FESTIVALS
Blobfest 2017
July 14 through July 16
The Colonial Theatre
227 Bridge St., Phoenixville
thecolonialtheatre.com
Pay as you go
Horror-movie fans rejoice: Blobfest – named after “The Blob” – brings a thoughtfully curated lineup of horror and sci-fi films to The Colonial Theatre for maximum spooks and thrills. Though it’s a multi-day affair, you’ll want to show up on Friday, when attendees reenact the famous “run out” that harkens back to a scene from “The Blob” filmed in the Phoenixville theater.
Philadelphia Podcast Festival
July 14 through July 23
Bridgeset Sound (July 14 only)
710 South St.
bridgesetsound.com
Various prices
Fifty-five podcasts get their chance to shine during this multi-week festival that kicks off July 14. Live shows are recorded at various venues throughout the festival, giving attendees a more up-close and personal experience with their favorite podcasts than is typical.
Bluegrass and Blueberries Festival
July 15-16, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Peddler’s Village
Route 202, Lahaska, Bucks County
peddlersvillage.com
Pay as you go
Just as the name suggests, Peddler’s Village promises an enlivening array of regional bluegrass and some of the best blueberries the area has to offer – cooked, baked or mixed into pies, jellies, lemonades, preserves, butters and all sorts of other pastries and confections.
Beard Fest 2: Return of the Beards
July 16, 1-7 p.m.
The Piazza at Schmidt’s Commons
1001 N. Second St.
philadelphiabeardfest.com
$15
Back by popular demand, Digital Force Agency organizes six hours of beard competitions, grooming, axe throwing, cigar smoking and spirit tastings courtesy of Eight Oaks Distillers. Gentlemen, start growing those beards now.FILM
Dive-in Movie Night
July 13, 8 p.m.
Valley Beach at Valley Forge Casino Resort
1160 First Ave., King of Prussia
vfcasino.com
Free
On the back of the announcement that Tom Cruise will again suit up for “Top Gun,” Valley Forge screens the ‘80s classic on the big screen – poolside.MUSIC
Chevelle at the Fillmore
July 13, 7 p.m.
The Fillmore
29 E. Allen St.
the fillmorephilly.com
$21
Black Map and Dinosaur Pile-Up accompany the alt-metal, all-male trio Chevelle. Inspired by groups like Helmet and The Cure, their sound has earned them a string of hits on Billboard’s mainstream rock chart, including the 2016 single “Joyride (Omen).”
Hot Club at the Piazza
July 14, 8 p.m.
The Piazza at Schmidt’s Commons
1001 N. Second St.
theschmidtscommons.com
Free
Acoustic ensemble The Hot Club of Philadelphia swings over to the Piazza for their take on French jazz, in time for Bastille Day. Expect a dash of modern flair mixed in with many “gypsy jazz” classics.
Lancaster Jazz Festival
July 15, 12-7 p.m.
Saunders Park Greene
39th Street and Powelton Avenue
lancasteravejazzfest.com
Free
West Philly sways and scats with the 11th annual Lancaster Jazz Festival – a free concert that takes place all day and, this year, brings “New Wave” jazz to the spotlight. Jaleel Shaw headlines, with eight others – including the Universal African Drum & Dance Ensemble – also taking the stage.THEATER
Rabbit Hole
Through July 29
Sycamore Hill
481 Ebelhare Road, Pottstown
theaterwithaview.com
$25
The Broadway-production-turned-film about dealing with the grief of losing a child comes to the outdoor stage of Sycamore Hill, courtesy of Pottstown theatre company Theater with a View. Starring: Drew Seltzer of the off-Broadway “The Franklin Thesis,” Jo Twiss of Broadway’s “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”, Nina Covalesky of Theater with a View’s previous run of “Detroit” and more.
BalletX Summer Series
Through July 16
The Prince Theater
1412 Chestnut St.
princetheater.org
$27
Two world-premiere ballets accompany a performance of Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s powerful and chaotic “Castrati.” Because BalletX’s usual home of the Wilma Theatre is closed for renovations, the company’s duo of 20-minute premieres are tailor-made for The Prince.
Bring It!
July 16, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
The Merriam Theater
250 S. Broad St.
Philadelphia-theater.com
$90
Based on the Lifetime dance competition, “Bring It!” transforms the reality show into a proper stage show. Hip-hop dance numbers and sass-back in abundance – complete with an interpretation of Coach Dianna “Miss D” Williams.MUSEUMS
American Spirits: The Rise & Fall of Prohibition
Through July 30
National Constitution Center
525 Arch St.
constitutioncenter.org
$17.50
The hotly anticipated exhibition guides observers back to the age of flappers and discreet martini-sipping. Featuring more than 100 artifacts, music, photos, films and multimedia installations, the exhibit chronicles the lead-up to, historical impacts of and eventual end to one of the country’s most unusual time periods.
American Revolution Guided Tour
July 15, 9 a.m.
Museum of the American Revolution
101 S. Third St.
amrevmuseum.org
$50
An educational way to spend an early morning, the museum gives 15 people the opportunity to be taken through a guided, private tour before the museum opens to the public. Tours are approximately 60 minutes.FOOD & DRINK
Fairmount French Fling Bar Crawl
July 13, 6 p.m.
23rd Street and Fairmount Avenue
Pay as you go
The bars of Fairmount Avenue band together for the ultimate Bastille Day bar crawl, with many serving Kronenbourg 1664 lager and Kronenbourg Blanc witbier for $3 – along with other French beer specials and food discounts. Think of it as your Bastille Day pre-game.
The Good King Tavern’s Bastille Day
July 14, 5 p.m.
Kater Street, between Seventh and Eighth streets
Pay as you go
The Good King Tavern takes over the 700 Block of Kater Street in celebration of Bastille Day, offering a special menu with items like a potato salad made with duck fat mayonnaise, a provencial-style sausage on baguette and gauffrette-style French fries. Activities include bocce ball, an accordion performance from Liberty Bellows and face painting.MISC.
Bastille Day
July 15, 5:30 p.m.
Eastern State Penitentiary
2027 Fairmount Ave.
easternstate.org
Free
Now in its 24th year of celebrations, the Bearded Ladies perform outside the atmospheric and theme-fitting walls of Eastern State Penitentiary. Show up for the beheading of Marie Antoinette; stay for the free 2,000 Tastykakes. VIP seats can be purchased for $40.
