Shop Penn

March means that Spring is around the corner so now is the time to get out there more and enjoy everything University City has to offer. As you fill out your calendar this month, #ShopPenn has all the best exhibits, events, and shows to check out throughout the district. Find out what’s happening with the latest edition of the “Shop Penn Playlist,” a snapshot of the top events being offered by institutions, organizations, and venues on and around campus all month.

Mind and Mood Recharge – Penn Museum
March 4

Unwind in the Penn Museum galleries with an uplifting array of health-centric happenings during this popular after-hours wellness series, now in its third year. Get centered with all-levels yoga, sound bath, and meditation from local practitioners. Slow down and savor a mindful gallery exploration or spark creativity by dropping in to an artmaking session. Explore a rotating lineup of curated artisans in a wellness marketplace and enjoy light bites and botanical refreshments at the botanical bar.

Naturally 7 – Penn Live Arts
March 6

Experience the thrilling vocal phenomenon of Naturally 7, hailed by Quincy Jones as “the best a cappella group in the world.” Known across the globe for performances with Michael Bublé, Coldplay, Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross, this powerhouse ensemble fuses R&B, gospel, soul and pop in stunning renditions of favorites like “Wall of Sound,” “Fix You” and “Another Brick in the Wall.” This brand-new tour, A Closer Look, pulls back the curtain on the group’s signature style, “vocal play,” a jaw-dropping technique where every sound, from guitars and bass to horns, drums and keyboards, is created using only their voices.

26^th Annual Womynsfest – The Rotunda
March 7

Womynsfest, booked and produced by Vitamin D Productions, is an annual fest of womyn musicians, singers, dancers, poets, filmmakers, speakers, visual artists and crafters of all ages and from all walks of life. The festival is a homecoming for seasoned performers while showcasing emerging artists.

The Peking Acrobats – Penn Live Arts
March 15

The Peking Acrobats push the limits of human ability, wowing audiences with spellbinding trick-cycling, precision tumbling, juggling, somersaulting and gymnastics. With a three-decade legacy of elite talent, this world-record-setting troupe takes ancient Chinese traditions to new heights, pairing artful athleticism with live music and festive pageantry.

Film & Talk: Make It Look Real – Penn Museum
March 18

Inside a small photo studio in Pakistan, clients urge the photographer to "make it look real" before their portraits are pasted onto stock photos with motorcycles, cars—anything they desire. Following a screening of his award-winning documentary Make it Look Real, photojournalist and filmmaker Danial Shah joins Jamal J. Elias, scholar of religion, art, and literature in the Islamic world, for an illuminating conversation about truth, lies, and their blurred boundaries.

Rennie Harris PureMovement: Losing My Religion – Penn Live Arts
March 19-21

Rennie Harris, “the most brilliant hip-hop choreographer in America” (The New Yorker) and Penn Live Art’s 25/26 season artist-in-residence, returns with the world premiere of Losing My Religion, an exploration of the world’s constant social, economic and political turmoil through the lens of street dance and hip hop. Set to a chilling soundscape mixed live by a DJ, this new commissioned work offers a haunting narrative of personal and systemic struggle and transformation, a multifaceted reminder of our humanity.

Spring Celebration – Morris Arboretum
March 20

Spring has sprung, and we’re staying out late! To celebrate the first day of spring, the Morris will stay open late — until 7 pm. Wander the garden, chase the daylight, and kick off the season right. More daylight. More garden. More love.

CultureFest!: Holi – Penn Museum
March 21

Holi, also known as the Festival of Colors, is a Hindu celebration of the arrival of spring. Bring the whole family for a day filled with fun and cultural exploration as we immerse ourselves in this joyful Indian festival. Join Penn Museum for a day filled with traditional storytelling, colorful art-making, dynamic live music, and captivating dance performances. The highlight of the event will be the joyful color throw, where everyone will embrace the spirit of Holi and its message of harmony and new beginnings.

The Philly Puppet Guild Puppet Slam – The Rotunda
March 28

ICE ICE BABY is coming to The Rotunda! That’s right! The Philly Puppet Guild’s next Puppet Slam leans into cold weather chaos, nostalgic joy, and just enough absurdity to thaw the room. Think blizzards, childhood memories, plagiarism lawsuits, the Titanic, and extremely catchy songs. Use the theme as inspiration, not a rulebook! As always, weird is welcome.