This week in Philly: June 15-June 21

A few ways to spend your week in (and out of) Philly.

Monday, June 15
Of course Betsy Ross would be the one to throw a weeklong festival in honor of the American Flag. It's only natural. Stop by her abode, the Betsy Ross House (239 Arch St.) Monday through Saturday for flag raisings with Betsy (10 a.m. daily), meet and greet with Ben Franklin (11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday), candle dipping (11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday) and colonial chocolate making (11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday).

UK electronic outfit Clean Bandit burst onto the scene last year with their feel-good dance single "Rather Be." Get down with the tropical dance beats at Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) at 8 p.m.

Tuesday, June 16
Literature buffs, listen up! A daylong reading of James Joyce's Ulysses featuring excerpt readings from everyone from hardcore enthusiasts to local celebs and the everyday folk will take over a few locales within the city. The day starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Free Library of Philadelphia's Central Branch (1901 Vine St.) and continues at 12:30 p.m. at Rittenhouse Square (18th and Walnut Streets). The day wraps up with more readings and a musical performance at the Rosenbach Museum (2008 Delancey St.) at 3 p.m.

Shutterbugs will have free roam over Eastern State Penitentiary (2027 Fairmount Ave.) from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. to capture the storied prison at sunset.

Wednesday, June 17
Leave your diet at home for this one. Pastry chefs from Garces Group, The Capital Grille, Affinity Baking and more will put out their spread of innovative desserts at the Pyramid Club (1735 Market St.) for sampling — all for a good cause. While you satiate your sweet tooth, feel good knowing your ticket price goes to People's Emergency Center in West Philadelphia. Eat Dessert First from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Penn Museum's (3260 South St.) weekly summer outdoor concerts return with a 5 p.m. concert from the Harrisburg Mandolin Ensemble.

Thursday, June 18
Row, row, row your boat and drink a few brews, too. No rowing required on the Spirit of Philadelphia (401 S. Columbus Blvd.) where an open Yards Beer Bar and buffet menu will greet you as you sail into the sunset from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Get there early though, boarding is at 6:30 p.m.

Like most good modern-day collaborative efforts begin, the story of Toronto band Young Empires includes Craigslist. (That's where the guitarist and bassist met.) Since then they've been compared to the likes of The Killers and Arcade Fire. They play with New Yorkers Chappo at MilkBoy (1100 Chestnut St.) at 8 p.m.

Friday, June 19
If you couldn't get enough of the Making Time birthday excitement last week, the celebration continues back at Voyeur (1221 St. James St.) with Las Vegas's funkiest new voice, Shamir. Doors open at 9 p.m. with free Tecate, Heineken and Sailor Jerry Rum cocktails until 11 p.m. Entertainment goes all the way until 4 a.m.

Every third Friday for the past two years, Ruba Club Studios (416 Green St.) has turned into Rasputin's Room, a burlesque show organized by and including performer Lil' Steph. Celebrate the show's second anniversary starting at 10 p.m.

Saturday, June 20
Scott Park (Larry Holmes Dr. and Northampton St., Easton) might be the only place to get both fried Oreos and Weyerbacher Last Chance IPA. Maybe. Either way, the Easton River Jam will prove to be a day of food, drink and music from noon until 9 p.m. 

In honor of Juneteenth, a day celebrating the end of slavery in the United States, the African American Museum in Philadelphia (701 Arch St.) sets up a Civil War-era camp with costumed re-enactors and historians from the United States Colored Troops 3rd Regiment, crafts, food and more from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, June 21
We hope you don't mind a bit of repetition. Join other yogis at Lemon Hill (3298 Sedgley Dr.) for 108 sun salutations starting at 9 a.m. The yoga session is free, but bring your own mat and water.

You scream, we scream, Dad screams for free ice cream. Bring your pops to Shake Shack (2000 Sansom St., 3200 Chestnut St. and 160 N. Gulph Rd.) for a free single cup or cone of frozen custard starting at 11 a.m. for the Center City and King of Prussia locations and 10:30 a.m. for University City location.

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