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Ferris Wheel at Philadelphia City Hall for the holidays.

Photo by Tu Huynh

FunTimes Magazine Culture + Entertainment column, week of December 16, 2024

“Perfect happiness is a beautiful sunset, the giggle of a grandchild, the first snowfall. It’s the little things that make happy moments, not the grand events. Joy comes in sips, not gulps.”

— Sharon Mills Draper, American children’s book author

The wheels are turning and churning this holiday season, as we look skyward to 2025. To put a robust punctuation mark on 2024 and the coming of Christmas and Kwanzaa, here are some free or low-cost activities highlighting the grandeur and glory of December. Please don’t forget: When event-going, take precautions, especially when among groups and while indoors, with the ongoing risk of COVID-19 variants and other infectious illnesses.

various modern artworks

Former UArts Students’ Works On Display

Wednesday, December 18, 2024. The historic University of the Arts in Center City closed its doors suddenly in June. But out of the ashes art passion prevailed. Creative Philadelphia and City Councilwoman Rue Landau teamed up to create the public exhibition, Transcending Uncertainty: Art Endures at Home in Philadelphia. Organized by the city’s Curator of Exhibitions and Programs Tu Huynh, with this opening reception, the exhibition will be a showcase of community and solidarity. It will highlight the rich, diverse artistic expressions of the former UArts students who are reclaiming their creative voices in the aftermath of the 150-year-old school’s closure. The exhibition runs through Saturday, January 25, 2025, weekdays, 9 a.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST. The art was chosen by artist Lauren Rinaldi, who serves as Council Member Landau’s Arts and Culture Liaison. It showcases more than 50 works representing various media. Free, 5 p.m. EST to 7 p.m. EST. The exhibit is in the first-floor art gallery, Creative Philadelphia-Room 116, and extends onto the 5th-floor corridor near City Council offices. Enter City Hall at the Visitor Entrance, northeast corner. The reception: Northeast corner. City Hall, 5th Floor.  215-686-8446 or Creativephl.org.

painting of people marching and holding signs wearing hooded coats and jackets, in front of City Hall Philadelphia

Artist Mark Thomas Gibson’s Weathering the Storm, (2024, Ink & acrylic on canvas) shows unity in the solidarity of community.

Exhibit Looks At America’s Lineage & Future

Through Friday, January 17, 2025. Lineage (Beyond Glass Cases) at The Library Company of Philadelphia focuses on Mark Thomas Gibson’s four paintings that address “the state of America” and the future of humanity.” The thought-provoking exhibit is based on American artist Samuel Jennings’ 1792 oil-on-canvas painting, The Genius of America Encouraging the Emancipation of the Blacks, promoting abolitionism. The American history painter Gibson’s inspired works cover pressing issues, from the ever-present global warming to the importance of voting. He does much of it by following the collective strength of activists and their social-justice perspectives. His expression is conveyed on colorful, active large-scale palates dripping with symbolism connecting the past, present, and future. Free, weekdays, 9 a.m. EST to 4:45 p.m. EST. (Closed daily from 12:15 p.m. EST to 1:30 p.m. EST). Note: The Library Company of Philadelphia will be on holiday and closed, from Monday, December 23, 2024, to Wednesday, January 1, 2025. The Library Company of Philadelphia / The Louise Lux-Sions and Harry Sions Exhibition Gallery, 1314 Locust St. 215-546-3181 or librarycompany.org.

promotional image for Christmas Toy Drive

Volunteers & Donors: You Can Toy With Us…

Saturday, December 21, 2024. You can toy with us. We don’t mind at all! We’re looking for toy donations for our upcoming in-person Christmas Toy Drive & Giveaway Party. FunTimes and its partners — Fruits of The Family Table, Abiding Truth Ministries, and MERCYworldwide — will bring joy to the community as proud hosts of the toy party in Southwest Philadelphia. Our motto is “Give ‘til it helps.” Nearly 260 youth up to 18 years old will enjoy unwrapping their free toys, photos with Santa, games, prizes, face-painting, caroling, lunch, gift bags, and more. Anyone interested in donating toys, money in advance, or volunteering for the event onsite, please reach out. Big or small, we take it all! The community’s growing requests for toys tripled this year, and so we are counting on your generosity of time and/or dollars to meet the demand. The deadline is noon on Friday, December 19, 2024. Monetary donations can be made by Zelle to phl.admin@usd21.org, with “2024 Toy Drive” in the notes, or coordinate a donation drop-off time by calling 267-410-6188 or 215-971-4956. Volunteers can help with event set-up. Registration to receive a toy has closed. Free, 1 p.m. EST to 4 p.m. EST. Abiding Truth Ministries, 846 S. 57th St., 267-410-6188 or 215-971-4956.  

