University City Dining Days is in full swing and Dock Street Brewing Company is one of many awesome restaurants participating in the great promotion. (Photo by J. Fusco for GTPMC)
Nip any mid-week blues in the bud with the solid lineup of events slated for this evening.
If fashion’s your fancy, visit the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator’s second annual sample sale or don your best zombie costume (!) for a Thriller dance off and free screening of Shaun of the Dead at The Oval.
As always, Wednesdays bring an exciting assortment of fun events all over – Center City Sips, Pay-What-You-Wish Wednesday at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the National Museum of American Jewish History and live music at the Penn Museum.
Our top picks for this evening, below.
• Shakespeare in Clark Park presents The Tempest: Beginning tonight, Shakespeare in Clark Park returns to the West Philly park for a series of five evening performances. This year, the troupe performs The Tempest for the masses. The show kicks-off this evening at 7 p.m. with a free performance for all. Be sure to pack picnics for dinner and bring blankets to spread out. Guest are also encouraged to bring flashlights for moments of audience participation.
When: Wednesday, July 24, 7 p.m.
Where: Clark Park, 43 Street and Baltimore Avenue
Cost: Free
• Shaun Of The Dead Screening and Thriller Dance Off at The Oval: The Oval truly is a hub of daytime and nighttime entertainment. Tonight, The Oval and The Awesome Fest join forces to present a free screening of Shaun Of The Dead in preparation for next month’s theatrical release of The World’s End, the third comedy by director Edgar Wright starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. The zombie spoof film is slated to being at 8:30 p.m., and beforehand a Thriller dance off takes over the space, complete with costumes. Bring your dancing shoes and zombie costumes for this fun event.
When: Wednesday, July 24, 6:30-11 p.m.
Where: The Oval, 2601 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Cost: Free
• University City Dining Days: Dinner plans? Check. In University City, 28 restaurants are opening their doors to eager diners for the return of the annual University City Dining Days event. Each participating restaurant offers guests a three-course meal ringing in at either $15, $25 or $35 depending on the restaurant. Cocktails, wine and beer will be available for an additional cost. Click here for the list of participating restaurants.
When: Wednesday, July 24
Where: Participating restaurants
Cost: $15-$35 plus tax and gratuity
• Philadelphia Fashion Incubator Summer Sample Sale: Shop original local fashion to your heart’s content at the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator’s summer sample sale at the Sofitel’s Chez Colette. The second annual sample sale features fashion from the designers of Philadelphia’s designer-in-residence program, the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator. Browse locally made clothing and accessories at a range of price points and styles. Entry to the event is completely free, just pay for any chic purchases as you go. Note that credit cards are accepted.
When: Wednesday, July 24, 4-8 p.m.
Where: Sofitel Philadelphia, Chez Colette, 120 S. 17th Street
Cost: Pay as you go
More evening happenings, below.
• Moonlight Movies in Mt. Airy Present a Live Simulcast of the Phillies vs. Cardinals: Cheer on the home team tonight from Lovett Library Park in Mt. Airy. The location that regularly hosts Friday evening film screenings presents a live simulcast of this evening’s Phillies game. Watch the Phillies take on the Cardinals on a giant, inflatable outdoor screen at a free outdoor screening. The game begins at 8:15 p.m., but folks are encouraged to find their way to the area beginning at 7:45 p.m. with blankets and beach chairs in tow. Bonus: From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., indulge in fare from Samosa Deb and dessert from Zsa’s Gourmet Ice Cream, both eateries will be at the park providing eats for the crowd.
When: Wednesday, July 24, 7:45 p.m.
Where: Lovett Library Park, 6945 Germantown Avenue
Cost: Free
• Summer Vacation Wednesdays at Twenty Manning Grill: Every Wednesday evening this summer, Twenty Manning Grill provides Philadelphians with a quick international getaway…for your taste buds. From 5 to 7 p.m. tonight, Canada takes the spotlight with themed cocktails and bites. Indulge in poutine, a Crown Royal Canadian whiskey cocktail and more.
When: Wednesday, July 24, 5-7 p.m.
Where: Twenty Manning Grill, 261 S. 20th Street
Cost: Pay as you go
• Portrait of the Artist Film Series: In addition to Pay-What-You-Wish Wednesday at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the PMA hosts Philadelphia Inquirer film critic Carrie Rickey for a summer film series in the Van Pelt Auditorium. The series, entitled Portrait of the Artist, brings a different artist to the forefront each week through a biographic film select by Rickey followed by a 20-minute Q&A session. Tonight, enjoy a screening of Frida, which follows the life of the esteemed Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. Tickets are available online and required for access to the screening.
When: Wednesday, July 24, 6 p.m.
Where: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Cost: $8
• P.M. @ Penn Museum Summer Nights Concert Series: As part of its P.M. at the Penn Museum’s Summer Night Concert Series, guests have access to the Penn Museum’s collection and a concert by Cold Blue Electric, a jazz fusion band that largely performs music from the ’70s and ’80s, along with classic jazz hits. Tickets are $5 for non-members and free for students and museum members.
When: Wednesday, July 24, 5-8 p.m.
Where: Penn Museum, 3620 South Street
Cost: $5
• Center City Sips: Nearly 100 of Center City’s bars and restaurants wish you a happy Wednesday with discounted drinks and appetizers as part of the popular Center City Sips event. Indulge in $5 cocktails, $4 wine, $3 beer and half-priced appetizers at participating restaurants. Many participating restaurants even offer a dinner discount of 15 percent to Center City Sips-ers. The full list of participating bars and restaurants and their specials is available here.
When: Wednesday, July 24, 5-7 p.m.
Where: Participating restaurants
Cost: $5 cocktails, $4 wine, $3 beer and half-priced appetizers
• Pay-What-You-Wish Wednesday and The Terrace Bar at the Philadelphia Museum of Art: In typical Wednesday evening fashion, discover the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s extensive collection at whatever price you choose to pay at its Pay-What-You-Wish Wednesday event. From 5 to 8:45 p.m., explore the collection housed in the main building and partake in an assortment of activities. Also visit the PMA’s brand new Terrace Bar, which boasts alfresco tables overlooking the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and food and drinks from Stephen Starr Events.
When: Wednesday, July 24, 5-8:45 p.m.
Where: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Cost: Pay-What-You-Wish
• Pay-What-You-Wish Wednesday at the National Museum of American Jewish History: All summer long, the National Museum of American Jewish History welcomes guests at whatever price they’d like to pay on Wednesday evenings. Visit NMAJH for a look at its extensive collection and exhibits with complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres from the museum’s Pomegranates Cafe.
When: Wednesday, July 24, 5-8 p.m.
Where: National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 S. Independence Mall E.
Cost: Pay-What-You-Wish