Must-see entertainment in Pennsylvania

  • 500px Photo ID: 115527271 - From the Alafai Rendesvous in Florida, January 2015.

    Elks Lodge

    Pittsburgh

    The Elks Lodge is renowned as one of the best live music venues in the North side of Pittsburgh. In addition to its famed Banjo Night, it also hosts a big…

  • Curtis Institute of Music

    Philadelphia

    One of the finest music conservatories in the world, the Curtis only accepts exceptionally gifted students into its tuition-free programs. If you attend…

  • Pig Iron Theatre Company

    Philadelphia

    One of Philly's most exciting and original contemporary theater companies, Pig Iron shows can be bizarre combinations of vaudeville, clowning and silence,…

  • World Cafe Live

    Philadelphia

    Home to U Penn's radio station, WXPN, this former factory is one of Philly's premier live-music venues. There are upstairs and downstairs performance…

  • PhilaMOCA

    Philadelphia

    A former tombstone store, then producer Diplo's studios, this eclectic space now has an equally eclectic program of cult movie nights, live-music shows,…

  • Arched-glass roof atop modern city theatre

    Kimmel Center

    Philadelphia

    The city's most active and prestigious arts institution, this modern concert hall, designed by Rafael Viñoly, hosts the Philadelphia Orchestra, the…

  • Academy of Music

    Philadelphia

    Known as the Grand Old Lady of Locust St, the gas lamps on the front of this renovated 1857 opera house set the tone for the gorgeous baroque interior. It…

  • Ritz At The Bourse

    Philadelphia

    The place to come to see independent and art-house movies as well as special-event screenings such as those offered by National Theatre Live and the Royal…

  • FringeArts

    Philadelphia

    FringeArts lives up to its name by sticking to its mission of celebrating all that's at the cutting edge (and beyond) of performing arts. Drop by on the…

  • International House

    Philadelphia

    The International House Philadelphia celebrates cultural diversity, hosting more than 200 events each year including concerts, cultural celebrations and…

  • Summer Nights Concert Series

    Philadelphia

    Enjoy these alfresco concerts in the Stoner Courtyard of Penn Museum. The eclectic lineup of performances can range from Creole zydeco to Middle Eastern…

  • August Wilson Center

    Pittsburgh

    The glass-and-metal August Wilson Center emerges looking something like a futuristic sailboat cutting across downtown Pittsburgh. The non-profit center…

  • The Palestra

    Philadelphia

    Named after a sporting enclosure common in ancient Greece, the Palestra is where you can catch U Penn men's and women's basketball games, volleyball and…

  • First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia

    Philadelphia

    This basement, chapel and sanctuary of this high Victorian Gothic church is occasionally used by R5 Productions (www.r5productions.com) as one of the…

  • Lightbox Film Center

    Philadelphia

    On a mission to screen films that others don't – from classics and forgotten gems to the most obscure of documentaries and art-house pics – the Lightbox…

  • Ritz 5

    Philadelphia

    There are five screens at this branch of the local Ritz trio of cinemas, screening mainly indie, art-house and foreign films. Films on Wednesday cost $7…

  • Ritz East

    Philadelphia

    Ritz East has two screens and is a clean and comfy place to watch a movie.

  • Chris' Jazz Cafe

    Philadelphia

    Showcasing local talent along with national greats, this intimate space features musicians from Monday to Saturday. Sets usually kick off around 8pm, with…

  • Arden Theatre Co

    Philadelphia

    The musical Cabaret, the kid's show Peter Pan and Ibsen's The Dolls House – the recent offerings by this long-established and well-regarded theater…

  • The Rotunda

    Philadelphia

    There's a wide variety of events held several times a week at this elegant space built originally in 1911 as the First Church of Christ Scientist. Check…

  • Punch Line Philly

    Philadelphia

    This 300-seat comedy club, restaurant and bar is part of a small national chain of similar comedy venues. The lineup includes established acts as well as…

  • Franklin Field

    Philadelphia

    This handsome, U-shaped stadium, built in 1922, is the venue for the Penn Relay track-and-field events in April, as well as the varsity football and…

  • Pittsburgh Cultural Trust

    Pittsburgh

    An umbrella group for all the arts in downtown's Cultural District, from Pittsburgh Opera to global-minded Pittsburgh Dance Council to creative theater…

  • The Fillmore

    Philadelphia

    With room for up to 2500 spectators, this is one of Philly's largest live-music venues. Upstairs is the more intimate 450-person Foundry space, which is…

  • Johnny Brenda's

    Philadelphia

    One of the hubs of Philly's indie-rock scene, this is a great small venue with a balcony, plus a solid restaurant and bar with equally indie-minded beers.

  • Union Transfer

    Philadelphia

    Opened in 2011, this music hall is one of the best spaces in Philly for bigger-name bands, with eclectic bookings and good bar service.

  • Row House Cinema

    Pittsburgh

    This art-house and repertory cinema in Lawrenceville has theme weeks and gives a discount for wearing a costume.

  • MCG Jazz

    Pittsburgh

    Part of a community arts-and-crafts school on the North Side, this 350-seat venue hosts top jazz musicians.

  • Rex Theater

    Pittsburgh

    A converted movie theater, this South Side favorite hosts touring jazz, rock and indie bands.

  • Beaver Stadium

    Pennsylvania

    Here's some trivia: during Penn State football games, this stadium, which can seat over 106,000 spectators, becomes the third largest city in the state…

  • Sawmill Art Center

    Pennsylvania

    This friendly little establishment puts on theater shows and runs a series of craft classes. It's a nice source of local information on the Pennsylvania…

  • Painted Bride

    Philadelphia

    Performing-arts company Painted Bride recently sold their Old City base in order to secure their future. Check the website for a performance schedule and…

  • ArtsQuest Center

    Pennsylvania

    A state-of-the-art performance space with a cinema, restaurant and more, plus the Levitt Pavilion, which hosts free outdoor concerts.