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Spring Fest, Difficult Grace, and the annual Freedom Seder
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, April 11-17, 2024
Kyle V. Hiller
This week in Philly, we’ve got a weekend film festival with movies hot in the festival circuit, a Broadway cabaret by one of Philly’s own, a multimedia cellist performance, and the long-running Freedom Seder at the Weitzman. The roundup also reaches out to our friendly neighbors with a mixed media illustration exhibit opening in Hatboro, a classic theater piece in Newark, and a retreat in New Jersey.
Have fun, Philly!
Difficult Grace
Thursday, April 11, 7pm
Zellerbach Theater at Penn Live Arts, 3680 Walnut Street, Philadelphia
Grammy-nominated cellist Seth Parker Woods and dancer Roderick George come together for Difficult Grace, a multimedia concert tour exploring identity, history, and personal growth. The performance blends film, music, spoken word, dance, and visual arts to capture the inspiration from the Great Migration and the poetry of Kemi Alabi and Dudley Randall.
Deathtrap
April 11-28, 2024
Resident Ensemble Players, 110 Orchard Road, Newark
The dark comedy thriller comes to Resident Ensemble Players this week, telling the story of once-famous playwright Sidney Bruhl, who contemplates stealing a script sent by a former student that has the makings of a Broadway hit. Previews begin this Thursday and Friday, with opening night arriving on Saturday.
Spring Fest 2024
April 12-14, 2024
Philadelphia Film Center, 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
Philadelphia Film Society hosts its annual Spring Fest this weekend, featuring films currently running in the international festival circuit. Each film this week will be a Philadelphia premiere, including 10 features, documentaries, and foreign films.
G I R L C O D E
April 13-June 2, 2024
Gacha Gallery, 51 North York Road, Hatboro
G I R L C O D E is a new solo exhibition by illustrator Jessica Luna (also known as eatslugs) that blends digital and traditional mixed media paintings to exude a vibrant palette of color and emotion—lots of pinks, reds, purples, and warm tones—drawing comparisons to Satoshi Kon (one of my personal favorite writers and illustrators). The opening reception is this Saturday, April 13 from 4pm to 6pm.
Recorder Fest!
Saturday, April 13, 3-8pm
Settlement Music School, 416 Queen Street, Philadelphia
After a hiatus starting since the beginning of the pandemic, Piffaro’s Recorder Fest! finally returns. The free-to-all event invites musicians of every skill level and age to come play and perform with one another.
Garden Retreat
Saturday, April 13, 8am-12pm
Grounds for Sculpture, 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton
Need a chance to step away from the world, even for just one morning? Then check out Grounds for Sculpture’s upcoming Garden Retreat | Mind + Body gathering this weekend. The retreat will offer opportunities to explore your physical and mental health through nature walks, yoga, Tai Chi, art-making, and more.
Freedom Seder
Sunday, April 14, 6pm
Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 South Independence Mall East, Philadelphia
The Weitzman invites people of all backgrounds to join in for its annual Freedom Seder, an evening featuring storytellers, speakers, and musicians as they reflect on traditional Passover themes. This year boasts stories from members of Mural Arts Philadelphia’s Restorative Justice Program, poetry from spoken-word artist Vanessa Hidary (aka the Hebrew Mamita), and music from Philadelphia’s own Snacktime. Dinner will be served halfway through the show.
Rittenhouse Grill’s Cabaret Series: An Evening with Me
Monday, April 15, 6pm
Rittenhouse Grill, 1701 Locust Street, Philadelphia
Tony-award-nominee and Philly’s own Andrea McArdle takes the stage at this edition of Rittenhouse Grill’s Cabaret Series. The series promotes a three-course meal, the performance, and a meet-and-greet with the performer.
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