Pictured is a scene from a presentation of the Alvin Alley American Dance Theater’s Grace. Photo by Danica Paulos. Courtesy of ensemblephillyarts.org.
FunTimes Magazine Culture + Entertainment column, week of February 24, 2025.
“Laughter is sunshine; it chases winter from the human face.”— Victor Hugo (1802 to 1885)
This month could easily be called Fab-ruary. From witch-themed book signings to Motown-era dance parties, event-goers, seize the fab in February and chill out to some fantastic entertainment to close the month making way for March. And don’t forget: When event-going, consider taking precautions, especially when among groups and while indoors, with the risk of COVID-19 variants and other infectious health concerns.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Photo by Danica Paulos. Courtesy of ensembleartsphilly.org
Moving Performances
Friday, February 28, 2025, & Sunday, March 2, 2025. Cap off the month with the innovative Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, which kicks off its dance season with three days of evocative performances, including Grace, Ronald K. Brown’s presentation of modern dance and West African idioms. A whirlwind of 12 perfectly-adorned dancers bring to life energetic and powerful dance interpretations. The fast-paced performances are set to the music of Duke Ellington’s “Come Sunday,” Peven Everett’s “Gabriel,” and the engaging West African and African-American traditions of Fela Kuti’s Afropop beats. Finding Free, Hope Boykin’s collaboration with composer and pianist Matthew Whitaker, shines a light on life’s exhilarating ride of highs and lows, with a score of jazz and gospel “to explore notions of personal freedoms.” The close of each show will be the company’s signature dance, Ailey’s Revelations, influenced by soaring spirituals and gospel. $29 to $90; February 28, 7:30 p.m. EST and March 1; a total of four shows with varying times: 2 p.m. EST and 7:30 p.m. EST. Academy of Music, 215-893-1999 or ensembleartsphilly.org.
Passon Project
Friday, February 28, 2025. Patrice: The Movie is about love and politics. The documentary, a romantic comedy by award-winning filmmaker Ted Passon, focuses on marriage equality and disability. A disabled interracial couple in their 50s, Patrice Jetter and Garry Wickham face a common dilemma: They want to marry but would risk losing their government benefits. Throwing caution to the wind, they go ahead and plan a commitment ceremony anyway. The powerful film includes a cast of children and chronicles Patrice’s life struggles through the ages, as she secures a home, job, and a relationship, which she fights valiantly to preserve. Passon, the film’s award-winning director-writer-producer-video artist, created and directed the critically-acclaimed docuseries, Philly D.A., along with co-director Yoni Brook and producer Nicole Salazar. He’s a board member of the Blackstar Film Festival. Before the screening of Patrice, enjoy David Block’s, How Sweet the Sound, a short documentary about John Sutton, a blind African-American street singer, as part of a double feature. $7.50, 7 p.m. EST to 9 p.m. EST. Scribe Video Center, 3908 Lancaster Ave. Email: inquiry@scribe.org or https://scribe.org, 215-222-4201 or https://scribe.org/screenings/patrice.
Witch Tales
Saturday, March 1, 2025. The movie Wicked currently rules the cinema and theater world but makes room for this witch-inspired piece of art. Check out a neighborhood book signing with Philadelphia’s Kay Synclaire, author of the cozy fantasy novel, “House of Frank.” This fantastical book is described as a “warm and hopeful story of a lonely witch consumed by grief who discovers a whimsical cast of characters in a magical arboretum – and the healing power of found family.” Free entry, noon to 2 p.m. EST. Multiverse, 8026 Germantown Ave. Email: hello@multiversephilly.com or 215-896-1073 or https://www.multiversephilly.com/ or https://www.multiversephilly.com/events/houseoffrank.
An Eye On The City’s Cultural Future
Saturday, March 1, 2025. Have your voice heard at Community Conversations focusing on shaping the future of arts and culture in Philadelphia? It’s part of a series by PA Humanities and Creative PHL. The idea is to convene diverse cultural leaders, storytellers, artists, community members, business and government leaders, and local stakeholders to help create a cultural vision for the city. Known as the Cultural Plan, the City of Philadelphia will be enlisting ideas from the arts, culture, and humanities community. The project’s promotional information notes: “The Cultural Plan is envisioned as a strategic framework for the city’s arts and culture community, guided by a broad, inclusive mission to create a cleaner, greener, safer city with economic mobility for all.” The forum will include networking and a community panel discussion led by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Music-Artist Director of the Philadelphia Orchestra; Dyana Williams, broadcaster-media-strategist producer, and Justin Faulkner, a musician-educator-philanthropist. It is one of four workshops in March citywide. The catalyst for the workshop was a similar effort by the Cultural Alliance last year and is a partnership with The Kimmel Center, The Philadelphia Orchestra, and Ensemble Arts. Free, 11:30 a.m. EST to 3 p.m. EST, Kimmel Center (Hamilton Garden), 300 South Broad St. 215-893-1999 or ensembleartsphilly.org or eventbrite.com or (Register).
Members of the SWA Collective
A Circle Of Connection
Sunday, March 2, 2025. If you’re looking to connect, heal, and do some networking, check out the 2025 Sister Circles hosted by the women’s empowerment organization, the 2025 SWA Collective. The insightful event will feature poetry, tea parties as well as products and services by the group’s members. Dive into improving your personal development and mental health; engage in meaningful conversations with a strong community of professional women. $40; 4 p.m. EST to 7 p.m. EST. 1300 West Hunting Park Ave. eventbrite.com.
Spinning Motown On Original 45s
Saturday, March 1, 2025. It’s not just another Saturday night: Hit the dance floor and relive the magic of the Motown era at the Philly Soul Club soul dance party. And where oh where can you go wrong with a headlining DJ called “Mr. Fine Wine” spinning 1960s dance records, both rare and classic, into the wee hours? That’s New Jersey-New York’s WFMU independent radio’s star spin guru Mr. Fine Wine, who will be the featured DJ with guest Julio Fernandez, the “Keystone Soul Weekender,” Eric Z & Fancy Cat. The event promo promises “top-notch rarities and classic movers from northern soul to rockin’ R&B at original 45 rpm.” No cover entry, 9 p.m. EST to 2 a.m. EST. Khyber Pass Pub, 56 S. 2nd St. Email: SEANCONNORS1818@GMAIL.COM, 215-238-5888 or https://www.khyberpasspub.com/ or eventbrite.com.
The Free Library of Philadelphia is not just about books. Photo courtesy of freelibrary.org.
Be A Gamer
This news may have quietly slipped under the radar: Last year, the Free Library of Philadelphia added an extensive collection of video games and now found its 54 branches for kids and adults. The idea for educators is that video game play leads to reading and writing. Said Kelly Richards, President and Director of the Free Library of Philadelphia: “In today’s digital age, video games offer a unique opportunity for learning and social interaction by fostering creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration among our patrons”, and comprehension skills. Library cardholders can borrow up to three games for up to three weeks. Games are compatible with PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and X, and the Nintendo Switch consoles. The main branch is the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Parkway Central, 1901 Vine St. Video games can be reserved at: 215-567-7720 or freelibrary.org/videogames.
