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By deconstructing found materials over and over again, the exhibition enabled visitors to encounter these old materials in a new light; and now, you have the opportunity to take a piece home with you. (Photo by Tod Seelie courtesy Philadelphia Art Alliance)

The Philadelphia Art Alliance’s innovative exhibition Let Me Tell You About A Dream I Had, which began as a sculptural flotilla on the Schuylkill River this past August (pictured above) and is presented by the Miss Rockaway Armada group, features the re-used materials from the land boats in new and innovative ways.

The exhibition closes December 30. But Miss Rockaway and the PAA wish to see the materials and artwork live on.

In the spirit of the exhibit’s eco-friendly recycled nature, the Art Alliance is gifting pieces of the assemblages to anyone interested.

Stop by the Art Alliance on January 3 any time from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., let the team know what interests you, offer a price and take it with you!

A piece of the exhibition would make for an intimately personal conversation piece in your home, or a unique gift for a friend or family member. Support the Art Alliance, and Miss Rockaway, participate in their green efforts and receive a special take-home you’ll treasure for years to come. A win-win-win.

Let Me Tell You About A Dream I Had Take-Away
Where: Philadelphia Art Alliance, 251 S. 18th Street
When: January 3, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Cost: Pay as you go
More info: www.philartalliance.org

Previously: Sneak Peek: Philadelphia Art Alliance’s Let Me Tell You About A Dream I Had, A Recycled Art Installation Open Through December 30

Next up at The Wilma Theater is Body Awareness, a smash hit off-Broadway comedy from Director Anne Kauffman and Obie Award winning playwright Anne Baker.

The play is set at Shirley State College in Vermont, where it’s Body Awareness Week.

In charge of the week’s festivities, college professor Phyllis has anything but a conventional life with girlfriend Joyce and her son Jared.

But when Frank Bonitatibus, a visiting artist, brings his photos of nude women into their home, conflicting feelings over sexuality and identity get hilariously stirred up.

Nominated for the Drama Desk Best New Play award, this touching comedy is one you don’t want to miss.

Tickets are available online.

Body Awareness at the Wilma Theater
When: January 4-February 5
Where: Broad & Spruce Streets
Cost: Tickets start at $23
More info: www.wilmatheater.org

The 112th Annual Mummers Parade is fast approaching; by fast, we mean it’s in two days. An annual tradition, the Mummers Parade features 10,000 men and women decked out in lavish costumes (crafted all year long) as they twirl, sashay and strut up Broad Street. An unforgettably wild ritual, the parade is family-friendly and fun for everyone. It’s the best way to celebrate January 1 in Philadelphia. Be sure to reference our definitive parade guide so you’ll know where to stake out the best viewing spot, the new route this year and more. [Guide To The 112th Annual Mummers Parade]

Impressive: the Chestnut Hill location is Iron Hill's second new location in just three years. (Image courtesy Iron Hill)

On Wednesday, January 4 at 4 p.m., Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant founders Kevin Finn, Kevin Davies and Mark Edelson will celebrate the opening of their first Philadelphia location at 8400 Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill with a festive toast.

Councilman Bill Green and Councilwoman Cindy Bass, along with the Iron Hill owners, will come together for a ceremonial “First Pour” from the taps of their new brewery. The restaurant, Iron Hill’s ninth location, will then officially open to the public at 5 p.m.

In what has become a long-standing Iron Hill tradition, the restaurant will offer seasonally changing American dishes by Executive Chef Mario Romero that transcend typical brewpub fare.

Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, Iron Hill Chesntut Hill will offer soups, sandwiches, made-from-scratch pizzas, salads and entrées.

Through large plate glass windows that separate the restaurant from the brewery, beer enthusiasts will actually be able to watch the brewing process by Head Brewer Paul Rutherford.

There will be six house beers, monthly beer releases and selections from Bottled Reserves, the brewery’s most award-winning beers from over the years.

Chestnut Hill is a great location for Iron Hill, given the lively and comfortable restaurant and retail culture. We’re hoping their venturing into city limits portends another Iron Hill within Philadelphia in the near future!

Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant: Chestnut Hill — Opening January 4!
8400 Germantown Avenue
www.ironhillbrewery.com

Previously: Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant To Open A Chestnut Hill Location, Their Ninth Outpost And First In Philadelphia

New Year's Week in Philadelphia culminates with a long holiday weekend full of non-stop fun with fireworks, parties, concerts, performances, Mummers, the NHL Winter Classic and more. (Photo credits clockwise from top left: G. Widman for GPTMC, courtesy NHL, G. Widman for GPTMC, courtesy the Kimmel Center)

It’s here. New Year’s Eve is upon us, so make sure you enjoy the final weekend of the year by closing out 2011 with a bang and ringing in 2012 with a strut.

