Source: StreetFormula Records/Facebook.com
Taco Fest will be held Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. in the 600 and 700 blocks of Penn Street, Reading, featuring food-truck fare, music and dance performances and family-friendly attractions. The Cinco de Mayo 5K begins at 3.
Sly Fox fun
Sly Fox Brewing Co., Pottstown, hosts its annual Bockfest & Goat Races on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m, featuring beer, German food and traditional music. Race heats start around 2. For tickets and more information, see www.slyfoxbeer.com/bockfest.
Children’s Festival
Penn Live Arts at the University of Pennsylvania presents the Philadelphia Children’s Festival Sunday through Tuesday. Performances include Bill Blagg with a family magic show Sunday at 2 p.m. and a science-themed program Sunday and Monday at 10 a.m.; “The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System” Sunday at 4 and Monday at 10 and noon; free outdoor concert with Tim Kubart and the Space Cadets Sunday at 3; “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter” Monday and Tuesday at 10; Hangin’ With the Giants jazz Tuesday at 10 and noon.
Lansdowne
The Lansdowne Theater in Delaware County (thelansdownetheater.com/events/) presents Jon Anderson and the Band Geeks Thursday and Saturday at 8; Felipe Esparza Friday at 8; Ani DiFranco with Valerie June Wednesday at 7:30.
Touch-a-Truck
The Junior League of Reading hosts the 19th annual Touch-a-Truck Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading. It gives children of all ages the opportunity to explore more than 30 vehicles used in construction, public works, emergency services and more. The first hour is sensory-friendly. For tickets, see jlreading.org/touch-a-truck/.
Play premiere
The Reading Theater Project presents the first full production of “Banshee” by Wyomissing playwright Adam Richter starting Friday and running through May 10 at the WCR Center for the Arts, 140 N. Fifth St. It tells the story of a farmer in 18th century Ireland who dreams of greatness but instead is haunted by the call of a supernatural spirit that echoes through the generations, and a vision that could have deadly consequences. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit readingtheaterproject.org.
Tree celebration
“TREEmendous Day” with the Lorax comes to Aldan, Delaware County, Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the parking lot at Clifton Avenue and Providence Road, presented by Aldan Tree Tenders and Aldan Boosters. The event is part plant sale, part outdoor classroom and part neighborhood gathering. See @aldantreetenders on Instagram or Facebook for the schedule.
Craft show
The Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen holds its Spring Juried Fine Art and Craft Festival Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Renninger’s Farmers’ Market, 740 Noble St., Kutztown, with more than 40 traditional and contemporary artists. Rain or shine. Learn more at rbcrafts.org.
Ensemble Arts
Ensemble Arts Philly (www.ensembleartsphilly.org/) presents:
Comedian Heather McMahan Thursday at 7 in the Miller Theater.
Copland’s Symphony No. 3 and more with the Philadelphia Orchestra tonight at 7:30, Friday at 2 and Saturday at 8 in Marian Anderson Hall at the Kimmel Center. Matthias Pintscher conducts.
The Philadelphia Ballet’s production of “Romeo and Juliet” opens Thursday and runs through May 10 at the Academy of Music.
Roots music star Rhiannon Giddens comes to the Miller Theater Tuesday at 7:30.
Peso Pluma
Peso Pluma and Tito Double P come to the Santander Arena in Reading (www.santander-arena.com/) on Tuesday at 8 p.m.
Sheep + Wool Day
Chester County Parks and Preservation hosts Sheep + Wool Day Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Springton Manor Farm in Glenmoore. Shearing will be ongoing throughout the day. There will be food trucks, fleece spinning and weaving demonstrations, kids’ inflatables, face painting, and wagon rides, along with opportunities for education. Park at Springton Manor Elementary School, 400 Fairview Road. Admission and parking are free. Learn more by calling 610-344-5656 or see www.chesco.org/2307/Sheep-Wool.
Chestnut Hill festival
The Home + Garden Festival (chestnuthillpa.com/home-garden-festival/) takes place Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. along Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill. It is a marketplace, featuring more than 300 vendors, entertainment and more.
Walpurgisnacht
A Walpurgisnacht observance is scheduled for Thursday at Reading Liederkranz, 143 Spook Lane, Lower Alsace Township, Berks County. Doors and kitchen open at 5 p.m., with the show starting at 5. Walpurgisnacht (Walpurgis Night) is a traditional Northern European festival that marks the end of winter and arrival of spring. Tickets at events.ticketleap.com/tickets/dave-kline-productions-1/walpurgisnacht-ghost-tales-lore-music-on-spook-lane.
Maifest
The 700 block of South Street in Philadelphia will host a Maifest celebrating German culture at the start of spring on Saturday led by Brauhaus Schmitz (brauhausschmitz.com/whats-on/)
Children’s Day
Daniel Boone Homestead in Exeter Township, Berks County, will hold Revolutionary Children’s Day on May 3 from noon to 4 p.m. The event features activities and demonstrations commemorating America’s 250th birthday, including a visit with George Washington. Learn more at www.thedanielboonehomestead.org and Daniel Boone Homestead on Facebook.
Jazz concert
Berks Jazz Fest 35th Anniversary presents Rick Braun Plays Chuck Mangione Thursday at 7 in the Miller Center for the Arts (millercenter.racc.edu/) at Reading Area Community College.
Wildflower Walk
The Historic Dreibelbis Farm annual Wildflower Walk is set for Saturday at 2 p.m. at the site near Virginville, Berks County. For more information, visit www.Dreibelbisfarm.org or Historic Dreibelbis Farm on Facebook or call 610-451-1193.
