You’ll need a little culture to go with that tan. What to see and hear
in Philly this summer.
THEATER
‘In a Daughter’s Eyes’
Always up for diving into political controversy, InterAct Theatre Company presents the world premiere of A. Zell Williams’ new play inspired by the Mumia Abu-Jamal case.
May 27-June 19, Adrienne Theater, 2030 Sansom St., $18-$32, 215-568-8079, www.interacttheatre.org
Opera Company of Philadelphia
OCP closes its season with a modern take on a classic tale, Hans Werner Henze’s 2007 Greek tragedy “Phaedra.”
June 3-12, Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1018, www.operaphila.org
Shakespeare in Clark Park
This year’s Bard-in-the-park production will be “Much Ado About Nothing,” directed by Alex Torra.
July 20-24, Clark Park, Chester Ave. and 43rd St., Free, 215-462-2115, www.shakespeareinclarkpark.org
DANCE
Pennsylvania Ballet
Apparently the city’s infatuation with all things Parisian didn’t end with the closing of PIFA last month. The PA Ballet ends its season on a light note with the 18th-century comic ballet “La Fille mal gardée,” which loosely translates as “The Wayward Daughter.”
June 2-11, Academy of Music, 1420 Locust St., $20-$139, 215-893-1999, www.paballet.org
BalletX
The city’s alternative ballet company offers two world premieres and a recent work by Amy Selwert set to Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”
July 20-24, Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad St., $20-$30, 215-546-7824, www.balletx.org
MUSIC
Remembering Grover Washington, Jr.
Four alumni of the late Philly soul-jazz great recombine to honor their ex-boss: percussionist Leonard “Doc” Gibbs, violinist John Blake, bassist Tyrone Brown, and pianist Bill Meek.
June 3-4, Chris’ Jazz Café, 1421 Sansom St., $20, 215-568-3131, www.chrisjazzcafe.com
Bach Festival of Philadelphia
The annual festival of all things Johann Sebastian celebrates “The Power of Three” via a trio of concerts featuring lesser-known works. The Philadelphia Bach Collegium, Tempesta Di Mare, and Choral Arts Philadelphia are the trinity involved.
June 3-5, Saint Mark’s Church, 1625 Locust St., $10-$60, 215-247-BACH, www.bach-fest.org
Morton Feldman Festival
Bowerbird presents “American Sublime,” seven performances of the ground-breaking music of 20th-century composer Morton Feldman, featuring some of modern classical’s most innovative and renowned ensembles.
June 4-12, various venues, Free-$20, www.americansublime.org
AACM Festival
Ars Nova Workshop presents a series of shows featuring Chicago’s influential jazz organization, the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians. Announced thus far are performances by trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith, Henry Threadgill’s eccentric ensemble Zooid, and saxophone great Roscoe Mitchell with two different groups.
Beginning June 4, various venues, $10-$25, www.arsnovaworkshop.com
Soweto Kinch
Crossing jazz and hip-hop, the British-born saxophonist and MC and his quartet perform works from his “The New Emancipation,” inspired by 19th-century work songs and blues music.
June 11, Painted Bride, 230 Vine St., $25, 215-925-9914, www.paintedbride.org
Grace Kelly
The 18-year-old alto saxophonist is prepped to exit her child prodigy years, having leapfrogged generations to collaborate with the likes of jazz greats Phil Woods and Lee Konitz.
June 24, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th Street & Ben Franklin Pkwy. $16 museum admission, 215-763-8100, www.philamuseum.org
VISUAL
“Abstract Expressionism and its Discontents”
PAFA offers a broad survey of the mid-century’s most influential art movement.
June 17-Aug. 28, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 118-128 N. Broad St., $15, 215-972-7600, www.pafa.org
“Rembrandt and the Face of Jesus”
The first show in Philadelphia to ever include paintings by the Dutch master, this exhibit focuses on seven pieces depicting Christ painted in the mid-1600s.
Aug. 3-Oct. 30, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th Street & Ben Franklin Pkwy. $14-$24, 215-763-8100, www.philamuseum.org
FILM
Philadelphia Independent Film Festival
With the city’s two mainstream fests settled into the spring and fall, the upstart, now in its fourth year, helps get local cinephiles through the summer with more obscure fare.
June 22-26, various venues, 215-592-1242, www.philadelphiaindependentfilmfestival.com
Philadelphia Qfest
The city’s long-running gay and lesbian film festival celebrates its 17th year.
July 7-18, various venues, www.qfest.com
Art in the Open
The festival of open-air artwork returns for a second year, lining the banks of the Schuylkill for three miles from the Fairmount Water Works to Bartram’s Gardens with painters, sculptors, dancers, and artists of all ilks getting out of their dark studios for a change.
June 9-12, Schuylkill River Banks, Free, www.artintheopenphila.org
