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Today, February 7, marks the 200th birthday of celebrated English author Charles Dickens. Thanks to his ties to Philadelphia, the city has been celebrating since last fall with Sunday readings and tea at The Dandelion, literary salons, special exhibitions and a birthday party in Clark Park, home to the famous bronze Dickens statue that has graced the park since 1901, which for nearly a century, remained his only statue in the entire world. Check out the Year of Dickens event calendar to see what else is in store throughout the year. [Free Library of Philadelphia’s Year of Dickens]

The Free Library is holding a month's worth of great free programming to celebrate African American History Month. (Photo courtesy Free Library)

Celebrate Black History Month in February at the Free Library of Philadelphia, where this annual observance of achievements by black Americans will be commemorated with a wide range of events across the library system’s branches.

The Free Library’s Black History Month events will offer students and adults several ways to learn about and honor the significant people, places, and experiences in black history.

Check out the lineup:

• Zora’s Tales: Sunday, February 5, 2 p.m., Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine Street, Free. As part of the “Sundays on Stage” program, The Women of Color Productions presents a one-woman play depicting the amazing life and times of Zora Neale Hurston, who was considered one of the preeminent writers of 20th century African America literature.

• Black History Month Treasure Hunt: Monday, February 6–Friday, February 10. Haddington Branch, 446 N. 65th Street, Free. Enjoy a full week of African- merican history. Stop in any time during normal hours to learn about African American authors and participate in a cool treasure hunt. Prizes will be awarded!

• Black History Story Time: Tuesdays, February 7, 14, 21, 28, 10:30 a.m. Walnut Street West, 201 S. 40th Street, Free. It’s story time at the library! Listen to famous and not-so-famous stories and poems written by and about well-known African Americans. Discover fascinating facts each week while broadening your cultural knowledge and awareness.

• Malcolm and Martin: Wednesday, February 22, 4 p.m., Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library, 125 S. 52nd Street, Free. Students 10 years old+ are invited to join the talented cast of the Walnut Street Theatre’s Touring Company who will take students on a journey that explores the Civil Rights Movement. Discover how the messages of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X are just as relevant today as they were in the 1960s’ turbulent era of race riots, bus boycotts, sit-ins and marches.

Black History Month At The Free Library [Official Site]

The Free Library of Philadelphia’s Year of Dickens, a 2012 celebration of Charles Dickens’ 200th birthday, comes to a head in February, the month of the author’s actual birth.

Among events planned, including literary salons at the library and two rare works exhibitions, are special book readings on Sundays throughout February at, appropriately, Stephen Starr’s British pub The Dandelion.

On Sundays, February 5, 12, 19 and 26 The Dandelion will host two readings at 10 a.m. and noon of the Charles Dickens children adaptations, “A Boy Called Dickens” and “Usborne Illustrated Stories from Dickens,” by the fireside.

Children will receive complimentary tea cakes and scones. The Dandelion will also offer an English Breakfast special.

Bonus: each session will have a $20 gift card drawing!

Make reservations by calling (215) 558-2500.

Charles Dickens Readings at The Dandelion
When: Sundays, February 5, 12, 19 and 26, 10 a.m. and noon
Where: 124 S. 18th Street
Cost: Free to attend; English Breakfast is $13 ($20 with a 20 oz. cask beer)
More info: www.thedandelionpub.com

The Free Library picked Create Dangerously: The Immigrant Artist at Work to be the centerpiece of its 10th annual One Book, One Philadelphia, a literary festival running January 25 to March 17.

A compilation of essays and memoirs, Create Dangerously illustrates the struggle and importance of making art to overcome adversity.

Haitian-American author Edwidge Danticat, a MacArthur Genius Grant winner, uses testimonies of her native country’s heroes, artists and everyday people to move the story beyond the political boundaries and delve into an idea every person can understand: freedom.

Particularly poignant for One Book, One Philadelphia, Danticat stresses the importance of writing and reading the truth to stand against oppression.

