Get Gecko
They may not have Australian accents or a knack for selling car insurance, but the 74-plus little lizards scaling the walls of the Academy of Natural Sciences thru Sept. 7 are just as cool, colorful and crafty. In Geckos: Tails to Toepads, 18 species represent all corners of the globe, from deserts to mountain slopes. Some have smooth, neon skin; others have jagged, flat, camouflaged bodies; still others share a proclivity for barking. See which gecko makes the best pet for you in a hands-on workshop July 18 ($25), and learn how attributes like their sticky feet inspire glue-free bandages and other new products. July 25-26, nature’s beauty morphs into a contemporary “art gecko” show staged by area NEXUS artists; exhibit-goers can even learn to draw a gecko or create a creature craft. Free with museum admission. 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia. Call (215) 299-1000 or visit ansp.org. —Shannon Hallamyer
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Stage on Screen
The camera was rolling at L’Opera National de Paris as Polish baritone Mariusz Kwiecien and Russian soprano Tatiana Monogarova moved through the tumultuous, unrequited-at-first romance of Tchaikovsky’s opera, Eugene Onegin. Now, the Bryn Mawr Film Institute brings the cinematic version of the ill-fated love story to the Main Line July 12. Based on a book in verse by Alexander Pushkin, Eugene Onegin bursts with commanding vocals, passionate imagery, and a plot that twists and turns toward the worst despair. Directed by Dmitri Tcherniakov, its three acts run 166 minutes (including a 20-minute intermission) with English subtitles. 1 p.m. $25. 824 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr. Call (610) 527-9898 or visit brynmawrfilm.org. —S.H.
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Summer Reading
Chestnut Hill showcases its first-ever Book Festival up and down Germantown Avenue July 10-12. The event features workshops, open-mic nights and literary trivia, plus panel discussions and readings by some of the more than 50 national and local authors, including Bryn Mawr’s Kelly Simmons, Media murder-thriller writer Salvatore Grasso, and Wayne fiction novelist and poet Cynthia Reeves. Entertainment for the little ones includes a character costume parade and a “Green Eggs and Ham” brunch. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Call (215) 247-6696 or visit chestnuthillpa.com. —Kionna Lipscomb
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July 4 Events
• Garrett Hill-Rosemont Fourth of July Parade encourages participants to decorate their bikes, wagons, skateboards—anything. Judging begins at 9 a.m. at the Rosemont Business Campus. The Professionals perform after the parade at Clem Macrone Park. Conestoga Road, Wayne. Call (610) 688-5600 or visit radnor.com.
• Fireworks provide a grand finale to a day full of games, food and music in Narberth Park. 100 Conway Ave., Narberth. Call (610) 664-2840 or visit narberthborough.com.
• Celebrate Independence Day on the site of a Revolutionary War battle at the Paoli Battlefield Preservation Fund’s Let Freedom Ring Ceremony. Join in a nationwide bell-ringing, musket drills, calligraphy lessons and more. 1 p.m. Paoli Battlefield Historical Park, Wayne and Monument avenues, Malvern. Call (610) 633-4095 or visit ushistory.org/paoli.
• Check out Longwood Gardens’ Fireworks and Fountains show, set to founder Pierre S. du Pont’s favorite tunes. Go early for burgers and picnic fare. 9:15 p.m. $12-$34. Route 1, Kennett Square. Visit longwoodgardens.org or call (610) 388-1000.
• Freedom Fest features a concert, food vendors, rides and a fireworks display at Nottingham County Park. 5-10:30 p.m. $10 parking fee. 150 Park Road, Nottingham. Call (610) 932-2589 or visit dsf.chesco.org.
• The Radnor High School Scholarship Fund Fireworks event features food, music and games prior to the show. 6:30 p.m. $2-$5, $10-$15/carload. 130 King of Prussia Road, Wayne. Call (610) 688-4144 or visit radnor.com.
• Ben Mauger’s Vintage Jazz Band performs before the Tredyffrin/Easttown Township Fireworks Display. 7 p.m. Wilson Farm Park, 500 Lee Road, Berwyn. Call (610) 408-3626 or visit tredyffrin.org.
• Spend a rousing Fourth of July weekend July 3-5 at the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail Big Bang BBQ, with picnic fare, matching wines, afternoon music, games and evening concerts at seven wineries, including Chaddsford Winery, Kreutz Creek Vineyards, Twin Brook Winery, Stargazers Vineyard and others. Visit bvwinetrail.com.
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