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FESTIVAL Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts April 8-23 Various locations PIFA.org
In its third year, the Kimmel Center’s ambitious performing arts festival PIFA almost seems to take a page from Burning Man’s playbook. The 15-day event, themed “We Are What We Make,” comprises major art installations at venues across the city, including Mimi Lien’s massive project that will consume the lobby of the Kimmel Center, and “Article 13,” an awe-inspiring fire and sand installation meant to impart immigrant tales. As always, the festival culminates with the PIFA Street Fair that shuts down a portion of the Avenue of the Arts on April 23.
Life in Color Festival April 9, 6-10 p.m. Festival Pier Columbus Blvd. and Spring Garden St., 215-629-3200 $70 Lifeincolor.com
The self-proclaimed “world’s largest paint party” comes to Penn’s Landing for a night of loud music, strobe lights and gallons upon gallons of neon paint being sprayed all up in your grill. Music is supplied courtesy of Toronto DJ duo Zeds Dead, EDMer Getter and rising hip-hop star iLoveMakonnen.
FUNDRAISERS
Charity Flip Cup Tournament April 8, 7-11 p.m. Field House 1150 Filbert St., 215-720-1876 $30 Eventbrite.com
Social media company ChatterBlast returns to Field House for their third annual — and drunken — Charity Flip Cup Tournament. Around 50 hilariously named teams (Our Flips Don’t Lie, Finger Flippin’ Good) bring the popular house party drinking game into the public arena to benefit the Greater Delaware Valley Chapter of the MS Society and local theater company Mazeppa Productions. The night includes an hour of open game play followed by a single-elimination tournament, because someone has to walk away with bragging rights.
Bangarang Presents: Party Animals April 9, noon-5 p.m. Clark Park 43rd St. and Baltimore Ave., 215-683-3679 Free Phillypaws.org
Clark Park sees one of its first festivals of the season in this daylong hoopla to benefit Red Paw Emergency Relief Team, which works to find shelter for Philadelphians and their pets who have been displaced due to fire or other disasters. Guests can expect live music from local DJs, games like giant versions of Twister and Jenga, and a puppy kissing booth. Food trucks will be on site for your noshing pleasure.
Shut Up & Dance April 9, 8 p.m. Forrest Theatre 1114 Walnut St., 215-923-1515 $25-$4,000 Mannapa.org
The Pennsylvania Ballet is back for its 24th annual night of dance to benefit the Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutritional Alliance (MANNA), a nonprofit that provides wholesome meals to people in the region affected by HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases. The one-night-only performance features original choreography from the Ballet and, for the first time ever, Philly’s tallest, hairiest drag queen, Martha Graham Cracker, will take on hosting duties.
Legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin lands at the Free Library for a reading, discussion and signing of his long-awaited memoir, “No Dream Is Too High: Life Lessons From a Man Who Walked on the Moon.” In the book, Aldrin writes about his historic moon landing, and reveals details about his struggle with depression and alcoholism. Not surprisingly, the auditorium event is sold out, but there are in-house simulcast seats available.
MUSIC
Gogol Bordello April 7-8, 7:30-11 p.m. Union Transfer 1026 Spring Garden St., 215-232-2100 $25 Utphilly.com
Manhattan punk band Gogol Bordello take over Union Transfer for their two-night “Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike” tour, in town to celebrate their 10th anniversary and the release of “Pura Vida Conspiracy.” In typical fashion for the band, the album is influenced by rhythms from around the globe — from Ukraine to Paraguay and even Vermont. Fans of the band’s annual New Year’s Eve romp in Philly know to expect quite the spirited stage show.
Crossroads Concert Series April 10, 3 p.m. First Presbyterian Church in Germantown 35 West Chelten Ave., 215-843-8811 Free Fpcgermantown.org
Cap off your weekend with a little jazz. This show is the penultimate in a series of diverse concerts held at the First Presbyterian Church in Germantown. A quintet of musicians, including Philadelphia trumpeter Noah Hocker, will debut all original compositions, with an opening set by local crooner Tony Williams and His Quartet.
MOVIES
Cinedelphia April 7-23 PhilaMOCA 531 N. 12th St., 267-519-9651 Cinedelphia.com
Think of Cinedelphia as the Philadelphia Film Festival’s edgier, Bernie-supporting younger sister. The nearly month-long fest, curated by “a small team of discerning film lovers,” highlights locally shot rarities and oddball gems from the video era. Hosted at alternative art space PhilaMOCA, the schedule includes a handful of Philly premieres (“VHS Massacre” and “Dead Hands Dig Deep”and more) and appearances by eccentric film critic Joe Bob Briggs, and Baltimore video and comedy troupe Wham City Comedy.
THEATER
‘RODEO’ April 7-23 Walnut Street Theater, Studio 5 825 Walnut St., 215-574-3550 $20-$25 Quinceproductions.com
A honky-tonkin’ new show by Chicago playwright Philip Dawkins gets stage time in Philly courtesy of Quince Productions, helmer of annual LGBT theater festival GayFest!. “RODEO” concerns a rough-and-tumble cowgirl named Cody (Jenna Pinchbeck), who has to dress up like a man in order to qualify to compete in the town rodeo. Gender-bending shenanigans — and a romance with an unsuspecting gay cowboy — ensue.
HOME
The Philadelphia Furniture Show April 8-10 23rd Street Armory 22 S. 23rd St., 215-564-1488 $12-$15 Philadelphiafurnitureshow.com
Lovers of unique pieces of furniture and other home goods should make a beeline for Rittenhouse Square this weekend. The 22nd annual Philadelphia Furniture Show returns to the neighborhood with a warehouse space full of one-of-a-kind chairs, sofas, lamps, rugs and other statement-making pieces for your abode.
FOOD
Craft Beer Express April 9, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Various locations $10-$15 Craftbeerexpress.com
The Craft Beer Express rolls out Saturday morning, making pit stops at some of Philly’s finest spots to grab some suds. You’ll try tastings of special brews and even play some games at 13 bars throughout the day. The group starts at Frankford Hall in Northern Liberties and eventually makes its way across the city to places like City Tap House, P.O.P.E. and Brauhaus Schmitz. The whole thing ends at Race Street Cafe with a final round and a BBQ meal.
Philly Farm and Food Fest April 10, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Pennsylvania Convention Center 1101 Arch Street, 800-428-9000 $15-$40 Phillyfarmfest.org
Try all kinds of nibbles from local farmers and food artisans and learn from sustainable-minded agricultural experts at the Philly Farm and Food Fest. Highlights of the one-day festival include the Local Libations Lounge, where you can sample regional beer and spirits, and the Coffee Collective comprising reps from some of Philly’s most-loved cafes. Bringing kids along? Let them run wild in the Kid’s Corral, where they can play with llamas and burn off some steam at the Rock & Roll Food & Farm Fest Party.
Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival April 10, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free Manayunk.com
Main Street in Manayunk will be jam-packed with food trucks, concert stages and neighborhood boutique vendors on Sunday for this annual hoopla celebrating the local street food culture. Of course, no party in Manayunk would be complete without lots of drinking, which can be done in spades at the MNYK Beer Garden on Cotton Street.
