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Zooman and the Sign, Jasai Enterprise Theater Festival, and more
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, August 17-23, 2023
Kyle V. Hiller
This week features Zooman and the Sign, a performance presented by Theatre in the X set in late 1970s Philadelphia. And summer must be coming to an end soon as Glen Foerd’s final 3rd Thursday Happy Hour is here. The 18th annual Graffiti Jam decorates Trenton, there’s a new mural to be dedicated in Callowhill, a theater festival brings together creatives and artists in the city, and Brazilian Night takes over the Oval on the Parkway.
Stay cool, Philly!
Glen Foerd’s 3rd Thursday Happy Hour
Thursday, August 17, 6-8:30pm
Glen Foerd, 5001 Grant Avenue, Philadelphia
The final 3rd Thursday Happy Hour of the summer posts up at Glen Foerd this week with live music by Philly’s own neo-folk singer-songwriter Birdie Busch, environmentally focused art by teaching artist Melanie Hasan, and food and beverages from the Clean Plate Club. The grounds of Glen Foerd are also open, including the Gilded Age mansion.
Zooman and the Sign
August 17 and 18, 7pm
August 19 and 20, 5pm
Malcolm X Park, 5100 Pine Street, Philadelphia
Theatre in the X presents Zooman and the Sign this weekend in West Philly. The performance tells the story of Zooman, who senselessly terrorizes his community in 1979 Philadelphia. When he kills a 12-year-old Black girl on the street, all the witnesses refuse to talk, and the dead girl’s father posts a sign accusing the entire community of cowardice in the face of escalating violence. The show is free and open to the public, but be sure to register beforehand.
Jasai Enterprise Theater Festival
August 17-27, 2023
Plays & Players Theater, 1714 Delancey Place, Philadelphia
The annual Jasai Enterprise Theater Festival brings theater professionals and artists together around the city for a collection of stage productions. Short plays to full length innovative works line up the full roster of events.
Sean 9 Lugo mural dedication
Friday, August 18, 4-6pm
448 North 10th Street, Philadelphia
Mural Arts along with HAHAxParadigm, a Philly-based initiative that works with artists, creatives, and brands on an international level, will dedicate Philly’s newest mural “The World Is a Ghetto,” an expression of life in the city through different people and their stories. The mural features 32 different handpainted and wheat-pasted windows on a building in Callowhill. Music and refreshments will be in tow in the Beer Garden at Love City Brewing.
Sean 9 Lugo is the artist behind this mural. He grew up in Hudson County, New Jersey, with parents from Puerto Rico and Cuba and his street art is known for representing the duality of Latin and American culture.
18th Annual Jersey Fresh Graffiti Jam
Saturday, August 19, 12-7pm
TerraCycle, 1 TerraCycle Way, Trenton
The annual Jersey Fresh Graffiti Jam is back at the TerraCycle headquarters in Trenton this weekend. The fest not only is celebrating its own 18 years, but it’s also helping celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. Founded by graffiti artist Leon Rainbow in 2005, the event features a variety of artists local and beyond and touches on four of the elements of hip-hop: DJing, MCing, breakdancing, and of course, graffiti. It’s free and open to the public.
Brazilian Night at the Oval
Saturday, August 19, 5:30-8:30pm
The Oval, 2451 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia
Performances by Project Capoeira and Acaraje Drums and a Samba class take over the Oval on Saturday, with food trucks and a beer garden complimenting the free event.
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