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Make an evening out of it tonight in Rittenhouse Square. (Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC)

Allow yesterday’s almost fall-like weather to remind you that you should take advantage of outdoor summer activities as much as possible while you still can.

To that end, tonight is the second Wednesday of the Concerts in the Park concert series in Rittenhouse Square. Last week’s show was postponed due to rain so here’s hoping for better luck tonight. UPDATE: The 80-degree forecast is looking promising.

The bands playing this week are 1) Government Cheaze, 2) Drink Up Buttercup, and 3) A Place to Bury Strangers.

It’s a great opportunity to maybe check out Center City Sips first, and then swing by the Rittenhouse Square concert afterward.

Or maybe bring a picnic and enjoy a nice summer evening in the park, complete with a concert under the stars.

Concerts in the Park [Official Site]

Last summer, the Funsavers blew our minds by offering half price season tickets to a number of area theaters. Well, it worked so well last year that they’ve expanded the offer and are doing it again.

They’re selling season tickets to more than 20 area theater, dance and music companies for half price. That means that you can get tickets to the four-show season at the Interact Theater Company for just $64. An even $100 will get you into five Arden shows. The Walnut Street Theater season is the most expensive, ranging from $135 to $175 for five shows, but that package includes musicals by both Irving Berlin and Kander & Ebb. Even at that price, it’s still a bargain!

Click here to check out the list of participating theaters. The deals are good through Friday, September 3rd. But don’t wait, they will sell out. Get ‘em while they last!

This Friday, the Philadelphia Folk Festival sets up on the Old Pool Farm in Schwenksville, PA for the 49th year. There’ll be three days of music, camping, food and more fun than you can shake a stick at. This year’s line-up includes Erin McKeown, Chris Smither & the Motivators, Jeff Tweedy, Taj Mahal and so many, many more (click here to see the full line-up). The event is hosted by long-time Philadelphia folkie and host of The Folk Show on WXPN, Gene Shay.

Tickets are still available and range in price from $8 for a one-day child’s general admission pass to $181 for a full weekend camping pass. There are a number of options in between, so click over and take a look. The weekend is looking to be hot and clear, so make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and water.

The Mann Center is an amazing place to see a summer concert. (Photo courtesy The Mann)

Philly has plenty of great music venues, but few are better suited for summertime shows than The Mann Center in Fairmount Park.

With a lineup for late summer 2010 that includes MGMT, Pavement, Herbie Hancock, Yo Gabba Gabba, Tony Bennett, Cake, and the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia with Fireworks, the Mann has a show for just about anyone.

And this weekend features two of those shows. On Friday night, the Mann aims to please jazz aficionados, hosting Herbie Hancock’s The Imagine Project. Best known for his work with Miles Davis and his 1973 album Head Hunters, Hancock will play hits from throughout his career, including cuts from his most recent release, The Imagine Project.

And on Sunday, progressive pop-synth outfit MGMT bring their psychedelic beats and unparalleled stage presence to the Mann, touring in support of their latest release, Congratulations.

Regardless of which concert you attend, the bigger question will be: do you get seats under the amphitheater closer to the stage and the music, or do you bring a blanket and sit up on the lawn to take in the amazing view of Fairmount Park and the Philadelphia skyline?

The Mann Center for the Performing Arts [Visit Philly]

A jazz group performing at the Chaddsford Winery, Photo by S. Legato

Love music? How about wine? Excellent. Continue reading.

Until the end of the month, you can catch Summer Nights Under the Stars, every Friday at the Chaddsford Winery. Admission is only $22, and guests can look forward to live music in the winery’s beautiful outdoor setting, whilst sipping on crisp glasses of wine.

The concerts run from 6:30pm to 9:30pm, with an array of performers, from The Red Alert Band (60′s dance) to Alligator Zydeco (Southern soul). For a full list of dates and groups, visit the Chaddsford Winery’s official website.

Chaddsford Winery
632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, PA 19317
(610) 388-6221
www.chaddsford.com

Sunday, August 1st at 8 pm.

Percy Street Barbecue [Visit Philly]
@PercyStreet [Twitter]

Earlier:
In Photos: Lunch at Percy Street

The Silk Road Summer Nights Music & Happy Hour Series continues every Wednesday evening through August. (Photos courtesy of the Penn Museum)

In anticipation of their upcoming Secrets of the Silk Road exhibition (opening February 5th, 2011) the Penn Museum (University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology) presents the Silk Road Summer Nights music series every Wednesday evening through the end of August.

From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., enjoy the warm weather in the Penn Museum’s lush, scenic Warden Garden, sipping drinks and munching on light fare while listening to a diverse line-up of talented musicians from all over the world.

Admission is pay-what-you-want and select museum galleries will be open to explore throughout the evening. And as an added bonus, the garden provides free wi-fi!

