15 fun things to do in Philly this weekend

It's time to get into the holiday spirit. | J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia

MUSIC

Philly Pops
Nov. 10 through Nov. 12, 8 p.m. or 3 p.m.
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
300 S. Broad St.
$35

The Philly Pops, alongside rising young star Michael Cavanaugh, perform the best of Elton John—yes, including “Candle in the Wind.” It’s a straightforward, pure-fun showcase of local and Broadway talent channeling the energy of the British songbird and pianist.

Modern English
Nov. 12, 9 p.m.
Johnny Brenda’s
1201 Frankford Ave.
johnnybrendas.com
$20

The long-running British rock band, formed in 1979 as a trio of vocals, bass and guitar, is known for the songs “I Melt with You” and “Ink and Paper.” The original group is touring the U.S. in support of 2017 album “Take Me to the Trees.”

FOOD & DRINK

SkyLodge
Nov. 10 and Nov. 11, 5 p.m.
SkyGarten
1717 Arch St.
$5

SkyGarten’s 51-stories-up beer garden transforms into a winter retreat in the clouds for the holiday season, featuring a bearskin rug, a projected fireplace and all sorts of other winter-feels décor. On the cocktail menu: spiked hot chocolate, peppermint schnapps, Baileys Irish Cream-spiked coffees and a selection of chocolates. 

Autumn Wine Walk
Nov. 11, 1 p.m.
Chaddsford Winery
632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford
chaddsford.com
$20

Continuing its series of wine-pairing events, Chaddsford Winery hosts an autumn-themed station-to-station wine tasting, with a total of five to explore. Highlights among the bunch: Station Five with its spiced red wine and chocolate-dipped vanilla cream puffs, as well as Station Three with cinnamon sweet potato puffs and a 2015 Proprietors Reserve Red.

Taproom on 19th Anniversary Party
Nov. 11, 1 p.m.
Taproom on 19th
2400 S. 19th St.
taproomon19th.com
Pay as you go

On its four-year anniversary, Taproom on 19th celebrates the occasion with an all-day happy hour, an anniversary burger—a double burger stuffed with mozzarella and topped with bacon and bacon jam—and live music from Hildy and the Peptones. 31st and Wharton craft beer wholesaler hosts a tap takeover.

Manayunk Cocktail Week
Through Nov. 12
Main Street, Manayunk
Pay as you go

Swing through Manayunk’s bars and restaurants for a taste of all the cocktail pairings, parties and happy hours you can handle—with a Stoli Vodka event at midnight Friday night at Mad River and a Bloody Mary contest at Sona Pub & Kitchen on Sunday, among other boozy events.

THEATER

Blood Wedding and Post-Show Chat
Nov. 9, 7:30 p.m.
The Wilma Theater
265 S. Broad St.
wilmatheater.org
$30

Based on the Spanish original, “Blood Wedding,” headed by Hungarian director and choreographer Csaba Horvath, is the story of a young bride who receives a visit from a former lover on her wedding day—sparking a family feud when they run away together. Productions run through Nov. 19, but stop by this Thursday for a special behind-the-scenes chat with the artistic team.

This is Not Normal/The End of Journalism
Nov. 9 through Nov. 11
Suzanne Roberts Theatre
480 S. Broad St.
philadelphiatheatrecompany.org
$25

New York storyteller Mike Daisey brings two 2016 Election-themed monologues to Center City that will, for the politically fatigued among us, serve as a primal scream—tackling these bizarre times with wit and brutal truths. “The End of Journalism” covers the rise of FOX News and the impact of social media on politics and culture.

First Person Arts Grand Slam
Nov. 11, 8 p.m.
FringeArts
140 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd.
firstpersonarts.org
$20

Winners of previous StorySlam sessions compete in this free-for-all to claim bragging rights as “Best Storyteller in Philadelphia”—and the $250 cash prize, to be sure. Hosted by Chris Lundy and featuring a panel of recognizable judges in the scene, this is a bold and sometimes outrageous collection of personal stories.

LGBT

LGBT Mixer
Nov. 9, 5 p.m.
Tavern on Camac
243 S. Camac St.
philadelphia.aiga.org

In a neighborhood overwhelmed with drag performances and dance parties, a simple mix-and-mingle event with LGBT creatives, upstairs at the Gayborhood’s go-to piano bar, starts to look awfully appealing. Entry includes a drink ticket, light bites and a $2 discount on all additional drink purchases.

****ing Men
Nov. 9 through Nov. 11, 8 p.m.
Ruba Club
416 Green St.
voiceofequality.com
$10

Joe DiPitero presents a cheeky but heartfelt play about hook-up culture and what sex means to a group of 10 different men. Friday’s showing features a one-hour pre-show cabaret.

ART

CraftNow’s Fluid Boundaries
Nov. 10, 12 p.m.
Graham Auditorium, Moore College of Art & Design
1916 Race St.
moore.edu
Free

This annual symposium is a gold-mine opportunity for artists to learn, with a four-hour stretch of talks and Q&As that fit the “Fluid Boundaries” theme, plus a keynote speech from Charles Bresler, curator of the Renwick Gallery. Programming includes contributions from the Fabric Workshop + Museum, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Center for Art in Wood and other local galleries and museums.

COMEDY

Brian Posehn
Nov. 9 through Nov. 11, 8 p.m.
Helium Comedy Club
2031 Sansom St.
brianposehn.com
$20

If not from his frequent stand-up tours, comedy followers may recognize Posehn from a smattering of shows and films: Through the years he’s co-starred in “The Five-Year Engagement,” has appeared on “Seinfeld” and “The Big Bang Theory” and starred in three seasons of Comedy Central’s “The Sarah Silverman Program.” Topics from his shows range from smoking weed to nerd jokes.

MUSEUMS

Science Museum Day
Nov. 10, 9:30 a.m.
The Franklin Institute
222 N. 20th St.
fi.edu
Free with admission

The Franklin Institute celebrates International Science Center and Science Museum Day with a mammoth lineup of free all-day programming, starting with a hands-on workshop that demonstrates how Philadelphians can prepare for a changing climate, and ends with a design workshop that has guests constructing their own buildings. Other daytime events include a 3-D printing showcase and an interactive show about staying cool during Philly’s increasingly hot summers.

HOLIDAYS

Franklin Square Holiday Festival
Nov. 9 through Dec. 31, 4 p.m.
Franklin Square
200 N. Sixth St.
historicphiladelphia.org
Free

Franklin Square’s Holiday Festival returns with fire pits, a beer garden and new s’mores and gourmet hot chocolate stations from Ben’s Sweets & Treats. There’s also a heated tent and a light show—free—courtesy of PECO, presenting 50,000 lights that sparkle in the late-autumn air.