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Dancing dabke with El-Funoun, Philly Bookstore Crawl, and Urban Arts Fest 52
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, August 21-September 3

The unofficial end of summer is nearly upon us, and as the weather breaks away from the dog days (hopefully), it is certainly starting to feel like there is a shift in the air. Here at BSR, the team took two weeks off to recuperate—it’s been a hefty year, and the break couldn’t have been more welcome. As we gently tap the play button and resume the flow, here are picks for happenings throughout the rest of the month.
Fringe is right around the corner, which means we’ll be starting previews next week! Keep an eye out for that. But for now, let’s show love to the rest of Philly.
Hung Liu: Happy and Gay
Through Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Arthur Ross Gallery at the University of Pennsylvania, 220 S 34th Street, Philadelphia
This exhibition brings together the paintings and prints of the late, renowned Chinese American artist Hung Liu. The images adapt and subvert Maoist children’s book illustrations and propaganda cartoons published during the 1950s.
El-Funoun Dabke Workshops
August 20-22, 2025
Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture, 310 W Master Street, Philadelphia
Al-Bustan hosts three dabke workshops led by members of the El-Funoun Palestinian Popular Dance Troupe. The workshops, one running each of the days listed, are designed for dancers of all levels and teach foundational dabke steps, improvisational techniques, and the cultural significance of Palestinian dabke.
The Philly Bookstore Crawl
Saturday, August 23
Various locations and times
The Philadelphia Bookstore Crawl is back for its third year, and participating bookstores around town are hosting special events. There’s no specific trail to follow or a group to meet up with—it’s a city-wide celebration that you can be a part of in many places around Philly. The usual suspects will be participating, but maybe this is a chance to find something new or off your beaten path? Check out the full lineup online (which highlights which stores are accessible).
Summer of Love Music Festival
Saturday, August 23, 2-10pm
Haddon Avenue between Strawbridge Avenue and Cooper Street, Haddon Township
Haddon Township’s Summer of Love Music Festival returns this weekend, bringing music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s to town. A beer garden, food trucks, family-friendly activities, and more are also lined up for the annual festival, which is free and open to the public.
Laurel Hill Mansion summer concert
Sunday, August 24, 2pm
Laurel Hill Mansion, 3487 Edgley Drive, Philadelphia
Laurel Hill’s Music in the Afternoon at Laurel Hill Mansion summer concert series concludes this weekend with a concert by composer, guitarist, and educator Allen Krantz. Krantz will be performing Bach, Domenico Scarlatti, Mauro Giuliani, and Isaac Albéniz, and the concert will be followed by a reception and a meet-and-greet with Krantz. Guests are also encouraged to check out Timeline, an outdoor sculpture exhibit on the mansion grounds on view through the fall.
Clapping for Nature
Saturday, August 30, 6pm
Pickleball Courts at FDR Park, 1500 Pattison Avenue, Philadelphia
This eco-somatic performance invites attendees to join in a moving practice of gratitude for the land in connection with ongoing efforts to Save the Meadows. Save the Meadows is a grassroots coalition opposing the privatization and destruction of FDR Park, South Philly’s largest urban woodland. Folks are encouraged to bring clothes you can move in—including long pants and sturdy shoes you don’t mind getting muddy or dirty.
vanessa german at Rowan University
September 2 through November 1, 2025
Rowan University Art Gallery and Museum, 301 High Street, Glassboro
This new exhibit from Pittsburgh native vanessa german employs mineral crystals, beads, glass, found objects, and other materials to create figurative sculptures that transmit healing energy. An opening reception with an artist talk is happening on Wednesday, September 10, from 5pm to 7pm.
Quick hits
Philadelphia Comedy Festival
August 21-29, 2025
Various locations
Philadelphia’s comedy scene is on full display here with a variety of events happening throughout the city.
Physical Media Swap
Thursday, August 21, 3-9pm
Funhouse Gallery, 2576 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia
Bring VHS, cassettes, CDs, video games, records, and DVDs to swap at this free event for physical media enthusiasts (like me!).
Publishing Salon: Book Reviewing
Thursday, August 21, 5:30-7:30pm
Philosophical Hall at the American Philosophical Society, 104 S 5th Street, Philadelphia
The American Philosophical Society hosts its fourth publishing salon of the year, and this edition focuses on book reviewing.
Bitter Kalli signing Mounted
Thursday, August 21, 6-7:30pm
Philly AIDS Thrift at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S 12th Street, Philadelphia
Essayist and art critic Bitter Kalli’s new book contends the horse should be regarded as a critical source of power and identity in Black life.
Second annual Urban Art Fest 52
Saturday, August 23, 12-7pm
Urban Art Gallery, 262 S 52nd Street, Philadelphia
Over 50 local and emerging artists, interactive art stations for kids, live bands, and more will shut down the street in celebration of creativity, music, and community in West Philly.
Uptight
Wednesday, August 27, 6pm
The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia
The Black Alliance for Peace screens Uptight, the 1968 classic collaboration between actress Ruby Dee and director Jules Dassin.
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