Tour the Haunted USS Olympia

Looking to start Halloween festivities early? Ghost Tours of Philadelphia is offering tours of the haunted USS Olympia.  Now docked on the Delaware River at Penn’s Landing, served as both a training ship and a battleship during World War I. Featured on shows such as Ghost Adventures (Travel Channel) and Ghost Hunters (Sci-Fi Channel), the over 100 year old ship is said to be haunted by the ghosts of past sailors. The 75-90 minute tour will takes visitors through the interior of the maze-like ship, passing through locations such as the captain’s cabins and the spot where the ship’s most prominent ghost, “Gunner” Johnson, is often seen. Reservations required. More information can be found at http://www.ghosttour.net/pennslanding. 

When: Every Saturday and Sunday at 8 a.m., Oct. 2 – Nov.1
Where: Penn’s Landing, S. Columbus Blvd. near Spruce 
Cost: $19 here

– Tiana Timmerberg

End of Summer Sale in Northern Liberties

Boutiques in Northern Liberties will host a two-day end-of-summer sale  Sept. 12-13. SWAG Boutique will have $1, $5, $10 and $15 clearance bins that include jewelry, stationery and home goods. Ritual Ritual will have $25 sidewalk merchandise and 25 percent off retail price in-store. The event is hosted by Art Star, a gallery and boutique located on 2nd Street near Spring Garden and Fairmount Ave. More information is available at https://www.facebook.com/events/465855600263752/. 

When: Sept. 12 – Sept. 13, hours vary
Where: Various locations in Northern Liberties
Cost: Pay as you go

– Emily Scott

Student-Produced Musical at Asian Arts Initiative

In Tale of the Phantom Ship, an out-of-towner encounters folks gathered at 19th-century tavern in Charlottetown, Canada where the locals tell a tale of the legendary Ghost Ship of Northumberland Strait. In this story-within-story, songs, dances, boos and brawls are used to embody the story of a young fisherman who faces the eerie mysteries of St. John’s Island in 1774. Accompanied by the sounds of a four-piece Celtic band, this new, student-produced musical features 11 students from Temple’s Theater Sidestage Season. More information can be found at http://phantomshipmusical.com/.

When: Sept 10-14; times vary
Where: Asian Arts Initiative, 1219 Vine Street
Cost: $15 at door; current Temple students can get free entry at http://phantomshipmusical.com/.

– Grace Maiorano

Experimental Opera on Scientific History Premieres at Fringe Festival

September marks the season of autumn, the start of classes, and for most Philadelphia residents, it is the month to celebrate the seventeen day FringeArts Festival. This year, “Jump the Moon,” a production by Philadelphia Opera Collective, will focus on the silenced women in scientific history through its three protagonists Williamina Fleming, Annie Jump Cannon and Antonia Maury. More information can be found at http://fringearts.com/event/jump-the-moon-4/.

When: Sept. 16-19, nightly at 8 p.m.
Where: The Adrienne Theater, 2030 Sansom Street
Cost: $20

– Tatyana Turner

Twenty One Pilots to Perform at Penn’s Landing

Indie-pop/alternative hip-hop duo Twenty One Pilots will perform at Penn’s Landing’s Festival Pier this Friday. Riding the success of their latest album, “Blurryface”, the group was nominated this year for “Best Live Band” at the Alternative Press Music Awards. More information is available at http://festivalpierphilly.com/shows/. 

When: Sept. 11, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing, 601 N. Columbus Blvd.
Cost: $48.60

– Eamon Dreisbach

Battle of the Burger Returns

Philadelphia Magazine’s third annual Battle of the Burger, sponsored by Budweiser, will be held Monday. 20 of Philly’s top restaurants will compete to determine who has the best burger in the city. Attendees (must be 21+) can enjoy a taste of each eatery’s signature patty in addition to complimentary Budweiser products and wine. More information is available at http://www.phillymag.com/battleoftheburger/. 

When: Sept. 14, 6-9:30 p.m.
Where: 23rd St. Armory, 22 S. 23rd St.
Cost: $50

– Eamon Dreisbach

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Poetry workshop with Leonard Gontarek

Students can work with Philadelphia poet, Leonard Gontarek, to better learn a “sense of place” within poetry. The workshop is focused on developing a rich, textural voice, and is suitable for poets of all levels. More information can be found at: http://www.madpoetssociety.com/events/.
When: July 1, 8, 15, 22 at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Walnut Street West Library, 40th and Walnut Streets
Cost: Free, but must register at gontarek9@earthlink.com

“Projections” by Keith Sharp

In this new body of work opening this First Friday, July 3, artist Keith Sharp returns to nature. “Sharp used photographs of natural scenes, a digital projector, and a laptop to project natural images onto the sides of houses at night or onto himself that he then extracted and in which he placed the figure back into the natural scene being projected.” More information is available at http://www.3rdstreetgallery.com/exhibitions/2015/projections. 
When: Friday, July 3 at 5 p.m.
Where: 3rd Street Gallery, 45 N. 2nd Street
Cost: Free

Wawa Hoagie Day

As part of the Wawa-sponored event, Wawa Welcomes America, visitors to the Independence Mall will receive free lunch. This special event is part of Wawa’s salute to to the military and first responders throughout the nation. More information is available at: http://www.visitphilly.com/events/philadelphia/wawa-hoagie-day/
When: Thursday, July 2 at noon to 1:30 p.m.
Where: Independence Visitor Center, 599 Market Street
Cost: Free

Independence Day Parade

(photo by G. Widman for Visit Philadelphia)
This well-known parade kicks off Philadelphia’s July 4th festivities with a nod to the city’s historic past. With more than 6,000 participants beginning at Independence Hall, the parade continues down some of Philadelphia’s oldest streets with “floats, marching bands and antique cars” in tow. More information is available at http://www.visitphilly.com/events/philadelphia/independence-day-parade-july-4th-in-philadelphia/.
When: Saturday, July 4 at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Starts at 5th and Chestnut Streets
Cost: Free

Party on the Parkway

(photo by G. Widman for Visit Philadelphia)
One of the largest free concerts in the country celebrates in America’s birthplace on Benjamin Franklin Parkway with “food, fun and entertainment all day long.” The daytime celebration includes food and refreshments from vendors and food trucks, as well as “interactive fun.” The festivities lead up to the grand finale of fireworks and a special performance from local favorite, The Roots. More information can be found at http://www.visitphilly.com/events/philadelphia/july-4th-festival-concert-and-fireworks/.
When: Saturday, July 4, noon to 11 p.m.
Where: Benjamin Franklin Parkway, from 20th Street to Eakins Oval
Cost: Free