FunTimes Magazine Culture + Entertainment column, week of January 6, 2025.
“Kindness is like snow — it beautifies everything it covers.”
— Lebanese-American writer Kahlil Gibran (1883 – 1931)
January was once described as “the gateway to the future.” These interesting events could be in your near future: They run the gamut: Stand-up comedy in church, a virtual look at the life and times of the beloved entertainer Pearl Bailey, a night out for back-to-school college students, and – you have to check this out — a “silent” dance party with three DJs and night clubbers wearing headphones. Enjoy these pearls of entertainment in January, but don’t forget: When event-going, take precautions, especially when among groups and while indoors, with the ongoing risk of COVID-19 variants and other infectious health concerns.
Holy & Hilarious
Friday, January 10, 2025. Places of worship are not synonymous with comedy. But that’s because you never heard of X Clean Chuckles Presents Church Chuckles, which is billed as “Christian comedy with a purpose.” Enjoy a night of fellowship, camaraderie, clean comedy, raffles, goodie bags and more. Set the tone for the new year with some lively comic relief presented by Providence Baptist Church of Germantown and hosted by Lamarr Todd. Tickle your funny bone with featured stand-up comedians Shanell Rene, John Phillips, and Jemaine Jones, You might catch yourself rolling in the pews. Register in advance: $30; 7 p.m. EST (doors open 6 p.m. EST) Lutheran Theological Seminary, 7301 Germantown Ave. E-mail: alycynreye@gmail.com, eventbrite.com.
Life Of A Pearl
One thing is evident after a journey through the online exhibit of The Pearl Bailey Showcase: The show biz world was Pearl’s oyster. The interactive exhibit is a deep dive into the singer-actor’s personal life and career. Peruse some items from the African American Museum in Philadelphia’s Bailey/Bellson Collection curated by Michael K. Wilson, Ph.D. See Bailey’s scrapbooks and archival documents starting from her childhood through her life later in entertainment to international politics. The beloved Bailey kept and chronicled many of her experiences in more than 100 hand-crafted scrapbook collages filled with photographs, postcards, and newspaper articles. These visual images give you a glimpse into the life of the accomplished actor, singer, songwriter, and author. She grabbed a Tony Award for the all-Black production of Hello Dolly in 1968, and an Emmy Award for her role in an after-school TV special in 1986. In 1976, she became the first African-American to receive the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1988. She earned a degree in theology from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. age 67 in 1985. She was the daughter of a preacher and spent her early childhood in Washington, D.C., where she was influenced by religion, music, and theater. Free, anytime, virtual. African American Museum in Philadelphia. 215-574-0380 or https://onlineexhibits.aampmuseum.org/pearl-bailey/introduction/.
No More Manic Mondays….
Monday, January 13, 2025. Get into the groove for the new year at Mindful Mondays: Art and Wellness Workshop Series, weekly creative virtual self-help workshops held throughout January. Get empowered and nurture your mental wellness by exploring art, mindfulness, and personal growth. Work on creating “affirmation cards,” a self-care activity to increase confidence using Index cards, small cardstock pieces, or cut paper, markers, pens, colored pencils, stickers, washi tape, or stamps. Hosted by Aurea’s Space and its founder and mental health awareness advocate, Aurea Castro, the workshops also include developing vision boards and journaling. Free but pre-register, 7 p.m. EST. eventbrite.com.
The Stage Is Yours…
Friday, January 10, 2025. Kick off 2025 creatively at Say It Wit Ya Chest featuring an open mic. Stage, poetry, music, and food. The event is set in a relaxing atmosphere and showcases the poetry of LUNE. Performers can sign up to secure a performance slot by reaching out in advance. The event is hosted by The Olive Press Media, an audio and literary production company supporting creatives. You must be at least age 21. BYOB. Pre-register, $10 admission; 7 p.m. EST to 9 p.m. EST. Malelani Café, 6734 Germantown Ave. Email: tolivepressmedia@gmail.com, the olivepressmedia.com or eventbrite.com.
Give It The Old College Try….
Saturday, January 18, 2025. This event is for all college students returning from their holiday break. Bring your campus to the club! First Night Out: College Welcome Back Week will ease you back into the school semester. Socialize and dance away the night in your best nightclub threads. If your birthday is in January, lucky you: With an arrival by 10:30 p.m. EST, admission and champagne are free. You must be at least age 18 and show a valid college ID. For students who arrive after 10:30 p.m., tickets are $10. Pre-register, 10 p.m. EST to 2 a.m. EST January 19, 2025. NOTO, 1201 Vine St. eventbrite.com.
Turn Up The Volume… In Quiet
Sunday, January 19, 2025. Enjoy a night of dancing but with a modern twist. PHILLY OFFICIAL SILENT PARTY will feature three DJs spinning hip-hop and R&B. The concept works like this: You get a pair of wireless headphones and select from three DJs with a flip of a switch. Each headset has a color that shows what channel you are listening to, so you can dance along with those listening to the same DJ. Just take off the headphones to socialize without the high volume of room-jarring music. Tickets Start at $4.10; 10 p.m. EST to 2 a.m. EST on January 20, 2025. The dance party is organized by Carter Productions. You must be at least age 21. TAB Bar & Hookah Lounge, 4101 Paul St., in Northeast Philly. eventbrite.com.
Miguel Zenón / Photo: miguelzenon.com
Zenón Has Sax Appeal
Tuesday, January 21, 2025. Liven up your Tuesday with the PRISM Quartet with Miguel Zenón in concert. Zenón, an alto saxophonist and composer, earned a Grammy Award for his masterpiece, El Arte del Bolero Vo. 2, in 2023. The Puerto Rican-born performer’s prolific innovations in jazz infused with other old and modern musical genres have brought him wide acclaim. Zenón, now a New York City resident, is a perfect complement to The PRISM Quartet, a premier chamber ensemble. Pay-what-you-wish basis, but a donation of $10, $22.50, or $35 is suggested to support PRISM Quartet’s nonprofit music programming; at 7 p.m. EST. Settlement Music School / Mary Louise Curtis Branch, 416 Queen St. For more information: HERE or eventbrite.com.
