Recently, the 50-foot Abie Concolor/White fir rested for a moment next to its custom pedestal before getting dressed up for the big 6abc Presents: City of Philadelphia Tree Lighting Celebration at City Hall on December 5th at 7 p.m. in Center City Philadelphia. It will look something like this come to show time (right, photo). Phillyholidays.com Photos by Tu Huynh
FunTimes Magazine Culture + Entertainment column, week of November 25, 2024.
“The one who plants trees knowing that he will never sit in their shade has at least started to understand the meaning of life.”
— Rabindranath Tagore, Hindu poet-composer-philosopher
December is calling, as the final breath of November exhales. So, come on. Get your coat; let’s fa-la-la-la merrily into the final month. To get you going, explore these free or low-cost activities highlighting hair care, jazz, poetry, open music shows, and holiday festivals. Please don’t forget: When event-going, take precautions, especially when among groups and while indoors, with the ongoing risk of COVID-19 variants.
Orrin Evans
Big Sound, Big Band
Friday, November 29, 2024. Put Orrin Evans and the Captain Black Big Band on your social calendar. You’ll be in for a treat. Enjoy a concert led by Philadelphia’s pianist-band leader Orrin Evans, known for his entertaining, improvisational, bold compositions and performances. The joint will be jumping when jazz marries soulful R&B. The all-star program will include tunes from the band’s recent album, Walk A Mile In My Shoe. The featured vocalists will be Philly’s Joanna Pascale and South Jersey’s Paul Jost, plus GRAMMY-winning Philadelphia-born Bilal, for a cocktail of gospel, jazz, soul, blues, and hip-hop. Local jazz artist and Ensemble Arts Education & Community Engagement staff member Josh Lawrence also will perform with the band. It’s all part of Ensemble Arts’ Jazz Series. $39 to $69; 7:30 p.m. EST. Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (Perelman Theater), 300 S. Broad St. Buy tickets daily, from 10 a.m. to EST to 6 p.m. EST, at the Academy of Music Box Office, 240 S. Broad St., or call 215-893-1999 or www.ensembleartsphilly.org.
Poetry With A Purpose
Sunday, December 1, 2024. Germantown residents: This is for you. Take part in the Healing Verse Germantown Poetry Workshop to address the impact of gun violence. This important workshop is part of Healing Verse Germantown: The Streets Are Taking, a neighborhood poetry and public art initiative tackling the chilling effects of gun issues. Healing Verse Germantown artists/curators Trapeta B. Mayson and Yolanda Wisher, as well as a licensed social worker/trauma specialist team, will encourage residents to express their experiences related to gun violence through their healing verses of poetry. The how-to workshop will provide the tools needed to guide you through the creative writing process. Get writing supplies, a notebook, and a tote bag of mental health resources. Free, pre-registration is required. Free, 11 a.m. EST to 1:30 p.m. EST. Ubuntu Fine Art, 5423 Germantown Ave. eventbrite.com.
Hair-care With Flair
Monday, December 2, 2024. Comb through your calendars and make room for this self-care event. Philadelphia hair stylist Tanisha Singleton Thompson makes caring for your hair fun. She will teach youngsters how to groom their natural hair in the final (of six) Hair Flair Experience educational sessions. Thompson, with expert help from her daughters, will show you how to use professional styling tools, and hair products, and answer questions about hair wellness. Learn to prep natural hair for extension and hot tools; lengthening your braids, needling your tracks, and flat-ironing textured hair. For all youth ages. Free, 3:30 p.m. EST. West Oak Lane Library, 2000 E. Washington Ln. (74th Ave. and Washington Ln.) 215-685-2843 or https://libwww.freelibrary.org/calendar/event/143636.
Paula Jones
From The Blues to Bliss, Paula Jones Is Jazzed
Wednesday, December 4, 2024. “For an entertaining evening of classic jazz, check out Philadelphia’s Paula Jones in concert; she’s the consummate cabaret singer. From tales of woe and wonder, the jazz vocalist’s style is reminiscent of Ella Fitzgerald. From the moment she studied piano at age 5, she was destined for the stage. Jones and her band join pianist Dave Posmontier, host of the “Jazz @ The Center” First Wednesday Neighborhood Concerts Series. $15 in advance, $20 at the door; free for students & kids under 12 years old; 7:30 p.m. EST to 9 p.m. EST. Cheltenham Center for the Arts, 439 Ashbourne Rd, Cheltenham, Pa. E-mail: info@jazzbridge.org, 215-517-8337 or https://www.jazzbridge.org/calendar/paul-johns-at-the-cheltenham-center-for-the-arts/.
