12 free events in Philly this weekend and next week

📅 Our calendar is updated every Friday at inquirer.com/freecalendar. For more great events, check out our full events calendar and kids calendar. Submit an event to our calendar here.

(Community / in-person / multiday) The delta and omicron variants are causing COVID-19 cases in the region to increase. Make a plan to get vaccinated; there are many places throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey — CVS, Rite Aid, neighborhood rec centers, and more — where you can get your free COVID-19 shot. (phila.gov)

(Music / in-person) The Philadelphia Public Orchestra is a newly founded group made up of dozens of musicians who come together regardless of the genre to challenge the concept of the western symphony. At this performance, you’ll hear everything from DJ sets to French horn performances that create a sound as diverse as our city. (April 8-10, 121 N. Columbus Blvd., cherrystreetpier.com)

(Seasonal / in-person / multiday / kid-friendly) The grounds around West Fairmount Park’s Shofuso Japanese House and Garden are the place to see thousands of pink pretties on two evenings (trees are illuminated Saturday) and one day while enjoying Japanese-infused hip hop, taiko, funk, dance, reggae. (The 5K and marketplace are shelved for the year.) Tickets to Shofuso are timed but admission to the festival is free. (Apr. 8, 7-10 p.m., Apr. 9, 6-10 p.m., Apr. 10, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Lansdowne and Horticultural Dr., japanphilly.org)

(Music / in-person) Poppy, the Philly rock trio who were a mainstay of the club scene in the 1990s, made a most welcome return with their Snakes of New Jersey LP on the Ardmore label Sister Raygun Records in 2019. They’ve just followed it up with Brilliant Volume, an excellent EP that features Robbie Bennett of The War on Drugs on organ on all three songs. Gerry McGoldrick and Airlift Duo open. (Apr. 8, 7 p.m., 7673 Germantown Ave., themermaidinn.net)

(Fitness / in-person / outdoors) Head to the Schuylkill Banks for a morning of zen movement. Bring your own yoga mat or towel and enjoy this all-levels instructor-led yoga class. Yoga classes take place (weather permitting) on Saturday and Sundays at 10 a.m., and Tuesday and Thursdays at 6 p.m. throughout the spring and summer season. (Pay what you can, various dates through Oct., 2500 Locust St., eventbrite.com)

(Music / virtual / community) Celebrate Robeson’s 124th birthday with a night of musical tributes and performances. You’ll hear some of Robeson’s classic works in addition to performances by Theatre in the X and more. Donations will benefit the Paul Robeson House’s “Art in the Parlor” program, which supports local artists. (Donations encouraged, Apr. 9, 4-6 p.m., eventbrite.com)

Join Ken Johnston and Deborah Price this weekend as they continue their 165-mile “Walk to Freedom,” tracing the Underground Railroad routes that freedom seekers escaping slavery took in New Jersey. This segment picks up where last weekend’s ended: at Wawa at 121 Main St. in Dennisville, NJ on Saturday at 8 a.m. The duo plans to walk 13 miles via Route 347 to Port Elizabeth, NJ on Saturday. On Sunday, the walk continues from Port Elizabeth to the My Neighborhood Deli, in Millville, NJ via Route 670. Check the Walk to Freedom website for Sunday location updates. The walk is free to join and participants are encouraged to carry a light backpack with water, snacks, a cell phone, and bug spray. Waterproof hiking boots are also recommended. (Free, Apr. 9-10, leaves from 121 Main St., Dennisville at 8 a.m. on Apr. 9, TBD location on Apr. 10, ourwalktofreedom.com)

(Community / in-person) Listen and learn as three queer activists participate in a panel discussion on race, queerness, and activism in Philadelphia. The panel includes Hanae Mason from Black Lives Matter Philadelphia, Jorian Rivera-Veintidos from GALAEI: QTBIPOC Radical Social Justice, and Dionne Stallworth, co-founder of the Transgender Health Action Coalition. The conversation will be moderated by University of Pennsylvania Ph.D. candidate Kim Cardenas. (Apr. 13, 4 p.m., 133 South 36th St., upenn.edu)

(Seasonal / in-person / multiday) Those of us feeling skittish about sending tots into a grabby, grass-top, egg-seeking free-for-alls can opt for a lower contact version of the Easter tradition. Like last year, South Street shops display (but also kind of hide) oversized 2D eggs made by local artists. Finders can snap a photo and post to Insta with #SouthStreetEggHunt and tag @southstreetphilly to enter to win gift cards. Ages 4+. (Through Apr. 17, between Front & Broad sts. on South St., southstreet.com)

(Seasonal / in-person / multiday) They’re back, those loveable, Day-Glo marshmallow bunnies and rabbits, displayed gathering around dinner tables, in courtyard gardens, at rock concerts, or formed into blossoms, transforming Peddler’s Village into a creative, walk-through Easter basket. Ages 2+. (Through April 24, 2400 State Rd., New Hope, peddlersvillage.com)

(Art / in-person / multiday) Chestnut Hill’s stone mansion-turned-museum opens an exhibition of 85-plus Philly-made works of creatures great and small (tiny kingfishers, giant sperm whales) in both realistic and fantastical forms (a fish on a plate, a formal gorilla portrait). Kids go home with a free activity book, while supplies last. Ages 2+. (Free on Sundays through May 8, 9201 Germantown Ave., woodmereartmuseum.org)

(Education / virtual / multiday / kid-friendly) Through dad jokes, real talk, and superb listening, Mr. Maurice connects with his students — and connects students to each other. Each workshop appeals to specific audiences: Black boys, young teens, future entrepreneurs, sports fans, home cooks and more. Workshops teach some writing and lots of life lessons. Ages 8+ (Through May. 28, mightywriters.org)

(Art / in-person / outdoors) Magical Fantasy, a collection of bold and bright 3D art pieces by London-based artist Morag Myerscough, has transformed The Navy Yard into a colorful playground. Stop by to wander through the exhibit and escape into an abstract dreamland without leaving the city. (Through October, Broad St. and Constitution Ave., navyyard.org)

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