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2026-01-23

Penn Live Arts: Alcoléa & cie

Alcoléa & cie on stage performing “Right in the Eye” with live instrumentals paired with old silent films.
In a Philadelphia debut, “Right in the Eye” celebrates Georges Méliès—a cinema pioneer and the inventor of special effects—by adding an original, multilayered score to complement and interpret 12 of his otherwise silent films. In this movie-concert by France’s Alcoléa & cie, a trio of musicians play 50 instruments, from the classics to the obscure, evoking the technical and playful approach that defined Méliès’ work. Students can receive a discount with Penn ID.

7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St.

2026-02-14

Penn Live Arts: Cirque Mechanics

Two acrobats in the Cirque Mechanics group performing on stage, doing a set of tricks in mid-air.
This performance will mark the Philadelphia premiere of Tilt!, a behind-the-scenes adventure exploring the roller coaster, Ferris wheel, and similar popular rides at theme parks. Cirque Mechanics’ new show offers a unique set of acrobatics. Students can receive a discount with Penn ID.

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St.

2026-01-21

The Rotunda: 25 Years of Arts, Culture, and Community

Exterior of The Rotunda.
The Sachs Program for Arts Innovation will host a screening of “The Rotunda,” a new documentary by Philadelphia filmmaker Ellen Reynolds. The film captures the spirit of The Rotunda as a space for arts, culture, and community at Penn. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by Rachel Wenrick, Penn’s inaugural executive director for the arts, featuring Gina Renzi, director of The Rotunda, and longtime staff members, community organizer Alice Wright and artist Alex Smith. Free and open to the public. Registration is requested but not required.

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St.

2026-01-22

Interfaith Commemoration and Awards Ceremony

A candlelight vigil.
The MLK Interfaith Commemoration Program reflects on the religious themes of the civil rights movement, especially as embodied in the life and ministry of Martin Luther King, Jr. With words, song, and the presentation of the MLK Community Involvement Recognition Awards, the annual Interfaith Program will emphasize common humanity and acknowledge individuals whose local engagement and active service exemplifies King’s vision. This year’s program will feature guest speaker Reverend Carl Day. Register to attend.

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Houston Hall, 3417 Spruce St.

2026-01-28

AI and the Dream: Technology in Service of Humanity

Martin Luther King Jr. among a group of protesters.
Free and open to the Penn community, this year’s Hallmark program will explore how artificial intelligence—one of the most transformative technologies of our time—can be guided by the ethical imperatives Martin Luther King, Jr. championed: equity, compassion, and shared humanity. Participants will examine the ethical and social implications of AI through the lens of King’s vision for the Beloved Community—a society where technology, empathy, and justice work in harmony. Register to attend.

5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Steinhardt Hall, 215 S. 39th St.

2026-05-15

Kelly Writers House 30th Anniversary Party

Exterior of the Kelly Writers House with a path to the front door.
Kelly Writers House (KWH) invites the Penn community to celebrate its 30th anniversary during Alumni Weekend! Attendees can network, enjoy refreshments, and reconnect with KWH community members from every era. Register to attend.

6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk

2026-02-19

Bent Button Film Fest

A yellow and green victorian house
Kelly Writers House will feature a screening of short films by college students, hosted by Bent Button Productions, Penn’s only film production club. Prizes will be awarded in several categories, including best picture, best script, and best editing. Free and open to the public. Register to attend.

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk

2026-03-26

Reimagining International Writing

Exterior of the Kelly Writers House with a path to the front door.
Kelly Writers House invites the Penn community to a celebration of “A Compass on the Navigable Sea: 100 Years of World Literature,” a global anthology of stories and essays that reshape worlds, reimagining what international writing can be. Among the readers will be Penn faculty Anna Badkhen, who will facilitate a conversation with the anthology’s editor, Daniel Simon, about the meaning of global literature at a time of crisis. Register to attend.

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk

2026-01-28

Exhibit: Collecting the New Irascibles–Art in the 1980s

north facade of fisher fine arts library
“Collecting the New Irascibles: Art in the 1980s” opens a window into the 1980s Lower East Side art scene, where low rents and studio-ready lofts cultivated a dynamic arts ecology. The exhibition brings together loans from world-renowned collections and highlights several artistic movements of the 1980s that signaled a decisive break from past expectations and a full-force tilt toward the “new.” Free and open to the public.

All Day

Fisher Fine Arts Library, 220 S. 34th St.

2026-01-30

Collecting the New Irascibles: Opening Celebration

Window looking out from Fisher Fine Arts Library.
This program will serve as the opening celebration for “Collecting the New Irascibles: Art in the 1980s,” an exhibition highlighting pivotal artistic developments of the 1980s. Guests will be among the first to view the exhibition while enjoying light refreshments, remarks, and conversation throughout the evening. Free and open to the public. Register to attend.

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Fisher Fine Arts Library, 220 S. 34th St.

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