”The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington” by James Ijames
Behold the feverish Martha Washington, our first First Lady, on her deathbed, surrounded by the enslaved people poised to claim freedom the moment she dies (true story). In her final hours, she is confronted by a hallucinatory “trial” where she must face her past and the legacy of slavery in the United States. “The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington” by Pulitzer Prize-winning James Ijames (“Fat Ham”) is a spicy satire that explores issues of race, power, and historical memory. The Wilma’s HotHouse Acting Company brings this pertinent and dynamic production to life with deep sincerity, high-stakes clowning, and striking imagery under the direction of HotHouse Member Brett Ashley Robinson.
When: Tuesday, March 17-April 3
Where: The Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad S.
”Shark Tank” returns to Philly for 2026 casting call
After a record turnout in Philly last spring, “Shark Tank” casting producers will return to Rivers Philadelphia for the second consecutive year for an open audition of local entrepreneurs with game-changing products, services and ideas. Casting producers from the multi-Emmy® Award-winning primetime ABC series “Shark Tank” will be on hand to hear pitches from hopeful entrepreneurs. Contestants may begin lining up at 8 a.m., with numbered wristbands distributed from 9 to 11 a.m. Pitches are expected to begin at approximately 10 a.m. Applications will be available online at ABC.com and on-site. Successful participants may be selected to appear on Season 18 of “Shark Tank,” which is expected to begin airing later this year.
When: Wednesday, March 18 at 8 a.m.
Where: Rivers Casino Philadelphia, 1001 N. Delaware Ave.
Philly GRIT returns
The Philly GRIT series returns this March, featuring daring, unfiltered work by local and Philadelphia-connected artists. Philly GRIT features Bastion Carboni, Justin Jain, and Cookie Diorio. Throughout March, theatergoers can explore their takes on influencer culture, a reimagined Chekhov classic through a contemporary queer lens, and a glittering cabaret celebration to welcome spring. The works include A Vacation by Bastion Carboni, a dark comedy about manifesting, destiny, and the dangerous consequences of unchecked entitlement; The Dangers of Tobacco by Anton Chekhov and Justin Jain, an inventive mash-up of classic and contemporary storytelling; and Camp Cookie, a one-night-only cabaret event by Cookie Diorio that blends live vocals, laughter, drinks, and cookies into a space of joy, reflection, and connection.
When: Wednesday, March 18-29
Where: Theatre Exile, 1340 S. 13th St.
The Philadelphia Orchestra presents Víkingur Ólafsson
Víkingur Ólafsson, winner of the 2025 GRAMMY Award for Best Classical Instrumental Solo, is one of today’s most sought-after artists. This extraordinary Icelandic pianist’s recordings on Deutsche Grammophon have drawn nearly a billion streams and won many awards including BBC Music Magazine Album of the Year. In live performance, Olafsson is “a hypnotic presence at the keyboard; listeners might be held back in thrilling anticipation one moment or tumbled headlong into the maelstrom” (The Guardian). Discover an artist who draws “the kind of whooping ovation usually reserved for rock stars” (The Guardian).
When: Thursday, March 19 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Marian Anderson Hall, 300 S. Broad St.
Emmet Cohen: Miles and Coltrane at 100
Emmet Cohen is one of his generation’s most pivotal figures in jazz and the broader musical arts. Leader of the Emmet Cohen Trio and creator of the Masters Legacy Series, Cohen is an internationally acclaimed jazz artist and dedicated educator whose artistry has taken him to venues and festivals in over 30 countries. He was the winner of the 2019 American Pianists Awards and a finalist in the 2011 Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition. He headlines regularly at Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Village Vanguard, and Birdland, and has appeared at the Newport Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, and North Sea Jazz Festival, among others.
When: Friday, March 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Miller Theater, 250 S. Broad St.
Rennie Harris Puremovement — “Losing My Religion”
Rennie Harris, “the most brilliant hip-hop choreographer in America” (The New Yorker) and PLA’s 25/26 season artist-in-residence, returns with the world premiere of Losing My Religion, an exploration of the world’s constant social, economic and political turmoil through the lens of street dance and hip-hop. Set to a chilling soundscape mixed live by a DJ, this new commissioned work offers a haunting narrative of personal and systemic struggle and transformation, a multifaceted reminder of our humanity. Please note, due to subject matters explored on stage, this performance is not intended for children.
