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Two clown acts, Black + Gold Artists Exchange, Good Grief!, and more from BSR
BSR Weekly roundup November 11-17
Vicky Díaz-Camacho
Let’s keep our arts prescription going this week, as we adjust to these seemingly shorter days and Seasonal Affective Disorder (for some of us) may try to claw us down. This week, we’re exploring clown shows that juxtapose joy and sadness with whimsy (fun fact: healthcare clowns exist, because some studies point to humor as a way to alleviate depression and sadness), meeting new artists, and getting into thoughtful intersectional spaces that inform art.
Activating thoughtful and artful exchange
The Black + Gold Artists Exchange opening reception and exhibit pop-ups
Friday, November 13, 2026, 6-8pm
Exhibition hours are Saturday, November 14, noon to 6 pm, and Sunday, November 11-1pm
Asian Arts Initiative, 1219 Vine Street, Philadelphia
Free
Black + Gold Artists Exchange co-curators Michelle Myers and Romana Lee-Akiyama have been working with four artists to examine the intersections of the Black and Asian experience, identities, and histories. This opening reception pulls together works by these artists, who are Gina Kim, Kara Mshinda, Anula Shetty, and Marquis Wright-Lee. The program’s focus is on the exchange of practices through art and collaboration, aiming to forge stronger bonds among artists who are interested in Philadelphia’s multicultural past and present. The reception and exhibition are free and open to the public. RSVP and more info here.
Lucky Girl Market
Saturday, November 14, 2026, 11am-5pm
Cherry Street Pier, 121 North Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia
Free (noon-5pm), $5 for early-bird entry (11am-noon)
This is for all you vintage and crafty people! If you need a space where you can meander, peruse, and simply be in an open-air space, head to Cherry Street Pier on Saturday for a Medieval-themed shopping experience. Bonus: You can walk outside, look at the ducks floating down the river, and get some sun. Low risk, high reward. We love to support our local makers and vintage curators—this coming from someone who once operated her own pop-up vintage shop. It is a labor of love and such a great opportunity to find eco-conscious gifts for family and friends. If you’ve been needing to buy that birthday gift or do your holiday shopping, this is a good first stop.
Good Grief!
Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14 at 8pm
(cocktail hour starts at 6:30pm)
Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 North American Street, Philadelphia
Tickets are sliding scale $20-4; no-one turned away for lack of funds.
Directed by Francesca Montanile Lyons, and presented by Rough & Tumble Productions, Good Grief! is a show tackling themes of pain and pleasure, loss and love, with a bit of humor and theatrics. Set in the beautiful Christ Church Neighborhood House, the show was part of Philly’s Fringe Cannonball Fest in 2022, having toured to neighboring cities Baltimore and Providence. Consider this weekend’s show its homecoming. The show is created and performed by Dylan Smythe and Lillian Ransijn, and sure to be a communal experience full of surprises! Before the show, hang out with other attendees for a cocktail hour, including a live performance by LizDeLise, and signature cocktails Clown's Tears and A Fistful of Punch. Food and drink proceeds support Rough & Tumble Productions. Tickets should be purchased in advance here.
The Barnes Foundation's annual Young Professionals Night
Friday, November 13, 2026, 7-11pm
$35; members and students $20; Contemporaries free
It is time for the Barnes Foundation’s night dedicated to young professionals who love art and love to mingle. The price of the ticket includes access to the museum’s special exhibition, Noguchi to Asawa: Designing Postwar America.There will be music, small snacks, and drinks. Tickets come with a complimentary glass of champagne. Whatever you’re feeling, this is a great opportunity to get out of the house, peruse some art, and find some new artsy friends.
How to Become a Saint (while wearing pants)
Fern Room at The Trestle Inn, 339 N 11th St (second floor, elevator available)
Friday, November 13, 2026 at 7pm, and Saturday, November 14, 2026 at 6pm and 8:30pm
$15, $25, $40 or pay-what-you-can
How to Become a Saint (while wearing pants), a clown and physical theater piece, is about to grace the Trestle Inn’s glorious stage this weekend. The NYC Fringe Fest-winning production is in Philly for two nights only, offering audiences three chances to see the shows. Producer Danielle Levsky described the premise in an email: “The show follows three saints whose lives turned on a major transition: St. Marinos, who went from woman to monk; Margery Kempe, who went from mother to virgin; and Joan of Arc, who went from country girl to gender-nonconforming military leader.” Tickets are sliding scale, with the Pay What You Can option left completely up to you. Purchase in advance here.
Tyler School of Art and Architecture MFA Open Studios
Tyler School of Art and Architecture, 2001 N. 13th Street, Philadelphia
Friday, November 13 | 5–8 p.m.
Free
RSVP to get a peek at some of Philly’s newest and up-and-coming artists. Tyler School of Art and Architecture presents its MFA open house, which has on display 46 artists' works in progress. From ceramics, to photography, to textiles, the show has it all. This is a great opportunity to connect with young artists who are about to hit the scene and talk to them about their work.
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