Photo by Dario Calmese, courtesy of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
FunTimes Magazine’s Culture + Entertainment column, the week of June 17, 2024
“In summer, anything is a popsicle.”
— An unknown lover of sweets
June brings a jolt of life, inspiring one wise wit long ago to advise the masses: “Savor every moment of this sun-kissed adventure.” It’s a month of celebratory traditions like graduations, weddings, Black Music Month, Father’s Day, ODUNDE, Juneteenth, Flag Day in the United States, and even – if you want to relax – National Go Barefoot Day, which just passed on June 1 (I hope city-dwellers watched the broken glass soda bottles). So, let’s get going into the sun-kissed adventure of June by exploring these low-or-no-cost entertaining educational and cultural activities.
Make this market for Juneteenth
Wednesday, June 19, 2024. The Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation and Art Star teamed up to celebrate Juneteenth at the Art Star Juneteenth Makers Market in Philadelphia’s historic district. Locals can mix and mingle with visitors to Philly. Check out fabulous finds of curated items like homemade jewelry, ceramics, art, and bath-body products by Black-owned small businesses and artisans from the Philly area. Enter for a chance to win exclusive giveaways. it’s all about “buying local,” and supporting the arts community of independent artists and crafters. Featured vendors will include Art Physic, ByHand, ByDej, Ceramic Concept, Cholle Renee, Color & Flame, G and Rizz, Haiama Beauty Co., and Kirra’s Cupcakes. Free admission, 11:a.m. EST to 4 p.m. EST. Independence Visitor Center, 599 Market St. E-mail: info@artstarphilly.com, 484-479-4626 or artstarphilly.com.
The Duat is a play of atonement
Through Sunday, June 23, 2024. The title of The Duat is derived from the mythical Egyptian afterlife. That’s where the lead character Neil Johnson, who has been dead for 50 years, precariously finds himself. Playwright Roger Q. Mason’s The Duat is a psychological portrait of this counterintelligence agent whom the FBI recruited as a young Black college student in the 1960s to unknowingly thwart the efforts of the Black Power movement. “Using spoken word. North African drumming, and clever choreography, the one-person production is a story of redemption,” as Johnson faces a tribunal of Black gods waiting in the afterlife to answer for his actions. Directed by Taibi Magar. $20, times vary. Philadelphia Theatre Company at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St., 215-985-0420 or philadelphiatheatrecompany.org.
This camp is scientific…
Monday, June 24 to Friday, August 30, 2024. Parents, if you’re looking for a fun activity for science buffs in your family, read on. Future scientists, ages 6 to 10, may get a kick out of The Academy Science Summer Camp. Explore wild science, cool hands-on exhibits, imaginative crafts, and hidden secrets of the museum. Imaginations can run crazy, as young curious minds will examine ancient fossils, dinosaurs, bugs, birds, and botanicals. They will see live animals and rare specimens up close, as well as conduct their experiments. $390 per child; $350 for museum member children per week, 9 a.m. EST to 4 p.m. EST weekdays; registration required. Sign up for one week or more than two months. The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy. E-mail: alp333@drexel.edu, 215-299-1000 or ansp.org.
Independence Seaport Museum 211 S. Columbus Blvd., phillyseaport.org
A dozen days of museum-hopping…
Philadelphia is rich in history and culture. The 16-day Wawa Welcome America festival is celebrating America’s independence by opening up opportunities to see its history firsthand. Starting on Juneteenth, the festival will host the annual Free Museum Days spotlighting the city’s wonderful museums, mansions, cemeteries, and cultural institutions citywide. Check out the Stenton House Museum & Gardens, one of Philadelphia’s oldest preserved historic houses dating to 1730; or the Penn Museum’s glorious artwork highlighting the beauty of countries, from Africa to Mexico; or the Wyck Historic House, Garden & Farm, which housed nine generations of Quaker families. And there’s much more to explore. Here are museums aplenty over 12 days in June to immerse yourself in history, art, culture, science, and more. Some of the museums require pre-registration, so check with the individual cultural institutions:
On June 19, Juneteenth: Celebrate the Black Independence holiday and all that the African American Museum in Philadelphia has to offer. 701 Arch St., 10 a.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST.
June 20: Enjoy a “triple-header”: The City of Philadelphia’s historic Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, 640 Water Works Dr., 10 a.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST; the Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Columbus Blvd., 10 a.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST, and Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, 118-128 N. Broad St.,10 a.m. EST to 4 p.m. EST.
June 21: Get over to Historic Rittenhouse Town, 208 Lincoln Dr., 10 a.m. EST to 1 p.m. EST, and The Print Center, 1614 Latimer St., 11 a.m. EST to 6 pm. EST.
June 22: Marvel at Christ Church Preservation Trust, 20 N American St., 11 a.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST; the Lemon Hill Mansion Museum, 801 Lemon Hill Dr., 10 a.m. EST to 4 p.m. EST; Woodford Mansion Museum, 2300 North 33rd St., 10 a.m. EST to 4 p.m. EST; Science History Institute, 315 Chestnut St., 10 a.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST, and the Paul Robeson House & Museum, 4951 Walnut St., noon to 4 p.m. EST.
June 23: Get steeped into history at Laurel Hill Mansion, 3487 Edgley Dr., 10 a.m. EST to 4 p.m. EST. and the Historic Strawberry Mansion, 2450 Strawberry Mansion Dr., 10 a.m. EST to 4 p.m. EST.
June 24: Revel in what he finds at the oldest American public library, the Free Library of Philadelphia Rare Book Department, 1901 Vine St., 9:30 a.m. EST to 4:30 p.m. EST.
