Living in the Philadelphia area, Penn students, faculty, and staff have easy access to the region’s rich array of art and culture, including theater, dance, music, and magnificent art by some of the world’s masters. 

On Friday, Sept. 28, the Penn community can learn more about the city’s diverse arts and entertainment organizations at the Philly Arts & Culture Fair right here on campus. The fair runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Penn Commons (the rain location is Houston Hall’s Class of 1949 Auditorium).

“We try to represent the best of Philly,” says Ty Furman, director of the University Life Arts Initiatives, which is hosting the event. “We have an amazing dance scene in Philly. There’s a fantastic music scene, particularly classical music.”

Representatives from the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Arden Theater, Ballet X dance company, the Penn Museum, and Kelly Writers House will be among the 50 groups providing information about their organizations. Some of the groups will be offering special discount packages.

“Some are just fun, interesting places that I think everyone should know about,” Furman says.

For example, the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, located in the Mount Airy neighborhood, presents circus act performances and also offers classes on performing tricks on rope, fabric, or the trapeze.

The Clay Studio, a sculpture gallery in Old City, features classes on wheel-throwing pottery, hand-building techniques, and glazing for ceramic vases, plates, and decorative tiles.

Musicians from The Rotunda and actors from the Renegade Company will also be performing at the fair.

Visitors to the fair can enter to win prizes by swiping their PennCards at the University Life Arts Initiatives table. Winners will receive tickets to shows at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, student performance group events, and VIP tickets to the Barnes Foundation.

For more information about the fair participants, visit the University Life Arts Initiatives website or the Philly Arts & Culture Fair Facebook page.