The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, July 18-24, 2024

Somewhere Over the Border
July 17-August 11, 2024
People’s Light, 30 Conestoga Road, Malvern

People’s Light concludes its season with the regional premiere of Somewhere Over the Border, the Cumbia hip-hop musical inspired by playwright Brian Quijada’s mother’s journey from El Salvador to the US. The story is retold as a riff on The Wizard of Oz and follows Reina Quijada’s travels as she makes friends, dodges imminent danger, and searches for the almighty “wizard,” backed by onstage musicians that will weave cumbia, Mexican mariachi, boleros, American rock, and hip-hop to color the story.

Mannequin movie night
Friday, July 19, 7-10pm
Mifflin Triangle, 1845 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia

The classic rom-com, shot right here in Philadelphia starring Kim Cattrall, Andrew McCarthy, and Emmy the Mannequin, will screen at the Mifflin Triangle on Passyunk this week. Emmy will also be in attendance: the actual mannequin from the film is on loan from South Fellini. The screening is free and open to the public.

Mister John’s Music presents TransJam
Friday, July 19, 6-9pm
Mister John’s Music, 761 South 8th Street, Philadelphia

The recurring event at Mister John’s Music is a safe space for trans persons and their allies. Mister John’s Music invites you to bring an instrument, a song or two, and your fellow trans musician friends for an evening of playing together. The event is pay-what-you-wish, and you’ll have to register before arrival.

The Nature of Gothic
July 13-November 10, 2024
Opening reception: Saturday, July 20, 2-7pm
Rockwood Park & Museum, 4651 Washington Street Extension, Wilmington

Rockwood Park & Museum hosts its first contemporary art exhibition with The Nature of Gothic. The exhibition features original site-specific artworks in blown, molded, and fused glass by artists Samara Weaver and Leo Tecosky, with soundscapes for each installation by Philly’s own Justin Geller. Their works respond to characteristics of Rockwood: the Gothic Revival design of the museum’s building—a mansion in the woods, the people who lived and worked within the historic house for 120 years, and the site’s relationship to the natural and unnatural world.

Irene Osorio: Sewing Our Stories
Monday, July 22, 6-9pm
Dyke+ ArtHaus, 709 North 40th Street, Philadelphia

The Barnes's fourth annual Everyday Places Artist Partnership Initiative, a program that highlights the intersection of art and community and creates spaces where residents can participate in art experiences in their neighborhood, will feature West Philly-based artists who have been selected to create participatory activations engaging community members and local businesses. Coming up next in the series is Irene Osorio, an artist and graphic designer who will lead a series of sustainability-focused workshops. If you have pants that are too long or have too many holes, oversized shirts, or jean jackets that you want to add patches to, then this creative solutions workshop is for you. Be sure to register ahead of time.

Ty Defoe’s Trans World
Tuesday, July 23, 7:30pm
Philadelphia Theatre Company, 480 South Broad Street, Philadelphia

When transgender folks are chosen to temporarily live in a house to be filmed non-stop for a new reality TV show, the lines between reality and pretend become jagged and blurred. The play from writer and interdisciplinary artist Ty Defoe—citizen of the Anishinaabe and Oneida nation—pulls from 90s MTV reality shows to explore the power of self-expression.

Charming Disaster
Wednesday, July 24, 6-8:30pm
Science History Institute, 315 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia

Goth-folk music duo Charming Disaster from Brooklyn visits Old City this week for an evening concert and will be joined by “modern alchemist” Thomas Little. Charming Disaster, inspired by macabre humor, murder ballads, cabarets, magic, and science, will perform their playfully dark original songs. Little will offer a lecture and ink-making demonstration exploring the alchemy of color and chemical reactions.