15 Things to Do in Philly This Weekend
Taste The City
One hundred and twenty of Center City’s finest restaurants are joining forces to fill your stomach for a reasonable price. Three-course dinners will be only $35 per person, and a number of participating restaurants will also offer a three-course lunch option for $20 per person. Sunday, January 17 through Friday, January 22 and Sunday, January 24 through Friday, January 29, view complete list of participating restaurants here.
Catch a Show
Courtesy of Smokey Scout Productions
Each month Smokey Scout Productions offers theater enthusiasts the opportunity to witness performances that have never been seen before. This month, witness a combined installment of dance and theater. Kicking off the evening will be a contemporary dance number entitled I’d rather choke than be a quitter. Three more original acts will follow, including a short sketch about the head of a candy company who loses the Pepperidge Farm account. Sure to be an interesting night. Friday, January 15, 2016 through Saturday, 16, 6 p.m., $7, Moving Art of Mount Airy, 6819 Greene Street.
HeadLong dance studio is taking their craft from the streets to the stage. Philly choreographer Caroline O’Brien created a show, co-starring a troupe of patrons from a soup kitchen in Trenton, New Jersey. A cast of previously homeless and non-homeless will utilize dance as a medium of expression to tell stories of their past and current struggles in dealing with loneliness. All of the proceeds collected will go towards the partnering organization: TASK (Trenton Area Soup Kitchen). Friday, January 15, 7:30, $15, Headlong Studios, 1170 S. Broad Street.
Philadelphia is getting a daily dose of New York, New York. For three nights in a row, the Broadway hit Once will grace the Kimmel Center. In this production actors double as musicians, taking on the roles as characters while playing their own musical instruments onstage. Once — which won eight 2012 Tony Awards, including Best Musical — is a love story about a Dublin street performer and a passerby who takes sudden interest in his music. Friday, January 15 through Sunday, January 17, varying times and prices, Kimmel Center, 1500 Walnut Street.
It’s fine arts at its finest; contemporary dance that pushes dancers to their physical limits. This show will be bursting with compelling imagery and sophisticated choreography by Rodrigo Perdneiras, Kristen Cere and Francois Chirpas. Through Sunday, January 17, $37 to $57, Prince Theater, 1412 Chestnut Street.
Music Events
MainStreet Festival collaborators in rehearsal.
MainStreet Festival
Quoth my colleague Bryan Buttler: “My Philadelphia has made its name as a unique incubator for new theatrical works. It’s a tradition that goes back to pre-Broadway try-outs, where shows tested their chops in the City of Brotherly Love before they headed to the shark tank of New York. That spirit of innovation continues today, and will be highlighted this weekend at Temple University, when the MainStreet Festival comes to town. The nationally-recognized program features concert readings of three new American musicals and employs local MainStreet Affiliates who employ local artists to perform the works.” Saturday, January 16th and Sunday, January 17, varying times, $15, Randall Theatre, 1301 W. Norris Street.
The Knocks at The Foundry
It’s a classic tale of classmates turned roommates turned bandmates. Ben Ruttner and James Patterson do funk-inflected hip-hop; their thumping sound scored them a spot on NME’s“20 hottest producers in music” list. Listen before you go: “New York City feat. Cam’rom.” Friday, January, 15, 11 p.m.
Lamb of God at the Electric Factory
This Virginia quintet will melt your face off , like they’ve been doing since 1994. Listen before you go: “512.” Saturday, January 16, 7:30 p.m.
Broken Arrow Neil Young Tribute at The Ardmore Theater
Philly performers pay tribute to the great Canadian singer-songwriter and musician. The frontman of the evening will be veteran guitarist and singer Joe Mass. Sunday, January 17, 7:30 p.m.
From the Eye of the Tiger to the Hair of the Dog, Philadelphia has been featured in several blockbusters. You may recognize The Crystal Tea Room as the venue from the 2012 hit Silver Linings Playbook. This weekend the hall will house one of the most highly anticipated galas of the season. GOGO Gadjet, DJ Jason Weiss and Felicia Punzo are slated to perform at the 2016 Hair O’ The Dog celebration. This year, a portion of the proceeds will benefit THON Penn States Dance Marathon. Saturday, January 16, 9 p.m., general admission $120, Finley Catering, 100 Penn Square East.
21 and over
Via Shutterstock
Libation lovers can explore the decadent flavors of Paris with Alliance Française de Philadelphie. Sample some fine Paris liquor alongside instructor Doni Belau, Founder of GirlsGuideToParis.com. This Friday do as the French do. Take a mini mixology lesson and learn how to make three unique cocktail recipes. Samples of craft drinks will be offered throughout the night. Additionally, each attendee will receive a copy of Paris Cocktail, a book filled with over 100 cocktail recipes inspired by the City of Lights. Friday, January 15, 6:30 p.m., $45, Alliance Française de Philadelphie, 1420 Walnut Street.
All good things come in threes… or in this case intervals of three. Six gorgeous men with washboard abs will turn up the heat at the Valley Forge Casino Resort with their live dance performance. If you’re a fan of those Magic Mike movies then you’ll love The Steel City Studs Male Revue. Friday, January 15, 8 p.m., $25, Valley Forge Casino Resort, 1160 First Avenue, King of Prussia, PA.
For The Kids
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE!
Mister Rogers’ neighborhood still sees beautiful days. The legacy of the late host lives on through his sidekick Daniel Tiger in the PBS Kids show, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. This weekend, the adorable cartoon will make a transition from the screen to the theater as he and his friends gear up for a live performance of their well-received television show. Expect singing, dancing, and laughter. Friday, January 15 through Saturday, January 16, Kimmel Center, 1500 Walnut Street.
With a little help from friends at the Franklin Institute, The Six Million Dollar Man won’t be the only one going faster… stronger. Visit the museum for a chance to learn the science behind Olympic sports and the ways in which you too can develop limbs as strong as a bulldozer. Guests will be able to interact with the latest development in sports and build their own bobsleds to test out on the track. Saturday, January 16, 9:30 am, adult $19.95, kids $15.95, The Franklin Institute, 222 North 20th Street.
Socks are getting a little more animated this weekend. TMom is breaking out their arts and crafts table and encouraging people to relive the ’90s hit TV show Lamb Chop. Transform your lowly socks into a customized character of your choice. Sunday, January 17, 1 p.m., free, Tattooed Mom, 530 South Street.
