Citywide festivals and family fun

The days are sunny, the nights are warm, and the calendar is full. Welcome to the dog days of summer in Philly. Greater Philadelphia embraces summer’s peak with a new festival. The citywide Arts & Culture Recovery Week event series supports and celebrates free arts-and-music programming.
You might have caught the final spin around the Rothman Orthopedics Roller Rink or the last days of the Pirates experience at Adventure Aquarium, which wrapped up last week. Here is something you can still catch…
Linvilla Orchards and Peddler’s Village celebrate all things blueberry with fresh fruit and live music;
Race Street Pier hosts free fitness classes; and
The Philadelphia Argentine Tango School kicks off 10-days of events and performances around the city.
Starting (Monday, July 19) The Moonstone Art Center will hold its 25th anniversary of PoetryInk Anthology, annual poetry reading with showcases from famous and up-and-coming poets. This year, the event returns in a multiday virtual format via Zoom with more than 100 poets, including the renowned Sonia Sanchez, who is confirmed to read her poetry on July 23. (Free, July 19-24, 7 p.m.).

For over a century, Crayola has sparked imagination and ignited creativity all over the world. Best known for their iconic box of crayons, the spectrum of Crayola products is rooted in innovation and invention. Discover the next evolution of Crayola in the blockbuster museum experience, Crayola IDEAworks: The Creativity Exhibition, at the Philadelphia Franklin Institute, 20th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway now thru Sunday, November 28, 2021.
In its exclusive, limited run in Philadelphia, the exhibition will inspire visitors of all ages to develop and expand their creative skills through a multitude of activities that will stimulate the senses while empowering creativity and imagination.
Crayola IDEAworks showcases the ways that anyone can be creative. By combining one’s strengths and increasing self-confidence, anyone can create the ultimate opportunity to display inspiration and expressiveness.
Featuring a fusion of cutting-edge technology with state-of-the-art exhibits, Crayola IDEAworks sets the new standard for interactive educational entertainment.

If music and entertainment are what you want, then here are a few concerts you don’t want to miss. On Thurs., August 5, at 7 p.m. The Dell Music Center, 2400 Strawberry Mansion Dr, will feature sultry singer Tank and on Thurs. August 19, 7–11 p.m. check out the Isley Brothers.
Head across the bridge on Sat., Sept. 4 for Maroon 5 at BB&T Pavilion in Camden, NJ at 7 p.m., or to Parx Racing in Bensalem, PA for Kool & The Gang, Sun., Sept.5 and Mon., Sept 6.
Lastly, Fri, Oct 29, 7:30 p.m. make plans to be at The Lit AF Tour hosted by Martin Lawrence, originally scheduled for April 4, 2020, at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, PA, which has been rescheduled for Friday, October 29, 2021.
This summer, every weekend is something to celebrate. Make it awesome.

If you’re out and about this week and weekend, you know the drill:
Mask-wearing and advance tickets or reservations remain recommended or necessary at many spots. Your best bet is, Plan ahead.
Let’s wrap it up with a big Congratulations to Carol Riddick, who guest hosted for WURD as part of Their Music Movement on July 5. Carol along with several special hosts celebrated Independence Day as they discussed the history and impact of different genres of music.
Well, That’s the Philly Beat. Make sure you tune into WURD 96.1 FM for the New World View with Dave Barnes and Yanina Carter on, third Sundays, 8 to 11 pm. This past week we had Entertainer Rockin Ramon, Actress and Teacher Amina Robinson, and Sports Extraordinaire Napoleon Kingcade.