms and intimate dramas of plant life,” and includes 40 of Wyeth’s watercolors and drawings, many of which have never been exhibited before. The exhibit runs through September 15th.
For the Littles
Photograph courtesy of Everland
Everland in Queen Village recently launched a new cooking class, Little Foodie Adventures. The 10 a.m. Wednesday sessions, led by Hayley Davis, registered dietitian and author of There’s a Rainbow in My Lunchbox, see toddlers one through three years old reading food-themed books, cooking healthy recipes, and doing food-inspired crafts. Pre-registration is required online.
Kid-centric outdoors group Sparrows + Sprouts has a new spring nature program that’ll have your two through five year old exploring FDR Park. There’ll also be time for stories, songs, games, and play! The eight-week series takes place Mondays at 4 p.m. and Fridays at 10 a.m. (You choose which day you’d like to attend.) Pay $100 for the full series, or $15 as a drop-in. For more outdoor fun, the Schuylkill Center hosts its Sprouts program for toddlers and their grownups on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings.
Through April 28th, Adventure Aquarium promises a “bubble bonanza” including a scavenger hunt, photo ops, hands-on demonstrations, hourly Bubble Bash parties and more bubbly fun. Last chance!
Join musician, teacher and mom Rachel Meyner for early childhood music classes Thursday morning at the Phield House. The 10 a.m. session is for walkers 12 months and older, while the 11 a.m. is geared toward newborns and crawlers.
Under the Canopy at the Academy of Natural Sciences includes life-size, climbable animal sculptures as well as educational interactives. And, best of all, there are animal habitat displays with live animals, including Maple, a two-toed sloth! You can’t meet her, but if you stick around you can come up-close and personal with a turtle, a snake, a tegu, and more. Daily talks inside the exhibit will include animal feedings, sloth training, and museum educators explaining what makes these animals unique and how they adapt to live in the rainforest. The exhibit is included with museum admission and runs through September 2nd.
Sensory-safe gym We Rock the Spectrum‘s Northeast Philly location has launched its newest class, Messy Play Madness. Every week, your little one will engage in a hands-on activity, like making your own snow with child-safe household items. (There’s a “not too messy” option, too!) Littles ages two through four play from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m., and kids five through seven years old enjoy their session from 6:15 to 7 p.m.
On Tuesday morning (10 a.m.), you and your little one can head to Tiny Tildie’s for a baby meetup organized by Beth Auguste, local maternal health registered dietitian nutritionist and women’s fitness specialist. Expect a casual, 60-minute opportunity to interact with other parents and their kids. The weekly meetups are free; registration is not required, but encouraged.
The Please Touch Museum’s special exhibit focusing on the art, food and culture of India, Namaste India includes hands-on activities that simulate playing cricket, riding a tuk-tuk, preparing roti, and more playtime for little ones. The exhibit runs through May 3rd, and is included with museum admission.
The Free Library is always a weekly standby for storytimes and other free kids’ events around town. For more drop-in classes, PlayArts hosts pop-ups at the Piazza and Amrita Yoga — choose from movement, music, art and storytime. And Philly Art Center hosts its drop-in creative play sessions on Thursdays at all four of its locations. Babies and toddlers ages 30 months and under can come enjoy stories, sensory stations, and more on Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. No pre-registration is required; just drop in for $10.
Close out the week with a happy hour at South Philly’s kiddie haven, Beehive at Bok. Their monthly Kid Rave features a techno, EDM and house DJ set by Music with Ry; plus open play, glow sticks and a jungle theme — dress like your favorite animal! Family tickets are available online.
