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Celebrate Valentine's Day early with the Penn Museum's love-themed lecture and reception this Thursday, February 9. (Photo by L. Hansen-Flaschen courtesy Penn Museum)

The Young Friends of the Penn Museum are continuing their tradition of non-traditional Valentine’s Day events, this year bringing Philadelphians “Love Hurts,” an exploration of the harsher side of love in ancient times.

Previous year’s lectures, including “Ancient Girls Gone Wild” and “Cougars, Playas, and Baby Mama Drama” shed light on the love lives of the ancients. This year’s lecture given by museum scholars is sure to contain equally salacious tales.

Whether you are dateless and disgusted by pink heart candies and all things February 14th or just looking for interesting facts on relationships to share with (read: impress) your friends, even happily-in-love couples are welcome to attend this event.

Stick around after the program and join the Young Friends for a cocktail reception (cash bar).

Tickets are available online.

Love Hurts: Annual Penn Museum Young Friends Valentine’s Event
Where: 3260 South Street
When: Thursday, February 9, 6:15 p.m.
Cost: $10 ($5 for members and full-time students)
More info: www.penn.museum

Watch PAFA artists as they work inside their studios, many with stunning views of the city.
(Photo by F. Dean for GPTMC)

On Friday, February 10, join the faculty, students, and staff of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA) for an Open Studio Night in the Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building from 5:30-8 p.m.

You’ll get a unique behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of the professional academy artists’ studios, as well as the exceptional works-in-progress being created by PAFA students in more than 175 individual studios.

Artists and art lovers alike will enjoy this exclusive opportunity to meet America’s next generation of artists in person.

You’ll even have the chance to speak to the art students one-on-one to discuss the concepts and inspirations behind their diverse and exciting original paintings, drawings, sculptures and prints that will be part of this spring’s Annual Student Exhibition.

This event is free and open to the public.

Open Studio Night at PAFA
When: Friday, February 10, 5:30-8pm.
Where: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building, 128 N. Broad Street
Cost: Free
More info: www.pafa.edu

 
Few documents have inspired as much conversation, argument and adoration as the U.S. Constitution.

It’s surely open to interpretation, but one thing is clear: the Constitution deserves one heck of a celebration to honor its 225 anniversary, and its getting one from the place bested suited for the occasion, the National Constitution Center.

The center is marking the historic occasion with programs and events running throughout the year until September. Check out the center’s brand new commercial, above, for a stirring reminder of both the power of the document itself and the immersive experience that awaits you when you visit the NCC in person.

A sampling:

• Sign the Constitution: The center invites you to reaffirm your commitment to American freedom by signing the Constitution. Not the actual parchment, mind you, they’ve set up a web application online. If you visit the center in person you can also sign a special commemorative 225th anniversary Constitution on display in Signers’ Hall.

• Share Your Freedom Story: Come springtime the center invites you share your American pride by submitting a 90-second video about someone (or a group) who has answered the call of freedom, and thus contributed to the story of “We the People.” Submissions air on the Center’s website and viewers select their favorite entries via online voting. The top three will earn a starring role in the Constitution Day extravaganza in September.

• ElectNext in Voting Booths: In partnership with ElectNext, the Center revolutionizes how we vote. Like online dating for voters, the interactive technology inside these voting booths will feature issues-based questions to match visitors to the presidential candidate who best fits their political values. Screens outside the booths display live, on-site poll results, highlighting issues that are most important to visitors.

• Election Lounge: As the 2012 election heats up the NCC will present its own campaign headquarters on the Grand Hall Overlook. Here you can watch presidential campaign ads, cast a vote in a gumball poll, track primary results, create campaign buttons and more.

• Constitution Day and Liberty Medal 2012: The 225th anniversary closes out with a bang in September, when the center welcomes audiences nationwide to participate in programs and star-studded events during the weeklong Constitution Day celebration and the 2012 Liberty Medal ceremony. This special event always draws distinguished guests. Perhaps you’ll be one of them.