Magic lantern show
A magic lantern show will be presented by Patriotic Order Sons of America Camp #446 on May 2 at 7 p.m. in Belleman’s Church Fellowship Hall in Centre Township. Doors open at 6 to view the projector, see the glass slides and tour Old Belleman’s Church. There is no admission charge, but donations will be accepted. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. For more information, call 610-488-1400.
Carmina Burana
The Reading Choral Society presents a performance of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana on Sunday at 4 p.m. in the Muhlenberg High School auditorium and May 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Kutztown University’s Schaeffer Auditorium. For tickets and more information, see www.readingchoral.org/.
Strawberry festival
The Strawberry Festival (peddlersvillage.com/event/strawberry-festival-2/) at Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, Bucks County, takes place Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It features strawberry-themed food, beverages, live music, food trucks and kids’ activities.
‘9 to 5’
The Media Theatre in Delaware County (www.mediatheatre.org/) opens its production of the Dolly Parton musical “9 to 5” Thursday. It runs through May 24.
Not just plants
The Garden Club of Reading’s “Not Just Plants” Plant Sale is scheduled for Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Reading Public Museum’s Stone Terrace Big White Tent. The event is rain or shine. The sale includes plants, planters, gifts, bird baths and a variety of items for garden, yard, and floral use. Proceeds support the museum’s formal perennial garden and the club’s programs and workshops.
Circus and play
The Wild Horizon Festival presents the Circus and Play Festival (wildhorizonfestival.com/) Friday through Sunday at the Cherry Street Pier in Philadelphia. Admission is free.
Sellersville
Bucks County’s Sellersville Theatre (www.st94.com/) presents Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas Thursday at 8; Melissa Manchester Friday at 8; the Sounds of Philly starring Greg Hill’s Blow Your Mind Experience with the Reflections Saturday at 2; Girl Named Tom Saturday at 8; Peter Fogel’s “Til Death Do Us Part …You First!” Sunday at 2; Ottmar Liebert and Luna Negra Sunday at 8; Colin James, Matt Andersen and Terra Lightfoot Tuesday at 8; the Machine Performs Pink Floyd: Unplugged Wednesday at 8.
Sing Us Home
The Sing Us Home Festival (singushomefestival.com/) takes place Friday through Sunday at the Venice Island Performing Arts Center, Manayunk, celebrating punk rock, acoustic music, local food and drink, craft beer, tattoos, art, and storytelling.
Karaoke night
Andrea’s Jazz Cafe, 236 E. Lincoln Highway, Coatesville, holds First Friday karaoke with DJ Kenjamz Friday at 5.
Metal and beer
The Metal & Beer Fest: Philly (www.decibelmagazine.com/events/metalandbeerfest/), a celebration of heavy metal music and craft beer, takes place Saturday and Sunday at The Fillmore in Philadelphia.
Keswick
Coming to the Keswick Theatre in Glenside, Montgomery County (www.keswicktheatre.com/): Steel Panther with Cody Parks and the Dirty South Thursday at 8; comedian Jim Breuer Friday at 8; “The Price is Right Live” Saturday and Sunday at 4 and 8; Luka Sulic Wednesday at 8.
Colonial
Van Halen Nation performs Saturday at 7:30 at the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville (thecolonialtheatre.com/). On Sunday at 1:30 the Colonial screens a sing-along version of “The Sound of Music.”
Ardmore
The Ardmore Music Hall presents Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore with Lenny Kaye (ardmoremusichall.com/) Thursday at 8; Big Something with Big Blitz, Nick Horn Band Friday at 8; Paul Gilbert with Greg Koch Tuesday at 8; Bill Callahan with Jana Horn Wednesday at 8.
Newtown
Coming to the Newtown Theatre in Bucks County (www.thenewtowntheatre.com/): A Night of REM Friday at 8 p.m. and A Tribute to Tom Petty Saturday at 3 and 8.
Kennett Flash
The Kennett Flash in Kennett Square (kennettflash.org/) presents Kofi Baker’s Psychedelic Trip Friday at 8 p.m.; Jagged Little Thrill Alanis Morissette tribute Saturday at 8; Richard Shindell Wednesday at 7.
SoulJoel’s
SoulJoel’s and the Sunnybrook Ballroom near Pottstown (souljoels.com/) presents comedian Sherrod Small Thursday at 8; the Day Players Band featuring soap opera stars Eric Martsolf, Brandon Barash, Carson Boatman and Scott Reeves Friday at 7:30; One Funny Lisa Marie Saturday at 5; Gaspare Randazzo Saturday at 7:30; swing dance with Richie and the High Street Rockers Sunday, with lessons at 3 and open dance from 4 to 7; Juston McKinney Sunday at 6.
Comedy in Reading
Comedian Benji Lovitt performs in “It’s OK to Laugh” Sunday at 7 in the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, Reading, in a program presented by the Jewish Federation of Reading/Berks. Lovitt explores how Israelis turn to humor as a coping mechanism during even the darkest times. See www.readingjewishcommunity.org/ for tickets.
American Music Theatre
American Music Theatre in Lancaster (amtshows.com/shows/) presents Broadway star Leslie Odom Jr. Thursday at 7:30 and “STOMP” Friday at 7:30 and Saturday at 2 and 7.
Olympic skaters Ilia Malinin, Alysa Liu, Madison Chock and Evan Bates headline “Stars on Ice” Saturday at 7 in the Giant Center, Hershey (www.hersheyentertainment.com/giant-center/).
