8. Feel like a visit to Tipitina's or the Maple Leaf Bar but can't spare the time or coin for a trip to New Orleans? If an evening in Mt. Airy works better in your schedule, ReBirth Brass Band—frequent performers at the aforementioned spots—will transport you to the Crescent City with snapping syncopation and biting brass. Come prepared to dance. 9 p.m., $15, NXNW, 7165 Germantown Ave., 215-248-1000, www.nxnwphl.com. (MA)

9. The most common problem with reverse commuting by public transportation in Greater Philly is the too-big distance between the nearest train station or subway stop and suburban workplaces. The most sensible solution in this season of traffic jams and gas-price slams is to finish the commute with one of those bikes that fold up into something like a small suitcase, thus circumventing SEPTA's regular-bike restrictions. And the best place to get the down-low on these life-size two-wheel Transformers is at Trophy Bicycle's annual Folding Bike Festival. Not only will you get to test out various models, but also to quiz folder vets about their workplace sink-bathing techniques between the talks, demos, races and rides. Free, through June 11, Trophy Bikes, 3131 Walnut St., 215-222-2020, www.trophybikes.com. (CW)

With a couple of notable exceptions, like the gardens at the Pennsylvania Hospital or the Art Museum's Azalea Garden, there are precious few opportunities to bask in natural splendor in the middle of the city summer. This only makes events like the Ikebana Exhibition at the Shofuso Japanese House and Garden in Fairmount Park that much sweeter, as leading lights in Japanese flower arrangement distill, refine and intensify the season's beauty. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., $5-$6, through June 11, 215-878-5097, www.shofuso.com. (JB)

10. Most of this town's tours are Ben-, Tom- and tourist-centric. But Landmark's are historic walking tours even a local could love. Formerly known as Walk Philadelphia and run by the Center City District, the one- to two-hour volunteer-researched and -led tours were recently revived after a year's hiatus by the Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks (owner of several local historic houses). Despite their name, the tours are not just about buildings, as you can tell from titles like Lewis and Clark in Philadelphia (July 15), Jewish Philadelphia (Aug. 13) and Chestnut Hill (the one happening June 10). 2 p.m., $10, Chestnut Hill Academy parking lot, 500 W. Willow Grove Ave., 215-925-2918, www.philalandmarks.org, or e-mail tours@philalandmarks.org to get on a mailing list for all their tours. (CW)

Plus: Torrential rain in the past has never stopped savvy music hounds when Media wedges music into all corners of downtown—even Margaret Kuo's tony resto has tunes along with the gin mills and caffeine parlors. DelCo loses its suit-and-tie image for the Blues Stroll. Fifteen dollars lets you circulate between hot acts like the Dukes of Destiny, Debbie Davies, Otis Taylor and local fave Jerry Burruss. Feeling penurious or underage? Two outdoor stages are free (and booze-free, too). State Street Blues Stroll, 7 p.m.-1 a.m., 610-566-5039, www.statestreetblues.com. (MA)

11. Perhaps the best argument that demanding exercise alters the brain, men in spandex will grind up Levering Street in Manayunk—10 times—for the 22nd year running as part of the Pro Cycling Tour Philadelphia International Championship, which returns, with new sponsorship, as the best one-day bike race in America. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., starting near the Art Museum on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, www.procyclingtour.com. (JB)

12. Once the home of Philly-born grocery-clerk-turned-oil-baron Charles Knox Smith, the Woodmere Art Museum now houses Knox's impressive collection of 18th- and 19th-century art in a Chestnut Hill-sized castle. Even better, the Woodmere's not dying a slow Victorian death. For proof, check out the museum's Second Triennial of Contemporary Photography. Keep an eye out especially for Clarissa Sligh's chronicle of a female-to-male sex change and Sarah Stolfa's studies of McGlinchey's regulars. They'll catch you by surprise with their frankness. Through June 25, Woodmere Art Museum, 9201 Germantown Ave., 215-247-0476. (LH)

13. Pixar, Paul Newman and Owen Wilson are reason enough to shell out the big bucks for Cars. But come on, see it in true-blooded American car lover's style—shine up the chrome, clean off the windshield and head out to the Delsea Drive-In Theatre in New Jersey for a double feature. 8:45 p.m., 2203 S. Delsea Drive, Vineland, N.J., www.delseadrive-in.com. (CV)

