7 days of things to do, May 12 to 18: Stargaze at the Rail Park, scale the Italian Market’s grease pole
Plus, Eddie Izzard comes to Philly and Big Apple Circus makes its Montco debut.
SUNDAY
Freshly reopened, Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest and Spruce Street Harbor Park will be in full swing all weekend, along with newcomer Cherry Street Pier and old standby Penn’s Landing. Spruce Street’s Sunday lineup includes a hula-hoop festival and jazz in the park with Philly’s Laurin Talese. Summerfest kicks off with carnival rides and roller-skating.
Various times and locations along the Delaware River waterfront, 215-922-2386, delawareriverwaterfront.com
MONDAY
Profs and Pints: Colonial Philly’s Organized Chaos
Take a deeper look at Philly’s colonial history, mobs and all, over beers with Temple history professor Jessica Chopin Roney.
6 to 9 p.m., Cambria Hotel Philadelphia Downtown Center City, 219 S. Broad St., $12, profsandpints.com
TUESDAY
‘Legally Blonde: The Musical’
How to go from California cheerleader to Ivy League law student and be the woman you want to be.
8 p.m., with additional performances through July 14, Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St., $57 to $67, 215-547-3550, walnutstreettheatre.org
WEDNESDAY
Eddie Izzard
It’s been five years since Eddie Izzard hit the road, but with his “Wunderbar” tour, the longtime comic is back at it. Fans can expect “intelligent bunkum of the highest order,” along with Izzard’s trademark surrealist takes on everyday life.
8 p.m., Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St., sold out, 215-893-1999, kimmelcenter.org
THURSDAY
Star Party at the Rail Park
The astronomy team at the Franklin Institute leads a stargazing party at the Rail Park. Bring your own blanket and friends — including the furry ones — and enjoy music, beverages from Càphê Roasters, and giveaways from REI.
7:30 to 10 p.m., the Rail Park, 1300 Noble St., free, therailpark.org
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
Big Apple Circus
New York’s vintage-feeling, good-doing, one-ring circus makes its Montco debut. Look for horizontal juggling, quadruple somersaults off the trapeze, friendly clowns, and dogs and horses that prove rescue animals are every bit as talented as purebreds.
11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, with additional performances through June 16, Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, 100 Station Ave., Oaks, $20, 484-754-EXPO, bigapplecircus.com
Ninth Street Italian Market Festival
Chow down on cannoli, fresh pasta, homemade meatballs, and more at this annual two-day fest, which fills the Italian Market’s already-crowded sidewalks with even more vendors. Don’t miss the grease pole contest, the half ball tournament, and other festival traditions.
11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Italian Market, South Ninth Street between Wharton and Fitzwater Streets, free, 215-278-2903, italianmarketfestival.com