Music
WHYY Connections Festival
Friday and Saturday
The Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, www.whyy.org
Happy holiday weekend! WHYY is serving up two days of free entertainment down by the river. On Friday, get comfy for a free screening of episode 1 of Ken Burns’ “Prohibition.” As for Saturday’s free concerts, Dr. Dog, The Baseball Project, Toy Soldiers, Kuf Knotz and Birdie Busch — among others — are on the lineup.
Mercury Radio Theater
Saturday, 9:15 p.m.
$10, Johnny Brenda’s
The local guys are celebrating the release of their third album, “Kilroy,” with a show that will welcome back past band members. Says Mercury of the new album, the last installment of their “Monster Trilogy”: “The new episode is the tale of a geriatric werewolf, an old-folks home and a handgun.” Yes. Please.
Manu Chao
Friday, 8 p.m.
$35, Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing
The Parisian by way of Spain, rocker by way of reggae plays Penn’s Landing.
Joe Jonas and Jay Sean
Wednesday, 7 p.m.
$45, The TLA
The Jonas Brothers seem to be on vacation these days, and only one is going to be on South Street Wednesday night. But that said, never underestimate the power of crazed teenage girls hopped up on Wawa iced tea and Johnny Rockets.
Vivian Girls
Tuesday, 9 p.m.
$12, Johnny Brenda’s
The punk-rockers are on the road with their third full-length LP, “Share the Joy.” Also on the bill: Windowspeak and Ninjessa. You can pick up surcharge-free tickets to all R5 Productions shows at AKA Music in Old City (27 N. Second St.).
Arts
2011 Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe
Friday through Sept. 17,
Now in its 15th year, the city-wide arts festival is packing almost 200 programs by local, national and international artists, offering up a little something for everyone. This year’s Festival Bar is setting up at the back-in-action Ruba Club (416 Green Street). Doors open every night at 10, and there’s after-party entertainment scheduled almost every night.
‘I Still Don’t Know Which Way To Go’
Opening reception:
Friday night, 6:30 to 10
Gravy Studio
2212 Sepviva St.
If you’re sticking around for the holiday weekend, Fishtown’s First Friday scene will be in full force. Off the avenue, Jacob Pastrovich’s black-and-white photographs of his travels in Eastern Europe debut at Gravy Studio.
Food
Labor Day picnics at Chaddsford Winery
Saturday through Monday
Pack lunch or choose from picnic-friendly offerings such as crabcakes and grilled chicken at the winery’s casual outdoor celebration, which will include live music. Wine tastings are $10, and chilled bottles will also be available.
Garces Trading Co. Grilling Kits
Offered through Monday, $25-$35
Jose Garces’ gourmet grilling kits for lazy Labor Day weekenders come in two varieties: Mortadella hot dogs (complete with buns and house-made potato chips) and Village Whiskey Burgers (pre-portioned burgers, buns and more of those chips).