Think you know your swamp pop from your roots rock and rodeo bebop? How about the Glimmer Twins from the Terrors and Toxics? Or which '80s band took its name from a sewing machine? Get your geek on at Jason "Dr. Rock" Rose's weekly Rock 'N' Roll High School, a themed trivia night perfect for busting open the Jim and showing off your VH1 prowess. The winning team gets a not-too-shabby bar tab, a case of PBR, a Tower Records goodie bag or free R'N'R High School undies. Be sure to hang around till 10 for the guest DJ set. Every Tuesday, 8 p.m., free, Tritone, 1508 South St., 215-545-0475, www.tritonebar.com. (AH)

14. Subway freaks just don't feed your need for sideshow entertainment the way the old traveling fairway extravaganzas did. But the Bindlestiff Family Circus will take you back to those over-the-top days when sword swallowers reigned supreme. The mature-audience variety show is a raucous combination of circus, vaudeville and burlesque, featuring acts like the sword-swallowing Mr. Pennygaff, Scotty the Blue Bunny (half man, half wild animal) and hula-hooper extraordinaire Dizzy Lizzie. Keeping everyone on their toes is whip-cracking Ringmistress Philomena Bindlestiff. Take the freakish edge off the hot summer night with brews by the Magic Hat Brewing Company. $20 at the door, $15 for Fleisher members and those dressed in clown or circus gear, Fleisher Art Memorial, 719 Catharine St., 877-BINDLES, www.bindlestiff.org. (MB)

15. Most of the time, exclamation points are superfluous. Obnoxious, even. But DanceBoom! deserves its punctuation. Now a summer festival, DB! kicks off today with Raices Culturales Latinoamericanas leading a dance down Broad Street, making the Avenue of the Arts live up to its name in a whole new way. The festival continues into the night (with Chris Aiken, Reactionaries and Tania Isaac) and for 15 more days inside and outside the Wilma. 7 p.m., Wilma Theater, Broad and Spruce sts., 215-546-7824, www.wilmatheater.org. (LH)

16. Summer is short. Ulysses is long. To better commemorate Leopold Bloom's epic walk around Dublin, today you should put down your reading glasses and take a wee stroll to the Rosenbach. This being Bloomsday, local celebrities will perform several hundred pages of Joyce's amazing beast of a novel. I mean seriously. You sit—basking in the sunshine (knock on wood)—while others finish the book for you. This happens only once a year, people. Remember to peek inside for related tutorial-ish films, programs and exhibits. Noon-7 p.m., free, Rosenbach Museum, 2008-2010 Delancey Pl., 215-732-1600, www.rosenbach.org. (TF)

17. Catch yourself humming a few bars of "Summer Wind"? The Sinatra gene pool is alive and well when Hoboken's favorite son's son, Frank Sinatra Jr. , plays Little Vegas by the Sea. Best known, perhaps, for being kidnapped in 1963 and released two days later when Papa shelled out a cool $240,000 in ransom, the Jersey City-born crooner has kept a low profile since dad's death. Even if you can't name a single song he's sung (unlike his sis Nancy, Frankie Jr.'s never had a major hit recording), his A.C. appearance promises plenty of bada-bing ever since he played himself on The Sopranos. 8 p.m., $45, The Grand Theatre, Atlantic City Hilton, Boston and the Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J., 609-347-7111, www.hiltonac.com. (NHM)

18. Cool off on the other side of the river when Etta James and Susan Tedeschi play the House of Blues in A.C. Etta James is an R&B legend best known for her woeful ballad "At Last." And Susan Tedeschi is a regular fixture at the World Café Live with David Dye. Her soulful blend of pop is inspired by such acts as Donny Hathaway (object of much affection on this year's American Idol), Ray Charles and the Rolling Stones. 8 p.m., $30-$55, House of Blues Atlantic City, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J., 609-236-2583, www.hob.com. (NHM)

19. Just because you have a break-even income doesn't mean you can't mock capitalism. That's right, Brokey McNightshift, you're going to shop for things you can't afford—and wouldn't want anyway. After hitting up Zinman to haggle for furs, head to Gary Barbera Dodge. Hint at a quarter-life crisis whilst eyeing a Viper, but ditch Gary for Jerry. Tell him his rocks don't rock and neither do his jingles, and take your non-business elsewhere. Suckers. (NN)

20. Slip into something swanky and brace yourself for a little schmoozing. Raise a martini with the folks of Center City Proprietors' Association and join the Old City Stroll. Nosh on tasty nibbles at Amada, Farmicia and Fork while figuring out just what that guy with the Manhattan can do for you. www.oldcitydistrict.org/dinespecials.php. (CV)