June 25: Explore Stenton House Museum & Gardens, 601 N 18th St., 10 a.m. EST to 4 p.m. EST, and
The Underground Railroad Museum at the Historic Belmont Mansion, 2000 Belmont Mansion Dr., 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Elfreth’s Alley Museum. 126 Elfreth’s Alley, noon to 4 p.m. EST.
June 26: Take in the beauty of the Woodmere Art Museum, 9201 Germantown Ave., 10 a.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST; the Wyck Historic House, Garden & Farm, 6026 Germantown Ave., noon to 4 p.m. EST, and The Fabric Workshop Museum, 214 Arch St., noon to 6 p.m. EST.
June 27: Soak up American history at the National Constitution Center courtesy of Wawa, 525 Arch St., 10 am EST to 5 p.m. EST.
June 28: Step into history at the Penn Museum, 3260 South St., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Fireman’s Hall Museum, 147 N. 2nd St., 10 a.m. EST to 4 p.m. EST, and Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion, 200 West Tulpehocken St., noon to 4 p.m. EST.
June 29: Get deep at the American Philosophical Society Museum, 104 S. 5th St., 10 a.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST. and the Masonic Temple, Library and Museum, 1 N. Broad St., 9:30 a.m. EST to 3:20 p.m. EST.
June 30: Get rolling at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum, 6825-31 Norwitch Dr., 10 a.m. EST to 4 p.m. EST, and the American Swedish Historical Museum, 1900 Pattison Ave., noon to 4 p.m. EST.
For more information and free museum visits in July during Wawa Welcome America’s Free Museum Days: july4thphilly.com.
The exhibit shines a light on Robeson’s influences
Saturday, June 22, 2024.Check out the opening of Reflections: Women of Robeson’s Legacy. They say that the making of any success can “take a village.” In this case, it’s a strong female village. The interactive exhibit honors the women who were supportive of Paul Robeson and impacted his life. Robeson was a Renaissance Man – a world-famous American bass-baritone concert singer, actor, All-American athlete, writer, orator, human rights activist, and attorney. The multi-media art exhibition will highlight five influential women who helped shape Robeson’s success story: Robeson’s mother Maria Bustill Robeson, his wife Eslanda Goode Robeson, his sister, Marian Robeson Forsythe Frances P. Aulston, founder of West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, and Vernoca Michael, Robeson’s niece. The Paul Robeson House and Museum is owned by the West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance. Admission is free as part of the Wawa Welcome America Festival’s Free Museum Days program. 10 a.m. EST to 4 p.m. EST. Sign up for tours at bit.ly/paulrobesonhousetours. The Paul Robeson House & Museum, 4651 Walnut St. E-mail: wphlca@gmail.com, 215-747-4675 or paulrobesonhouse.org.
Swing to salsa!
Saturday, June 22 & Sunday, June 23, 2024. Concilio’s Annual Hispanic Fiesta is two lively days of Latina culture celebrated through music, dance, and cuisine. Part of the PECO Multicultural Series, enjoy live performances by Joseph Fonseca, an icon of merengue music, and salsa phenom, Huey Dunba. Feast on authentic cultural cuisine at the Oasis (and explore the “Well-being on Wheels” mobile program featuring health screenings, wellness information, and giveaways of nutrition material. The event is produced by longtime North Philadelphia-based nonprofit Concilio., Peco, the Philadelphia International Airport, and Independence Blue Cross. Free admission, 2 p.m. EST to EST to 8 p.m. EST. John F. Kennedy Bridge, 20th to 30th streets, on John F. Kennedy Boulevard. E-mail: info@elconcilio.net, 215-627-3100 or elconcilico.net.
Here’ the big picture…
Friday, June 21, 2024. Check out the next generation of Spike Lees, John Singletons, and Ava DuVernays. You can find them at the Big Picture Film Fest 2024, which will premiere new short films produced by youth, ages 12 to 24, through Big Picture Alliance programs in Philadelphia. The event will include the release of an immigrant justice documentary series featuring the New Sanctuary Movement. With the theme “Homecoming,” the event will provide a forum for marginalized voices and will include a mixer, screenings, workshops, performances, and discussions about identity and creative expression. It’s part of the organizer Big Picture Alliance’s 30th anniversary celebration hosting the organization’s alumni, young creatives, industry professionals, and community leaders. Free but register in advance. 6 p.m. EST to 9 p.m. EST. Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St. E-mail: eleks@bigpicturealliance.org, bigpicturealliance.org or https://bit.ly/BPFF24.
Orchestra taking it to the streets
Wednesday, June 26, 2024. FREE Our City, Your Orchestra Live is a traveling tribute to mostly unsung Black composers. And the Philadelphia Orchestra is singing their praises by taking it to the streets of North Philly and Temple University. Featured will be the works of Adolphus Hailstork, Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, Scott Joplin, Florence Price, Duke Ellington, Jessie Montgomery, and William Grant Still. The concert also will highlight innovative modern-day Black musicians. The pre-event activities will feature bounce houses, yard games, cotton candy, and food trucks leading up to The Orchestra’s headlining performance led by Conductor Austin Chanu. It’s part of Our City, Your Orchestra promoting organizations that push for change, sites of historical significance, and businesses that represent and serve resilient communities. Free admission but register, as tickets sell out fast; food trucks are pay-as-you-go. Pre-event: 4 p.m. EST at Quadrangle near Rock Hall, 1515 N, Broad St, (between Cecil B. Moore and Montgomery avenues). Philadelphia Orchestra concert, 7 p.m. EST, Temple Performing Arts Center, 1837 N. Broad St. E-mail: audienceservices@ensembleartsphilly.org, 215-893-1999 or philorch.org.
