Saturdays just got more interesting.
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Shamrocks and Shenanigans (Xfinity Live!)
Philadelphia’s pipe organs — and some of its sacred spaces — are the focus of the first-ever Philadelphia Organ Festival, which starts on Friday. Crawling is big this weekend, but not for babies. To celebrate National Espresso Martini Day on Friday, the Northern Liberties Espresso Martini Crawl is happening on Saturday. Crafters unite for the inaugural Philly Yarn Crawl, highlighting 16 fabric and craft stores through the region. And in New Jersey, the ’70s are in full swing at Yacht Rock Gold, which celebrates the music everyone knows and loves. On stage, Tony Award-winner “The Lehman Trilogy” has been extended another week at the Arden Theatre.
New Jersey | Delaware | Special Events | Arts & Culture | Food & Drink | Kids | Comedy | Music
Think of what you’d listen to if you had access to a yacht. If mellow music by ‘70s pop hitmakers came to mind, you’d be right in line with the genre that has recently become known as yacht rock. Yacht Rock Gold celebrates those artists with a show that puts their beloved songs front and center.
Beloved saxophonist Boney James heads to the Scottish Rite Auditorium in Collingswood in support of his 18th studio album “Detour.” Released in 2022, the album includes “Coastin,’” a collaboration with R&B singer Lalah Hathaway, and the song “Tribute,” a homage to his late father.
Nashville-based singer-songwriter Liz Longley is best known for her passionate vocals and heartfelt songs, which have earned her accolades from songwriting organizations like the BMI John Lennon Songwriting Scholarship Competition. Longley will support her upcoming acoustic CD “It’s Me Again” at an appearance at Arden Gild Hall, with her young daughter and husband in tow as she documents it all on social media.
Imagine the Shakespearean saga of star-crossed lovers but set in a contemporary world. Then add the pandemic and put it all in an ultra-wealthy enclave near McKinney, Texas. That’s the adapted storyline of “Romeo and Juliet 2021” at Delaware’s Everett Theatre.
The inaugural Greater Philly Yarn Crawl is heading to 16 city and suburban locations to publicize the myriad of yarn stores in the area. Crawl participants will receive a raffle at each establishment, along with a pattern. Those who can make 10–16 stores are eligible for a chance at $750 in prizes. Some proceeds from the already popular crawl (if the sold-out totes are any example) will go to the Loose Ends Project, an organization that takes up a crafter’s work should they die or find themselves unable to complete a project.
Nine venues will participate in concerts and special events at the Philadelphia Organ Festival dedicated to the mighty pipe organ. (Longwood Gardens is included in the total though there are no more tickets available.) The performances include a tribute to Marian Anderson, an organ and brass version of Ravel’s “Bolero” and a screening and talk centered around the 1928 silent film “The Passion of Joan of Arc” that will be shown with an improvised score played by Matthew Glandorf.
It’s a seasonal celebration at Ardmore Music Hall as they host the Funky Brunch & Market: Spring Edition. Local vendors are on hand with live music provided by Ear Me Now, a local reggae band. Brunch is available for a price, but the event is free and family-appropriate.
Shamrocks & Shenanigans sounds exactly like what the St. Patrick’s Day holiday is all about. Well, in modern times anyway, as it’s now more of a secular event and celebration of Irish pride than its spiritual history would suggest. The Xfinity Live! party includes themed drinks like Irish cocktails and green beers, so make sure you bring your green (as in money), a designated driver and a shamrock or two.
Suspense writer Lisa Gardner makes a trip to the Philly ‘burbs to promote her new book, “Still See You Everywhere.” It’s the third in the Frankie Elkin series for the New York Times best-selling author. She’ll appear at the Free Library of Northampton and a copy of the book is included with a ticket.
The works of legendary choreographers — the late Alvin Ailey, William Forsythe and Twyla Tharp — are featured in the Philadelphia Ballet’s “Dance Masterpieces.” Ailey’s “The River,” Forsythe’s “In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated” and Twyla Tharp’s “In the Upper Room” are featured in the ballet’s tribute to dance legends.
