Looking for some fun and unique things to do in Philly this weekend? Metro’s got you covered.
Bless & Eat
Matthew Raiford and Tia McDonald Raiford are heading to the City of Brotherly Love this weekend to bring a taste of Georgia to Philly. The dinner will be held at The Viaduct this Thursday evening in celebration of Matthew Raiford’s celebrated cookbook, ‘Bress ‘n’ Nyam: Gullah Geechee Recipes from a Sixth-Generation Farmer’, which is currently one of the top 20 best-selling cookbooks on Amazon.
Philadelphians can choose between two seatings at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. with tickets costing $65 or $95 with the inclusion of the cookbook. According to the release, Matthew and his partner, Tia McDonald Raiford, are bringing their skills, stories, and deep-rooted culinary and farming history to Viaduct with a spectacular multi-course meal. While there, there will be a “fire-side chat” to tell their story which looks back at their family history, their roots in farming, food, and how their 25-year friendship blossomed not only into their marriage but also their mission. Matthew will also talk about his book Bress ‘N’ Nyam which means “Bless and Eat” in Gullah Geechee.
500 N 10th St., cohereco.ticketleap.com/bless-and-eat-family-farming-and-food-a-dinner-series-with-matt
Cinema in the Cemetery
This weekend, one popular event is back from the Friends of Laurel Hill & West Laurel Hill Cemeteries in partnership with the Philadelphia Film Society. Last event, moviegoers watched an outdoor film at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia, but the event this weekend now moves back to West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd on Aug. 14 at 8 p.m.
Attendees are encouraged to pack a picnic, gather some friends or a date, and enjoy an evening under the stars to watch ‘Wall-E.’ General ticket prices are $20 but may vary depending on age and Friends membership. In case of inclement weather, rain dates are scheduled for the following day as well. Tickets can be purchased online.
225 Belmont Ave., Bala Cynwyd, westlaurelhill.com
Bug Fest
According to a release, Philadelphians can head to the Academy of Natural Sciences to celebrate all the many-legged movers and shakers of the world at the annual Bug Fest, the Academy’s most popular festival. This August features a variety of virtual events on Zoom and Facebook, plus in-museum insect displays and activities Friday through Sunday, Aug. 13-15.
Philadelphians can participate in a Q&A with Academy entomologists and have all the questions that “bug” you answered. On top of that event, visitors can enjoy a Creature Features Live show, get a closer look at the Academy’s many live bugs and marvel at the amazing Entomology Collection. In-museum displays and activities are scaled back this year as the museum continues to steadily ramp up and host more visitors. Those interested can check online for a list of Bug Fest in-person and virtual activities for the whole family.
1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, ansp.org
Beatles Fine Art Show
In commemoration of the 55th anniversary of the Beatles last Philadelphia appearance at JFK stadium, Aug. 16, 1966, a specially curated museum collection of hand-signed artwork from Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon and George Harrison will open to the public for two special weeks at Dane Fine Art Rittenhouse, a release states.
Paul first exhibited his work in Siegen, Germany in 1999 and has been showcasing his work around the globe ever since, and his next stop is the City of Brotherly Love. Ringo Starr, on the other hand, showcased some of his artistic stylings through furniture, while Lennon only officially signed and released 14 different artworks in his lifetime. In 1986, George Harrison partnered with his friend, British rock musician Keith West, to publish three works of art based on his songs, “Piggies,” “Here Comes the Sun” and “Taxman.”
The release also states that in addition to hand signed works from each of the Fab Four, the exhibit will include signed fine art photographs from Linda McCartney, Beatles animation from the late Yellow Submarine animator Ron Campbell as well as other Beatles related fine art.
Dane Fine Art Gallery, 116 S. 19th St., artofthebeatles.com
