Arts and culture events to check out this spring in Philly

Looking for something creative and unique to do? Here are some arts and culture events you have to check out this spring in Philly. 

‘WANDERING: Observations of our Watershed’ at Fairmount Water Works

Those who head to the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center will be able to check out a new fine art exhibit centered on different artists’ observations of our region’s watershed. The showcase will feature a selection of vintage and contemporary drawings, paintings and photography by local creatives spanning our rivers, streams, wildlife, and tidal wetlands.

According to Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center Executive Director Karen Young, “The WANDERING exhibition asks us to consider how our daily activities impact our watershed, reminding us that we are crucial components of the habitat, challenging its sustainability.” 

The show opens next month on April 20, and will be on-site through the summer (July 27 marks the last day.) There will also be curator and artist tours on April 20, May 4, May 18 and later in the summer on select dates in June and July. 

640 Waterworks Dr., fairmountwaterworks.org

DANCE IQUAIL!

Dr. Iquail Shaheed is bringing his dance company, DANCE IQUAIL!, back to the Philadelphia area for the first time in years. The two-night concert (taking place March 22 and 23) will feature three World Premieres at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre.

The show comes from Christian von Howard, Maleek Washington, and Shaheed himself—and with his company, DANCE IQUAIL!, the dancer looks to connect with both the performers and the audience members, but also, help young dancers overcome injustice in this creative world.

The two 90-minute performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. this weekend, and there will also be a post-performance reception on Friday immediately following the performance. Tickets are available at brownpapertickets.com.

480 S. Broad St., danceiquail.org

Disney’s ‘Frozen’

The extremely popular movie is coming to life on stage for the first time in a long time in the City of Brotherly Love, and it opens this weekend. In partnership with The Shubert Organization and Disney Theatrical Group, Ensemble Arts will house the new show at the Academy of Music under the direction of Andrew Flatt, Anne Quart, and Thomas Schumacher.

The magic will unfold onstage from March 21 to April 7, and tickets are available for multiple shows throughout the 3-week activation online and at the Academy’s box office. 

240 S. Broad St., ensembleartsphilly.org

Independence Seaport Museum

In Old City, the ISM will be debuting a new welcoming entrance designed to be more accessible to the community. The reimagined, 1,900-square-foot introductory gallery venue will also house a new permanent exhibition featuring approximately 150 objects—many of which have never before been seen on display (like a signal book, dated 1777, owned by Admiral Richard Howe of the Royal Navy.) 

The unveiling will take place this weekend, March 22, and the public is invited to experience the new space this Friday — or anytime this spring — which now faces southward onto Philadelphia’s Spruce Street Harbor Park and toward ISM’s two historic ships, Olympia and Becuna. 

While there, locals will also learn more about Philadelphia’s American Revolutionary naval history, the pop culture mania for Admiral George Dewey, who commanded America’s naval forces in the Pacific during the Spanish-American War of 1898, the recreational use of the waterway, and the Delaware River’s shipyards that have been an integral part of our nation’s maritime history, the release notes.

211 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd, phillyseaport.org

The Philadelphia Show

Now in its 62nd year, The Philadelphia Show will be in full swing at the Philadelphia Museum of Art next month, from April 25 to 28. Originally founded in 1962 as the University Hospital Antiques Show, the showcase—which was organized by Penn Medicine until 2018—summons a crowd every year to peruse through some of the most outstanding exhibitors in the country.

This year, the event will feature more than 40 exhibitors in the US, including six new exhibitors, specializing in fine art, collectible design, antiques, Americana, folk art, ceramics, porcelain, silver, jewelry, textiles, and decorative arts. As a release notes, there will also be several programs in advance of the show and a panel discussion during the fair featuring several of the show exhibitors who have also appeared on ‘Antiques Roadshow’ as specialists in their fields, along with the show’s Senior Producer, Sam Farrell. More information can be found online.

2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, thephiladelphiashow.com

Cique Du Soleil’s ‘Corteo’

Cirque Du Soleil is headed to Allentown next weekend to put on six performances of the company’s famous ‘Corteo’ showcase. This unique production, directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, first premiered in Montreal in April 2005 and has traveled around the globe and country numerous times before returning to Allentown this spring. 

As a release notes, in a Cirque du Soleil first, the stage will be central in the arena and it will divide the venue with each half of the audience facing the other half, giving a unique perspective not only of the show, but also a performer’s eye view of the escapade. The show, which centers on a clown’s imaginative and festive parade will feature acrobats, comedy and other theatrical elements. 

Tickets for shows (running March 28 to 31) are currently on sale. 

701 Hamilton St., Allentown, cirquedusoleil.com