PUFF Festival celebrates 9 years at Theatre Exile
The Philadelphia Unnamed Film Festival is back to celebrate its ninth year as South Philadelphia’s “DIY film festival,” this year filling up a six-day schedule at the black box Theatre Exile (1340 S. 13th St.) from Sept. 24-29.
“So much amazing talent comes through our doors each year that it just seems like a no-brainer to set something like this up,” said festival director Wil Keiper of the Filmmakers Meetup. “Especially this year when our screeners were literally overwhelmed with how many quality submissions we were getting – we want everyone to be able to meet each other and talk. Film is so alive in Philly right now.”
Tickets and badges for PUFF9 are available for purchase online at the official PUFF eventive page and will be available at the door at Theatre Exile. Tickets for individual films and short blocks are on sale for $15. All-access badges are on sale for $125 (over $100 in savings). A Saturday-only badge is available for $75. A full schedule can be found at https://phillyunnamed.eventive.org/schedule.
‘Fruition’ unveiled at Museum For Art in Wood
The Museum for Art in Wood presents Fruition, a new exhibition featuring works created by the 2024 resident fellows of its annual Windgate Wood Arts Residency Program. In this exhibition, which runs through Oct. 20 at the museum located at 141 N. 3rd St., the resident Fellows present work created during the residency, which emphasizes research, exploration and the opportunity to work in a collaborative environment. Now in its 27th year, the WARP Wood residency offers artists specializing in the material of wood the opportunity to test their vision and skill while developing connections with colleagues, collectors, the Museum and the wider city of Philadelphia. The works in Fruition are based on seeds of ideas planted over a stretch of time that have enriched outcomes and, at times, reshaped the artists’ ways of making. The cost of admission is free with a $5 suggested donation.
Armenian Heritage Walk
The Philadelphia Armenian community announces an outdoor gallery called the Armenian Heritage Walk outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art. With a planned unveiling in April 2026, the walkway will feature public art and gardens celebrating the Armenian story, thanking America for its partnership and advancing cultural awareness.
The Walk will flank the long-standing statue called “Young Meher,” a legendary figure symbolizing the indomitable spirit of the Armenian people. While the Walk will pay tribute to the unique Armenian identity, it will simultaneously celebrate Philadelphia’s spirit of diversity. When visitors step onto the Walk, they will discover the story of a people who, exiled in genocide, found a new home in Philadelphia.
Anchored in stones endemic to both Armenia and Philadelphia and decorated with artwork and landscaping, the Walk will showcase the cross-cultural gifts of this ancient race. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore and reflect on how one of the oldest civilizations of the world endured and thrived in modern and post-modern America.
The project will kick off on Sept. 14 with an inaugural charitable and cultural event at the Philadelphia Club, celebrating the anniversary of the 100th birthday of the late French-Armenian chansonnier and Armenian champion Charles Aznavour.
The Armenian Heritage Walk is a project that will bring attention to the Armenian people and make their contributions to America and the world known to all who cross the path.
Donations for the project can be made at www.armenianheritagewalk.org. ••
Buddy Holly tribute concert
Zachary Stevenson brings his Buddy Holly Tribute to the Philadelphia region for the first time on Sept. 14, at 2 p.m., at Sellersville Theater 1894.
Tickets are available at https://www.st94.com/events/oh-boys-buddy-holly-tribute/
The Buddy Holly Tribute one-act show will feature hits such as That’ll Be the Day, Peggy Sue, Oh Boy and Rave On.
Stevenson will be backed by Philadelphia psychedelic-rock trio Echo Kid as the Crickets. Echo Kid features Brendan McHale on bass, Christian Turzo on guitar and Kieran McCabe on drums. ••
Hero Thrill Show is Sept. 21
The 69th annual Hero Thrill Show will take place on Saturday, Sept. 21, from noon to 5 p.m., at the Wells Fargo Center parking lot.
Featured will be the Sound of Philadelphia music by DJ legend Bob Pantano, performances and displays of K-9 and bicycle units, the elite Philadelphia Police Motorcycle Highway Patrol Drill Team, mounted police horse, fire engines, crime-fighting equipment by the Police Aviation Unit, Bomb Squad, Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Marine Unit, firearms instructors, Police Academy and SWAT Unit.
Tickets are $15 for individuals and $35 for a family (up to five).
Proceeds pay for the college tuition of children of Philadelphia police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.
For more information, go to herothrillshow.org. ••
Entertainment at Parx
Parx Casino is offering the following upcoming entertainment:
Aug. 23: The Marshall Tucker Band
Sept. 7: Australian Pink Floyd
Sept. 21: Dustin Lynch
Oct. 4: Heather McDonald
Oct. 18: Straight No Chaser
Oct. 19: Giggly Squad Live
Oct. 25: Michael Blaustein
Nov. 9: Air Supply
Nov. 21: Aaron Lewis
Nov. 23: Steve Trevino
Dec. 7: Kathleen Madigan ••
VFW looking for members
Bustleton-Somerton/CTR1 Michael J. Strange VFW Post 6617 meets on the third Wednesday of every month at American Legion Post 810, 9151 Old Newtown Road.
Meetings start at 7:30 p.m.
If you are a military veteran who served in a designated combat zone, you are eligible to join the VFW.
Call Commander Israel Wolmark at 215-725-0630 if you would like to join the post. ••
Party for West Catholic girls class of ‘69
West Catholic Girls Class of 1969 will have its 55th anniversary party on Sunday, Sept. 29, at Anthony’s Ristorante, 865 W. Springfield Road, Springfield. The cost for the luncheon is $65. Call Hannah at 610-764-3249. ••
Ukrainian Folk Festival on Aug. 25
The Ukrainian Folk Festival will take place on Sunday, Aug. 25, from noon to 8 p.m., at the Ukrainian American Sport Center — Tryzub, County Line and Lower State roads, Horsham.
There will be Ukrainian folk art, music, dance, crafts and historical reenactments, a variety of food and refreshments and a vendors grove. Admission is $15, and a portion will be donated to relief of war victims in Ukraine. Kids under 15 will be admitted free. Parking is free. Call 267-664-3857, email info@tryzub.org or visit www.tryzub.org. ••
Artists urged to take survey
Councilwoman Rue Landau announced the launch of a comprehensive citywide survey aimed at gathering insights from Philadelphia’s artist community. This survey seeks to understand the challenges and opportunities faced by artists in the city, with the goal of informing policy changes that will better support and nurture the creative sector.
“Philadelphia is home to a thriving community of artists who contribute immensely to the cultural, social and economic vitality of our city,” Landau said. “This survey is my office’s first big step toward understanding the needs of our artists and we hope our findings lead to insights and even policies that will help them thrive. We recognize the critical role that artists play in making Philadelphia a vibrant, dynamic place to live.”
The survey will cover a range of topics, including affordable housing and studio space, funding and grant opportunities, health care and insurance needs, professional development and networking opportunities, and the impact of city regulations and policies on artistic practice.
Artists of all disciplines, including visual arts, music, dance, theater, literature and digital arts, are encouraged to participate. The insights gathered will be used to shape future initiatives and policies that aim to provide more robust support for the arts community.The survey will be open for responses through Sept. 6. Artists can access the survey online here. ••
