What's happening around town this week

THIS WEEKEND

Interactive history show

The musical "1776" combines the stirring story of America's struggle for Independence with rousing melodies. On Friday nights this summer, the 1972 film version of "1776" is screened for an interactive presentation where the audience gets into the act with sing-a-longs and props, turning history into hysterical fun for the family. The first performance of the season is tonight.

Independence Living History Center, 115 S. 3rd St., 7 tonight and every Friday through Aug. 29, $10-$15, 215-629-4026.

Kung Fu comedy star

Steve Byrne bills himself as a "CaucAsian" comedian, referencing his Korean/Irish heritage. You may have seen him on Comedy Central or on "Jimmy Kimmel Live," but his physical comedy really jumps off the stage when he's performing live, as he will be this weekend at Helium Comedy Club.

Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St., 8 and 10:30 tonight and tomorrow, $10-$25, 215-496-9001.

Emo 101

Master clown and actor Bill Irwin (he was Mr. Noodles on "Sesame Street") muses on dreams, puppets, technology and modern life in a new work he's created for the Philadelphia Theater Company. Irwin, doing the physical comedy he's famous for, is joined by eight actor/dancers to deliver "The Happiness Lecture." You won't want to skip this class.

Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St., 8 tonight, 2 and 8 tomorrow; 3 p.m. Sunday, 8 p.m. Tuesday, 1 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, 8 p.m. Thursday, through June 15, $10-$58, 215-985-0420, www.philadelphia

theatrecompany.org.

Make craft history

The Creative Collective Crafts and Fine Arts Fair sets up shop at historic Headhouse Square beginning this weekend. Throughout the summer and fall, a wide variety of craftspeople sell their wares (jewelry, clothing, ceramics, paintings and more) at the city's oldest outdoor market. You can also buy fresh fruit and vegetables from local farmers. The crafts fair is open every Saturday through the end of October and on select Fridays, including today, July 4 and Aug. 29. Tomorrow, Bonnie Bacich, a teacher at Central High and a talented fabric artist and weaver, will conduct a free workshop for children from 1-3 p.m. Young artists will design and make a tie-dyed T-shirt.

Headhouse Square, 2nd and Pine streets, noon-10 p.m. today, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. tomorrow, free, 215-790-0782.

Princess diaries

An engaging musical based on Frances Hodgson Burnett's story "A Little Princess" is about Sara Crewe, an heiress who learns while she is at boarding school that her sea captain father and her fortune have been lost. She's forced by the greedy headmaster to become a servant, living in a wretched attic room. But her life changes dramatically when an Indian magician moves in next door.

Hedgerow Theatre, 64 Rose Valley Road, Media, 7:30 tonight, 4 and 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, through June 7, $10-$20, 610-565-4211.

Cold as ice

Rare films of Arctic exploration will be shown at the Academy of Natural Sciences this weekend, the culmination of a three-day scientific conference. But you don't have to be a scientist or even attend the conference to enjoy these films, some of which have never been screened for the public.

Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. tomorrow, free with museum admission, $10 adults, $8 seniors and students.

NEXT WEEK

Hard times

A musical adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's tale "Princess and the Pea" will delight young theatergoers (and their parents).

The Storybook Musical Theatre production is appropriate for ages 3 and older.

Mitchell Performing Arts Center, 800 Tomlinson Road, Bryn Athyn, 10:15 a.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 10:15 a.m. May 30, 11 a.m. May 31, 2 p.m. June 1, $10-$12, 215-659-8550.

Junior Versaces

Get a glimpse of fashion's future when Drexel's Westphal College presents its annual fashion show.

The collections include evening wear, men's and women's sportswear, children's wear, swimwear and even lingerie. The designs of 30 graduating seniors and six graduate students will be showcased at this show, which is also a competition: Major retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus provide prizes for the top designers.

Crystal Tea Room, Wanamaker Building, 100 Penn Square East, 5 and 8 p.m. Wednesday, $25 for 5 p.m. show, $50 for 8 p.m. show, which includes reception, 215-895-1838, www.drexel.edu/

westphal.

Open 'House'

Wednesday is opening night for a world premiere that will conclude Interact Theatre Company's 20th anniversary season. "House, Divided" is about two brothers and their grown sons, who find their family divided between Philadelphia and Israel by their faith. Written by local playwright Larry Loebell, the play was commissioned by the National Foundation for Jewish Culture. A number of special events are planned during the month-long run of the play, including post-performance talkbacks following Sunday matinees.

InterAct Theatre, 2030 Sansom St., previews: 8 tonight, tomorrow, 2 p.m. Sunday, 7 p.m. Tuesday, opening night 7 p.m. Wednesday, 8 p.m. Thursday, through June 22, $15-$27, 215-568-8077.

LAST CHANCE

Grateful Dead guitarist and rock icon Jerry Garcia was an amazing artist as well as musician. "The Art of Jerry Garcia," a huge collection of his work, reflects his many styles and media, which range from watercolor, to airbrush and even crayon. This amazing exhibit at Image Makers Art Gallery of Stars, 12 W. Mechanic St., New Hope, continues through May 30, and it's free. The gallery is open from noon-6 p.m. Thursday, Sunday and Monday; from noon-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Info: 215-862-4858.

DINING DEALS

* The Keystone State's food, beer and wine will be showcased at the first Great Pennsylvania FlavorFest, at Mount Hope Estate and Winery (Route 72, south of Pennsylvania Turnpike exit 266), 11 a.m.-6 p.m. tomorrow and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. $15.95, $6.95 ages 5-11.

* Chaddsford Winery (632 Baltimore Pike, Chaddsford) hosts its annual Brandywine River Blues Festival tomorrow through Monday. The $20 daily admission includes wine tastings, a souvenir wine glass and both of each day's concerts.

* There's food for your brain at Rembrandt's (741 N. 23rd St.), where Quizzo has returned to the first-floor bar on Tuesday nights at 9 p.m. The best teams win prizes, but everybody gets to have fun.