MUSIC
Old 97’s
Thursday, 8 p.m.
Union Transfer
1024 Spring Garden St.
$20-$22, Utphilly.com
Long-standing alt-country storytellers and killer live act the Old 97’s are in town, heating up Philly’s cold night air with their Dallas-born debauchery. Their 10th album, “Most Messed Up,” was released last April. Local vintage pop–influenced rock trio Shark Tape and blues/rock Alabama visitors Banditos open. David Wax Museum
Thursday, 8 p.m.
Johnny Brenda’s
1201 Frankford Ave.
$13-$15, Johnnybrendas.com
Southwestern and eastern Appalachian-influenced folk outfit David Wax Museum just released a fifth studio album, “Guesthouse,” a Paul Simon-esque meander down the Rio Grande. Arc Iris, a lilting, soaring folk-rock outfit featuring former members of The Low Anthem, opens. Josh Ritter
Friday, noon
World Cafe Live
3025 Walnut St.
Free, Xpn.org
Singer-songwriter Josh Ritter is earnest yet irony-seeking, a commentator and observer of the pop-folk persuasion. His newest album, “Sermon on the Rocks,” released just last week, explores the idiosyncrasies of rural life, the oxymorons of faith and fable and the limits of his genre. Peaches
Sunday, 7:30 p.m.
Trocadero Theatre
1003 Arch St.
$20-$22, Thetroc.com
Rapper and electronic artist Peaches’ recently released album “Rub” is a collaboration with Feist and Kim Gordon. Peaches’ sexual and gender-questioning lyrics are so strong and overt that it can feel almost political. Blues and garage-rock duo Deap Valley opens. FOOD & DRINK
State of Craft Beer
Thursday, 6 p.m.
St. Benjamin Brewing Company
1710 North Fifth St.
Philly is seventh in an eight-part podcast series called “State of Craft Beer” from the James Beard award-winning food site, First We Feast. Brooklyn Brewery founder Steve Hindy interviews the founders of Dogfish Head Brewery and the Victory and St. Benjamin Brewing Companies, along with the president of the Brewers of Pennsylvania. Cheesesteak Festival
Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Lincoln Financial Field
1 Lincoln Financial Field Way
$20-$60, Cheesesteakfest.com
Although the first annual, the sentiment behind the Cheesesteak Festival is a well established Philly tradition. Taste the best iterations of the hometown classic in its traditional form, as well in fusion and foodie versions, with vegetarian and gluten-free options. Naturally, beers, games, contests and spectacles are also in store. MUSEUM
Voices of the Dead
Friday, 2-5 p.m.
Penn Museum
3260 South St., Philadelphia, PA 19104
Free, Penn.museum
Do you like your Halloween with a bit of intellectual morbidity? Kolb scholars from as far as the University of Miami meet at the Penn Museum for a three-hour discussion of early funerary rites, human sacrifice and the secrets of ancient cadavers. TOUR
Soul Crawl: Haunted History Halloween Tours
Friday and Saturday, 7-9 p.m.
Laurel Hill Cemetery
3822 Ridge Ave.
$20, Thelaurelhillcemetery.org
Lit only by the moon (nearly full) and flashlights (bring your own), take a nighttime tour of Laurel Hill Cemetery, a National Historic Landmark full of legends and lore. Learn about the cemetery’s art and landscapes, and dispel any lingering spirits by finishing off with cookies and cider by an open fire. PARADE
PAWS Mutt Strut
Saturday, 11 a.m.
The Navy Yard
4500 S. Broad St.
$25, Pawsmuttstrut.org
If dogs in costumes are your thing, and dogs aplenty are your dog’s thing, don’t miss the annual Mutt Strut, a celebration, fundraiser and adoption event for PAWS. Each dog registered in the parade will have its own fundraising webpage for friends and admirers to contribute to PAWS’ mission of rescuing and finding a home for unwanted animals. COMEDY
The Dungeon Comedy Night: Creepy Crawly Jawn
Friday, 8 p.m.
Kung Fu Necktie
1250 N. Front St.
Local comedians and improv troupes have Halloween plans too, so they’re getting their haunted hilarity out of the way early. Headliner Brendan Murphy is known for his committed, absurdist humor, while other acts include Den Mother, Matthew Tsang, Sad Trombone, No Ghosts? and Alejandro Morales.
Cheesesteak Festival, Mutt Strutt and more things to do in Philly this weekend
Katie McMenamin Photograph
