19 Things to Do in Philly This Weekend
Get our weekly picks of what to do this weekend and the latest on Philly's arts and entertainment scene.
Chinese New Year Celebration at the Please Touch Museum
The Please Touch Museum is throwing a weekend-long celebration of the Chinese New Year, and, of course, it's all hands-on. Guests can experiment with Chinese calligraphy, watch traditional ribbon dances, meet Billy the talking goat (he's a puppet), and listen to Melanie Hsu and The Philly Superhero Collective Band. Friday, February 20-Sunday, February 22, 10am, Free after museum admission, Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic
Philadelphia Runner Manayunk Grand Opening
From Be Well Philly: Last summer, Philadelphia Runner signed a lease for a new shop at 4347 Main Street in Manayunk, and they’ve been hard at work revamping the space ever since. While they originally hoped it’d be up and running in time for the Philly Marathon last November, the design and build-out took longer than expected. Here’s the good news: As of this week, the shop is officially, officially open for business, and they’re celebrating the grand opening this weekend with fun events Friday through Sunday. Details here.
Open Studio Night at Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
It only happens once a year: Students at the prestigious Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts open their studios to the public for an intimate discussion of their works in progress. Open Studio Night is a rare opportunity to see the inner-working of some of the greatest future artists right here in our backyard. Guests are encouraged to take pictures at the event and share on social media using #PAFAOpenStudio. Friday, February 20, 5pm, $8-15, PAFA, 118 North Broad Street
HRC Philadelphia: Equality Rocks!
Human Rights Campaign is hosting its first-ever Equality Rocks! event, where you can catch talents like Kriss Mincey (pictured), The Bad Bees, Kellyn Marie Goler, Crystal Cheatham and DJ G33k while supporting HRC's mission to promote equal rights worldwide. Tickets can be bought here. Friday, February 20th, 8pm-1am, $10-$15, Pub Webb, 1527 Cecil B Moore Avenue.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show With Lingerie Contest
Put your hands on your hips. You bring your knees in tight! If you want to sing "Time Warp," plus all of the other ridiculously outrageous songs from Rocky Horror, you're in luck: The Ritz at the Bourse is having a special midnight screening of the campy film, and there will be a pre-show lingerie/pajama contest to spice things up a bit. Come dressed, my dears. Friday, February 20, 11:30pm, $10, Ritz at the Bourse, 400 Ranstead Street
La Belle Mariée Bridal Grand Opening
From Philadelphia Wedding: While there are so many amazing Philly-area bridal shops to visit while hunting for your wedding dress, we’re super excited to announce a new addition to the list: La Belle Mariée Bridal opened in Langhorne last month, and they’re celebrating the grand opening with a little soiree this Saturday, February 21. During La Belle Mariée's grand opening on Saturday, you'll have a chance to peruse their dresses while sipping on champagne and chatting with local hair and makeup experts, photographers and invitation studios. More here.
History-Riddled NoLibs Estate Sale
From Property: From homes built before George Washington was born to the personal residence of a master craftsman, history runs real deep here in Philadelphia. For this reason, we’ll be popping by a special one-day-only estate sale in Northern Liberties on Sunday, February 22 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. It’s chock-full of spectacular Philadelphia and American history—like a rare Revolutionary War desk. More here.
2015 Endurance Sports Expo
Get your running shoes on and head over to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center for what's being billed as the largest cycling, running, and triathlon expo in the nation. The 2015 Endurance Sports Expo will feature the hottest gear and vendors, plus over 30 seminars from coaches, trainers, and nutritionists. If you're one of the first 750 attendees to show up each day, you'll get a free bag of great products. Saturday, February 21-Sunday, February 22, 10am, $10, Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, 100 Station Avenue, Oaks
Party at the Reading Terminal Market
On Saturday evening, the Reading Terminal Market (RTM) is turning into one big soiree for the annual Party at the Market. There will be dancing at Iovine Brother's Dancefloor, all kinds of games and fun stations, a cabaret lounge and, of course, food, food, food. Check out six menu highlights here, and pick up your tickets here. All proceeds benefit RTM. Saturday, February 21, 7:30 pm to 11:30 pm, Reading Terminal Market, 51 North 12th Street.
