This weekend is for lovers of performance art.
British pop tunes, pulsating electro-funk, retro-soul, and other genres will take center stage across several concerts and music festivals — everywhere from Revolutionary War grounds to the Delaware waterfront.
There’s also the opening of Philadelphia Ballet’s new home, the celebration of Latin culture and heritage, and more to explore this weekend.
Read below to see what’s happening this weekend:
— Earl Hopkins (@earlhopkins_, Email me at thingstodo@inquirer.com)
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Grand opening of the Philadelphia Ballet Center
Philadelphia’s new eye-catching, four-story home for ballet on North Broad Street officially opens its doors Friday.
After 19 years of trying to consolidate its operations in one building, the Center for Dance on North Broad Street’s arrival is a significant feat.
Architecture critic Inga Saffron argues that the ballet’s building has missed an opportunity to show, as well as tell, what’s going on inside.
Take a peek yourself during the center’s open house. Guests can enjoy studio tours, dancer meet-and-greets, arts and crafts, and beginner-friendly dance lessons.
Read Inga’s review of Philadelphia Ballet’s new home here.
The best things to do this week
🎨 Sho your creativity: Food vendors, street dancers, musical ensembles, and of course, the work of artists from across the city, will be on display at LOVE Park during the ODUNDE Art Sho on Friday.
🎺 Jazz up your weekend: More than 20 locations will be celebrating Montco Jazz Fest with live performances, free swing dancing, and an outdoor movie night. Swing by for special tributes to jazz greats across 30-plus events.
🧵 Straight from the runway: Watch stylish Philadelphians strut their finest garments during Philly Fashion Week. There will be runway shows, shopping events, a design competition, and the Avant-Garde Ball and Philadelphia Fashion Awards at Vault XXVII.
🎉 Happy birthday to the Kimmel: In celebration of the Kimmel Center’s 25th anniversary, the venue is hosting the FREE Philadelphia Fall Arts Fest on Saturday. The event will shine a light on performance groups such as Opera Philadelphia, the Philly Pops, and others.
📅 My calendar picks this week: Rittenhouse Square Fine Arts Show, Upper Darby International Festival, Hero Thrill Show. Here’s our full list for the week.
Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off this week
Philadelphia will honor the culture and contributions of the Latin American community through Hispanic Heritage Month.
Upcoming events include international dance celebrations, music performances, and food festivals from now through Oct. 15.
On Saturday, salsa your way to the Esperanza Arts Center to see international dancers Ashley Rivera and Elian Gomez. They will join the local salsa orchestra, Siempre Salsa All-Stars, who will be backed by singer Carlos Sanchez and percussionist Willie Torres.
There will also be the Sazón Latin Food Festival at Two Locals Brewing on Saturday. The event will boast Caribbean, Central and South American cuisine, plus other pay-as-you-go offerings throughout the day.
Additional events will take place at various Free Library of Philadelphia branches throughout the month-long celebration.
Late summer fun this week and beyond
🍲 Restaurant week in Manayunk: Have a festive evening at Manayunk Restaurant Weekend. Prix fixe lunch and dinner specials, ranging from $15-$45 per person, and other offerings will take place at local faves like Lucky’s Last Chance, Mia Ragazza, Bayou Bar & Grill, and others through Sunday.
🎃 Experience Halloween underwater: Who says it’s too early for Halloween? Fintastic Pumpkin Glow is bringing the seasonal treat to Adventure Aquarium. Glowing pumpkins in the shape of stingrays, sharks, and sea turtles will be on display through Nov. 1.
🎷 Celebrating Coltrane: The celebration of John Coltrane’s 100th birthday continues at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. On Sunday, activities include hands-on art making, gallery activities, and a live performance by The Hines Creative Arts Legacy Youth Ensemble.
🖼️ New exhibition at the Barnes: The Barnes Foundation’s newest exhibition, “Noguchi to Asawa: Designing Postwar America,” highlights Asian American artists affected by incarceration and forced relocation during World War II. The exhibition opens on Sunday and runs through Jan. 10, 2027.
Staffer picks
Here’s pop music critic Dan DeLuca’s list of the best concerts this weekend.
🎤 Friday: After an earlier show at Liacouras Center, Boyz II Men is back. Only this time, as headliners with the Philly Pops at TD Pavilion at the Highmark Mann on Friday.
🎸 Friday and Saturday: The War on Drugs returns to action for a headlining performance at the Queen in Wilmington on Friday. On Saturday, the group heads to the Jersey Shore for Asbury Park’s Sea.Hear.Now Festival at 8 p.m.
🔊 Friday to Sunday: XPoNential Music Festival is back on the Delaware River waterfront in Wiggins Park in Camden. The weekend kicks off with Los Angeles brother act Dawes headlining, followed by performances from Alaska-born singer John Gourley’s Portugal. The Man, retro-soul band St. Paul & the Broken Bones, and others.
♾️ Friday to Sunday: David Pianka’s electronic music-plus fest, Making Time ∞, is in its sixth year at Fort Mifflin, the Revolutionary War-era fort near Philadelphia International Airport. Over 120 acts will perform this weekend, including DJ-producers like Bicep, Daphni, Skee Mask, and Jewelsea.
🎤 Saturday: British megastar Ed Sheeran is slated to take center stage at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday for his “Loop Tour,” which he plays solo, building layered tracks by triggering prerecorded instrumentals with foot pedals.
Check out Dan’s full concert list here.
❓Pop quiz
What was the original name of Philadelphia Ballet?
A) The Philadelphia Ballet Company
B) Commonwealth Ballet Dancers
C) Pennsylvania Ballet
D) PA Dance Co.
Here’s the answer to last week’s question: How many groups were a part of the first Philadelphia Fringe Festival in 1997? Answer: 60
Ask Earl anything
Many of you have questions about each week’s listings, and others about Philly’s arts, culture, and entertainment scene.
I have you covered. Have a question? Email me for a chance to have it answered in an upcoming newsletter.
That’s all, folks. Make time in your schedule for some of these picks this weekend.
– Earl Hopkins
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