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Reflecting the belief of the Asian Arts Initiative that the arts provide an avenue for communities to express their cultural and political beliefs, a new photography exhibition entitled Housing is a Human Right explores the question, “What does home mean?”

The exhibition runs from June 2 through July 2. Presented by the Asian Arts Initiative in collaboration with the Laundromat Project, the installation features photography, stories-in-sound and other interactive components by New York-based artists Michael Premo and Rachel Falcone, who artistically grapple with the notion of “home” as experienced in a plethora of communities.

The exhibit kicks off with a Town Hall meeting this Thursday, June 2. Premo and Falcone will also host a week-long residency starting on June 2, which will include a series of storytelling workshops for visitors, a film screening of the artists’ short documentary More Than Just A Roof, and a panel discussion about art and activism on June 8.

Whether, to you, home means a roof to keep the rain out, or else a sacred refuge from life’s troubles, you can weigh in this month at this latest thought-provoking artistic presentation.

Housing is a Human Right
When: June 2-July 2
Where: Asian Arts Initiative, 1219 Vine Street
Cost: Free
More info: www.asianartsinitiative.org

The Wilma Theater is ending its 2010–2011 season with Tony® winner Alan Ayckbourn’s latest comedy, My Wonderful Day.

This play marks the first work by the critically acclaimed and internationally celebrated English dramatist to be produced by the Wilma as well as Richard Hamburger’s directorial debut at the theater.

My Wonderful Day tackles infidelity, immigration and class structure, all through the eyes of a child when 10-year-old Winnie tags along with her pregnant mother to the house of her wealthy clients in London.

Winnie is determined to complete her school assignment of chronicling her “wonderful day,” but quite unexpectedly finds herself witness to a tangled love affair. What ensues is a wickedly funny and bold dissection of a turbulent marriage.

Tickets to this don’t-miss show are available online.

My Wonderful Day
When: Now-June 19
Where: Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad Street
Cost: $36-$65
More info: www.wilmatheater.org

The contest gives Philadelphians recognition for their dedicated and imaginative gardening skills.
(Photos courtesy Greenworks)

If you’re the kind of gardener who bursts with pride at the sight of your lovingly nurtured flowers and vegetables, why not put these plantings to the test? You can enter the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s City Garden Contest, now through June 10.

Of course, your garden ought not be, well, garden variety. Entries are judged on maintenance and adherence to good horticultural practices, variety, color and suitability of the plantings. Creativity in design and visual effect net you extra points.

Award categories include: flower garden, vegetable garden, combination garden (flowers and veggies), container garden, children’s garden (that means it’s maintained by school age kids), neighborhood park, garden block (where a majority of the residents display window boxes and street planters), Greenest Block in Town and urban farm (an entrepreneurial garden that grows and sells fruits, vegetables and flowers, and donates a percentage of the proceeds to its community or a food bank).

The deadline to enter is June 10 and there are rules you’ll want to read that are listed on the PHS contest site. Winners will be notified by mail and prizes will be awarded at a reception.

Click here for the online entry form. May the greenest-thumb Philadelphians win!

City Gardens Contest [Pennsylvania Horticultural Society]

Philly Beer Week includes some awesomely unusual events combining amazing beer and fun-filled festivities.
(Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)

Philly Beer Week is fast approaching, kicking off this Friday, June 3 and taking over bars and restaurants throughout Philadelphia for ten days of sudsy celebrations.

Festivities range from special beer dinners to our With Love Beer Garden at the Four Seasons. You can check out our general Beer Week primer for an overview.

Plus, events of a funkier stripe — think brewer dunking, mechanical bull riding, a ladies beer tea and a beer boxing match — will highlight Philadelphia’s fun approach to craft beer.

Check out some of our top picks, below:

• Beer-lebrity Boxing at Kite & Key: Saturday, June 4, 2 p.m. Local brewers step in the ring for an epic series of boxing match-ups. Beers from all participating “boxers” will be featured on draft.

