Aroundphilly.com Summer Fun Guide Like a wayward teen or a fumbling football team, summer plans need guidance to achieve their full potential. Rather than have you spend your sunny days inside Googling “fun stuff to do” and “cool places to get drunk,” Aroundphilly.com put together this all-inclusive warm-weather guide, highlighting the best of summer in the city to keep you from sidewalk sunbathing and taking swims in the Schuylkill.
JULY
July 3: Screening Under the Stars
Watch movies of all kinds on the grass at Penn’s Landing every Thursday through August. Fly solo, bring some peanut M&Ms, and try to score with a cute-but-engaged doctor. Hey, it worked for Jennifer Lopez in “The Wedding Planner.” Every Thursday through August 28, films begin screening at dusk, free, Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, Columbus Blvd. at Chestnut St., http://www.pennslandingcorp.com
July 4: Celebrate Freedom Concert
A week’s worth of Independence Day events – salsa lessons, free food and yet another screening of Rocky – don’t wrap up until July 6 but we’re calling it quits after seeing John Legend perform on the steps of the Art Museum for the Fourth. Free, 26th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, www.americasbirthday.com
July 4 – July 6: Taste of Philadelphia at the Great Plaza
A weekend long festival where attendees can gorge themselves on the city’s finest delicacies, all for under $5: water ice, cheesesteaks, soft pretzels and more. It’s worth your waistline to be there. Sat., July 5, 11am – 9pm; Sun., July 6, 11am – 7pm, Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, Columbus Blvd. at Chestnut St., http://www.pennslandingcorp.com
July 10: Fairmount French Fling Bar Crawl
Take the tipsy trip through all your Fairmount favorites. Everywhere from Aspen to Bishop’s Collar, Illuminaire, Jack’s Firehouse, London Grill and Rembrandt’s will serve up specials starting from 7pm for a $10 donation benefiting the Eastern State Penitentiary. This is the perfect prep for ESP’s Bastille Day fête on July 12. Visit www.easternstatepenitentiary.com
July 10 – July 22: Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Philadelphia’s International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, presented by the Philadelphia Film Society, offers a compelling program of full-length and short films across various genres, honoring the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered communities.The fest’s annual opening-night party – last year Lady Miss Kier of Dee-Lite DJed - is not to be missed. Visit www.phillyfests.com
July 13: Sangria Sundays
Slip outside the city to the Chaddford winery to enjoy a lazy Sunday sipping summer sangrias. Soak in live music on their outdoor patio and enjoy tours and tastings all day long. Even better, gather your crew and have an outdoor picnic on their scenic properties. Don’t forget to nab a copy of their recipes to perpetuate your summer fun at home. Through Sun., July 27, Noon – 5pm, $10, Chaddsford Winery, 632 Baltimore Pk., Chadds Ford, 610.388.6221, www.chaddsford.com
July 16: Don Russell
You know him better as Joe Sixpack, Philly’s resident beer enthusiast and Daily News columnist. On the heels of this past winter’s successful Philly Beer Week, of which he was one of the local stars, Sixpack reads and signs his new book, Joe Sixpack’s Philly Beer Guide: A Reporter’s Notes on the Best Beer-Drinking City in America.7pm, free, Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215.686.5322, www.library.phila.gov
July 20: Canoeing on the Schuylkill
Leave the rowing machine behind and head to Philadelphia Canoe Club for the real thing. They’re opening their doors to offer visitors aqua adventures ranging from whitewater and flat water boat rides to racing and demos as well as good eats and music. Think you might want to make a habit of it? For $40 you can captain your own kayak any day of the week. Visit www.philacanoe.org
July 24 – July 31: University City Dining Days
Make this the summer that you finally tried Ethiopian food. Or African. Or any other cuisine for that matter with $15, $25, and $35 multi-course menus during University City Dining Days. Visit www.ucityphila.org/diningdays
July 25: City Hall Film Series
The great thing about summer movie nights is that they don’t have to be spent cooped up indoors. Instead of spending a Friday evening on your couch with your dog (sorry, no pets allowed), grab a blanket and a friend and stroll down to the City Hall courtyard for a free movie. On July 25, catch Priscilla, Queen of the Desert at 8:30pm. Free, City Hall Courtyard, 447 N. Broad St., www.phila.gov
