Uwishunu.com

Tweet

 

It's a busy evening in University City, with free mini golf at the Porch at 30th Street Station, opening night of the pop-up beer garden at the Porch and the first night of UC Dining Days. (Photo courtesy University City District)

[Summer nights in Philadelphia are always action-packed, and we want to help you cherry-pick from all the events and activities going on. On certain days that promise particularly bustling evenings, we round up our selections for the most can't-miss pursuits with which to fill your schedule. See you out there!]

• Pop-Up Beer Garden at The Porch at 30th Street: Opening Night!: Starting tonight, the Porch at 30th Street Station will transform into an outdoor beer garden, with live music, craft beer and delicious German eats provided by Bridgewater’s Pub. Plus, through July 1-31, the Porch plays host to a mini golf course open from 10 a.m.-8 p.m., seven days a week (see above). And it’s totally free! Balls and clubs are provided, and you can turn in your filled-out score card to be entered to win a $500 gift card to Dick’s Sporting Goods. See you there.

Where: 30th and Market Streets
When: Thursday, July 12, noon-8 p.m.
Cost: Free mini golf; pay as you go at the beer garden

• 2012 University City Dining Days Kick Off: One of the Philadelphia area’s best restaurant deals is back for the summer starting tonight: University City Dining Days. 34 restaurants in the University City neighborhood will be offering three-course prix-fixe menus at either the $15, $25 or $30 price point.

Where: 34 restaurants in University City
When: Thursday, July 12-Thursday, July 26
Cost: 3-course menus starting at $15

• Screenings Under the Stars at Penn’s Landing: Catch a free outdoor screening of Moneyball at Penn’s Landing. Pack a picnic.

Where: River Stage on Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street
When: Thursday, July 12, 8:30 p.m.
Cost: Free

• Schuylkill Movie Night: On the opposite waterfront, you can catch the original Footloose on the big screen under the Walnut Street Bridge on the Schuylkill Banks. Early birds get free snacks, beverages and a raffle ticket to win some fantastic prizes from Philadelphia Runner. An equally great spot to bring a picnic.

Where: Walnut Street and the Schuylkill Banks
When: Thursday, July 12, around 7:45 p.m.
Cost: Free

• Alla Spina DJ Night featuring Schoolly D: Alla Spina hosts their first DJ night tonight, with Philadelphia’s DJ Schoolly D wspinning southern soul, progressive funk and dance music. In addition to the great music, enjoy the usual late-night specials.

Where: 1410 Mt. Vernon Street
When: Thursday, July 12, 10 p.m.-1 a.m.
Cost: Pay as you go

• $5 After 5 at the National Constitution Center: Get $5 admission to the NCC each Thursday through August 30 when you enter from 5-8 p.m. It’s a great opportunity to escape the heat and spend an evening cooling down in the A.C. while taking in some of the summer’s richest programming.

Where: 525 Arch Street
When: Thursdays 5-8 p.m., through August 30
Cost: $5

More Tonight Picks, below.

• Chris Cleave reading at the Free Library: Hear from and meet the acclaimed author behind Little Bee and Gold in the Montgomery Auditorium.

Where: 1901 Vine Street
When: Thursday, July 12, 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free

• 18th Annual Philadelphia Qfest: The 18th Philadelphia QFest, the city’s LGBT film festival reeling everything from comedy and drama to hot-button issues of immigration and the legalization of same sex-marriage, returns starting tonight.

Where: Ritz East Theater (125 S. 2nd Street), then Table 31 @ Comcast Center (17th Street and JFK Boulevard)
When: Thursday, July 12
Cost: $40 (includes film and after-party) or $35 (party only)

• “Whose Line is it Anyway” Star Greg Proops at Helium Comedy Club: Laugh the night away with stand-up from the hilarious guy behind the popular podcast “The Smartest Man In The World.”

Where: 2031 Sansom Street
When: Thursday, July 12, 8 p.m.
Cost: $21-28

• Staged reading of Women in Jep by Wendy MacLeod at the Arden Theatre: In The Writers’ Room, a playwright is in residence at the Arden for six weeks, completing the draft of a new play. Experience the results of Wendy MacLeod’s workshop at tonight’s reading. It runs through July 15.

Where: 40 N. 2nd Street
When: Thursday, July 12, 8 p.m.
Cost: $15

• BalletX Summer Series 2012: With the closing of a successfully entertaining season, BalletX, contemporary resident dance company of the Wilma Theater, introduces their Summer Series 2012 featuring premieres and popular pieces to be performed July 11-15.

Where: The Wilma Theater, Broad and Spruce Streets
When: Thursday, July 12
Cost: $35 regular admission; $30 seniors; $22 students

• Extended summer hours at the Franklin Institute: Take advantage of the special summer hours at the Franklin Institute and check out the awesome Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition.

Where: 222 N. 20th Street
When: Thursday, July 12, open until 7 p.m.
Cost: after 5 p.m., adults $19.50 and kids 3-11 $12.50