• Lefthand Arm Wrestling Tournament: Saturday, June 4, 7 p.m. Tournament starts at 9 p.m. The competition heats up at the South Philadelphia Tap Room as Lefthand Brewery searches for the area’s top arm wrestler. The catch? You can only use your left arm. The winner gets beer, gift certificates and everlasting bragging rights… or lefts.

• The Wire Quizzo with Johnny Goodtimes: Sunday, June 5, 9 p.m. If you, like so many others, harbor an unbridled passion for HBO’s gritty, Baltimore-based crime drama The Wire, join Quizzo master Johnny Goodtimes and North Coast Brewer Doug Moody for a night of Wire trivia at the Pub on Passyunk East (P.O.P.E).

• Punk Rock & Finger Sandwiches: Monday, June 6, noon. One of the original “off-center” brewers, Sam Calagione from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery will join Homebrew Chef Sean Paxton at Nodding Head for a lunchtime cocktail party complete with Punk Rock, Finger Sandwiches and optional black-tie party.

• Gong Show at Standard Tap: Thursday, June 9, 7:30 p.m. Prove your love for beer with poetry, song, dance, juggling, ventriloquism — you get the idea. Sponsored by Philadelphia Brewing Company, the show will reward top talents with prizes, but if you hear the gong, you’re gone.

More events, below.

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Enter to win to see The Roots perform at their annual Roots Picnic on Penn's Landing. (Photo by M. Kennedy for GPTMC)

The Roots Picnic returns to Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing this Saturday, June 4th and we have a free pair of tickets to give away to one lucky reader.

The fourth annual all-day music festival will feature a wide variety of artists, including, of course, The Roots, acclaimed rapper Nas, Grammy award winner Esperanza Spalding, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and many more. Check out Philly 360°’s Roots Picnic guide for more on the lineup and a few insider tips on how to get the most out of the event.

To enter, simply submit your entry below by Friday, June 3 at 12 noon. We’ll notify the winner that afternoon and they’ll have a pair of tickets under their name at the Festival Pier will-call window on Saturday.

Good luck!

Also, regular tickets are still available at ticketmaster.com.

The Roots Picnic
When: June 4, 12 noon
Where: Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing
Cost: Free for the lucky winner and a friend; $65, ticketmaster.com
More Info: okayplayer.com
 
Enter below for your chance to win.

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Center City Sips is back: enjoy discounted drink specials every Wednesday this summer. (Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)

It’s officially here: Center City District Sips returns for the season tomorrow, Wednesday, June 1.

More than 80 participating bars (full list here) offer $4 cocktails, $3 wine, $2 beers and half-priced appetizers every Wednesday evening from 5-7 p.m. throughout the summer, June 1 through August 31.

Plus, certain bars and restaurants offer an additional 15% dinner discount for those who stay past 7 p.m.

Check out new-to-Sips participants like Independence al Fresco, The Corner, Kokopelli, Opa and Perch Pub or stop by Sips veterans like Thirteen at the Marriott Downtown, Ladder 15, (XIX) Nineteen at the Bellevue, Vango (pictured right), Raw, Tinto and many others.

It’s the summer’s happiest happy hour!

Center City District Sips
When: June 1–August 31, Wednesdays 5–7 p.m.
Cost: $4 cocktails, $3 wine, $2 beer and half-price appetizers
Where: 83 bars in Center City
More info: www.centercityphila.org

Previously: Center City Sips Returns June 1 With $4 Cocktails, $3 Glasses Of Wine, $2 Beers And Half-Price Appetizers, Taking Place Every Wednesday Evening All Summer Long

Philadelphia Theatre Company concludes its 35th anniversary season with Ruined, a Pulitzer Prize winner by acclaimed playwright Lynn Nottage.

Although there’s lightheartedness to the play, it takes place in Congo where civil war rages. The setting is a bar and brothel that’s frequented by miners, soldiers, rebels and civilians who all take refuge from the storm that comes from soaking rain and bullets that fly day and night.

