18 Things to Do in Philly This Weekend
It is finally starting to feel like winter again. Although Christmas is well over, there are still ways to share in the holiday cheer. This weekend marks the end to many ongoing attractions, including the Shady Brook Farm Holiday Light Show and the Longwood Gardens Christmas. Old Man Winter is officially here, which means that Rothman Ice Rink won’t be melting any time soon. Take advantage of the chilled weather by registering for a 6-on-6 broomball tournament at Dilworth Park. You’ll find that this weekend marks the end to several non-holiday–related attractions as well: The Audubon to Warhol exhibit at PMA and The Three Maries at The Prince Theater will conclude after this Sunday. Enjoy the weekend!
Round Out the Holiday Season
Photo courtesy Longwood Gardens
Longwood Gardens Christmas
Longwood Gardens is stretching the most wonderful time of the year well into January. More than 500,000 lights take the shape of starry snowflakes and sparkling icicles while theater fountains flash all the colors of the Yuletide rainbow continuously throughout the day. Cap off the season with an organ concert before all the lights are taken down and wrapped up for next year. Through Sunday, January 10th, $20, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA.
Light Show at Shady Brook Farm
The Technicolor wonderland at Shady Brook Farm will light up the better part of Yardley for the final weekend of the season. Drive in the comfort of your own car or in an open-air tractor-drawn wagon through a whimsical display of nearly 3 million Christmas lights. Seasonal and patriotic characters will greet you along your shimmering journey, which stretches across several acres of farmland. After the show, cozy up by a toasty bonfire with a cup of hot cocoa and s’mores. Through Sunday, January 10th, 5 p.m., $25/carload, $12 tractor-drawn wagon rides, 931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley, PA.
Grinch Annual Christmas Tree Recycling
If you’re looking for an environmentally friendly way to get rid of your old Christmas tree, head over to GRinCH’s TreeCycling event. A chipper will be on hand to turn those dying evergreens into mulch. Sunday, January 10th, 9:30 a.m., $5-$10 donation, Norwood-Fontbonne’s Sunset Avenue parking area.
Comedy
Saturday Night House Party
The Adrienne Theater hosts Philadelphia Improv most nights of the week, but Saturday nights is when the party really takes off. This week’s featured house teams include The Future, Hoffman, Sabotage and Big Baby. Using their quick wits and quirky charm, these teams may just have you rolling on the floor with laughter by the end of the night. Saturday, January 9th, 9 p.m., $12, 2030 Sansom Street.
Rich Vos at Helium Night Club
Rich Vos, best known from NBC’s Last Comic Standing, will stop by Helium Night club this weekend to leave his crowd in stitches with his unfiltered perspective on relatable topics like relationships, divorce, and parenthood. Audiences won’t know what hit them. Now through Saturday, January 9th, various times, $16, 2031 Sansom Street.
Concerts
Infected Mushroom at the TLA
Electronic and supersonic, this Israel-bred, L.A based duo will blow you away with their revolutionary sound. The band performs an average of 120 live performances a year throughout the world and is considered the pioneers of the electronic music industry. Listen before you go: “Becoming Insane.” Friday, January 8th, 8 p.m.
Cold Roses and Linus at Milkboy
Rob Clancy spent years backing up Philly bands as a guitarist, but now he’s stepped out as the lead singer-songwriter of Cold Roses. The band’s sound incorporates the swagger of rock and roll and heartache of blues with a distinct Philly twang. Linus The Moon is a five-piece ensemble slated to rock alongside Cold Roses and grace the evening with a subtle British flavor. Listen before you go: “Tired of Losing You.” Saturday, January 9th, 8:30 p.m.
Maceo Parker: Rugby Road at the Ardmore Music Hall
Funky music is making a comeback with a little help from Maceo Parker. The legendary musician has played alongside every leader of funk, including James Brown, George Clinton and the Bootsy’s Rubber Band, as well as musicians like Ray Charles and James Taylor. Ardmore Music Hall will get a little jazzy this weekend when Parker takes the stage to show off his swinging beats. Saturday, January 9th, 7:30 p.m., $28, 23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, PA.
