A new week brings a brand new lineup of awesome live music, world-class restaurants, and plenty of opportunities for your next adventure right here in Montgomery County. Check out some of our favorite events happening this week, below!
Special Events
Conshohocken Restaurant Week
September 16 - September 22
Conshohocken, Pa
Conshohocken Restaurant Week presented by The Courts at Spring Mill Station returns Monday, September 16th through Sunday, September 22nd. This special week will feature Conshohocken and West Conshohocken restaurants offering $20 and/or $35 prix fixe menus.
The Conshohocken Restaurant Week Preview Party benefits Sustainable Conshohocken and is being held on Monday, September 9th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at The Courts at Spring Mill Station. Tickets are $20 and include the opportunity to enjoy samples from the participating restaurants, complimentary beer and wine and live music. Tickets are very limited. Order online.
RETRO CON
September 14-15
Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks
Running since 2012, Retro Con is a pop culture and memorabilia show catering to anything considered “retro”, especially the 80’s! Show features include a huge vendor hall with over 225 tables of toys and other collectibles for sale, plus special guests, video games, cosplay, raffles, TV/movie cars such as the A-Team van and DeLorean time machine, panels/Q&A's, replica props, and much more!
Contests are always a big part of the show. Included this year are costume contests for both kids and adults, a trivia contest to win instant prizes, a retro T-shirt contest, retro Name That Tune, and a very popular Karaoke contest.
Popular genres at the show include Transformers, GI Joe, ThunderCats, Masters of the Universe, Micro Machines, Star Wars, Strawberry Shortcake, My Little Pony, Hot Wheels, Wrestling, Superheroes, Ghostbusters, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Shogun Warriors, M.A.S.K., Battle Beasts, Voltron, video games, and comics!
GAME OF THRONES® LIVE CONCERT EXPERIENCE: MUSIC BY RAMIN DJAWADI
September 12
TD Pavilion @ The Mann Center for the Performing Arts
The critically acclaimed Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience comes to the Mann this fall, bringing the music of Emmy® Award-winning Game of Thrones composer Ramin Djawadi to stunning new life. As we say goodbye to one of the biggest shows and scores in television history, relive the greatest musical pieces and footage from all eight seasons in an immersive outdoor concert experience.
Having first conceptualized the tour several years ago, Ramin will be reworking and redeveloping the musical and visual elements of the concert to create a brand new live experience that encompasses fan-favorite pieces from the entirety of Game of Thrones. The tour will include new musical arrangements from the series’ 8th and final season such as the “The Night King” theme, Ramin’s epic 9-minute composition that went viral immediately after debuting on the show. Within days, the track garnered millions of streams across the internet, reached the top 4 most downloaded songs on iTunes and the top 18 most watched videos on YouTube, and dropped the jaws of audiences and critics alike.
20TH ANNUAL URSINUS FRINGE FESTIVAL
September 11
Ursinus College
The Ursinus Fringe Festival is a diverse, vibrant and exciting four-day event that brings cutting-edge, experimental performances and visual arts to campus featuring professional, student and faculty artists sharing their latest theater, dance, music, film and visual artworks.
Montco Makers
Beer, Wine & Spirits Events
TWILIGHT ON THE RIVER
September 11
Bridgeport, Pa
Something for everyone! Make it a family night out! Open-air market in a lovely setting along the Schuylkill River in Bridgeport, PA. Open May through September. Second and Fourth Wednesdays. 4:30-8:00 pm. A mix of local vendors, food, music, and games.
TELFORD NIGHT MARKET
September 11
Telford Train Station
The Telford Night Market is a seasonal family-friendly open-air night market. TNM features independent vendors selling curated food, fresh produce, merchandise and art.
TNM works with surrounding nonprofits and businesses for community collaborations that celebrate the diversity and heritage of Telford, PA.
ADMIRAL'S TAVERN
May 10 - September 28
Independence Seaport Museum
Kick back on summer nights with stunning views of the Ben Franklin Bridge and a cold drink in hand, all while aboard the oldest steel warship afloat in the world. The Admiral's Tavern beer garden (21+) is popping up again on Cruiser Olympia at Independence Seaport Museum every Friday and Saturday from 6:30 - 10:30 p.m.
Gather your crew for drinks, snacks, fun, and games on the most historic ship in Philadelphia. Food will be available for purchase.
Cover charge: $8 per person, includes on drink ticket.
