'May the Fourth Be With You' at Please Touch

Today, Friday May 4, celebrate Star Wars Day at the Please Touch Museum. There will be outer-space themed activities, Star Wars toys on display, a Star Wars themed art experience, and characters wandering the museum throughout the day.

From 3 p.m. - 5 p.m., Darth Vader and the Stormtroopers will lead museum guests in an Imperial March Parade.

So bust out those costumes and head over: Jedi robes recommended.

Battle of the Canvas Saturday at the Piazza

Live music, live art, live entertainment, family friendly and free. This is the kind of event that rounds out the summer of 2011 perfectly. On Saturday, August 27, from 12pm – 10pm, The Piazza at Schmidt’s is hosting The Battle of the Canvas, a live art competition where local artists will be creating on site.

There will be djs and bands playing throughout the 10 hour event, food and drinks for sale, and there will even be a kids corner with arts and crafts, animal balloons, face painting and activities.

Artists will not only be creating, but selling their pieces as well.

Antique & Classic Boat Show on Penn’s Landing

Penn’s Landing's Independence Seaport Museum and The Philadelphia Chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society are hosting an Antique & Classic Boat Show Saturday, July 23, and Sunday, July 24, from 10am – 5pm on the Delaware River.

Approximately 25 – 30 boats, some described as "floating furniture," from the 1920’s – 1950’s will be on display for free, but access to the museum costs $5.

Music in the Park & Dessert Throw Down

South Philly Food Co-op is breathing new life into Gold Star Park at 6th and Wharton. Its free Thursday Night in Gold Star Park series continues tonight with music in the park and a dessert bake-off, beginning at 7pm. Be sure to bring your own blanket / chair.

The Knife and Fork Band, a six piece neighborhood group, will entertain the crowd.

South Philly Food Co-op is calling for “all you Betty Crockers and pastry-chef wannabes” to bring their favorite crowd-pleasing dessert for the first ever SPFC Dessert Throw Down.
The winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to Fante’s on 9th Street.

Family Friendly Weeknights at Mugshots Fairmount

Mugshots Fairmount will continue its “Talking Animal Movie Monday” series tonight, Monday, July 18, with a screening of Homeward Bound at 7pm.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, July 19, is Open Mic Night at 7:30pm. Play a song, tell a story or read a poem.

Wednesday, July 20, is "Words with Neighbors," a BYO Scrabble tournament at 6pm. The grand prize winner will receive a free Mugshots tee and a $10 gift card.

Mugshots 21st & Fairmount

Tonight’s Outdoor Movie Lineup

The good thing about outdoor summer movies is that when you stop off at the corner store for candy before the show, you don’t feel quite as cheap. Grab some snacks, a blanket and chairs, get the kids and take advantage of the warm weather and head to one of the outdoor movie screenings this evening.

Fishtown’s Penn Treaty Park will be showing Despicable Me at dusk tonight, Tuesday, July 12. There will even be free refreshments available for children.

Northern Liberties will be hosting its own movie night, screening Something to Sing About at Liberty Lands Park at 8:30pm.

Fridays in Fairmount

During the months of July and August, Eastern State Penitentiary’s Friday night tours have an added value. With a ticket stub from the evenings tours that run until 8pm on Fridays, enjoy discounts at seven different neighborhood spots. Full details are below.

Also tonight, Mugshots Fairmount will be hosting Family Film Fridays with a screening of The Emperor's New Groove at 7pm.


Friday in Fairmount Discounts with ESP Twilight Tour Ticket Stub:

Jack's Firehouse: Complimentary sweet treat with entrée purchase
London Grill: Pay in cash and receive 15% off entire bill
Luigi's Pizza Fresca: 15% off your entire order
McCrossen's Tavern: Three-course chef's tasting $29
Mugshots: Free mini cupcake with frappe purchase
Philly Flavors: Kids' soft serve cone or cup $1
Rembrandt's: 10% off of food with minimum order of $10

Family Game Night at Penn Treaty Park

Just because Waterfront Wednesdays are on hiatus, doesn’t mean that Penn Treaty Park is off the grid. Each Thursday during the month of July, gather the fam and join in on Family Game Night.

Family Game Nights:

Thursday, July 7, at 6:30pm.

Thursday, July 14, at 6:30pm.

Thursday, July 21, at 6:30pm.

Philly Kick's Off 11 Days of Events at Penn's Landing

Catch a ceremonious balloon cutting at the newly expanded gates of festival pier before The Taste of Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing, beginning tonight, Friday, June 24 at 5pm.

There will be music, food trucks and tables with tastes from some of the city’s best chefs. Entertainment and admission are free, but the food does cost.

Check out the waterfront and enjoy a free jazz concert with a performance by contemporary bassist, Gerald Veasley.