July 30 - August 3: Shakespeare in Clark Park
All the world’s a stage – including Clark Park (at least for five days this summer). Shakespeare in Clark Park presents their third-annual free summer outdoor production. This year, laugh out loud to the romantic comedy As You Like It. Make sure you bring a blanket, because it’s lawn seats all around. 7pm, free, 815 S. 49th St., 215.462.2115, www.shakespeareinclarkpark.org
AUGUST
August 1: Bust Out
If you’re looking for a great way to honor women living with breast cancer - we hope you’re hungry. On August 1, participating Philadelphia restaurants and bakeries will offer creative “breast -inspired” treats. (Think strawberry-iced cupcakes with cherries on top.) Half of the proceeds will go to the national non-profit organization Living Beyond Breast Cancer. It’s a truly fun – and yummy - way to show your support. For a list of participating establishments, visit www.bust-out.org
August 2 – 4: Philadelphia Alternative Craft Show - By Jaimie Krems
It's a lesser-known affair, but one not to be missed. Enjoy free entry, refreshments and some of the best artisan crafts - from pottery works to fabric arts - the city has to offer at the Philadelphia Alternative Craft Show, which doubles as something super neat for you to see and a great opportunity for middling-sized artists to get their work to wholesale buyers. Sat., Aug. 2 and Sun., Aug. 3, 8:30am – 7pm; Mon., Aug. 4, 8:30am – 5pm, Hilton Garden Inn, 1100 Arch St., www.philadelphiaalternativecraftshow.com
August 3: Gettysburg and Beyond: Laurel Hill’s Civil War Tour
The history of the U.S. probably isn’t a topic you want to discuss during your three-month hiatus from all things educational. But I promise, this will be interesting. Take a tour of the cemetery turned historic landmark where many prominent civil war generals were laid to rest and learn a thing or two about the roles of those less recognized in textbooks. 2pm, $8 - $15, Laurel Hill Cemetery, The Underground Museum, 3822 Ridge Ave., 215.228.8200, www.theundergroundmuseum.org
August 5: Stitch n’ Pitch Night at the Phillies
The estrogen will be flowing when needle enthusiasts bring their big baskets of yarn to the ballpark to work on their latest DIY project. In between, crafty ladies can relax with massages and drink specials. 7:05pm, $17 - $60, Citizens Bank Park, One Citizens Bank Way, 215.463.5000, www.phillies
August 7: Jack Johnson
Tickets to Jack Johnson pretty much sold out as soon as they went on sale a few weeks ago but that doesn’t mean that you can’t sharpen your skills at the art of negotiating with the many faceless vendors trying to make a quick buck over Craigslist. Good luck, friends. 7pm, sold out, Susquehanna Bank Center, One Harbour Blvd., Camden, NJ, www.livenation.com
August 12: Radiohead
Okay, so this one’s technically at the Susquehanna Bank Center but it’s Radiohead (!), give us a break. See the legendary British rockers perform their latest album, In Rainbows, along with the other anthems you’ve been moodily singing along to since the early 90’s for between $40 and $60. 7:30pm, Susquehanna Bank Center, One Harbour Blvd., Camden, NJ, www.livenation.com
August 14: Spamalot
Monty Python fans have a second shot at seeing Spamalot when it returns to the Academy this summer. What else is there to do in mid-August anyway? The Shore’s beat, every blockbuster movie has already launched, and we’re back to summer reruns on television. Watch something that challenges your YouTube attention span for a change. Through Sun., August 31, call for times, $30 - $138, Academy of Music, Broad and Locust streets, 215.893.1999, www.kimmelcenter.org
August 15 – 17: 47th Annual Philadelphia Folk Festival
Madonna once said that music makes the people come together. Nowhere does this statement ring truer than at the Folk Festival, featuring 75 hours of music over three days with five dozen musicians on the line up. Bring the fam for camping and communal living. $8 - $127, Schwenksville Old Pool Farm, Schwenksville, 215.242.0150, www.pfs.org
August 16: Festival of India at the Great Plaza
All the food and fun without the over-priced airfare? Who could complain? Enjoy Indian tastes and traditions at the Landing and act out the Darjeeling Limited. Noon – 8pm, free, Great Plaza, Columbus Blvd at Market St., http://www.pennslandingcorp.com
