Weekly Picks

Support Science and Art, Simultaneously

The rift between science and art has gone on for long enough. To be a civilized society, we need both. So why not let them coexist more often? With their proton and dark matter plush toys, Particle Zoo proves that the two can live harmoniously. But the company is based in L.A., and you have to FedEx its artsy twist on science to the East Coast.

If you want to bridge the divide here in Philly, head to the Clifford C. Hach Gallery. The Chemical Heritage Foundation is hosting an art exhibit on “Molecules that Matter,” which highlights all the heavy hitters: DNA, nylon, aspirin and Prozac, among others. Its large-scale models of molecules, which are 2.5 billion times their actual size, look like projects from a middle school science fair. If the parents did all the work, that is.

Other pieces are less straightforward. In the cheeky installation “After Albers,” Susie Brandt weaves several pairs of light and dark nylons into a quilt. Melissa Gwyn’s piece is more serious, and rightfully so. In her painting “Prozac,” a dark blue ocean of vines and frogs covers three-fourths of the piece, with a thin, hopeful sunset resting above it.

Drink to Education

In 1983, the Grateful Dead redirected its never-ending touring energy into a more noble cause. The band members formed the Rex Foundation, a charity group that gives big money ($8.3 million so far) to arts, science and education programs.

Support their cause at the GIVE Festival on Sept. 20 in Liberty Lands Park. It costs $10 for entry and $10 more for an endless cup of booze. Not bad for charity. A diverse group of musicians will also be performing. Among those worth checking out: DJ Frosty and Rich Medina are upbeat, hip-hop artists, and Hezekiah Jones is a quirky guitarist who sounds a lot like Iron & Wine.

The Philadelphia Independent Craft Market will also be raising money for the charity, and like other craft fairs, they’ll be selling cutesy stuffed animals and feather earrings. If all this philanthropy makes you hungry, Curbside Chef will be serving grub. Hopefully, that includes their salmon avocado tacos and vegetable lasagna.

Holly Otterbein can be reached at holly.otterbein@temple.edu.