SHOP PENN Playlist for September
With everything from art to history to music, there is something for everyone on the west side of the Schuylkill this September. The “Shop Penn Playlist” is a snapshot of the top events being offered by institutions, organizations, and venues throughout the district this month.
David C. Driskell and Friends: Creativity, Collaboration, and Friendship – Arthur Ross Gallery (LAST CHANCE)
Closes September 15
David C. Driskell and Friends: Creativity, Collaboration, and Friendship highlights the artistic legacy of David C. Driskell and the importance of his relationships with fellow artists, many of whom hold a significant place in the art canon. In 1976, Driskell curated the groundbreaking traveling exhibition Two Centuries of Black American Art: 1750–1950, which has been a foundation for the field of African American art history. Many of the artists that were featured are included in this exhibition.
CCW x Studio Route 29 Concert Fashion Show preview – Center for Creative Works
September 5
CCW will highlight several of our performing musicians alongside New Jersey’s Studio Route 29’s musicians for an early evening concert. This event will also feature a pre-view exhibition of CCW’s popular Fashion Show which is planned for October 26th.
Ancient Food & Flavor Tours: We Are What We Eat – Penn Museum
September 7, 14, 21, 28
What is the real meaning of the phrase “we are what we eat?" Who is the “we” in this statement, what is eaten, and how was this food made? Join Penn Museum for a 90-minute guided tour and hands-on workshop around their new exhibition Ancient Food & Flavor, and unwrap prehistoric leftovers of food and plant remains, revealing the diets and traditions of communities who lived up to 6,000 years ago!
Paul Thorn Band – World Café Live
September 11
Paul Thorn has created an innovative and impressive career, pleasing crowds with his muscular brand of roots music – bluesy, rocking and thoroughly Southern American, yet also speaking universal truths. Among those who value originality, inspiration, eccentricity and character – as well as talent that hovers somewhere on the outskirts of genius, the story of Paul Thorn is already familiar. Paul Thorn has rambled down back roads and jumped out of airplanes, worked for years in a furniture factory, battled four-time world champion boxer Roberto Duran on national television, performed on stages with Bonnie Raitt, Mark Knopfler, Sting, and John Prine among many others, and made some of the most emotionally restless yet fully accessible music of our time.
Philly Gumbo: A Night of Funk & Soul – World Café Live
September 13
Philly Gumboʼs distinctive blend of New Orleans R & B, funk, reggae, blues and soul has made it a unique and popular presence on the Philadelphia music scene for more thirty years. Over the years, the band has been a “Best Of” selection by Philadelphia Magazine in their annual “Best Of Philadelphia” issues as well as having played most of the top venues in the area such as The Kimmel Center, City Winery, The Sellersville Theater and World Cafe Live and such major events as the Atlantic City Summer Jazz Festival, Musikfest, Jambalaya Jam, Jam On The River, WRTI-FMʼs Groovinʼ In The Park, the Media Blues Stroll, The West Oak Lane Jazz & Arts Festival and many more.
The 18th Annual Black Women Arts Festival – The Rotunda
September 14-15
The Black Women's Arts Festival was established in 2003 as a showcase of multi-media arts by women of African heritage. Experience a wide-range of art live at The Rotunda. Artists that will be featured include Julia Mallory (poetry), Glynnis Reed (fine art), Aziza Kebe (poetry), Carrena Morgan (poetry), Cassendre Xavier (music), Jaye McNeil (poetry), Rayla Meshawn (dance), Wilson (film), Kind Essence (poetry), Ghettosongbird (music), and Lihlo Hollins (fine art).
Taylor McCall: The Mellow War Tour – World Café Live
September 18
When the decades-old gospel recording fades into static, from which rises the first guitar chord of Taylor McCallʼs Mellow War, you feel like youʼre walking out of one world and into another. Or perhaps, for a moment anyway, straddling two worlds. Mellow War explores balancing good and evil, destruction and healing, and the importance of having faith in the darkest of times.
Unpacking the Past 10! Anniversary Celebration – Penn Museum
September 21
To commemorate the 10th anniversary of Unpacking the Past, Penn Museum is hosting a back- to-school celebration for all ages. Anyone can enjoy the field trip experience with hands-on activities such as paint- making from natural materials and a fiber arts play space, as well as family-friendly tours every 30 minutes led by Penn Museum educators. The first 500 visitors receive a complimentary Unpacking the Past anniversary tote bag.
Pilobolus – Penn Live Arts
September 27-28
Enter a world where imagination knows no limits and boundaries of gravity blur. “Acrobatics are liquefied into poetry” as this “perpetually popular troupe, known for clever contortions and playful antics,” (The New York Times) performs re:CREATION, a dynamic collection of dance works infused with daring experiments and fantastical innovations. As fresh and vibrant as ever, Pilobolus breaks all the rules in the very best way.
Penn Football Home Opener vs. Colgate – Franklin Field
September 28
Penn Football opens its home schedule with a matchup against the Colgate Raiders at Franklin Field. The Quakers were picked third in the Ivy League preseason poll after finishing 6-4 in 2023. Quarterback Aidan Sayin averaged 280 yards passing per game last season and returns to lead the offense while the Penn defense will look to build on its success from 2023 that saw it allow just 3,000 total yards while racking up 26 sacks.