Hawthornes Cider Fest, J-1 Con, Dia de Los Muertos and more this weekend

This is pretty much when the ‘holiday’ season begins. With Halloween on Thursday, the weekend segues deeper into fall. Look Me in the Eye exhibit challenges us to think about homelessness in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Liberation Center is screening a documentary on trans activist Marsha P. Johnson. Hawthornes wants to put some ciders and pies in your belly, nerd culture comes together in Atlantic City, and Fleisher Art celebrates Dia de Los Muertos.

Have a great one, Philly! And don’t forget about those clocks since Daylight Savings ends. I hope you’re ready for nightfall at 4pm!

Look me in the Eye

Look Me in the Eye: Portraits of Homelessness is a solo exhibition by Carolyn Harper. The exhibit features large art quilts, hand-embroidered batiks, and large hand-embroidered drawings by Harper that use personal stories of homeless Philadelphians to spark conversation, and empower and uplift the community. The opening reception is free and open to the public on Friday, November 1 at 5pm at Muse Gallery, 52 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia. The exhibit is on display through December 1, 2019.

Pay It No Mind: The Life and Times of Marsha P. Johnson

In honor of Trans Day of Remembrance, the Philadelphia Liberation Center is offering a free screening of the 2012 documentary Pay It No Mind: The Life and Times of Marsha P. Johnson.

The film tells the story of the revolutionary trans activist and organizer Marsha P. Johnson, a founding member of the Gay Liberation Front and STAR, and was part of the vanguard of the Stonewall Uprising. After the screening, the members of the Philadelphia branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation will open a conversation on the history of trans liberation and how it’s ongoing today.

The screening is on Friday, November 1 at 7pm, 2226 North Front Street, Philadelphia. Free drinks and snacks will be provided.

Hawthornes Cider Fest

Hawthornes Beer Café is hosting its 4th Annual Great Cider and Beer Festival on Saturday, November 2 from 11am-8pm. The festival will close down 11th Street from Fitzwater to Catharine, and will feature seasonal brews, food trucks, live music, and possibly most importantly—aside from the cider—a pie-eating contest (contestants can register by emailing [email protected]). The event is free and open to the public, is family-friendly, and is cash only. Check out the list of vendors, breweries, and more online.

J-1 Con

The convention founded by Philly’s own resident nerd Jason Richardson is back (I’ve got a feature on him coming up soon for BSR), and kicks off at the Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City this Saturday and Sunday. Special guests (way too many to name, but I’m especially excited about Ken Pontac, one of the writers behind ReBoot and Arthur), gaming tournaments, cosplay contests, panels and live music make up a must-see event for all those who proudly call themselves part of nerd culture. Find out a full roster of events, guests, and more online. Badges are no longer on sale online but will be available at the door. The con is for all ages.

Dia de Los Muertos Children’s Fair

Join Fleisher, Puentes de Salud, and Southwark School for the first annual Día de Los Muertos Children's Fair on Saturday, November 2 at 3:30pm. In the front yard of Southwark School, the fair will offer the community the opportunity to learn about Día de Los Muertos traditions in a family-centered setting through a series of pop-up artmaking workshops—even make your own mask!

After, an altar celebration and procession will follow at the Fleisher Art Memorial at 5pm. The procession moves through South Philadelphia, which departs at 5pm, starting from the school and ending in the Fleisher’s Sanctuary. Explore the altar installation designed by local artists with the help from Fleisher students, browse wares created by local artisans, and enjoy special performances.

The event is free and open to the public. Visit Fleisher online for more information.