18 Things to Do in Philly This Weekend

A new series at the PMA, the Philadelphia Auto Show, Jerry Blavat at the Kimmel, an SNL writer at Good Good Comedy, and lots more.

The Bearded Ladies will be at the PMA for the new Friday Nights series. Photo provided

The Bearded Ladies will be at the Philadelphia Museum of Art for the new Friday Nights series. Photo provided

FRIDAY, JANUARY 27

Divas & Queens @ Philadelphia Museum of Art
The Bearded Ladies pay tribute to Barbra Streisand in the PMA’s first installment of Friday Nights, which replaces the Art After 5 series. The cabaret troupe will be performing Color Me Bearded, which looks back at Streisand’s 1966 TV special Color Me Barbra, recorded at the museum. Also on the bill: Burlesque performer Kate Nyx will lead a gallery tour and Red 40 & The Last Groovement will entertain with their funky disco sound.

Philadelphia Auto Show @ Pennsylvania Convention Center
The Philadelphia Auto Show kicks off Friday with the Black Tie Tailgate, benefiting the Division of Neurology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. On Sunday, stop by the Honda display to meet Mo’ne Davis, the star pitcher who helped bring her team, the Taney Dragons, to the Little League World Series. The Auto Show runs through February 5th.

Todd Glass @ Helium Comedy Club
You’ve seen comedian Todd Glass pop up on several funny shows, including Louie, Tosh.0 and The Daily Show. He’ll be at Helium all weekend, but both sets on Saturday are sold out.

Hello! Sadness! @ FringeArts
Mary Tuomanen’s dark comedy examines social justice activism throughout history, from Joan of Arc to “misogynist stand-up.” There’s also a performance on Saturday. 

Art at the Science Center: A 40-Year Retrospective @ Esther Klein Gallery at the University City Science Center
Friday is your last chance to catch this exhibit looking back at the Esther Klein Gallery’s 40 years of exploring the relationship between art, science and technology. It includes work by architect Buckminster Fuller.

This Town Ain’t Pig Enough for the Both of Us @ Trocadero Theatre
Pig Iron Theatre Company’s annual benefit cabaret and auction features a lineup of talented performers, including Martha Graham Cracker, Alexandra Tatarsky, the Almanac Dance Circus Theatre and many more.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 28

Lisa Lampanelli performs at Valley Forge Casino Resort on Saturday. Photo provided

Lisa Lampanelli comes to Valley Forge Casino Resort on Saturday. Photo provided

Lisa Lampanelli @ Valley Forge Casino Resort
Try not to draw attention to yourself if you go see the very funny “Queen of Mean” (though she looks quite friendly in the photo above). She’ll be performing two shows on Saturday.

Jerry Blavat’s Gospel, Soul and Doo Wop Reunion @ Kimmel Center
The Geater with the Heater’s concert lineup includes the Dixie Hummingbirds, Eddie Holman, the Chi-lites, the Stylistics, the Dixie Hummingbirds, Dee Dee Sharp and more.

The Devil Makes Three @ TLA
Bluesy, country-ish, modern-bluegrass band The Devil Makes Three bring their Redemption & Ruin tour to TLA.

Gather Up the Fragments: The Andrews Shaker Collection @ Mercer Museum
Faith and Edward Deming Andrews spent 40 years collecting objects from members of the Shaker sect, including furniture, household objects and drawings. An exhibit of their collection warps up a 10-city tour in Philly, opening Saturday and on view through April 23rd. Also on Saturday, exhibit curator Christian Goodwillie will give a lecture about the Shakers and the Andrews.

Snowball @ Bok
Brian Sanders’ JUNK is throwing its annual all-white party, with food, drink, live music and performances. The event is a fundraiser for the dance-theater company.

G. Love & Special Sauce @ Electric Factory
This hip-hop blues band, fronted by Philly native Garrett Dutton, has been going strong for almost 25 years. They’re on tour for Love Saves The Day.

Art Star Crap Bazaar @ Art Star
Head to the back gallery space at Art Star to shop deeply discounted “items that didn’t quite make the cut” from designers and crafters. A quarter of the proceeds will be donated to the ACLU. It’s on for Sunday, too.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 29

Ring in the Year of the Rooster in Chinatown. Photo from Facebook/Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation

Ring in the Year of the Rooster in Chinatown. Photo from Facebook/Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation

Everything is Awesome Podiversary Show @ Tattooed Mom
The Everything is Awesome podcast is celebrating its first birthday at Tattooed Mom with an afternoon of live podcasts from A Quest for Magic and Steele, 25 O’Clock Pod, Full Belly Laughs and Party of One. It’s free and there’s an open bar (bottles and drafts only; it’s open from 3 p.m. until they’ve spent a certain amount, so plan accordingly). The event benefits Fuck Cancer, so even if your beers are covered, bring along some cash to donate to the cause.

Fronteras: Cecilia Zabala & Philippe Baden Powell @ Calvary Center
Argentine guitarist Cecilia Zabala and Brazilian-French pianist Philippe Baden Powell combine forces in this Crossroads concert.

Julio Torres @ Good Good Comedy Theatre
Emmy-nominated Saturday Night Live writer Julio Torres is coming to Philly and he’s bringing along special guests Joe Rumrill, Lena Einbinder and Lorelei Ramirez. Torres’ 8:30 p.m. show sold out fast, but a 10 p.m. set was just added.

The Last Waltz 40th Anniversary Tour @ Kimmel Center
This concert tour is in honor of the 40th anniversary of The Band’s final, blowout show, which became a Martin Scorsese-helmed documentary.

Philadelphia Suns Lion Dance Parade @ 10th and Spring Streets
Celebrate Chinese New Year in Chinatown, with a lion dance parade, firecrackers, and an all-around festive atmosphere.

Follow @RachelVigoda on twitter.