Stay in the Loop
BSR publishes on a weekly schedule, with an email newsletter every Wednesday and Thursday morning. There’s no paywall, and subscribing is always free.
A swathe of cultural experiences for the holiday weekend
The Weekly Roundup, June 29-July 5
Kyle V. Hiller
July is right around the bend, and this coming week is full of representation in the arts in Philly. Esperanza Arts Center celebrates Philly’s Latinx communities, Quintessence concludes its season with a story of four Black women pioneers, and the Chinese Lantern Festival is back in full effect. To wrap it all together, Three Aksha combines African and Indian dance, and Glen Foerd hosts a pair of artists, including Haitian-born and Philly-based singer-songwriter Nathalie “Talie” Cerin.
Glen Foerd Summer Series
Thursday, June 30, 6-8pm; every last Thursday through September
Glen Foerd, 5001 Grant Avenue, Philadelphia
Glen Foerd continues its summer series this week with a night featuring food and drinks, music, art activities, free self-guided tours, and more. The featured performer is Nathalie “Talie” Cerin, a Philly-based singer-songwriter and writer from Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Heritage Entwine
Friday, July 1, 5-6pm
Venice Island Performing Arts Center, 7 Lock Street, Philadelphia
African and Indian dance art combine with visual art and more this Friday. Presented by Three Aksha, the event is free and open to the public.
Celebración de la Comunidad y La Cultura
Saturday, July 2, 11am-3pm
Teatro Esperanza, 4261 North 5th Street, Philadelphia
Esperanza Arts Center opens its doors to the community and for the culture this weekend in celebration of Latinx culture in Philly. Salsa music, local vendors, and a pair of performances—including from an Argentinian quartet and the Philadelphia Argentine Tango School—are on deck for the afternoon. The event is free.
The American Revolution
Through Sunday, July 3
Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 North American Street, Philadelphia
Tongue-in-cheek humor illuminates this retelling of the revolution just in time for the holiday weekend. Featuring seven actors sharing a small space two feet off the ground, the performance is very much a physical retelling of the battles from Lexington to Yorktown. We talked about the show a few years ago, too.
Flyin’ West and Camille
Through July 2-3
Sedgwick Theater, 7137 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia
Quintessence Theatre wraps up its season with the closing of two of its shows, Flyin’ West and Camille. If you missed them this spring, now’s your chance!
Flyin’ West tells the story of four Black women pioneers who stake their claim in the face of sexism, violence, and the constant threat of white speculators breaking up the home they’ve made for themselves in the all-Black western settlement of Nicodemus, Kansas.
Camille is a story about falling in love despite the threat of a deadly disease hanging over 1800s Paris. Feels oddly familiar, you’d think.
Chinese Lantern Festival
Through August 7
Franklin Square, 200 North 6th Street, Philadelphia
The Chinese Lantern Festival has returned! Now through August, folks can check out more than 30 new lantern displays, a new fountain show, live performances, authentic cuisine, the Dragon Beer Garden, and much more throughout the summer.
Sign up for our newsletter
All of the week's new articles, all in one place. Sign up for the free weekly BSR newsletters, and don't miss a conversation.
