Ode to olive oil
College of Physicians: Discover the tastes, travels and science behind olive oil with “The Sense-sational World of Olive Oil” 6 to 8:30 p.m. May 2. Events include olive oil tasting; a small plate reception; wine, beer and specialty olive oil cocktails; science demonstrations led by Monell Scientists; presentations on “What is Oleocanthal and Why Should I Care?,” “Virgin Territory?” and “Press On!” and a raffle. College of Physicians is at 19 S. 22nd St., Philadelphia. For ticket information, go to https://geographicalsocietyofphiladelphia.ticketleap.com/sense-sational-world-of-olive-oil.
Technology for all
Philly Tech Week: Held in multiple locations April 28-May 6, more than 25,000 business leaders and other self-proclaimed tech geeks – as well as the technically challenged – can participate in more than 100 panels, conferences, gaming-themed events and cocktail parties that highlight emerging trends, advances and uses of technology. The place to start is http://2017.phillytechweek.com.
Time warp
Neshaminy State Park: The Neshaminy Living History Association’s 28th annual Civil War Re-enactment will take place 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 29-30 in the park on 3401 State Road, Bensalem. The theme for this year is “The Battle of Antietam.” More than 1,000 re-enactors will participate in authentic battle re-enactments, camp life scenarios, military and civilian life demonstrations. At 11 a.m. April 30 will be an 1860s style exhibition baseball game by the Monmouth Furnace Baseball Club. Admission is free. For more information, go to www.neshaminycwevent.org.
Pottsgrove Manor: The annual Colonial Mayfair is held 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 6. There will be games, music, crafts, May pole dances and living history demonstrations. Tuckers Tales Puppet Theatre will present interactive puppet shows, in addition to providing historic music around the grounds. Colonial conjurer, Levram the Great, will perform historically-themed magic shows and entertain visitors with pocket magic tricks throughout the day. Visitors can also have their profile portrait captured by artist Lauren Muney of Silhouettes by Hand while they wait. In addition to entertainment, a variety of early American crafters and demonstrators will be on hand to display historic skills. Young visitors will have the chance to meet farm animals, play with colonial toys and games, dance around a child-size May pole, help churn butter and more. Colonial ironmaster John Potts’ 1752 manor house will be open for tours. Mayfair also coincides with the annual “Pow-Wow on Manatawny Creek,” celebrating the culture and traditions of the Lenni-Lenape Native Americans. The pow-wow will be taking place during the hours of Mayfair and in Memorial Park, less than a block away from Pottsgrove Manor, which is at 100 W. King St., Pottstown. There will be free trolley rides between the events. A donation of $2 per person is suggested. Visit www.montcopa.org/pottsgrovemanor.
Football fever
Benjamin Franklin Parkway: The 82nd NFL Draft involves outdoor festivities through April 29. Fans can enjoy interactive experiences, get autographs from current and former players, take pictures with the Vince Lombardi Trophy, a 100-yard zip line, interactive exhibits like “NFL Virtual Reality,” memorabilia in an NFL Museum and more. To get the most out of the NFL Draft Experience, download the NFL Fan Mobile Pass from the Apple App Store, from Google Play for Android or the Windows Store.
In the house
Hill Crest Manor: This year’s Bucks County Designer House & Gardens is at 3690 Burnt House Hill Road, Doylestown. The annual fundraising event for the Village Improvement Association of Doylestown runs April 30-May 28, with a Preview Gala April 28. Tour hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $30, $25 in advance through April 29, $25 for seniors 62+ and for military, veterans and Gold Star members, $20 for group tickets (minimum 15). For additional information go to www.buckscountydesignerhouse.org, email contact@buckscountydesignerhouse.org or call (215) 345-2191.
South Street, South Side
South Street Headhouse District: The South Street Spring Festival is back on Philadelphia’s South Street from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 6 with free music, food and fun over 12+ city blocks, with 125+ vendors, 35+ restaurants, bars and eateries, 40 bands, three stages, seven performance areas, 24 makers/artists and more. As part of South Street Spring Festival, look for the fifth annual German Maifest by Brauhaus Schmitz on the 700 block, and free comic book day festivities from Atomic City Comics, 638 South St. The Philly Taco Eating contest will feature a Philly Taco – a Jim’s Cheesesteak wrapped inside a Lorenzo’s pizza slice. Visit www.southstreet.com.
South Bethlehem: The SouthSide Arts Festival features art, comedy, dance and music programming 5 to 11:30 p.m. April 28 and noon to 11 p.m. April 29 event, and includes performances by Rusted Root, Steve Forbert, Coco Montoya and more. Events are held at the Banana Factory, Touchstone Theatre, National Museum of Industrial History, Holy Infancy Catholic School, Touchstone Theater, Godfrey Daniels and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks. Festival passes, which provide access to all five music locations, are $30 per day or $50 for both days. Go to www.bananafactory.org or call (610) 332-3378.
