Awesome Fest: The annual free outdoor movie festival returns. The films will be shown every Friday evening, starting at 9 p.m., at Liberty Lands Park on North 3rd Street, between Poplar and Wildey streets. All films are intended for adults only. July 10th’s film is “ROAR,” a movie written and directed by Noel Marshall. The movie follows Hank, a wildlife preservationist who lives with over 100 wild animals, from lions to elephants, in Africa. His family visits just as the lions begin to fight over dominance. For more information, and a list of upcoming Friday night films, visit theawesomefest.com.
Q Flix Philadelphia: The Avenue of the Arts will host a festival of films created by members of the LGBTQ communities through July 10. The films celebrate all genres and will be shown at venues including the Prince Music Theater, the Kimmel Center and the University of the Arts. Advance tickets are required. Films are $14. Tickets can be purchased online or at the theaters’ box offices. To see the festival’s schedule and purchase tickets, visit www.qflixphilly.com.
Blobfest: Fans of the cult film, “The Blob,” head to Phoenixville every year for a three-day horror festival. The town is a piece of the movie’s history as several scenes were filmed at the historic Colonial Theatre. There will be Screenings of “The Blob,” “This Island Earth” and “Queen of Blood.” Costume contests, live film reenactments, a street fair and competitions round out the weekend. Adult tickets for double features are $10, $8 for seniors and students. Children under 13 years are $6. To purchase tickets and learn more, visit thecolonialtheatre.com.
New Exhibit at the Barnes: Nari Ward, an artist who came out of Harlem’s art scene in the 1990’s, is being featured in a special two month exhibition at the Barnes, called “Sun Splashed”. Over 30 pieces of Ward’s works will be presented, including contemporary sculpture and found-objects works. While Ward has often been considered an African-American artist, his Jamaican roots influence his works as well. He won a Guggenheim Fellowship and sources his work from urban areas. His art traces themes of black history, as well as power and politics. The exhibition runs from June 24-August 22. Tickets are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors, and $10 for youth/students, which includes admission to the rest of the museum. Visit www.barnesfoundation.org for more information, including to learn about special programming at the museum.
Prisons Today: Eastern State Penitentiary launched a new three-year exhibit, which studies the role of prisons in America, the impact of mass incarceration and the effectiveness of our country’s current prison system. The interactive experience allows visitors a chance to engage in conversation about the issues surrounding prisons. Adult admission is $11, seniors are $10 and kids/students are $8. Visit www.easternstate.org.
