Happy weekend! Here’s what’s happening around town!

Click here for ongoing events that run through the weekend, like all the museum exhibits.

All Weekend

Hello, Dolly!

February 19–March 1

Academy Of Music, 240 S. Broad St.

 

One of Broadway’s most celebrated musicals, this spectacular show follows the strongminded Dolly Levi’s adventures in matchmaking and love. With classics like “Before the Parade Passes By” and of course the titular show-stopping number, this musical is a must-see. Recommended for ages 10 and up.

Shen Yun

February 12–March 1

Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.

 

Featuring classical Chinese dance, patented scenographical effects, and original orchestral works, this production is colorful, dramatic, and spectacular.

My General Tubman

Through March 1

Arden Theatre, 40 N. Second Street

 

A world premiere by acclaimed Philadelphia author Lorene Cary, My General Tubman is a beautiful and exciting new play about the complex journey of Harriet Tubman and the impact she continues to have today.

Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest

Through March 8

101 S. Columbus Blvd.    

 

Come to skate, come to party in the cabins, come for the fun and food. This rink is a Philadelphia favorite for a reason!

Final Weekend: Winter in Dilworth Park: Rothman Rink and Wintergarden

Through February 23

Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15^th St.

 

Right outside City Hall, go skating on the Rothman Rink and running through Wintergarden Maze! Warm up after in the Cabin with seasonal food and drinks!

Camp-In at the Franklin Institute

February 22, 6:15 pm– February 23, noon
222 North 20th Street

 

Kids ages 6-13 (and chaperones) will have a unique sleepover experience in the museum! Pre-register online.

Saturday

Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day

February 22, 10 am—3 pm
Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th Street

 

Visitors can meet local female engineers and engage in hands-on activities exploring the various branches of engineering. This is part of National Engineers Week, dedicated to increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers.

Arden Theatre Workshop for Tweens and Teens: Stage Makeup

February 22, 10 am—1 pm (Grades 6-8); 2—5 pm (Grades 9-12)

Hamilton Family Arts Center, 62 N. Second Street

 

From black eyes to old age, this class will teach the basics of stage makeup application, an invaluable skill for actors. Book online.

Arden Bookworms

February 22, 10—10:45 am

Hamilton Family Arts Center, 62 N. Second Street

 

Preschoolers (age 2-4) will read Shh! We Have A Plan, then use theater games, music, and creative movement to bring the story to life. Pre-register online.

Claying Around on the Wheel

February 22, 10 am—noon

The Clay Studio, 137-139 N. Second St.

 

Kids ages 4-12 and their parents are guided through basics of working on the pottery wheel in this fun and muddy workshop! Pre-register online.

Ruark’s Saturday Jam

February 22, 10:30—11:15 am

Kith + Kin, 3060 W. Jefferson St.

 

Roots With Ruark brings you and your little one (ages 0-5) a music class full of energy and excitement. Rock out with egg shakers, dance with scarves and streamers, and play with little instruments all while listening to an exciting mix of original music, kids classics, and favorite rock/pop tunes. Drop-ins welcome.

Giant Tales!

February 22, 11 am

Falls of Schuylkill Library, 3501 Midvale Avenue

 

Explore tales of giants, including a preview of the newest musical tale from Yes! And… Collaborative Arts (premiering soon in Manayunk), called Fee Fi Fo Fum!  This fun, interactive storytime will include storytelling, movement, and more.

Maple Sugar Day

February 22, 11 am—3 pm

Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Center, 700 Cobbs Creek Parkway

 

Bring the family to see how to make maple syrup and maple candy, and enjoy fun winter activities. Reserve your spot online.

Storytime Yoga

February 22, 11 am

Richmond Library, 2987 Almond St.

 

Yoga instructor Beth Heed from Oak and Acorn Wellness will host a free class filled with stories, yoga, and fun for kids ages 2-5 and their caregivers.

Project BUILD: Power From Nature

February 22, 11 am

Overbrook Park Library, 7422 Haverford Ave.

 

This hands-on STEM program is for school-age children in grades 2-5 and their caregivers. Guests from the Philadelphia Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers will visit to teach about sustainable energy production.

Storytime at the Lodge

February 22, 11:30 am—12:30 pm

Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, 101 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd.

 

Interactive activities and stories at RiverRink’s cozy lodge. Light snacks and hot chocolate will be provided for the kids. Stick around after, and skate!

SATurdays: SAT and College Prep Workshops for Teens

February 22, noon

Teen Center at Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St.

 

Join the Field Teen Center for a series of college prep and standardized testing workshops. Combine practice tests and test-taking strategies with self-care techniques for a well-rounded approach to the big test.

Story Hour with Author Courtney B. Dunlap

February 22, 1:15—2:15 pm

Franny Lou’s Porch, 2400 Coral Street

 

Franny Lou’s Porch hosts its first Family Day with activities, crafts, and games. To kick things off, Courtney B. Dunlap will read her first book, The Rumble Hunters.

Diaspora of Delights Storytelling

February 22, 2 pm

Logan Library, 1333 Wagner Ave.

 

Storyteller, performance poet and singer Vernyce Dannells brings stories from a broad diaspora of delights for an afternoon of enjoyable discovery.

