June 27, 2019

Story Ideas for July 2019 & Beyond

Philadelphia Openings, Events, People & Places On Our Radar Right Now

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The Universal Sphere at the Comcast Technology Center offers a virtual reality film by reservation.

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Blobfest takes place in and around the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville on July 12 and 13, 2019. Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia

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Philly Free Streets takes place on August 3, 2019, along North Broad Street. Photo by J. Fusco for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®

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Kehinde Wiley's oil on canvas, "Equestrian Portrait of the Count Duke Olivares," 2005, is part of the Barnes Foundation's "30 Americans" exhibition, October 27, 2019-January 12, 2020.

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Philadelphia and DC viewers of Copa América Brasil and FIFA Women’s World Cup on Telemundo will see VISIT PHILADELPHIA's new Filadelfia – You Gotta Feel It commercial. Courtesy of VISIT PHILADELPHIA®

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The finale of Philadelphia’s multi-day Fourth of July celebration: fireworks over the Philadelphia Museum of Art/

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Looking for a story to tell? Philadelphia has plenty of them. Here are some of the people, places and events on our radar for stories that are perfect to share today, next week, this season or next:

PROFILE: MARY MARK OCKERBLOOM

Mary Mark Ockerbloom is the Wikipedian in Residence at the Science History Institute—a job so rare, she can list her counterparts nationwide. Her responsibilities include identifying images from the institute’s collections and archives, and posting those images on the internet’s foremost living encyclopedia. She also researches. Her recent look into the history of rare earth metals uncovered stories of scientists escaping Nazi Germany and Austria. Her work is a public service too. She instructs both major organizations and individuals on the processes and pitfalls of posting to Wikipedia. She even hosts monthly Wiki salons, where the public can learn more about the Wiki-verse. Next one: July 13 at noon.

VISIT PHILADELPHIA^®NEWS:

VISIT PHILADELPHIA’s $2.4 million summer marketing campaign is in full swing, with three TV commercials running in East Coast markets. These include the Real Philly Fun spot, featuring 32 Philadelphians at 31 locations, filmed by Philly’s own Neighborhood Film Company. VISIT PHILADELPHIA also partnered with Wawa Welcome America to create this spot, promoting the city’s multi-day Fourth of July celebration on Comcast from Washington, DC to Hartford, Connecticut. Philadelphia and DC viewers of Copa América Brasil and FIFA Women’s World Cup on Telemundo will also see the new Filadelfia – You Gotta Feel It commercial.

WHAT WE’RE EATING NOW:

Matt Smith, Social Media Specialist: I just had the seasonal dairy-free blueberry lemonade ice cream (except it’s not cream, since it’s made with coconut milk) at the Cedar Park location of Little Baby’s Ice Cream. The fresh summer berries, lemon juice and lemon zest made my not-too-sweet scoop super refreshing on a hot day. And, as a bonus, it’s vegan and sweetened with agave syrup instead of sugar.

JUST OPENED/OPENING SOON:

Now, The Universal Sphere™: Every 15 minutes, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Comcast Technology Center’s giant orb lets 25 ticket holders view an all-encompassing, virtually realistic six-minute journey through human time and achievements, as executive directed by Steven Spielberg. Tickets encouraged.

June 30-September 15, I Do Not Know What It Is I Am Like: The Art of Bill Viola: The Barnes Foundation premieres its first exhibition devoted to video art—and the first large-scale survey of works by American artist Bill Viola.

Saturdays, July 13-November 16, The Food Trust’s Market at Cherry Street Pier: This brand-new weekly market of local ingredients and fare comes from the people behind the Night Markets and features performance artists and indie retailers.

July 31, Franklin Square Fountain Show: The 180-year-old fountain centerpiece of one of Penn’s original public squares unveils its new dancing water, light and music show.

THIS SUMMER:

Before & Beyond July 4, Fireworks Displays to Discover: The Philadelphia region hosts a bunch of big city and small town shows.
Through July 14, Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival: The Franklin Square favorite has been extended until mid-July.
July 12-14, BlobFest: Phoenixville fêtes its campy 1950s horror/sci-fi blockbuster with a Friday Night Run Out, Blob Ball, Saturday street fair and double features all weekend at The Colonial Theatre.
August 15-September 12, Hidden Lives Illuminated: Eastern State Penitentiary brings stories of the U.S. prison population to light—literally—with nightly screenings of 21 animated films by incarcerated artists.
August 27-November 17, Hamilton: Tickets are finally on sale, lottery-style, for Lin-Manuel Miranda’s modern Broadway blockbuster at the Forrest Theatre.

LOOKING TO FALL:

September 23-27, In Motion, In Place: Trisha Brown Dance Company in Fairmount Park: The post-modern dance company presents site-specific works in three free, outdoor performances.
October 3-November 17, Blooms & Bamboo: Chrysanthemum and Ikebana Sogetsu Artistry: Longwood Gardens introduces original work by a preeminent Japanese flower arranger during its annual autumn showcase.
October 4, 2019-January 12, 2020: Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The National Museum of American Jewish History hosts the first East Coast stop of an exhibit on a feminist icon on the U.S. Supreme Court.
October 5-6, Genesis by Philadanco: The eminent Black dance company celebrates its 50^th year with three ballets at the Merriam Theater—in the presence of founder Joan Meyers Brown.
October 27, 2019-January 12, 2020, 30 Americans: The Barnes Foundation displays masterworks by 30 masterful African American artists in yet another unmissable exhibition.

NEW & UPDATED PRESS RELEASES:

ESSENTIAL PHOTOGRAPHY:

VISIT PHILADELPHIA^® is our name and our mission. As the region’s official tourism marketing agency, we build Greater Philadelphia’s image, drive visitation and boost the economy.

On Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.