Get excited: Another full week of fun happenings and goings-on awaits in Greater Philadelphia.
More than a dozen drive-in movies and concerts fill the calendar this week at spots like The Navy Yard, The Mann Center and outside Citizens Bank Park. Numerous other socially distant outdoor activities, including yoga on Cira Green, Zumba outside The Bourse Food Hall and more, are also on deck.
At Philly’s attractions, guests can enjoy a final look at Marie Cuttoli’s impressive tapestries at the Barnes Foundation, rediscover the now-open Betsy Ross House and take in a new 19th Amendment-themed exhibit at The Clay Studio that opens on Tuesday.
And the BlackStar Film Festival — the world’s premier celebration of Black, Brown and Indigenous film and video artists — returns for 2020 with a week of virtual screenings.
While you’re out and about this week and weekend, don’t forget your mask. Masks are required in the five-county region in all indoor public spaces, as well as any outdoor space where social distancing isn’t possible. (The Phillie Phanatic sets a good example.) Read more on staying safe from the City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Lastly, it’s a great week to connect, disconnect, reconnect or just escape to a Philly hotel. Book the Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package and get free hotel parking, which makes exploring the city even easier.
Read our guide of things to do in Greater Philadelphia this week and weekend below.
Don’t miss your last chance to see Marie Cuttoli: The Modern Thread from Miró to Man Ray at the Barnes Foundation
Marvel at the fascinating story behind the female entrepreneur who transformed iconic modern artists’ work into tapestry at the Marie Cuttoli: The Modern Thread from Miró to Man Ray exhibition, which closes on Sunday at the Barnes Foundation. Cuttoli, a modern-art pioneer, helped revive the French tapestry industry by commissioning famous artists like Man Ray, Joan Miró and Picasso to design pieces that were woven into tapestries. These works, alongside paintings and drawings, are on display in the museum’s Roberts Gallery.
Celebrate female empowerment with 100 Years, 100 Women at The Clay Studio
The Clay Studio in Old City celebrates the 100-year anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment — which granted a select group of American women the right to vote — with the opening of 100 Years, 100 Women. For the exhibition, The Clay Studio asked 50 artists to each choose two women who embody the spirit of female empowerment, and honor them by making a modern-day commemorative plate. Check out the exhibition, then shop for handmade ceramics and gifts.
Binge on the all-virtual BlackStar Film Festival
The BlackStar Film Festival — known as “the Black Sundance” — goes all-virtual for 2020. The week-long fest gives viewers a chance to tune in to more than 80 films — from documentaries to short films — from Black, Brown and Indigenous film and video artists, as well as virtual live events, panels and parties. Standout films this year include Unapologetic, a documentary about the Movement for Black Lives in Chicago; Daughters Of, a feature film about the critical importance of self-care and healing for Black women, and Legendary: 30 Years of Philly Ballroom, a short documentary about Philly’s LGBTQ ballroom scene. Event highlights include an opening night party with DJ Jazzy Jeff, as well as a daily morning show hosted by Maori Holmes (the fest’s artistic director), DJ Rich Medina and Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter. See the full schedule and buy a day pass for only $5!
Catch up with America’s most famous flag maker at the now-open Betsy Ross House
Did she or didn’t she sew the first American flag? Find out more at The Betsy Ross House, now welcoming back guests at the historic seamstresses’ former Old City residence. Masked guests take a self-guided tour; explore her upholstery shop, parlor and bedroom; and talk to Betsy herself about her role in the American Revolution and her fascinating work and life.
Settle in for retro fun at a drive-in movie or concert
PHOTO COURTESY CINEMA POP UPSRetro drive-in experiences abound this week, with more than a dozen films and concerts on deck in Greater Philadelphia. Highlights include Night Catches Us (Monday) at The Navy Yard, part of the Philadelphia Film Society’s new (and free with RSVP) Force in Focus: the Black Experience on Film programming; three outdoor screenings (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) as part of the BlackStar Film Festival that help kick off The Philly Drive-In, a new six-week experience at The Mann Center; and live performances from Pigeons Playing Ping Pong (Friday) and The Front Bottoms (Sunday) at Citizens Bank Park as part of Live-In Drive-In. Get the scoop on more drive-ins in our roundup on visitphilly.com.
Pull up a seat for outdoor dining and drinking at the region’s bars and restaurants
Catch some rays (or shade) at bars and restaurants throughout the region that are offering outdoor dining. Some spots to consider this week: The Italian Market’s Alma del Mar, made famous on season five of Queer Eye, offers outdoor seating on its patio; West Philly’s Dahlak dishes out delicious Ethiopian and Eritrean food in its outdoor space behind the restaurant; and Garden Restaurant at the Barnes Foundation, serving weekends-only open-to-the-public brunch outside the Benajmin Franklin Parkway attraction. Find more spots in our recently updated guides to beer gardens, rooftop bars and restaurants and pop-up bars and restaurants in the region.
Take a socially distant exercise class or relax in one of Philly’s outdoor spaces
Make the most of the fine late-summer weather at a number of outdoor events this week. Consider sunset yoga with skyline views on West Philly’s Cira Green (Monday); paddling in a swan or dragon boat on the Delaware River with the Independence Seaport Museum (Wednesday) and Bootcamp at The Bourse, offering a high-intensity Zumba class for $10 (Saturday). Or just spend time in some of the city’s outdoor spaces: Relax on the large swings at The Rail Park, or contemplate and remember at the Benjamin Franklin Parkway’s Horwitz-Wasserman Holocaust Memorial Plaza, site of the nation’s first public Holocaust monument.
Discover (or rediscover) Greater Philadelphia on a curated road trip
PHOTO BY VISIT PHILADELPHIAHit the road this week with one of these great curated road-trip itineraries in hand. Depending on which route you choose, you might meet Elmo (Sesame Place), wave at an alpaca (Little Lost Creek Alpacas), play laser tag (Arnold’s Family Fun Center), go kayaking (Peace Valley Park) and more. Happy travels!
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