Adventure Montco
Energizing Events
2019 EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA SPORTS COLLECTOR SHOW
September 13
Valley Forge Casino Resort
The 2019 Eastern Pennsylvania Sports Collectors Show -a.k.a. “The Philly Show”- is a show for sports enthusiasts. Purchase sports memorabilia and get items signed by members of your favorite sports teams.
Day Ticket: $8.00, Weekend Ticket: $18.00, Kids under 12 admitted free! Autograph and admission tickets will be available on-site all weekend.
150TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE SECRET VALLEY
September 15
Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust
Board one of our meticulously restored century old rail cars for a two hour expedition into one of the most scenic and historic regions in the northeast. Once the province of pioneers and patriots, the Colebrookdale is your ticket to a verdant land lost in time.
Bike Rentals at Valley Forge
September 9 – October 29
Sunday & Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm (weather permitting)”
Valley Forge National Historical Park
For those who are looking to explore Valley Forge NHP on two wheels, bike rentals are available. Bike Rentals are located at the Visitor Center parking lot near the Canteen and Rest Rooms. If you are interested in a guided bike tour of Valley Forge NHP, please visit the Encampment Tours Page for more information.
PADDLE PENN'S LANDING
May 3 - September 29
Independence Seaport Museum
Paddle your way around the Penn's Landing basin in a kayak, rowboat, swan, or dragon for the perfect outdoor recreational activity. Located near Spruce Street Harbor Park and the Hilton Penn's Landing, Paddle Penn's Landing is a unique afternoon adventure with family and friends or a memorable date with your sweetheart on the Delaware River in Philadelphia.
Patriot Trails
Historic Events
ON THE WATER: LUNCH 'N' LEARN
September 13
Independence Seaport Museum
Join Independence Seaport Museum, James Lancel McElhinney and guest speakers for a series of lunch 'n' learn meetups to explore his installation, O.T.W. – On the Water: The Schuylkill River, currently on view at the Museum through January 5, 2020. Dive into conversations celebrating the importance of the Schuylkill River as an historic nexus of American art, science, literature and commerce.
Participants are encouraged to pack a lunch or stop somewhere nearby. This event is free to the public. RSVPs highly appreciated and encouraged.
RSVP here.
HIDDEN LIVES ILLUMINATED
August 15 - September 12
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site
Hidden Lives Illuminated offers a rare look into daily life inside America’s correctional system through newly commissioned, animated short films created by currently-incarcerated artists. The films will be projected onto Eastern State’s façade each night for one month, offering an intimate glimpse behind the walls of America's correctional system in the voices of the people who live and work there. Screenings are free and open to the public and occur three times nightly at 7 pm, 8 pm, and 9 pm, rain or shine.
Each screening will feature approximately five films that address a common theme. This theme, and the films featured, will change weekly. Nightly speakers, community meetings and performances accompany the films, and hands-on activities will invite engagement with the issues. The project will culminate in a one-night festival on September 12 during which all twenty films will be screened on Eastern State's façade while a documentary about the artists plays inside the historic site’s cellblocks.
Hidden Lives Illuminated has been supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage.
HEX SIGNS: SACRED & CELESTIAL SYMBOLISM IN PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH BARN STARS
March 1 - November 3
Bryn Athyn Historic District
Explores themes of sacred and celestial imagery in the traditional arts of the Pennsylvania Dutch, with special emphasis on the decorated barns of Southeastern Pennsylvania. This exhibition, which features actual examples of barn stars, decorated objects, and related images, is guest curated by Patrick Donmoyer, director of the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center at Kutztown University. Donmoyer is the author of Hex Signs: Myth and Meaning in Pennsylvania Dutch Barn Stars (2013). The Heritage Center and Glencairn Museum will collaborate on a full exhibition catalog for the Glencairn exhibition.
Arts Montco
Special Events
OUTLAW MUSIC FESTIVAL WITH WILLIE NELSON & FAMILY, BONNIE RAITT, ALISON KRAUSS, GOV'T MULE, & MORE
September 13
TD Pavilion @ The Mann Center for the Performing Arts
Willie Nelson and Blackbird Presents announce the second leg of Outlaw Music Festival Tour 2019. The lineup includes Willie Nelson & Family, Bonnie Raitt, Alison Krauss, Gov’t Mule, and more.
“The second leg of the Outlaw Music Festival Tour with all my friends is going to be a blast,” says Willie Nelson. “We’ll see you out there this summer!”
