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| Photo by A. Sinagoga for VISIT PHILADELPHIA® |
In 2015, Philadelphia marks the 50th Anniversary of the Gay Rights Movement with a year of commemorative exhibitions at major institutions and a Fourth of July weekend full of special events, including a re-enactment of the first “Annual Reminder,” which took place in front of Independence Hall on July 4, 1965.
Add to that landmark celebration a calendar of weekly parties, annual gay pride events, eye-popping art exhibitions and celebrity-studded film and theater festivals. Take a look at some big events in May, June and July 2015 after the jump.
MAY 2015
Through May 10, 2015INK AND GOLD: ART OF THE KANO. Japan’s remarkable painters, The Kano Family, produced distinctive art that endured for 400 years. With 120 works on display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the exhibit details a journey that started as a family studio and grew into a legacy of professionalism that set standards for future generations. (215) 763-8100, philamuseum.com
May 3, 2015
BROAD STREET RUN. The 35th annual run, which raises money for the American Cancer Society, spans 10 miles from Olney to South Philadelphia. (215) 683-3594, broadstreetrun.com
May 8-9, 2015
ABERDEEN DAD VAIL REGATTA. The largest collegiate regatta in the world takes place on the Schuylkill River and attracts more than 3,000 competitors from 125 colleges across the country and Canada. (215) 542 -1443, dadvail.org
May 9, 2015-January 3, 2016
GENGHIS KHAN. Visitors to The Franklin Institute discover the story of an unsophisticated warrior who created an empire that led the world into the modern age. (215) 448-1200, fi.edu
May 10-17, 2015
NEW HOPE CELEBRATES PRIDE. This annual New Hope, Bucks County event includes the Pride Parade, athletic events, performances, a dance and more. (215) 431-6674, newhopecelebrates.com
May 12-June 12, 2015
MEMPHIS. From the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee is a rock ‘n roll musical at the Walnut Street Theatre that bursts off the stage with explosive dancing, irresistible songs and a thrilling tale of fame and love. Inspired by actual events, Memphis is about a radio DJ who wants to change the world and a club singer who is ready for her big break. (215) 574-3550, walnutstreettheatre.org
May 15-June 7, 2015
ANNUAL STUDENT EXHIBITION. The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the country’s oldest and largest art museum and school, previews the works of third- and fourth-year art students during this 114th annual exhibition. (215) 972-7600, pafa.org
May 16-August 30, 2015
ANIMAL GROSSOLOGY. Based on the bestselling children’s book series Grossology by Sylvia Branzei, this exhibition at The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University celebrates the slimiest and yuckiest creatures on earth with hands-on learning games and much more. (215) 299-1000, ansp.org
May 16-17, 2015
SOUTH 9TH STREET ITALIAN MARKET FESTIVAL. This annual festival features live entertainment, games and food, plus the Italian Market’s dazzling array of homemade sausages, delicious cannolis, imported meats and cheeses, luscious cappuccino, butcher-cut beef and poultry, specialty cookware and fresh pastas. (215) 545-4543, italianmarketfestival.com
May 20-June 14, 2015
THE LION KING. Audiences will discover the amazing circle of life at Academy of Music during this spectacle of animals, pulsating rhythms of the African Pride Lands and an unforgettable score in this Tony Award®-winning Broadway sensation. (215) 893-1999, kimmelcenter.org
May 21-31, 2015
DEVON HORSE SHOW AND COUNTRY FAIR. The country’s oldest and largest event of its kind features hunters, jumpers, Saddlebreds, four-in-hand coaching, exhibitions and an old-fashioned fair at the Devon Show Grounds. (610) 964-0550, devonhorseshow.net
May 23-25 2015
BRANDYWINE RIVER MUSEUM ANTIQUES SHOW. Outstanding furniture, glass, metalware, ceramics, folk art, quilts and other fine antiques from across the nation are featured at the Brandywine River Museum. (610) 388-2700, brandywinemuseum.org
May 30-June 8, 2015
Philly Beer Week. The eighth annual celebration of the city’s vibrant beer culture features events ranging from tastings of locally crafted brews in cozy neighborhood taprooms to educational offerings like guided tastings and lectures or prix-fixe beer-pairing dinners. phillybeerweek.org
JUNE 2015
June 1-Septmeber 15, 2015Speaking Out for EQUALITY: the Constitution, Gay Rights, AND the Supreme Court. In honor of the 50th anniversary of one of the nation’s first gay rights demonstrations, this exhibit at the National Constitution Center addresses the Reminder Day demonstrations outside of Independence Hall and explores the impact the demonstrations had on the gay rights movement. (215) 409-6700, constitutioncenter.org
June 14, 2015
40th Anniversary of the ODUNDE FESTIVAL. The largest African-American street festival on the East Coast comes to South Street during this annual event that features cultural, historical and family-friendly events. (215) 732-8510, odundefestival.org
June 14, 2015
PRIDEDAY LGBT PARADE AND FESTIVAL. Celebrate gay pride with live music, food, drinks and the annual parade that marches on from 13th and Locust to Penn’s Landing. Fran Dresher to headline. (215) 875-9288, phillypride.org
June 16, 2015
BLOOMSDAY. James Joyce fans spend the day outside The Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia to hear some of Philadelphia’s most interesting personalities read the author’s classic novel Ulysses during this open-air festival.(215) 732-1600, rosenbach.org
June 20-21, 2015
MANAYUNK ARTS FESTIVAL. Featuring nearly 300 artists from around the country, along with crafts, food and music, this two-day festival runs along bustling Main Street in Philadelphia’s Manayunk neighborhood.(215) 482-9565, manayunk.com
June 24-September 13, 2015
DISCOVERING THE IMPRESSIONISTS: PAUL DURAND-RUEL AND THE NEW PAINTING.