When: Friday, March 20-21
Where: Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St.
Eid Celebration
Celebrate Eid with a day of storytelling and hands-on artmaking. Families can enjoy Eid for Nylah, join local artist Zeinab Fofana (Artxzay) to paint and decorate a tote bag, and create clay tiles inspired by Islamic geometric design.
Where: Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic
Women’s History Month: Wine & Watch — “Soul Food”
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, Philadelphia stands at the center of national reflection. From the legacy of Hercules Posey, George Washington’s enslaved chef who influenced Black American foodways, to the enduring power of the communal table, this is a time to amplify narratives rooted in culture, family, and resilience. In honor of Women’s History Month. Greedy In The City returns to the Philadelphia Film Society for the 4th Annual Wine & Watch, a cinematic celebration of sisterhood blending fellowship, education, and entertainment.
When: Saturday, March 21 at 7 p.m.
Where: Philadelphia Film Society Center, 1412 Chestnut St.
Furry Friends Weekend
Due to popular demand, Furry Friends Weekend is back for a springtime appearance! The celebration features the Character Meet & Greet Extravaganza, where guests can meet their favorite furry friends, including beloved and nostalgic friends like Barkley. The Sesame Street Neighborhood will be full of extra color and character with encore performances of “Our Street is Sesame Street” and pop-up appearances from Hoots the Owl, the Cluckettes, and more furry friends. For an extra-special treat, guests can celebrate Big Bird’s birthday at Big Bird’s Pajama Party Dine, featuring a delicious brunch buffet.
When: Saturday, March 21-22
Where: Sesame Place Philadelphia, 100 Sesame Rd,, Langhorne, PA 19047
The Philadelphia Wedding Walk
Cypress & Salt Events announces the launch of The Philadelphia Wedding Walk, a first-of-its-kind, city-wide immersive wedding showcase debuting in Center City. Designed to reimagine how couples plan their wedding, this innovative experience invites attendees to step inside 10 of the city’s most sought-after venues, each fully styled as though a wedding is in full swing. Unlike traditional wedding expos, The Philadelphia Wedding Walk offers an editorial, walkable journey through real venues brought to life with décor, florals, food, cocktails, music, and interactive moments. Guests will explore PAFA, Fitler Club, Philadelphia Distilling, W Philadelphia, The Notary Hotel, The Liberty View, City Winery, Lilah, Vaux Studio, and The Moshulu, experiencing each space as it could feel on an actual wedding day. The first 10 couples at each venue will receive exclusive swag bags, and attendees can enjoy curated vendor showcases, giveaways, and day-of surprises throughout the experience. Throughout the afternoon, guests will enjoy chef-driven bites, curated cocktails by Bluecoat Gin, bridalwear activations by Anthropologie Weddings, live entertainment, and a styled ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception vignettes. A continuous shuttle loop will connect all venues, allowing couples to explore at their own pace. All attendees are invited to close out the day at the official after party at City Winery, featuring a live performance by The Bachelor Boys.
When: Sunday, March 22 from 12-5 p.m.
Where: various location in Center City, including W Philadelphia, 1439 Chestnut St.
The Crossing presents Infinite Body
The Crossing marks the return of virtuosic flutist and MacArthur Fellow Claire Chase and the tsunami of energy that comes with her, as The Crossing revisits Rita Dove’s hard-edged, raw “cricket poems” in Tania León’s endlessly inventive Singsong, which dances its way through a journey of Black singers from pre-slavery to today. Wang Lu’s At Which Point boldly explores the fragility and emptiness of grief found in Pulitzer-winning poet Forrest Gander’s world of those “left behind.” Finally, Ayanna Woods’ Infinite Body, a co-commission of Carnegie Hall and The Crossing, explores how capitalism influences our relationship to our bodies, peering through the lenses of the natural world, burnout culture, and embodiment, to observe and unsettle the notion of our separateness.
