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Just Do It
This weekend (May 18-20), the Schuylkill River Trail, from Fairmount Water Works to Bartram's Garden, will transform into Art in the Open, a mile-long art space where 21 jury-selected artists will work in a variety of mediums outside and on site. Drawing inspiration from the city and the waterways that help define it, many artists will employ an art-making process that is environmentally based and interactive, from leaf chalk drawings and natural material sculptures to lawn chair webbing. In addition to seeing and helping juried artists, there are also informal programs set up for impromptu art making: Printing in the Open is a station where artists create designs inspired by the plant life found at Bartram's Garden and print them on T-shirts, tote bags or bandanas, and Drawing Together, in the Sculpture Garden at Philadelphia Museum of Art, will provide classes on-hand art teacher. After it’s all said and done, an exhibit of selected works created during Art in the Open will be hosted by the Independence Seaport Museum and be open to the public, starting June 14.
Ever wonder what Mayor Nutter looks like riding a bike? This Friday, the mayor will celebrate National Bike to Work Day with staff, clients and volunteers from Gearing Up — an organization that promotes biking and bike education for women in recovery. Three years ago, Gearing Up founder Kristin Gavin began riding bikes with women at Interim House, a residential recovery home for women in Mt. Airy. Since that initial ride, the program has helped hundreds of women through earn-a-bike classes and group rides. Reintegrating into society requires a lot of the same skills it takes to ride a bike: confidence, self-sufficiency and an ease with public space. As Gavin says, “A huge part of successful recovery and reintegration for women in our program is having the opportunity to connect with healthy people, places and things ... such as pedaling side by side with the Mayor of Philadelphia”. In honor of the program's third anniversary, join Nutter and the gang tomorrow at 7:30 a.m., cycling from Lloyd Hall to the Municipal Services Building.
D.C. may have us one-upped in terms of free museums, but this Friday we, too, can bask in the glory of high art at no cost. In honor of the International Council of Museums’ International Museum Day (Fri., May 18), the Philadelphia Museum of Art will open its doors to the public, waiving admission fees all day long. Over 200 galleries and special exhibits in the main building and the Perelman building will be on view, and the free admission includes public tours, access to the CraftLAB and Art After 5 with Cuban-born jazz musician Francisco Mela.
Among the more favorable Jewish stereotypes are (1) Jews love their mothers, (2) they're all named either “Gold” or “Berg” (3) they love a good bargain. If any of these describes you, despite your religious or nonreligious background, the National Museum of American Jewish History (101 S. Independence Mall East) is hooking it up this month: free museum admission for all guests on Mothers Day (May 13), and free admission for anyone with the last name “Goldberg” during the week of May 13-18. If, unfortunately, you are a Greenberg or a Smith, Goldberg Week is still worth checking out: The museum will be screening episodes of the legendary show The Goldbergs (May 15, 17, 18, 11:30 a.m., $12), which became television's first domestic sitcom in 1949, as well as a documentary about the show's pioneering star/writer/producer Gertrude Berg, whose inspiration for the show came from her own experience growing up at her family's Catskills hotel.
For a lot of people, May 5 provides a great excuse to drink margaritas and eat chips and salsa all day (not that we really need and excuse …). What is ironically less recognized, though, is that Cinco de Mayo also happens to be Climate Impacts Day, the official launch of 350.org’s “Connect the Dots” project. Led by author and environmentalist Bill McKibben, 350.org is a global grassroots movement geared toward growing awareness of and creating solutions for the impacts of climate change.
“Connect the Dots is designed to empower people to highlight the connections between extreme weather and climate change. By making those connections clear and compelling, we will help communicate a call for bold climate action to communities, the media and policy makers at the local, national, and international level.”
This Saturday, Philadelphians can join people in over 100 countries around the world by participating in our hometown event, held at Rittenhouse Square. In conjunction with the weekly farmers market, local environmental groups will have booths set up. Everyone is encouraged to come with thoughts, ideas and stories that connect the dots, and to document these connections through banners and photographs. We’ve all seen firsthand what increased flooding along the Schuylkill and Delaware has done to our local communities. Now's the chance to show the world it’s not OK.
Sat., May 5, 11 a.m., free, Rittenhouse Square, 18th and Walnut streets, climatedots.org.
Every Wednesday, Chris Brown digs into our listings bin and pulls out a little something something for you to do every day of the week.This week yarnbomb with ishknits, talk art with the Dufala Brothers and discover What Lies Underneath ...
Second-hand furniture often requires a leap of faith. You don't know where it's been previously, but wouldn't it be swell if you did? Tim Miller and Jenny Chen recognize this uncertainty, and their Creative Ventures project aims to pen a narrative to every woe-begotten bookshelf and worn-out couch. Not only do they rescue the wares, but they pair it with a blog post that provides all the pertinent details. Get in on the action at their talk tonight.
