17 Things to Do in Philly This Weekend
Balé Folclórico da Bahia performs at the Merriam Theater on Friday. Photo by Vinicius Lima
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17
Balé Folclórico da Bahía @ Merriam Theater
The dancers, musicians and singers of Brazilian folk dance troupe Balé Folclórico da Bahía come to the Merriam with this energetic performance based on Bahian dances of African origin, featuring capoeira and samba.
Songs My Mothers Taught Me @ Arden’s Studio Theatre at the Hamilton Family Arts Center
Next up in the Arden Cabaret Series is Barrymore Award-winning actress Mary Martello, accompanied by her son Benjamin Rogerson on guitar and Ryan Touey on piano. She performs on Saturday, too.
Tancredi @ Academy of Music
You have two more chances to see Opera Philadelphia’s Tancredi, with mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe in the title role and Brenda Rae, in her Opera Philadelphia debut, as Amenaide. There are performances on Friday and Sunday.
Lee Fields & The Expressions @ Union Transfer
Lee Fields and the Expressions are on tour for their latest album, Special Night. Vincent John and The Shacks are also on the bill.
Mark Normand @ Helium Comedy Club
Comedian Mark Normand, who has a one-hour Comedy Central special coming out in May, is at Helium through Sunday.
The Matchmaker @ People’s Light
People’s Light performs this romantic farce by Thorton Wilder, running through March 12th.
Lost Girls @ Theatre Exile
John Pollono, who’s on This Is Us and wrote the upcoming film Stronger, brings his play about three generations of women to Theatre Exile. It runs through March 12th.
Beads, Bones and Suspects: A Mardi Gras Celebration @ Ardmore Music Hall
New Orleans supergroup the New Orleans Suspects headline this Mardi Gras-themed show at Ardmore Music Hall, with support from Bonerama.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18
Charlie Hankin and Matt Porter of Good Cop Great Cop are in Philly on Saturday. Photo provided
Good Cop Great Cop @ Good Good Comedy Theatre
Matt Porter and Charlie Hankin from Comedy Central and Adult Swim bring their sketch comedy show down from New York for one night.
Daya @ Trocadero Theatre
Eighteen-year-old Pittsburgh native Daya just won a Grammy for her contribution to The Chainsmokers’ “Don’t Let Me Down.” Her debut LP came out in October.
Shen Yun @ Merriam Theater
The constantly touring Chinese music and dance extravaganza Shen Yun comes to the Merriam on Saturday, with shows through February 26th.
Cupid’s Undie Run @ XFinity Live
Cupid Charities is hosting its annual fun run and party to raise money for the Children’s Tumor Foundation. You can wear clothes.
Mummers Mardi Gras Parade @ Manayunk
Sixteen Mummers string bands will march down Main Street for the third annual Mummers Mardi Gras Parade. There will also be food trucks and ice sculpture carving.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19
Alan Cumming at Carnegie Hall. Photo by Tré
Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs @ Kimmel Center
The Tony Award-winning performer sings Broadway tunes, pop hits, and everything in between in this show the New York Times called an “emotional firestorm.”
Flannel Animal @ Heritage
Philly Loves Beer is hosting its first fundraiser in the form of an all-male fashion show, with “local beer celebrities” decked out in flannel strutting down the catwalk. The money raised will go towards PLB events like Opening Tap and Philly Beer Week’s European Vacation.
Maceo Parker: 50 Years of Funk @ Ardmore Music Hall
The saxophonist for James Brown and Parliament Funkadelic celebrates 50 years of funk at Ardmore Music Hall. Muscle Tough opens.
Mardi Gras Parade @ South Street
The Wild Bohemians lead the 33rd annual Mardi Gras Parade up South Street, with bar stops along the way.
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