When: Sunday, March 22 at 4 p.m.
Where: The Church of Saint Luke & The Epiphany, 330 S. 13th St.
”From the Vault: Rarely Seen Works from the Museum’s Permanent Collection”
Museum for Art in Wood presents “From the Vault: Rarely Seen Works from the Museum’s Permanent Collection,” a new exhibition featuring works from its permanent collection. Showcasing 48 works of turning, sculpture, and furniture by 42 artists, the exhibition offers a brief and exclusive opportunity to share space with a few of the Museum’s treasures and features objects that have been in its holdings for 30 years. “From the Vault” illustrates the evolving and complex explorations by artists in wood.
When: ends Sunday, March 22
Where: Museum for Art in Wood, 141 N. 3rd St.
Edward Albee’s “A Delicate Balance”
In Edward Albee’s “A Delicate Balance,” on an otherwise uneventful night, long-time friends arrive at the front door unannounced and terrified and ask if they can stay. An unexplained fear has gripped them, and they have turned to old friends as their first and last resort. What will they do? Edward Albee won the first of his three Pulitzer Prizes for this American classic, an absorbing look into the everyday hopes, fears, and secrets we all so delicately balance.
When: through Sunday, March 29
Where: Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St.
Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest
Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest invites guests to cozy up on the Delaware River Waterfront with amazing views of the Ben Franklin Bridge. The beloved seasonal tradition features an NHL-sized ice rink, outdoor firepits, warming cabins, and festive food and drink for all ages to enjoy. Open seven days a week, including holidays (unless otherwise noted), admission is free with pay-as-you-go amenities that let visitors create their own winter adventure. Classic amusements like the Ferris wheel, indoor arcade, and the giant holiday tree return in December. For the best experience, guests are encouraged to reserve skating tickets, cabins, firepits, or Rinkside Lounge packages in advance at RiverRink.com.
Where: Independence Blue Cross RiverRink, 101 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd.
”Romeo & Juliet”
The Arden Theatre Company continues its 2025/26 season with William Shakespeare’s enduring classic, “Romeo & Juliet.” Directed by Barrymore Award–winning director Amina Robinson, the production offers a bold and resonant vision of Shakespeare’s iconic work. In “Romeo & Juliet,” a story audiences know well, two young lovers fall in love hard and fast, only to be torn apart by families bound to an ancient feud. However, Robinson’s production strips the play to its emotional core, highlighting both the breathtaking beauty and devastating cost of love born in a divided world.
When: through Sunday, April 5
Where: Arden Theatre, 40 N. 2nd St.
”Face to Face: Isaiah Zagar’s Mosaicked Portraits” at PMG
“Face to Face” invites visitors into the world of Isaiah Zagar’s mosaicked portraits. These intimate artworks depict people who have influenced his life, work, and world, as well as strangers and individuals who captured his imagination. Composed from fragments of tile, mirror, folk artwork, and other materials, each portrait serves as a meeting place between artist and subject. These works reflect not only the people who inspired him personally but also anyone who fascinated him. They embody the broader spirit of Folk Art, collaboration, and community that defines Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens. Through this collection, visitors can experience Zagar’s mosaics up close, connecting with the people and stories that shaped his art.
When: through Sunday, April 12
Where: Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, 1020 South St.
Free Tax Prep Services for West Philadelphia Residents
In partnership with ACHIEVEability, the Campaign for Working Families (CWF) is once again offering free tax preparation services to West Philadelphia residents this tax season. Now through April 15, residents can schedule an appointment via CWF’s website to receive expert assistance from trained nonprofit professionals. Appointments are available Mondays through Thursdays and on select Saturdays, ensuring a smooth, accurate, and stress-free tax filing experience. The free services will be held at ACHIEVEability, which is proudly serving as the host location for the program. Last year, with the support of ACHIEVEability and CWF, more than 1,000 residents received tax assistance, resulting in a combined total of $855,292 in refunds for those who used the free service.
When: through April 15, Mondays-Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: ACHIEVEAbility, 5901 Market St.