The Tony Award-winning play “The Lehman Trilogy” takes on the rise and the dramatic fall of the financial empire of the Lehman Brothers. The firm, founded in 1850, was one of the Big Four until its 2008 collapse, largely due to its foray into subprime mortgages. Turns out schadenfreude is profitable as the play has extended its run for another week.
Jamie Wyeth’s career of creating eerie imagery is explored in “Unsettled,” a new exhibition opening this weekend at the Brandywine Museum of Art. Following in the outsize footsteps of his father, the acclaimed realist painter Andrew Wyeth, Jamie has forged his own path with his off-kilter take on the genre.
The second annual “Tipsy Women’s History” event brings together scholars for a night of celebration and conviviality, punctuated with a drink of your choice, whether that’s a cocktail or mocktail. It’s sponsored by the Greater Philadelphia Leadership Exchange or GPLEX, whose “360” initiative aims to bring disparate communities together to educate each other.
Talk show hostess Tamron Hall has a side hustle — she’s also a novelist. Her latest mystery in the Jordan Manning series is “Watch Where They Hide.” The Temple grad will appear for a book signing and conversation with 6abc anchor Tamala Edwards for a Friday night edition of the Free Library’s Author Series.
Veteran actor William H. Macy has been in at least 73 movies, which means he’s somehow made one for each year he’s been alive. But his role in the 1996 movie “Fargo” remains among his most memorable performances. He’ll appear for a conversation and screening of the film at the Keswick Theatre on Friday.
Friday is National Espresso Martini Day, which was obviously thought up by a bartender, a coffee emporium or a spirits company. (According to several sources, it was a bartender who created the drink, if not the day.) But does it matter who originated a day to celebrate two addictive beverages? We say, nope. The Northern Liberties Espresso Martini Crawl on Saturday includes 16 participating bars that offer pay-as-you-go food specials, too. You can vote on your fave while trying out the latest combos, both traditional and unconventional.
Dress the kids up in St. Paddy’s green and head to downtown Narberth on Saturday for their annual Leprechaun Hunt. Kids receive a game card to join a scavenger hunt for the little green guys. Once they return their cards, they get a prize, while their parents get an age-appropriate way to celebrate the holiday with their children. Sounds like a win-win.
Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, Helium Nightclub welcomes Mick Thomas and Sean Finnerty, two comics who actually hail from the Emerald Isle. They’re the headliners for the All-Irish Comedy Tour, which kicks off at Helium Nightclub on Saturday.
Longtime “Late Night With Conan O’Brien” writer and two-time Emmy winner Brian Kiley heads to Ardmore to headline Irish Comedy Night. If you’re interested, get those tickets quickly as they’re dwindling, and be sure to heed the disclaimer that says “mature audiences only.”
Chester, Pa. native Avery Sunshine returns home and checks into City Winery because that’s how R&B divas do. The songstress has released four critically acclaimed albums since 2010 as an indie artist. The latest, “Four Songs & A Bootleg” (actually a full-length release), came out in 2022.
Artcinia is committed to holding concerts where they come to the audience rather than having the audience come to them. This Sunday’s performance in Germantown combines the talents of the Dalí Quartet with Grammy-winning pianist Mark Livshits, one of the area’s most acclaimed chamber music performers.
The Chronicles are a Philly-based funk fusion band that have been playing together for several years. This time, they’ve invited friends who share their musical sensibilities to perform with them at the two-day Fusion Fest, which heads to the Black Squirrel Club in Fishtown.
R&B is alive and well as the performers on the Love Hard Tour can attest to. Keyshia Cole, Trey Songz, Jaheim and K. Michelle can all impress with their vocal prowess, and each artist has a fanbase that can sing along to their biggest hits. The tour, which has gotten good reviews in previous stops, comes to the Liacouras Center on Sunday.
Saturdays just got more interesting.
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