Photo by Susanne Jutzeler, suju-foto
FunTimes Magazine Culture & Entertainment, Week of June 19, 2023
It seems like June just got started, but here we are racing towards hot July. June, though, still has some sweet event juice left in it. FunTimers, let’s squeeze June until the last drop!
Part of this week’s column is dedicated to summer under the stars — free outdoor movie nights. There’s nothing more fun than free! Check in advance with event organizers to confirm dates and times. For a complete roundup of movie screenings, go to visitphilly.com.
These eventful activities also highlight a 1940s concert, a food giveaway, environmental events and a kids’ fitness day. So, here are some good reasons to race out and explore these mostly free neighborhood festivities in Greater Philadelphia.
Rooftop sunset summer film series
June 21, 2023. Wednesdays have never been so much fun. For gatherings with friends or date night, check out an action-packed film lineup on a 60-foot screen, 12 stories high in University City. Enjoy Top Gun Maverick this week, followed by Minions: The Rise of Gru (June 28) and Jurassic World: Dominion (July 5). They call it “500 Days of Summer” or Sunset Social Movie Nights. The screenings are on a scenic rooftop overlooking the Philly skyline. Free, 7 p.m. Cira Green at the Cira Centre South, 129 S. 30th. St. 267-295-9565 or https://www.sunsetsocialphl.com.
Big Picture Film Festival is no small feat
June 22, 2023. Check out the Big Picture Film Fest 2023, premiering over a dozen new films by youths ages 12-24 through Big Picture Alliance programs across Philadelphia. The film festival is designed to inspire “marginalized voices and build community through screenings, filmmaking workshops, musical guests and panel discussions.” The event’s theme, “Bloom Where You’re Planted,” focuses on one of the biggest challenges of current and future generations – the environment. The festival includes the debut of an environmental justice docu-series produced in partnership with the Philadelphia Orchard Project nonprofit, which plants orchards in the city. Host Vernon Jordan III, musician Eldric Laron and local civic and industry leaders will be special guests. Free, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., One Art Community Center, 1431-39 N. 52nd St., 267-475-9130, https://www.eventbrite.com or bigpicturealliance.org.
Photo: The Mann Center
Favorite movies with live music score
June 24, 2023, through – September 14, 2023. Pack a picnic. Movies @ The Mann is waiting for you. Start off with the kickoff of Star Wars: The Force Awakens in The Mann’s fabulous outdoor movie series, accompanied by the Philadelphia Orchestra’s live presentation of Oscar-winner John Williams’ famous movie score. Free but advance tickets required, 8 p.m. (Doors open at 6 p.m.). The June 24th debut is followed by July 22: Jurassic Park and September 14: Rocky (with Baltimore Symphony Orchestra). Mann Center for the Performing Arts/TD Pavilion, 5201 Parkside Ave., Fairmount Park. 215-546-7900 or manncenter.org.
Movies in the park
June 22, 2023, through the fall. B.Y.O.B. = Bring Your Own Blanket! More than 30 Philadelphia public parks will be the summer and fall hotspots for movie nights featuring blockbusters like Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Park Friends Groups with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and Fairmount Park Conservancy host the movie nights. This week, check out The Wiz in Loudon Park (4650 Germantown Ave.) on June 22, Encanto at Carpenter Green Park (17th and Carpenter sts.) on June 23 and The Super Mario Bros Movie at Woodside Park (3910-18 Conshohocken Ave.), June 24. Free, sunset. For a complete series schedule: Park Friends Group or myphillypark.org.
Day of fitness & fun
June 22, 2023. Just in time for the end of the school year comes Fitness to Fly Presented by Wawa, the Philadelphia Eagle and The Eagles Autism Foundation. Part of the Wawa Welcome America festival schedule, it’s a cool day of exercise, and dance instruction with the Eagles’ cheerleaders for kids of all ages and abilities. And throw in Wawa smoothies and snacks. Check out a sensory-friendly fitness class. Kids can access a visual schedule, sensory bags and a dedicated quiet space. Free, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Limited capacity for clinics at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.; pre-registration is encouraged. Esperanza, 301 W. Hunting Park Ave., july4thphilly.com.
Soundtrack of the ‘40s
June 23, 2023. The 1940s were no joke. But music had a way of unifying a nation during its challenges. The energy and charm of Ella Fitzgerald, Louie Armstrong and others lit up the stage like a pinball machine. A nostalgic flashback into the American Songbook that reassured the Greatest Generation is the focus of Accentuate the Positive – a concert inspired by a Johnny Mercer/Harold Arlen-written song from that bygone era. That upbeat tune was popular at the end of the Second World War and is just one of the jukebox of classics, including many romantic ballads.$35, 8 p.m., Kimmel Center/Perelman Theater, 215-893-1999 or Kimmelculturalcampus.org.
Say cheese!
June 24, 2023. The best things in life are free. Stella knows that. The cheese company is celebrating its birthday with Stella’s 100th Anniversary Mobile Bistro Pop-Up. It’s a national food tour stopping in Philadelphia and a win-win: Stella marks a milestone, and you get a gift. Enjoy giveaways and food samples incorporating Stella’s cheeses as part of the Manayunk Arts Festival. Free, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. No tickets or reservations are required. 4312 Main St. in Manayunk, visitpa.com.
Fund-raiser for community gardening
June 25, 2023. The Resistance Garden project is a unique way of transforming the urban environment into a more sustainable world. More than 2,300 locals participated in popup foraging tours, educational workshops and youth arts activities in 2022 at Philly’s various urban farms and community gardens. The focus is to seek self-sustainability and highlight the work of urban farms, community gardens and foraging communities. To celebrate a successful year, check out a community get-together/fund-raiser featuring great food, family activities and live music by SNACKTIME, Ursula Rucker & Tim Motzer and Oluwafemi. Free but donations are appreciated. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Painted Bride Art Center, 5212 Market St., 215-925-9914, e-mail: carlos@paintedbride.org or paintedbride.org.
