Carmina Burana opens the weekend at Marian Anderson Hall on Friday afternoon, and by evening the bill has swung to a stand-up set at Punch Line and a kinetic Michael Jackson dance party at City Winery. Philadelphia’s theatre and comedy calendar sits right next to its club rock, so the picks below jump between a full orchestra, a family musical, and a loud night at the Fillmore.
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- The Philadelphia Orchestra: Carmina Burana
- Maz Jobrani at Punch Line
- The Addams Family at Walnut Street Theatre
- The Great Gatsby at the Academy of Music
- Cavetown at The Fillmore
- The Damned at Union Transfer
- Lolo at Music Hall at World Stage
- Joe Pug & Willie Watson at City Winery
- Gareth Emery at NOTO
- Broadway a la Nero at the Kimmel Center
The Philadelphia Orchestra: Carmina Burana
Fri, Oct 23, 2:00 PM · Marian Anderson Hall at The Kimmel Center · from $121
Carl Orff’s cantata is one of the most recognizable works in the classical repertoire, and the Philadelphia Orchestra performs it in Marian Anderson Hall at the Kimmel Center. Expect a large choral and percussion-heavy sound filling the hall on a Friday afternoon.
Maz Jobrani at Punch Line
Fri, Oct 23, 7:00 PM · Punch Line Comedy Club – Philadelphia · from $51
Jobrani is a well-known stand-up and actor whose material often draws on his experiences as an Iranian-American. This is a Friday evening set at Punch Line Comedy Club, a good choice if you want an intimate room and a sharp, conversational night out.
The Addams Family at Walnut Street Theatre
Fri, Oct 23, 8:00 PM · Walnut Street Theatre · from $56
The musical adaptation of the Charles Addams cartoons is a crowd-pleaser built around macabre humor and big musical numbers. The Walnut Street Theatre is one of the oldest continuously operating theatres in the United States, which makes for a good setting for a Saturday night show.
The Great Gatsby at the Academy of Music
Fri, Oct 23, 7:30 PM · Academy Of Music – PA · from $57
This theatrical production of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel comes to the Academy of Music, one of the country’s oldest opera houses. It is a natural pick for anyone who wants a literary story staged in a historic hall.
Cavetown at The Fillmore
Sat, Oct 24, 8:00 PM · The Fillmore – Philadelphia · from $46
Cavetown, the indie-pop project of Robin Skinner, plays The Fillmore on Friday with alternative sounds built for a loud, energetic room. Expect a crowd singing along to earnest, melodic songs.
The Damned at Union Transfer
Sat, Oct 24, 8:00 PM · Union Transfer · from $66
The Damned are one of the founding bands of British punk, and they are still touring decades on. This Friday show at Union Transfer is a chance to see a veteran punk act in a mid-size room.
Lolo at Music Hall at World Stage
Fri, Oct 23, 8:00 PM · Music Hall At World Stage · from $53
Lolo is an R&B and soul singer with a warm, smooth vocal style that suits a live room. The Music Hall at World Stage gives this Friday show a relaxed, intimate feel.
Joe Pug & Willie Watson at City Winery
Fri, Oct 23, 7:30 PM · City Winery – Philadelphia · from $45
Joe Pug and Willie Watson bring folk and americana songwriting to City Winery on Friday. Expect acoustic storytelling in a room known for good sound and a seated, listening crowd.
Gareth Emery at NOTO
Fri, Oct 23, 10:00 PM · NOTO Philadelphia · from $19
Gareth Emery is a trance and progressive house producer with a long run of festival and club dates. This late Friday set at NOTO offers a late-night electronic option for dancers.
Broadway a la Nero at the Kimmel Center
Sat, Oct 24, 3:00 PM · Marian Anderson Hall at The Kimmel Center · from $92
This Saturday afternoon show at Marian Anderson Hall brings a Broadway-style program to the Kimmel Center. It is a good fit for a matinee if you want a lighter theatrical afternoon.
Check dates and times before you go, and book early for the Carmina Burana and Walnut Street shows, which tend to sell well.
