The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, March 13-19, 2025

Nora: A Doll’s House
March 12-April 6
Hedgerow Theatre, 64 Rose Valley Road, Media

Hedgerow Theatre Company presents the US premiere of Nora: A Doll’s House, an adaptation that reframes Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House in three different time periods—1920, 1973, and 2018—to weave together female experiences across generations. The play looks to highlight how women’s struggles for independence have evolved but remain connected through the story of Nora whose life unravels after a secret from her past comes back to haunt her.

Delaware Young Playwrights Festival
Thursday, March 13, 7pm-9:30pm
Delaware Theatre Company, 200 Water Street, Wilmington

This year’s festival showcases five young playwrights pulled from nearly 80 submissions, with a theme inspired by Delaware Theatre Company’s upcoming production of Stompin’ at the Savoy, which explores the power of community action in the face of adversity.

Dentro (Inside), A true story, if you think so
March 13-15
Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 3680 Walnut Street

The US premiere of the award-winning Italian play comes to Penn Live Arts this weekend. Boasting a performance in Italian (with English supertitles), Dentro explores the traumatic effects of silence when abuse occurs within a family, positing not as a study of the violence but rather the hiding of the violence and the silencing of the truth.

Storyburst
Opening Thursday, March 13
Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture Gallery, 310 West Master Street

This new exhibition from Al-Bustan gathers artwork made by students drawing inspiration from Arabic folktales: spirited hand puppets, deftly-drawn comics, miniature sculptures, and more are lined up for the exhibit. Opening reception is on Thursday, March 13 at 5-9pm.

Of Black Wombhood
March 13-May 31, 2025
TILT, 1400 North American Street, Suite #103

June 5-22, 2025
Da Vinci Art Alliance, 704 Catharine Street

TILT Institute for the Contemporary Image and Da Vinci Art Alliance partner up to present Of Black Wombhood, a narrative portraits project led by curator Tanya Latortue. The exhibit is made up of auditory and visual renderings of personal narratives that help explore the interiority of Black womb-bearing people. Highlighting ten personal narratives, the exhibit will spend time at TILT starting this weekend, with a reception on Thursday, March 13 from 6-9pm. Of Black Wombhood then moves to Da Vinci Art Alliance for a late spring stint starting June 5.

Broadway Dreams
March 14-15
Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 South Broad Street

The Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus are bringing the best of Broadway to Broad Street this weekend. Come out and sing along with your favorite Broadway musical memories.

CultureFest! Holi
Saturday, March 15, 11am-4pm
Penn Museum, 3260 South Street

Penn Museum, dance company and educational institute Three Aksha, and the South Asia Center celebrate Holi this weekend, a Hindu tradition that signals the arrival of spring. Observed in India, Nepal, and beyond, the celebration, also known as the Festival of Colors, represents renewal, rebirth, love, unity, and the triumph of good over evil and is a chance to embrace the positive and release negative energy. The family-friendly fest promises storytelling, live music, dance performances, and the joyful throwing of brightly colored powders to embrace the spirit of Holi.

Recorder Fest!
Saturday, March 15, 3-8:30pm
Settlement Music School, 416 Queen Street

Piffaro’s free community celebration of the recorder returns this weekend in Queen Village. Featuring a masterclass for young musicians, a community play-in inviting all abilities, professional and amateur performances, and more.

Say Good Morning If It’s Night | Di Buenas Días Si Es De Noche
Saturday, March 15, 3pm
Teatro Esperanza, 4261 North 5th Street

A multidisciplinary work by Keila Cordova (3 Pony Show) sees its world premiere this weekend, taking the stage and inviting audiences to experience Latin America, Panama, and the culture of Los Congos. The work features performances by Yesenia Escobar-Espitia, Venrick James, Cory Seals, and Vyette Tiya and music by Panamanian composer and guitarist, Emiliano Pardo-Tristán.

Beards on Ice: Still Edging
March 15-16, 4:30pm and 8pm
Tarken Ice Rink, 6250 Frontenac Street, Philadelphia

March 22-23, 4:30pm and 8pm
Laura Sims Skate House, 210 Cobbs Creek Parkway, Philadelphia

The internationally acclaimed Beards on Ice—co-written by John Jarboe and MK Tuomanen—asks “what’s more impossible: Solving the climate crisis or teaching drag queens how to ice skate?” The romp on ice visits a pair of rinks, one in North Philly and the other in West, over the next two weekends. The afternoon show is billed as family-friendly (there is no 4:30pm performance on Saturday, March 22), with the evening performances coming in with a “PG-13” rating. Either way, a free skate rental and hour-long skating session—complete with hot chocolate and tablings from climate justice organizations—are available after the performances.

Timbalooloo
Sunday, March 16, 2pm
Pfleeger Concert Hall, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ

Bring the kids out for an afternoon of jazz that promises to be more than just a live concert. Timbalooloo is a chance for the young musicians about jazz music, pulling from a variety of instruments and cultures.

Naghash Ensemble of Armenia at Longwood Gardens
Sunday, March 16, 7:30pm
Longwood Gardens Exhibition Hall, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square

The internationally acclaimed Naghash Ensemble, based in Yerevan and led by Philadelphia native and Armenian American composer John Hodian, is on a North American tour and makes a stop at Kennett Square this weekend. The ensemble blends Armenian folk, new classical music, contemporary post-minimalism, rock, and jazz for a hearty evening of music.