Art and culture events to check out this weekend in Philadelphia

Looking for some fun and unique things to do in Philly this weekend? Well, you’re in luck because we have some art and culture events that can’t be missed.

The Crossing

This Sunday, March 27, The Crossing’s new program, titled ‘In a House Besieged’ will hit the stage. Kicking off at 7 p.m., the concert will feature The Crossing’s Scott Dettra in the world premiere of Chicago-based composer Stacy Garrop’s work. ‘In a House Besieged’ is commissioned by the Cleveland Museum of Art, as well as The Crossing in Lansing McLoskey’s The Memory of Rain and Arvo Pärt’s Salve Regina.

As a release states, Stacy Garrop’s ‘In a House Besieged’ fuses the writings of American short-story writer, novelist, and essayist Lydia Davis into a unique libretto reflecting the fear and anxiety around the aging process. The piece presents five stories over the course of as many movements, each highlighting various aspects of the aging process. Two additional fragments woven between these movements serve as a prologue, a series of interludes, and an epilogue.The concert will take place St. Mark’s Church to close out the weekend.

1625 Locust St., crossingchoir.org

Tools of the Trade

This three-day event comes from two local cultural organizations and promises to be packed full lectures, panel discussions, and a hybrid of virtual and in-person networking opportunities. As a release states, from March 23 to 25, Philadelphia-based craft non-profit CraftNOW and makerspace NextFab will present the inaugural Tools of the Trades, a conference designed to help creative entrepreneurs of all skill levels discover sustainable, successful business practices and provide an opportunity to connect with experts and peers in Philadelphia’s innovative craft community.

To close the event on March 26, there will also be an in-person event at NextFab’s Kensington location (1800 N. American St.) where attendees will enjoy food, drinks, and music as they network with their fellow craft professionals.

Tickets are $50 to access all digital programming and $75 for digital programming plus the in-person networking event at NextFab.

toolsofthetrades.org

Play-A-Palooza

This Saturday, Smith Memorial Playground will be overtaken by one annual and anticipated event—Play-A-Palooza. From noon to 4 p.m., (rain date Sunday, March 27), the 6.5-acre property in East Fairmount Park will feature activity stations, music and dance, games, crafts, giveaways, food trucks, a vaccine clinic and performances. Free snacks, drinks, and spring decorations will be provided by Herr’s, Wawa, Trader Joe’s, BIMBO Bakeries, and Primex Garden Center.

The Playground’s full equipment will also be available, and Smith’s hours will extend to 7 p.m. as an added bonus once Play-A-Palooza wraps. Pre-registration is encouraged, and admission is $10 per child and free for adults, Smith members and ACCESS cardholders.

3500 Reservoir Dr., smithplayground.ticketleap.com