18 Things to Do in Philly This Weekend
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Photo by Andrew Eccles
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater @ Merriam Theater
Renowned dance company Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will perform the Philly premiere of company member and former Philadanco dancer Hope Boykin’s r-Evolution, Dream, which was inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speeches and features music by Ali Jackson and recordings by Leslie Odom, Jr., the Hamilton star from East Oak Lane. You’ll also get to see Alvin Ailey’s Revelations and Kyle Abraham’s Untitled America, about the impact of the prison system on African-American families. If you can’t make it Friday, there are two more performances on Saturday.
Alien @ Ritz at the Bourse
Next up in the Midnight Madness movie series is the director’s cut of 1979 sci-fi thriller Alien. Good luck getting to sleep afterwards.
From Doodles to Pixels: Over One Hundred Years of Spanish Animation @ International House
I-House is screening the eight programs in this touring retrospective over four days. On Friday, February 3rd, watch parts three, “Modern Times,” and four, “Macián, the Maestro.”
Philadelphia Auto Show @ Pennsylvania Convention Center
It’s the closing weekend for the Philadelphia Auto Show, so this is your last chance to check out more than 700 classic, exotic, luxury and concept cars. On Friday, The Voice Season 6 finalist Audra McLaughlin will perform at the Honda display, and on Saturday you can meet former UFC Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez.
Grand Concourse @ Theatre Horizon
Beth Lopes directs Theatre Horizon’s production of Grand Concourse, set in a soup kitchen in the Bronx. Alongside the play, the theater company is organizing the Imagine No Hunger project, including post-show discussions and a photo exhibit in the lobby. Opening night is February 8th; the show runs through February 26th.
Jay Pharoah @ Punch Line Philly
Comedian Jay Pharoah from SNL performs at Punch Line on Friday and Saturday. Expect some spot-on celebrity impressions.
Sgt. Pepper Celebration @ Kimmel Center
Classical Mystery Tour, a Beatles tribute band, takes the stage with the 65-piece Philly Pops orchestra, timed to the 50th anniversary of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. There are performances all weekend, but Saturday is sold out.
We’re All In This Room Together @ Kimmel Center
The Second City troupe perform their signature mix of improv and sketch comedy at the Kimmel Center’s Perelman Theater on Friday and Saturday.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4
Comedian Artie Lange performs at Valley Forge Casino Resort on Saturday. Photo provided
Artie Lange @ Valley Forge Casino Resort
Artie Lange, from The Howard Stern Show and MadTV, brings his standup routine to Valley Forge Casino Resort for one night only.
Frogs: A Chorus of Colors @ Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
It’s “Froguary” at the Academy of Natural Sciences, with special activities every weekend tied to a new exhibit on the little hoppers.
Chinese New Year Celebration @ Reading Terminal Market
The Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation and Reading Terminal Market are celebrating the Year of the Rooster with a lion dance by the Philadelphia Suns and cooking, calligraphy, tea and tai chi demonstrations.
Into The Wild Live! @ Keswick Theatre
Jack Hanna brings the live version of his Emmy-winning TV show to Glenside.
Winter Doldrums @ World Café Live
This annual all-day concert benefitting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention features Kuf Knotz, Ben Arnold, Matt Duke, Andrea Nardello, Lizanne Knott, Ginger Coyle, and several more local musicians.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5
Meet Max from Morris Animal Refuge at Devil’s Den. Photo from Animal Planet
Puppy Bowl Watch Party @ Devil’s Den
The real competition on Super Bowl Sunday is between heated rivals Team Fluff and Team Ruff in Puppy Bowl XIII. Devil’s Den is throwing a Puppy Bowl viewing party with themed treats and Dogfish Head specials. Even better, Max, a pit bull mix in Fluff’s starting lineup, and Chuchi, a back-up Chihuahua on Team Ruff, both from Philly’s Morris Animal Refuge, will be there shaking paws from 2-5 p.m.
Golden Gurlz Live @ Common Wealth
Drag queens Brittany Lynn, Bella Cane and Pissi Myles act out The Golden Girls episodes in this brunch-time tribute show at Common Wealth. Or, if you’d rather stick with the original Dorothy, Rose, Blanche and Sophia…
Golden Girls Bingo Night @ Whetstone Tavern
…Watch The Golden Girls, play bingo and eat cheesecake at Whetstone’s anti-Super Bowl party.
Fire Burns Hot @ Tabu Lounge
Pig Iron Theatre’s Dito van Reigersberg and Jennifer Kidwell perform a 30-minute pop-up “quick-change soap opera of unquenchable proportions” at Tabu. There are performances on Monday night, too.
Curtis Symphony Orchestra @ Kimmel Center
Miguel Harth-Bedoya leads the Curtis Symphony Orchestra in Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé and Strauss’s Don Juan. Richard Woodhams, a Curtis professor and principal oboe of the Philadelphia Orchestra, joins for Barber’s Canzonetta and Francaix’s L’Horloge de flore.
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