11 Things to Do in Philly This Week
Get our weekly picks of what to do this weekend and the latest on Philly's arts and entertainment scene.
"Ink and Gold: Art of Kano" Opens at PMA
The legendary Japanese Kano painters, who created intricate large-scale works made of gold leaf and other materials, established a tradition of artistic excellence in their native country. Now, the Philadelphia Museum of Art presents the first exhibition outside of Japan to fully examine the Kano painters' works. Ink and Gold: Art of the Kano will feature over 120 works that explore the Kano's academy of professional artists and their various patrons. Expect to see stunning sliding doors and folding screens fit for Japanese royalty. Opens Monday, February 16, 10am, $14-20, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Celebrate President’s Day at NMAJH
If haven't been to the National Museum of American Jewish History, this is a great opportunity to take in the collection: For the entire month of February, admission is free, plus on Presidents Day, the museum is hosting a family-friendly day of activities. You'll learn about George Washington (and even get to see an actual letter that he composed), plus eager writers can try their hand at their penmanship with a quill pen. Monday, February 16, 10am, Free, National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 South Independence Mall East
President’s Day Tour at Philadelphia Magic Gardens
A trip to Philadelphia's Magic Gardens is always a dazzling one, but on Monday, the popular mosaic-art destination is hosting a one-of-a-kind tour that will focus on founder Isaiah Zagar and his mosaic techniques. Guests will learn about the history of folk art, the narratives behind many of the displays at the garden, plus why South Street plays such an important role in Philadelphia's landscape. Monday, February 16, 2pm, $3-10, Philadelphia's Magic Gardens, 1020 South Street
Mimi Sheraton's 1,000 Foods to Eat Before You Die
If you want to know where to find good food (and how to cook it, too), Mimi Sheraton is your woman: The former New York Times restaurant critic has written over a dozen books on cuisine, and has graced the pages of Food & Wine, The New Yorker, Time, and Vanity Fair. Now, the epic writer will be at the Free Library of Philadelphia to give a lecture on her newest book, 1,000 Foods to Eat Before You Die. Come hungry for lots of juicy restaurant and cooking tips. Tuesday, February 17, 7:30pm, $7-15, Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine Street
Fat Tuesday Celebration with the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra
Who would have thought you could get a pair of those infamous Mardi Gras beads at the Kimmel Center? Join in the fun at their Fat Tuesday Celebration, featuring the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra lead by Irvin Mayfield. Before the concert, Commonwealth Plaza will be holding a "Let the Good Times Roll" party, with roving street musicians, dancing, masks, and lots of cocktails. As they say in the French Quarter, “laissez le bon temps rouler! Tuesday, February 17, Party at 6pm, Concert at 7:30pm, $29-69, Kimmel Center, 300 South Broad Street
PhillyCooks: The Big Event
Our friends at Philadelphia Magazine's Foobooz wait all year for this night of eating and enjoying all that Philly has to offer. At PhillyCooks: The Big Event, nearly 40 of the city's best restaurants come together to offer a taste of their famous dishes. This year, a pop-up speakeasy will take center stage, where bartenders will mix their classic cocktails to wash down all of those nibbles from a.kitchen, Tinto, and V Street. Wednesday, February 18, 6:30pm, $100, Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, 1201 Market Street
Dawn Richard at World Cafe Live
The Danity Kane, Making the Band, and Diddy-Dirty Money diva Dawn Richard will be bringing the sounds from her newest album, Blackheart, to World Cafe Live. The evening will feature Richard's signature styling of trip-hop, electro-pop, and soul, and listeners will be able to see why the performer has nearly a half-dozen platinum albums to her name. Wednesday, February 18, 8pm, $18-22, World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut Street
Free Admission at The Franklin Institute
An evening of free fun awaits museum lovers on Wednesday: The Franklin Institute's Target Community Night is open for everyone to explore Philly's favorite science exhibits. This month's theme is "Heart Your Heart," and there will be plenty of activities, games, and healthy heart tools for the entire family. While there, you can even enter to win a free family membership to the Franklin. Wednesday, February 18, 5:00pm, Free, The Franklin Institute, 271 North 21st Street
BalletX Winter Series
The city's most talked about contemporary ballet company, BalletX, presents a riveting bill of new work at the Wilma Theatre during their Winter Series 2015. Featuring cutting-edge choreographers Norbert De La Cruz III, Val Caniparoli, Cayetano Soto, and Amy Seiwert, the company will present several world and American premieres during their program. Don't miss this opportunity to see an evening of dynamic, modern dance. Wednesday, February 18 and Thursday, February 19, 8pm, $25-40, The Wilma Theater, 265 South Broad Street
The Vulgar Early Works
Philly dance and performance art duo Chelsea & Magda are next in line for FringeArts' Studio Series, an initiative featuring works made for intimate spaces. Their The Vulgar Early Works is lovingly described as an "evening-length concert of self-love, subversive humor, feminist spit, sexual-angst-ridden cries against society gloriously performed in an abstract-theater-meets-TED-Talk-meets-modern-dance-meets-weird-therapeutic-seminar kind of way." Don't come expecting anything, except lots of LOLs and to leave a bonafide fan. February 19-20, 7pm, February 21, 8pm, $15, FringeArts, 140 North Columbus Boulevard. —Josh Middleton
Simpatico Theatre Project’s Milk Like Sugar
This regional premiere production of Kirsten Greenidge's exciting play features a stellar cast of Philly theater favorites at Simpatico Theatre Company. Centering around a young woman named Annie who just turned 16 and got a new tattoo, the drama is part coming-of-age story part reality check. Don't miss the play that The New York Times called "Provocative. Richly funny. Big and bruising like life itself." Wednesday, February 18 and Thursday, February 19, 8pm, $20-25, The Skybox at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom Street
Submit Your Event
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.
