Return of “The Blob”
Colonial Theatre: Blobfest’s July 14 “Run Out” is sold out, but you can still take part in the Bridge Street, Phoenixville “Streetfair” July 15 and 1950s horror movie screenings July 15-16. There will also be a self-guided tour of Phoenixville locations that show up in the 1958 movie “The Blob.” Go to https://thecolonialtheatre.com/programs-categories/blobfest.
Battle royal
Wells Fargo Center: John Cena will be a part of WWE Battleground at 7:30 p.m. July 23 at the arena at 3601 S. Broad St., Philadelphia. Tickets range from $25-$500. Visit www.wellsfargocenterphilly.com or call (800) 298-4200.
Movie magic
New Hope Film Festival: The eighth annual festival will present 104 films from 16 countries and 32 scripts from July 21-30 at various venues. Filmmakers from around the country and abroad will attend and there will be opportunities to meet filmmakers at question and answer sessions following the films. Look at the official free online 2017 program guide, and get tickets, at www.newhopefilmfestival.com.
Back to the future
Bloomfield Farm: From 1 to 4 p.m. July 16 Morris Arboretum hosts Grist Mill Demonstration Day across the street from garden’s main entrance. Springfield Mills, a historic feed and flour mill on the Wissahickon Creek, has been restored and made operational. The cornmeal made that day will be sifted, bagged and baked into muffins for visitors to sample. Kids and adults can try grinding their own meal on the pedal powered mill. This event is free, but donations are appreciated. Go to www.morrisarboretum.org or call (215) 247-5777.
Pottsgrove Manor: See where colonial career paths could take you with the program “Jack of All Trades” 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 22. There will be cooking in a reproduction 18th century kitchen, where you can learn the skills needed to make a Georgian meal in a hearth fireplace. Weavers will be working on tape looms and turning wool into yarn and thread. A brick/stone layer will be illustrating the steps in stone carving by hand. Discover what a seamstress would be piecing together to create and hand-sew colonial garments. Explore what a book binder, colonial shoe maker and broom maker are showcasing, teaching about their craft and showing their wares. Hands-on activities allow everyone to experience the sounds, sights and smells of the different 18th century careers and skills that crafted both everyday and luxury items. Colonial ironmaster John Potts’ 1752 manor house will be open for tours during the day. Suggested donation is $2 per person. Pottsgrove Manor is at 100 W. King St., Pottstown.
Fort Mifflin: The historic site was pressed into service during World War II as a site for anti-aircraft batteries defending the nearby Naval Ammunition Depot and League Island Navy Yard. Explore the eastern front of World War II 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 22-23. Learn the similarities and differences in the arms of German, Italian and Russian forces during weapons demonstrations, test your strength and accuracy at the Stick Grenade Toss (Saturday at 3) and interact with event participants as you complete the scavenger hunt. Enjoy guided tours at noon or 2 p.m. Tactical demonstrations will be viewed from atop the fort walls at 1:30. Admission is $10, $8 for seniors, $6 for veterans and students under 12. Go to www.fortmifflin.us. The fort is at 6400 Hog Island Road, Philadelphia.
Golden age
Knauer Performing Arts Center: It’s an evening dedicated to Memphis’ Sun Studio, which first recorded Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. Starting at 7:30 p.m. July 14 guest speaker Ples Hampton will talk about his time as lead engineer at Sun Studio. The film “Once & Done at Sun” – which documents the February pilgrimage of West Chester musicians Michael Windish, James McLaughlin and Thomas Lombard to Sun Studio to record original music with New York songwriter Kyle Lacy, bassist Cody Gibson and Nashville songwriter Nadia Sosnoski – will be shown. Also, the band Passive Folk will perform music. Tickets are $20. Knauer Performing Arts Center is at 226 N. High St., West Chester. Call (610) 356-2787
Raise a toast
SteelStacks: SangriaFest returns to SteelStacks in Bethlehem July 15. Sample 10 different sangrias, all made with wines imported by South Italy Imports from family-owned vineyards throughout Italy. The event includes classical offerings like traditional Spanish sangria, as well as contemporary takes on the drink like “Georgia Peach” and the pomegranate and green tea infused “Zen Sangria.” The first takes place from 1 to 4 p.m., with a limited access VIP experience from noon to 1 p.m., while the second runs from 6 to 9 p.m., with a VIP experience from 5 to 6. New at SangriaFest for 2017 are bocce courts, where guests can enjoy the game throughout the day. Other highlights include food trucks, live music by Billy Bauer Band and Light Up the Moon, games like beanbags and quoits, and a chance to take your best shot at local celebrities sitting in the SangriaFest dunk tank. Tickets are $34, $39 at the gate. VIP tickets are $69, $79 at the gate. The ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks is located at 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem. For more information, visit www.steelstacks.org or call (610) 332-3378.
Eats on wheels
Hatfield American Legion Post 933: A Food Truck Festival is held noon to 5 p.m. July 15 at 2100 Koffel Road, Hatfield, and features a horseshoes tournament. Registration for the horseshoes tournament will begin at noon, with the first matches at 1. Entry fee for the tournament will be $10, with half the monies going to payouts. The two person teams will be selected with a “luck of the draw” format, so players of all skill levels have a chance. See www.facebook.com/events/899509746834913/?ti=cl.
In memoriam
Penndel: The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall will be in the borough July 14-16. The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall is a 300-foot-long, 3/5-scale replica of the original memorial in Washington and will be open to the public 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day on Penndel’s Pfc. John Dalola Avenue. At 8:30 a.m. July 14, Vietnam veteran David Christian and former U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy will give remarks. A ceremony will be held the evening of July 15 that will recognize the 136 killed in action from Bucks County. There will also be a complete and continuous reading from Friday morning through Sunday evening of all 58,307 names on the wall by dozens of volunteers from the local community.
