Food and drink
Philadelphia Zoo Summer Ale Festival
Saturday, 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Advance tickets required:
$60-$90 ($39 for designated drivers)
After the field trips go home, the zoo turns into a mega beer garden this Saturday with craft brews from over 20 local breweries to pair up with nibbles from more than 30 restaurants. And, of course, we can’t forget about the lions — try finding another place to drink with lions this weekend.
Farm to Fork Week
Through Saturday
www.sjhotchefs.com
This annual partnership between South Jersey farmers and chefs is back, with more than 30 restaurants offering special menus starring local ingredients. Participants serving the four-course menus ($25-$35) include Caffe Aldo Lamberti, Arugula and Carolina Blue, while 1895 Organic Farm, Hunters Farm, Muth Family Farm and Spinella Farm are providing the goods.
University City Dining Days
Through July 28
Summer is the prime time to sample what University City’s restaurants and bars have to offer. For an extra bonus, do it now while many are offering special three-course menus for three different prices. In the $15 range, try Tria’s new sibling across the river, Biba, or go west with Dock Street. On the higher end, neighborhood fave Rx has a $25 menu, and JG Domestic is offering a $30 prix fixe.
Films
Awesome Fest: ‘Orbit’
Sunday, 7:30 p.m.
The Piazza at Schmidts
www.theawesomefest.com
This new, free outdoor series from PUFF and Philly CineFest artistic director Josh Goldbloom brings both obscure indies and more mainstream films to the Piazza’s gigantic screen. This week, stop by for “Orbit,” a story of the solar system told through short films about each planet. And yes — Pluto is on the bill.
Movie Monday: ‘Arthur’
Monday, 8 p.m.
The Trocadero
$3 (goes toward a drink)
Russell Brand flicks are what the Troc’s delightfully rowdy Movie Monday series were made for. This week, they screen this remake starring Brand as a childish billionaire and Helen Mirren as his sassy caretaker.
Arts
Shakespeare in Clark Park
Through Sunday
Free, Chester Ave. and 43rd streets
www.shakespeareinclarkpark.org
This magical West Philly series is back with an outdoor performance of the Bard’s “Much Ado About Nothing.”
BalletX: Summer Series 2011
Through Sunday
The Wilma Theater
$20-$30
Two world premieres (“Castrati” by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and Roger C. Jeffrey’s “a soliloquy among many”) a company premiere (“It’s Not a Cry” by Amy Seiwert) and the company’s first short film (“en dedans,” by Gabrielle Lamb) make up BalletX’s season finale.
National Hot Dog Day at Silicon Gallery
Saturday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
139 N. Third St.
Pay a visit to the Old City gallery for hot dog-centric prints by Philly artist Hawk Krall as well as gourmet dogs from South Philly Tap Room chef Scott Schroeder. Bring a donation for Cradles to Crayons — a nonprofit in need of new and gently used clothes, books and toys — and your snack is free.
Vox Populi Benefit Show
Tonight, 9
Johnny Brenda’s, $10
Reading Rainbow, Creepoid, Gunn-Truscinski Duo and Dan Murphy (of Megawords) play this benefit for the always innovative gallery. Next weekend, help them celebrate the opening of AUX, their new live arts performance space.
Rihanna: Loud Tour
Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
The Wells Fargo Center
$23-$250, www.wells
Somehow, Rihanna found room among the platforms and props to pack guest J. Cole on her summer tour.
