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Weekend event picks: Art Unleashed, flea markets & more

These events are the metaphorical wind beneath your wings. No ruffled feathers this weekend.

These events are the metaphorical wind beneath your wings. No ruffled feathers this weekend.

University of the Arts students, faculty, alumni and staff will sell original work across a number of media — photography, painting, jewelry, furniture, etc. — at the school's annual art sale, Art Unleashed. The show, held at Hamilton Hall (320 S. Broad St.) begins with a preview party on Thursday, April 9 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. while the official sale runs from noon to 5 p.m. from Friday, April 10 through Tuesday, April 14.

Bite-sized performances in dance, music and circus are set for Nice and Fresh, a monthly cabaret of pop-up performances, each lasting about 10-15 minutes. Held at Cliveden (6401 Germantown Ave.), offerings include the tale of a dude hoping to befriend his long-ago ex-girlfriend's little sister by attending her concert, circus dance theater, and more. Show times are at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 10 and 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 11.

Typically feminine objects in the flamenco world — like the dancer's shawl, fan and dress train — are examined through a new dance work from feminist flamenco dance troupe Pasion y Arte. "Cosas De Mujeres," or "Things of Women" comes to the Leonard Pearlstein Gallery (3401 Filbert St.) at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11 and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 12.

The flea market goodness that is the Philly Flea returns for opening day at Headhouse Square (2nd and Lombard Streets) on Saturday, April 11. Over 50 vendors will be selling vintage goods from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the fresh, spring air. (Unless it rains, in which case they'll do the same thing on Sunday, April 12.)

From the super big to the teeny tiny, critters of all sizes are celebrated at the Camden Children's Garden (3 Riverside Dr., Camden) Dino Day and Bug Bonanza. From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., on both Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12, kids can dig for fossils, learn about creepy crawlies, and plant some greenery.

Trading the music for the beer, Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore) turns into Ardmore Beer Hall on Saturday, April 11. From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., sample over 60 craft beers, enjoy chow from food trucks, and hear a Beatles tribute set.

If you don't mind a little paint, well … everywhere, the Life in Color paint party may be your dream come true on Saturday, April 11. With tunes from Steve Aoki, lots of paint and dancing, the outdoor event at Festival Pier (601 N. Columbus Blvd.) begins at 6 p.m.

This is not your ordinary bingo night. The game gets a glam makeover on Saturday, April 11 for Blingo to Cure Duchenne, a star-studded benefit raising funds for the CureDuchenne organization that helps raise funds and awareness toward research and a cure for this form of muscular dystrophy. With appearances from former Gov. Ed Rendell, former Eagles quarterback A.J. Feeley, WMMR's Marisa Magnatta and more, the fundraiser starts at 7 p.m. at the Rittenhouse Hotel (210 W. Rittenhouse Square).

Another market opening day falls on Sunday, April 12. Chestnut Hill's Clover Market sets up shop at 25 W. Highland Ave with dozens of antique, handmade, art and craft vendors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Come with an appetite, too: Food trucks like Mucho Bueno, Reanimator Coffee and Oink and Moo BBQ will also be on site.

Main St. Manayunk turns into a cornucopia of food and shopping heaven for the Manayunk StrEAT Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 12. Hit up some of the food trucks like Mama's Meatballs and Vernalicious or peruse the sidewalk sales for this ultimate outdoor event.

Inquirer's Picks

Stephen Chow's 2004 martial arts comedy, "Kung Fu Hustle," owes as much to Looney Tunes as it does to Hong Kong producer Run Run Shaw's chop-socky classics in its tale of rival fighters in a 1930s slum vying to be the last one kicking. The film screens at the PFS Theater at the Roxy (1600 N. 5th St.) at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11.

Live the dream with the walking dead: It's Zombie Laser Tag, with choices of two missions to battle the infected horde in a warehouse overrun by the creepies (or get bitten and switch sides). Gear up at Fright Factory (2200 S. Swanson St.) from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, April 10 and noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, April 11.

Woodworkers, photographers, weavers, potters, and other artisans exhibit their unique handmade furnishings; expert designers offer tips; and art by John James Audubon is on display at the Philadelphia Invitational Furniture Show at the 23d Street Armory (between Market and Chestnut Streets). Show runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 11 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 12.

In "Second Nature," an international array of artists use recycled materials to create animal sculptures, such as Maurizio Savini's crocodile made from wads of chewing gum, Don Kennell's 900-pound gorilla fashioned from car doors, and James Corbett's polar bear cubs constructed of recycled spark plugs. The show, which runs through Oct. 31, opens Saturday, April 11 at the Philadelphia Zoo (34th Street and Girard Avenue). See it 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

The Golden Dragon Acrobats perform amazing aerial stunts, form human pyramids, contort, and more at the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center (601 N. Lansdowne Ave., Drexel Hill) at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 11.

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