PSA: Front & Chestnut streets will be closed until 9am tomorrow morning, Saturday, June 25.

Singing Fountain Re-Dedication & Block Party

The fountain at Passyunk and Tasker has been home to farmers markets, outdoor seating and an iron fence, there to obstruct direct contact or possible vandalism / bathing bums. But over the past few months, the fountain has been revitalized with the removal of the fence and the installation of benches chess tables.

Tonight, Thursday, June 23, the Passyunk Avenue Revitalization Corporation is throwing a rededication / block party to celebrate the grand unveiling. A ceremony will begin at 7pm, followed by a block party from about 8pm – 10pm. And according to Passyunksquare.org, there will be food and drinks compliments of Izumi and Paradiso. Btw, no one calls it that.

Farmers Market & B-Town BBQ at The Marathon Farm

When Marathon Farm officially opened on that rainy cool morning a few months back, its influence in Brewerytown was undeniable. Local politicians, students, and community leaders joined press, investors and the farmers themselves to welcome Marathon Farm to Brewerytown.
Now, just a few months later, Marathon Farm at 27th & Master is growing, not just its produce, but its activities as well.

According to Brewerytown Living, this Saturday, June 25, from 3 – 7pm, Marathon Farm is hosting the first of three neighborhood barbeques with food, shopping and activities for the whole family. Plus, their poster promises an open mic…

The event will take place right after the weekly farmers market that runs from 10am – 2pm and it seems that those looking to sell their handmade goods are welcome to come and set up shop alongside the produce.

This Weekend: WaWa Welcome America, Taste of Philadelphia & Fireworks at Penn's Landing

Ok Philly - prepare for the tourist onslaught. Believe it or not, July 4th celebrations begin tomorrow here in the city. On Friday, June 24, the WaWa Welcome America Festival will kick off 11 days of events and activities.

There will be street closures, lines for cheesesteaks and of course, walking through Center City / Old City will become abominable.

On the bright side, for those of us who live here and simply pass by all the historical sights on our ways to and fro, it may be just the reason we need to slow down and appreciate our fair city.

Start with the three-day long Taste of Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing this Friday, June 24 from 5pm – 9pm, Saturday, June 25 from 11am – 10pm, and Sunday, June 26 from 11am – 7pm. The event has grown so large that it’s now spilling out of the event area and down the Chestnut Street ramp to Front Street.

There will be music, food trucks and tables with tastes from some of the city’s best chefs. Entertainment and admission are free, but the food does cost.

Saturday will also bring the first of three fireworks displays, this one at Penn’s Landing around 9:30pm.

Manayunk Arts Fest: 2 Days & Over 200 Vendors

This weekend, Main Street Manayunk will surrender itself to crafters and artists alike. Over 200 different vendors from 22 different states will be onsite at the 22nd Annual Manayuk Arts Festival, selling their wares to locals, tourists and craft lovers.

On Saturday, June 25 from 11am – 7pm and Sunday June 26 from 11am – 6pm, wander the tents that will be lining Main from Green to Shurs Lane. You won’t have to worry about the the craftsmanship at this arts fest. This is no local yokel gig. The artists were actually screened by “ five notable jurors” to ensure the quality of the arts being offered?...

Parking will probably be horrendous, so skip it if possible and take the R3 Manayunk / Norristown line. Otherwise, there will be shuttles running from 11am – 8pm, and for $3, hot a round trip ride to one of the remote parking locations.

Tonight’s Outdoor Music Event: A Free Jazz Concert

What better way to spend a beautiful June evening, than sitting outside listening to a free concert. Tonight, Brewerytown is hosting a free jazz concert tonight, Tuesday, June 21, at the newly restored Veterans Memorial Park at 31st & Girard at 7pm.

Tonight’s performer will be Philadelphian and tenor sax player Daniel Loeb and his trio.

Summer Solstice Sunday at the Kimmel Center

Welcome the excitement of summer during the Kimmel Center’s Summer Solstice Celebration this Sunday June 19. Ancient civilizations worshiped the sun and appreciated its spiritual importance. Those traditions continue, thriving on beaches across the country. In modern-day Philadelphia that history will be remembered during a 15-hour family friendly mega-event celebrating music, art and life during the longest day of the year.

The Summer Solstice Celebration begins at 11am with a drum circle (don’t forget to bring your own drum). The all-ages entertainment includes face painting, live animals, music and dancing. There will be vendors selling food, drinks and wares throughout the event. When the sun sets for the day, the night is just heating up with a Bob & Barbara Drag Show, First Person Arts Story Slam, a fashion show by Sa Va boutique, tarot readings and a dance party until 2am under the lights of PIFA’s Eiffel Tower that will remain on display until the end of the year. Tickets are available for $10, for adults, $5, children under 5.

For more information, visit the Kimmel Center website.