While only a few Port Fishington high schools will feature blizzards of notebook paper and Alice Cooper blaring from cheap car stereos in parking lots, it's still the last day of public school all over the city. Parents of young children, your freedom has ended (at least until camp starts). Mean old folks might want to step up their game for the influx of bored delinquents. For the rest of us, I say duck, cover and head for the hills, because the city's not ours anymore. (JB)

21. Today is the first day of summer. Of course, we all know that summer officially begins Memorial Day weekend. Or maybe when Mission: Impossible III opened in early May. Or that freakish hot day we had back in early February ah, whatever. If Al Gore's right, we're in for one long, hot perpetual summer anyway. Stock up on SPF 500. And booze. (DS)

22. After you've finished with things you can't afford, check out some meals you actually can. Swing down to South Street for day two of the super-discounted Eight Days of Eats dining event. Participating restaurants include Crescent City, Ansill, Gayle, Django, Horizons and many others. June 24. 21-28, www.southstreet.com. (AH)

While most Philadelphians spend their summers gulping down water ice and implementing exercise regimens that consist of little more than walking across the interminable Wildwood beach, the Fairmount Triathalon offers another breed of citizen—the healthy and in-shape one. So incorporate yourself into the latter group today by strapping on your running shoes or by just cheering on random people running, swimming or biking by you. Through June 25, Fairmount Park, www.phillytri.com. (ZP)

25. On this date 56 years ago, thousands of North Korean soldiers stormed across the border into South Korea. What better way to observe the start of that horrific and brutal war than by spending a lazy Sunday stuffing yourself with all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue at Porky and Porkie (1111 S. 11th St.)? After several platefuls of enervating beef bulgogi, you'll wonder how anyone worked up the energy to fight in the first place. (DF)

26. Mule-drawn barges bring back the past for hundreds of visitors daily on the old Delaware Canal. The barges have been hauling tourists since not too much longer after the canal's commercial usage ended in 1931. Mules draw the covered barges two miles up the river past colonial homes, artists' workshops, gardens and countryside to the Route 202 bridge and back. A musician-historian relates canal lore and strums folk songs. The one-hour excursion runs several times a day beginning at noon, May-October, $6-$10, Delaware River Canal Boat Co., 149 S. Main St., New Hope, 215-862-0758. (MA)

27. Female book nerds have a rough time of it in the summer, what with the season's trend toward puny beach reads and a general atmosphere of carefree abandon that the Bronte sisters would surely shun. But tonight there's a powwow they can get behind, a free author double-bill at the Free Library featuring Cynthia Ozick (The Din in the Head) and Nicole Krauss (The History of Love). A bonus: lest we forget, the library is air-conditioned. 7 p.m., free, Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St., 215- www.library.phila.gov. (GM)

28. The new rides over at Elmo's World at Sesame Place—how it is possible for an entire world to be subsumed into a single "place" is a discussion for another day—will either wow your toddlers (Rubber Duckie Pond) or scare them senseless (Blast Off). What really disturbed me, though, was the centerpiece of the Flying Fish, which features fuzzy old Elmo pulling a David Blaine-in-a-snowglobe routine. At least I didn't hear Elmo bitching about wrinkled Muppet fingers. 100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, Pa., 215-752-7070, www.sesameplace.com. (DS)

29. Thanks to The Food Trust there are real farmers' markets all over town. But how many are on the edge of a lush park? Hit the lovely Clark Park Market today and every Thursday, all summer long. (If you have to work, you can go on Saturday, too.) Every Thursday, 3-7 p.m.; every Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 43rd St. and Baltimore Ave. (MA)

30. Andrea Baldeck's a born documentarian. At the Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, Baldeck, a doctor and a photographer, lays out the 1996 trip she took to the impoverished Artibonite Valley in Haiti. The poetic labels tell the stories: how a village priest gave her his hat in exchange for a photo; the way a mother's eyes gazed on her malnourished children. Baldeck worked as a physician at Haiti's Hôpital Albert Schweitzer in the '80s and returned as an artist. You'll leave the show thankful for her dual dedications. Take a stroll through the sculpture garden on your way out. "Heart of Haiti," through July 9, Michener Art Museum, 138 S. Pine St., Doylestown, 215-340-9800, www.michenermuseum.org. (LH)