SHOP PENN Playlist for July
Summer isn’t just bringing the heat, it’s bringing the live events! University City is filled with standout galleries, performance spaces, and recreational venues that are open to visitors. Discover the exciting happenings in the neighborhood this July with the latest edition of the “Shop Penn Playlist,” a snapshot of cultural and entertainment offerings around the Penn campus all month.
Monarch Yoga At The Park - Schuylkill Banks and Clark Park
All Month
In anticipation of their opening in University City later this summer, Monarch Yoga will be hosting outdoor yoga classes in the district throughout the summer. For just $5, you can join Monarch for a Flow Yoga session at Schuylkill Banks and Clark Park. Check the website to see the full schedule of classes and reserve your spot.
Philadelphia Runner University City Group Run – Philadelphia Runner
Every Wednesday
Join Philadelphia Runner's welcoming weekly group run every Wednesday at 6PM in University City, where runners of all abilities come together for a supportive and energizing experience. This free community event embraces the "all paces and faces welcome" philosophy, making it perfect for both seasoned marathoners and those just starting their running journey. Whether you're new to the city, looking to meet fellow runners, or simply want to add some social motivation to your training routine, this weekly gathering offers a fantastic way to explore University City's neighborhoods while staying active during the peak summer season.
Bloomin’ Bubbles – Morris Arboretum
Every Tuesday
Join Morris Arboretum every Tuesday for Bloomin’ Bubbles. The Whimsical Woods will transform into a bubble landscape for children to use their imaginations and play. The second Tuesday of each month will also include self-directed activity stations for children to explore.
Native Futurism – Penn Museum
July 11
As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, Multidisciplinary artist Holly Wilson, Delaware Nation Lenape and Descendent of the Delaware Tribe of Indians, was commissioned to transform the Museum’s East Entrance lobby with a large-scale mixed-media installation themed “Native Futurism.” Join the museum for the public dedication and hear how the new installation centers an Indigenous-led perspective, offering a layered and thought-provoking addition to the nation’s evolving story.
University City Dining Days – Various Locations
July 16-26
University City Dining Days is UCD’s popular restaurant promotion where diners can enjoy three-course meals at fixed price points of $20, $30, or $40 from dozens of West Philadelphia restaurants. Check the most up-to-date list of participating restaurants at Universitycity.org.
The Odyssey – Cinemark
July 17
Cristopher Nolan’s latest cinematic experience, The Odyssey, hits theaters on July 17. Staring Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson and more, The Odyssey tells the story of Odysseus’ dangerous vaoyage home following the Trojan War. Make sure to get your tickets early for one of this summer’s most anticipated films.
Todd Marcus/Virginia MacDonald Quintet – Penn Museum
July 28
Enjoy an evening of Jazz in Penn Museum’s garden. Since 2022, Baltimore bass clarinetist Todd Marcus and Toronto clarinetist Virginia MacDonald have been performing and touring together across North America with their quintet. Their work together presents a lush ensemble that showcases the range of beauty and power by the clarinet in a modern jazz context, with repertoire comprising original compositions by both bandleaders. They have performed at jazz festivals and prominent venues internationally including Smalls Jazz Club, the Toronto Jazz Festival, the International Clarinet Association, and the Baltimore Museum of Art.
World Behind The Odyssey – Penn Museum
August 1
This special-access tour offers a rare encounter with the archaeology, history, and enduring legacy of one of the world's greatest stories through objects few visitors ever have the opportunity to see. Now inspiring this summer’s highly anticipated film adaptation, Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey, is more than a myth. Its stories of sea monsters, gods, and impossible journeys were shaped by centuries of oral tradition, memories of Mycenaean warriors, and real encounters with unfamiliar peoples and landscapes as the Greeks explored the Mediterranean world. Dr. Sarah Linn, an expert in Mediterranean archaeology, brings the world of ancient Greece to life through extraordinary objects, tracing the origins of Homer's epic and the long oral tradition that preserved it for centuries before it was ever written down.