There are too many events and exhibitions at PIFA this year to list here, but here’s list of events that shouldn’t be missed:
The exhibition and film festival “Free to Be: The Artistry and Impact of African American Artists in Turn-of-the-Century Paris” explores the lives of Josephine Baker and other African-American artists who found artistic and personal freedom in Paris during the early part of the 20th century, April 7-May 1 at the African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch St.
Organist T. Desiree Hines and the Queer Urban Orchestra of New York and friends present “Fete Du Soir,” an evening of master works written and inspired by leading Parisian composers, 3 and 7 p.m. April 9 at Arch Street United Methodist Church, 55 N. Broad St.
Mercedes de Acosta, and the women in her life (including Greta Garbo, Isadora Duncan and fashion icon Rita Lydig), come to life in “Raving Beauty” an musical performance inspired by the life of the controversial socialite and writer, 2 p.m. April 9 at Rosenbach Museum and Library, 2008-2010 Delaney Place.
“A Lyrical Opera Made by Two” is a lesbian love story depicting the relationship between critic Alice B. Toklas and writer-poet Gertrude Stein during their years in Paris when modernism was born, April 13-17 at Caplan Studio Theater, 211 S. Broad St.
Martin P. Robinson, performer, designer, and director of International Puppet Training for Sesame Street joins other puppet experts for a roundtable discussion entitled “Puppets: The Original Avatars,” 5-6:30 p.m. at Houston Hall, Bodek Lounge, University of Pennsylvania, 3417 Spruce St.
The Roots’ timekeeper and bandleader, ?uestlove, performs a one-night-only cabaret-styles show with French singer-songwriter Keren Ann, 8 p.m. April 17 at the Kimmel Center, 260 S. Broad St.
Renowned Philadelphia choreographer Rennie Harris re-imagines Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring” for “Heaven,” a performance that includes 15 dancers, Japanese motifs, multimedia anime and burn-the-floor dance moves, April 15-17, Kimmel Center 260 S. Broad St.
For a full list of Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts events, visit www.pifa.org.