We round up all the things worth doing this weekend, including the Women’s March on Philadelphia, which is supposed to bring in an even bigger crowd than last year. You can also catch the debut of Tony-winning family drama The Humans at Walnut Street Theatre, famed singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright crooning with the Philly POPS at the Kimmel and—because Sunday is all about the Eagles—an outdoor watch party where you can catch the NFC Championship Game at Philly’s new and very temporary ice bar, Pegsicle. Find details on all that and more below.
Friday, January 19
Photograph: Courtesy FringeArts
“Woven Strands: The Art of Human Hair Work” at the Mütter Museum; 10am; $18
The creepiest museum in Philadelphia assembled this hauntingly beautiful collection of rare artworks that all share the same central ingredient: human hair. The practice was a popular form of folk art in the Victorian era that paid homage to deceased loved ones (yes, many of these locks were plucked from the head of dead folks) or served as a simple trinket traded among friends. Items on view include wreaths, braided jewelry chains and family portraits accented with hairy decor.
Rufus Wainwright at the Kimmel Center; 8pm; $35–$500
The multi-talented Canadian-American singer-songwriter joins the Philly POPS orchestra in a concert featuring highlights from his nearly 20-year career. Expect songs like “Hallelujah,” “Me and Liza” and with any luck, his epic revenge song “Rashida,” which takes Rashida Jones to task for rescinding his invitation to the Vanity Fair Oscar party. Before the show, Wainwright will join the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus on stage for a performance of “Hallelujah.”
The Humans at Walnut Street Theatre; 8pm; $20-$87
Stephen Karam’s family drama with supernatural overtones won the 2016 Tony, was a Pulitzer finalist and was a major New York hit. This show demands virtuoso stagecraft and great acting. Walnut Street has the necessary scenic resources and an extraordinary cast with some of Philly’s best actors, including Mary Martello, Greg Wood and Alex Keiper.
Get Pegged at La Peg; 10:30; $5–$15
Bearded Ladies Cabaret Artistic Director John Jarboe hosts this monthly, queer-centric musical series inspired by old-school French cabaret. It features a top-notch lineup of vocal and performance-art talents from Philadelphia, New York City and beyond. In January, look out for performances by drag performer Raja Feather Kelly (pictured) and Philly theater artist Suli Holum.
Center City Restaurant Week at various locations
The winter version of this twice-yearly event continues through the weekend with a deal that we all know and love: More than 120 participating restaurants offer a three-course lunch for $20 or a three-course dinner for $35. These eateries include some of the best restaurants in Philadelphia, such as Barbuzzo, Osteria, High Street on Market and more. Check out our full guide to where to eat during Restaurant Week in Philadelphia.
Saturday, January 20
Photograph: Guerilla Girls
Women’s March on Philadelphia at Logan Square; 10:30am; free
The second annual women's march on Philadelphia is expected to draw an even larger crowd than last year's. The theme for the march is “We resist. We persist. We rise,” a slogan meant to reflect on the progress that was made since last year’s event, and what needs to be done going forward. The short answer? A lot! Those interested in attending will find the event broken up into three segments: the initial gathering at Aviator Park in Logan Square at 10:30am, the actual march steps off at 11am, and then everyone gathers at Eakins Oval for a rally with speakers and performers at noon. Don’t forget your pussy hats, and go over-the-top clever with your signs.
“Not Ready to Make Nice: Guerrilla Girls in the Artworld and Beyond” at the Galleries at Moore; 10am; free
Two rooms at the Galleries at Moore spotlight the history of the Guerrilla Girls, a fired-up and provocative collective of artists that has used art and activism to champion feminism and social change for three decades. The exhibition includes documentary footage, protest artifacts, behind-the-scenes photos and girl power aplenty.
Go on a pierogi crawl in Port Richmond; anytime; pay as you go
We sent a hungry writer to Port Richmond to scope out the best and most authentic pierogi spots in a neighborhood known as the epicenter of Polish culture in Philadelphia. She brought back a pretty good list that we wrestled from her hands after a few hours of food coma. Check out the guide to the best pierogi in Philadelphia to find a variety of these doughy potato cheese dumplings, which is winter-weather munching at its best. Amiright?
Sensitive Guys at InterAct Theatre Company; 8pm; $15-$40
Playwright MJ Kaufman’s latest receives its world premiere production at InterAct. Everything about Sensitive Guys—described as a biting social satire that casts female-identifying and gender nonconforming people in the roles of male and female college students taking part in a sexual assault support group—seems of-the-moment.
Kathleen Madigan at Keswick Theatre; 8pm; $29.50–$39.50
This belly laugh-inducing, road-tested comedian has several Netflix specials and a gift for sarcasm.
Sunday, January 21
Photograph: Courtesy Pegsicle
Philly Home Show at Pennsylvania Convention Center; 10am; $10
This massive exhibition for the home-owning set features exhibitors and experts from around the country who can help and inspire you to make some much-needed or just downright frivolous changes around the house. Learn how to decorate small spaces, browse new and innovative architecture for pets (yes, that’s a thing) and meet some of the HGTV stars on those home-repair shows you’ve been binging on weekends.
NFC Championship Game Watch Party at Pegsicle; 5pm; pay as you go
On Sunday, the ice bar at La Peg in Old City is hosting an outdoor screening of the NFC Championship Game on their huge outdoor screen as the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Minnesota Vikings to see who advances to the Super Bowl. Besides the game, there will be an Eagles sculpture on the grounds for good luck, an ice luge and $3 “Underdog” shots that, yes, are indeed green.
Ongoing
Rothman Ice Rink and America’s Garden Capital Maze at Dilworth Park; all day; pay as you go
Get the full wintertime experience at this charming rink in the shadow of City Hall. Besides endless skating, this year’s Wintergarden features the Rothman Institute Cabin, where you can cozy up with seasonal cocktails, craft beer and light bites; the America’s Garden Capital Maze, a “popup maze-meets-garden” full of photogenic plants and lights.
Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest; 11am; pay as you go
Wassail on the waterfront at this urban wintertime retreat, or rent skates and hit the ice on their outdoor rink. RiverRink affords kids and adults the chance to kick their heels on the ice for a $3 admission fee, with a $10 skate-rental fee collected for those who don’t bring their own. The at-large Winterfest, meanwhile—an approximately two-acre campus encompassing an arcade, lodge and a Franklin Fountain–operated “Confectionary Cabin”—is a free space with plenty of pay-as-you-go indulgences. While the kids skate or push quarters in the arcade machines, adults can warm up by the fire pits with the Latin-inspired dishes of Garces, a basket of Chickie’s & Pete’s famous fries and their choices from a menu of craft beer.
“Winter Fountains for the Parkway” along the Ben Franklin Parkway; 6pm; free
In celebration of its 100th year, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will be decorated with a dazzling light and video show by artist Jennifer Steinkamp. Starting in early December and lasting through March, the installation comprises five 13-foot high domes lined up along the parkway. After dark, the domes will become glowing projection screens featuring animated videos inspired by the cultural institutions that line the boulevard—places like the Franklin Institute and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Steinkamp’s work is known for its sensuous beauty and transformative power. Prepare to be mesmerized.