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Clay workshops in Kensington, special orchestra concerts, and more
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, July 25-31, 2024
Kyle V. Hiller
Coming up in Philly this week, clay workshops for Kensington pop up now through the beginning of fall as part of a community art engagement movement happening in the neighborhood. The Philadelphia Orchestra puts on a handful of concerts at the Mann, including one of George Gershwin's works and an appearance by musician and producer Beck. The Oval hosts summery events, an integral exhibit holds its closing reception, and the 2nd Place Race from Paper Doll Ensemble returns for its second year.
Clay workshops for Kensington
Through October 5, 2024
Kensington Storefront, 3208 Kensington Avenue, Philadelphia
Mural Arts Philadelphia and Kensington native ceramicist, poet, educator, and social activist Roberto Lugo team up for We Here, a community art project designed to encourage engagement and joy through pottery in Kensington. The two-year project features clay workshops with clay artists in the community that are free and open to the public every Saturday through October 5, 10am to 12pm. Nitza Walesca Rosario, an artist at the Clay Studio, will lead the workshops. No experience is necessary, all necessary materials will be provided, and it's a great activity for families.
Beck, Marcus Roberts Trio, and Aladdin at the Mann
July 24, 25, and 27, 2024
TD Pavilion at the Mann, 5201 Parkside Ave, Philadelphia
Three performances with the Philadelphia Orchestra will take over the Mann this week. If you’re quick, you can catch a performance of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue on Wednesday, July 24—it’s a celebration of the 100-year anniversary and the orchestra will be accompanied by the Marcus Roberts Trio. Then, on Thursday, July 25, pack up a picnic and see Beck perform with the Orchestra. And Disney fans can see Aladdin In Concert on Saturday, July 27.
Black Pearl Kaleidoscope
Thursday, July 25, 7:30pm
Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral, 19 South 38th Street, Philadelphia
The Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra’s Kaleidoscope Initiative, a call for scores that sought to showcase diverse and dynamic emerging composers last summer, has given rise to a one-night-only concert featuring the winners of the call. The winners include Philly’s own Kevin Arthur Jr., an emerging composer and instrumentalist pursuing a music composition at Juilliard. He will perform As They Dance in the Wind. The other winners, Courtney Evans and Joshua Foy, hail from LA and will bring their talents east. Find out more about them online.
Guachinangos and more at the Oval
Friday, July 26, 6:30pm
Eakins Oval, 2451 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia
The Parkway Council’s Oval 2024 will host events through the rest of summer, and one of their bespoke events coming up is this weekend. Guachinangos fuses Cumbian music with a Mexican jarocho flavor and other Latin American rhythms and features artists from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Afterwards, maybe stay for something totally different—a screening of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Be sure to check out the Oval’s event calendar, too. There’s plenty of music, movie screenings, family-friendly events, and even community yoga.
WANDERING closing reception
Saturday, July 27, 11am-2pm
Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia
WANDERING: Observations of Our Watershed, an exhibit hosted by Fairmount Water Works and curated by Thom Duffy, is closing this weekend. Light refreshments, wine, and beer will be served, and Duffy and other contributing artists will also be in attendance. Pre-registration is required.
Second Annual 2nd Place Race
Saturday, July 27, 5pm
Quig’s at Plays and Players, 1714 Delancey Street, to Devil’s Alley, 1907 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
Paper Doll Ensemble’s 2nd Place Race is back, featuring a blend of puzzles, challenges, games, trading, and tricking all designed to help you secure the “coveted second-place finish.” Teams of any size will receive instructions and details for the event—be sure to arrive promptly at 5pm! You’ll travel a short distance (no running!) to two other local bars solving puzzles and challenges along the way. The team that finishes in second place wins it all. The scavenger hunt will benefit Paper Doll Ensemble—a feminist theater collective whose original plays combine comedy, dance, theater, and visual art to create character-driven narratives since 2017.
At top: The Philadelphia Orchestra puts on a performance of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. (Photo retrieved via Wikimedia Commons.)
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