Summer Solstice '09

Sat.-Sun., June 20-21, 3 p.m.-dawn, $10, Kimmel Center, 260 S. Broad St., 215-790-5800, kimmelcenter.org.

by Chelsea Calhoun

Each year in late June, Mother Nature gives the northern hemisphere one day that's got a little more daylight than the rest — in order to, in my humble opinion, party hard. The Kimmel Center concurs: Its Summer Solstice celebration features 15 straight hours of events, both indoors and out.

"We all know that the day really isn't any longer than others," says Tom Warner, vice president of programming. "But it's fun to think that way."

You can spend the afternoon outside browsing photographs, jewelry, clothing and other handmade items from local artisans at the second installment of Art for the Cash Poor — lucky for you if you missed the first version last weekend. Also outdoors is the Yappy Hour, an SPCA benefit featuring drinks and treats for canines and their owners.

Inside, Brazilian designer Márcia Ganem's will debut her eco-friendly clothing at a fashion show, the Philadelphia Songwriters Project will present the winners of their 2009 Songwriting Contest, and hoop dancer Jennifer Alvarez will perform — all before 8 p.m. The party doesn't stop just because the sun goes down, though. There's a screening of old cartoons like Gumby and Betty Boop at the rooftop garden at 10 p.m., the queens of Bob & Barbara's Drag Night singing and shaking it at 11 p.m. and hip-hop duo Christian Rich hosting a midnight dance party.

Don't let the dancing wear you out, though. You surely wouldn't want to miss the 5 a.m. BYOD (bring your own drum) circle.

Sat.-Sun., June 20-21, 3 p.m.-dawn, $10, Kimmel Center, 260 S. Broad St., 215-790-5800, kimmelcenter.org.