Things to do in Philly: August 2017

Franklin Square Movie nights are one of the many things you can do in Philly in August 2017. | Provided
Provided

AUGUST 3 to AUGUST 6

THEATER

Hero School
Through Aug. 27
Theatre Horizon
401 DeKalb St.
theatrehorizon.org
$20

Theatre Horizon produces this all-ages show inviting audience members – especially kids ages 4 to 8 — to participate in a choose-your-own-adventure-style story. Superheroes-in-training are pitted against villain Pollonium Malograve, who infiltrates the superhero “school.”

Hear Me War
Through Aug. 6
The Caplan Studio Theater at the University of the Arts
211 S. Broad St.
phillywomenstheatrefest.org
$18

This musical production explores today’s political climate for feminists, uniting a group of women in a march to Washington, D.C. in protest of the patriarchy. The performance is part of the Philadelphia Women’s Theatre Festival, designed to provide women opportunity in the city’s theater.

FILM

BlackStar Film Festival
Aug. 3 through Aug. 6
Various locations
blackstarfest.org
Pay as you go

An annual celebration of the African diaspora in the film medium, this festival shows more than 60 films by black people around the world. Highlights include short film “The Tale of Four,” a Nina Simone-inspired examination of the lives of four African-American women, and “Action Kommandant,” a documentary about youth resistance in 1980s South Africa. Panels and an awards ceremony will take place at various times during the festival.

Saturday Night at the Movies: Lego Batman
Aug. 5, 7 p.m.
Franklin Square
200 N. Sixth St.
historicphiladelphia.org/franklin-square
Free

Cozy up on the fresh-cut lawn for a night with the kids. Historic Philadelphia will have games and activities setup before the showing; so, show up on time.

MUSIC

Belle and Sebastian
Aug. 3, 7 p.m.
Mann Center for the Performing Arts
5201 Parkside Ave.
belleandsebastian.com
$40

The Glasgow band, around for the better part of two decades, takes its folk-rock sound to The Mann Center. Popular songs cover everything from teenage independence to romance – with one song, “Piazza, New York Catcher,” curiously – and famously— name-dropping the New York Mets.

Fantasia
Aug. 3, 8 p.m.
Dell Music Center
2400 Strawberry Mansion Drive
mydelleast.com
$32

American Idol’s Season Three winner Fantasia Barrino has been no stranger to the stage since coming into fame in 2004. More than a decade later, she’s released five albums, won a Grammy and toured consistently – this time, taking her R&B and soul to the Dell Music Center.

Summer Nights Tour
Aug. 5, 1 p.m.
Wells Fargo Center
3601 S. Broad St.
summernightstours.com
$25

YouTube star, pop singer and rapper Adam Saleh joins co-headliners Jax and DJ Trey Traxx – along with glam-pop singer Ricky Rebel as a special guest – for an all-day summer showcase. Supporting acts include a mix of local talent and up-and-comers like “The Voice” contestant Carly Underwood.

FOOD & DRINK

Lobster Month at London Grill
Through Aug. 31
London Grill
2301 Fairmount Ave.
londongrill.com
Pay as you go

Pennsylvania may not be Maine when it comes to seafood, but London Grill promises you won’t need to make the northbound trek to indulge in the region’s high-quality lobster. Special to the restaurant’s menu this month: Lobster bisque, Caesar salad, ravioli and a roll. Of course, the simpler option of a whole lobster with butter is available as well.

Goose Island Migration Week: Chicago Pop-Up Bar
Aug. 4, 8 p.m.
Garage Fishtown
100 E. Girard Ave.
gooseisland.com/migrationweek
Pay as you go

The popular Chi-Town brewery sets up shop at Garage’s Fishtown location, serving the acclaimed Bourbon County Brand Stout alongside Goose Island mainstays like the Goose IPA and 312 Urban Wheat. Further warm your belly with food from Chef Matt Troost.

Vegan Flea Market
Aug. 6, 1 p.m.
Tattooed Mom
530 South St.
tattooedmomphilly.com
Pay as you go

Ever the supporter of vegan diets, Tattooed Mom brings this upstairs mini-flea loaded with vegan chocolates, soaps and more. Mix and mingle with other vegans and vegan-supporting organizations.

MUSEUMS
Victorians After Dark
Aug. 3, 6 p.m.
Laurel Hill Cemetery
3822 Ridge Ave.
thelaurelhillcemetery.org
$20

A tour guide takes guests through the grounds while spilling some of the 1850s juiciest gossip. Organizers promise a “crash course in Victorian flirting tips” that’ll make Tinder messages that much easier to craft.

Hands-on Tour: Women Poets
Aug. 4, 3 p.m.
The Rosenbach
2008 Delancey Place
rosenbach.org
$15

Rosenbach swings the spotlight to female poets during this hands-on tour, offering access to books and manuscripts not typically available through standard admission. Poets encompass 16th- through 20th- century literature.

First Sunday Docent Tour
Aug. 6, 2 p.m.
Woodmere Art Museum
9201 Germantown Ave.
woodmereartmuseum.org
Free

Woodmere celebrates First Sunday with a free docent tour of the Woodmere’s collections, among which you’ll find a fountain sculpture from Harry Bertoia, a hodgepodge of mixed media pieces from artists within 50 miles of the museum and – if you’re feeling the summer heat a bit too much – landscape paintings of the Wissahickon in winter.

FESTIVALS

2nd Street Festival
Aug. 6, 12-10 p.m.
Various locations
North Second Street , from Germantown Ave. to Spring Garden Street
2ndstfestival.org
Pay as you go

Promising handmade goods, a sea of food trucks and live music along a large stretch of North Second Street, this just might be Northern Liberties’ biggest street festival of the year. Three stages, nine beer gardens and a bustling “street spot” for magicians, belly dancers and hula-hoopers make this worth at least a stroll-through.

LGBT
Amateur Drag Night
Aug. 6, 7 p.m.
L’Etage
624 S. Sixth St.
creperie-beaumonde.com
Free

Once per month, 10 up-and-coming drag performers gather to compete for $100 and select merchandise – this month, from Andrew Christian. Drag queen and comedian “Bev” hosts, and Landon Blake provides the beats.