Sunday is pay-what-you-wish at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, a great chance to check out the brand new Van Gogh Up Close exhibition. (Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)

No matter what the weather decides to do this weekend (it’s so hard to keep up!), there are activities and festivities aplenty.

Warm up with one of our picks for fireside dining or the new daily hot chocolate bar at the Omni.

Catch a Philly basketball game (NBA or NCAA), or take in one of the newly opened art exhibitions (the New York Times calls the newly opened Van Gogh Up Close “a succinct, revelatory exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art”).

Tonight’s First Friday, and Sunday is something else important that we just can’t… hold on… what is it again? Ah, the Super Bowl! Even though it’s depressingly Eagle-less, we have you covered on where to watch or pick up good eats.

Of course, don’t forget to enter our 29 Nights of Dates Contest each day this weekend.

All of our top picks for this weekend, below:

Friday, February 3

First Friday in Manayunk, Old City, Doylestown, on Frankford Avenue and Chestnut Hill

Center City Restaurant Week — Closing Day!

Art After 5 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Marvels & Monsters: Unmasking Asian Images in U.S. Comics at the Asian Arts Initiative (Fri, Sat, Sun) — Opening Day!

Intelligent Design at the Michener Art Museum (Fri, Sat, Sun) — Opening Day!

Art Stroll in Historic Kennett Square

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Miami Heat

The Pigeon Presents: The Philadelphia Poetry Slam

46th Anniversary Chinese New Year Banquet at Ocean City Restaurant

Unframed and Uncorked Art Sale at the Main Line Art Center

“Totems and Topographies: Samantha Mitchell” at Grizzly Grizzly Gallery

Green Chair Dance Group at the Annenberg Center (Fri, Sat)

First Friday Wine and Speakeasy at the Wine School

Art Show at Hot Diggity

The First Friday Fighting Burrito Comedy Showcase

Vox Populi Gallery Talk: Erik Geschke and Ronald Lambert

First Friday party at Smak Parlour

Saturday, February 4

LaSalle vs. St. Joseph’s at the Palestra

Mitchell & Ness 17th Annual Winter Sale — Closing Day!

Meadowbrook Farm Tropical Plant Sale

Henry Ossawa Tanner: Modern Spirit at PAFA (Fri, Sat, Sun)

The Pajanimals Pajama Party at The Market & Shops at Comcast Center

20th African American Children’s Book Fair

Heart On Your Sleeve Sale at Third Street Habit

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Iron Hill's brand new Chestnut Hill location is hosting its inaugural beer release event next Friday, February 10. (Photo courtesy Chestnut Hill)

What do you get when you combine chocolate, beer and employees sporting green hair and orange skin?

Iron Hill Bewery’s Oopma Loompa Stout release party.

For its very first brew event, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant in Chestnut Hill, the most recent of nine locations to open, will treat guests with samples of their newest creation, Oompa Loompa Stout, from head brewer Paul Rutherford on Friday, February 10 from 5-8 p.m.

A medium-bodied chocolate stout that’s been aged for two weeks on Madagascar vanilla beans and cocoa nibs, Oompa Loompa Stout will be passed around for tastings by employees dressed as those odd little characters from the book and film, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (we weren’t kidding you).

To top it off, guests can also indulge in house-made chocolate truffles and purchase 16 oz. mugs of the stout.

No golden ticket is required for entrance.

Enjoy the chocolatey experience, but try not to pull an Augustus Gloop and be the first to get ejected from the factory for “over-indulging”.

Iron Hill Brewery Oompa Loompa Stout Release
Where: 8400 Germantown Avenue
When: Friday, February 10, 5-8 p.m.
Cost: Free tastings
More info: www.ironhillbrewery.com

Center City Restaurant Week, which ends tomorrow evening, is a great chance to dine at luxe spots like Stephen Starr's Butcher & Singer for less. Hint: order the burger. (Photo courtesy Butcher & Singer)

[Evenings in Philadelphia are always action-packed, and we want to help you cherry-pick from all the events and activities going on. On certain days that promise particularly bustling evenings, we round up our selections for the most can't-miss pursuits with which to fill your schedule. See you out there!]

