A Dickensian Christmas, a phoenix rises and satisfying soul

Enamored Armor
Rowan University Art Gallery
301 High St. West, Glassboro, New Jersey
Through Jan. 12; Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Free
This exhibition centers on the female form as one of power. Artists Marjan Moghaddam, Mari Ogihara, and Tiantian Li work in various media – painting, sculpture, augmented reality and video – to showcase myriad ways women show their strength to the world.

Dickens Weekend
The Arsenal
30 Market St., New Castle, Delaware
Dec. 7, 7:30-10: 30 p.m. Fezziwig’s Ball, $40
Dec. 8, 11 a.m., 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Victorian Tea, $25
Celebrate Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol” Friday at Fezziwig’s Ball, a traditional Victorian ball that opens the New Castle’s fifth annual Dickens Weekend. On Saturday, you can raise a celebratory cup of tea at one of three seatings set for the Arsenal Victorian Tea. If the spirit moves you, don a hoop skirt or swallowtail coats, and you’ll fit right in with folks in Dickensian costumes who will be strolling around town. New Castle homes and churches are showing off their seasonal decorations, and musical events are planned throughout the day.

Mavis Staples
World Café Live
3025 Walnut St., Philadelphia
Dec. 7-8, 8 p.m.
$75 – $85
Mavis Staples is touring in support of “If All I Was Was Black,” her third collaboration with Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy. Their first project “You Are Not Alone” won a Grammy for best Americana album. Staples’ current project references the racial and social animus of current times as well as her past as a musical activist with the legendary Staple Singers. Their ‘70 hits – including “Respect Yourself” and “I’ll Take You There” – became anthems of African-American empowerment.

Rudolph Run
Manayunk Canal; check-in at Philadelphia Runner, 4538 Main St.
Dec. 8, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Let the reindeer games commence! The fifth annual fun run encourages participants to wear ugly Christmas sweaters or other holiday-themed looks. Red noses and and jingle bells will be provided in case your Christmas wardrobe is not run-friendly. You do need to register ahead of time, but the only fee is canned goods or other necessities for charity. Manayunk merchants are offering deals at specially marked “reindeer stops.”

The Snow Queen
Annenberg Center Live
3680 Walnut St., Philadelphia
Dec. 8, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Dec. 9, 1 p.m.
$20
The Enchantment Theater Company brings life-size puppets, masks and special effects to the theater experience in this musical based on the Hans Christian Andersen classic. Early birds can enjoy activities before the show that include exploring an enchanted costume trunk and snowflake making.

Hanukkah Party
Philadelphia Museum of Art
26th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Great Stair Hall
Dec. 7, 5- 8:45 p.m.
$14-$18 (free with museum admission)
The Feinstein Center of American Jewish History of Temple University is hosting an all-ages dance party to celebrate the feast of Hanukkah. Music performances are scheduled for 5:45 and 7:15 p.m.

The Firebird Festival
Veterans Field
192 Mowere Road, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
Dec. 8, 4-11 p.m.
Phoenixville celebrates the mythical bird that bears its name with a festival that includes a pub crawl and the actual burning of a wooden phoenix structure created specifically for the event.
Before the main event, bouncing castles and fire spinners will entertain the crowd. Every hour, a small wooden phoenix will be set on fire.
The event was created to generate interest and participation in the town’s arts and culture scene – and many participants say that’s succeeded.

Community Craft and Art Fair
Asian Arts Initiative
1219 Vine St., Philadelphia
Dec. 8, noon-4 p.m.
Free
Music, magic, and crafts of all kinds available for sale are the highlights of the only Asian-American holiday fair in Philadelphia. If you want to support some young local entrepreneurs, the Youth Arts Workshop will be selling the crafts made in the center’s afterschool program.

Rufus Wainwright
Keswick Theater
291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside, Pennsylvania
Dec. 7, 8 p.m.
$39.50-$59.50
Singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright – the son of Loudon Wainwright and the late Kate McGarrigle – is known for music that spans the genres of popular and classical. He’s also an in-demand collaborator who has worked with Elton John, Joni Mitchell, Mark Ronson and Robbie Williams.

Army-Navy Game
Lincoln Financial Field
1020 Pattison Ave., Philadelphia
Dec. 8, 3 p.m.
Since 1890, the midshipmen from Annapolis and the cadets from West Point have battled on the gridiron for bragging rights. Navy has the upper hand with a 14-win streak from 2002-2015 and the overall lead in the football classic. But Army squeaked by to win the contest last year, and this year’s squad is on a seven-game win streak.
Nearly 90 previous games in the century-plus rivalry have been played in Philadelphia because of its location roughly equidistant between the two academies.