JET magazine cover with Shaheed Rucker wearing a helmet

Exhibit Covers Blacks’ Achievement


​Friday, December 20, 2024. Few ethnic magazines are as famous as JET. The exhibit “Shaheed Rucker: (re)Covering the Iconic” puts JET where it belongs – at center stage. Catch the first day of the exhibit, as 
Designer and artist Shaheed Rucker reactivated the classic design of JET Magazine covers. He focuses on covers of prominent Pennsylvania figures like Cecil B. Moore, August Wilson, and Patti LaBelle. The promotional material notes: “… these covers visualize the diverse cultural landscape of Black Pennsylvanian achievement while underscoring the intergenerational importance of their contributions.” Established in 1942 by Chicago-based Johnson Publishing Company, JET became a leading voice for Black news coverage celebrating events and achievements. The exhibition will feature a new series in which Rucker reimagines Wheaties Box covers through the unheralded Negro Leagues (1920 to around 1960) and the history of Black baseball in Pennsylvania. One of the best-known slogans in sports marketing, “Wheaties — the Breakfast of Champions,” has captured the “All-American athlete” on its cereal boxes since 1934, telling the story of Black excellence. Serving as a symbol of outstanding sports achievement, iconic Olympians, sports teams, and individuals have graced the cover of Wheaties cereal boxes. Again, the promo material describes the exhibit well: “JET and Wheaties dynamically utilized simplistic design to transform how society digested cultural iconography. Rucker focuses on this impact to shift focus and symbolize how Black Pennsylvanians contributed to the American cultural landscape.“ No registration is required; $14, for adults, $10 for kids 12 and under, $10 for students & seniors; and 10 a.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST. Jack T. Franklin Gallery at the African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch St. 215-574-0380 or aampmuseum.org

illustration of a squirrel holding a pinecone in a winter forest in the snow

 Squirrel Away Some Time In Nature

Saturday, December 21, 2024. Connect with nature and animals at Holiday for the Animals. Join the Coyote Tracks environmental education group for a refreshing afternoon of fun-filled outdoor activities. Explore a hands-on “nature museum,” create edible ‘gifts’ to leave for the animals in the surrounding historic scenic environment, and enjoy time around a cozy fire. All ages are welcome. A donation of $5 per person is suggested. Register in advance; 12:30 p.m. EST to 3:30 p.m. EST. Proceeds benefit year-round nature education programming for kids and families. Wissahickon Environmental Education Center, 300 Northwestern Ave. in the northern end of Wissahickon Valley Park in Mt. Airy. eventbrite.com or 215-685-9258.

an African American Santa Claus sitting on a red sofa surrounded by colorful wrapped gifts and gingerbread men.

Chow Down And Chill With Santa 

Saturday, December 21, 2024. Maggiano’s Philadelphia Breakfast with Santa has all of the trimmings. Splurge on a classic American-style buffet breakfast including muffins, French toast, scrambled eggs, hot chocolate, and a visit from Santa (even though he doesn’t need the calories). Take a selfie with jolly St. Nick before he dashes back to the North Pole. Pre-register, $30 each for adults, $35, for kids; 9 a.m. EST to 11 a.m. EST. Maggiano’s Little Italy restaurant, 1201 Filbert St. in Center City. Email: philadelphia.banquet@maggianos.com or eventbrite.com.

Samara Joy posing in front of a gold backdrop in a red dress

Samara Spreads Joy

Monday, December 23, 2024. Go on a jazz Joy ride with GRAMMY® Award-winner Samara Joy in her return Philadelphia holiday concert along with the McLendon Family, Joy’s family members. Revel in an evening of holiday classics. At age 24, Joy honors the past while blending in a contemporary twist of her own. She recently earned three GRAMMYs including Best Jazz Vocal Album and Best New Artist. Starting at $45, 7 p.m. EST. Kimmel Center / Marian Anderson Hall, 300 S. Broad St. 215-893-1999 or ensembleartsphilly.org.

promo image for Candles and Carols, with an illustration of cartoon candles singing

Candles & Carols At Christmas Eve Service

Tuesday, December 24, 2024. Experience the spirit of the winter season on Christmas Eve at Candles & Carols with The Block Church. Rejoice and worship with caroling in the serenity of candlelight in the church’s new facility. Free; no registration is required for any of three services: 3 p.m. EST, 5 p.m. and  7 p.m. EST. The Block Church / Northeast building, 9768 Verree Rd. in Northeast Philadelphia. 267-777-9978 or evenbrite.com or theblockchurch.org.

promo image for Umoja Opening Unity celebration, with photo of host Shekhinah B.

A United Kickoff To Kwanzaa 

Thursday, December 26, 2024. Celebrate the kick-off of Kwanzaa at the African American Museum in Philadelphia’s annual Opening Kwanzaa Unity Celebration. In the spirit of Umoja (Unity), which means “to strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.” The family-friendly event will feature live drumming performances, the lighting of the Kinara, and an educational session about the Nguzo Saba — the seven enduring principles of Kwanzaa. Enjoy the live music, food, and engaging festivities celebrating culture and community. Dress in Kente, Ankara, or other Kwanzaa-related attire. Author-creator-singer Shekinah B (Shekhinah B-Brown) will be the event host. Free pre-registration is encouraged; from 5 p.m. EST to 8 p.m. EST. Pre-registration for the event is encouraged. African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch St. 215-574-0380 or aampmuseum.org.

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