Durand-Ruel’s role in the impressionism movement gets the spotlight at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The exhibition includes important works, historical photographs and documents by Durand-Ruel, as well as other influential artists such as Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Edgar Degas. (215) 763-8100, philamuseum.org
June 25-28 2015
TALL SHIPS® PHILADELPHIA CAMDEN. Tall ships from around the world come to both the Philadelphia and Camden waterfronts in collaboration with the Adventure Aquarium, Coopers Ferry, Delaware River Waterfront Corporation and Independence Seaport Museum. An exact replica of L’Hermione, the ship that helped win the Revolutionary War, leads the long-awaited weekend festival. (215) 413-8655, phillyseaport.org
June 27-July 4, 2015
WAWA WELCOME AMERICA! Celebrating the nation’s birthday, Wawa Welcome America!is a multi-day party with free events for all ages throughout the city—including concerts, a parade and fireworks. welcomeamerica.com
JULY 2015
July 2-4, 201550th Anniversary LGBT Civil Rights Celebration.
Thursday, July 2:
- Nationally renowned legal experts will discuss the state of gay rights across the country as part of a National Legal Panel at the National Museum of American Jewish History. 6:30-7:45 p.m. Later that night, the museum moves from serious to seriously fun for its LGBT Party. 10:00-11:30 p.m. 101 S. Independence Mall East, (215) 923-3811, nmajh.org
- Political analysts take the stage for a National Politics Panel at Congress Hall, where Congress held its first sessions from 1790 to 1800. 8:15-9:30 p.m. 6th & Chestnut Streets, (215) 965-2305, nps.gov/inde
- The first openly gay Episcopal bishop, Bishop Gene Robinson will deliver a sermon during a National Interfaith Service at Christ Church, where George Washington and Betsy Ross once worshipped.4:00-5:00 p.m. 20 N. American Street, (215) 922-1695, christchurchphila.org
- The local NPR and PBS affiliate, WHYY will screen Gay Pioneers. The documentary about the Annual Reminders explains how the Philadelphia protests laid the groundwork for Stonewall in 1969. A sure-to-be-insightful discussion will follow. 7:00-8:30 p.m. 150 N. 6th Street, (215) 351-1200, whyy.org
- The Live Nation 50th Anniversary Concert goes down at the Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing. Performers to be announced. 8:00 p.m. Columbus Boulevard & Spring Garden Street, festivalpierphilly.com
- The annual Celebration of Freedom Ceremony at Independence Hall, part of the city’s Wawa Welcome America! Fourth of July bash, marks the nation’s birthday with music, speeches and readings from the Declaration of Independence. This year’s event will pay homage to the Reminder Day demonstrations. 10:00 a.m. Later in the day, Equality Forum will host the official 50th Anniversary Ceremony, complete with a stirring re-enactment. 3:00-4:00 p.m. Chestnut Street between 5th & 6th Streets, welcomeamerica.com
- A wreath-laying ceremony will commemorate the protests at the Gay Rights Demonstrations Historical Marker, which was erected 10 years ago for the 40th anniversary of the first Reminder Day. 2:00-2:30 p.m. 6th & Chestnut Streets
- The Annual Reminder Block Party takes over Philadelphia’s famed Gayborhood. Vendors, food, music and plenty of pro-gay organizations will celebrate half a century of progress. Noon-6:00 p.m. 12th & Walnut Streets, phillygaypride.org
QFLIX PHILADELPHIA. This annual festival celebrates all genres of film that pertain to or were created by members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. This year’s venues are clustered along and near the Avenue of the Arts: Kimmel Center, Prince Music Theater and University of the Arts. qflixphilly.com
Planning a visit? The Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package™ includes a two-night stay for any two consecutive nights of the week, a welcome gift and free hotel parking (up to a $100 value at Center City hotels)—a hard-to-resist perk for those traveling from the Philadelphia suburbs, New Jersey, New York, Washington, DC and other nearby destinations. The package will be offered by hotels—based upon availability—all year long. Booking information is available at visitphilly.com/overnight.
