Things to Do in Philly in November
Creed, the Philly-shot seventh installment of the Rocky franchise, debuts nationwide on the 25th. More below.
November 4-15
First Person Arts Festival at various locations
A wide variety of performers and personalities — from WDAS DJ Patty Jackson to poet Sonia Sanchez to comedian Doogie Horner — take part in the city’s 14th annual festival of memoir and documentary art.
November 4-22
Lights Rise on Grace at Adrienne
Kevin Glaccum directs this world premiere for Azuka Theatre, examining issues of incarceration and sexuality.
November 4-22
Watership Down at Mandell
Simpatico Theatre Project joins forces with Drexel University for this new family-friendly adaptation of the poignant Richard Adams novel, with animal puppets designed by local talent Aaron Cromie.
November 5
Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox at Keswick
If you’ve been on YouTube in the past year, you’ve no doubt seen and heard their inventive, old-timey covers of Madonna, Lorde and Guns N’ Roses.
November 6
Gladys Knight at Academy of Music
The music legend, joined by the O’Jays.
November 6-7
The Hooters at Keswick
Search out tickets on Craigslist or StubHub, because the two-night run is sold out.
November 6-December 12
“The Museum of Ornamental Leaves” at Locks Gallery
A solo exhibition of the monochromatic works of Brooklyn-based artist Ellen Harvey, whose large-form Metal Painting is on display at the Barnes through January 4th.
November 8
So You Think You Can Dance at Academy of Music
Amazing dancers from the most recent season of the TV show.
So You Think You Can Dance
November 12
Don Henley at Academy of Music
Minus the Eagles.
November 12-December 6
Black Nativity at Theatre Horizon
A reimagining of the Langston Hughes musical, which was itself a retelling of the Nativity story in the Bible.
November 13
Rachael Yamagata at Union Transfer
If you haven’t heard her on WXPN, you probably have on TV: Her songs have been featured on everything from Nip/Tuck to The O.C.
Rachael Yamagata | Photo by Laura Crosta
November 13
Mary J. Blige at Borgata
From backup singer to star in her own right, the “Queen of R&B” has reportedly sold more than 50 million albums.
November 13-15
The Philadelphia Orchestra at the Kimmel Center
Under the baton of Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the Orchestra takes on Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring as well as One Land, One River, One People, a world premiere from composer and trumpeter Hannibal Lokumbe.
November 13-Apr. 3
“Procession: The Art of Norman Lewis” at PAFA
The first truly comprehensive look at the lifework of the 20th-century African-American painter.
November 14
Hezekiah Jones at Ardmore Music Hall
The local alt-folk musician celebrates his new album with a concert, followed by a Balkan-infused dance party with the West Philadelphia Orchestra.
November 17-29
Matilda the Musical at Academy of Music
The Roald Dahl classic.
Matilda: The Musical | Photo by Joan Marcus
November 18
Matt Pond PA at the Fillmore
The indie expats return to the city that spawned them some 17 years ago.
November 18-22
BalletX Fall Series at Wilma
For its autumn performance, BalletX has tapped choreographer Nicolo Fonte to create a new evening-length work. You may have seen the company perform his Beautiful Decay in 2013.
November 19-21
Home/S. 9th Street at FringeArts
South Philly-based dance troupe Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers explores concepts of citizenship and homeland in this new work.
November 20-21
Ravi Coltrane at Chris’ Jazz Cafe
The son of John plays sax, too.
November 24-December 27
Book of Mormon at Forrest
It’s back!
November 25
Creed Opens
Nearly 40 years ago, a little movie called Rocky won the Academy Award for Best Picture, beating out the likes of All the President’s Men, Network and Taxi Driver. Alas, in the sequels that followed, the franchise turned away from well-crafted independent filmmaking and toward gimmickry and lazy box-office grabs. (See: Hulk Hogan, James Brown, Paulie’s talking robot, the totality of Rocky V.) But with what is effectively the seventh installment, things are different. Creed is written and directed by industry newcomer Ryan Coogler, who shook things up in 2013 with the critically acclaimed Fruitvale Station, and that film’s star—the on-the-rise Michael B. Jordan—plays the lead, the troubled boxer-son of the long-dead Apollo Creed. Sylvester Stallone, who wrote all and directed all but one of the previous films, is merely a hired actor this time around. And that’s fine by us.
November 28
WDAS Holiday Jam at Wells Fargo Center
Any chance you get to see Miss Jill Scott perform is one you should take. Just hit the bathroom during New Edition.
November 28-December 20
A Knee That Can Bend at Studio X
The second offering from new theater collective Orbiter 3. Emma Goidel’s play takes place in the underground gay nightlife scene in Dakar, Senegal.
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