FESTIVALS
Spruce Street Harbor Park Opening Day It’s back! Everyone’s favorite summertime destination on the Delaware Waterfront returns three weeks earlier than usual this Friday. This year’s Spruce Street Harbor Park will look similar to past years’, with more than 50 hammocks hanging from luminated trees, family-friendly games along the Boardwalk Arcade and the floating beer gardens, where you can lounge with food and drinks from Distrito Taco and Village Burger, among others. The park will be open throughout the summer for your lounging and hammock-nabbing pleasures. South Street Spring Festival South Street makes the arrival of spring official Saturday with its annual and hugely attended South Street Spring Festival. Highlights this year include bites and sips from more than 30 restaurants, bars and food trucks; live musical performances; and Brauhaus Schmitz’s jovial German Maifest, where you can try 21 beers, fill up on food and take a twirl around Philadelphia’s largest maypole. The first annual Taco Eating Contest challenges brave souls to wolf down a “Philly taco,” an oversized Lorenzo & Sons pizza slice wrapped around a cheesesteak from Jim’s Steaks. The Philaderby Kentucky Derby Festival Grab yourself a mint julep and squeeze the phrase “bless your heart” into your vocabulary for The Philaderby’s Kentucky Derby bash at the Piazza in Northern Liberties. The Run for the Roses will be screened live on the Jumbotron while dapperly dressed folks mingle, play games and enjoy live music. Proceeds from the party benefit For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation. CINCO DE MAYO
Cinco de Mayo Block Party Ranstead Street will be hopping Thursday afternoon with revelers attending El Rey’s second annual Cinco de Mayo Block Party. Jam to the sounds of a mariachi band as you chug margaritas and munch on Mexican street fare, like tacos, quesadillas and churros. The affair turns into a dance party after 6 p.m. when the DJ rolls in. HAPPY HOUR
Our Night Out Philly Mingle with local LGBTQ folks at this monthly happy hour that doubles as a networking opportunity and chance to support a local charity. La Peg will serve up light fare and cocktails as you make your rounds. The event benefits Delaware Valley Legacy Fund, a nonprofit committed to generating support for LGBTQ organizations in the region. SHOPPING
Spring Art Star Craft Bazaar Northern Liberties boutique Art Star brings back its spring craft bazaar just in time for Mother’s Day weekend. Invite mom along for a day of browsing and shopping. There will be more than 100 local and national artists selling unique handmade goods—everything from home wares to clothing to jewelry. Pro tip: Get there early. The first 150 guests each day will receive a free tote bag stuffed with $5 Art Star Bucks and other small goodies. MUSIC
Art After 5: From Mod to Motown Philly’s tallest, hairiest drag queen, Martha Graham Cracker, performs in the Great Stair Hall of the Philadelphia Museum of Art to celebrate the museum’s latest exhibit, “International Pop.” To fit the retro pop-art theme, Miss Graham Cracker will croon tunes from the ’60s—everything from Motown to British Invasion to psychedelia. Between sets, swing in to check out the exhibit, which closes on May 15. MOVIES
”Purple Rain” Screening The Philadelphia Film Society knows you’re sad about the passing of Prince, so they’re bringing back to the big screen a showing of “Purple Rain.” The 1984 musical drama is semi-autobiographical, following The Kid (Prince) and his band the Revolution as they navigate the competitive Minneapolis music scene. It brought us hits like “Let’s Go Crazy” and “When Doves Cry” and made mothers across the country melt in their mom jeans. Advance tickets are sold out, but show up 30 minutes before showtime to take your chance at snagging a rush ticket. BOOKS
Arianna Huffington Huffington Post doyenne Arianna Huffington comes to Philly to discuss her latest book, The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life, One Night at a Time. The work aims to help readers “renew our relationship with sleep” and, as a result, “take back control of our lives.” TV personality Tracey Matisak will lead the conversation, and Ms. Huffington will stick around to sign books afterward. DANCE
“Hollywood” Burgeoning contemporary jazz dance troupe Roger Lee Dance Company stages five new pieces of choreography that explore the highs and lows of making it big in Hollywood. The show concerns an intrepid starlet as she looks for success in Tinsel Town, and features routines from Flo Motion Dance Company and more.
May 6, 11 a.m.
Spruce Street Harbor Park
401 S. Columbus Blvd., 215-922-2FUN
Free
May 7, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
South Street, between 8th and Front streets
Free
May 7, 3-7 p.m.
Piazza at Schmidt’s
1040 N. American St.
$40-$60
May 5, noon-10 p.m.
Ranstead Street, between 20th and 21st streets, 215-563-3330
Free
May 5, 6-9 p.m.
La Peg at FringeArts
140 N. Columbus Blvd., 215-375-7744
$5
May 7-8, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing
101 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd.
Free
May 6, 5 p.m.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., 215-763-8100
Free after $20 museum admission
May 5, 7:30 p.m.
Prince Theater
1412 Chestnut St., 267-239-2941
$10
May 6, 7:30 p.m.
Central Branch of the Free Library
1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322
$30
May 6-7, 8 p.m.
The Performance Garage
1515 Brandywine St.
$20-$25
Spruce Street Harbor Park reopens and more to do in Philly
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