For more than seven weeks, the Free Library and its community partners will host events that bring the book’s messages off the pages and into real life.

Film screenings, musical showcases, discussion groups, family activities, film screenings, author events and signings and more explore Haiti’s history, culture and modern issues and apply them to universal ideas, such as creativity in adversity, the responsibilities of journalism and the environment.

The January 25 kickoff event at the Central Branch stars Kuumba Drum and Dance Troupe and invites guests to experience Haitian and Caribbean traditions of lively dance, music and poetry.

If you read only one book this year, make it Create Dangerously; but with an entire free library system at your disposal, why stop at just one?

One Book, One Philadelphia
Where: Various locations (kickoff at Central Branch of the Free Library, 20th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway)
When: January 25-March 17
Cost: Varies (many free)
More info: www.freelibrary.org

The Free Library of Philadelphia’s Year of Dickens continues with monthly literary salons, to be held the third Thursday of every month in 2012 at 6:30 p.m. in the Elkins Room of the Rare Book Department at Parkway Central, each featuring a different Dickens novel.

The first book up for discussion, on January 19, is Dickens’s earliest novel, The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.

Check out the rest of the schedule:

• February 16: Oliver Twist
• March 15: The Mystery of Edwin Drood
• April 19: The Old Curiosity Shop
• May 17: David Copperfield
• June 21: Great Expectations
• July 19: A Tale of Two Cities
• August 16: Barnaby Rudge
• September 20: Nicholas Nickleby
• October 18: Bleak House
• November 15: Our Mutual Friend
• December 20: A Christmas Carol

Check out the Year of Dickens event calendar to see what else is in store.

The Free Library of Philadelphia’s Year of Dickens
When: Now through 2012
Where: Throughout the city
Cost: Free
More info: libwww.freelibrary.org

Celebrate MLK Day early this weekend, with events at the Free Library. (Photo courtesy Murphey Quigley Co. for the Free Library)

This Monday, January 16, hundreds of thousands of Philadelphians will be helping out in honor of the 17th Annual Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, the largest King Day of Service event in the nation.

In celebration of Dr. King’s January 15 birthday and volunteer and advocacy events throughout the city, the Free Library of Philadelphia is inviting you and your family to “An Afternoon with Martin Luther King Jr.”, an introduction to Dr. King’s life work through readings, arts and crafts.

At the event, held this Saturday, January 14, kids will have the opportunity to learn about the late Dr. King’s iconic place in the history of the civil rights movement and how, in 1964, he became the youngest person ever to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Also being held in honor of MLK Day this year will be a free concert by the Philadelphia Orchestra, service opportunities at the National Constitution Center and family programming at the National Museum of American Jewish History and the Franklin Institute.

For a full calendar of all the great events and classes taking place at the Free Library of Philadelphia, check here.

“An Afternoon with Martin Luther King Jr.” at the Free Library of Philadelphia
When: Saturday, January 14, 2:30 p.m.
Where: Northeast Regional Library, 2228 Cottman Avenue
Cost: Free
More info: www.freelibrary.org

Philadelphia is an exciting weekend destination, but it’s also a happening spot Monday-Thursday. Go bowling at Lucky Strike, catch the Philly Rising open stage night at World Cafe Live, Movie Monday at The Troc or a wine tasting class at Tria. (Photo credits clockwise from top left: Doug Seymour courtesy World Cafe Live, courtesy Lucky Strike, courtesy Trocadero, by B. Krist for GPTMC)

Philadelphia’s midweek nightlife rocks just as hard as the weekends.

Choose from classic movies, dance classes, concerts, cooking classes, museum happy hours, even drag nights, as alternatives to the bustling bar scene in Philadelphia (although we can help you out with some suggestions for high-quality sips as well).

Check out our top picks, below, for exciting weeknight (indoor) happenings in Philadelphia, just in time for the frosty winter weather.

Live Entertainment

• Philly Rising at World Cafe Live: Every Monday night at Upstairs at the World Cafe Live, Boy Wonder (a.k.a. Andre Coles) hosts Philly Rising, an open stage and progressive talent competition. Signups are at 6:30 p.m., performances start at 7 p.m. Each artist performs a two-song set, with a featured performer (not eligible to win the contest) doing an extended set.

