This week in Philly: June 29-July 5

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

Monday, June 29

Master tailors Nino Corvato, Joe Centofanti, and Checchino Fonticoli are the subject of this documentary on the preservation and proliferation of Italian style and craftsmanship. Men of the Cloth gets its Philadelphia premiere at Landmark Ritz at the Bourse (400 Ranstead St.) at 7:30 p.m. followed by a Q&A with director Vicki Vasilopoulos, Brian Lipstein of Henry A. Davidsen Master Tailors & Image Consultants and Helen Centofanti Peatross, Joe's daughter.

Having over 43 books to his name, author Walter Mosley comes to the Free Library of Philadelphia's Central Branch (1901 Vine St.) to speak about his latest mystery And Sometimes I Wonder About You: A Leonid McGill Mystery at 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, June 30

This is history you might not learn in the classroom. Historical storytellers posted up on benches at the Independence Visitor Center (6th and Market Streets), Historic Philadelphia Center (6th and Chestnut Streets), Independence Square (5th and Chestnut Streets), Carpenters' Hall (320 Chestnut St.), Franklin Court (322 Market St.), Christ Church (22 N. 2nd St.), Betsy Ross House (239 Arch St.), National Constitution Center (525 Arch St.) and Franklin Square (6th and Race Streets) will tell five-minute historical tales in the spots they actually happened. It's all free and takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Haley Fohr's baritone vocals are just the beginning of what sets her apart from other musicians. Her project Circuit des Yeux comes to Johnny Brenda's (1201 Frankford Ave.), strings and electronics in tow. Doors are at 7:30 p.m. for the 21-and-older show.

Wednesday, July 1

You've heard of the age-old adage "if these walls could talk." But what if these plants could sing? That's what the Bearded Ladies Cabaret hypothesized when crafting their latest performance created just for the PHS Pop Up Gardens. "Bitter Homes and Gardens: A Botanical Hoe-Down" features music from Bill Withers, Bob Dylan, Tom Waits and original tunes. The one-hour show, beginning at 6 p.m., opens with a preview on Wednesday July 1 and runs through Friday, July 10 at PHS Pop Up Garden at 9th and Wharton Streets. 

Gossip Girl star Penn Badgley (don't pretend that you don't remember Dan Humphrey) has moved on from the small screen and now fronts a band. The dark and atmospheric MOTHXR opens for San Cisco at Johnny Brenda's (1201 Frankford Ave.) at 9 p.m.

Thursday, July 2

Every Thursday in July and August, the Please Touch Museum (4231 Avenue of the Republic) stays open until 8 p.m. and features special performances and appearances each week. To kick things off for July, Whyatt Beanstalk from Super WHY! will make an appearance from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Throughout the evening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., there'll be special exhibits from PNC's Grow Up Great and cupcake decorating.

In the wake of the Supreme Court's ruling in favor of same-sex marriage and the 50th anniversary of the LGBT Civil Rights Movement, this panel discussion at Congress Hall (Independence Square, 5th and Chestnut Streets) will be all the more relevant. Beginning at 8:15 p.m., Kevin Naff, editor of the Washington Blade and panelists will discuss current events in the LGBT movement.

Friday, July 3

Len Davidson, an expert in neon sign restoration and preservation will lead a tour, taking visitors through an 80 plus-year visual history of neon signs. From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., feast your eyes on a 1936 Pittsburgh Paints sign, the Reading Terminal Market sign and more. The tour departs from the Philadelphia Center for Architecture (1218 Arch St.). 

Grab your blankets and lawn chairs and head to the lawn in front of Independence Hall (5th and Chestnut Streets) for an al fresco, free concert from the Philly POPS at 8 p.m. Honoring veterans, active military and first responders, the concert will feature patriotic favorites like "God Bless the USA," "Battle Hymn of the Republic," "Stars and Stripes Forever" and more.

Saturday, July 4

Earn your barbecue. Hit the challenging Pitman Freedom Four Miler course, which takes runners through the quaint South Jersey town. The race begins at the Broadway Theatre (43 S. Broadway, Pitman, N.J.) at 8:45 a.m. You can register day-of from 7 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. at the Borough Hall (110 S. Broadway, Pitman, N.J.).

For a summer tradition that doesn't involve stripes, but definitely stars, head to Shofuso Japanese House and Garden (Horticultural and Lansdowne Drives) for the Tanabata festival, where you'll tie wishes to a bamboo tree, revel in star ornaments and make lucky paper cranes. The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

Sunday, July 5

The Marvel Experience, an interactive tour where you can become the super hero, closes today at Lincoln Financial Field (3501 S. Broad St.). Purchase tickets for a time slot between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Every first Sunday at the Barnes Foundation (2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway) is free entry (you can secure your free tickets starting at 9 a.m.). This month, activities include a performance from the Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus, a talk on Horace Pippin's legacy and a discussion on this year's BlackStar Film Festival. Programming runs from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

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