Lunar New Year at Independence Seaport Museum
On Saturday, ring in the Lunar New Year at the Independence Seaport Museum. They'll be throwing a bash that has something for just about everyone: play games, watch performances, take part in martial arts workshops for both kids and adults, and dine on a sampling of dumplings made by Philadelphia JNA Institute of Culinary Arts student chefs. Saturday, February 21, 11:00am, Free after museum admission, Independence Seaport Museum, 211 South Columbus Boulevard
German Bierfest
From Foobooz: The German Society of Pennsylvania is hosting the fourth annual Bierfest this Saturday, February 21st. The event will take place from 2 pm to 5:30 pm, with early access available to any VIP ticket holders. Along with featuring German-style beers from local Pennsylvania breweries and imported beers from Germany, the event will also offer educational content from seminars on German hops to cheese pairing. Maitre Fromager Max McCalman will provide pairing tips as well as lead the tasting Beer & Cheese: Near-Perfect Partners. More here.
Nina Simone Birthday Celebration
It is Nina Simone's birthday this weekend, and the For Women Collective, an award-winning performance ensemble of over 20 women of color, will be presenting an evening of spoken word, music, poetry, and more at the Big Blue Marble Bookstore. Expect to hear uplifting stories and songs inspired by the legendary Nina Simone herself, plus some added surprises. Saturday, February 21, 7pm, Free, Big Blue Marble Bookstore, 551 Carpenter Lane
HUMP! Festival at Union Transfer
From G Philly: “Savage Love” columnist and outspoken LGBT advocate Dan Savage is bringing his amateur porn movie festival, HUMP!, to Philadelphia for the very first time this weekend. The film series includes 17 risqué flicks made by everyday folks from the Northwest who were challenged to “become temporary, weekend porn stars by making their very own five-minute dirty movies.” More here.
Quizzo Bowl XI at World Cafe Live
It's the longest-running trivia event of its kind in America: Quizzo Bowl XI returns to World Cafe Live on Saturday, featuring everyone's favorite quiz master, Johnny Goodtimes. The event is open to the public and teams will be competing for prizes over $1,000. There will be Motown beats between games and a special "Wheel of Terrific" where players can win even more goodies. Saturday, February 21, 8:00pm, $25, World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut Street
Mummers Mardi Gras in Manayunk
If your Mummers fix wasn't filled last month, there will be over 10,000 of them strutting down Main Street on Saturday as they celebrate Mardi Gras in Manayunk. A parade starts in the morning, followed by string band performances in stores and restaurants, plus a ton of after parties at the bars and pubs throughout the stretch of Manayunk. It's literally an all-day affair. Saturday, February 28, 10am, Free, Throughout Main Street Manayunk
George Washington's 283rd Birthday
That's a lot of candles: the nation's founding father, George Washington, turns 283 on Sunday, and he's inviting your entire family to Washington Crossing Historic Park to celebrate. You can bring a birthday card to give to General George, and after exploring the historic landmark, you'll be able to enjoy a piece of cake that George cuts with his own sword. Sunday, February 22, 10am, $1, Washington Crossing Historic Park, 1112 River Road, Washington Crossing
L.A. Dance Project's Moving Parts
The Kimmel Center is presenting a Sunday night concert that defies classification: part dance, part organ recital, part visual art, part modern music. Members of the L.A. Dance Project will perform Moving Parts, an original work by Nico Muhly, choreographed by Black Swan's Benjamin Millepied. Organist Renée Anne Louprette will round out the evening with classical tunes from Bach and Aldridge. Sunday, February 22, 8pm, $29-49, Kimmel Center, 300 South Broad Street
East Passyunk Restaurant Week
From Foobooz: If 15 days of Center City Restaurant Week weren’t enough, you’re in luck: the third annual East Passyunk Restaurant Week is happening, Sunday February 22nd to Saturday February 28th. 28 restaurants have agreed to participate in East Passyunk’s Restaurant Week. Each meal will be 3-courses and priced at $15, $25 or$35. Even if you forget to make your reservations early, following #EPRW on twitter ensures that you’ll hear about last-minute cancellations so you can swoop in. More on participating restaurants here.
Submit Your Event
Have an event you'd like featured in an upcoming "Things to Do" post? Send information at least two weeks in advance to Josh Middleton at jmiddleton@phillymag.com.
