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The Mini Art Show, Kyle Ayers: Hard to Say, Under the El Bazaar, and more
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Round, June 26-July 1, 2025
Kyle V. Hiller
Yes, it’s been a scorcher in Philly kicking off the official start of summer, but with somewhat of a cool down imminent, this week is the perfect time to chill. A showcase in West Philly honors the voices of up-and-coming artists in the area; People’s Light gets a little spooky with a cult classic to end its 50th season; and three new exhibits are opening at ArtYard. Then, Kyle Ayers has something that might be Hard to Say, and the Under the El Bazaar returns to Fishtown this weekend (and beyond through the summer).
Be cool, Philly!
Brian House: Synchronizing Uncertainty, Ash Eliza Williams: The Dreams of Small Animals, and Patrick Warner: Art Studio Project
Open now through September/October 2025
ArtYard, 13 Front Street, Frenchtown, NJ
Three new exhibitions are coming to ArtYard this summer. Brian House: Synchronizing Uncertainty invites visitors into a space populated with hundreds of electronic circuits generating periodic, oscillating signals—each pulsing with its own light and synthesized sound. The circuits attempt to find “an elusive equilibrium” that changes as visitors move through the space. Ash Eliza Williams: The Dreams of Small Animals investigates the perceptual experiences of other creatures through paintings arranged in a film sequence format to imagine the dreams of a beetle, a frog, a flower, and a bird. And finally, Patrick Warner: Art Studio Project is a love letter to Van Gogh featuring portraits made in conversation with historical paintings of the Dutch Golden Age and French Impressionism.
A Raisin in the Sun
June 25-July 13
Schubert Theatre, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley, PA
Lorraine Hansberry’s classic comes to the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival’s summer theater series. Directed by Akeem Davis, the play centers the members of the Younger family as they dream big in their tiny apartment in the south side of Chicago after a life-changing insurance check arrives.
Little Shop of Horrors
June 25 through August 3, 2025
People’s Light, 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, PA
People’s Light ends its 50th anniversary season with the cult classic Little Shop of Horrors, running through early August. The dark comedy will also come with themed events, from Ladies’ Night on Wednesday, June 25, a post-show talkback on Thursday, June 26, a musical theater trivia night on Friday, June 27, and Pride Night on Saturday, June 28. A relaxed performance is scheduled for later this summer on Sunday, July 27 with audio description, ASL interpretation, and a pre-show sensory tour where guests can interact with the set and ask questions.
The Mini Art Show
Opening Friday, June 27, 6-9pm
At My House, 760 South 4th Street
Vintage shop and creative space At My House hosts a group exhibition celebrating the charm of small-scale creativity. The exhibition features art pieces no larger than three-by-three inches. Opening night happens this Friday, and it runs through the next month.
The Sublime Narrative of Self-Emancipation
Friday, June 27, 6:30-8pm
Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1300 Locust Street
Coming in tandem with Black Music Month and the Society’s summer exhibit Voices of the Community: Local Black Preservation is an artist talk with artist Curlee Raven Holton, African American Museum in Philadelphia CEO Dr. Ashley Jordan, and HSP librarian and CEO David Brigham. Holton will discuss his new book The Sublime Narrative of Self Emancipation, which draws on the Society’s abolitionist collections and the rich traditions of Black spirituals.
Kyle Ayers: Hard to Say
June 27-28, 8pm
Skinner Studio at Plays & Players, 1714 Delancey Street
Kyle Ayers is here to poke fun at trigeminal neuralgia, a rare nerve disorder known as suicide disease. This comedy comes to Plays & Players for two nights, showcasing his experience living with the disease, getting misdiagnosed for years, getting brain surgery, the successful brain surgery eventually wearing off, and what life looks like when you have tried everything and nothing works.
The Under the El Bazaar
Saturday June 28, 12-7pm
July 26, August 23, 12-7pm
North Front Street from Cecil B. Moore Avenue to Palmer Street
The Under the El Bazaar monthly series returns to Fishtown with pop-up shopping, street performers, live music, and more for a family-friendly takeover of the streets.
An immigrant rights photo sale fundraiser
Saturday, June 28, 12:30-5:30pm
Philadelphia Ethical Society, 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia
Artists will gather on Saturday afternoon to raise funds for immigrant rights organizations, selling photography to help communities at risk.
Into the Spotlight
Saturday, June 28, 5pm
Church of Christian Compassion, 6121 Cedar Avenue
Twenty West Philly teens take the stage for a showcase celebrating voices and community through original solo pieces that explore a variety of themes: from hair positivity for Black girls, Black kid joy, to comedy showcasing young wit and creativity.
Facing the Wind
Tuesday, July 1, 7pm
FringeArts, 140 North Columbus Boulevard
The Women’s Film Festival, Mind’s Eye Productions, and ARTZ Philadelphia present the Philadelphia premiere of Facing the Wind, a new documentary that explores the emotional realities of Lewy body dementia, caregiving, and the communities that form when people come together. The screening comes with a Q&A with Philly-based filmmaker and producer Tony Heriza, director Deidre Fishel, and Linda Szypula from Plymouth Meeting—whose story is featured in the film.
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