What to Do Tonight

Simba and friends and their schmaltzy Elton John tunes (“Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” and “Circle of Life”) have taken over the Academy of Music with the touring version of Broadway hit The Lion King. The weekends are pretty booked up but tonight, for instance, there is limited availability, with tickets ranging from $28 to $150. Also, you can call 215-893-1999 and ask about last-minute community rush tickets.

For something a little more interactive, the University City Arts League is hosting their first Salsa and Sangria party of the season beginning at 6:30 p.m. All that hip-shaking is great exercise, though I’m pretty sure that the sugary sangria defeats the purpose. But it’s a free event, so it’s hard to complain.

But my personal favorite for tonight has got to be the Philadelphia Center for Architecture’s “Neon In Philadelphia” lecture. It turns out that our little city was a major manufacturer of neon signs during the mid-20th Century, and Philly’s biggest neon collector and expert, Len Davidson, will tell you all about it at 6 p.m. $10

And from the department of Blasts From The Past: Tom Wilson (aka Biff the bully from Back To The Future) begins four nights of standup at Helium (go here to read a Q&A I did with him the last time he was in town); George Thorogood sings “Bad To The Bone” and other hits at the Keswick; and you might still be able to squeeze into Bon Jovi. —Victor Fiorillo

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