Talkin’ Turkey
Nov 22, 2022 12:00PM ● By Fun Times Magazine
FunTimes Fun Events Education & Entertainment!
Parades, charitable events, winter block parties, dance concerts and musical-theater training are all in the bountiful basket for the winter holiday season. Get your “party on,” and check them out. But before venturing out to any of 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.
Photo by J. Fusco, for Visit PhiladelphiaIt must be the holidays…
November 24, 2022. Get out your leg warmers and mittens. One of the best time-honored Philly holiday traditions -- the 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade – is here. Known as the nation’s oldest Thanksgiving parade, take in the giant procession of nonstop fancy floats, choirs, dance groups and marching bands. Featured is a star-studded lineup including Smokey Robinson, The Spinners, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, Thelma Houston, C + C Music Factory, Ryan Long of Jeopardy, Quinta Brunson and Sheryl Lee Ralph both of the Abbott Elementary TV show. Plus: The Philadelphia Orchestra, Philadanco, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Santa and many local sport team mascots and cheerleaders. Free, 8:30 a.m., with a 30-minute preview show. The parade begins at 20th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard and ends with live performances at the Philadelphia Museum of Art at 26th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway. It’s on abc6 in the Philadelphia area, or enjoy in person. Visitphilly.com.
Selfies, Santa, sing carols and shop …
November 26, 2022. Small Business Saturday will usher in the holidays in Chestnut Hill. Shop one-of-a-kind boutique and hop on horse-and-carriage rides, noon to 3 p.m.; families can take selfies and meet Santa, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Put on your golden slippers and strut with a Philadelphia Mummers string band and sign along with Victorian-themed carolers. Entire event: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., free admittance to the Germantown Ave., 215-247-6696, chestnuthillpa.com or patch.com.
S’mores anyone?: Party on the Farm
December 4, 2022. If hanging outdoors is your jam, Awbury Arboretum is the place for you during the upcoming holidays. Shop this urban oasis and indulge yourself at the Holiday Farm Party. Shop for handmade, nature-inspired gifts like wreathes, winterberry, dogwood and curly willow, door charms and sugar cones. Enjoy a s'mores pit, the fire pits, beer garden, mead tasting, music, foods, a craft market, goats and games. Noon to 4 p.m. The Farm at Awbury Arboretum, 6336 Ardleigh St., 215-849-2855 or awbury.org.
African Dance & Drum Ensemble takes center stage
November 26-27, 2022. Rites of Passage Celebrating a Boy’s Emergence into Manhood is a wonderful performance for the whole family presented by PNC Live Arts Alive. Come along for a riveting coming-of-age musical journey. Founded in 1969 by the late Baba Robert “Ibikunle” Crowder, Kùlú Mèlé is described as the nation’s oldest continuously-performing African dance and drum ensemble. Kùlú Mèlé attracts diverse audiences and focuses on promoting the African Diaspora culture. 75 minutes, no intermission, doors open one hour before show time. November 26: 7 p.m., November 27: 2 p.m.; $20-$30 ($40 at the door), 1515 Brandywine St. near Spring Garden St.. 215-569-4060 or kulumele.org.
And the winning bid is…
November 26, 2022. If you want to donate your time or money this holiday season, check out the annual neighborhood fall auction at the Emanuel United Church of Christ. Raffle at noon, Admission: $5, 11 a.m. Emanuel United Church of Christ, 2628 Fillmore St., 215-205-2318 or ucc.org.
Food for thought and for the community
Through November 26, 2022. Be a hero in your community with a simple gesture. Donate a non-perishable food item or money. Drop off your donations at more than 35 American Heritage Credit Unions. The goal is to collect 20,000 pounds of food in this year’s Spirit of Giving Food Drive. Food donations will be distributed to pantries and food banks in the community this holiday season. The Spirit of Giving Food Drive provides meals, nonperishable food items and monetary donations to local families and organizations in need. Nonperishable goods like soups, canned meat and vegetables, rice and pasta are preferred for the winter holidays. For branch locations: 1-800-342-0008, or Ameritcanheritagecu.org.
Don’t be tardy to the party, people!
November 22, 2022. Remember the songs of the ‘90s?: TLC’s “No Scrubs,” Sheryl Crow’s “If it Makes You Happy,” Daft Punk’s “Around the World.” Now you can sing along, and get jiggy wit it at the WXPN 90s Dance Party. The 1990s are calling all music fans to check out their favorite tunes from more than a decade ago. Flannel, leggings, baggy jeans and grunge were real big. Wear your best 90s threads (but not required). John Vettese and Kristen Kurtis will spin all the 90s classics for what is billed as “the ultimate 90s dance party!” Free admission with advance registration. Free, 7 p.m., Philadelphia World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400 or eventbrite.com.
Put one foot forward at musical-theater training workshops
Kids, join up with One Musical Philadelphia!, an 8-week program focusing on musical theater for 5th graders. Get your teachers and class involved. Learn dance and songs from selected shows in the Kimmel Cultural Campus lineup to perform at your school assemblies. It all leads to a finale with students from other schools at the Kimmel Center. Register at: 215-670-2371 or email: [email protected].
Thanksgiving anniversary homecoming concert with Meek Mill
November 26, 2022. Meek Mill, Philadelphia’s Grammy-nominated musician, entrepreneur and criminal-justice advocate, will return to Phllly for a homecoming concert, Meek Mill + Friends Dreams and Nightmares 10th Anniversary concert, this weekend to celebrate milestone of his debut album, Dreams and Nightmares. Tickets: for this one-time-only-in-Philadelphia Meek + Friends.Robert "Meek Mill" Williams is Philadelphia's hottest underground rapper. Mill performed the Dreams and Nightmares single Lincoln Financial Field before an Eagles-Dallas Cowboys game in October. Released on October 30, 2012, Dreams and Nightmares debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, selling 165,000 copies in its first week. Tickets: WellsFargoCenterPhilly.com or www.livenationentertainment.com.
