This week marks the U.S. Presidential inaugural. In 2009, 16 years ago, the first African-American President Barack Obama made history when he was sworn into the Oval Office as the 44th president in Washington. D.C. This is artist Kehinde Wiley’s official image of Obama displayed in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington.
Photo by Randy Giancaterino
FunTimes Magazine Culture + Entertainment column, week of January 20, 2025.
“Our destiny is not written for us, but by us.”
— Barack Obama, 44th U.S. President
Promises, promises. After election years, the following January is the month of inaugural ceremonies to swear in political leaders fresh from victory who take the oath of office promising renewed unity and a new beginning. We are not politicians, but we promise to keep our promise of promoting the most pennywise, interesting, enlightening, and entertaining events for your enjoyment. We pinky-swear. From dinosaur dance parties to speed art (read on to find out more) — enjoy these rejuvenating January events. But don’t forget: When event-going, take precautions, especially when among groups and while indoors, with the risk of COVID-19 variants and other infectious health concerns.

Workshop Digs Into The Impact Of November Elections
Thursday, January 23, 2025. They call them “empowering comfy couch conversations.” Those conversations are an in-depth series of virtual workshops spawned from the annual in-person Celebrating Sisterhood She Shines Conference for professional women in Germantown last November. The upcoming follow-up session focuses on emotional health facilitated by Dr. George James, along with guest experts who participated in the 2024 She Shines Conference. The discussion will be timely, relevant, and insightful. It will dive into the emotional and mental impact of the 2024 November election results, and constructive ways to move forward. EST; free but register in advance; 7 p.m. EST. Email: Celebratingsisterhood1@gmail.com or 267-328-4582.

Face Time To ‘Relax & Restore’
Fridays, January 24 & January 31, 2025. This may be one of the only activities in which laying down is acceptable. Flush out the stress and cares of the week and get into the Zen mood at Relax & Restore with Coach Shay at Friday restorative yoga classes. In a chill and calm self-care setting, cleanse the mind, body, and soul. Coach Shay is the founder of Inner Sanctuary Wellness and a certified wellness practitioner. Pre-registration is required; arrive at least 10 minutes early. Donation of at least $5; 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. EST. Practice Yoga Co-op, 804 South 4th St. 215-755-3266 or eventbrite.com.

Get Your Start In Public Art …
Wednesday, January 29, 2025. Public Art How to Start: Approaches to Community Engagement for Artists will be an informative in-person workshop designed to teach artists how to connect with their communities through public art. It will be hosted by the Mural Arts Institute and Creative Philadelphia’s Public Art, How to Start professional development series. Find out about how Creative Philadelphia and Mural Arts impact the communities that they serve through the communal power of public art. Be part of breakout groups and question-and-answer sessions; network with other inspired creatives. Free, preregistration is required. 5:30 p.m. EST to 8 p.m. EST. Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St. eventbrite.com.

Guitarist Is Head & Shoulders Above
Thursday, January 30, 2025. No grass has grown under Adam Hawley’s musical feet. The international jazz guitarist and band leader has played with Jennifer Lopez, Natalie Cole, Lalah Hathaway, and Brian McKnight. He has earned a Doctorate in Musical Arts from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, and he’s a 16-time Billboard #1, as an artist and producer. He owns his record label, MBF Entertainment, and his six innovative albums have grabbed the music world’s attention. The doctor will be in the house in Philly at the South Jazz Club’s Unscripted Jazz Series for a night of jazz that is creamy smooth. Single tickets: $34; 9 p.m. EST to 10:15 p.m. EST. (Doors open at 5:30 p.m. EST). 600 N. Broad St. at Mt. Vernon St. 215-600-0220 or eventbrite.com.

A Ride Driven By Race
Through Sunday, February 2, 2025. Their lives are miles apart. But they come together in an unlikely friendship fueled by circumstance. The Pulitzer Prize-winning DRIVING MISS DAISY is about Miss Daisy, an elderly Jewish widow who is losing her functioning capacities precipitated by a car crash. Hoke, a chauffeur who is African-American, fortuitously comes into her life in a story set in the late 1940s to early 1970s in Georgia. Their relationship blossoms, as they face the inevitable issues of age, race, and class in an America that struggles with civil rights. Bernard Havard directs a cast of Scott Greer (Boolie Werthan): Johnnie Hobbs, Jr. (Hoke Colburn), and Wendy Scharfman (Daisy Werthan). The original 1987 play, written by Alfred Uhry, was popularized by the 1989 movie starring Jessica Tandy, Morgan Freeman, and Dan Aykroyd. Single tickets: $25 to $107. Show times vary. Walnut Street Theatre/ Main Stage. 825 Walnut St., 215-574-3550 or walnutstreettheatre.org.

Embark On ‘Dinos After Dark’
Friday, January 31, 2025. Who says dinosaurs are just for kids? Dinos After Dark presents the Winter Dino Ball proves that adults love the T. rex, too. Get decked out in your dino duds for this dance party fundraiser for the Academy of Natural Sciences. Enjoy the modern vibe of Philly DJs while “clubbing” your way through prehistoric times. Take part in a dinosaur parade and get your face painted resembling dinos with names too hard to spell or pronounce: Avaceratops, Chasmosaurus, Corythosaurus. Travel in a green-screen time machine, and enjoy tasty food-truck bites. Check out the Dino Drafts Beer Garden in Dinosaur Hall. Visit Ice Dinosaurs, an exhibit of animatronic creatures. Pay-what-you-wish (but there is a recommended donation of at least $10), 8:30 p.m. EST to 11:30 p.m. EST (Dinosaur parade at 10 p.m. EST). $25. The event is designed for those dino devotees 21 and older. The Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy. 215-299-1000 or ansp.org.

This Art May Be Your Speed
Friday, January 31, 2025. We’re pretty sure it’s not the way famous Black artists Faith Ringgold or Norman Lewis started. But this is 2025. Check out Art Battle® Philadelphia, a high-speed timed showdown of talented artists trying to balance skill with speed. This competition gives new meaning to live art. You get to vote and pick a champion after three frantic rounds. All of the original art will then go up for auction afterward. $20 to $30; 6 p.m. EST to 10 p.m. EST. SPIN Philadelphia, 211 South 15th St. 267-463-4850 or eventbrite.com.