Happy December!
Here’s whats going on this week in Philly…
Monday, December 2nd
- No Reservations – New York Times best-selling humorist Josh Piven’s holiday comedy satirizes our celebrity-obsessed and media-overloaded society. “No Reservations”, directed by Allison Heishman at the Adrienne Theater, exhibits a modern day telling of the Nativity scene, complete with Twitter and iPhones, TMZ and reality TV. Tickets are $18-25.
- Latkepalooza 2013 – The Gershman Y’s 11th annual festival takes place this year at Vie for $35 per person. Sample variations of latkes created by celebrity Philly chefs including Oscar Chavez (Estia), Rachel Klein (Miss Rachel’s Pantry), and Jeffrey Power (Dettera). The chefs will be competing for the best latke, while guests can pair each entry’s work with a wine tasting of the ten must-try wines under $10 this season, curated by Brian Freedman .
- Movie Night at the Troc – Doors open at 6:30 pm, and “The Nightmare Before Christmas” will begin at 8 pm. $3 at the door gets you in and goes toward a drink; this week’s new specials are $6.50 for a 32oz Yeungling Premium Quart, $5 Citywides (Yuengling Premium Can and a shot of whiskey), and $6 Redds Apple Ale and Sixpoints Pouders.
Tuesday, December 3rd
- Morris Animal Refuge Happy Hour – Enjoy $5 rum, vodka, and punch drinks along with complimentary light bites from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at Rittenhouse cocktail bar 1 Tippling Place. There’s no admission, but donations to the Morris Animal Refuge is appreciated in celebrating nearly 14 decades of service in the Philadelphia area for homeless pets.
- Bands and Bites Grand Finale – Renowned Philadelphia music and entertainment outlet, Rock On Philly, hosts a competition for the title of Rock On Philly’s Artist of the Year! The five bands performing for this honor have been voted on by fans since April: Paul Saint John, Ashley Leone, Victoria Watts, Slott 55, and Hopscotch Jefferson. Tickets are $10-15 and incluide a voting ballet. There will also be a special 30-minute performance from an established Philly artist as the ballots are being counted.
Wednesday, December 4th
- Q102’s Jingle Ball – Party with Philly’s hit radio station at their annual holiday lineup at the Wells Fargo Center. This year’s artists include Robin Thicke, Flo Rida, Fall Out Boy, Icona Pop, Paramore, Pitbull, and more. Tickets are $40-250.
- City of Philadelphia Tree Lighting Celebration – Be there when the City of Philadelphia officially kicks off the holiday season! The annual Tree Lighting ceremony with Mayor Michael Nutter will take place at LOVE Park from 5 to 6 pm. Special performers for the evening include the Jersey Boys, Introspective Movement Project, Grupo Fuego, and one surprise guest.
- Green is the New Black – The Barkann Healing Hearts Foundation is set to host a private fashion event showing the latest looks from Ventresca’s. Custom suits will be worn by numerous Philadelphia Eagles, and guests can mingle with the players while enjoying apps from Capital Grille, a 7 point-tini, and testing their skills at the latest Xbox football game from Microsoft. Grab your tickets now, and don’t forget to come wearing green!
- Cocktails & Candle Lighting – Celebrate Hanukkah with the Young Friends of the National Museum of American Jewish History at their annual Cocktails and Candle Lighting party! Tickets ($12 for Young Friends Members, $18 for non-members) include latkes, beer, wine, and a signature vodka cocktail, behind-the-scenes gallery tours, lighting of the menorah, and entertainment by DJ Adrian Hardy.
Thursday, December 5th
- East Passyunk Ace Tree Lighting Party + Deck the Ave Kick-off party with the annual lighting of the Christmas Tree above the Singing Fountain.
- Twelfth Night, Or What You Will – The Pig Iron Theatre Company reinvents the classic Sheakearean text into a clear and hilarious crowd-pleaser, complete with dueling musicians, debauchery, depressive noblemen, erotic misunderstandings, and plenty of wine. Set to a Balkan-inspired score performed by the members of the West Philadelphia Orchestra, the show runs from December 4th through 22nd at FringeArts.
