Looking for fun and unique things to do in Philly this weekend? Metro has you covered.
Chris’ Jazz Cafe
The popular jazz venue located on Sansom Street in Center City is once again opening their doors for live performances beginning this weekend. Starting May 21, Chris’ will be open at 30% capacity which equals out to be about 30 seats in the venue. The establishment is planning to put on two sets each weekend at 8 p.m. and then 10 p.m., and the performances will also be live-streamed for those who aren’t able to make it there in person. Their dinner and a show option (max of 4 tickets per order) comes out to be $70 per person and includes 3 course dinner with the live performance. Beverages, tip and tax not included. Future shows include Alex Claffy, Mike Boone Quartet, Webb T’s Superband, trombonist Steve Davis and saxophonist Steve Wilson, while next year audiences can look out for bigger international names to grace the stage.
1421 Sansom St., chrisjazzcafe.com
PAWS and The Bourse Movie Nights
According to a release, movie buffs and their four-legged friends are invited to The Bourse’s fifth street patio every Friday in May from 7-10 p.m. for a safe and socially-distanced outdoor movie screening. Each table seats up to four guests and costs a flat fee of $40, so groups of one, two, three or four only need to purchase one ticket. When purchasing a ticket, guests will also have the opportunity to add a suggested donation of $5, directly benefitting PAWS, Philadelphia’s largest rescue partner dedicated to saving the lives of homeless and at-risk animals. Moviegoers are invited to the patio starting at 6 p.m. to enjoy snacks and refreshments from select food hall vendors prior to the movie. A volunteer from PAWS will also be on-site with adoptable dogs (depending on availability) and to answer questions. Masks must be worn at all times unless seated at a table. In the event of rain, the event will be canceled, and ticket holders will receive a refund. This week, on May 21, audiences can check out ‘Homeward Bound’ for this special screening.
111 S. Independence Mall E., theboursephilly.com
11th Hour Concert Series
Over the past few months, 11th Hour Theatre has been showcasing a special concert series through their adaptation to the digital front in “Society XI Online.” In total, there were three quarantine cabarets being performed by local singing duos focusing on different areas of entertainment. Overall, the evenings are filled with stories and songs, and every event is also available to stream for up to two weeks after they premiere. This Saturday, May 22, Philadelphians can check out a performance from talented performers Amanda Jill Robinson and Jenna Pinchbeck for an evening of laughs as their hilarious alter egos: Ruth & Estelle. These spunky, big-hearted, cocktail-loving broads will treat you to their “Summer Playlist” that got them through the trials and tribulations of 2020. Standalone tickets to this specific event run for $20.
East Passyunk’s Garden Days
Spring in the city brings a plethora of floral activities spanning from the Philadelphia Flower Show to the Cherry Blossom Festival at Fairmount Park, but now one South Philly neighborhood is taking its own spin on the season. East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District recently started a new three-week event titled “Garden Days,” which ties into the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Bloom Philly! celebration ahead of the Philadelphia Flower Show. The events includes a large-scale selfie station in collaboration between Creations By Coppola, Ill Exotics, and Urban Jungle at the Singing Fountain; live performances; specialty menu items from restaurants and bars highlighting ingredients such as honey, flowers, sustainable greens and organic items; sales from local stores and much more. The event will be in full swing until the end of the month.
Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania Virtual Town Hall
According to a release, Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania (GSEP) is hosting a virtual town hall on Saturday, May 22 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. via Zoom titled: “Use Your Voice: The Power of Me Town Hall.” The two-hour town hall will be moderated by Loraine Ballard Morrill, GSEP board member and award-winning Director of News and Community Affairs for iHeartMedia Philadelphia, and feature local women panelists, who will share how they have used their voices to bring about real change in their own lives and communities. Girls in grades 4-12 welcome to attend. If any girls aren’t currently Girl Scout members, a 2021 – 2022 membership is included in their admission to the town hall.
Insomnia Cookie’s Cookie Lab
We’ve all had the warm, delivered taste of Insomnia Cookies brought right to our door at one time or another, but the popular brand has a new trick up its sleeve in South Philly. According to a release, visitors to the all new CookieLab will be able to experience where the cookie magic happens while pushing the limits of cookie combinations with customizable cookies, cookie-cakes, Cookie’wiches (ice cream sandwiches), cookie-dominated milkshakes and more. Where mad scientist meets Willy Wonka, this one-of-a-kind CookieLab, aptly hidden behind a bookshelf in the new storefront, gives flavor-makers an inside look at multiple cookie creations, access to a craft milkshake bar, indoor seating and a pick-up window. The new concept just opened a few weeks ago, and Philadelphians are invited to check it our for themselves.
833 Wharton St., insomniacookies.com
