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Big Picture Film Fest, Re-Emancipation of Social Dance, Black Swan, and more
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, June 20-26, 2024
Kyle V. Hiller
This week, we’ve got a healthy serving of dance and music. Intercultural Journeys explores dance from a social perspective and Chocolate Ballerina takes the stage with another groundbreaking experience. Both events are perfect complements to Juneteenth. A unique film festival highlighting up-and-coming filmmakers from the area comes to the Parkway, and Opera Philadelphia sings their hearts out at the heart of Center City. Get down at Chestnut Hill for a Pride Party and a summer solstice festival in Haddon Township.
Big Picture Film Fest
Friday, June 21, 6-9pm
Parkway Central Free Library, 1901 Vine Street
The Big Picture Film Fest premieres short films produced by young filmmakers ages 12-24 from across Philadelphia, and this year’s edition explores the theme of “Homecoming.” The event will also include workshops, panel discussions, a musical performance, and the premiere of an immigrant justice documentary series featuring New Sanctuary Movement. The event is free, but be sure to register before you go!
The Re-Emancipation of Social Dance
June 20-22, 7:30pm
Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 North American Street, Philadelphia
The Re-Emancipation of Social Dance is an invitation to a house party, where five Philadelphia-based, generation-crossing, genre-defying artists host a party that blends storytelling with choreography, performance, and multimedia to tell the story of social dance. Created by Raja Feather Kelly and Yolanda Wisher, you can find out more about it on a recent feature spotlight on 6ABC and dive deep on the project’s site.
Haddon Township’s Summer Solstice Music Festival
Friday, June 21, 4-10pm
Haddon Avenue between Strawbridge Avenue and Cooper Street, Haddon Township, NJ
Haddon Township hosts a free, family-friendly music festival on the first full day of summer. Live music, food trucks, a beer garden, artisan vendors, a kid zone, and more will be part of the seventh annual festivities. (I love that their site’s banner still has a wintry theme going on there.)
Off By One
Now through July 7, 2024
People’s Light, 30 Conestoga Road, Malvern
A wrong-number text brings two women together who bond over a late poet’s work while contemplating questions of fate, coincidence, and the profound impact of a seemingly small life. Be sure to check out our review, too!
Opera Philadelphia at Arts on Center Stage
Thursday, June 20, 6-7pm
Dilworth Park, 1 South 15th Street
Opera Philadelphia will perform a free, live concert just outside City Hall, serving as an entry to Center City District’s Arts on Center Stage series and as a preview to the Opera’s upcoming 50th season. The program promises an aria and duet from Mozart’s Don Giovanni, a chorus from Joseph Bologne’s The Anonymous Lover, and a song from Philadelphia-born composer Missy Mazzoli’s first opera Song from the Uproar (with a new opera coming later this fall).
U Are Arts and more
June 21-22, 7-9pm
Plays & Players, 1714 Delancey Street
Plays & Players steps in to support the University of the Arts community with a two-night event showcasing featured artists and their work. There’s more at Plays & Players, too, including an album release party on Thursday, June 20 at the pub above the theater, and the one-night-only play Love Letters on Sunday, June 23.
Chestnut Hill Pride Party
Saturday, June 22, 5-8pm
NoName Gallery, 8127 Germantown Avenue
Swing by NoName Gallery for Chestnut Hill’s 2nd annual Pride Party this weekend. Enjoy sounds by DJ Xtina and cold ones from Fat Lady Brewing.
Black Swan
June 22-23
Mandel Theater at Drexel University, 3220 Chestnut Street
Chocolate Ballerina Company follows up its groundbreaking production of Swan Lake with Black Swan, playing a limited engagement this weekend at Drexel. The staging features Black and Brown dancers from Washington, Baltimore, New York, and of course, Philly. The production will feature all of the traditional elements of the Tchaikovsky classic, with 40 dancers telling the story of Prince Siegfried and Princess Odette. And read our feature on Chocolate Ballerina to learn more about the company.
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