• Grape Room Pub Open Mic Night: A staple of the Philadelphia music scene, the Grape Room Pub hosts an open mic night every Monday in its upstairs space. Artists sign up at 8 p.m.; the show starts at 9 p.m., with no cover.

• The Curtis Institute of Music Student Recital Series: At 8 p.m. on most Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from October to May, culture vultures can take in one of more than a 100 free solo and chamber music performances during The Curtis Institute of Music Student Recital Series. The concerts provide a first listen to future stars.

• Mugshots Open Mic Night: Mugshots in Fairmount hosts an open mic night that’s fun for the whole family. Every Tuesday starting at 7:30 p.m., singers, poets and storytellers do their thing while patrons enjoy organic coffee and locally made treats.

• The Legendary Dobbs Open Mic Night: The Legendary Dobbs on South Street also hosts an open mic every Wednesday emceed by John Faye of IKE. Doors open at 8 p.m., and there is no cover.

• Bob & Barbara’s Drag Show: All sorts of people—from lawyers to students to hipsters and more—pack into the legendary Bob & Barbara’s Lounge for the Thursday night showcase of drag talent. The $7 admission includes a drink ticket.

• Martha Graham Cracker at L’Etage: On the second Thursday of every month (with some exceptions), Martha Graham Cracker entertains at L’Etage with her arsenal of music, comedy and androgynous theater: and all while wearing heels. The $10 tickets are first come, first served, so people should arrive when the doors open at 8 p.m., even though the show doesn’t begin until 10 p.m. In the meantime, they can enjoy drinks and food.

Suggestions for wine tastings, cooking classes, movie nights and more, below.

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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

All author events are held in the Central Library's auditorium, often packed to the point of standing room only. (Photo courtesy Free Library)

The Free Library has announced its lineup for the Spring 2012 Author Event Series, and there are some serious names coming to town.

A sampling of the series includes: Anne Rice (February 14), Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (February 28), Jodi Picoult (March 5), Jonathan Safran Foer (March 8), Jeanette Winterson (March 20) and the venerable John Irving (May 10).

You’ll hear each author speak about their latest text, and get a chance to pick up a signed copy.

View the full list online.

General Admission tickets are $15/$20, student admission is $7, and simulcast tickets (for sold-out events) are just $6. Many of the author events are free. Order single tickets online or by phone at 1 (800) 595-4TIX beginning at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 12.

Spring 2012 Author Event Series [Free Library]

Chestnut Hill, hosting Stag & Doe Nights tonight, is all decked out for the holidays, just like the rest of Philadelphia. (Photo courtesy Chestnut Hill)

[Evenings during the holiday season 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!]

• Raven Society’s 6th Annual Holiday Fete: The Raven Society, the Free Library of Philadelphia’s membership group for supporters in their 20s and 30s, is hosting its 6th Annual Holiday Fete inside the Central Branch’s newly renovated Popular Library, Besides the great view of the city skyline, you’ll be able to enjoy drinks (Victory beer!), hors d’oeuvres, live music and even livelier book talk with other library supporters and literary mavens.

Where: Central Library, newly renovated Popular Library, 1901 Vine Street
When: Wednesday, December 14, 6 p.m.
Cost: $10 for members, $20 for non-members

• Spirits & Suds with Santa East Passyunk Bar Crawl: A dozen bars and restaurants along East Passyunk Avenue will be offering one draft craft beer for $3 and one cocktail or wine-based drink for $4. Registration will be held at The Bottle Shop from 5:30-8 p.m. The $5 admission gets you the drink specials at each of the listed bars, a Santa or Elf hat and Santa’s Sipping Stamp Card.

Where: Along East Passyunk Avenue
When: Wednesday, December 14, 5:30-11 p.m.
Cost: $5 registration, then pay as you go

There are more ideas for how to spend your evening, below.

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