The Orion Quartet at The Kimmel Center
The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society presents the Orion Quartet, one of the most sought-after string ensembles in the United States. The four players are so in sync that Los Angeles Times noted that they “seem to have been born to be together.” On the program: Beethoven’s late masterpieces and Mozart’s virtuosic F Major Oboe Quartet. Sunday, January 10th, 3 p.m., ticket prices vary, 1500 Walnut Street.
Questlove Supreme
Philly’s favorite DJ and frontman for The Roots will return to his hometown and once again take his place behind the wheels of steel at The Fillmore. Sunday, January 10th, 11 p.m.
Theater
Deirdre Finnegan, Franklin Anthony, Mary Martello and Josh Totora in The Three Maries
The Three Maries: Last Weekend Performance
The Three Maries, set in the 1920s, is a historical fantasia built on a grain of fact – the visit of Queen Marie of Romania to Philadelphia for the sesquicentennial. The other two Maries are a mother and daughter (Big and Little Marie), residents of South Philly, and part of its Mummer culture. What follows is, in the words of the show’s mission statement, “a love letter to Philadelphia” and “a mash-up of Cinderella and Pygmalion.” Through Sunday, January 10th, performance times vary, $27 – $52, The Prince Theater, 1412 Chestnut Street. –David Fox
Shen Yun Classic Chinese Dance and Orchestra Performance
Explore 5,000 years of Chinese culture in one mesmerizing evening. For the 10th year in a row, good will triumph over evil when the Shen Yun takes the stage at the Kimmel Center. The touring company will present uplifting and traditional dances and musical scores of dynasties long ago. Friday, January 8th, through Sunday, January 10th, times and ticket prices vary, 1500 Walnut Street.
Arts
Post-Apologetic
A new exhibition opens this Friday at AUTOMAT art studio. The gallery offers a multidimensional experience on mostly two-dimensional surfaces. Paintings on display include Sunday painter’s still-lifes bordered by clunky frames as well as paintings wrapped together in petroleum-based fabrics. The artists of this show strategically underscore qualities that could be viewed as flamboyant, wasteful, or trite. Opens Friday, January 8th, 2 p.m., free, 319 North 11th Street.
“Audubon to Warhol: The Art of American Still Life”
The last day to marvel at the 130 colorful oil paintings at PMA is this Sunday. Don’t miss out on featured masterpieces by renowned artists like John James Audubon, the Peale family, William Michael Harnett, Georgia O’Keeffe, Andy Warhol and more. This exhibit takes visitors on journey through the entire history of still-lifes, from the 1700s all the way through to the 1960s Pop Art era. Through Sunday, January 10th, 10 a.m., $25, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Destination China: Special Squares
The Penn Museum hosts “Destination China: Special Squares,” an exhibit that showcases embroidery that once decorated the uniforms of officials in Imperial China. Explore military history and become familiar with the large badges featuring unique animal insignias. After the tour you’ll get a chance to design your own badge. This event is free with museum admission. Sunday, January 10th, 1 p.m., adult $15, child $10, 3260 South Street.
Random Fun
Photo credit Philadelphia Sports Network
Broomball at Rothman Link
Dilworth Park is gearing up for one of the best things to hit the ice since Disney: broomball. The games will be played in a 6-on-6 format with a minimum of a 10-player roster; at least two female players are required on each team. No need to BYOB (bring your own broom), but do bring your own sneakers, helmets and of course your intensity. Registration required. Sunday, January 10th, 8 p.m., $60, 1401 John F Kennedy Boulevard.
Panoramic Poetry Slam
To any aspiring poets or those with an appreciation for the written word, Panoramic Uptown Poetry holds readings every second and third Friday of each month. Artists, poets, vocalists and musicians are welcome to sign up to come listen and recite to original and locally written material. Friday, January 8th, 7:30 p.m., free for performing poets, $7 for audience, 701 Market Street.
Whisker Wonderland Adoption Event
If you’re alone this blustery winter, perhaps you’ll find comfort in the company of a fuzzy friend. Monster Pets is opening its doors to anyone looking to add a furry-tailed member to their family. Cats and dogs will be put up for adoption, and info on the stores newest services, such as low-cost vaccine clinics, will be available to customers. Saturday, January 9th, noon, free, 1946 South Christopher Columbus Boulevard.