“Family. That’s what this touring group of artists, fans, and friends are when we come together for our annual Outlaw Music Festival Tour. We are thrilled to announce the second leg with Willie and this extraordinary group of artists,” says Keith Wortman, CEO of Blackbird Presents.
FETE EN BLANC
September 13
Smith Family Plaza, Pottstown
Fete en Blanc Pottstown! Order your food through the vendors listed, and make sure to let us know that you're coming so we have plenty of tables and chairs available!
MAMACITA: A MOTHER’S COOPERATIVE IN THE ARTS EXHIBITION
August 28 - October 4
Montgomery County Community College
MCCC to host MamaCITA: A Mother's Cooperative in the Arts exhibition
Montgomery County Community College will host an exhibition, "Marginalized," by the artists' group, MamaCITA (A Mother's Cooperative in the Arts), from August 28 to October 4 at the Fine Arts Center Gallery, Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell.
The meet-the-artists reception for MamaCITA: A Mother's Cooperative in the Arts will be held Wednesday, September 11, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center Gallery. Both the exhibition and the reception are free and open to the community.
MamaCITA is a community of professional artists who are all mothers, with a goal to support each member in reaching her artistic potential. The artists work in a variety of media including oil, photography, fabric, and sculpture. The group maintains a membership of approximately 20 in the Philadelphia area with auxiliary groups in the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions.
LIVE PERFORMANCES
ARTS MONTCO
Arts Montco
On the Stage
MCCC GALLERY EXHIBITION
September 4 - November 8
Montgomery County Community College
MCCC's art exhibit to feature Kutztown University art faculty
Meet-the-artists reception – Sept. 18, 5-7 p.m.
Montgomery County Community College will host a gallery exhibition featuring the artwork of Kutztown University's art faculty from September 4 to November 8 at the North Hall Gallery, West Campus, 16 E. High Street, Pottstown.
The meet-the-artists reception for the exhibition will be held Wednesday, September 18 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the North Hall Gallery. Both the exhibition and the reception are free and open to the public.
This mixed media group exhibition will feature work from a variety of talented faculty artists at Kutztown University. Kutztown's faculty come from myriad backgrounds and teach not only traditional fine arts like ceramics, drawing, and painting, but also visual communication, illustration, woodworking, new and time-based media, and other types of art.
Participating faculty include Elizabeth Schneider, Carrie Nordlund, Mark Mahosky, Kevin McCloskey, George Graf, John White, James Rose, Michael Covello, Evan Summer (recently retired), Tim Betz, Elaine Cunfer, and Heather Ramsdale.
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
September 13 - September 22
DCP Theatre
While letting her imagination wander, Alice encounters the White Rabbit, who is nervous about keeping his tarts safe for the Queen’s royal croquet match. When the precious tarts are stolen, Alice goes in search for them to save the White Rabbit from losing his head! When she enters the world of Wonderland, she meets many peculiar characters. Throughout her adventure, each one plays an integral part in helping her find her way and solve the mystery of the stolen tarts.
COMEDY CLUB PRESENTS: MIKE BRITT AND KC ARORA
September 13
Valley Forge Casino Resort
The Vault | 8pm (Doors Open at 7pm)
Mike Britt is a Brooklyn, NY born stand-up comedian. He got his start at the Uptown Comedy Club in Harlem. Since then, He has appeared on Comedy Central Presents, BET's Comicview, VH1's Best Week Ever, and The Bad Boys of Comedy. In 2015, he's now known as the "singer" of the Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt theme song.
GREATER TUNA
August 28 - September 22
Act II Playhouse, Ltd.
A hilarious satire of small-town life. Two actors, twenty characters, and a barrel of laughs, y’all.
"Howlingly funny." -Variety
SCIENCE FICTION
Exhibition runs July 2 to October 6
Berman Museum of Art
The Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College presents Science Fiction from July 2 to October 6. Curated by Ginger Gregg Duggan and Judith Hoos Fox, Science Fiction features the work of 12 international artists who were all born in the 1960s and 1970s, when the line between science and fiction seemed to blur in unprecedented ways.
Montco Weddings
Married in Montco
PHILLY BRIDE WEDDING EXPO
September 12
Willow Grove Park Mall
Join us for the bridal event of the summer! We have selected the top vendors in the Philadelphia area to help you plan your perfect day. Grab your bride squad and celebrate at the Willow Grove Park "Philly Bride Wedding Expo"!