10 Things to Do in Philly This Week: Restaurant Week Begins, Storytelling at Shot Tower, Jonathan Biss Performs and More
Erica Sez So
Visible Friends Network
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Performers and audience members are welcome to join World Cafe Live on January 19th for their open stage night. Performers are given two-song performance slots and a panel will judge them for a chance to win some prizes. A great opportunity if you’re looking to check out emerging local talent—and perhaps the next Voice star. January 19th, 6:30 pm for signups and 7pm for performances, World Cafe Live , 3025 Walnut Street.
It's that time of year again. Join select Center City restaurants for lunch and dinner from January 18th to 23rd and January 25th to 30th for Restaurant Week. Experience Philadelphia's premier dining with a three-course lunch special at $20 a person and a three-course dinner special at $35 a person. With over 130 restaurants participating this year, there are more than enough to choose from. Find a full list here. January 18-23, 25-30, multiple locations.
Tired of the same old soup recipe you've been making since college? Try Jersey Girl Cafe's cooking class. This week they will be teaching clients how to make white bean and tomato soup, butternut squash and apple bisque, buffalo chicken soup, and corn and potato chowder. They even give you containers so you can take home your favorites at the end of the class. Don’t worry if you're not an experienced chef, they start with the basics during this class. January 20, 7 - 9:30 pm, $30, Jersey Girls Cafe, 731 Route 33, Hamilton, New Jersey.
Two University of the Arts alumni will present their unique and thought-provoking fibers and textile works for the Philadelphia community. Underline features the works of Maggie Casey, a Pennsylvania native and current Philadelphia resident whose award-winning work has been recognized by the American Craft Council and the Rhode Island School of Design, and South Korea native Yunjung Kang, whose studies have taken her literally around the world. Don't miss the opening reception on January 22nd at 5 p.m. January 21-February 24, University of the Arts, 333 South Broad Street. —Bryan Butler
Gather up the children and head to the Franklin Institute this Wednesday to participate in the free science extravaganza hosted by Target. There will be special programs, themed events, and exhibits to come see this Wednesday. Parking at the garage located at 271 North 21st Street will be only $6 that night. No need to pre-register. January 21, 5-8 pm, The Franklin Institute , 271 North 21st Street.
Hillary Rea brings back her bi-monthly storytelling event, Tell Me a Story, this Wednesday at Shot Tower in Queen Village. This week's comedic theme is "Clean Slate,” and it features raconteurs like Jim Breslin, Chris Davis, Katonya Mosley, Thomas Fox Parry, Becca Trabin, Kitty Hailey, Jackie Cohen, and Will Poskitt. January 21, 7pm, $5 payable at the door, Shot Tower Coffee, 542 Christian Street.
The Gershman Y features a new exhibit exploring how religious text is incorporated in contemporary art, whether it be forthright or unexpected. The exhibit includes many different types of media and approaches, including sculptures, text-based drawings, documents, world-based floor pieces, and artistic works derived from the Hebrew Bible. The Gershman Y's exhibit features artists from around the country as well as native Philadelphians Nicholas Kripal and David Stephens. You won't want to miss the free Opening Night Reception on Thursday, January 22 at 6pm. January 22 - May 14, Gershman Gallery, 401 South Broad Street.
The Kimmel Center welcomes pianist Jonathan Biss, who the Chicago Sun-Times calls a "young virtuoso and poetic pianist of the first order." Listen to his interpretations this Thursday of Beethoven's Sonata in F Minor, Op. 2, No. 1; Schoenberg's Sechs Kleine Klavierstucke, Op, 19; Schumann's Waldszenen, Op. 82; Berg's Sonata, Op. 1; and Beethoven's Sonata in A Major, Op. 101. January 22, 8pm, $24, Perelman Theatre, The Kimmel Center , 300 South Broad Street.
The Gershman Y introduces a new exhibit on January 22nd, showing how different regional photographers see the natural environment. These artists show various views to start a conversation about humanity—varying from looking at industralization's impact on land to a romantic look at classical gardens. This exhibit features Philadelphia-based photographers Sandra Davis, Keith Sharp and Blaise Tobia as well as Alexander Heilner and Ben Marcin from Baltimore and Adam Davies from Washington, D.C. Make sure to catch the free opening night reception on January 22nd from 6 to 8pm. The Gershman Y, 401 South Broad Street.
Have an event you'd like featured in an upcoming "Things to Do" post? Send information at least two weeks in advance to Josh Middleton at jmiddleton@phillymag.com.
