Ensemble Arts Philly at the Kimmel Center offers hands-on educational experiences to families through youth music and community programs. About 35,000 children in the Philadelphia area are served in these arts-education programs each year: https://www.ensembleartsphilly.org
FunTimes Magazine: ‘Culture & Entertainment’ column, week of January 26, 2026.
“I’m not going outside until the temperature is above my age.”
– Unknown
Is it so frigid that you can’t feel your face? Do you feel like you’re living inside a freezer? Welcome to the wonder of winter. They call January “the Monday of months.” No way. There’s just so much to see and do to bring the light of joy to the darkness of the new year. But since January is going out like a lion in a snowy United States, be sure to check in advance to see if the suggested events here will indeed go on, as scheduled. Here is some low-cost or free entertainment to thaw out in the season of freezin’!
Art Sherrod, Jr. Photo courtesy of artsherrodjr.com
Sherrod Brings The Sax Appeal
Thursday, January 29, 2026. Spend an evening with the saxy sounds of recording star Art Sherrod, Jr. performing with the Gerald Veasley Band. The acclaimed saxophonist Sherrod draws inspiration from jazz legends Cannonball Adderley, David Sanborn, Gerald Albright, and Kirk Whalum. Sherrod comes from a musical family in Texas and is known for his eclectic impassioned tastes ranging from country, gospel, hip-hop, rap, rock, and jazz — both modern and classic. His rich melodies are nuanced and emotional. Two shows: 6:30 p.m. EST & 9 p.m. EST, $40 per ticket for each show. Unscripted Jazz at SOUTH, 600 N. Broad St. 267-225-8018 or https://www.exploretock.com/south-unscripted-jazz-philadelphia/
Girls & Their Hoops Are ‘UNRIVALED’
Thursday, January 29, 2026. Vibe out at Philly is UNRIVALED, a welcome party and meet & greet celebrating women’s professional basketball and Philly culture. Hosted by Tonya Pendleton and Stacey Pearl, this event puts women’s sports where it belongs: At center court. Soak up the conversation over craft beer at Pennsylvania’s first and only Black-owned brewery. Enjoy a tequila cocktail tasting and basketball Quizzo and special guest rapper and entrepreneur Chill Moody. The event will be a great prep for the Unrivaled 3-on-3 women’s basketball tournament featuring the Women’s National Basketball Association’s top stars and its January 30th game in Philadelphia. Free; $12.51 per ticket for those interested in the Tequila tasting, 1 complimentary Tequila cocktail, and a raffle ticket to win cool merch.; 6 p.m. EST to 10 p.m. EST. Two Locals Brewing Company. 3675 Market St. (Suite 100). 267-969-837 or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/philly-is-unrivaled-presented-by-tonya-pendleton-stacey-pearl-tickets 1980323869001?aff=ehometext#location
De Cerca at Teatro Esperanza
Get Close With De Cerca
Saturday, January 31, 2026. Revel in an evening featuring the Philadelphia Ballet Company’s Latinx and Hispanic dancers at De Cerca. The Philadelphia Ballet and Esperanza Arts Center will present De Cerca, which means “close” in Spanish. Enjoy “Connect” by choreographer Juliano Nunes and “Concerto Francaix” by choreographer Charles Askgard. Afterwards, partake in refreshments and conversation with the Philadelphia Ballet Company dancers in a reception in Esperanza Arts Center’s Gran Salon. $15 per ticket; free for students and senior citizens, 60 and older. 3 p.m. EST, Performances in the Teatro Esperanza stage, 4261 N 5th St. https://globalphiladelphia.org/events/de-cerca-teatro-esperanza
Join A Pre-Grammy Music Meet-up
Saturday, January 31, 2026. Music buffs: Here’s a cool way to celebrate the upcoming February 1st Grammy Awards. Join PhillyPOP, a group that meets casually to discuss popular music just like a book club but with playlists. Listen to Spotify and YouTube playlists in advance and discuss them at the meeting. Take part in the fun at the group’s latest session, PhillyPOP #7 Grammy Awards Special, the night before the actual televised Grammy’s, which have been around in the United States since 1959. Discuss the Grammys’ impact on music and pop culture, how they’ve changed over the years, memorable moments and performances from past ceremonies, how they’ve impacted the careers of nominated and winning artists, etc. The “everything Grammys” conversation will prepare you to confidently discuss the 2026 Grammys at watch parties, social gatherings, group chats, and at work. The playlist includes Grammy winners for Song of the Year and Record of the Year for the past 30 years, 1996 to 2025. Free, but pre-register; 8 p.m. EST to 10 p.m. EST. Renata’s Kitchen, 3940 Baltimore Ave. Email: phillypopmeetup@gmail.com or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/phillypop-7-grammy-awards-special-all-rotys-sotys-1996-2025-tickets-1979082571246
Don’t Be Late To Skate
Saturday, January 31, 2026. Rivers Casino Philadelphia will celebrate America’s 250thbirthday celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence this year with Philly Skates Free. Lace up the ice skates and go for a spin at the Independence Blue Cross RiverRink along the Delaware River. Check out a schedule of fun festivities all day long. Admission and skate rentals are free courtesy of River Casino. Cool, that’s $17 savings right here. Plus, get a free slice of birthday cake to commemorate the two-century+ old Declaration of Independence. Happy hour drinks are half price, from 6 p.m. EST to 10 p.m. EST. Independence Blue Cross RiverRink, 121 N. Columbus Blvd. 215-922-2FUN or https://www.delawareriverwaterfront.com/where-to-go/blue-cross-riverrink-winterfest
Sign Up To Create An Arts-Service Project
Monday, February 2 to Thursday, May 14, 2026. Up to 30 Philadelphia high school students can register for the Doing Good spring semester. Open to students in the ninth to 12th grades, Doing Good is a hands-on afterschool educational program in classrooms led by experienced performers, artists, and educators. Learn budgeting, event management, setting goals, and planning a project. Use these skills on a team to develop an arts service project in your community. The program will be a 12-week program, starting in February. In a Shark Tank-style format, teams will pitch their original project ideas to a panel of experts before implementing. Each team will be get up to $500 to carry out their projects.They will earn a stipend of up to $825 at the end of the program. Meals and public transit passes will be provided. The initiative is organized by Project 440 designed to create service-based career learning opportunities for youth. Free; apply by pre-registering. Doing Good will be held on Mondays and Thursdays, from 4:30 p.m. EST to 6:30 p.m. EST. Temple University Center City Campus, 1515 Market St, Email: info@project440.org, 814-776-5440 or LEARN MORE or https://project440.org/doinggood
By Special Request…
If you’re into classical or jazz, then WRTI (90.1 FM) public radio in the Philadelphia area may just be your jam. Make your personal request to air Mondays to Thursdays on two programs: Jazz at Your Request program at 9 a.m. EST. and Classical At Your Request, at noon. Request your favorite tunes, or go old school radio and make a dedication for a birthday or anniversary. Free. Just go online and fill out a request form for one, or both, programs: https://www.wrti.org/wrti-spotlight/classical-and-jazz-at-your-request
