Events and openings giving us life again
Things are slowly getting up-to-speed again. Here are a few events, specials and reopenings that prove that statement.
Virtual Hamlet
Laurel Hill Cemetery and REV Theatre Company are teaming up to bring a theatrical experience like no other. “Hamlet,” a virtual reading, will feature a glittering cast of Philadelphia actors all performing one of William Shakespeare’s most famous plays. The tragedy of Hamlet: a prince haunted by his murdered father looking for revenge. Falling into madness, the country of Denmark’s beloved rulers face the truth of their monarchy. This free virtual, theatrical reading will take place Saturday, Aug. 1, at 7:30 pm on Zoom. Donations appreciated. thelaurelhillcemetery.org/events/hamlet.
Park fun
Fairmount Park Conservancy is encouraging park-goers to safely explore the lesser-known gems of East and West Fairmount Park this summer and fall. The nonprofit champion for Philadelphia parks is offering a variety of ways to discover all that the 2,050-acre park offers, from a new free scavenger hunt to guided yoga and hikes to solo park cleanups. In addition, the Conservancy has created a new digital guide, highlighting trails, historic landmarks, and natural areas in Fairmount Park. The Fairmount Park Digital Guide allows users to find less traveled gems all on their own. Find the guide at myphillypark.org.
Red Owl is back
Guess WHO’s back? Red Owl Tavern, Old City’s modern American restaurant and bar perched on the corner of 5th and Chestnut streets across from Independence Hall, has re-opened for takeout with outdoor dining and brunch. Diners are encouraged to grab their Quaran-Team and sit down for a sizzling lunch or dinner on the sunny, socially-distanced patio across from Independence Hall, order a delicious takeout meal, or stop by for grab-and-go breakfast items. The all-too-tempting brunch menu includes favorites such as the Tavern Omelet, Berry Cobbler French Toast, Egg White Scramble, or Breakfast Sandwich. The brunch menu will be expanded to include some lunch offerings and will be available on Saturdays from Noon to 7pm, and on Sundays from 10am to 3 pm on Red Owl Tavern’s expansive patio. 422 Chestnut St. RedOwlTavern.com. 215- 923-2267.
Fried chicken Fridays
Running through Friday, Aug. 14, The Bourse Food Hall invites fried chicken lovers to its patio for “Fried Chicken Fridays” with Freebyrd Chicken, a month-long pop-up. Each Friday from 3-8 pm, Freebyrd Chicken will be on The Bourse’s 5th Street patio across from Independence Mall slinging grab-and-go fried chicken sandwiches and beers. All guests must be seated at a table after ordering. Masks are required at all times, unless seated. Tables are first-come, first-served. 111 S Independence Mall E in Philadelphia’s Old City District. Theboursephilly.com.
BlackStar Film Festival
Philly Stewards gave us a heads up on this event, which takes place Aug. 20-26. While online this year, you’ll see a lot of panels and films from Black and Brown filmmakers, including one session where prospective movie makers can make their pitches to a panel of experts. Visit blackstarfest.org for a complete lineup, ticket info and more.
How we’ll be enjoying the Live-In/Drive In concert series
Live Nation Philadelphia, in partnership with the Philadelphia Phillies, recently announced plans for a four-week local drive-in concert series coming to the parking lot of Citizens Bank Park, home of the Phillies. The Live-In/Drive-In Concert Series presented by Budweiser Zero, a new alcohol-free brew from Budweiser, kicks off on Sunday, Aug. 16 and will continue with a wide variety of musical genres through Labor Day Weekend. Visit phillies.com/drivein for the full lineup and details, but here are a few acts we’re excited to see.
AJR
Multi-platinum indie pop trio AJR has today announced “A Night In Your Car with AJR,” a special drive-in show at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Aug. 19. AJR’s latest single “BANG!” has racked up more than 90 million worldwide streams, is No. 2 at Alternative Radio and recently made its Billboard Hot 100 debut. In their decade music roundups, Spotify named AJR’s smash “Sober Up” one of the Best Rock Songs of the 2010s and Apple Music named AJR’s hit “Weak” one of the Best Alt Songs of the 2010s.
