Get your dancing shoes ready for some salsa, listen to some punk rock or celebrate a ride to freedom. This weekend, there are so many things to do in the city of brotherly love.
Check out these 10 interesting and cheap things to do in and around Philadelphia.
Salsa at the Art Museum: Want to learn how to salsa at the Philadelphia Museum of Art? This week’s “Art After 5” features the music of the Johnny Cruz Latin Ensemble. Show up to enjoy the music or learn the moves through instructors who will be on hand to teach. The Great Stair Hall will be transformed into a cabaret, as it does every Friday, with Starr Events providing light food and cocktails, wine and beer. Free with museum admission ($20) on July 10 from 5 to 8:45 p.m.
Michael Mazur: The Inferno of Dante: The Print Center of Philadelphia celebrates artist Michael Mazur by showcasing some of the series on “The Inferno of Dante,” created from 1998-99. Mazur was fascinated by Dante’s Inferno and created etchings inspired by the poem. The Network for New Music will present a musical program in conjunction with the art. The Print Center is free to attend and the exhibit will run on July 10 and 11 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Edinburgh Punk: Pop punk band, The Rezillos, will perform at Kung Fu Necktie on Friday, July 10. Tickets are $18; 21 and older. The show starts at 7 p.m. The Sonic Screemers and Posers will also appear.
Let Them Eat Cake! Head to the Eastern State Penitentiary for the 21st annual day-long reenactment of the French Revolution. The former prison hosts its annual Bastille Day Festival on July 11. Live entertainment kicks off at 2:30 p.m., but the hour-long main event starts at 5:30. See The Bearded Ladies Cabaret Show perform song and dance. Reenact the storming of the Bastille, capture Marie Antoinette and see if you can catch one of the 3,000 Tastykakes thrown from the prison’s towers. Street admission is free. After the performances, head into Fairmount for French dinner specials in local restaurants like London Grill and Paris Wine Bar. The prison is open for evening tours at a discounted admission ($8 in advance online and $10 at the door).
Hispanic Fiesta: Not up for storming the “Bastille”? Penn’s Landing hosts The Hispanic Fiesta on July 11 and 12 from 2-8 p.m. Part of the PECO Multicultural Series, celebrate Latin culture with music, dancing, food and crafts from all Latin American countries. The celebration takes place at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing and is free.
Cerulean Arts’ 3rd Annual Juried Exhibition: Philadelphia art gallery and studio is hosting a Gallery Talk with Elizabeth Osbourne at 3 p.m., July 11. Osbourne was the juror for the annual juried exhibition, featuring works from 26 artists. Free to attend.
Arachnophobia: The PFS Roxy Theater is showing “Arachnophobia” as part of its Graveyard Shift film series on July 12 from 12 to 2 a.m. Starring Jeff Daniels and John Goodman, see the 1990 horror-comedy in 35 mm on the big screen for $10. Watch Daniels fight killer spiders.
PREIT South Jersey Restaurant Week: In the mood to get out of the city? Eighteen participating New Jersey mall restaurants will offer special menus and pricing starting July 12 to 18. Cherry Hill Mall, Moorestown Mall and Voorhees Town Center host this special week, which include in-store events and special offers at various mall shops.
Neighborhood Flea Market: The Kensington Community Food Co-op (2670 Coral St.) is hosting a free flea market at the future site of the Kensington Community Food Co-op. Vendors will sell everything from furniture to art. Bring the kids to decorate the site with chalk. The market runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 12.
Ride 2 Freedom: Starting on June 1, a group of kids have been biking from Los Angeles to raise awareness for the persecution of Falun Gong (a meditative practice) in China. Eventually, the riders plan to end up in China to save five children orphaned by the persecution. On July 12 from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Liberty Bell pavilion will host a welcoming party for riders as they pass through. The event is free.
Bonus: For just $21, catch the Acro-Cats, a touring group of trained cats who perform tricks. The show includes The Rock Cats, who play instruments, as well as cats walking on a high-wire and skateboarding. Part of the proceeds go to the Philadelphia Community Cats Council. The event runs all weekend and takes place at the Painted Bride Art Center. See the website for performance times.
