First Friday
The Barnes Foundation
2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.
Philadelphia
July 3, 2026
When the Barnes Foundation proposed a move to its own building on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the idea was controversial. After a protracted legal battle that lasted years, the renowned collection found a new home in the heart of Philadelphia’s museum district. As part of the continuing work to make itself accessible to the public, the Barnes Foundation has launched a series of free programming for the summer. For July’s First Friday event, the Barnes welcomed DJ Cvgebird spinning on the West Terrace and singer Elle Morris holding it down in the Annegberg Court.
Despite the oppressive heat outside, a sizable crowd braved the weather and came out to experience First Friday. In addition to the performance, the museum’s exhibitions were open and attendees roamed throughout the building and took in the art before the show and between performances. Morris began her set accompanied by bassist Scott Zeigler (Morris’ bandmate in Philly funk and hip-hop ensemble ILL Doots). This minimal set up put no limitations on the musicality and richness of the performances. In fact, it allowed Morris’ voice to cut straight to point and wring oceans of feeling out of each song. After opening with a dramatic operatic vocal solo that showed off her otherworldly tone and vocal control, Morris and Zeigler worked their way through a gorgeous set of timeless songs about life and love. A stand out was a subtlely funky cover of Sly and The Family Stone's “Running Away” with Morris’ soaring “La La La's” mimicking Cynthia Robinson’s trumpets from the original. After being joined by Jordan McCree (drums) and Lonell Johnson III (keyS) of ILL Doots, Morris played a deeply tender cover of Lauryn Hill's “Sweetest Thing I've Ever Known” and a triumphant version of Coldplay’s “Clocks.” While the musicianship was on point, the centerpiece of it all was Morris’ colorful, powerful voice. Capable of soaring to heavenly heights and plummeting to lows that could shake the very depths of the soul, the feeling that she coaxed from each song was astounding. Some air conditioned relief in a building that houses one of the world’s finest art collections would’ve been enough, but First Friday doubled down by highlighting some of the city’s most significant musical talents.
