FunTimes Magazine ‘Culture & Entertainment’ column, Week of July 10

July just started and already we must conserve some energy for the abundance of event experiences awaiting. From pop-ups and block parties to celebrations of rap music and museum nights, July is sizzling hot. Venture out to explore and enjoy these free events.

Image: African American Museum in Philadelphia. Source: Wikimedia Commons

Free museum entry for college students

July 13, 2023. A tip for all college students and recent graduates: Get in free of charge at the African American Museum in Philadelphia and to Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. At Philly Night Out, for one evening, students can see the current Rising Sun: Artists in an Uncertain America exhibition of new works examining the timely question: “Is the sun rising or setting on the experiment of American democracy?” The groundbreaking exhibit, at both museums, focuses on human rights, equality, free speech and other democratic principles on display at both museums. Free refreshments and entry, but register to get a confirmation e-mail to gain admittance. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch St., 215-574-0380 or aampmuseum.org or Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, 118-128 N. Broad St., 215-972-7600 or pafa.org.

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Photo by Meredith Edlow

Uncovering untold snippets of local history

July 13, 2023. Sometimes the best things just pop up unexpectedly like colorful daisies on a sidewalk. Check out veteran hospitality expert Cara Schneider Bongiorno’s innovative Philly History Pop Up’s! It’s her latest meet-up of brief interactive local tours focusing on "Interesting Twists on Places You Know." This one was postponed from June. Walk inquisitively into history and learn all about unheralded stories of Philadelphia’s historic sites, museums, ships on the Delaware, people and work spaces. Enjoy an interactive game format, plus food and crafts from Craft Foundry, Jrip Juicery, Radiant Soap, Mindkee, Wildly Nourished Botanicals, Inner City Graphic & Design. Free, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (half-hour sessions), no registration. The Rose Garden Market, 1401 Frankford Ave. in Fishtown. Email: [email protected]. 

 

Around the block…

July 16, 2023. Get ready to rock the block. Barnes on the Block presented by PNC Arts Alive just screams FUN! Check out the visual art displays, art-making, live performances, food trucks, beer garden and more. Enjoy the music of DJ JAMZ Art and a wellness workshop with Shanina Dionna. Chill to performances by Batala Philly, TAMEARTZ and Nasya Gay, with a musical finale curated by AFROTAINO. Mural Arts Philadelphia and AFROTAINO are event partners. Free but registration is required to access the Barnes exhibits. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 215-278-7 000 or barnesfoundation.org.

Pop-up park on The Parkway

July 16, 2023 to August 20, 2023. Run down to the Philadelphia Art Museum, but stop on the block before you get to the Rocky Steps and check out The Oval on the Parkway. It’s a huge pop-up park that has famously featured beer gardens, a giant Ferris wheel, movies and virtual domes in the past. This year, the theme is Out of Sight at The Oval. Enjoy the vibes of SNACKTIME, Philly’s popular brass-heavy band performing the best of funk, punk, jazz, pop and R&B. Jam out to Philly DJ, DJ Killsing and rap artist Eshu Tune (aka Hannibal Buress). Sample from food trucks. Experience The Oval’s 21,000-foot beer garden by MilkBoy will feature a curated selection of beers, pastries and nonalcoholic drinks from Forîn Café. The project is part of a partnership with the Parkway Council and its “Parkway Presents” series. Free, no advanced registration required, 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. myphillypark.org, https://www.phila.gov

Call it a rap…

July 19, 2023. Time flies. Wow, hip-hop is 50! To mark the milestone, The Philadelphia Orchestra, with conductor Jonathan Taylor Rush, and West Philadelphia rapper Chill Moody will perform Darin Atwater's Black Metropolis: Improvisations on Paint Factory. It’s an exploration of hip-hop and Black culture through“an architecture of sound.” The concert is a lively mash-up of classical music, hip-hop, spoken word and dance; it will feature rappers, DJs, choirs and visual artists. Free but register for tickets in advance, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., Mann Center for the Performing Arts, (TD Pavilion at the Mann), 5201 Parkside Ave., 215-546-7900, [email protected] or manncenter.org.   

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Rising country artists shine in new podcasts

Country music traditionally has come up short when giving Black musicians a chance. That’s changing slowly. Black Opry Residency’s WXPN Artists to Watch Podcast proves that Blacks have already had a deep interest in the genre, and puts the overdue spotlight on those trying to catch a fair shake and break on the stage of equality. Host John Morrison examines the struggles of five ready-to-emerge Black artists, and gives a voice to their music “of rich melodies, soulful harmonies and artful lyrics,” according to promotional material. Black Opry Residency provides a forum and support for the development of up-and-coming creatives. Free, Thursdays. 215-573-3339 or xpn.org.

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