Do This!

Pause for claws

Sweden's end-of-summer tradition Kräftskiva (Crayfish Party) started a century ago, when the Scandinavian nation's lakes were nearly emptied of the scrumptious crustaceans. As a result, for most of the 20th century the harvest was limited to a short time in late summer and the return of the delicacies, cooked in salted water with dill and served cold, became a cause for celebration that spread throughout the Nordic countries. The rowdy outdoor feasts traditionally feature comical party hats and bibs, paper lanterns depicting the Man in the Moon, and drinking songs. Give a call to see if they have room at the party at the American Swedish Museum, 1900 Pattison Avenue. Time: 6 p.m. Tickets: $60. Information: 215-389-1776 or www.americanswedish.org.

American tragedy

Arthur Miller was one of the country's best playwrights and his 1949 drama Death of a Salesman is his masterpiece, a deft portrayal of dreams destroyed. GoKash Productions' performance of the work with an African-American cast deepens the message. The show goes on at Plays and Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey Place. Times: 8 p.m. Friday, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $35. Information: 877-849-5327 or gokashproductions.com.

Avast, ye scurvy dogs

Before things went sour a bit later, in 1772 British soldiers were the heroes of Philadelphia, protecting the place from marauding buccaneers. The defenders return from the mists of history when Mud Island is invaded for Pirate Day, with a scavenger hunt, tours, lessons in talking pirate (aarrrr!), live parrots, and battles between the bucs and Brits at Fort Mifflin, Fort Mifflin and Hog Island Roads. Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets: $8; $6 seniors; $4 veterans and ages under 12. Information: 215-685-4167 or www.fortmifflin.us

Pop life

Good rocking Victoria Watts plays her pop gems at Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St. Time: 8 p.m. Tickets: $10. Information: 215-928-0978 or www.tinangel.com.

So long, summer

It figures the Institute of Contemporary Art would have a distinctive Summer Closing Party and they do: their event features music by longtime "house band" Bardo Pond, the launch of a 'zine by chief preparator Paul Swenbeck, a mural by Isaac Tin Wei Lin and Dan Murphy, and artist Jeremiah Misfeldt lifting the curse that he cast upon ICA during the Big Nothing Cabaret back in 2004 (plus: Popsicles!). It's on at the ICA terrace, 118 S. 36th St. Time: 2 p.m. Admission is free. Information: 215-898-5911 or icaphila.org.