August 30 – 31: Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens Mosaic Workshop If you want to enjoy a unique South Street experience, spare yourself another trip to Condom Kingdom and tap into your creative side with Isaiah Zagar, the artist behind the mosaic wonderland of Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens. Zagar teaches two-day workshops during which you’ll learn how to break and glue tile, cut mirror, grout, and create a one-of-a-kind work of art.$250 for new students, $50 for alumni, Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, 1020 South St., www.philadelphiasmagicgardens.org
August 31 – September 13: Live Arts Festival + Philly Fringe Christmas comes early for Philly theater geeks with 16 days of new, edgy works from across the globe ripe for intense post-show discussions over $1 PBR cans at the local watering hole. But go easy on the local industry players, if only because you have a connection to them. Many will be debuting fresh works. Visit www.livearts-fringe.org
Through August 28: Music on the Mall
Nothing says summer like free outdoor concerts. Every Thursday evening, local musicians will perform on the Independence Visitor Center lawn. This live musical montage includes oldies, jazz, blues, Motown, soft rock, and reggae. So no matter what genre you prefer to jam out to on your ride over, you’ll enjoy the show. 5 - 7pm, free, Independence Visitor Center, One N. Independence Mall, 800.537.7676, www.independencevisitorcenter.com
All Summer Long:
Flea Markets:
Traveling flea markets will be popping up around Philadelphia all summer. Not only are they equipped with funnel cake stands and fried fish sellers, but hundreds of vendors will offer up vintage and new goods for your purchasing pleasure. Next up: The market at Third and Pine streets on Sat., June 14.
Farmers’ Markets:
Locavores are no longer relegated to the indoors to shop for fruits, veggies and other locally grown goodies now that farmers’ markets are back in action. We’ll be getting a jump on our weekend menus Thursdays, 3 – 7pm, at the one in Clark Park. 4400 Baltimore Ave., www.ucityphila.org
Rooftop Decks:
Philly’s almost lackluster enthusiasm for doing anything on a rooftop (well, the stuff that’s acceptable anyway) has turned around this summer with a few new places to drink closer to the stars. We’ve heard about some of the naughty antics happening after midnight on Vango’s rooftop beds while Apothecary’s serious approach to cocktailing reflects the tastes of its more sophisticated crowd.
Dessert:
Any day is good for dessert but there’s an undeniably heightened interest in icy treats come summer from chic gelateria to reliable chains. For gelato, try one of these three: Capogiro, Bon Bon Artisan Gelato and Golosa. John’s Water Ice serves the same four flavors of the slushy stuff but for selection (and one of the yummy new Blendinis) hit Rita’s. And for ice-cream lovers, there’s Franklin Fountain and Chloe’s Corner in Manayunk.
A weekend long festival where attendees can gorge themselves on the city’s finest delicacies, all for under $5: water ice, cheesesteaks, soft pretzels and more. It’s worth your waistline to be there. Sat., July 5, 11am – 9pm; Sun., July 6, 11am – 7pm, Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, Columbus Blvd. at Chestnut St., 
Slip outside the city to the Chaddford winery to enjoy a lazy Sunday sipping summer sangrias. Soak in live music on their outdoor patio and enjoy tours and tastings all day long. Even better, gather your crew and have an outdoor picnic on their scenic properties. Don’t forget to nab a copy of their recipes to perpetuate your summer fun at home. Through Sun., July 27, Noon – 5pm, $10, Chaddsford Winery, 
Tickets to Jack Johnson pretty much sold out as soon as they went on sale a few weeks ago but that doesn’t mean that you can’t sharpen your skills at the art of negotiating with the many faceless vendors trying to make a quick buck over Craigslist. Good luck, friends. 7pm, sold out, Susquehanna Bank Center, One Harbour Blvd., Camden, NJ, 
Madonna once said that music makes the people come together. Nowhere does this statement ring truer than at the Folk Festival, featuring 75 hours of music over three days with five dozen musicians on the line up. Bring the fam for camping and communal living. $8 - $127, Schwenksville Old Pool Farm, Schwenksville, 215.242.0150, 
Traveling flea markets will be popping up around Philadelphia all summer. Not only are they equipped with funnel cake stands and fried fish sellers, but hundreds of vendors will offer up vintage and new goods for your purchasing pleasure. Next up: The market at Third and Pine streets on Sat., June 14.
Any day is good for dessert but there’s an undeniably heightened interest in icy treats come summer from chic gelateria to reliable chains. For gelato, try one of these three: 