• Our top picks for weeknight indoor fun in Philadelphia

• Center City Restaurant Week: It’s your second-to-last evening to enjoy a three-course dinner for just $35 at one of 124 restaurants in Center City. Check out our top picks for lunch and local dishes.

Where: 124 restaurants in Center City
When: Thursday, February 2
Cost: $35

• “Men’s Night Out” at Pileggi Boutique: Pileggi Boutique is hosting “Men’s Night Out” tonight to assist men with their Valentine’s Day shopping. The event includes light apps, WhistlePig Straight Rye Whiskey Cocktails, a DJ and a silent auction. Gift certificates will also be available, and for every $100 spent an additional $25 will be added. Bonus: Pileggi will donate a portion of the evening sales to The Melanie Finley Ovarian Cancer Foundation.

Where: 715 Walnut Street
When: Thursday, February 2, 5-8 p.m.
Cost: Pay as you go

• Mitchell & Ness 17th Annual Winter Sale: For four days only, February 1-4, all men’s and women’s branded and vintage inspired team apparel and headwear is 50% off. With the Sixers’ and Flyers’ seasons in full gear and the Phillies home opener around the corner, it’s a perfect time to pick up hometown gear.

Where: 1201 Chestnut Street
When: Thursday, February 2, until 7 p.m.; sale lasts through February 4
Cost: Pay as you go

• Hunter’s Night Dinner at Brauhaus Schmitz: Jen Carroll formerly of 10 Arts, Peter Woolsey of Bistrot La Minette, Osteria’s Jeffrey Michaud and Jeremy and Jessica Nolen of Brauhaus Schmitz will present a standout five course hunter’s dinner featuring the best of wild game in addition to an amuse bouche sampling from each of the chefs.

Where: 718 South Street
When: Thursday, February 2, seatings from 5-10:30 p.m.
Cost: $55

More Tonight Picks, below.

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Next up in the Annenberg Center's 2011/12 season is an eccentric circus-like dance performance from renowned Israeli Inbal Pinto & Avshalom Pollak Dance Company. (Photo courtesy Annenberg Center)

Crack open Oyster, presented by Inbal Pinto & Avshalom Pollak Dance Company at the Annenberg Center on February 9-11, and you’ll discover a bizarre fantasy world.

With obvious nods to both Fellini and Tim Burton, the show presents a circus set-up where beauties and freaks vie for your attention.

The characters inhabit surreal scenes where mimes, acrobats and ballerinas become puppets and puppeteers. It’s a dark yet whimsical place that will surely capture your attention, because you’ve not likely seen contemporary dance quite like this.

The Israeli-based Inbal Pinto & Avshalom Pollak Dance Company has an international reputation for innovation, and Oyster is a shining example of their individual style that presents stellar physical prowess within a highly theatrical and visual production. They’re musical collagists, too; Oyster’s score includes opera (Pagliacci), tango (Piazzolla), Harry James, Yma Sumac and Tuvan throat singers.

The troupe made its Philadelphia debut at the Annenberg Center in 2008 and it’s great to have them back to entrance us once more. This is dance-theater you won’t soon forget. Get tickets online.

Inbal Pinto & Avshalom Pollak Dance Company’s Oyster
Where: Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 3680 Walnut Street
When: February 9-11
Cost: $20-$75
More info: www.annenbergcenter.org

Head to West Philadelphia this Sunday, February 5 for the annual celebration of the birth of renowned English writer Charles Dickens.

This year’s event will be especially momentous as it marks the 200th anniversary of Dickens’ birth. The festivities run from 2-3:30 p.m. at Griffith Hall at the University of the Sciences.

