11 Things to Do in Philly This Week: Lots of Food, Music for a Cause, and Strange Underwater Creatures
Get our weekly picks of what to do this weekend and the latest on Philly's arts and entertainment scene.
Mommie Queerest with Martha and Bearded Ladies
Don’t f*ck with me, fellas! This ain’t my first time at the rodeo! I am willing to take bets that we’ll be hearing this line, plus many others, at the upcoming collaboration between The Bearded Ladies and Dito van Reigersberg. The dynamic duo will be camping it up for their final performance of their aptly titled special benefit Mommie Queerest, where Bearded Ladies Artistic Director John Jarboe and van Reigersberg will fight to the finish (Bring me the axe!) to see who will star as Joan Crawford in their show within a show. Audience members are encouraged to come "dressed" for the occasion don’t don’t be surprised when you see people getting fake bitch-slapped in the lobby. February 2nd, 6:15-8:30, Wilma Theater, 265 South Broad Street. —Bryan Butler.
Snap Chats with HughE Dillon
Philly Mag contributor and Philly Chit Chat extraordinaire HughE Dillon is opening his vast collection of famous photographs for a one-night benefit at The Market and Shops at Comcast Center. For a donation at the door benefitting the Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation, guests can view Dillon's work, as well as enjoy light bites and refreshments throughout the evening. RSVP here. February 24th, 5pm, The Market and Shops at Comcast Center, 1701 John F. Kennedy Boulevard.
A Taste of Opera: Wilde and Whitman in Song
CANCELLED:Opera Philadelphia is providing a sneak peak at their upcoming production of Oscar at the Free Library of Philadelphia. The evening will feature performances from the cast, along with rare musical settings from the works of both Oscar Wilde and Walt Whitman. The event is free, but you must pre-register here. January 26th, 7pm, Free Library of Philadelphia, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.—Bryan Buttler
English Chamber Orchestra Benefit Concert for Musicopia
Musicopia, whose mission is to bring music performances and education to Delaware Valley communities who might otherwise not be exposed to the arts, is teaming with the English Chamber Orchestra for a one-night-only benefit concert at the Kimmel Center. This is the first time the Orchestra is performing in Philadelphia, and the program will mainly consist of Mozart works in honor of his 248th birthday. It's a great way to hear fabulous music while supporting a wonderful cause. January 27th, 7:30pm, Kimmel Center, 300 South Broad Street.
Baby Food Cooking Class at Cook
It's not your typical class at Philadelphia's Cook: The folks at Baby Steps are taking over the kitchen to help parents prepare fresh, healthy, and homemade baby food in an interactive seminar. In addition to learning how to make kid-friendly peas, farro with sautéd kale and carrots, and chicken with sweet potatoes, guests will leave with containers of baby food, plus be fed an "adult" lunch. Forget those jars at the supermarket: This sounds like much more fun. January 27th, noon, Cook, 253 South 20th Street.
Private Lives at Walnut Street Theatre
If you're looking for classic Nöel Coward, you really can't go wrong with his epic play Private Lives, which is playing now through March 1st at Walnut Street Theatre. A comedy with heart, this tale of a divorced couple who re-meet by chance while on their second honeymoons with their new spouses is a great way to warm up during the late January cold, and with tickets starting at under $25, it's an affordable mid-week theater treat. January 27th-29th, various times, Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street.
"Inhabiting the Edge: Wetland" at Schuylkill Center
Art lovers and environmentalists alike are invited to the free opening of "Inhabiting the Edge: Wetland" at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education. The exhibit features the work of Mary Mattingly who created a mobile, sculptural habitat to explore climate change and alternative energy resources. Before the opening, guests are invited to a free lecture about the exhibit. January 28th, 7pm, Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, 8480 Hagy's Mills Road.
"Dinosaurs of the Deep" at Adventure Aquarium
Imagine meeting underwater dinosaurs and touching a horseshoe crab that's been around for a half-billion years. That's what visitors at Camden's Adventure Aquarium can experience in the newly opened exhibit, "Dinosaurs of the Deep." There's a 40-foot long prehistoric reef, life-sized replicas of huge dinosaurs, and a bunch of live new species of sea creatures that have recently been discovered, including a giant Pacific octopus. January 26th-29th, 10am-5pm, Adventure Aquarium, 1 Riverside Drive, Camden.
Motion City Soundtrack at the Electric Factory
Motion City Soundtrack is in the midst of a "career renaissance," according to the promoters at the Electric Factory, where the band will be playing a one-night-only concert featuring numbers from their latest album, Go. They'll be joined on stage by The Early November, a band from Hammonton, New Jersey, and pop-punk rockers Citizen. You can check out more from Motion City Soundtrack before you head over to the Electric Factory here. January 29th, 8pm, Electric Factory, 421 North 7th Street.
Make Valentine's Cards at Paper Source
In this age of email and electronic communication, there is something soothing and downright cool about creating works with paper, and those interested in joining the fun are in luck. There’s an upcoming “Valentine Card Making Crafter’s Night Out” at Paper Source on Thursday, January 29th starting at 6pm. Crafty students will learn how to construct cards using heat embossing tools, create stickers, and make origami hearts. The workshop, which includes light refreshments, costs $30, and you get a 10 percent-off coupon for your next purchase at the store (because we all know you'll be leaving with a bag full of new paper toys to play with at home). If you register with a friend, you get 10 percent off the cost of the workshop. More information, including registration info, can be found here. Thursday, January 29th, 6pm., Paper Source, various Paper Source locations.
Restaurant Week Continues
If the pasta at Little Nonna's is calling your name, take advantage of this winter's Center City Restaurant Week, now in its second week. Over 120 restaurants are offering special discount meals for both lunch and dinner through January 30th. It's a great way to try a new eatery on your list, or round out your evening after you take part in any of the events on our list. January 26th-29th, various locations.
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.
