January 4, 2012
The center's highly relevant Fighting for Democracy exhibition closes simultaneously with the MLK day of remembrance programming; make sure to check it out. (Photo by Jeff Fusco courtesy NCC)
The National Constitution Center will participate in a big way in the 17th Annual Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Monday, January 16.
The center’s day of remembrance will include dramatic performances, an opera, service projects and craft activities, all of which are free with museum admission.
In the F.M. Kirby Auditorium, there will be two performances of “Two of a Kind” (11 a.m. and 1 p.m.), an award-winning, nationally touring husband and wife duo who specialize in interactive musical programs for children. Visitors can participate in their sing-along tailored to the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.
At noon, a live reading of Dr. King’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech will be performed by local actors and students.
Throughout the day, you can make crafts like “Hands Across the World” chains and “I Have a Dream” mobiles, or participate in quilting and sewing projects that benefit the Women Against Abuse shelter. Sew quilts, baby blankets and pillows for those in need while discovering the history of quilting in communities.
Concluding the day at 3 in the F.M. Kirby Auditorium is a performance by International Opera Theater, who will present an excerpt from their opera, The Heart of a Hero. The opera combines gospel, opera, movement, poetry and spirituals, and tells the little-known stories of three posthumously-awarded Congressional Medal of Honor minority recipients.
Make sure you check out the relevant exhibition Fighting for Democracy: Who is the “We” in “We the People, which closes that day.
Interested in other ways of participating in MLK Day in Philly? Register to volunteer at one of the 1,200 service projects throughout the city that day, or create your own personal service project within your own community.
MLK Day at the National Constitution Center
Where: 525 Arch Street
When: Monday, January 16, beginning at 11 a.m.
Cost: Free with museum admission
More info: www.constitutioncenter.org
December 30, 2011
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
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…
December 29, 2011
New Year's Eve in Philadelphia — Sugarhouse Casino once again presents Twice the Fireworks! Twice the Fun! Fireworks shows at 6 p.m and midnight this Saturday, December 31. Where will you watch? (Photo courtesy SugarHouse Casino)
Philadelphia’s 21st Annual New Year’s Eve Celebration, presented by SugarHouse Casino, will once again take place at Penn’s Landing with two fireworks shows at 6 p.m. and again at midnight.
Check out our guide to best spots to view the fireworks, and browse through some fun facts about the explosive celebrations, below, to get pumped for the big event!
Production
• The fireworks shows are produced by Pyrotecnico, one of the largest producers of fireworks in America. Pyrotecnico has put on displays for The Army/Navy Game and Temple University Football and provides all of the pyrotechnics effects for The Eagles, The Phillies and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Music
• The 6 p.m. show is titled “Wishing you a Philadelphia New Year, A Salute to the Philadelphia Orchestra,” so the entire score is performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra. Musical works include: Handel’s Messiah, Dance Bacchanale from Samson and Dalila, The Nutcracker Ballet, Swan Lake: Act 1 and the William Tell Overture.
• The midnight show is titled “Party on the Delaware” and features popular hits that will have you moving and grooving. Think Auld Lang Syne (Mariah Carey), Party Rock (LMFAO), DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love (Usher), Someone Like You (Adele), We Found Love (Rihanna), Give Me Everything Tonight (Pitbull/Ne-Yo), The Edge Of Glory (Lady Gaga), Blow (Ke$ha) and This City (Patrick Stump).
Technology
• It takes about 75 hours to design and choreograph each display for December 31, 2011. After the soundtrack is finalized, a computer roadmap is designed that uses SMPTE time codes to creats a graphical display along with music via WAV files and a time source code creating the sequence of firing for the show.
• The December 31 display will use up to 10” shells and a 20-foot arc, including pyrotechnics from Europe, Italy and Asia.
• GPS Clocks are used to coordinate with KYW Newsradio 1060 and CBS 3 so all moving parts will be in sync for the big bang.
• The New Year’s Eve display uses more than 4,000 devices representing 4+ tons of net explosives and will use 5 miles of wire and cable by a crew of 10 people to set up for the shows during the 3 days prior to the show.
• Pyrotecnico uses the Pyrodigital Computer Firing System, which powers some of the world’s most prestigious displays, including the Statue of Liberty, Eiffel Tower, The Pyramids of Giza, The Sydney Bridge, The Olympic Games, Disney World, Universal Studios, Six Flags and many others.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks: Sugarhouse Casino presents Twice the Fireworks! Twice the Fun!
When: December 31, 6 p.m. and midnight. Two shows!!
Where: Delaware River Waterfront
Cost: Free
Details: www.visitphilly.com
December 27, 2011
Continue the New Year's party into the next day at Frankford Hall. (Photo courtesy Frankford Hall)
Frankford Hall is giving you a great excuse to roll out of bed on New Year’s Day.
The Fishtown beer garden is screening College Bowl games all day on the 60” flat screen at the bar inside, as well as their 8 ft. by 8 ft. projector in the courtyard, based upon the weather.