Small town, big film
West Chester Film Festival: The “Lucky 13th” festival is held April 28-30 and includes short films from around the globe, filmmakers, writers, directors and more. The Opening Night Party is 5 to 7 p.m. April 28 in the second floor bar at The Social, 117 E. Gay St. Tickets are $25 ($20 for WCFF members). Ticket includes a ticket to the 7 or 7:15 film block Get the full schedule and more details at www.westchesterfilmfestival.com.
Yay science!
Philadelphia Science Festival: The festival continues through April 29. From 7:30 to 10 p.m. at various locations is a Citywide Star Party. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. is a Science Carnival at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, 101 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia. For transportation information, maps and other details, see www.philasciencefestival.org.
Rhythm and motion
Knauer Performing Arts Center: Balance Dance Company presents “Purple! A Dance Tribute to Prince” at 3 and 7:30 p.m. May 6 at the center, 226 N. High St., West Chester. Tickets are $20, $15 for youths 16 and under. Call (610) 356-2787.
Wilma Theater: BalletX presents its Spring Series 2017 at the Wilma, 265 S. Broad St., Philadelphia. Spring Series 2017 will feature works by this year’s Choreographic Mentor, Cayetano Soto and Fellow, Tommie-Waheed Evans, as well as the return of Matthew Neenan’s “The Last Glass.” Performances are at 8 p.m. April 28 and May 3-5, 2 and 8 p.m. April 29 and May 6, 2 and 7 p.m. April 30, and 2 p.m. May 7. Tickets are available at www.balletx.org and (215) 546-7824.
Penn State Abington: Metropolitan Ballet Company presents “Moving Pieces” at 7:30 p.m. April 28 in the Sutherland Auditorium, 1600 Woodland Road, Abington. Tickets are $5.
Time to laugh
Norristown Maenner-Chor Club: On May 6 the club at 920 Haws Ave., Norristown, will present its fourth annual Comedy Night. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., food will be served from 7 to 8:15 and the show will begin at 8:30. Featured this year are Jimmy Carroll, Buddy Harris and Tyler Rotherock. Advance tickets are $25, and tickets at the door will be $30. This is a non-smoking event. Call (610) 272-9043.
For the health of it
Green Lane Park: Pear Garden Tai Chi & Reflexology hosts a local event in the worldwide World Tai Chi & Qigong Day 9 to 11 a.m. April 29 on the tennis courts side of the park. All are welcome to sample a free tai chi class or watch demos. Contact Charles at www.peargardentaichi.com or cwbrynan@yahoo.com. Also, visit www.worldtaichiday.org.
Valley Forge Casino Resort: April 28-30 Face of America 2017 offers an inspiring bicycle rides to Gettysburg that bring civilians together with retired and active military and first responders, including adaptive military veterans and civilians from across the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. You’ll find registration information at http://worldteamsports.org/events/face-of-america.
Explore
Greater Philadelphia Expo Center: From 5 to 9 p.m. April 28, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 29 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 30, the Empowered Light Expo includes lectures, alternative healing treatments, readings, holistic earth-friendly products, meditations, Reiki, crystals, massages and more. Tickets are $5 Friday night, $10 Saturday or Sunday, $20 for a weekend pass. The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center is at 100 Station Ave., Upper Providence.
Once upon a time
Upper Darby Performing Arts Center: Pennsylvania Ballet II presents a new production of “Snow White” with an original music score at 11 a.m. April 29 at 601 N. Lansdowne Ave., Drexel Hill. Call (610) 622-1189 or go to www.udpac.org.
Opera classic
Academy of Music: Opera Philadelphia stages Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro,” in Italian with English supertitles, at 8 p.m. April 28 and May 5, 2:30 p.m. April 30 and May 7, and 7:30 p.m. May 3. The Academy of Music is at Broad and Locust streets, Philadelphia. Check ticket availability at www.operaphila.org.
Signs of spring
Pennypacker Mills: Because one out of every three foods we eat needs the help of a pollinating animal, from 10 a.m. to noon April 29 Pennypacker Mills offers a free program on the honeybee in the Classroom Building. See an enclosed live hive with a queen, workers and drones and learn how honey is made, how the hive works, and why you should care about honeybees. For more information, call (610) 287-9349 or email pennypackermills@montcopa.org. Pennypacker Mills is at 5 Haldeman Road, Perkiomen Township.
Meadow Park: Schwenksville Borough hosts the ninth annual Schwenksville Community Day 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 6 in the park at 300 Main St., behind the firehouse. The lineup includes Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy’s kids program “Frogs,” the Schwenksville and Skippack Elementary Orchestra, Ted the Fiddler, Dubstep and Fall, The Hound Dogs, and a Power Hour local talent showcase. New this year is “The Magic of Ari Paul Felber.” Food selections include pulled pork sandwiches, hamburgers and hot dogs. Other activities include zip lining, a bounce house and slide, a What-Knott Petting Zoo and drop-in volleyball.
