FunTimes Entertainment column for Week of February 6, 2023
FunTimes Fun Events: Culture, Education & Entertainment!
As we seize the rhythm of Black History Month, we’re feelin’ a cool celebratory-type of jazz vibe. So, get hip to this jazz session, and be-bop into these free or low-cost events/activities, with some smokin’ gigs and licks that you can dig. Oh, and we tossed in one or two unrelated jazz events to round out the beat, for good measure.
But before venturing out to these in-person activities, please respect the ongoing pandemic safety protocols, and check individual event-attending instructions with the organizers. As a general rule: If you feel unwell, please do not attend in person.
Drum roll, please…
February 9, 2023. Get into the beat with Musicopia: Bucket Drumming. Explore percussion, one of the most intuitive forms of music. Spanning genres including jazz, Caribbean, traditional classical and current pop, highly interactive drummer, Leon Jordan, presents many types of rhythms, techniques and percussion instruments. Snacks provided by Giant supermarket. Free, 4 p.m., Northeast Regional Library, 2228 Cottman Ave., 215-685-0522 or freelibary.org
It’s a Jazz Jam
February 9, 2023. The series Jazz Jam at World Café Live is a hot ticket. And it’s even hotter, since it’s free. House band Emmanuel Ohemeng III & Perpetual Motion will open the concert and later invite a lineup of players to the stage. Instrumentalists and vocalists are welcome to sign up and sit in throughout the evening. Free, 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. The Lounge at World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., e-mail: TicketingStaff@worldcafelive.com or 215-222-1400 or https://worldcafelive.com.
Keep the beat, baby!
February 14, 2023. Is Valentine’s Day for drummers? Find out; Couple up with your loved one and take a four-week program called Hand-pan/Drumming led by Philly Talking Drums’ Julius Rivera. Check out the drum culture, specific instruments and influential Black Philadelphians from Charles L. Blockson’s book: BLAM! Black Lives Always Mattered. You will enjoy a short drum performance. Black Lives Always Mattered! represents a powerful project documenting African-American Philadelphians crusade to fight racism and promote Black empowerment over the last century. Their success stories demonstrate the value of resilience, strong social networks and cultural resources individually and collectively. Free, 4 p.m., Nicetown-Tioga Library, 3720 N. Broad St., 215-685-5790 or freelibrary.org.
Gregory Porter
A modern-day Nat King Cole!
February 16, 2023. Soulful singer-songwriter Gregory Porter is known for his soothing baritone vocals, and yes, then there is his two Grammy Awards! Porter rose to prominence with his “earthy, cross-pollinated brand of jazz, soul, and gospel.” Check him out in concert, and witness the real deal. Whether he’s putting his golden touch on standards or on contemporary soul music, Porter’s voice channels some of the best crooners ever — Nat King Cole, Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder. Over the past decade, he has helped jazz become accessible, earning GRAMMYs for Best Jazz Vocal Album in the process. His latest effort, Still Rising, is a velvety mix of new songs, covers, duets and chill-out classics. Part of the Kimmel Center’s Jazz Series. Tickets: $29 to $79, 7:30 p.m. Academy Of Music, 240 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999 or kimmelculturalcampus.org.
A good read at The African American Children’s Book Fair
February 11, 2023. Knowledge is power when you put the world of books in kids’ hands. And it’s all about the joy of reading. The 31st annual African American Children’s Book Fair — one of the oldest and largest single-day events of African American children’s books in the United States — does just that. See award-winning writers and illustrators, who will autograph and read from their books. Meet representatives from the multicultural literary community. Books are available to buy for preschoolers to young adults. Giveaways, prizes and fun games. Admission is free, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Pennsylvania Convention Center 1101 Arch St., 215-878-BOOK or https://theafricanamericanchildrensbookproject.org/.
Hunt for unsung stories
February 11, 12, 18,19, 26 & 26, 2023. Stories of forgotten or unheralded African Americans abound. Too many brave heroes were overlooked over time. This is an effort to mark their efforts that slipped in the annuals of history. Take part in Activity: “Keep Going,” A Black History Discovery Hunt — an interactive scavenger hunt to reveal hidden past stories of Black resistance and resilience in Old City Philadelphia. Free, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Independence National Historical Park, Independence Visitor Center, 599 Market St., https://www.nps.gov.
Sinatra’s on tap at Wissahickon Brewing Co.
‘My Funny Valentine’ …Pasta with Sinatra – Valentine’s Day Show
February 13, 2023. This is a great way to keep the party going after the Eagles’ Super Bowl ….We’re talkin’ about a beautiful plate of baked ziti and gravy, Nona’s meatballs, a crisp salada, a nice piece of focaccia — like it’s from the old brick ovens of Southern Italia — and creamy, dreamy cannoli’s to top it all off… then, Forgetta-about-it! After you mangia, soak up the soul-stirring sounds of Ol’ Blue Eyes Italian style, baby! Did we say Forgetta-about-it yet? This cabaret show harkens back to the era of 1940s supper shows. Raise your glass with host Wissahickon Brewing Co.’s full tap list, classic cocktails and select table wine service. The late Sinatra is not with us, but velvety-voiced vocalist “sing-alike” Steve Ritrovato is. It’s a hot ticket, and all ages come to this bi-annual show. Soak in the timeless classics of romance and regret — from the Big Band era to Broadway. $60 for two people; $120, table of 4 for all-you-can-eat Italian feast from Molto Bene! Advanced ticket sales only. Doors will open with a cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:15 p.m. and “Sinatra” takes the stage at 7 p.m., 3705 W. School House Ln., East Falls, https://www.eventbrite.com.
