Get ready! The 11-day annual Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA) Festival and Street Fair lineup returns to The Kimmel Center of Performing Arts. More than 50 performances are set to take the stage in 2018, and the lineup has been officially announced. Mark your calendars for May 31 to June 10 for music, dance and gravity-defying spectacles. Check out the 2018 PIFA lineup that will have the whole family gasping for more.
Water on Mars
June 1 – 3 | 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m.
Perelman Theater
Praised by The Circus Diaries as “a pure display of extraordinary skill,” Water on Mars combines the art of athleticism and eye-catching acrobatics. It’s not-your-average high-flying performance with the Stockholm performers making their honored U.S. premiere in Philly. Completely transformed into a circus of dizzying-tricks and gravity-defying stunts, you don’t want to miss this out-of-this world comedy.
Cristal Palace
June 1 – 10 | 8:00 p.m.
Schuylkill Banks
If you attended PIFA 2011 , then you were amongst the 200,000 people that witnessed the “jaw-dropping sensation” Cristal Palace. Feel it all again with an immersive 360-degree experience featuring a human chandelier as the centerpiece. Join the best dance party this city has ever seen before with Transe Express, “the pioneers of street art.” This global act has performed in over 50 countries on five continents and they’re now coming to Philly!
Taylor Mac: A 24-Decade History of Popular Music
June 2 – 9 | 12:00 p.m.
Merriam Theater
This special 24-hour art concert takes place over two weekends in 12-hour parts. Take a walk down memory lane celebrating twenty-four decades of U.S. social history and pop performances. 24 musicians and more than 100 local performers bring their form of art to the stage, whether it’s burlesque, choir, marching band, and more. Join in on the fun that The New York Times calls “one of the great experiences of my life.”
Inventive Mothers
June 2 – 3 | 2:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m.
SEI Innovation Studio
Studio Dan, the only Austrian large ensemble, brings its sounds of improvisation, new music, jazz, and (art) rock. The group was originally founded by Daniel Riegler in 2005 for JazzWerkstatt Wien’s first festival. They continue to pay tribute to the legendary Frank Zappa. Come experience the organically composed arrangements at this designated BYOB performance.
My Organ My Seoul
Sunday, June 3 | 3:00 p.m.
Verizon Hall
Haling all the way from South Korea, artists Boram Kim and Jang Kyeong-min are ready to dazzle Philly. With their charismatic choreography of self expression, along with the Ambiguous Dance Company and organist Ahreum Han, they explore their individual rhythm. The show features a storyline of smart and charming physical harmony that’s understood through the universal language of dance.
Doggie Hamlet
June 3 – 4 | 10:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m.
Belmont Plateau
These leading ladies and gents may be new to you. They consist of three herding dogs and a flock of sheep! Take a seat on the bales of hay at this outdoor performance. The 70-minute production unfolds at dusk with dance, music, visual, and theatrical elements. It will leave you with thought-provoking questions on what it means to follow the pack.
Tape Riot
June 5 – 8 | 5:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
Location TBD
Consider all constraints to be removed throughout this hybrid performance art tour. Audience members meet at a mystery location and have the freedom of movement throughout the city. Guided by artistic traces of tape as hints along the way, experience the award-winning quartet of performers bringing theatre to life. This traveling piece of work combines the elements of electronic sounds, improvised dancing, and graphics.
SEA – Singular Extreme Actions
June 5 – 7 | 7:00 p.m.
Perelman Theater
Don’t miss this Philadelphia premiere from MacArthur “Genius” Award winner, Elizabeth Streb. Watch in awe as the laws of physics are tested with dance, acrobatics, gymnastics, and daredevil stunt work around invented hardware. This performance is a kaleidoscope of motion where every performer is dubbed an “action hero.” Streb has performed throughout the world including at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, Lincoln Center Festival, and more.
The Joke is Mightier than the Sword
Wednesday, June 6 | 7:30 p.m.
Verizon Hall
Dubbed the “Jon Stewart of the Arab World,” Bassem Youssef is the creator and former host of the first political satire show in the Middle East, Al-Bernameg. As you can imagine, he has remained very controversial with his bold yet hilarious comments in regards to the ruling powers. During its final season, the show achieved unprecedented ratings. Though it was determined that the show’s termination was due to overwhelming political pressures. Come to hear Youssef’s riveting personal story and thoughts on today’s political climate.
The Fever
June 6 – 10 | 2:00 – 10:00 p.m.
SEI Innovation Studio
It’s the newest experiential show from 600 HIGHWAYMEN that touches on the restrictions of human interaction. As an audience member, you will be tested on your individuality and collective responsibility. The innovative theater piece examines how humans assemble and naturally care about the bodies around them. “All of us together are the subject. Barriers will be broken down. Social constructs will be investigated. Intimacy is forged. Interaction is inevitable.”
For a full list of PIFA events, visit their page on the Kimmel Center’s website. Follow the Kimmel Center on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates throughout the season.
What PIFA show are you most excited to see? Let us know in the comments!