Shine And Share Your Skills & Voice
Thursday, December 5, 2024. It’s a place to rock the mic and speak your mind respectfully. Check out Black Men Speak: An Open Mic Event, a fundraiser and inspiring night of creativity, camaraderie, and community. Take to the stage and share your powerful experiences or take part as a curious spectator. Listen up to all singers, rappers, spoken-word artists, and comedians: This is a golden chance to share your voices with the community. The event will be held by Dear Black Man, You Good? a nonprofit established to address the mental health of Black men. The fundraiser will assist in continuing the organization’s therapeutic support groups and other community programming. Of particular interest are the themes focusing on mental health, masculinity, identity, race/racism, LGBTQ+ issues, trauma, healing, joy, happiness, self-care, love, hate, social justice, and navigating the world as a Black man. Pre-registration is encouraged for performers whose segments are a maximum of 5 minutes and will be recorded. Free but a donation of $25 is suggested to help support the nonprofit’s work. 7:30 p.m. EST to 9:30 EST, Linden Avenue Studios, 1525 N. American St. E-mail: dearblkmanpodcast@gmail.com or eventbrite.com.
Creatives Step Up To The Mic
Thursday, December 5, 2024. Elevate your Thursday, and check out The Hustler Of Culture Show, an open-mic variety showcase of poets, MCs, comedians, and vocalists. The featured artists will be comedian Larry Lancaster, vocalist Margel Overton, and poet/MC: Rich Flow. The host will be E the poet-emcee with DJ Stacey Dowling, of Dowling’s Palace, and a live band. Before the performances, enjoy the “Networking/Hustler’s Meet Up” to chill over conversation and cocktails (2 for $12 drink specials). Join the after-party with the sounds of DJ Stacey Dowling. $15 to $20 in advance, 7 p.m. EST to 11 p.m. EST. The Bayou Lounge, 5025 Baltimore Ave. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hustler-of-culture-show-tickets-1066603171799.
Festival Of Fun In West Philly
Friday, December 6, 2024. uCity Square Holiday Fest is the place to get your holiday spirit on! West Philly comes alive with a dazzling holiday tree lighting ceremony, gift shopping in a bustling marketplace of local vendors, an ornament-making workshop, and photos with Santa. Enjoy the uCity Square Beer Garden, fare from food trucks, live music, and crafts. Free entry, 4 p.m. EST to 7 p.m. EST. The Lawn, 3701 Filbert St. eventbrite.com.
Exhibit Delves Into The Gender Wealth Gap
Through Friday, January 31, 2025. The Today We Are Possible photography exhibit examines the links between gender and wealth. The sharp lens of photographer Gregory Wright captures portraits of Philadelphia women — Faith, Ingrid, Ivy, Taina, Tamara, and Tracey. Their personal stories and experiences provide a keen perspective on wealth related to health, community, love, and belonging. Engage with Free Library of Philadelphia resources and services including a materials display featuring related items available for browsing and to borrow from the library. The exhibit is a partnership between the nonprofit WOMEN’S WAY and the Mayor’s Office of Engagement for Women. Free, 5 p.m. EST. Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library, 68 West Chelten Ave. (Greene St. and Chelten Ave.). 215-685-2150 or womensway.org/exhibit/.
Coach B. Wright-Jones Wants You To ‘Keep Looking Up’
Coach B. Wright-Jones is an author, certified life coach, blogger, motivational speaker, and podcast host. She is a woman of all media trades. And she wants to share her wit and wisdom. So, check out Bulinda Wright-Jones’ podcast, Get Unstuck, and S.E.X.Y., Keep Looking Up, on most major podcast platforms. The show focuses on self — self-confidence, self-help, and various transformational inspirational themes. Thursdays, 3 p.m. EST. https://www.youtube.com/@bulindawright or bwrightjones.com.
