LOVE Park with City Hall in the backdrop
Photo by Tu Huynh
FunTimes Magazine, “Culture + Entertainment” column, Week of December 11, 2023
The name December is derived from the Latin decem or “ten,” based on the 10th month of the early Roman calendar. Well, today it has advanced to the 12th month. But December is still a Perfect 10 in our book. In honor of the theme, here are 10 free or low-cost entertainment activities to fall in love with, as you jingle-bell rock around the month. And while enjoying the event-filled final days of 2023, please take precautions, especially when in groups and indoors, with the current COVID variants and other infectious health threats.
Holiday music that rises to the occasion
Thursday, December 14, 2023. International jazz performer Lori Williams is a perfect fix to help you get in the holiday mood. Georgia native Williams is in town to perform at Unscripted Jazz at SOUTH, a soulful holiday concert of classics. Williams is a singer, music educator, songwriter, producer, actress, radio host, business owner (PositiveMusicPM.org), and artist-in-residence. Over 30 years of perfecting her vocals, she has worked with Yolanda Adams, Regina Belle, and George Duke. Williams has globetrotted the world, from Europe to the Far East. She has mentored students on college campuses in the United States and abroad. Two shows: 7 p.m. EST ($39) and 9 p.m. EST ($35). South Restaurant & Jazz Club, 600 N. Broad St. Southjazzkitchen.com or 267-225-8018
Jeanrix
Star-studded Philly fashion brand
Saturday, December 16, 2023. A coat of paint does wonders. Two Philly designers took the concept and ran with it. As part of Philly Fashion Week, join celebrity fashionistas Jeantrix for Art & Fashion – Painting with Jeantrix, a dynamic class of fashion instruction on how to create dynamic custom pieces with paint. The wearable art by the Philly-based Jeantrix — made up of entrepreneurs Deric “Nyce” Crawley and Muhammad “Homm” Abdul-Basit — was featured in Beyoncé’s Black Is King visual album. Besides Queen Bee, the duo has worked with Missy Elliot and Lil Nas X. Free, noon to 3 p.m. EST. Fashion District Philadelphia, 901 Market St., info@phillyfashionweek.org.
Lemon Hill Mansion. Source: parkcharms.org
Holiday traditions of the world
Saturday and Sunday, December 16-17, 2023. The folks at the Fairmount Park Conservancy at the Lemon Hill Mansion in East Fairmount Park just love decorating for the holidays. After a brief hiatus due to renovations in recent years, they’re now back with their magical holiday touch. Check out Winter Wonder Around the World: 2023 Holidays in the Park at Lemon Hill. Immerse yourself in the seasonal traditions of international cultures. See how people around the world celebrate the winter season with decorated rooms and a host of festive activities. Participating groups include The American Swedish Historical Museum and the Mexican Cultural Center. Courtesy of Welcome America, Inc., weekend admission is free. It’s called Family Weekend, with live musical performances, children’s activities, and visits by Santa. Free admission for everyone. 10 a.m. EST to 4 p.m. EST. Lemon Hill, Sedgeley, and Lemon Hill Drive. 215-988-9335 or myphillypark.org.
‘Black Nativity’ shines a light on African-American culture
Wednesday, Dec 20, 2023 to Saturday, December 23, 2023. Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity, a gospel musical play, has been a holiday mainstay worldwide for decades. Hughes wrote the piece in 1961 presenting the Nativity story through an interpretation of African-American themes and perspectives. John W. Graves III adds a contemporary vision to Hughes’ original work and focuses on a community coming together for its annual Christmas Midnight Musical. The heartwarming production is not without strife highlighted by powerful music to create an inspiring experience. $50 to $80, times vary. University of the Arts, Elaine C. Levitt Auditorium, 401 South Broad St., jgp.ticketleap.com.
Toy with this idea….
Through Wednesday, December 20, 2023. The CBS Joy of Sharing Toy Drive is in its 36th year. The Kimmel Center and CBS3 are partnering with the Salvation Army for this annual toy collection of new, unwrapped toys. If interested, bring your toy donations to the Kimmel Center lobby, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays. kimmelculturalcampus.org.
Rendering of Dick Allen mural.
