July First Friday picks: Art, tours, beer & more

With all the hubbub this Saturday — we're looking at you 4th of July — one might easily forget that this Friday has some significance as well. First Friday, July 3, is so totally on.

Philly handbags and accessories retailer NKHenry are hosting a pop-up trunk show at event space Soiree Philadelphia (158 N. 3rd St.) from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. where spring and summer clutches, jewelry and more will be on sale.

If you're left wondering why glass art was chosen to depict American freedom at the National Liberty Museum (321 Chestnut St.), then wonder no more. This 5 p.m. tour will explain all that while showing visitors behind-the-scenes areas of the museum.

Drink the ales the Founding Fathers did. Or get pretty close. Yards provides their Ales of the Revolution, which was crafted in an attempt to recreate Thomas Jefferson's recipe, at Carpenters' Hall (320 Chestnut St.). Revolutionary-era re-enactors will share interesting historical facts throughout the free event, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Take a 5:30 p.m. tour of Christ Church Burial Ground (5th and Arch Streets) where guides will fill you in on (sort of spooky) info at the resting places of Revolutionary-era soldiers and patriots. From there, you'll head over to the Betsy Ross House (239 Arch St.) for another tour and an outdoor screening of extra-terrestrial flick Not of This Earth. Bring your own snacks and booze if you wish.

Works by artists who've operated in traditional ways before (like getting MFA's or selling works with lofty price tags) have thrown away the rulebook for "Ouroboros," closing with a 6 p.m. reception at Little Berlin (2430 Coral St.). Personal representations of each artist's experiences and thought processes, works range from pen and ink illustrations to video.

A group of Philly illustrators, Phantom Hand, curated the latest exhibit at LMNL Gallery (1526 Frankford Ave.), opening Friday at 6 p.m. Taken from real-life experiences, participating artists are showing sketched works based on human interactions … or you know, small talk. (Psst. That's what the show's called.)

The Barnes Foundation (2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway) gets jazzy. A back-and-forth performance between jazz saxophonist Steve Wilson and drummer Lewis Nash sets the tone for a laid-back evening of drinks and art. Hang out from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

For more Things to Do, check out our calendar for the most up-to-date happenings.