Arts and culture events to check out in Philly this weekend

PHestivaL of Trees 

Want to get creative while also helping a good cause? You can this weekend. According to a release, eight Philly animal rescues are joining together for this three-day “PHestivaL” to get into the holiday spirit and raise funds for local animal shelters. The second annual PHestivaL of Trees is a holiday-themed family experience featuring uniquely decorated holiday trees and gingerbread houses, live entertainment, craft vendors, rescue pets and Santa and Mrs. Claus. The event will be held at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA with opportunities to get tickets for “Breakfast with Santa” and check out the PHestivaL of Trees Pub, featuring an Adults Only Night on Friday, Nov. 12 from 8 to 11 p.m. The eight animal rescues joining together this year include Hart 2 Heart, Morris Animal Refuge, Brandywine Valley SPCA, Finding Shelter Animal Rescue, Senior Dog: Haven and Hospice, Lucky You!, GSP Rescue Pennsylvania, and Animal House Project. The 2021 PHestivaL of Trees will be open on Nov. 12, 13 and 14. More details can be found online.

PHestivaLofTrees.com

Don Troiani’s New Exhibit/ Veterans Day Weekend

Connecticut-based artist Don Troiani (b.1949) has dedicated much of his artistic career to imagining and recreating what the Revolutionary War truly looked like. With the museum’s showcase, ‘Liberty: Don Troiani’s Paintings of the Revolutionary War,’ Philadelphians will be able to view more than 45 original paintings by nationally renowned historical artist Don Troiani—and this is the first time they’ve ever been on display in this capacity for the public. Another reason to head to the MoAR exhibit or just the museum in general this weekend is also meant to commemorate Veteran’s Day. On Thursday, Nov. 11 through Sunday, Nov. 14, there will be a full Veterans Day Weekend agenda with a special offer of free admission to veterans, active military, and Blue Star Families all weekend. A full list of events can be found online. 

101 S. 3rd St., amrevmuseum.org

Motel Montana

Gunnar Montana Productions took over this year’s Philadelphia Fringe Festival with the production of ‘Motel Montana,’ and after being extended in its run, this is officially the last weekend to check out the 50 minute show. Philadelphians can catch ‘Motel Montana’ until Nov. 14, with shows running to be $40 through Eventbrite. Called a “colorful, glittery explosion from the start,” the show takes place at The Latvian Society of Philadelphia. Every aspect of the show has been carefully choreographed by Montana, from the neon-filled set design, costumes, and performances, to the pop-infused rollercoaster soundtrack, and has been worked on for the last decade. 

531 North 7th Street, eventbrite.com

Barnes Art Bash 

This weekend marks another eventful night at the Barnes Museum. According to a release, the Barnes Foundation’s upcoming Artist Bash program on Nov. 12 will take place from  7-10 p.m. This Artist Bash, titled ‘Artist Bash: Vagina Chorus,’ is presented through a partnership with Women’s Way and will feature the world premiere of multi-disciplinary artist Althea Rao’s latest collaborative performance exploring the intersection of reproductive justice and feminism. The release also says this is a one-of-a-kind performance intended to reorient our thinking around the vagina and our bodies. This program speaks to key themes in the Barnes Foundation’s current ‘Suzanne Valadon: Model, Painter, Rebel’ exhibition, which is also the world premiere and the first major US exhibition dedicated to Valadon’s work. 

2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., barnesfoundation.org