‘One Book One Philadelphia’ Storytime and Crafting

February 22, 2 pm

Northeast Regional Library, 2228 Cottman Ave.

 

In celebration of the importance and beauty of self-expression, a read-aloud of When We Were Alone, the One Book, One Philadelphia children’s selection, will be followed by a mixed-media activity encouraging children to create collages that represent parts of who they are.

Sunday

Main Line Parent & Philadelphia Family Summer Camp Fair

February 23, 11 am–2 pm

Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, 500 W. Willow Grove Ave.

 

Meet with over 80 camps, ask questions that go beyond perusing websites and brochures, and find the perfect fit for your best summer yet at this free event. Attendees will also receive the Philadelphia Family and Main Line Parent Camp Guide to take home and learn more about exhibiting camps. The Camp Fair will host a wide range of camp types (both day and overnight), including service, adventure, sports, nature, STEM, academics, language immersion, arts, and more for all ages. Even better, many of the participating exhibitors will be offering the opportunity to win a free week of camp. In addition to being a great resource for families, the Camp Fair will also include a Healthy Kids Showcase, entertainment and hands-on activities for all ages (including Quick Ball with Phield House), and more fun! Lunch and snacks will be available for purchase at the Camp Fair Café.

 

Register online for fastest entry into the event—plus the first 200 people to register and attend get free tickets to the Franklin Institute (max 4 per family), and will be entered to win a free Philadelphia Family Supporting Membership, which includes discounts to local family-friendly attractions.

Free Kid-Friendly WillPower Workout at Craft Hall

February 23, 9—9:45 am

901 N. Delaware Ave.

 

WillPower Live, which will soon be providing free childcare to members during classes in the studio, will supply supervision and activities to entertain the kids while you can participate in a free workout session. Pre-register online to reserve your spot.

Access to Science: Opening Doors to Autism

February 23, 9–11 am

Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

 

Children on the spectrum and their families are invited to experience the museum before the crowds. You can visit with the dinosaurs, the new Survival of the Slowest exhibit, and all the other exhibits, at your own pace. Pre-registration is required (same-day registration is available onsite). If you would like to attend, please contact visitor services at 215-299-1060 or reservations@ansp.org

Sensory-Friendly Morning at the Art Museum

February 23, 9—10:30 pm

Perelman Building, 2525 Pennsylvania Ave.

 

This program is specially designed for children on the autism spectrum or who have other sensory sensitivities. Free event; registration required. To register, email familyprograms@philamuseum.org

Family Sunday: Artful Opposites

February 23, 10:30 am—3 pm

Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

 

Search high and low, left to right, near and far for opposites in art. Go on a family-friendly gallery tour and make art as a family. Free with admission (kids are always free).

Mummers Mardi Gras at XFINITY Live!

February 23, 11 am—3 pm and 4—8 pm

1100 Pattison Ave.

 

The 2020 Mummers Mardi Gras, featuring all 16 Mummers String Bands and family-friendly activities, returns for its second year. In addition to the classic sounds of the Mummers String Bands and plenty of strutting, the family-friendly event will feature food and drinks, a “Take a Picture with a Mummer” open-air photo booth (attendees can try on costumes and take photos with Mummers), a “Build an Umbrella” station, a polka contest, and more. Tickets available online for two separate timeslots.

‘Winter House’ Family Concert at Curtis Institute

February 23, 11 am and 1 pm

Gould Rehearsal Hall, 1616 Locust Street

 

Paul Smith, co-founder of international vocal ensemble VOCES8, leads an interactive performance alongside soprano Olivia Smith and a string orchestra of Curtis musicians. Audiences and performers will explore music-making together through singing and movement as Paul introduces new tunes from around the world. Tickets available online for two different timeslots.

Little Big ChangeMakers Cleanup

February 23, 11:30 am—4 pm

Fishtown Rec, 1202 E. Montgomery Ave.

 

A collaboration between Little Big Change Makers, Friends of Adaire, the Fishtown Neighbors Association’s Beautification Committee, Minnow Lane, and Fishtown-Kensington Business Improvement District, this cleanup was inspired by, instigated, and partially organized by some children motivated to improve their neighborhood.

PAFA Family Arts Academy

February 23, 2—4 pm

118-128 N. Broad Street

 

Look at and discuss pieces of art that focus on pride and positivity and make your own positive portraits using watercolors and oil pastels. Free admission.

Sundays on Stage: TAHIRA

February 23, 2 pm
Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St.

In this free performance, storyteller TAHIRA shares tales of freedom fighters– a compelling look at the people who took extraordinary risks, focusing on the Underground Railroad and including freedom songs like “John the Rabbit,” which contained coded messages used by enslaved Africans to devise a plan of escape.

Winter Unicorn Cake Workshop

February 23, 2—4 pm
Ella Vanilla, 7922 Germantown Avenue

 

Kids ages 9 and up will learn techniques for making one of the bakery’s most popular cakes: the unicorn! All participants will leave with a fully decorated 4-inch vanilla cake that serves 1 to 3 people. Purchase class by email at Info@EllaVanilla.com or by phone at (215) 909-9392.

 

 

Photograph by Jean Goins.