Fun things to safely do this weekend in Philly

Looking for some fun, unique and safe ways to spend your weekend? In the age of social distancing, Metro has you covered. A few Philly establishments have come up with inventive ways to still have fun this weekend while staying healthy.

Father’s Day at Urban Farmer 

If you’re looking to do something fun with your dad this Sunday to celebrate Father’s Day, Logan Square hotspot Urban Farmer has a day full of specials planned out. Executive Chef Sonny Ingui has curated two special pairings: The first is a Wagyu Burger ($22) with smoked gouda, balsamic caramelized onions and beef tallow aioli on a brioche bun, paired with a Wagyu Washed Old Fashioned ($12) served with wagyu-washed Wild Turkey Rye, sugar, angostura bitters and orange; and the second is a 14 oz. 100 Day Dry-Aged Ribeye ($60) made with 1855 beef and grain-finished paired with a Wagyu Washed Vieux Carre ($16), served with Pierre Ferrand Cognac, wagyu-washed Wild Turkey 101 Rye, Carpano Antiqua and Benedictine. 

Lead Bartender Tim Johnson is also offering whiskey flights of WL Weller, Basil Hayden’s Dark Rye and Widow Jane 10 Year for $20 (includes a 1 oz. pour each) for $20 on Sunday. Additionally, guests can also purchase Urban Farmer’s weekly rotating BeerBQ special for their dads (or themselves)  that comes with Yards Pale Ale beer-braised pork sausage, grilled jumbo shrimp with Yards Summer Crush ale butter, grilled corn, summer squash, coleslaw, pickles and cornbread with whipped local butter for $19. This week’s pairing option will be a Yards Summer Crush Ale for $6. Reservations can be made through Open Table. 

1850 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, urbanfarmersteakhouse.com

The Barnes Foundation 

This Saturday and Sunday from 8 to 11 p.m., the Barnes Foundation will be showcasing a special photography installation from West Philadelphia artist, Ken McFarlane. McFarlane’s exhibition, titled ‘From the Root to the Fruit: Portraits of Black Fathers and Their Children’ will be projected onto the façade of the Foundation both nights. According to the release, ‘From the Root to the Fruit’ is an ongoing documentary project by McFarlane that celebrates black fatherhood while counteracting the false narrative of the absentee black father. McFarlane’s work amplifies images of strength, dignity, pride and success to drown out the cacophony of negative imagery surrounding the black body. This installation is a collaboration between the Barnes, We Embrace Fatherhood—a coalition of West Philadelphia fathers, activists, and artists—the Mantua Civic Association and PC Radio Live. 

Visitors can stop by to witness the exhibition during the allotted timeframe, and as an extra bonus, every 15 minutes the projection will also rotate through 23 photographs featuring corresponding text drawn from interviews McFarlane conducted with his subjects. Social distancing rules and mask-wearing is required. 

2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, barnesfoundation.org

Philadelphia Youth Orchestra’s At Home Gala

Social distancing might be nixing in-person performances for the time being, but the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra is not letting that stop their  Gala, “An Evening of Harmony.” The festivities start at 8 p.m. via the Orchestra’s Facebook page and will feature a variety of performances from present students and also a special performance by violinist Michael Ludwig and violinist Henry Zheng. The evening will be co-hosted by Maestro Louis Scaglione, President and Music Director of the PYO and Ehren Valme, a recent alumnus of the PYO and the event is produced by Fred Stein. The hour-long gala will also feature the presentation of a variety of awards, including the 7th Annual Ovation Award presented in partnership with WRTI 90.1, Jacobs Music Company and J.W. Pepper. 

pyos.org

Art in the Age

Philly’s own unique bar supply shop and tasting room is celebrating their soft opening this weekend and will also be releasing their new make-at-home cocktail kit. Philadelphians can head to the Old City storefront from Quaker City Mercantile starting this Friday, June 19. Social distancing and safety guidelines will be enforced, and for those who rather still keep some space, curbside pickups and online orders are also still available. The new make-at-home cocktail kit is a spirited addition to the stores offerings and includes tools, mixing ingredients and all the booze you need to make a Thai Chili Gin “Fresh Cut” including the Thai Chili Gin ($55), Kinsey Triple Sec (750 ml, $29.99), The Brothers Jasmine Water ($8), El Guapo Lime Cordial ($16), Fee Brothers Rhubarb Bitters ($10), Koriko Weighted Shaker ($24), a Hawthorne Strainer ($8) and Japanese Jigger ($18).

116 N. 3rd St., artintheage.com

Planet Smoothie’s Free Smoothies for Dads and Grads

Planet Smoothie in Horsham is doing something special for all dads this Father’s Day (also consequently National Smoothie Day) and for the graduating class of 2020 as well. The establishment will be offering free 16 oz. Lunar Lemonade smoothies to all graduates (from any grade level), and buy-one-get-one 16 oz. Lunar Lemonades for all dads, beginning at 10 a.m. on June 21. According to the release, both offers will be available until Planet Smoothie closes at 6 p.m., and buy-one-get-one purchases can be made via the Planet Smoothie app or by calling the store at 215-394-5217. Graduates of any level need to call the store to schedule their curbside pickup, and disclose where they graduated from, so that Planet Smoothie can celebrate the graduates on social media—the BOGO promo code for online ordering is “LEMON.”

575 Horsham Road, planetsmoothie.com