This Week in Philly

This Week in Philly

Here’s whats going on this week in Philly…

Monday, December 9th

  •  Sensing Change – View the world with a fresh perspective after exploring the Chemical Heritage Foundation’s art exhibit, which considers local, global, and cultural implications of our ever-changing globe. Discover a floating greenhouse with native plants found underfoot, follow breezes and storm-force winds across a digital map, and more. The Chemical Heritage Foundation is open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 5 pm, with free admission.
  •  Brian Sanders’ JUNK: Snowball – Brian Sanders’ experimental dance-theatre troupe performs a winter tale complete with holiday “suites” and cheer. Technical and comedic, “Snowball” combines off-the-wall choreography with discarded objects and debris for which the company is named, JUNK. Perfect for the whole family, this performance takes place daily at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts through December 15th.

Tuesday, December 10th

  •  Vineyard Vines at KOP – Celebrate this preppy outfitter’s grand opening at the King of Prussia Mall from 6 to 8 pm. Join Shep and Ian for sips, snacks, live music, and a gift with all purchases. 10% of the evening’s sales will go to the Junior League of Philadelphia, Inc., an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.
  •  N3RDS – This musical follows Bill Gates and Steve Jobs as they move from the garage to Silicon Valley; from the floppy disc to the iPhone. Celebrate Bill and Steve’s excellent adventure at the Suzanne Roberts Theater, playing through December 29. Tickets are $50-60.

Wednesday, December 11th

  • Jersey Boys at the Forrest Theater – After breaking box office records, Jersey Boys returns to Philadelphia from December 11th through January 5th. The story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons includes hit songs like “Sherry”, “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, “Oh What a Night” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”. Tickets range from  $42-202.
  •  Rod Stewart at Wells Fargo – Two-time inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Rod Stewart comes to the Wells Fargo Center on his “Live the Life” tour with Steve Winwood. Tickets are priced at $46.50, $99.50, and $149.50.

Thursday, December 12th

  •  Fairmount Park Holiday Open Houses – Six of the seven historic housing sites in Fairmount Park are open for the holidays! Visit Cedar Grove, Mount Pleasant, Laurel Hill, Lemon Hill, Strawberry Mansion and Woodford Mansion and view thematic holiday décor. Guides will be available at each house to take you through and explain their unique historic. Admission is $5 per house (free for children 12 and under), with free parking. Check here for hours.
  •  Dance Party Boot Camp – Philly Dance Fitness is celebrating the launch of their new “pop-up” studio in Midtown with $5 drop-ins during the first week. In Thursday’s Boot Camp class, work out with explosive, athletic exercises and dance routines with this high-intensity interval training set to top 40 hits.

Friday, December 13th

  •  The Raven Society’s Annual Holiday Fête – In honor of the Free Library’s celebration of “The Year of the Bard: Shakespeare at 450”, individuals in their 20s and 30s are invited to help honor and celebrate Shakespeare’s work with a $50 party ticket, which includes bites from sponsors such as Chris’s Jazz Café, Zahav, DiBruno Bros, and more. Admission is $75 for non-Ravens, but only $100 to attend and become a Raven.
  •  J’adore la Mode – The Evoluer House celebrates its 4th Annual Fashion Gala at the University of the Arts’ Dorrance Hamilton Hall from 7 to 10 pm. This paramount fashion show features the 2014 spring collection of fashion stylist Kithe Brewster with an evening of hors d’ouvres, signature cocktails, a silent auction, and opening number by international dancer and choreographer Anthony Burrell (“The Beyonce Experience”, “Glee”, “So You Think You Can Dance”), a University of the Arts graduate.

Saturday, December 14th

  • 114th Army-Navy Game – The Black Knights take the Midshipmen at 3 pm at the Lincoln Financial Field in one of the most exciting games of the year!
  •  FUEL the CURE Winter Gala 2013 – This year’s black tie optional affair takes place from 8 pm to 1 am at the Hyatt at the Bellevue Ballroom for an evening of dancing and a silent auction, with food stations and an open bar. Tickets are $125 and benefit the Children in Need campaign, which donates towards the Knowledge is Power Program, Vetri Foundation for Children, and St. Damien’s Hospital in Haiti.
  •  Cancer is Ugly! Ugly Sweater Party – City Tap House hosts the 3rd Annual Ugly Sweater Party and content. Celebrity guest judges include Preston and Steve’s Marisa Magnatta, Emmy-winner Maria Papadakis, Good Day Philadelphia’s Dr. Mike, Philadelphia Daily News’ Reuben “Big Rube”, Harley, and fashion blogger Ian Michael Crumm. Tickets are $50 and include an open bar from 7 to 10 pm, cocktails, light fare, live music and raffle prizes. The winner of the ugliest sweater will be announced at 9 pm.
  •  Sugar Plum Fairies GayBINGO! – Named Best of Philly for Gay Events, GayBINGO is open to anyone who enjoys campy humor. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for a child infected with or affected by HIV, and take part in a game at The Gershman Y for $20-25. Doors open at 6 and games start at 7 pm.

Sunday, December 15th

  •  Holiday POPS! – Under the direction of David Charles Abell, the Philly Pops ring in the holidays with catchy Christmas tunes, merry choirs, and a memorable wintertime program.  Featuring the POPS Festival Chorus, The Philadelphia Boys Choir, and the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas Gospel Choir, performance dates fall on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from the 11th through 21st of December.
  •  Christmas Celebration at the Adventure Aquarium – Experience the Camden Aquarium during the holidays with Scuba Santa in his celebration under the sea with Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster. The Aquarium becomes transformed into an underwater winter wonderland with lights, glowing trees, falling snow, and larger-than-life decorations. Holiday festivities occur through January 1, including live shows, a dance party, character appearances and more.
  •  Gingerbread House Workshop – Bredenbeck’s Bakery and Ice Cream Parlor is hosting workshops to create 6” and 12” gingerbread houses. Tickets include admission, a gingerbread house with royal icing and plenty of candy and goodies. There are also adult BYOB workshop dates on Wednesday evenings throughout the month!