There will be Happy Hour prices all day long. That means half liter drafts are $5, liter drafts are $10, Bavarian pretzel with a half liter of Vitory Prima Pils is $6, a choice of sausage with half liter of any draft is $8 and french fries with delicious house-made curry ketchup is $3.
Six brand new, seriously impressive burgers created by Chef Jim Davidson have been added to the expanded menu, so if you need a real food fix, you’re set.
And not only are there 18+ heat lamps outside, complemented by an awesome new fire pit, the ping pong tables are still in full effect, as are the perfect-for-groups card and table games like Jenga and Uno.
Plus: if you wear your pajamas, Bloody Mary’s are just $2. We’re there.
New Year’s Day at Frankford Hall
Where: 1210 Frankford Avenue
When: January 1, all day
Cost: Pay as you go
More info: www.frankfordhall.com
December 27, 2011
Christmas in Philadelphia is once again eco-friendly this year, with a tree-cycling program running Tuesday, January 3 through Saturday, January 14.
Since trees put out curbside will be collected as trash, you’ll want to be sure you help Philadelphia stay green and drop off your tree for recycling.
The Streets Department Sanitation Convenience Centers located at 3033 South 63rd Street; Domino Lane and Umbria Street; and State Road and Ashburner Street will be collecting trees from 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Christmas trees brought to the site should be free of all decorations, untied and without plastic bags or other wrappings.
You can contact the Customer Affairs Unit at (215) 686-5560 for further information.
You have a few additional options for treecycling, included below.
2012 Christmas Tree Recycling Program [Phila.gov]
December 27, 2011
Ring in 2012 with two fireworks shows on the Delaware River as SugarHouse Casino once again presents Twice the Fireworks! Twice the Fun! (Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)
As we’ve mentioned, 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.
Take in the 6 p.m. show and spend the rest of your night out on the town, or enjoy a special dinner in the evening and conclude your night with the traditional midnight showing.
The displays, along the Delaware River, are about 15 minutes each, set against the beautiful backdrop of the Philadelphia skyline with fun soundtracks tailored to the shows. But where exactly is the best vantage point?
Leave that to us to help you decide. Here are our top picks for fireworks-viewing spots. You can also check out Visit Philly’s guide to fireworks-watching.
• Blue Cross RiverRink: Columbus Boulevard & Market Street. Winter sports enthusiasts cam celebrate at the Blue Cross RiverRink’s New Year’s Eve Party on Ice, a family-friendly affair that boasts one of the best views of the city’s breathtaking fireworks displays over the Delaware River. Skaters can catch one of two sparkling shows during the early (5-7 p.m.) and late (11 p.m.-1 a.m.) parties. Tickets are $30 for skaters and $20 for spectators.
• Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing: Chestnut Street and Columbus Boulevard. Head to the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing for a front-row view of the fireworks backed by a synchronized soundtrack during the spectacular show.
• Race Street Pier: Race Street and Delaware Avenue. This is an amazing spot to watch but we recommend you get there early, as it’s probably going to fill up fast. Also keep in mind that alcohol, BBQ and glass containers are not permitted at the Pier.
• Village Belle: 757 S. Front Street. Get a spectacular view of the New Year’s Eve fireworks at Penn’s Landing and a delicious four-course meal at Village Belle featuring lobster bisque, strip steak and cheesecake spring rolls with raspberry sauce. Choose from two seatings: 6 p.m. ($75 per person) and 9 p.m. ($125 per person). An open bar package is available for $50 per person.
• Independence Seaport Museum: Columbus Boulevard at Walnut Street. A maritime New Year’s Eve celebration is on deck at the Independence Seaport Museum along the waterfront. Grab a complimentary party hat and noisemaker before heading outside to the second-floor terrace to watch the fireworks spectacular over the Delaware River at 6 p.m. The museum comes alive at 8:30 p.m. during the Buccaneers Ball, a swashbuckler-themed New Year’s Eve celebration with live music, drinks, dinner and dancing ending with the fireworks show at midnight.
Continue reading, below.
December 27, 2011
Great news, hockey fans!
We got our hands on two more tickets to the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Citizens Bank Park on January 2, 2012 — and we’re giving them away to one lucky fan.
Ashley S. was the lucky winner of our first Winter Classic ticket giveaway and if you missed out on that, we have one more chance for you to win tickets to the big game
To enter, just fill out the form below by noon on December 29. You may enter once per day per email address, so enter all three days to increase your chance to win. The contest ends this Thursday. Click here for the official rules.
Good luck and GO FLYERS!
NHL Winter Classic: Philadelphia Flyers vs. New York Rangers
When: January 2, 2012 at 1 p.m.
Where: Citizens Bank Park, Citizens Bank Way and Pattison Avenue
More info: www.nhl.com/winterclassic
December 26, 2011
New Year's in Philadelphia is huge this year, with an action-packed week starting December 26 through January 2. (Photo credits clockwise from top left: G. Widman for GPTMC, courtesy National Constitution Center, courtesy Center City District, courtesy the NHL)
From the day after Christmas until the day after the New Year, December 26 through January 2, there are plenty of exciting and entertaining events and activities for families, couples, singles, sports fans, culture vultures and everyone in between to do day and night in the Philadelphia region.