Good thing there’s plenty going on, from a special dance party edition of After After 5 tonight at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and two fireworks shows at Penn’s Landing on New Year’s Eve to the 112th Annual Mummers Parade and, of course, the 2012 NHL Winter Classic at Citizens Bank Park.

Below, our top picks for New Year’s Eve weekend:

Friday, December 30

Art After 5: New Year’s Eve dance party at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Laughing All the Way at Act II Playhouse (Fri, Sat) — Closing Day!

Pennsylvania Ballet’s The Nutcracker (Fri, Sat) — Closing Day!

Fancy Folks: Art And Mummery at City Hall

Roundup: Our Top 10 Picks For Holiday Dates In And Around Philadelphia

Gas & Electric Arts’ Hershel And The Hanukkah Goblins (Fri, Sat) — Closing Day!

Jersey Boys at the Forrest Theatre (Fri, Sat)

Our Guide To Public Ice Skating In Philadelphia

Saturday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve

NHL Winter Classic Spectator Plaza (Sat, Sun, Mon)

Our Top Picks For New Year’s Eve Dining In Philadelphia

Our Top Picks For Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve Celebrations

New Year’s Eve Fireworks In Philadelphia: Best Places To Watch

Our Top Picks For Alternative New Year’s Eve Celebrations

New Year’s Eve Ghost Tour

Lantern Theater Company’s Private Lives

National Constitution Center’s Winter Holiday Celebration

Kwanzaa Celebrations at the African American Museum in Philadelphia

Check out the rest of our picks for New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and the long holiday weekend below…

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It’s Friday before a long holiday weekend. It’s also the Friday before the 2012 NHL Winter Classic at Citizens Bank Park. Why not get ready for the big weekend and get ready for the big game by watching episode one of HBO’s excellent four-part series, 24/7 Flyers/Rangers: Road To The Winter Classic, online today while at work? Episode one is now streaming free online at HBO.com. It’s an hour well spent. You won’t regret it. Especially if your boss is not around. [HBO.com]

Toes will be tapping and souls will be stirred when Memphis hits the Academy of Music stage, January 17-22.

The 2010 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, Best Original SCore, Best Book and Best Orchestrations is a rollicking blast of rhythm and blues tunes that you may find yourself humming on the way out.

The time is the 1950s and America at-large hasn’t caught on to R&B music. The county is segregated and so is the music. Then along comes upstart DJ Huey Calhoun, who happens into a black club along Beale Street: He’s transfixed by the sounds heard within, as well as a female singer who grabs his ear, and later, his heart.

The music evokes early greats of the R&B genre, such as Chuck Berry and the Platters, and the costumes capture the era in bright Broadway fashion.

The production is here on a limited engagement, so get your tickets now to ensure your seat to this show with a rockin’ soul beat. Check out a photo from the production below.

Memphis
Where: Academy of Music, Broad and Locust Streets
When: January 17-22
Cost: $20-$100
More info: www.kimmelcenter.org

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As part of the countdown to the 2012 NHL Winter Classic at Citizens Bank Park, the New York City skyline lit up in the colors of the two teams this Wednesday, December 28. The world famous Empire State Building was aglow in Flyers Orange, at least its north and south sides were (the east and west sides of the building were lit in the Rangers’ colors). Kind of cool for the Flyers colors to be taking over one of New York’s most famous landmarks. Meanwhile, back in Philly, the PECO building is reciprocating by running both the Flyers and Rangers colors along its LED crown lights. [NHL.com]

Let Fairmount's Fare Restaurant sommelier teach you the tricks of his trade. (Photo by J. Smith for GPTMC)

The Free Library is so much more than dusty books and microfiche collections.

Case (of wine) in point: the library is hosting “Beating the Market: How to Pick Terrific Wines for Under $15” with Robert Amar, general manger of Fare Restaurant and an experienced sommelier, on Wednesday, January 11.

Amar will lead an interactive event for wine novices and aficionados alike that will help you select that perfect, inexpensive bottle of wine.

He’ll give you tips on navigating a wine store as you sample different glasses under his guidance.

“Beating the Market” will take place at the Parkway Central Library in Room 108 on January 11 at 7:30 p.m. Participants must be over the age of 21 to enter, and must show identification to validate their age.

“Beating the Market: How to Pick Terrific Wines for Under $15”
When: Wednesday, January 11, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine Street, Room 108
Cost: Free
More info: libwww.freelibrary.org

Penn’s Landing is once again hosting two spectacular fireworks shows this New Year’s Eve, one at 6 p.m. and one at midnight. Need suggestions for where to watch the shows? We have 14. Some of our picks are hosting special parties, some are just great vantage points for taking in the spectacular displays (for free). Check out our guide post to station yourself perfectly for the NYE 2011 celebration. Make sure to dress warmly, and it wouldn’t hurt to BYO hot cocoa. Happy New Year Philadelphia! [New Year’s Eve Fireworks guide]