🍺 Uptown brews and Broad Street sprints | Things to Do

Lace up your running shoes — this weekend will be a sprint.

It’s the return of outdoor music and dining season, with the reopening of happy hour hangs like Frankie’s Summer Club and Uptown Beer Garden.

Then there’s weekend-long jams at Sing Us Home Festival, with a lineup of electrifying bands taking over Manayunk’s Venice Island Performing Arts Center.

There’s also Kentucky Derby-themed events happening throughout the city for those unable to make the trip to Churchill Downs. But for Philly’s running community, the Broad Street Run is the race everyone has their eyes on.

Read below to make your weekend plans before crossing the finish line. Ready. Set. Go.

— Earl Hopkins (@earlhopkins_, Email me at thingstodo@inquirer.com)

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

If you’re one of the lucky ones whose name was drawn for the Independence Blue Cross Board Street Run lottery, then you already know what to expect on Sunday.

If you’re like me, you will need help navigating Sunday’s 47th iteration of the popular 10-miler, which features more than 40,000 participants from around the world.

The race kicks off at Broad Street and Fisher Avenue, continuing south on Broad Street before reaching the South Philly finish in the Navy Yard.

There will be significant road closures, parking restrictions, and other important tidbits for nonrunners to know before and after the race starts, whether you want to join in on the fun as a spectator or just ignore a traffic headache.

Read more of my colleague Dugan Arnett’s story here.

🎶 Sing Us Home, baby: Philly singer-songwriter Dave Hause has assembled another rocking lineup at the annual Sing Us Home Festival. The three-day festival will also feature performances from the Mountain Goats, the Menzingers, and other bands.

🍺 Uptown Beer Garden returns: The Center City attraction, Uptown Beer Garden, opened on Wednesday, marking the return of frozen beverages, lush cocktails, and events on the tree-shaded patio.

🐎 Saddle up: Celebrate the 152nd rendition of the Kentucky Derby at Ballers PHL, Sassafras, The Twisted Tail, and other locations this Saturday. There will be themed cocktails and festive programming at watch parties all day.

🎪 Big Top at the pier: The Wild Horizon Circus and Play Festival is bringing all the twists and tricks to Cherry Street Pier. The two-day extravaganza will feature full-scale dance, comedy, and circus performances with talents from around the world.

📅 My calendar picks this week: Skyline Soirée at Assembly Rooftop Lounge, Mt. Airy Day, Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival, and Strawberry Festival at Peddler’s Village.

You know it’s officially spring in Philly when the water ice stands start to open. The weather is still a little questionable, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the city staple. Inquirer reporter Beatrice Foreman mapped out the best spots in the Philly-area to grab the frozen treat. From spots offering the best icy scoops to those you should opt for a gelati at, here are 11 places to check out.

🎉 South Street Spring Fest: This annual block party will be booming with live entertainment, immersive art, food, and drinks that span seven blocks, including parts of East Passyunk Avenue and Headhouse Plaza.

🎭 Wherefore Art Thou: The classic story of Romeo and Juliet under the direction of ballet choreographer Juliano Nunes will take center stage at the Academy of Music. The refreshed twist on the timeless tragedy opens Thursday and runs through May 10.

🏠 A historic oasis: Cliveden, a six-acre estate in the heart of Germantown, reopens for the season starting Friday. Along with its musket-ball-pocked walls and 19th-century Louis Vuitton trunks, the historic residence will return with tours and exhibits on its grounds.

🖼️ The Shakers on full view: The exhibition, “A World in the Making,” pairs contemporary art with artifacts made from the Shakers, a religious community that originated in 18th century England. The exhibition is on view at the Institute of Contemporary Art through Aug. 9.

Here’s pop music critic Dan Deluca’s list of the top concerts this weekend.

🎸 Thursday: Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore are bringing their genre-bending tunes to the Ardmore Music Hall, which will likely be a partial tribute to Gilmore’s Flatlander’s bandmate Joe Ely, who died in December.

🎸 Friday: The outdoor music season is in full swing with the Sing Us Home Festival, now in its fourth year. The action gets started Friday with a performance featuring festival co-founder Dave House, Ted Leo, Jenny Owen, Youngs, and Will Hoge. It continues through Sunday.

🎸 Saturday: Fishtown Music & Arts Festival returns under the El on Saturday, with a lineup of bands that includes Grimace Federation, Cadre Noir, and Friends of Jerry. The bill also includes DJs such as Jewelsea and Inspect3r.

🎤 Tuesday: Pianist and singer Mika, best known for hits such as 2007’s “Grace Kelly,” will perform at Fillmore Philly as part of his tour for his new album, Hyperlove.

Now, off to the races. Your weekend plans are waiting at the start line.

— Earl Hopkins