Come to PAPA, ‘Pass Over,’ ‘we got time,’ and ‘In the Heights’ highlight the weekend

The weekend is rich with offerings from the likes of the Philadelphia Asian Performing Artists, The Crossing, the Wilma, and the Museum of the American Revolution. Theatre Exile and Theatre in the X new collaboration Pass Over begins its previews, and Philadelphia Film Society is screening the long-awaited In the Heights in multiple locations (including a drive-in if you still have reservations about indoor and in-person events). Blue Stoop also has a great conversation lined up to kick off the beginning of next week.

Come to PAPA

The Philadelphia Asian Performing Artists (PAPA) launches its robust virtual performance festival Come to PAPA starting Thursday, June 10, and running through June 20. With more than 30 events and 100 artists from 21 cities, the programming celebrates Pan-Asian performing arts with performances, workshops, guided meditations, dance parties, and more.

Pass Over

Previews for the new Theatre Exile and Theatre in the X collaborative show Pass Over run Thursday, June 10, through June 16, followed by opening night on Thursday, June 17. Written by Antoinette Nwandu and directed by Ozzie Jones, Pass Over tells the story of two Black men hanging out on a city street corner sharing dreams of an escape from their circumstances. Their dreams are derailed when a stranger wanders onto their corner with his own agenda. The performance is outdoors and physically distanced. Tickets are limited, and the show is intended for mature audiences.

Be on the lookout for my review after opening night!

The Floor Wipers

The Wilma Theater is releasing a new short film inspired by pro basketball’s Covid bubble and the workers responsible for keeping the court free from sweat. The comedy film was conceived by Taysha Marie Canales and stars Jaylene Clark Owens with Akeen Davis directing. The film is available on-demand starting Thursday, June 10.

we got time

The Crossing continues its Month of Moderns concerts in June with we got time. Presented with Ars Nova Workshop and the Annenberg Center, the performance of composer Matana Roberts’ work honors the life of Breonna Taylor and is set in The Woodlands (4000 Woodland Avenue). The performance is outdoors, physically distanced, and runs Friday, June 11, through Sunday, June 13.

Staying Power

Black Quantum Futurism, Irreversible Entanglements, and many more gather up in-person and virtually for a festival celebrating Black performance. Hosted by the Village of the Arts and Humanities and curated with Monument Lab, the free event is live on Saturday, June 12, at 7pm (streaming live on Instagram).

The Umbrella Dance

Anne-Marie Mulgrew and Dancers Company are set to perform a reimagined version of its signature traveling dance installation, The Umbrella Dance, on Friday, June 11, at 5pm at Cherry Street Pier. The performance is free

In the Heights at PFS

If you’re hype for In the Heights and want to see it on a big screen, the Philadelphia Film Society has multiple showings at multiple locations this weekend. From Friday, June 11, through the weekend, you can watch it at their Film Center (1412 Chestnut st.), their Navy Yard drive-in (Admiral Peary Way and League Island Boulevard), or at the Bourse (400 Ranstead St.). Times and prices vary.

Flag Day with MoAR

The Museum of the American Revolution opens its special exhibition, Flags and Founding Documents, 1776-Today on Saturday, June 12. The show will have more than 40 flags on display, including the earliest known 13-star flags to a black-and-white-striped 23-star antislavery flag. There are also pop-up talks, discovery carts, make-your-own-flag, and other activities throughout the exhibit’s run through September 6, 2021.

The Natural Mother of the Child

Blue Stoop is hosting Philly resident Krys Malcolm Belc in conversation with nonbinary author Alex Marzano-Lesnevich. Belc discusses his new trans parenting memoir, The Natural Mother of the Child, which explores questions of parenthood, trans stories beyond “coming out,” and the ways that gender and bodies affect lives, legal rights, and livelihoods. Join the talk on Tuesday, June 15, at 7pm.

Image Description: A promotional image for Come to PAPA, which reads "Summer Festival, June 10-20th, 2021." The text is laid on a yellow circle with a purple and white outline. In the background behind the logo is a map zoomed in over the Greater Philadelphia Metro area.