Your Week: May 3-9

FAMILY

SPY: The Secret World of Espionage

James Bond wannabes must see this brand-new exhibit. On display: gadgets and gizmos galore - intelligence-gathering insects, a cipher machine - plus a once-top-secret presidential binder, and loads more de-classified memorabilia from the CIA, FBI and National Reconnaissance Office.

Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St., tomorrow-Oct. 6, $13-$28, 215-418-1200, fi.edu.

Tides of Freedom

Philly's waterfront has seen its share of "glory and gloom," said Penn race relations prof Tukufu Zuberi, curator of this new exhibit, subtitled, "African Presence on the Delaware River." Ancient artifacts and cutting-edge technology will be on display through 2015, but opening day (tomorrow) has family-friendly activities and music.

Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Columbus Blvd., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, $10-$13.50, 215-413-8655, phillyseaport.org.

Natural History Road Show

Love science? Like "Antiques Roadshow"? Schlep your specimens to the Wagner for this sixth annual event to have pros ID your stuff. Come early (noon) to pet a skunk pelt, touch a megalodon tooth, grip a geode, create a craft, and more.

Wagner Free Institute of Science, 1700 W. Montgomery Ave., noon-4 p.m. tomorrow, free, 215-763-6529, wagnerfreeinstitute.org.

FESTIVALS

Equality Forum

This four-day global LGBT summit offers free symposiums on parenting, surrogacy, HIV/AIDS, legal rights, employment discrimination and youth. But it's not all serious stuff. There's an all-male production of "Romeo and Juliet," a salon drag show, nightclub parties and SundayOUT!, a giant wrap-up with a Cinco de Mayo theme, at Northern Liberties' Piazza.

Various locations, through tomorrow, many events are free, 215-732-3378, equalityforum.com.

International Children's Festival

It's finale weekend for this great Philly tradition. Worthwhile performances include an underwater adventure tale from Australia and a staged version of Eric Carle's classic books. Tickets buy access to a Fun Zone.

Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St., through tomorrow, $10 per performance ($5 for West Philly residents; $25 for three performances tomorrow), 215-898-3900, pennpresents.org.

South Street Spring Festival

This first-ever fair shuts down six blocks of South, and 2nd Street between South and Lombard. Live blues, jazz and rock musicians play. The Kid Zone occupies South Street's 200 block; the Heroes Zone, featuring bike safety and fire prevention booths, fills the 600 block. Food, art and beer vendors occupy the rest.

South Street, between 2nd and 8th Street, noon-8 p.m. tomorrow, free, 215-413-3713, southstreet.com.

Kite and Food Truck Festival

DIY and BYO-kites are the main attractions at "Pie in the Sky," an afternoon fair tomorrow at a historic and open Delaware Riverside green space. Sweet Box Cupcakes, Pitruco pizza, Zsa's Ice Cream and more grub-to-go trucks vend wares. Philadelphia German Brass Band entertains.

Penn Treaty Park, 1341 N. Delaware Ave., 12 p.m.-5 p.m. tomorrow, penntreatypark.org.

Plazapalooza

Bursting So-So or GradHo (or whatever it's being called now) gets its spring on during this street fest, with Clef Club Jazz, Odunde artists, a fire truck, a dunk tank and. . . beer.

Grays Ferry Avenue Triangle (at 23rd and South streets), 1 p.m.-7 p.m. tomorrow, free, southofsouth.org.

MUSIC

The Bacon Brothers

Sure, you could say this duo has their own band because one of the bros has zero degrees of separation from Kevin Bacon. But seriously, they've got soul, too. And rock chops. And 17 years of gigging together. And Philly swagger and soul. They got it.

Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside, 8 p.m. tonight, $29.50-$47.50, 215-572-7650, keswicktheatre.com.

Steve Earle and The Dukes

Hard-livin', beloved and bearded (long before it was hip), this all-American set-to-music storyteller brings his heartfelt brand of social commentary to Phoenixville, courtesy of WXPN. The prolific Earle's latest album, "The Low Highway," dropped a couple of weeks ago.

Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., 8 p.m. tonight, $29.50-$47.50, 610-917-1228, thecolonialtheatre.com.

Gina Sicilia

Jam sessions at Warmdaddy's were her training ground. Now the world gets to feel this blueswoman's warmth and walloping vocal power on "It Wasn't Real," just out on VizzTone. Sliding tastes of Americana, rock and soul into the blues news, Sicilia originals evoke the smart, crossover composing acumen of Philly legend Jerry Ragovoy (a Janis Joplin fave). The imprint of another homegrown, recently departed guitarist, Jef Lee Johnson, is all over her set cut at East Norriton's Morningstar Studios.

Chaplin's Music Cafe, 66 N. Main St., Spring City (near Phoenixville), 8 p.m. tonight, $10-$12, 610-792-4110, chaplinsmusiccafe.com.

Daughter

Melancholy maiden Elena Tondra wails (genteely, painfully) of failed romance in this British dream pop trio. Their spare, tech-laced sound adds to the sense of modern isolation. Sigh. Wilsen opens. Note: New venue.

Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St., 8:30 p.m. tonight, $14 (all ages), 215-232-2100, utphilly.com.

