The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, September 14-20, 2023

Never Broken: Visualizing Lenape Histories
Through January 14, 2024
James A. Michener Art Museum, 138 South Pine Street, Doylestown

The new exhibition Never Broken explores and addresses the Lenape’s displacement from Lenapehoking through the lens of Lenape art, culture, and critical examinations. The exhibit features recent and newly commissioned works by Ahchipaptunhe (Delaware Tribe of Indians and Cherokee), Joe Baker (Delaware Tribe of Indians), Holly Wilson (Delaware Nation and Cherokee), and Nathan Young (Delaware Tribe of Indians, Pawnee, and Kiowa).

Chasing LOVE with Little Amal
Thursday, September 14, 4-6pm
LOVE Park, 1501 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Philadelphia

The City of Philadelphia Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, in addition to the Office of Immigrant Affairs, are kicking off a series of cultural events this week with Little Amal, a 12-foot-tall puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee girl. Serving as a symbol of refugee rights, the puppet makes its stop in Philly as part of a 6,000-mile journey across the US.

Engoma Enteera
Thursday, September 14, 7:30pm
Calvary Center for Culture and Community, 801 South 48th Street

A free (or pay-what-you-wish) concert featuring classical music from Uganda comes to West Philly this Thursday, with Justinian Tamusuza composing and Na’Zir McFadden serving as conductor.

Wildest Dreams
September 15 through November 12, 2023
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, 1020 South Street, Philadelphia

Magic Gardens opens Ivorian American artist Zeinab Diomande’s new exhibit this weekend. Diomande explores Black womanhood through dreamy, vulnerable self-portraits that honor her childhood and experiences growing up in Côte d’Ivoire. The recent UArts grad has exhibited across the country all the way to London, and was awarded the Mural Arts Fellowship for Black Artists. The opening reception is on Friday, September 15, 6-9pm, and a tour and talk with Diomande happens on Tuesday, September 19, from 6-8pm.

Ernesto’s Club
Friday, September 15, 7-10:30pm
Perkins Center for the Arts, 395 Kings Highway, Moorestown

Rob Curto and Gregg Mervine make up the piano and percussion duo Ernesto’s Club, and they’re bringing choro and samba traditions of Brazil to South Jersey. They’ll be joined by a pair of South Jersey Brazilian artists, Fabio Oliveira and Fernanda da Silveira, for a night of Afro-Brazilian music. There’s a community discussion at 7pm before the show starts.

15th Annual South Street Oktoberfest
Saturday, September 16, 12-8pm
Starting at Brauhaus Schmitz, 718 South Street, Philadelphia

Philly’s biggest Oktoberfest is back—can’t believe we’re here already—and the fest kicks off fall with German beers and food, oom-pah music, face painting, dancers, games, and much more. Folks interested can also pick up VIP tickets, which get them access to the indoor beer hall, an exclusive buffet, a liter mug, merch, and more. The event is free to attend otherwise.