Saturdays just got more interesting.
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File photo: Al Pitrelli, Andrew Ross, Angus Clark, April Berry, Asha Mevlana, Ashley Hollister, Blas Elias and Bryan Hicks with Trans-Siberian Orchestra performs at the Infinite Energy Center on Sunday, December 8, 2019, in Atlanta. (Photo by Robb Cohen/Invision/AP)
Holiday delights abound in the Delaware Valley, starting with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, which brings the Ghosts of Christmas Eve tour to the Wells Fargo Center. If you’re still looking for the perfect gift, the Festively Fly Market is where you can find an array of Black-owned businesses, and the Punk Rock Flea Market is where you can buy that perfect item for the music lover in your life. Amy Poehler and Tina Fey are in town for four shows, so if you’re a fan, there’s no excuse not to see them live. “The Nutcracker” takes the stage in South Jersey, and in Delaware, ‘90s tribute bands prove that nostalgia remains profitable.
New Jersey | Delaware | Special Events | Arts & Culture | Kids | Comedy | Music
The Tricia Sloan Dance Company brings its version of the holiday staple “The Nutcracker” to the Scottish Rite Auditorium. It’s a traditional rendering of Tchaikovsky’s ballet, danced by both young and veteran performers.
Tribute bands have dominated the musical landscape for the past year. Combining sing-along songs and the era’s aesthetics has made for some memorable shows. Lounge Fly: 90s Rock Fest with Jagged Little Thrill should be another. It combines three tribute bands — Lounge Fly is dedicated to Stone Temple Pilots, Jagged Little Thrill to Alanis Morrisette, and the Weezer Experience, well, that’s self-explanatory.
Haunted houses usually close up shop after Oct. 31, but that is different at Lincoln Mill Haunted House. They’re hosting “A Twisted Christmas” at the Manayunk attraction. In the former mill’s fictional backstory, owner Victor Kane’s employees are lured to the basement, where they become … haunted house actors. Despite its holiday theme, the attraction is not for the fainthearted. Make sure you check the lengthy list of disclaimers before you go.
The holiday season encourages even the Scrooges of the world to open their hearts and wallets to benefit others. At Harriet’s Bookshop, the Joy-A-Thon children’s book drive provides an excellent cause to do so. The store will be open 24 hours straight for singers, dancers, actors, and performers. All books purchased will go to hospitalized children at CHOP and St. Christopher’s.
Ever find yourself wondering what would lead a man to amass a huge collection of Mr. T.-related material? You’ll have your answer if you attend the “I Pity The Scrooge: A Mr. T. Inspired Holiday Celebration.” In the ‘80s, Mr. T, born Lawrence Turead in Chicago, became a pop culture phenomenon as one of the stars of “The A-Team.” Now he’s the inspiration for a holiday event that includes a screening of “A Christmas Dream ” with T and co-star Emmanuel Lewis. Superfan Ben Leach will be on hand to explain what’s behind his obsession, ahem, collection.
That one family member or loved one who’s a little “eclectic” and therefore hard to shop for? The Philly Punk Rock Flea Market is here to help. The three-day event is more than just music — it incorporates all the items that could be classified as “punk,” from apparel and instruments to art and jewelry.
Entrepreneur Meeka Johnson of All Black Everything Pop Up hosts weekday shopping shows on Instagram Live to promote Black businesses. On Saturday, she takes the pop-up offline for the Festively Fly Holiday Market, a curated in-person event where various Black-owned entrepreneurs showcase their wares. Live music deejays and a wine bar are other incentives.
You may not have previously considered that a local cemetery would be a locale rich in Christmas history, but Laurel Hill East’s “A Merry Laurel Hill Christmas” proves otherwise. The guided tour includes the graves of Philadelphians who influenced the holiday in various ways. Magazine editor Sarah Josepha Hale helped popularize the Christmas tree (and advocated for the celebration of Thanksgiving), restaurateur James Wood Parkinson introduced the concept of using “Santas” as promotional vehicles, and on Christmas Day in 1776, Gen. Hugh Mercer was part of the contingent that crossed the Delaware with George Washington ahead of the victorious Battle of Trenton.
A holiday favorite but geared to the queer community? Say less! The Hum ‘n’bards troupe performs A Queer Christmas Carol at The Painted Mug Cafe. It’s a remake of the classic tale but all the characters are gay. Imagine Ebenezer Scrooge as a member of the LGBTQ+ community and go from there.
The South Philly Book Crawl is not just a literary excursion, it’s a fundraising effort for The Angry Grammarian, a literary musical coming to Philly in March 2024. The crawl starts at 2nd and Lombard streets and heads to seven bookstores, including Head House Books, Black and Nobel, Garland of Letters, and The Philly Game Shop.
Billed as an Afrocentric Winter Wonderland, the Roots Art Show provides a space for vendors and Black artists to come together and create and showcase their works. A variety of artistic disciplines are represented, including live performers. Food and drink are available for purchase onsite to enhance the good vibes.
In celebration of the 30th anniversary of “Schindler’s List,” the Weitzman Museum of American Jewish History is screening the film. Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Liam Neeson, it’s a dramatization of the real-life story of Oskar Schindler, who saved over a thousand Jews during the Holocaust by hiring them to work in his factory. It won seven Oscars in 1994, including Best Picture and Best Director.
The Philadelphia Orchestra and its featured vocalists bring musical cheer for all ages to Verizon Hall with its Children’s Holiday Spectacular. The set list includes sing-along seasonal tunes like “Joy to the World” and “Let it Go” from “Frozen” and other selections including “The Nutcracker Suite.” But get those tickets quickly, as they’re going fast.
Actresses and comedians Tina Fey and Amy Poehler each have an enviable list of credits to their resume, including projects they’ve worked on together, from “Saturday Night Live” to “30 Rock” to 2008’s hilarious film “Baby Mama.” Now they’re putting their 30-year friendship to the test by going on the road together on The Restless Leg tour. It comes to Philly for four shows from Thursday through Saturday.
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra loves Christmas — we know that because they recorded a Christmas trilogy — and you will, too, if you check them out on The Ghosts of Christmas Eve tour at the Wells Fargo Center. The show includes the band’s classic Christmas songs as well as their greatest hits.
The York Street Hustle is a band that makes nostalgia sound good with their blend of big-band, jazz, Motown, and R&B. So it should be no surprise that they’re hosting their 11th annual Holiday Celebration at World Cafe Live. Tanqueray Howard joins the South Philly-created 10-piece multiracial band.
Tubachristmas celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The seasonal celebration of big brass returns to Philly Sunday at the Cherry Street Pier. The annual event held around the world has a sweet backstory: It was created by a musician to pay homage to his music teacher, who was born on Christmas Day.
For most folks in the city, it’s Christmas time! But for the Philadelphia Orchestra, it means they’re working overtime to do their part to make it wonderful. Their annual concert, “The Glorious Sounds of Christmas,” includes vocalist Charlotte Blake Alston and popular guest conductor William Eddins, continuing the tradition established by Eugene Ormandy in 1962. Come early on Friday for the free Silent Night Sing-In.
Saturdays just got more interesting.
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