Wed., April 4, 6 p.m., Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, writing.upenn.edu.
For most people, fishing can be a fun pastime, potential bonding activity and a nice getaway from your everyday life. For Mark Sabaj Perez, the thrill of finding a fish is worth flying halfway around the world. The Drexel scientist has made it his job to seek out strange fish, and he has a special thing for catfish — you know, those hideous bottom dwellers that look like moldy sandpaper with eyes. His most recent adventure brought him to the far reaches of Mongolia, where he and his team of scientists faced hailstorms, faulty transportation and icy rivers in search of the rare Amur catfish. Aside from his fishy discoveries, Perez brought back many a tale about the highs and lows of foreign fieldwork. Whether you call yourself an ichthyologist or you're just now realizing that that big word probably means “fish scientist,” Perez's lecture is sure to be a perfect blend of entertainment and education.
Tonight, 6 p.m., free, National Mechanics, 22 S. Third St., 215-701-4883, ansp.org.
Spring is one of the best seasons to enjoy the outdoors with your four-legged best friend. In addition to the usual park visits and river runs, consider these upcoming events where you can give back a little of the slobbery love your furry pal has given you.
The 15th annual Fur Ball, sponsored by The Morris Animal Refuge, will be held at the Arts Ballroom this year, and will feature a five-hour open bar, hors d’oeuvres, carving station, DJ and jazz trio. All proceeds from ticket sales, silent auction and raffle prizes directly benefit the Morris Animal Refuge and their mission to raise awareness for abandoned pets.
Sat., March 31, 7 p.m., $99–$139, Arts Ballroom, 1324 Locust St., 215-554-6808, phillyfurball.com, morrisanimalrefuge.org.
So what if you love football and spooning with your dog? Support the PSPCA Humane Law Enforcement Division while attending a Philadelphia Soul game. Choose from nine charity games at the Wells Fargo Center and your ticket will include upgraded seats, autographs and a pass to meet and greet with the players.
Select dates April 1–July 22, $35, Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St., 215-336-3600, wellsfargocenterphilly.org, philadelphiasoul.com.
Not only do our pets love us unconditionally, they also keep us in shape. Get active with your pet at the 10th annual 5k Red Cross Walk and Run to Save Lives. The event raises money for disaster victims and participants are encouraged to bring their dog along.
Walk and Run: Sat., April 21, 7 a.m., Red Cross Walk and Run, Memorial Hall, Fairmount Park, 4231 N. Concourse Drive, 215-405-8888, redcrosswalkandrun.org.
The following day, test your frisbee skills at Pawsome Doubles, the disc golf tournament to benefit the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).
Pawsome Doubles: Sun., April 22, 1 p.m., Sedgley Woods Disc Golf Course, 33rd and Oxford streets, 215-238-9901, phillypaws.org.
(courtney.sexton@citypaper.net) (@NoRelation2Anne)
The 1920s-themed Mütter Ball is a must for everyone who has ever thanked their lucky stars for electroshock therapy. Differing from previous years’ Victorian and 1970s themes, the fourth annual Ball celebrates medical advances made in the 1920s, such as the birth of radiology and the evolution of the X-ray. The festivities, besides a bar stocked with era-appropriate drinks, include a guided tour around the medical marvels of the Mütter. Following dinner and a password-protected speakeasy is the Cat’s Meow Dance Party, featuring a performance by Jill Tracy, an offbeat musician who shares the Museum's fascination with the abnormal. The only tickets still available are for the Dance Party, so haste is recommended.
Sat., March 31, 8:30 p.m., $85-$150, Mütter Museum, 19 S. 22nd St., 215-399-2336, mutterball.com.
(abigail@citypaper.net)
Photo by Michael Garlington
An elevator pitch is when you’ve got about five minutes (the length of an elevator ride, get it?) to explain your great idea to someone else, maybe an investor or an employer. It’s a useful skill for high-stress work environments. If you feel like you could use some practice, the Young Architect Forum is hosting Elevator Pitch tonight. Five young designers have five minutes to pitch an idea to the jury, who will share feedback and decide the best pitch.
The jury is a group of established local designers and project managers, including Fishtank PHL LLC founder Louis Chang, architect Julie E. Hoffman and Sean Flannigan, senior art director at Netplus.
The event is free and open to the public, although registration is required. Email yafphilly@gmail.com to sign up, or follow the event at the hashtag #EPitch.
Thu., March 22 6-9 p.m., free, Garden State Tile, 2401 Walnut St., thedesignatedsketcher.com.
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