Dia de Los Muertos, ‘Bakkhai Variations,’ AIDS Walk and more this weekend

This weekend in Philly features a variety of selections. The Philadelphia Orchestra plays its support for the Black community, Penn Museum continues its celebration of Dia de Los Muertos, Villanova Theatre opens Bakkhai Variations, and the Academy of Natural Sciences gets its Paleopalooza on. The AIDS Walk also steps in this weekend with a physically distanced plan and a virtual aspect as well.

Support Indigenous people. Stand up for Black women. And have a good weekend while you do so.

Dia de Los Muertos at Penn Museum

The ninth annual festival kicked off this month already but there’s still plenty to explore in this year’s virtual events. Coming up includes an all-ages Ofrenda (altar) workshop hosted by Cesar Viveros, who will teach about the history of altar ritual displays meant to honor the deceased. Additional events include a book club gathering reading The Nine Guardians by Rosario Castellanos, a fireside chat with Mexican artist and CCATE director Obed Arango Hisjara, and more. For the full lineup, times, and tickets, see the schedule online. The celebration runs through October 27.

Fueling creativity with Bakkhai Variations

Villanova Theatre commissioned five alumni to write short plays based on Anne Carson’s adaptation of Euripides’ Bakkhai. Jessica Bedford, Mark Costello, Alexandra Espinoza, Megan Schumacher, and BSR contributor Alix Rosenfeld are featured in the curated event, which starts this Friday, October 16 and runs through Halloween. Register now online.

Virtual Paleopalooza

There are still dinosaurs on the Academy of Natural Sciences tour. If you’re like me and you still have a child-like fascination with all things dino, the Academy’s got you covered with its Paleopalooza Festival starting Saturday, October 17 through Sunday, October 25. See the full lineup online.

AIDS Walk goes virtual

The 34th annual AIDS Walk Philly is going virtual on Sunday, October 18. AIDS Fund will broadcast a video kickoff starting at 8am, then walkers will unite, physically distanced, going the distance in their own neighborhoods. With over 27,000 people living with HIV in the area, AIDS Fund looks to raise funds and awareness, especially in an era exacerbated by COVID. Tune in to the walk, sign up to walk along, and consider donating. You can also reach out by phone, (215) 731-WALK.

Our City, Your Orchestra

This week, and coming up every Monday, The Philadelphia Orchestra runs a series of free online concerts performed by small ensembles and recorded at Black-owned businesses and iconic cultural locations throughout the Philly area. This past week, the ensemble gathered at the Historic Belmont Mansion/Underground Railroad Museum. On Monday, October 19 at 7pm, they’ll pop up at Harriett’s Bookshop. To see this week’s edition, and catch the others, check out the Orchestra online.

Image description: A T-Rex fossil stands in a museum hall, with a sign that says "Dinosaurs and other ancient creatures."