Philly Free Streets, Bootsy Collins, The Beast of Nubia, and more welcome August

This is one of those weekends that just feel a bit more serene than others. A family-friendly glow party, Bootsy Collins bringing the funk, Theatre in the X bringing a performance to the historic Malcolm X Park, the return of Philly Free Streets, and the Barnes and PMA teaming up to kick off August with artsy gusto—the world could be your pearl right here in Philadelphia.

Lighthouse Parade & Glow Party

Bartram's Garden is hosting this free, family-friendly event that will feature performances by The West Powelton Steppers & Drum Line and Moko.Motion, and activities including food, face painting, giveaways, and more. You’re encouraged to dress in neon colors or white to really shine under the black lights, and no registration is required. The event starts Friday, August 2 at 6pm at 5400 Lindbergh Boulevard.

Bootsy Collins at Clark Park

Emcee Bootsy Collins, who you may know from George Clinton’s Parliament Funkadelic, brings a day of peace to the Community Unity Music Festival and it’s taking place at Clark Park, 4398 Chester Avenue. Music, food, and plenty of funk will be on deck starting at 1pm on Saturday, August 3.

Philly Free Streets

Take back the streets on Saturday, August 3 from 8am-1pm for another edition of Philly Free Streets. Spanning over four miles between Arch Street and Butler Street on North Broad, a vast assortment of activities, including a pop-up picnic, the Beach on North Broad, pay-as-you-wish admission at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, a pop-up shop by Mural Arts Philadelphia, and much more.

The Beast of Nubia
Theatre in the X is back with The Beast of Nubia, directed by Steve Wright. It tells the story of a magical kingdom guarded by a monstrous beast in the deserts of ancient Nubia. When a merchant wrongs the beast, his eldest daughter agrees to sacrifice herself in his place. What follows is a grand adventure filled with romance and excitement, as two very different people learn to cope with one another. The show opens on Sunday, August 4 at 5pm, and runs again on Sunday, August 11 and August 18 at Malcolm X Park, 5100 Pine Street. Heads up, it’s BYOC…bring your own chair!

The Barnes + I HeART Summer

The Barnes and the Philadelphia Museum of Art are teaming up for the second summer in a row for the I HeART Summer promotion still in full effect, featuring 20 percent discounted admission. This weekend, there are a handful of events definitely worth checking out if you, too, heart summer.

The August Spotlight Tour: Wondrous and Strange, which runs daily at 1pm, takes on the mysterious and dreamlike universes of some of the most imaginative and visionary artists in the Barnes’ collection, including Joan Miró, Paul Klee, and Giorgio de Chirico.

On Friday, August 2 at 6-9pm First Friday! Masters of Mallet Percussion makes for an evening of classical, jazz, and African music performed on xylophones, vibraphones, marimbas, and more.

On Sunday, the PECO Free First Sunday Family Day will feature art making—experimenting with tie-dye and clay making, storytime, a screening of I Do Not Know What It Is I Am Like, an open studio featuring mixed-media artist Leroy Johnson, interactive art, and more.