The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, June 19-25, 2025

ON MY DEEN
June 6-28
InterAct Theatre Company at the Drake, 302 South Hicks Street, Philadelphia

This new play, presented by InterAct Theatre Company and Theatre in the X, takes place in West Philly in the spring of 1962, following the story of Faye Ann who has just joined the Nation of Islam, setting her life on a new path. Her best friend Michael wants to be more than friends, but the two can’t agree on religion, politics, or even what makes a good pie. The play asks if these would-be lovers can find each other while seeking their own paths of peace. The production also comes with the launch of the Philly Cycle, InterAct’s new initiative to commission, develop, and produce original plays inspired by and created with underrepresented Philadelphia communities. This performance is a new play written by Antu Yacob and directed by Amina Robinson in collaboration with Philly’s Black Muslim community.

United We Heal Film Festival
June 18, 20
Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill Street

The fourth annual festival returns this weekend, showcasing Black and brown filmmakers from right here in Philly, the US, and the rest of the world. The two-day event starts on Thursday, June 18 with a concert at Underground Arts at 8pm performed by Philly headliners. Then, the screenings happen on Saturday, June 20, featuring social justice-themed shorts, panel discussions, and an audience selected-award.

W.E.B. Du Bois and His Impact on America with David Levering Lewis
Thursday, June 19, 12pm
Streaming online

The National Constitution Center hosts Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David Levering Lewis for a conversation around the life and legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois and also Lewis’ own new memoir, The Stained Glass Window. The event will stream live on Zoom.

Juneteenth at the Museum of the American Revolution
Thursday, June 19
Museum of the American Revolution, 101 South Third Street

The MoAR opens its doors (both in-person and online) for a variety of events in celebration of Juneteenth. A performance portraying the life of Elizabeth Freeman, a Massachusetts woman who sued for her freedom from enslavement and won; a Black Voices of the Revolution gallery tour, pop-up talks, family-friendly and immersive activities at the Museum’s Discovery Center, and more are lined up for the full day.

Juneteenth Block Party at the African American Museum
Thursday, June 19, 12-7pm
African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street

AAMP celebrates Juneteenth with a family-friendly block party that will feature musical performances by DJ Kid Capri, DJ Drama, Slick Rick, and more; along with vendors, food trucks, art-making, interactive activities, and free access to the museum (which begins at 10am on Thursday).

Juneteenth Citywide Festival Series with DisaporaDNA Story Center
June 19, 21
Various locations

DiasporaDNA’s Citywide Festival Series for Juneteenth features events taking place in Philly. The new cultural organization explores family stories and collective memories, and were the hosts of last week’s Penn Museum Juneteenth festival, which we mentioned in last week’s roundup. The celebration and exploration continues with Juneteenth Art’ventures at Mt. Airy Art Garage on Thursday, June 19 from 12-4pm, where visual storytelling with community engagement will demonstrate how art serves as both a means of liberation and a legacy—with the support of Mural Arts Philadelphia. Then, DiasporaDNA participates in the Juneteenth Wine and Arts Festival hosted by the Women’s Coalition for Empowerment on Saturday, June 21 from 1-6pm at Cherry Street Pier. This event by the waterfront blends sophisticated cultural appreciation with artistic expression, creating space for reflection and joy along the Delaware.

More Juneteenth events

Millennial Juneteenth Festival
Thursday, June 19, 1-5pm
1414 South 47th Street

Juneteenth Parade & Festival
Sunday, June 22, 10am-8pm
The Mann Center to Malcolm X Park

Juneteenth Jubilee at Bartram’s Garden
Sunday, June 22, 11am-4pm
5400 Lindbergh Boulevard

Jawnteenth: A Juneteenth and Pride Celebration
Sunday, June 22, 6-9pm
Silk City Diner, 435 Spring Garden Street

Other highlights in Philly

RISK!
Thursday, June 19, 7:00pm
FringeArts, 140 North Columbus Boulevard

RISK! is a live show and podcast where people tell true stories they never thought they’d dare to share in public. The show happens monthly in New York and Los Angeles, and is now coming to Philly, with hosting duties from The Slate’s Kevin Allison.

Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival
June 20-August 31, 2025
Franklin Square, 200 North 6th Street

The Chinese Lantern Festival is back, honoring the Year of the Snake with giant lighted sculptures crafted from steel frames and wrapped in vibrant silk. The 200-foot-long dragon also returns with new lantern displays and more lights than before, tying together more than 1,100 individual sculptures placed in nearly 40 groupings to make a journey through forest-themed displays and an underwater realm. The festival runs through the summer, with events and vendors filling up the weeks.

Going Acoustic at Quig’s
Monday, June 23, 6:30pm
Quig’s Pub at Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey Place

Going Acoustic celebrates three years of making space for new music and emerging artists in the city as they return to Quig’s above Plays & Players on Monday night. The open mic is meant to be a consistent, supportive home for songwriters, poets, and storytellers who want to share works-in-progress and original material. The event is free, with donations encouraged.

The 36th annual Manayunk Arts Festival
June 21, 11am-7pm and June 22, 11am-5pm
Various locations along Main Street

The long-running festival brings around 300 local and nationally known artists and crafters to Main Street for a weekend of arts, crafts, food, merchant specials, live art demonstrations, and more.

Featured image: Historian David Levering Lewis talks W.E.B. Du Bois and his own new memoir. (Image retrieved via Wikimedia Commons.)

Image description: A black and white portrait of W.E.B. Du Bois in a suit against a gray and white backdrop.