Sponsored by Friends of Clark Park, the party honors the famous bronze Dickens statue that has graced the park since 1901, which for nearly a century, remained the only statue of the novelist in the entire world.

This birthday party will have a wide range of celebrations from live music by internationally-known folk singer David Jones, performances and dramatic readings of various Dickens works by members of Curio Theatre, dance presentations by The Kingsessing Morris Dancers (first-place winners in the comic division at the 2012 Mummers Parade), as well as a wide sampling of Old English food.

Bonus: just like the butterflies Dickens refers to in his novel Bleak House, the event is free.

For more info on Charles Dickens celebrations throughout the city this year, check out our previous coverage.

Charles Dickens’ 200th Birthday Celebration
When: Sunday, February 5, 2-3:20 p.m.
Where: Griffith Hall at USciences, 43rd & Kingsessing Avenue (across from Clark Park)
Cost: Free
More info: www.friendsofclarkpark.org

As Center City Restaurant Week winds down, Chima Brazilian Steakhouse and its talented gauchos are keeping the excitement going. Chima is extending their Rodizio (seasoned meat) and gourmet salad bar special from February 5–9. For just $35 a person, indulge in delicious South American flavors and fresh, seasonal salad ingredients. Chima is named after the chimarrao, a traditional drink of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, that symbolizes hospitality and friendship. The steakhouse most definitely lives up to its name. Call (215) 525-3233 for reservations. [Chima]

Percy Street Barbecue is just one of many Philadelphia bars and restaurants offering delicious Super Bowl deals this Sunday. (Photo courtesy Percy Street)

Just because our beloved Eagles didn’t make it to the big game this year is no excuse not to enjoy it.

This Sunday’s Super Bowl will be especially festive thanks to so many of Philly’s favorite restaurants offering incredible specials either at the bar or at your door.

Whether you watch for the sport, the commercials or the half-time act, you’ll be sure to have good eats to get you through the game.

Check out our quick-and-dirty guide to top picks for where to eat in or take out some great game-day grub this Sunday:

Super Bowl Take-Out

• Percy Street Barbecue: Take 20% off take-out and catering on Super Bowl Sunday. Also, take advantage of Percy Street’s brand-new Craft Beer Take-Out Program, with packs of craft beer cans available to take home in pre-selected assortments.

• City Tap House: Toast the New England Patriots or the New York Giants with beer from their home breweries including Harpoon, Brooklyn and Sixpoint: any for $4. For those who prefer to watch the game at home, the restaurant will offer a take-out only party package with two pizzas, 25 wings, and two growlers of beer for $75.

• Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant: All nine Iron Hill locations will offer their popular daily take-out deal: any two pizzas and one growler of house beer for just $25. Seasonal and Belgian-style beers can be substituted for an additional charge.

• Federal Donuts: Pick up donuts and fried chicken to chow down on at home. Order in advance by emailing info@federaldonuts.com.

Super Bowl In-House Specials

• Lemon Hill: Chef Mitch Prensky’s latest endeavor, Lemon Hill, is hosting a “Supper Bowl,” a culinary match-up to mirror the geographical battle on the football field. Lemon Hill will pit classic New York and New England foods agains each other.

• Distrito: Enjoy endless tacos and enchiladas, served with refried beans, black beans, rice, and Chilango chopped salad for $25 in the first-floor tequila lounge from 6-9 p.m. Dos Equis Lager and Dos Equis Amber draughts will be offered for $2.

• London Grill: Watch the game while devouring an all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ for $20. They’ll also offer a “Citywide Special,” a shot of Powers Irish whiskey and a PBR pounder. What’s more, a variety of craft beers will be available for purchase on draught.

• Frankford Hall: Frankford Hall will be showing the big game on their 60″ flat screen as well as the 8′ projection screen. Plus all burgers, sausages and beers will be half price during the game. That’s outrageous.

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