Arts and culture events to check out this weekend in Philly

Looking for some fun and unique things to do this weekend in Philly? Here are some art and culture events that can’t be missed.

Philadelphia Fall Arts Fest 

It’s a big weekend for arts in the city at the Kimmel Cultural Campus. The Philadelphia Fall Arts Fest will kick off on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring dozens of regional cultural organizations, creative events, and diverse activities. With over 100 activations taking place throughout the day, visitors will be able to peruse through a wide variety of activities while inside the Campus’ largest building—the Kimmel Center for Performing Arts. 

As a release states, the activation will feature free performances, giveaways, activities and demonstrations showcasing a variety of genres such as hula hoops, tap dance, jazz, Broadway and classical activations. Organizations participating this weekend include BalletX, The Philly POPS, the Curtis Institute of Music, Opera Philadelphia and more. Attendees will also be treated to a special in-person flash sale offer: $20 tickets to over 100 events across the upcoming 2022-23 season.

Additionally, Kimmel-partner Garces Events will activate a champagne cart in the Plaza for refreshments, and concessions will be open. And finally, WURD Radio will be onsite once again broadcasting live from the Kimmel. 

300 S Broad St., kimmelculturalcampus.org

Lyric Fest 

As the only performing arts organization in the Mid-Atlantic region with a primary focus on song, Lyric Fest will be kicking off its season this weekend in Philadelphia. As a release states, ‘Elysian Fields: Dawns, Dreams, Visions – A Celebration of Lyric Fest’s Beginnings’ will take place on Sunday, Sept. 18, at 3 p.m. at The Academy of Vocal Arts (1920 Spruce St.) The show will then perform again a few days later on Tuesday, Sept. 20, at 7:30 p.m. at the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church (625 Montgomery Ave, Bryn Mawr.)

The concert will feature both solos and duets by Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Canteloube, Rachmaninoff, Boyle, Ferré, Higdon, Cipullo, Lieberson and more. Every song will be performed by soprano Magdalena Kuźma and mezzo-soprano Sun-Ly Pierce. Both musicians are Music Academy alums, and Lyric Fest co-founder and artistic director Laura Ward will join on piano for both nights of performances. 

Multiple locations, lyricfest.org

Yo’ South Philly Phestival LIVE!

If you’re looking for a showcase filled with live music, local performers, and other family-friendly activities, South Philly is the place to be this weekend. Phestival comes from Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, who partnered with a group of South Philly neighborhood associations to throw the cultural event this Sunday, Sept. 18, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Hosted at the Stella Maris School Yard, located at 10th & Bigler streets, the event will be filled with a lineup of local bands and performers, Philly vendors, food trucks, plus, a Kids Zone complete with a castle bounce, a giant slide, a train ride, and play area. The older set can enjoy a mechanical bull and a mechanical Meltdown Jump O’rama while there. More information can be found on the Yo’ South Philly Phestival Facebook Group.

philadelphia.livecasinohotel.com

State Constitutions Palooza

The Museum of the American Revolution will be hosting two days — including on Constitution Day — of interactive, family-friendly activities that delve into the curious, creative, and challenging aspects of how early state constitutions were adopted, why they varied from state to state, and how they impact our lives today.

Different activations will be happening throughout Sept. 17 and 18 with highlights including a Revolutionary Philadelphia Walking Tour where museum-goers will be taken to sites where commoners and congressmen debated and decided on the ideas that shaped federal constitutions, different rounds of trivia, activity stations, special edition chocolates, a constitution themed selfie station, an on-site visit from State Representative Mary Isaacson and more. 

Another highlight includes a monthly hands-on lesson in participatory democracy — with beer. According to a release, visitors can join the museum for this special return of a “fun Philadelphia tradition” as host Grace Palladino leads groups in learning and laughing about state constitutions. Philadelphians will get a lightning-fast intro to the highs and lows of constitution-making, then get their team ready for three rounds of State Constitutional Quizzo while drinks and refreshments will be sold in the Cross Keys Café at the MoAR. 

101 S. 3rd Street, amrevmuseum.org