Norristown Farm Park: Dance around the May pole starting at 1 p.m. May 1. Also, explore flowers, birds, baby animals and other spring things with a park naturalist. Participants will also make a seasonal craft. This event is appropriate for children 3 and older accompanied by an adult and costs $5 per child. Pre-registration is required by calling (610) 270-0215. Meet at the pavilions. The park is at Barley Sheaf Drive and Germantown Pike, East Norriton.
Malvern Blooms Festival: The festival is held 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 7 along King Street, Warren Avenue and in Burke Park. There will be four music attractions, artists and crafters, two food courts, children’s activities, games and more. Check www.malvern-festivals.com/blooms-festival.
Penn Relays: High school, college and professional track stars compete at University of Pennsylvania’s Franklin Field, with an average of a race every five minutes, through April 29. Franklin Field is at 235 S. 33rd St., Philadelphia. Find out what’s going on at www.thepennrelays.com.
Trout derby: Go fishing, rain or shine, April 29 and 30 on the grounds of Norristown Farm Park and Norristown State Hospital (enter Gate 5 at Stanbridge Street). Fishing rods will be available for children. A special pond will be designated for children 6 and under. Sections of the creek will be marked for teens 15 and under and challenged individuals. Cost is $20, $30 for adult two-day passes, $10 for teens 13-15, $5 for children 12 and under. Breakfast, lunch and drinks will be available. There will be bucket raffle tickets, bait and lures for sale and prizes awarded for tagged “breeder” trout. Call Charles at (267) 438-2572 or Marty at (484) 366-4120 for directions. Visit www.stonycreekanglers.org.
Vintage
Rittenhouse Place, Ardmore: The Ardmore Antique & Vintage Market offers antiques, collectibles, home furnishings, jewelry, clothing, accessories, pottery, primitives and more 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 30 at 44 E. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore. The rain date is June 18. Get more at www.destinationardmore.com, www.philafleamarkets.org or (215) 625-3532.
Experience art
St. Francis in the Fields Episcopal Church: An art show is held April 28-30 at 689 Sugartown Road, Malvern, featuring the work of more than 30 local artists. The parish will also host a performance of Gabriel Faure’s “Requiem in D Minor” at 4 p.m. April 29. A preview reception will be held April 28 from 5 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $32. Following the concert April 29, the show continues from 5 to 7 p.m. and will include a wine and cheese reception. Tickets for both the concert and the Saturday art show and sale are 22. Tickets for both the Friday Preview Reception, the Saturday concert and art show and sale are $42 per person. The art show and sale will conclude April 30, with the gallery open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission on Sunday is free. Visit www.stfrancisfields.com and click on the 2017 Art Show button.
In concert
Abington High School: The Abington Choral Club will present its 70th Anniversary Concert at 7:30 p.m. May 6, at 7:30 p.m. at the school, 900 Highland Ave., Abington. The program includes the premiere of a piece commissioned for the anniversary concert by ACC musical director and composer Peter Hilliard. Vsit www.abingtonchoralclub.org.
Tel Hai Retirement Community: The Brandywine Harp Orchestra performs a free concert at 7:30 p.m. May 4 in the StoneCroft Center for Worship & Performing Arts, 4000 Tree Line Drive, Honey Brook. Visit www.telhai.org.
Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion: Philadelphia-based mezzo-soprano Jennifer Beattie performs her original program of pieces inspired by nature, “So Much Hot Air,” with oboe and French horn player Zach Pulse at 7 p.m. May 1 in the new, 7,000-square-foot butterfly pavilion. Tickets are $16. The Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion is at 8046 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia. Some refreshments will be served to guests and the event is BYOB. Visit www.jenniferbeattie.com/so-much-hot-air.
Knauer Performing Arts Center: Dynamo, a Nashville-based, national touring band fusing jazz, rock and funk, with elements of soul and R&B, performs at 7:30 p.m. May 4. Tickets are $15, $12 for students. The center is at 226 N. High St., West Chester. Call (610) 356-2787.
Colonial Theatre: Two-time Grammy nominees The Pop Ups present their show “The Great Pretenders Club” at 2 p.m. April 29 at the Colonial, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville. Tickets are $5, free to children under 3. Get more at (610) 917-1228 or www.thecolonialtheatre.com.
Congregation Or Hadash: The Independence Sinfonia will perform a concert at 3 p.m. April 30 at the synagogue, 190 Camp Hill Road, Upper Dublin. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and students, free for children under 12. Visit www.independence-sinfonia.org or call (215) 836-2240.
Now open
Legoland Discovery Center: The Plymouth Meeting Mall indoor Lego playground is officially open, with an interactive Lego themed ride, Lego 4D Cinema, and 10 Lego themed play areas. Located at 500 W. Germantown Pike, Plymouth Township, hours are 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $24, $19 online at https://philadelphia.legolanddiscoverycenter.com.