Photo courtesy of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
FunTimes Magazine, “Culture + Entertainment” column, Week of December 4, 2023
If this column had a flavor profile, it would be peppermint. We stirred our magical candy cane into a cozy cup of hot marshmallow chocolate, and this collection of entertainment – holiday-related and non-holiday – is what we whip up. So, go taste for yourselves. And while enjoying the eventful finale of 2023, please take precautions, especially when in groups and indoors, with the current COVID variants and other infectious health threats.
Spread the holiday WURD…
Saturday, December 9, 2023. Celebrate the season at the WURD 2023 Empowerment Experience. It features engaging speakers, a holiday marketplace brimming with Black-owned businesses, full-scale shopping, and easy access to community resources. Inspired by the Kwanzaa Principle of Cooperative Economics, rejoice in the season with Black and Brown artisans, creators, and merchants in a vibrant holiday emporium. Shop for jewelry, clothing, home decor, candles, skin and hair care, and more. Free entry. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST. Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, 2800 W. Cheltenham Ave. The event will be broadcast live on 900AM/96.1FM, wurdradio.com, Facebook Live, Twitch, WURD Radio App. 215-425-7875, or wurdradio.com.
Season of giving…
Saturday, December 9, 2023. “There seems to be magic in the very name of Christmas,” Charles Dickens wrote. With that sentiment, check out the Christmas Toy Giveaway event at Ark of Safety Christian Church. Kids, ages 1 to 16, in need will receive toys in the true spirit of Christmas. Celebrate the season of giving. Bring along your friends and family. One toy per child (limit four children) and the child/recipient must be present. Free but register, noon to 2 p.m. EST. You also can donate a toy. Ark of Safety Christian Church, 3875 Poplar St. Email: arkofsafetycc3@gmail.com or 267-230-8731.
Feeling ‘Blue’ from childcare challenges
Wednesday, December 6, 2023. Check out “Blue,” a short film screening and discussion about maternal/paternal mental health featuring filmmaker Chelsea Hall and coach Coral Edwards. Learn all about underused resources and engage in dialogue about mental health and parenthood.
Hall’s film focuses on a new mother who is physically and mentally exhausted, as she struggles to get through another challenging night with her newborn. See how she copes with the overwhelming isolation and obstacles of new motherhood, as she desperately seeks support and care. Free but reserve a spot: 7 p.m. EST, Greene Towne Montessori School, 55N 22nd St., gtms.org/ParentEd, 215-563-6368 or gtms.org.
The film paints an authentic picture of artist Hammons
Wednesday, December 6, 2023. A great entertainment choice is The Melt Goes on Forever: The Art & Times of David Hammons, a film focusing on innovative African-American artist David Hammons and his journey from the rebellion of ’60s L.A. in Watts to his global status today. The biographical film by Judd Tully and Harold Crooks includes insight by artists, curators, and critics, a great video, and strong animation. It chronicles Hammons’ “category-defying” body of work and exploration into race relations. Free but RSVP. 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. EST. Informal reception and opportunity to meet the filmmakers, followed by the film screening at 6 p.m. EST. Drexel University’s Pearlstein Gallery/URBN Annex building, 3401 Filbert St.. E-mail: gallery@drexel.edu, 215-895-2548 or https://forms.office.com/r/j0YuZuHYDN.
Don’t dare drop the mic…
Saturday, December 9, 2023. Six years ago, with more purpose than poetry, FRIEDA nonprofit for the arts had a simple but great idea to stage community spoken-word events. One place with many creative words and voices. Its latest presentation of wordplay, poetry, and evocative performances by rising writers will fill the stage at the FRIEDAcommunity – Spoken Word December. Enjoy the powerful work of Devon Loeb, Chris Campanioni, and Leah Souffrant. 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST. FRIEDAcommunity, 320 Walnut St. Free to attend but register: E-mail hello@frieda.community or frieda.community/programs/spoken-word-december/.
The holiday fountain of youth…
Tuesday, December 19, 2023. The holidays can be challenging, especially for those precious individuals on the sunny side of life. We have the fix: Revel in the joy and jubilance of the season at the popular 24th Senior Holiday Gala. Hosted by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and CareGivers America, The gala will return after a three-year pandemic break. The event communes adults over age 55 citywide for a day of fun, food, and fellowship. Stroll through a Resource Expo featuring educational opportunities and information. Afterward, dance a jitterbug, take fun pictures in the photo booth, dine, enjoy live entertainment, and win raffle prizes. Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, 1201 Market St. Resource Expo at 11 a.m. EST; gala, from noon to 4 p.m. EST. $40 per person. Buy tickets at these Older Adult Centers: Juniata Park Older Adult Center (1251 East Sedgley Ave., 19134), Mann Older Adult Center (3201 N. 5th St., 19140), MLK Older Adult Center (2101 W. Cecil B. Moore Ave., 19121), Northeast Older Adult Center (8101 Bustleton Ave., 19152), South Philadelphia Older Adult Center (1430 E. Passyunk Ave., 19147) or West Oak Lane Senior Center (7201 Ogontz Ave., 19138) or e-mail: Barbara.Gillette@phila.gov.
A concert of Jingle Bell joy!
Through Saturday, December 23, 2023. Who needs Broadway? Philly has Broad Street. Conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez, Soprano Kristina Nicole Miller, and tenor Christian Dante White light up the Kimmel Center stage, well, like a holiday tree. The No Name Pops will join Conductor Lopez-Yanez for a spirited foot-tapping concert of holiday classics with brilliant arrangements and great Philadelphia choir backings. Times vary, depending on the concert date. $25 per person. Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St. 215-893-1999 or kimmelculturalcampus.org.