Lotus
Long-running Philadelphia-based instrumental-electronic quintet Lotus, which is releasing its new album “Free Swim” on Aug. 21, will return to the live stage on Friday, Sept. 4. “It has without a doubt been a trying time for everyone,” shares the group’s Jesse Miller. “As a band who has built our sound, following and career around live performances, it has been tough to cancel show after show. With all that in mind, we are embracing the chance to play this unique drive-in show. While it might be different than packing onto a dance floor, we hope we can take this opportunity to capture the magic and energy that is improvised music played live.”
The Front Bottoms
The Front Bottoms will hit the drive-in stage Sunday, Aug. 23. This Jersey-based duo has been around for awhile now and won legions of fans with its alt-rock, punk sound. Want to warm up for the show? The Front Bottoms dropped a new album only a few weeks ago.
Michael Blackson & Friends with special guest DJ Jazzy Jeff
Catch the comedian – and apparently some of his friends – along with the legendary DJ Jazzy Jeff on Monday, Sept. 7. It’s an awesome way to wrap up this series, right? Blackson has appeared in a number of movies, but you might know him for his appearances at local comedy clubs back in the day right here in Philly.
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
OK, we admit we didn’t know who these guys were, but, with a name like that, we had to find out. Turns out they’re a Baltimore funk-jam band that will be at the series Aug. 21. Just Google them and click the “Images” button. After you see photos of them in action, we think you’ll agree that this is a show you’ll want to see.
The Struts
The English rock band hits the stage on Saturday, Aug. 22. They’ve been around for just short of a decade, and you’ve probably not only heard their music, but also seen them on a number of national television shows. Or maybe you caught them as an opening act for some of the biggest names in the business. In any event, you don’t want to miss this performance in Philly.
How we’re exploring Philly, on our own
Everybody has their own schedules to keep – especially these days. So why not make your own itinerary when it comes to exploring some of the history around the region? Visit Philly just released a list of self-guided tours to help you do just that. Go to visitphilly.com for the complete list, links and details, but here are a few tours worth checking out.
Audio Tour of Valley Forge National Historical Park
No battles were fought in Valley Forge, but the time the Continental Army encamped here in 1777 and 1778 went down as one of the Revolutionary War’s most trying periods. Take a deep dive into Valley Forge’s history at your own pace via the park’s official audio tour, available for purchase to stream or on CD. Drive through the park, accompanied by period music, while character voices help you envision the 18th-century encampment during a 60-minute tour.
Anti-Slavery Walking Tours from The Philadelphia Inquirer
Philadelphians were heavily involved in the abolitionist movement, and the Underground Railroad passed through the city, helping enslaved people find freedom here and north into Canada. Two free audio tours from The Philadelphia Inquirer guide people through Old City and Society Hill and around Northwest Philadelphia to visit anti-slavery landmarks like Congo Square (now Washington Square), a convening space and burial ground for the Black community; and Germantown’s Johnson House Historic Site, which served as an Underground Railroad stop and may have hosted Harriet Tubman.
The Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia
Known for their in-depth guided tours of Philly architecture, the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia also offers three free self-guided tours available online. The Rittenhouse Square neighborhood is so history-dense that separate tours are needed to cover the east and west parts of the area. And don’t sleep on a walk through roomy Girard Estate in deep South Philly, complete with an engrossing story involving the richest man in America and a rare planned community in the city.
Operation City Quest Scavenger Hunt
Charge up your mobile device (consider bringing a portable charger!) and put on your detective’s hat for this outdoor scavenger hunt that starts on Independence Mall. Great for solo adventure seekers or small groups, this 150-object hunt is a game, knowledge test and history lesson all rolled into one. Take photos of your finds to score points and complete the challenge.
