The Best Things You Can Possibly Do in Philly This Week
This week in Philly: an androgynous '80s throwback, some irreverent theater, a one-of-a-kind and totally unpredictable singer, gorgeous cello music, and much more.
Lee Minora in Baby Everything (photograph courtesy FringeArts) and Torch George of the Harlem Globetrotters (Getty Images), two of the best things to do in Philadelphia this week and weekend.
How about that Olympics closing ceremony, am I right? Phew. Now that we have another two years before we do this all over again in Los Angeles, let us turn back our attention to things we can do in real life. Whether you want an androgynous ’80s throwback, some irreverent theater, a one-of-a-kind and totally unpredictable singer, gorgeous cello music, or an event that requires some of us to stock up on Claritin, it’s all right here in our compilation of the best things to do in Philadelphia this week, as carefully curated by Philly Mag’s arts and entertainment editor.
CONCERTS
Mariah the Scientist
Raw R&B from Atlanta. Here she is performing on the Jennifer Hudson Show recently. (If you’re up for a late night, Mariah is throwing an afterparty at NOTO.)
February 24th at the Met
Twice
This South Korean girl group was around long before KPop Demon Hunters was a thing, beginning their career more than a decade ago. And their popularity isn’t exactly waning. Last year, around the same time that their music turned up in said blockbuster, they opened all six of Coldplay’s shows in South Korea, even joining the band on stage for a song, and in August became the first K-pop girl group to headline Lollapalooza. Should you have $2,000 sitting around, that would get you four of the best seats in the house plus the chance to sit in at soundcheck and some Twice swag.
February 24th at Xfinity Mobile Arena
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Fresh off a tour of sunny Florida, the orchestra tackles Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 4” and Haydn’s “Cello Concerto No. 2.” Look for New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Xian Zhang in the conducting guest slot (guessing Yannick is still sunning it up on some Miami beach) and Hai-Ye Ni on those dramatic cello parts.
February 26th through 28th at the Kimmel Center
Culture Club
As in Boy George.
February 27th at the Borgata
Peaches in 2024 / Photograph via Getty Images
Peaches
Live performances by the electronic musician, hailed as a “queer icon” by Variety, definitely fall into the one-of-a-kind category. You might want to check out her recent video for “No Lube So Rude” to know what you might be getting yourself into.
March 1st at Union Transfer
Philadelphia Youth Orchestra
It’s always a treat to see the next Yuja Wangs and Lang Langs in action.
March 1st at the Kimmel Center
Sheer Mag
You’ve gotta love a Philly band that named a song after Point Breeze. If you enjoy the sounds and vibes of 1970s punk, you’re probably going to like this.
March 1st at Johnny Brenda’s
COMEDY
“Big Hell Ass Ride”
Some of the funniest (and weirdest) people in Philadelphia are behind this joyously stupid midwinter variety jawn. Free to attend but donations are appreciated.
February 24th at Next in Line Comedy
Photograph courtesy of Michael Colyar
Michael Colyar
Since winning Star Search in 1990 (and donating half of his winnings to charity, it should be noted), he hasn’t stopped making people laugh, as he did as the family’s pastor on Black-ish.
February 27th through March 1st at Helium
Piff the Magic Dragon
One of my favorites from America’s Got Talent, this Brit blends dry humor with magical feats and his performing chihuahua.
February 27th at Rivers Casino
THEATER
Twelfth Night
Like Shakespeare, but set at an ultra-exclusive resort for the wealthiest of the wealthy.
February 25th through March 29th at People’s Light
Lee Minora in Baby Everything / Photograph courtesy of FringeArts
Baby Everything
Philadelphia’s own Lee Minora returns with her hit from last year’s Fringe Festival. From the promotional materials: “Spend a revelatory day in the life of Baby as she tries to stay sane in a world where suffering comes at you faster than you can refresh your feed. Follow her into the ultimate doomscroll in this hilarious, incisive, and savage solo show.” Only three days. Don’t miss it!