Silk Road Summer Nights
The Penn Museum
Every Wednesday, through August
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Silk Road Summer Nights [The Penn Museum]
University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology [Visit Philly]

Rufus Wainwright, Photo via the Mann Center

Affectionately referred to by Elton John as “the greatest songwriter on the planet” and praised by The New York Times for his “genuine originality,” Rufus Wainwright has established himself as one of the greatest male vocalists and songwriters of his generation.

On August 4th, the Mann Center continues its 75th Anniversary season with a concert you won’t want to miss, as Rufus Wainwright takes the stage for an evening of soulful music under the stars.

The Juno Award-winning Canadian-American singer/songwriter has released six albums and two DVDs to date, and has appeared on numerous soundtracks and compilations, as well as collaborated with artists like Elton John, David Byrne and Keane.

His latest album, All Days Are Nights: Songs For Lulu, was released this March and features the single “Who Are You New York?”

Tickets are $34.50, $44.50 and $56. Doors open at 6 pm. Show begins at 7:30 pm. See ya there!

Mann Center for the Performing Arts
5201 Parkside Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131
(215) 546-7900
www.manncenter.org

Animus, Performing at the Penn Museum on July 21st

On Wednesday evenings from 5pm – 8pm through August 25th, the Penn Museum’s Summer Music Series in the lush Warden Gardens offers an opportunity to sip drinks, enjoy light fare and explore the gardens while listening to live music inspired by ancient stops along the famed Silk Road trading route that brought East and West together.

The Silk Road theme is offered to herald the coming of a new major exhibition from China, Secrets of the Silk Road, making its East Coast stop at the Penn Museum in early 2011.

The Summer Music Series is Pay-What-You-Wish and is the perfect location to unwind after work. Select museum galleries are also open and the event occurs rain or shine. Visit the Penn Museum’s official website for a full line-up of performers.

Penn Museum
3260 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-898-4000
www.penn.museum

Sun Ra Arkestra, Photo: Mark Lazarski

At 6PM on Saturday, July 24th, University City District and The Rotunda are hosting a free, outdoor performance by the Sun Ra Arkestra that will take place on 40th Street between Walnut and Locust, directly behind the Walnut Street Free Library.

These pioneers of experimental music have called Philadelphia home since 1968, and for over 50 years have combined their Afro-Futurist ideas with traditional jazz music to create a unique sound that merges bebop, swing, ragtime, free jazz, and astral electronic instrumentation.

After Sun Ra’s death, Marshall Allen – who recently celebrated his 86th birthday! – became the Arkestra’s maestro in 1995 and they have continued to make creative music that is every bit as sonically spectacular and ahead of its time as it was 50 years ago.

If you’ve never seen a Sun Ra Arkestra performance, or missed last year’s excellent Pathways to Unknown Worlds: Sun Ra, El Saturn & Chicago’s Afro-Futurist Underground, 1954-1968 exhibit at the Institute of Contemporary Art, now is the time to witness one of Philly’s legendary music groups for yourself!

A performance by the Scorch Fire Show will combine flames and movement arts prior to the music and Rita’s Water Ice will be freely available to keep things cool.

Sun Ra Arkestra & Scorch
Saturday, July 24, 6PM
40th & Walnut/Locust Streets (behind Walnut Street Free Library)

En Vogue

The bigger-than-ever Global Fusion Festival kicks off tomorrow, with a concert that celebrates the cultures of the world. From international Bachata performers and hands-clapping gospel artists, to award-winning R&B soloists and cultural performers, the festival’s line-up is sure to excite the rhythms within your soul.

The festival starts at noon and runs until 8pm on the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing. Get ready for ethnic dance performances, cultural vendors, kid’s activities and a concert with national headliners such as R&B divas En Vogue; Soul singer Lyfe Jennings; Gospel Recording Artists JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise; Bachata artist Toby Love; Salsa singer Huey Dunbar; International Reggae singer Gyptian and many more… all hosted by VH1’s music host Amanda Diva.

For more information and for additional performers, visit the Global Fusion Festival’s official website.

Global Fusion Festival
Saturday, July 17th, 2010, Noon to 8pm
www.globalfusionfestival.com

Penn’s Landing [ www.visitphilly.com ]

The Philadelphia Orchard Project, an organization that wants to plant orchards across the city of Philadelphia to provide healthy food, green spaces, and community food security, is hosting a music festival and fundraiser this Saturday, July 17th.

The concert kicks off at 3pm at Liberty Lands Park, featuring the West Philadelphia Orchestra and four other groups. Suggested donation is only $5, and all proceeds go towards the organization.

Hungry concert goers can look forward to food from a number of great local food trucks, include Honest Tom’s Taco Truck, the Buttercream Cupcake Truck, and the Dapper Dog. Thirsty? Philadelphia Brewing Company made a donation to the event, and their guys will be there pouring beer all day.

For more info on the Philadelphia Orchard Project, visit their official website.

Concert for the Philadelphia Orchard Project
Saturday, July 17th, 3pm – 8:30pm
www.phillyorchards.org

Liberty Lands Park
926 N American St, Philadelphia, PA 1912