15 fun things to do in Philly this weekend

Bus Stop Boutique is one of the stores you can check out at Fourth Friday on Fabric Row. | Provided
Provided

LGBT 
 

OurNightOut
Aug. 24, 6 p.m.
Morgan’s Pier
221 N. Columbus Blvd.
dvlf.org
$5

This month’s LGBT cocktail networking hour—truly a place to be and be seen in LGBT Philly–fills the picnic tables of Morgan’s Pier, with $4 beers and $5 wines. Make sure to register in advance—tickets are upped to $10 at the door. 

Julia Scotti
Aug. 26, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
The Eagle Theatre
208 Vine St., Hammonton
eagletheatre.org
$25

Trans comedian and longtime Jersey funny gal Julia Scotti—who grabbed the nation’s attention last summer as a contestant on “America’s Got Talent”—returns to her old stomping grounds for another round of laughs from the gut. The show is hosted by sarcastic comedian Kevin Hurley. 

Drag Your Ass to Brunch
Aug. 27, 11:30 a.m.
Bourbon & Branch
705 N. Second St.
bourbonandbranchphilly.com
$15 

Gayborhood drag diva Brittany Lynn brings her brand of raunchy and relatable comedy to Bourbon & Branch for laughs over mimosas and indulgent biscuits, waffles, benedicts and more. Table service is $15, but those more interested in the show can purchase a standing-room-only ticket for $5.

FOOD & DRINK

Dog Days of Summer
Aug. 24, 5 p.m.
Hotel Monaco Philadelphia
433 Chestnut St.
monaco-philadelphia.com
Pay as you go

Dog parents, rejoice: Hotel Monaco brings back its “Dog Days of Summer” curbside dog wash operation for another year. Stop by with your own Lassie for a free wash and stick around for free Rita’s Italian Ice samples, portraits from a caricature artist and gifts from Doggie Style. A donation toward no-kill shelter Saved Me is recommended. 

Little Rebel Cider and Wine Garden
Aug. 24, 6 p.m.
Betsy Ross House
239 Arch St.
historicphiladelphia.org
Pay as you go 

Embrace history in the Betsy Ross House courtyard as your hand hugs a cold, locally brewed cider or glass of wine. Rebel Seed Cider and Harvest Ridge Winery provide the libations, with a promise of local food trucks and live music as well.

Franklin Square Food Truck Fest
Aug. 26, 12 p.m.
Franklin Square
200 N. Sixth St.
historicphiladelphia.org
$10 

Little Baby’s Ice Cream, Philly Fry, Bonjour Creperie and Loco Gringo Taco are just some of the food trucks coming to Franklin Square for the afternoon—with a voting competition to decide the best of the bunch. Admission nabs you a drink and voting ticket. 

Hava NaGrilla
Aug. 27, 11 a.m.
Temple Beth Hillel Beth El
1001 Remington Road, Wynnewood
phillykosherbbq.com
Pay as you go

Being touted as the first-ever Kosher smoked barbecue competition in the region, 20 teams go grill-to-grill in this afternoon-long event sponsored by Kansas City Barbeque Society. A beer garden featuring local craft brews will also be around to wash down the Kosher-que.

Pop-up Wine Garden
Through Sept. 1, 4 p.m.
John F. Collins Park
1707 Chestnut St.
centercityphila.org
Pay as you go 

As the summer days wind down, don’t miss this blink-and-you’ll-miss-it wine pop-up at Collins Park, operated by Chaddsford Winery. Glasses, gratefully, are affordable: $5 to $9 per glass, with part of proceeds put toward the Center City District. 
 

MUSIC
 

Johnny Showcase & The Mystic Ticket
Aug. 24, 9 p.m.
Franky Bradley’s
1320 Chancellor St.
frankybradleys.com
$11

A local 10-piece “absurdist soul” outfit, Johnny Showcase and his group blend performance art and psychedelic soul for this funky performance that takes some notes from Prince. This is about as “Philly” as it gets, folks.

John Rodden
Aug. 24, 10 p.m.
Milkboy South Street
401 South St.
milkboysouthstreet.com
Free

Local alt-rock singer and songwriter calls inspiration from The Killers and Jimmy Eat World, but also has a knack for acoustic, quiet takes on songs like Coldplay’s “Fix You” and even Bieber’s “Love Yourself.” Given his small digital footprint, catch him on-stage while you can. 

Aretha Franklin
Aug. 26, 8 p.m.
The Mann Center for the Performing Arts
5201 Parkside Ave.
arethafranklin.net
$59.50 

The queen of soul and diva-certified singer belts the hits at The Mann Center among the greenery of Fairmount Park. “Respect,” Son of a Preacher Man” and more are promised, among other classics.

SHOPPING 

Fourth Friday on Fabric Row
Aug. 25, 5 p.m.
Fabric Row
700 S. Fourth St.
Pay as you go 

Fabric Row’s monthly shopping bonanza returns with 15 percent off summer men’s and women’s shoes at Bus Stop Boutique, the opening reception for the “Asynchronist” exhibit at Paradigm Gallery + Studio and the grand opening of Little Moon + Arrow, Moon + Arrow’s new children’s boutique. Most shops will also offer complementary drinks or snacks.

MUSEUMS
 

Black Aesthetics
Aug. 24, 6 p.m.
The African American Museum of Philadelphia
701 Arch St.
aampmuseum.org
Free

In celebration of 40 years collecting African American art, AAMP hosts a panel discussion about the Black Arts Movement and the intersection of politics and art. The museum’s exhibitions manager joins a discussion with Dr. Genevieve Hyacinthe, faculty at the School of Visual Arts and expert on artist Barkley Hendricks.

Final Fridays at the Art Museum
Aug. 25, 5 p.m.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
philamuseum.org
Free with admission

Not your typical Friday-night dance floor, the Philadelphia Museum of Art opens the Great Stair Hall for a last-hurrah summer dance party. Brazilian music from 23-piece ensemble PhillyBloco rocks the hall.

Myths & Nature
Through Aug. 27
Michener Art Museum
138 S. Pine St., Doylestown
michenerartmuseum.org
$18 

Ending this weekend, the Myths & Nature exhibit features early prints by painter and muralist Sam Maitin. Michener curators worked collaboratively with Maitin’s family to select colorful prints exploring myths, poetry and nature. 

BONUS:
 

Indego Intro Class
Aug. 24, 6 p.m.
Free Library of Philadelphia
1901 Vine St.
rideindigo.com
Free

City biking isn’t intuitive for everyone. Recognizing that, Indego partners with the Free Library for the ultimate 90-minute “how-to” lesson on using Indego—road rules, traffic safety, helmet use and general tips. While admission is free, you’ll need to register in advance.