Photo courtesy of the Phillies
Wall ball
The imposing Dick (Richie) Allen seemed to be larger than life when he graced the big-league baseball diamond. So, he should be larger than life in death. On December 7th, officials unveiled a rendering of a 2,000-square-foot mural paying tribute to Allen, who died in 2020, at the mural’s future home at 2221 S. Broad St. in the shadow of Citizens Bank Park. It is yet another overdue honor for the former Philadelphia Phillies’ great. Mural Arts Philadelphia, the City of Philadelphia, and the Phillies showed off the mural design in South Philadelphia. Allen spent two different stints with the Phillies in the 1960s, and later in the 1970s. He was inducted into the Phillies Wall of Fame at Citizens Bank Park in 1994. The Phillies also retired Allen’s uniform number 15 in 2020, following his death. He played 15 seasons for five teams. He had a .292 batting average, 1,848 hits, 351 home runs, 1,119 RBIs, and 1,099 runs scored. He won the Rookie of the Year award with the Phillies in 1964 and a prestigious American League Most Valuable Player award with the Chicago White Sox in 1972. The mural, designed by artist Ernel Martinez, is scheduled to be dedicated in the late spring when you can see it for free. muralarts.org or mlb.com.
Teen Voices of the City Ensemble
Santa, concerts, and more
Saturday, December 16, 2023. Santa‘s coming to town if you haven’t heard yet. Ring in the season with a Christmas Celebration, which includes a visit from St. Nick, caroling, plus a special concert featuring Teen Voices of the City Ensemble, at the Please Touch Museum in Fairmount Park. Reserve your tickets in advance: $19 to $22; two sessions: 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. EST, and 2:30 to 3 p.m. EST. Enjoy the performances, and have access to activities in the whole museum. Please Touch Museum/ Hamilton Hall, Memorial Hall, 4231 Avenue of the Republic, 215-581-3181 or PleaseTouchMuseum.org.
On the big screen
Through Monday, January 1, 2024. Check out the 15th Anniversary of The Comcast Holiday Spectacular — a polished 15-minute video show on a gigantic 2,000-square-foot hi-def screen featuring holiday songs, performances by the Philadelphia Ballet, and a sleigh ride around the world and straight into Santa’s favorite drop-off spot, Philadelphia. Free, daily, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST; shows at the top of every hour. Comcast Center Campus, Comcast Center lobby, 1701 John F. Kennedy Blvd. phillyholidayexperience.com.
Penguins come to light.
Heavy on the lights
Through Saturday, January 6, 2024. America’s first zoo has been around at least since July 1874. But this is a modern zoo that is both historical and hip. Check out one of the best holiday light shows in town — LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo. LumiNature presented by PNC, offers colorful outdoor displays, light performers, and more than one million sparkling lights (it’s a good thing Peco is one of its event sponsors) in 16 “illuminated zones.” LumiNature highlights “the wonder of wildlife and the beauty of our planet.” Enjoy the Penguin Prismatic featuring a 4-foot-tall penguin with 40,000 lights, and a 25-foot-tall holiday tree comprised of 1,500 illuminated flamingo lawn ornaments. 5 p.m. EST to at least 9 p.m. EST. Kids under age 2 are free; $20 to $28. 3400 W. Girard Ave., 215-243-1100 or https://www.philadelphiazoo.org/luminature/.
Podcasts look at the Black experience
Check out the third season of the HearTOGETHER podcast, which begins with the introduction of new host Khadija Mbowe, who chronicles her experiences with race, gender, opera, and music. The monthly series of almost 30 podcasts spotlights dialogue and music with music industry thought-leaders and performers who explore racial and social justice, and creative equity through the world of orchestral music. Dr. Guthrie Ramsey, music historian-composer and Professor of Music at the University of Pennsylvania, joins Season 4, episode 1. It highlights Judith Anne Still, daughter of composer William Grant Still, who died in 1978. Listeners will hear Still’s music and learn about his life and how his experiences informed his compositions. He created almost 200 works, from symphonies to operas. His music was unheralded until recently. Other HearTogether episodes include a couple of Emmy Award-winning actors Sheryl Lee Ralph and Sen. Vincent Hughes, the Rev. Mark Tyler, and State Rep. Joanna E. McClinton. the first African-American woman to be elected as the House Democratic Caucus chairman. Free. On Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. philorch.org.
