Check out our top picks for fun things to do this week in the Philadephia region.
Beer for a cause
Indian Valley Public Library: The Indian Valley Beer Fest is 5:30 to 8 p.m. July 22 on the library grounds at 100 E. Church Ave., Telford. An early session for VIP ticket holders starts at 4 p.m. Besides sampling a variety of beers from 25 brewers, there will be a home brewers competition. Tickets are $45, $75 for VIPs, $15 for designated drivers (includes a $7 food voucher and one soda), $20 for VIP designated drivers (includes Cura Hospitality buffet). Visit www.indianvalleybeerfest.com.
Maxwell’s On Main: Beers for a Cure 2017 is MOM’s seventh annual craft beer festival to support the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation. It’s held 1 to 5 p.m. July 29 at 37 N. Main St., Doylestown. There will be a buffet, ice cream from Owowcow Creamery, giveaways, raffles and more. Tickets are $50. Go to www.momsdoylestown.com/beers.
From the collection
African American Museum in Philadelphia: “Philaesthetic: 40 years of Collecting African American Art” is on display through Sept. 17. The museum at 701 Arch St., Philadelphia, continues its 40th anniversary celebration with this two-gallery exhibition. From gifts from artists, to acquisitions from a 1998 gift from the Ford Foundation, it’s curated from the AAMP’s permanent collection, and is part of a city-wide “PhilAesthetic: The Black Arts Movement in Philadelphia” celebration. Visit www.aampmuseum.org.
Creatures of the night
Green Lane Park: A free “Moth Madness” program starts at 8:30 p.m. July 22. Search for moths with the aid of a special bait concoction. This program is suitable for ages 7 and up. Pre-registration is required by calling (215) 234-4528. Bring a flashlight and meet outside the park office, 2144 Snyder Road, Marlborough Township.
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
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.
Making music
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.
At 8 p.m. July 26 it’s WRTI’s People’s Choice Concert with The Philadelphia Orchestra, featuring selections the radio station’s listeners voted on. Tickets range from $20-$45.
Just like “Jurassic Park,” the orchestra takes on John Williams’ soundtrack for “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” at 7:30 p.m. July 28. Tickets range from $25-$65.
Call (215) 893-1999 or visit www.manncenter.org.
James A. Michener Art Museum: It’s “A Little Night Music” with a performance by the Brian Pastor Octet at 7 p.m. July 26. The museum is at 138 S. Pine St., Doylestown. Tickets and more information are available at www.michenerartmuseum.org.
Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse: The Kidchella Music Festival features The Not-Its and Chibi Kodama 4 to 7:30 p.m. July 21. This year, the festival will include a Youth Arts Zone on Smith’s front lawn, in addition to the main stage concerts in Smith’s 6.5 acre playground that will be emceed by Kathy O’Connell of WXPN’s Kids Corner. There will also be arts stations led by The Village of Arts and Humanities ceramics and photography students and food trucks. Tickets are $10 for ages 1 and up. Visit http://smithplayground.ticketleap.com/kid2017. Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse is in Philadelphia’s East Fairmount Park at 3500 Reservoir Drive.
Delaware Valley University: The Lenape Chamber Orchestra presents a concert at 8 p.m. July 22, featuring guest horn player David Jolley performing in Mozart’s “Horn Quintet in E Flat Major.” It will be held in the Life Sciences Building auditorium, 700 E. Butler Ave., Doylestown. Audiences can meet and chat with the musicians at a champagne reception following the concert. Tickets are $18, $15 for students and seniors. Call (610) 294-9361.
St. Thomas Church: A free carillon concert by Thomas Le starts at 7 p.m. July 25, followed by Bagpipes & Drums of Eireannach Toirneach. The church is at Bethlehem Pike and Church Road (Route 73), Whitemarsh. Call (215) 233-3970 or go to www.stthomaswhitemarsh.org.
Myrick Conservation Center: Brandywine Red Clay Alliance’s Sounds Under the Stars series presents a free concert of original music and classic rock covers with Shytown at 7:30 p.m. July 27 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
Drexelbrook: Best of the Main Line and Western Suburbs offers food, drinks, salons, music and more 6 to 9 p.m. July 27 at 4700 Drexelbrook Drive, Drexel Hill. Advance tickets are $55, $75 for VIP admission. Visit www.bestofmainline.com or call (610) 325-4630.
Sacred Heart Church: The Festival of Families runs 3 to 11 p.m. July 29 and 3 to 9 p.m. July 30 in the old Sacred Heart School yard across from Sacred Heart Church, 120 Jefferson St., Bridgeport. Featured foods include pierogies, golabki, Italian pork sandwiches, seafood, funnel cake, baked items and more. Live entertainment will be by Where’s Pete on July 29 and AM Radio on July 30. Visit www.unitedinthesacredheart.com.
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.
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
Act II Playhouse: In “Didn’t Your Father Have This Talk with You?”, Tony Braithwaite retells stories from his years teaching theology and sex ed. to high school freshmen through July 30. Performances are at 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. For tickets, call (215) 654-0200 or go to www.act2.org.
The Grand: Missoula Children’s Theatre presents “Rapunzel” at 1 and 7 p.m. July 28 at the theater, 818 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del. Visit www.thegrandwilmington.org/explorers or call (302) 658-7897, ext. 3201.
Agri-tainment
Cherry Crest Adventure Farm: The 22nd annual Amazing Maize Maze is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays. The maze design portrays the characters of “Charlotte’s Web”?in a five-acre field of corn. The 15-acre Adventure Farm features more than 50 family fun activities, games and rides. There are also 10 different food corrals, food wagons and cafes. Cherry Crest Adventure Farm is at 150 Cherry Hill Road, Ronks. Call (866) 546-1799 or visit www.cherrycrestfarm.com.
