Singer/Songwriter James Maddock, Americana Roots Ramble, Science Carnival, Job Search Workshop

With spring festivals, fairs and other happenings popping up like dandelions, Patch brings you the best in local entertainment and cultural events. Newtown Square coffeehouse Burlap and Bean and Media's State Street provide excellent venues for date night as they host singer/songwriter James Maddock and Media's Americana Roots Ramble, respectively. 

Events the whole family will enjoy include Marple Public Library's The Creative Living Room storytimes, The Baldwin School's Sound All Around concert and the huge Parkway Science Carnival. Also, for anyone looking to sharpen their job search or networking skills, don't miss Saturday's job search workshop at Villanova University.

Patch's Best Bets for the Week

JAMES MADDOCK

Where/When:  at 8 p.m. on Friday.
Why Go: Experience for yourself the transformation of this cozy cafe into an intimate listening room as Burlap and Bean welcomes respected singer/songwriter James Maddock. Formerly the lead singer of the band Wood, which seemed on the verge of worldwide fame in 1999, Maddock has toured with the likes of Paula Cole and Train. His recent debut solo album, Sunrise on Avenue C, showcases his timeless songwriting style conveying quiet confidence and lovely intimacy. Opening for him is special guest Eleanor Dubinsky. Customers over 21 may bring their own beer or wine to the performance, per Burlap and Bean's BYO policy.
Pricing: $15 cover


SPRINGTIME STORIES WITH THE CREATIVE LIVING ROOM

Where/When: at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday.
Why Go: Enjoy interactive programs of springtime stories, songs, dances and other fun activities with The Creative Living Room teachers. The Creative Living Room is a creative and educational arts space offering year-round classes in music, dance, theatre, art, Spanish, yoga and more. The storytime is geared toward children ages 3 to 5.
Pricing: Free


MEDIA AMERICANA ROOTS RAMBLE

Where/When: State Street from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday.
Why Go: Enjoy a diverse variety of American Roots music right here in your backyard–from early rock & roll, rockabilly and classic rhythm & blues to bluegrass, folk and zydeco. Acts, including legendary rock 'n roll pioneer Charlie Grace and Berks County roots rockers Frog Holler, are presented in 16 indoor restaurant venues. Also, parking is free.
Pricing: $15 advance tickets, $20 on Saturday


SOUND ALL AROUND

Where/When: The Baldwin School at 10 and 11:15 a.m. on Saturday.
Why Go: See and hear the instruments of the orchestra as upbeat music and narration take you on a musical adventure. Sound All Around concerts are interactive programs with members of The Philadelphia Orchestra and award-winning storyteller Charlotte Blake Alston. Pretend to play an instrument, practice conducting, sing songs, and top it all off by examining real instruments up close. These 45-minute concerts are a wonderful way for kids and their families to have fun with music. Saturday's concert features the tuba.
Pricing: $15 per person


JUMP START YOUR JOB SEARCH

Where/When:  from 9:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday; register by Wednesday, April 13.
Why Go: Take advantage of a nearby and affordable job search workshop geared toward experienced professionals, those seeking a career switch and new grads. The interactive sessions will cover networking, negotiating, how to conduct a successful job search campaign and how to secure a job that matches your passions and values. If possible, bring your business cards, introductory “elevator” speech, value proposition, networking profile and target company list. If you don’t have them, you will learn about these valuable tools. There will be time for networking with fellow participants and speakers. Bring lunch or money to purchase lunch.
Pricing: $10 per person, $5 for students


SCIENCE CARNIVAL ON THE PARKWAY

Where/When: Ben Franklin Parkway from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Why Go: The event features more than 80 exhibitors offering non-stop family-friendly experiments, interactive activities, games, and a packed line-up of live entertainment. Enjoy liquid nitrogen ice cream, make gak, meet live zoo animals, check out the inner-workings of robots, take a tour of a helicopter, extract DNA from a strawberry, test a “crime scene” for forensic evidence and so much more. Be sure to visit the Philadelphia Book Festival’s Street Fair, held in conjunction with the Science Carnival and just a few steps away.
Pricing: Free

Editor's note: Our Get Out column that usually runs on Thursdays will now be combined with our Grab & Go Kids Planner. The new Get Out column will feature both kid-friendly and adult-only picks for the weekend. The column will run on our usual Grab & Go Kids Planner spot every Wednesday mornings at 6 a.m.