The bar is run by Mama Nadi, whose mouth is as colorful as the batik clothes she wears. Mama is a tough survivor who takes in outcast women, including those who are “ruined,” meaning raped and mutilated. Mama insists that warriors unload their ammunition while on her premises and thinks she’s created a respite from the battle. But the women she shelters still endure the war’s sting and Mama can’t keep the fighting at bay forever.

This poignant play presents layers that peel off, at times surprisingly, to expose wounds both physical and psychological. The dialogue, which is spoken in a thick patois, snaps, crackles and pops. War is cruel and Ruined does not shy away from its ravages, yet the piece also does beautiful justice to celebrating the human spirit.

Tickets are available online.

Ruined
Where: Suzanne Roberts Theatre, Broad & Lombard Streets
When: Now through June 12
Cost: $49-$59, with discounts for students, seniors and groups
More info: www.philadelphiatheatrecompany.org

If you haven’t yet stopped by the new Center City Krispy Kreme, or if you have and you can’t shake the addiction (we feel you), Friday, June 3 is a great opportunity.

In honor of National Donut Day, Krispy Kreme is giving away one free original glazed donut to each customer. Both the Fox Chase and Center City outposts are participating.

While you’re there, treat yourself to any of the other delicious donut options — dulce de leche, cookies and kreme, cinnamon apple filled.

Plus, Krispy Kreme has partnered with the Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia for Donut Day. Click here to print out a voucher that you can bring into any store for a donation of $2 to be given to the Salvation Army from your purchase of a dozen original glazed donuts.

A sweet chance to help those in need!

Krispy Kreme: Center City
41 S. 16th Street
www.krispykremephilly.com

Bring your friends, blankets and picnic baskets for a great time watching films under the stars. (Photo courtesy Schuylkill Banks)

The Schuylkill Riverbanks just keep getting cooler. When the riverfront’s not playing host to glowing orb art exhibits, it’s the site of an awesome series of outdoor movies every summer.

This year’s offerings, kicking off next Thursday, June 9, are heavy on superheroes and action — perfect for an outdoor summer flick. And if you don’t feel like packing a picnic, viewers that arrive early receive free snacks and can enter a free raffle.

Here’s this year’s lineup:

June 9: Hancock
June 23: Goldfinger
July 7: Spider-Man
July 21: Iron Man
August 4: The Rocketeer
August 18: The Incredibles

What could be better than dinner under the stars while a movie plays on a giant screen on the bank of the river? We thought not.

Schuylkill Banks 2011 Movie Nights
When: Every other Thursday June 9-August 18, movies begin around 8:20 p.m.
Where: Schuylkill River banks by the Walnut Street Bridge
Cost: Free
More info: www.schuylkillbanks.org

Kids can play authentic instruments, learn ethnic dances, listen to exciting stories and more. (Photo courtesy Piccirillio Sciencetellers)

Explore the world from Philadelphia this summer with the Summer Wonder Series at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

Each Wednesday from June 22 through August 10 from 10:30-11:30 a.m., families are invited to participate in programming that celebrates the cultures of the world. The performances and interactive demonstrations are sure to delight children and parents alike, and are free with the standard museum admission donation.

The series features everything from marionette theater to Ugandan dance. First up is Daria’s Worldfest, featuring a world musician who has collected authentic instruments from all over the globe so you can play along. The series closes with a bang with Dragons and Dreams, a presentation about the science of fire and ice by the Piccirillio Sciencetellers.

After the shows, check out the rest of the Penn Museum’s three floors of exciting exhibits, which focus on the understanding of human history and diversity, and stop by the gift shop for special items just for kids.

Plus, don’t forget PM @ Penn Museum Summer Nights
 outdoor concert series kicks off June 22 as well!

Summer Wonder Series
Where: University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 3260 South Street
When: June 22-August 10
Cost: FREE
More info: www.penn.museum