Visit Philly is New Year’s central, packed with fireworks-watching tips, great hotel packages, dinner and party ideas and more.
But before you head over there, we have a brief guide to making a week out of New Year’s this year.
Three highlights from major attractions:
• National Constitution Center’s Winter Holiday Celebration: This year the National Constitution Center has got your post-Christmas holiday fun covered, as it hosts a special Winter Holiday Celebration Monday, December 26 through Saturday, December 31. During the week, the Grand Hall Lobby will be home to a bunch of great holiday-themed activities, like holiday games and crafts making, where kids will be able to decorate their own confetti crackers, New Year’s noise makers and hats.
• Franklin Institute New Year’s Week: In honor of the final week of 2011 beginning Monday, December 26, the Franklin Institute is hosting a slew of special programming. The museum is opening its popular Joel N. Bloom Observatory to the public every night during the week of December 26-30. Plus, there will be chemistry shows, dino digs and more.
• Historic Philadelphia New Year’s Week: With something for everyone, Historic Philadelphia fills the holiday week with family-friendly activities and great dates from December 26-31. See a Colonial Chocolate-making Demonstration at the Betsy Ross House, enjoy free make-and-take crafts at Liberty 360 and more.
Keep reading, below, for 8 Days And 22 Ways To Spend Philly New Year’s Week! We’ll be back tomorrow with more fun ideas for spending New Year’s Eve and Day, and other great stuff going on in the coming weeks.
New Year’s Week in Philadelphia [Visit Philly]
December 23, 2011
Join the African American Museum in Philadelphia for two days of Kwanzaa celebrations, December 28 and December 31.
On Wednesday, December 28 from 1-1:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 31 from noon-12:30 p.m., there will be a special candle-lighting ceremony.
Learn the meaning of Kwanzaa and its rituals, discuss the Nguzo Saba, or Seven Principles, witness the candle-lighting, and sing along with Mlanjeni’s Magical Theater in this family-friendly program.
Then from 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, and 12:30-1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Camara Arts will teach a Drum and Dance Workshop. Get the whole family moving towards a healthy, active new year while connecting through traditional African movement and music.
Wednesday from 2:30-4:30 p.m., or Saturday 1:30-3:30 p.m., Martina Johnson Allen and Tanya Murphy Dodd will teach a Mixing Media Art Workshop appropriate for all ages, drawing on themes from AAMP’s current exhibition, Mixing Metaphors.
Finally, from 3-4:30 p.m. on both days, the museum will screen The Black Candle, an explosive documentary that uses Kwanzaa as a vehicle to celebrate the African American experience. It’s narrated by Maya Angelou and directed by award-winning author and filmmaker M.K. Asante, Jr.
Bonus: attend the Wednesday Kwanzaa Celebration and you can enter for a chance to win 2 Southwest Airlines Tickets to anywhere that Southwest flies!
All Kwanzaa activities are free with museum admission.
Kwanzaa Celebrations at the African American Museum in Philadelphia
When: Wednesday, December 28 and Saturday, December 31
Where: 701 Arch Street
Cost: Adults $10, Kids 4-12/Students/Seniors $8
More info: www.aampmuseum.org
December 23, 2011
Celebrate Christmas with a delicious dinner, holiday lights sight-seeing or a visit to the Christmas Village, closing December 24. (Photo by M. Fischetti for GPTMC)
The most wonderful weekend of the year is upon us (actually, we think every weekend in Philadelphia is wonderful), and there are plenty of ways to celebrate.
We have a highly curated list of the best options for Christmas Eve and Christmas night dinner, what holiday happenings are worth your time this weekend, and what non-Christmas celebrations are going on as well.
Our top picks for this long holiday weekend, Friday night through Monday, below:
Friday, December 23
ComedySportz Philadelphia’s “A Very Special Ladies and Gentlemen Christmas Special” — Closing Day!
Haddonfield’s Candlelight Shopping — Closing Day!
Woodmere Art Museum Friday Night Jazz: Holiday Edition
Art After 5 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art: Escape to Toyland
Fancy Folks: Art And Mummery at City Hall
Roundup: Our Top 10 Picks For Holiday Dates In And Around Philadelphia
Twelve Nights of Christmas Cocktails at Square 1682 — Closing Day!
Lantern Theater Company’s Private Lives
Laughing All the Way at Act II Playhouse (Fri, Sat)
1812 Productions’ This Is The Week That Is (Fri, Mon)
Pennsylvania Ballet’s The Nutcracker (Fri, Sat, Mon)
Saturday, December 24
Our Top Picks For Feasts Of The Seven Fishes In Philadelphia
Roundup: Where To Eat Out For Christmas Eve In Philadelphia
The Moo Shu Jew Show at the Gershman Y
Christmas Village in Philadelphia — Closing Day!
Warm up with our guide to hot drinks
Our Top Picks For Holiday Theater In Philadelphia
Reading Terminal Market Holiday Railroad (Fri, Sat, Mon)
ToyTime and Under the Tree at the Mercer Museum (Fri, Sat, Mon)
Read on, below.
