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It's going to be a beautiful night to enjoy a movie on the waterfront... (Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)

Perfect weather for tonight’s season finale of Screenings Under The Stars at Penn’s Landing.

The new RiverStage at Penn’s Landing will be transformed into a unique outdoor theater for a screening of Monsters vs. Aliens.

The movie will begin at dusk or approximately 8 p.m. As with all events at Penn’s Landing, the screening is FREE.

Screenings Under The Stars at Penn’s Landing [Official Site]

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]

Time to make it count. (Photo courtesy Table 31)

Don’t look now, but it’s getting dangerously close to the end of summer.

Case in point: this Wednesday, August 25th, is the last Center City Sips of the season!

So make sure you take advantage. $4 cocktails, $3 wine, $2 beers and half-price appetizers at some of Center City’s best bars and restaurants, with some establishments even offering a 15% dinner discount after 7 p.m.

Center City Sips [Official Site]

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]

Join Chief Astronomer Derrick Pitts to view the meteors from the Franklin's rooftop (Photo courtesy The Franklin Institute)

On the second Thursday night of every month, the Joel N. Bloom Observatory at the Franklin Institute is open late to the public and offers five different telescopes for you to view celestial objects in the sky, including stars, planets, nebulae, and if conditions are right, a galaxy or two.

This month’s “Night Skies in the Observatory” event takes place during the peak of the annual Perseid Meteor Shower.

Tonight’s program — hosted by Chief Astronomer at The Franklin Institute Derrick Pitts — features a presentation on the Perseid meteor shower and planetary viewing in the observatory, weather permitting. (Note: It’s supposed to be cloudy.)

The Observatory will be staffed with knowledgeable observers and free star maps are provided. The program starts at 7 pm.

Night Skies in the Observatory – Perseid Meteor Shower Peak! with Derrick Pitts
When: August 12, 7-10 pm
Where: The Franklin Institute
Cost: Admission is $5. Members are free.

Night Skies at the Observatory [The Franklin Institute]

Enjoy free fireworks over the Delaware River every Friday night through September 3rd. (Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)

Tonight is the first of five consecutive Friday nights featuring free fireworks at Penn’s Landing. Billed as “Friday Night Lights”, the series will run through September 3rd with exciting fireworks displays beginning at 9:15 p.m.

Friday Night Lights are new to Penn’s Landing this season and offers more opportunities to enjoy fireworks on the Delaware River than ever before. The display takes place near the new RiverStage at the Great Plaza and promise to be a great way to kick off your weekend.

Friday Night Lights at Penn’s Landing
Every Friday night, August 6th to September 3rd
Fireworks display begins at 9:15 p.m.

Friday Night Lights Fireworks Series [Delaware River Waterfront Corporation]

The Schuylkill Banks 2010 Movie Night series continues tomorrow with the classic Bill Murray comedy, Groundhog Day. Grab a blanket and a picnic basket and enjoy the hilarious flick under the night sky on the Banks, by the Walnut Street bridge.

The movie begins at dusk, which is approximately 8:15, and free snacks are available for those who arrive early. Bill Murray, nice summer night, free snacks… it doesn’t get much better than that!

Groundhog Day Screening at Schuylkill Banks
Thursday, August 5, 2010 – approx. 8:15 p.m.
25th Street and Locust Street (one of several access points)

2010 Movie Nights [Schuylkill Banks]

Sunday, August 1st at 8 pm.

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

Earlier:
In Photos: Lunch at Percy Street

Feel like letting loose during the week? Check out Brasil’s, a Latin nightclub in Old City.

Every Wednesday, those with dance fever can learn sexy salsa moves taught by La Luna Dance Studio. The lessons, which go from 9pm – 10:30pm, cover basic steps, turns and partner dances. It’s a great way to break the ice and meet new people— partners are changed every few minutes through a circle rotation. And the cover is only $5!

No need to worry about your dance expertise, people of all skill levels crowd the floor for beginner-based instruction. In the diverse crowd you’ll find couples, friends, singles and dance enthusiasts, all just there to have a great time.

After the lessons are over, guests can show off new moves to hot Latin music on the dance floor or head over to the bar and refresh with one of many drink specials.

Wednesday night specials include $3 tequila shots and $4 margaritas. The bar also offers $3 Coronas every night before 11pm.

So go shake it up!

Brasil’s Nightclub and Restaurant
112 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106-3009
(215) 413-1700
www.brasilsnightclub-philly.com

Heads up, Sailor Jerry fans! Tonight Sailor Jerry is hosting a special Spring Preview event at their flagship store on 13th and Sansom.

Guests will get to check out the new Spring line, and score 15% off new merchandise. Plus, the first 40 people to show up will receive swag bags, with t-shirts, stickers, and more!

The event is 21+ and starts at 7pm. Have fun!

Spring Preview Party @ Sailor Jerry
Thursday, April 15th, 2010, 7pm

Sailor Jerry
116-118 South 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 531-6380
www.sailorjerry.com

Get your weekend started early at Silk City every Thursday night with “Mo Money, No Problems.” Cheap drinks, no cover until midnight (sorry guys, but after midnight you have to dish out $3 – ladies, you get in for free all night long), and music you can’t help but get down to. What more could you really ask for?

The party kicks off at 10PM and features an eclectic mix of music, with everything from new hip hop to electro, indie dance to club. The weekly event, which has been in existence for about a year, is a collaboration between local DJs Sammy Slice, Cool Hand Luke, and Tu Phace. The three got together with one major goal in mind: to bring together a unique group of people who love hearing and dancing to a diverse variety of music all night long.

Every week, a new guest DJ is brought in from a different city to add some out of town talent. Shake it up this Thursday and see what the Silk scene is all about.

Drink specials vary every Thursday so check out Silk City’s official website for details. Or call them the night of.

Silk City Diner Bar & Lounge
435 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 592-8838
www.silkcityphilly.com

Located at the intersection of Frankford and Girard Avenues on the Southern tip of Fishtown, Johnny Brenda’s is, at once, the catalyst, champion, living room, kitchen and concert hall of its neighborhood. (All photos by G. Widman)

What was once a rough-around-the-edges neighborhood tavern — with a dilapidated boarding house above it — is now a chronically filled stomping grounds for lovers of beer, food and music.

Johnny Brenda’s [gophila.com]