Weekend event picks: Easter fun, Zombie Crawl & more

When someone tells you to take two days off, you best enjoy those days. Here are a few options for ultimate satisfaction.

Closing this Sunday is the Philadelphia Museum of Art's (2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway) selection of work from renowned African American artists, "Represent: 200 Years of African American Art." Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, April 2 through Sunday, April 5.

There's nothing more rewarding than running for chocolate. Saturday, April 4's Hot Chocolate 15K/5K will take to the streets starting at 7:15 a.m. for the 5K and 8 a.m. for the 15K, but the fun starts earlier on Thursday, April 2 with a two-day expo at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (1101 Arch St.). Grab your packet and taste chocolate samples. Expo hours are noon to 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 2 and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, April 3.

If Geek Speed Dating and a "Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers" reunion sounds like your cup of tea, the Great Philadelphia Comic Con brings you all that and more at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center (100 Station Ave., Oaks). Between panels on "The Walking Dead" (featuring an appearance from one of the show's stars, Seth Gilliam) and cosplay opportunities, the whole weekend is packed with geek-tastic events. Convention hours are 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, April 3, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 4 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 5.

The Simeone Museum (6825 Norwitch Dr.) premieres a new special exhibit starting Saturday, April 4 (and running until Sunday, April 19) featuring over 20 of the most intimidatingly speedy and exclusive cars on the planet. All of the Lamborghinis, Aston Martins, Bentleys and other high-end vehicles are owned by local collectors and exotic car dealers. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

If your dog/cat/turtle has an eye for style, let them flaunt it at the Woof 'n' Paws Annual Pet Fashion Show. Bring your pets, dressed in their best, to the Ocean City Civic Center (6th St. just off the Boardwalk, Ocean City) on Saturday, April 4 to compete in categories like Best Dressed Dog, Best Bonnet, Pet/Owner Lookalike and more. Registration begins at 10 a.m. with the show to start an hour later.

Easter brings with it a number of holiday events including egg hunts, bunny visits and hayrides and brunches. Don't miss any of the big festivities like the South Street Promenade at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 5, brunch at Davio's (111 S. 17th St.) or Stenton's (4601 N. 18th St.) Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 4.

Rise from the dead on Sunday, April 5 for the 10th Annual Philly Zombie Crawl — this year open to under-21 walkers. Beginning with a parade at 5:30 p.m., starting at Starr Garden (6th and Lombard Streets), the undead will saunter to the Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) to announce winners of the best Zombie Packs of the parade. After that, Tattooed Mom (530 South St.), Manny Browns (512 South St.), 2nd State Lounge (401 South St.), Copabanana (344 South St.), The Boyler Room (328 South St.) and the Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) will all hold drink specials and the opportunity for a makeup artist to zombify your face.

Inquirer's Picks

The intrepid Riddlesbrood Touring Theater Company presents Ryan Long's unique, interactive fantasy musical "Harken: A Game of Phones," in which the audience uses a downloaded app to control the actions of five characters (a football star, a cheerleader, a brainy nerd, a free spirit, and a class president) as they take part in a medieval computer-game journey. The show goes on at Society Hill Playhouse (507 S. Eighth St.) at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 3.

The first Polish-language film to win an Oscar, Pawel Pawlikowski's wrenching 2013 drama "Ida" contains a compact history of the 20th century in its tale of an orphan novice nun, who sets off on a voyage after learning that her parents were Jewish. It is, quite simply, a masterpiece. The film screens at the Peace Center of Delaware County (1001 Old Sproul Road, Springfield) at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 3.

The funniest man on TV right now? It may very well be Deon Cole, whose scene-stealing spin on the wacky friend is bending sitcom stereotypes on ABC's hit series Black-ish. He brings his stand-up to Helium Comedy Club (2031 Sansom St.) for 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. shows on Friday, April 3, 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. shows on Saturday, April 4.

Singer-guitarist Gabrielle Smith, who performs as Eskimeaux, plays fractured chamber-pop riddled with odd popping drum-shots over her feathery vocals. You really should go see her when she performs on a four-band bill at PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) on Sunday, April 5 at 7 p.m.

For more Things to Do, check out our calendar for the most up-to-date happenings.