February 26th through 28th at FringeArts
Blues for an Alabama Sky
Lantern Theater Company presents a tale from the Harlem Renaissance. Look for local talents Cookie Diorio and Kash Goins to shine.
Through March 15th at St. Stephen’s Theater
Tartuffe
A blistering new adaptation of Molière’s classic satire.
Through March 8th at the Performance Garage
Good Bones
The latest play from South Philly Pulitzer winner James Ijames. It’s about a sports stadium controversially being built in the middle of a neighborhood. Sound familiar?
Through March 22nd at the Arden
Rare Accidents: The Escapades of Prince Hal & Falstaff
Mount Airy-based Quintessence Theatre Group presents an abridgment of parts one and two of the Bard’s Henry IV.
Through March 15th at the Sedgwick Theater
Plantation Black
We all know that history repeats itself. And in this world premiere about a Civil War-era plantation family and the people they enslaved and the descendants of both, it does just that. The play itself has six potential starting points over a 200-year period, and the audience decides the starting point for the evening by choosing a ball from a raffle tumbler about 20 minutes before the performance actually begins.
Through March 1st at Interact Theater at the Drake
See Also: Black History Month Events in Philadelphia
EXHIBITS
Bust Shelf Green Marble, 2018, designed by Sebastian Errazuriz / Photograph courtesy of Philadelphia Museum of Art
“Sebastian Errazuriz: Double Take”
Wild creations from the mind of the Chilean-born, New York-based designer.
Through August 16th at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
“Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition”
For a complete rundown on this brand-new exhibit that’s really more about STEM than it is about Jaws and Jurassic Park, check out this review by my colleague Laura Swartz.
Through September 7th at the Franklin Institute
SPORTS
76ers vs. Miami Heat
In addition to, you know, playing the game, the Sixers will be celebrating the legacy of the Eastern Conference Championship-winning 2000-’01 team with some special moments and merch. Plus, this is HBCU night at the arena with lots of engagement from HBCU schools and students.
Promotional photograph courtesy of the Harlem Globetrotters
Harlem Globetrotters
Hard to believe, but the basketball tricksters and pranksters have been at it for 100 years.
March 1st at Xfinity Mobile Arena
SPECIAL EVENTS
Pig Iron Theatre Company’s Benefit Cabaret and Auction
It’s the 30th such event for the groundbreaking Philadelphia theater company. Look for a litany of local performers including Betty Smithsonian, ABBAsolutely fABBAlous, and Johnny Showcase.
February 25th at Brooklyn Bowl
Rendering of a Philadelphia Flower Show exhibit courtesy of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
The Philadelphia Flower Show
The theme for this year’s show is Rooted: The Origins of American Gardening, which is explained in this Flower Show trailer. Here’s hoping we don’t see the return of the infamous $15 “grilled vegetable hoagie” that turned out to be just microwaved frozen vegetables on a limp roll. My colleague Laura Swartz will let you know when she files her full report later this week.
February 28th through March 8th at the Convention Center
LOOKING AHEAD
- Bruce Springsteen has become extremely outspoken against the Trump administration, so much so that I’m shocked they haven’t figured out a way to lock him up yet. Hopefully he stays a free man until May 8th, when he brings his E Street Band to South Philly. The “cheap seats” are all sold out and selling for close to $400 each on the resale market. If you want face-value tickets, you can stand in the pit for $1,500. Yes, that’s per ticket.
- You’ve probably seen The Wizard of Oz and you’ve probably seen or heard the Philadelphia Orchestra, but you’ve never seen the Wizard of Oz with the Philadelphia Orchestra providing live accompaniment. It happens at the Kimmel Center in June.
- Shinedown, as in the band that recently pulled out of Kid Rock’s “alternative” Super Bowl halftime show and has taken no small amount of grief for doing so, just announced a Philly show for July.
That’s it for now, Philly. See you next week!