Il Divo

Simon Cowell's vocal quartet handles pop, opera and everything in-between with stirring arrangements that highlight the members' sterling vocal cords.

Revel, Boardwalk at New Jersey Avenue, Atlantic City, $80-$185, 800-736-1420, ticketmaster.com.

Free Energy

Next best thing to free beer? Philly-transplanted (from Minnesota) pop rock troupe lights up the night with rousing originals in the grand tradition of "Rosalita" (Bruce Springsteen), "Good Lovin'" (Rascals) and "867-5309/Jenny" (Tommy TuTone). F.E.'s new set "Love Sign" is earning radio affection here and there, too.

North Star, 27th and Poplar streets, 9 p.m. tomorrow, $12-$15, 215-787-0488, northstarbar.com.

Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia

An all-Mozart concert led by Dirk Brosse includes the Adagio and Fugue and Symphony No. 29, and the magnificent husband-wife team of violist Roberto Diaz and violinist Elissa Lee Koljonen lavish their artistry on the sublime Sinfonia Concertante.

Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Monday, $24-$81, and Lew Klein Hall, Broad Street and Polett Walk, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, $20, 215-893-1999, chamberorchestra.org.

Lyric Fest

This group of fabulous singers always finds an interesting angle to present songs from all ages, this time featuring songs by Barber, Ives, Britten, Lieberson and more to texts in languages other than their own.

Academy of Vocal Arts, 1920 Spruce St., 3 p.m. Sunday, $25, 215-438-1702, lyricfest.org.

Curtis Symphony Orchestra

Hearing these incredibly talented players is always a sizzling adventure, and this all-Wagner program of orchestral and vocal excerpts packs a wallop. The alumni talents are conductor Mark Russell Smith, soprano Heidi Melton and the now-colossally-famed bass-baritone Eric Owens.

Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, 8 p.m. Sunday, $5-$45, 215-893-1999, curtis.edu.

Hayes Carll

Raspy country rocker in the John Prine/Steve Earle vein serves wry (and rye) drinking songs.

Sellersville Theater, Main and Temple streets, Sellersville, 8 p.m. Tuesday, $21.50, 215-257-5808, st94.com.

ON STAGES

Shen Yun

Spectacular synchronicity is the hallmark of this classical Chinese 100-member troupe, now making its seventh visit to Broad Street. Dances and orchestral music revisit some 5,000 years of cultural history, creating a whirl of color, marvel and magic.

Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St., 7:30 p.m. tonight, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, 1 p.m. Sunday, $60-$150, 215-893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.

Jillian Michaels

She's not just in town recruiting for "The Biggest Loser." She's also here on her "Maximize Your Life" tour, which has the tough-lovin' trainer taking audience members on a 90-minute "emotional journey" (her words) that promises to inspire and energize.

Academy of Music, Broad and Locust streets, 8 p.m. tonight, $39.50-$125, 215-893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.

Wanda Sykes

Any comic worth her salt has to be funny, but also smart and fearless. And that pretty much sums up the Media resident who returns to Atlantic City this weekend.

Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa, One Borgata Way, 9 p.m. tonight and tomorrow, $59.50 and $55, 866-900-4849, theborgata.com.

Paula Poundstone

She's a wry one, this Boston-bred, menswear-wearing, cat-loving, whip-smart comedian whom you may know from "SNL," "The Tonight Show," or NPR's "Wait, Wait. . . Don't Tell Me." Go. You could use a laugh.

Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., 8 p.m. tomorrow, $25-$38, 610-917-1228, thecolonialtheatre.com.

Lend Me A Tenor

The evergreen farce about the wacky shenanigans among the members of an opera company returns for a monthlong run.

Act II Playhouse, 56 E. Butler Ave., Ambler, times vary Tuesday-June 8, $27-$33, 215-654-0200, act2.org.

Carnival of the Animals

Kids will love the zoological procession of dancers as beasts. Grown-ups will appreciate the narrations of world-famous actor John Lithgow. The PA Ballet's latest opens Thursday and goes through next weekend. Get tix now.

Academy of Music, Broad and Locust streets, 7:30 p.m. Thursday-May 12, $15-$125, 215-893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.

OTHER COOL STUFF

Philadelphia Natural Hair Show

Solange does it. So does Kelly Rowland. Ditto Philly's own Jill Scott. You can, too - go natural, that is. Stylists, authors and style-seekers converge in Center City for this advice- and product-rich (yet chemical-free) day of beauty.

Sheraton Philadelphia, 201 N. 17th St., 10 a.m.-7 p.m., $20, phillynaturalhairshow.com.

Caroline Manzo

This "Real Housewives of NJ" star - the one with the short red hair - comes to KOP to sign her book, Let Me Tell You Something. Manzo's book's title comes from the reality hit's most memorable episode, wherein co-star Teresa Giudice flips a table. Cocktails will be served. Drama could ensue.

C. Wonder, King of Prussia Mall, 690 W. Dekalb Pk., 1-3 p.m. tomorrow, free, 610-337-1680, cwonder.com.

- Compiled by Chuck Darrow, Tom Di Nardo, Lauren McCutcheon and Jonathan Takiff