Car show
Doylestown at Dusk Car Show: The show takes place 5 to 10 p.m. July 15 on the streets of downtown Doylestown (West State, Clinton and West Court streets). There will be more than 400 antique, classic and custom automobiles. Trophies will be awarded to participants displaying the best detail and cleanliness, workmanship and unique design. In addition to the cars, enjoy foods from Doylestown’s restaurants, bands, entertainment and more. Admission is free. Parking is at Central Bucks West High School and the Bucks County Parking Garage, with free shuttle service available. Visit www.doylestowncarshow.com.
Making music
FringeArts: Nuevofest 2017, a free, all-ages, outdoor concert celebrating the new sounds of Latin America, starts at 2 p.m. July 16 at 140 N. Columbus Blvd. at Race Street, Philadelphia. Venezuelan rockers and Latin Grammy Award winners La Vida Boheme headline and the lineup also features Javiera Mena, Buscabulla, Balun, Tribu Baharu, Rubio, Pielago and Mariachi Manchester. For more, visit www.fringearts.com and www.latinroots.org. To RSVP to attend, go to www.latinroots.org/nuevofest-2017-rsvp.
Delaware Valley University: The Lenape Chamber Ensemble presents a Summer Gala Concert at 8 p.m. July 15. The concert will include Mendelssohn’s “String Quartet in G Major,” with violinist Cyrus Beroukhim, Stravinsky’s “The Soldier’s Tale,” with clarinetist Alan R. Kay, and Chausson’s “Piano Quartet in A Major,” with pianist Marcantonio Barone and cellist Arash Amini. Delaware Valley University is at 700 E. Butler Ave., Doylestown. Tickets at $18, $15 for students and seniors. Call (610) 294-9361.
Bryn Mawr Gazebo: Scott McClatchy opens for John Gorka at 7 p.m. July 15. Tickets are $15, free for children 16 and under. Visit http://brynmawrtwilightconcerts.com or call (610) 864-4303.
Mann Center: The Philadelphia Orchestra performs the John Williams score from “Jurassic Park” at 7:30 p.m. July 22 at 5201 Parkside Ave., Philadelphia. The movie will be projected in HD. Tickets range from $25-$65. Call (215) 893-1999 or visit www.manncenter.org.
Washington Memorial Chapel: The chapel in Valley Forge National Historical Park, off Route 23, Upper Merion, presents a free carillon concert by Wesley Arai at 7:30 p.m. July 19. Bring your own seating.
Myrick Conservation Center: Brandywine Red Clay Alliance’s Sounds Under the Stars series presents a free concert of classic rock, funk and jam music with Cameltones at 7:30 p.m. July 20 at 1760 Unionville-Wawaset Road, three miles east of Unionville and six miles west of West Chester. Bring your own seating and a picnic dinner.
Follow the crowd
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Italian-American Club: The annual Grande Festa Italiana runs 4 to 11 p.m. July 15 and noon to 10 p.m. July 16 at 1210 E. Ridge Pike, Plymouth Township. Highlights include live music, traditional foods, games, prizes and family fun. Visit www.facebook.com/OLMCItalianAmericanClubBridgeport.
Elmwood Park: From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 22 there will be a Drug Awareness Community Festival at the park, 1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown. There will be musical groups, a health mobile checking blood pressure, information and group representatives for drug-related issues, food and fun for the kids.
J.P. Mascaro: Artists Cooperative for Personal and Professional Advancement holds a beef and beer fundraiser 6 to 9 p.m. July 21 at the waste hauler’s corporate offices at 2650 Audubon Road, Lower Providence. The event features dinner, drinks, a silent auction and a raffle to support the arts program for children. Tickets are $35 and are available at www.acppa.net/beef-beer or by calling (610) 277-2270.
Selma Mansion: From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 15 the Norristown Preservation Society will host a flea market at the mansion, 1301 W. Airy St., Norristown. Inside the house, you’ll find crafts and professional vendors. Outside will be attic treasures, secondhand items, food, drinks, games and more. Admission is free to shop.
Norristown Farm Park: Starting at 2 p.m. July 23 meet the park’s beekeeper, Don George. Learn about bee biology and how you can help the honey bee at home. Participants will see an observation hive. The equipment used for bee keeping will also be showcased. Find out about the challenges facing modern beekeepers today and the reasons for the decline in the honey bee population. Taste honey and purchase some if you like. Meet in the salt wing of the dairy barn next to the park office, Barley Sheaf Drive and Germantown Pike, East Norriton. This free program is appropriate for adults and children 6 and older. Pre-registration is required by calling (610) 270-0215.
On stage
Bristol Riverside Theater: “When America Sings” features songs about the USA, such as “This Land is Your Land,” “America” and “Let the River Run,” through July 23. Tickets start at $30. Call (215) 785-0100 or visit www.brtstage.org. Bristol Riverside Theatre is at 120 Radcliffe St., Bristol.
The Grand: Delaware Children’s Theatre presents “Doktor Kaboom: It’s Just Rocket Science” at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. July 20. Visit www.thegrandwilmington.org/explorers or call (302) 658-7897, ext. 3201.
Cheer on the teams
Montgomery Township Recreation Center: The Robby Braxton Classic – a basketball tournament honoring the life of Robby Braxton, who was shot and killed last year at his Lansdale church – is held 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 15 at the center, 1030 Horsham Road. For more, see www.facebook.com/events/276350896168354.