”The Changing Faces of Independence: Pennsylvania in the 1800s” at HSP
How has the makeup of who is an American changed since the American Revolution? How have the people in that changing face of America continuously reinvigorated and reasserted the founding ideals of the country? By examining the documents left by our ancestors in the time leading to America’s 200th birthday, this display will ask those questions of their descendants. This exhibit draws on collections at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and will be curated in partnership with ethnic and genealogical societies that seek to connect Americans to their ancestors through research, programs, and networking opportunities.
When: through Friday, April 24
Where: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1300 Locust St.
”Muliebrity” by Viola Bordon
Philadelphia-based interdisciplinary textile artist and educator Viola Bordon blends sculpture, drawing, printmaking, and fibers to explore the interplay between materiality and environmental fluctuation. Her textile-focused practice draws upon pre-industrial craft techniques like weaving and quilting, intertwining them with inquiries into contemporary issues in our society. For Radical Americana, Bordon conducted research at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania to create her exhibition, Muliebrity, where she examines the invention and evolving meanings of American liberty in the national identity.
When: through Sunday, July 26
Where: Museum for Art in Wood, 141 N. 3rd St.
“Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design” at AAMP
The African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP) presents a cultural milestone exhibition “Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design.” The acclaimed exhibition, celebrating the power of art, identity, and imagination, marks its Philadelphia debut with nearly 80 original costumes from films that have shaped global culture — including “Black Panther,” “Selma,” “Do the Right Thing,” “Amistad,” “Dolomite is My Name,” “Coming 2 America,” “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and, for the first time ever, “Sinners.” As the first Black woman to win two Academy Awards, Ruth E. Carter has transformed costume design into a form of cultural storytelling, honoring the past while envisioning what’s possible for the future. Her journey from Springfield, Massachusetts, to Hollywood’s most celebrated stages resonates deeply with Philadelphians.
When: through Sunday, Sept. 6
Where: African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch St.
”Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition” at Franklin Institute
Step inside the creative and innovative world of theme parks through the lens of Universal’s fan-favorite attractions, including “Jaws,” “Illumination’s Minions,” “The Secret Life of Pets” and “Sing,” SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™, “Jurassic World,” DreamWorks Animation’s “How to Train Your Dragon,” Universal Monsters, and more. Play your way through eight themed galleries, where 100 original artifacts bring each experience to life. From authentic costumes and iconic props to early concept models, experience the creativity, artistry, and innovation behind Universal’s most epic attractions. Snap a photo, storyboard a ride, design and animate horror masks, cue a live show, and experiment with animation and projection mapping — all while hearing directly from the creators, animators, and show writers who make it happen. “Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition” is a timed-entry exhibit, which allows the museum to manage the number of guests in the exhibit, providing the best possible experience for everyone. Advanced tickets are recommended.
When: through Monday, Sept. 7
Where: The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St.
”Ancient Egypt in Watercolors: Paintings and Artifacts from Dra Abu el-Naga” at Penn Museum
Spotlighting century-old watercolor paintings by Egyptian artist Ahmed Yousef, Ancient Egypt in Watercolors: Paintings and Artifacts from Dra Abu el-Naga will go on view at the Penn Museum. Last exhibited in Cairo during the 1920s, the watercolor paintings have been carefully preserved in the Penn Museum’s Archives for more than 100 years. They have never been on display in the United States. Ancient Egypt in Watercolors reveals the often underappreciated, but critical function of art in archaeology. The 1,500 sq. ft. exhibition highlights elaborately decorated tomb chapels during the New Kingdom (approximately 1550 BCE-1070 BCE), a “golden age” that marked the height of Egypt’s power and wealth. Many affluent officials built their tombs at Dra Abu el-Naga — a key part of the larger Theban Necropolis. Their tomb paintings show scenes from everyday life and imagery depicting the journey to the netherworld — illuminating how much the ancient Egyptians valued family bonds, honoring their ancestors, and continuing one’s identity into the next life. Ancient Egypt in Watercolors will close in November—just ahead of the grand opening for the Penn Museum’s Egypt Galleries: Life and Afterlife on Dec. 12.
When: through November 2026
Where: Penn Museum, 3260 South St.
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