As much as we lament finals, rue term papers, and never really want summer to end, we liberal artists sometimes find ourselves missing our chosen areas of study during these three heated months. Plenty of Penngineers and Whartonites get a fair dose of their subjects through summer endeavors, but we at Street have found ways for College kids to also indulge in academic leanings this month — no Penn InTouch involved.
Communication
Your Flicks, Your Banks: The Goonies Thursday, July 23 at dusk Walnut Street Dock S. 25th St. and Walnut St. under the Walnut St. bridge
Cinema studies majors may learn about big, important films like Citizen Kane and Casablanca, but communication majors get to analyze hard-hitting movies like Van Wilder and Love Actually. Yes, to be a comm major is to love pop culture and understand the significance behind masterpieces like 13 Going on 30. Though not officially part of the curriculum, comm majors also seem to enjoy picnics quite a bit. So, do you miss stimulating class discussions about Robocop? Fear not! Next Thursday, you can get your dose of pop culture crack and have a delightful dinner (al fresco!) on the banks of the Schuylkill. The Goonies is the latest film to be shown underneath the Walnut Street Bridge as part of the “Your Flicks, Your Banks” series. The ’80s classic follows a group of rag-tag kids on a search for buried treasure. Yeah, it’s pretty awesome. And totally Annenberg-worthy. — Julia Rubin
English
Shakespeare in Clark Park: The Comedy of Errors Wed. July 29 to Sun. August 2, at 7 p.m. "The Bowl" at Clark Park Chester Ave. and 43rd St.
While you bookworms and scribes are not likely to avoid good literature this summer, you know you’ve been waiting long enough to fulfill that whole “Pre-1700’s” requirement in the Core. Jump-start your Elizabethan academic encounters in a sunnier locale than the fourth floor of Fisher-Bennett. For five days this summer, Shakespeare in Clark Park will bring the Bard to “the bowl,” (you know, that huge valley in the middle of the southern part of the park). This year, the fare is The Comedy of Errors. At no charge, park yourself on the grassy knoll and watch the Clark Park players’ rendition of one of Bill’s more light-hearted works (we definitely prefer it to the gore, tears and gore of Titus Andronicus). Bring a blanket and a picnic, and succumb to the soothing powers of iambic pentameter. And don’t worry, the Clark Park LARPers will be done by the time the show starts. — Annette D’Onofrio
Hispanic Studies
Brasils 112 Chestnut St. (215) 413-1700 $5 to $10 per lesson
After a three-month hiatus from all things Hispanic Studies — “r” rolling, YouTube vid watching, wordreference.com-ing — your Spanish savvy is most definitely a little rusty. Lucky for you, this summer you can brush up on Hispanic culture the fun way: salsa dancing! Head to Brasils for beginner salsa lessons every Friday and Saturday night. Although not as invigorating as Isabel Allende, Lorca and Góngora, La Luna Dance Studio instructors will help you add some Latin spice to your dancing repertoire. Plus, with a smidge of hard work you can upgrade to Wednesday’s intermediate class and maybe even shake your way to the Philadelphia Salsafest in October. But even if you don’t make it to the big leagues, you can get your Hispanic Studies fix while learning some sexy Latino dance moves sure to impress your hottie of a Spanish prof. — Becca Greenfield
Economics
Union Trust Steakhouse 717 Chestnut St. (215) 925-6000
Okay, okay, if you’re an Econ major that has television access, you’re probably not feeling a dearth of economic stimulation (of the mind, at least) in the academic off-season. And chances are, you’re probably partaking in a more practical application of your studies with some sort of summer gig. And, to the envy of your unpaid intern counterparts, you’re more than likely making bank. May we therefore kindly suggest that you take your fat wallet and a broke friend to the Philadelphia bank that induces more spending than saving? Union Trust, one of the most lauded steakhouses in Philly, offers amazing cuisine, with one small catch (that is, the cash). The former home of the Union Trust Company Bank, its architecture alone is worth visiting. Get your fill of this money center while school is still out. So much better than Aplia. — Annette D’Onofrio
