Philadelphia Women’s Film Festival
The Philadelphia Women’s Film Festival is back in 2021 for its sixth year, and this weekend marks the start of the annual event. From Sept. 16 to 26, audiences can catch feature films, short films, comedies, dramas, documentaries, events and more all surrounding the mission of inspiring filmmakers to create a place to support and celebrate women in the film and entertainment industry. This year’s opening night production “I Am That” comes from up and coming, Philadelphia-based director Joy Marze and also features Philadelphia theater veteran (and Barrymore nominee) Matteo Scammell, award-winning actress Amielynn Abellera and Sage Owens.
The festival begins at the Suzanne Roberts theater and continues with screenings at the Fleisher Art Memorial, The Neighborhood House Performance Venue and the Great Hall at the Masonic Temple. The 10 days will be peppered with special events, performances, panels, and plenty of chances for filmgoers to meet the actors and filmmakers attending the festival. A full schedule is available online.
Art Star CRAP Bazaar
With this event, Philadelphians can shop for a good cause. There will be two opportunities to head to The Bourse this weekend to check out what the annual fundraising event has to offer. Shopping can be done to the left of The Bourse Food Hall’s Fifth Street entrance and will feature twenty crafters and their “seconds” – items that didn’t quite make the cut: Samples, one-offs, etc. – at discounted prices. 25% of proceeds from this two-day market (the Bazaar runs Sept. 18 and 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) will benefit two local nonprofits: ACLU of Pennsylvania and The Village of The Arts and Humanities. The event is free to attend and masks will be required.
Tipsy History with the Betsy Ross House
Tipsy History: A Revolution Brews officially kicks off this Friday, Sept. 17, and for the fall season the tour has been reimagined. According to the release, led by Martha Washington, this lighthearted look at history answers the question: When a revolution brews, what do the women do? America’s first, First Lady enlightens and entertains with stories of the contributions women made during the hard-fought war for independence. The tour begins at the Betsy Ross House and continues to the Victoria Freehouse where guests will enjoy an American hard cider or a British beer, depending on where their loyalties lie. Tickets for this particular event are $25 and must be purchased in advance, as tours will be limited to 15 people.
239 Arch St., historicphiladelphia.org
Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show
Every year, Rittenhouse Square is transformed for their annual arts show, and 2021 will be no different. This go-around, 143 artists from around the country will be lining the square offering their original art for Philadelphians to peruse. If you needed more incentive to check this event out, the RSFAS was recently ranked the #1 fine art show in the nation by ‘Sunshine Artist’ magazine. The Fine Arts Show will run Friday and Saturday, Sept. 17-18 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and then again on Sunday, Sept. 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Clay Fest
This Saturday, The Clay Studio is once again hosting their largest even of the year: Clay Fest. According to a release, this year’s celebration of clay and community will take place at The Clay Studio’s soon-to-be new home in South Kensington at 1425 N. American Street. Activities include hands-on clay projects, wheel throwing demos, a group sculpture extravaganza, artist projects, an ice cream social, screen printing totes, and music by Interminable.
A few highlights include the opportunity to using the art of Clay Animation and learning how to screenprint, throwing on The Clay Studio’s bicycle-powered pottery wheel, creating your own clay necklace using handmade beads and clay pendants, eating ice cream provided by Franklin Fountain while decorating bowls made by local artist Duc Tang at the Hands-on Ice Cream Social and more. Clay Fest will take place Saturday, Sept. 18 from noon to 6 p.m. and a full schedule can be found online.
Art For the Cash Poor
After a year of hiatus, InLiquid’s Art For the Cash Poor will be returning in 2021. This festival spans four blocks and offers plenty of artful buying opportunities, all for under $200. AFCP will take place this Saturday, Sept. 18 from noon to 6 p.m. spanning from Master to Berks streets.
According to the release, Between artist members from InLiquid, NextFab, and The Clay Studio, Art for the Cash Poor will feature over 80 creatives who will sell work from printmaking, ceramics, paintings, jewelry, sculpture and photography. The festival will debut the revitalization of North American Street and the robust arts corridor that is taking shape along the street. A host of family friendly activities will also take place throughout the festival and a VIP hospitality tent will offer light refreshments for participating festival sponsors and media.