LGBTQ Sites in Greater Philadelphia
Philadelphia hosted the country’s first major demonstration for LGBTQ rights, the Annual Reminders, in 1965. But the city’s history of equality activism long predates that and continues today, as evidenced by public art, historical markers and notable attractions. A colorful mural pays tribute to the late Gloria Casarez, Philadelphia’s first director of the Office of LGBTQ Affairs; and historical markers recall the contributions of John Fryer, who helped declassify homosexuality as a mental illness, and Barbara Gittings, who edited the nation’s first lesbian magazine. The guide to Philly’s LGBTQ history includes many more sites, including some that are in the public space or don’t require admission fees.
Self-Guided Tours of Laurel Hill Cemetery
This circa-1836 Northwest Philly cemetery with picturesque views of the Schuylkill River offers more than pleasant outdoor strolling. Download the cemetery’s free app and venture out on one of three themed tours – Art & Architecture; Pop Culture & Contemporary Stories; and Lore & Legends – to visit permanent residents like Sarah Josepha Hale (author of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”) and former Philadelphia Phillies announcer Harry Kalas. Pair a visit with gorgeous bike- and pedestrian-friendly Kelly Drive via the park’s southwest entrance, or explore nearby East Falls’ dining offerings (like fried chicken from Foghorn or pizza from In Riva).
How we’re getting ready for Fringe Festival this year
FringeArts has announced the artists participating in the 2020 Philadelphia Fringe Festival. The 24th annual Fringe Festival runs Sept. 10 through Oct. 4, and the 125-plus works will take place largely online, with a handful of outdoor, distanced performances, health conditions permitting. Full festival details, including show, schedule, and ticketing information, will be announced in mid-August. Head over to FringeArts.com for more information, both now and when all the details are released, and a list of curated and independent artists. In the meantime, here’s a quick look at what we know now.
Curated productions
FringeArts will present 12 productions as part of this year’s curated slate, including works by The Bearded Ladies Cabaret; Nichole Canuso Dance Company; David Gordon; Jaamil Olawale Kosoko; Trey Lyford, Geoff Sobelle, and Steve Cuiffo; and Swim Pony, the Philadelphia Environmental Council, Toasterlab, and Mike Kiley.
Additional artists
Also participating in this year’s festival are the artists from FringeArts’ 2020 High Pressure Fire Service series – Nell Bang-Jensen, Emily Bate, Kyle Dacuyan + Antigravity Performance Project, James Allister Sprang and Alexandra Tatarsky – whose spring performances were not able to be presented as scheduled due to the pandemic. The Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, originally scheduled to participate in FringeArts’ 2020 Hand to Hand Circus Festival, completes the lineup for this year’s Curated Fringe.
The Bookstore
The Fringe Festival Bookstore will return this year in a virtual capacity, featuring talks with artists and community partners to provide context for the works in the curated slate, and reflect on the current moment in the arts and society at large. All talks will take place online and will be free of charge.
Digital performances
The Philadelphia Fringe Festival has featured a Digital Fringe component since 2015, but this year, digital shows make up over 80 percent of the lineup. The majority of these works will be presented virtually via Zoom, YouTube, Discord and Twitch, among others. Some will be available to watch throughout the festival, while others will have specific viewing times and involve a degree of interactivity between performers and audiences.
Virtual town hall
FringeArts will host a virtual town hall via Zoom in mid-August following the full programming announcement to go over the many changes to this year’s festival, including health and safety practices, how best to engage with the festival, access digital content, and more, as well as answer any questions audience members might have.
In-person performances
There are currently 24 shows in the 2020 Fringe Festival scheduled to take place with in-person, outdoor components. There will be no indoor performances, as directed by the Philadelphia Department of Health. Audience size for all outdoor shows will be limited, and ticket reservations must be made in advance to maintain capacity and ensure hands-free transactions. Attendees will be required to wear masks and observe social distancing regulations. Staff will monitor the local outbreak numbers daily and are prepared to adjust or cancel in-person presentations should health conditions worsen and Philadelphia shift or change its guidelines.