- Grimaud and Symphonies Fantastique – The Philadelphia Orchestra presents revolutionary pieces by Berlioz and Brahms, two composers whose work followed in the shadow of Beethoven. Berlioz used the orchestra to tell a semi autobiographical story of obsessive love, hallucination, and death; Brahms turned his work into a Concerto that is part symphony and part solo piano. Performances are scheduled for Thursday night, Saturday night, and a Sunday matinee.
- The 5th Annual Local RAWawards Semifinals – Take part in Raw Artists’ annual competition to see who will be named the RAWawards Artist of the Year. From 7:30 through midnight, this showcase will present the top 3 talents in each category: filmmaker, visual artist, fashion designer, musician, hairstylist, makeup artist, photographer, performing artist, and accessories designer. Tickets are $15.
Friday, December 6th – First Friday!
- PHILADANCO: Christopher Higgins Tribute – In their 44th season, Philadelphia’s premiere contemporary dance company honors the artistry of famed African-American choreographer Christopher L. Higgins. Each program is broken down into six pieces, with four performances shown at the Kimmel Center on the weekend of the 6th-8th.
- The 2013 Designers in Residence at the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator – Come out for a holiday shopping weekend at Cityspace (2200 Walnut Street). View and pre-order from collections, purchase immediates, and pick up unique accessories and holiday gifts from designers in residence Devin Pauley (Morgia Bridal), Leah Delfiner (Pretty Pretty Rebel), Trisha Williams (Trisha Will), and Annina King (Granaté Prêt). On Friday, there will be an opening wine and cheese party from 6 to 8 pm.
- Headbanger’s Ball – The Trocadero hosts a night of 80’s hard rock and metal, with performances by Nat Attack, Travia, and 609. Come dressed up for a chance to be crowned “Most Metal Warrior” and “Most Metal Wench” and win a prize. Doors open at 7:30 with a free meet and greet.
- #whyilovephillyparty at the Arden Theater brings you an awesome First Friday party brought to you by Philly Love Notes.
Saturday, December 7th
- Running of the Santas – Philly’s hottest annual bar tour runs from 9 am until the beer is gone, beginning at Finnigan’s Wake with a group run in your sexiest Santa gear all the way to The Electric Factory. Tickets are $15, and select drink specials will be offered all day and night.
- The 5th Annual Philadelphia Winter Beer Festival – Enjoy over 50 winter brews from 28 craft breweries, along with live music and food buffets at the Blockley. The event runs from 5 to 8 pm, but VIP ticket holders can pre-game from 3 to 5 pm with a first taste of all the beers and information from an on-site beer expert. Grab your ticket before it sells out!
- Celeste Giuliano’s Pin-up Peepshow – Experience a vintage, 1940’s burlesque show at Union Transfer with 2013’s Miss Pin-Up Philadelphia. Tickets to see the glamorous girls of the Peek-a-Boo Revue are $20, with $40 VIP tickets to access the Sailor Jerry pre-party, featuring a more intimate performance.
Sunday, December 7th
- Good Dog’s 10th Anniversary Party – Good Dog Bar celebrates its 10 year mark with a black tie optional event (that also benefits Morris Animal Refuge!) at 7 pm. The $20 entrance fee includes a buffet of classic Good Dog menu items and raffle ticket.
- Nutcracker Market – The Pennsylvania Ballet and Kimmel Center are partnering for an all-American market in the Kimmel Center’s Commonwealth Plaza, open Saturday and Sunday, from 10 to 8 pm and 10 to 5 pm, respectively. Enjoy free admission when you shop for special, handmade holiday gifts and lunch from Garces’ Catering, whose menu includes a Sugar Plum Fairy Cocktail, Candy Cane Hot Chocolate, and Nutty Nutcracker Coffee Drink.
- “Pay As You Wish” Chinatown Food Tour – Explore Philadelphia’s Chinatown food scene with Free Tours By Foot. This free 2.5 hour walking tour, which departs from the Philadelphia Center for Architecture at 1:30 pm, travels through shops and restaurants including Asian Underground Mart, Dim Sum Garden, Tea Talk, Noodle Factory, and more. Come hungry, but choose what to spend and snack on!
