Black Friday Comedy Marathon, Matilda, Kulu Mele, and more for the holiday

Congratulations! You made it to the end of the longest short week of the year—or so it would seem. Beyond the turkey, awkward political conversations with that one uncle, and contemplating how much you love or hate this holiday and the sum of its parts is another weekend filled with great times. Philly Improv Theater brings back its Black Friday Comedy Marathon. SALT Performing Arts opens its run of Matilda the Musical and Theatre Exile tackles a heavy subject with On the Exhale. Kulu Mele is still going incredibly strong, an historic commemoration visits Philly for World AIDS Day, and Amalgam Comics is dancing off all those extra calories with a vinyl record party.

Also, don’t forget it’s the Opening Weekend of #RiverRink Winterfest and consider Small Business Saturday instead of buying into the Black Friday hype.

Happy holidays to you and yours, my friend.

Black Friday Comedy Marathon

Philly Improv Theater hosts the Black Friday Comedy Marathon for its fifth year. The cacophony of improv, stand-up, sketch, and variety comedy builds up to over 30 hours of non-stop laughs. This year’s marathon begins on Friday, November 29 at 3pm and runs continuously through Saturday just before midnight. Pick up your pass today, and be sure to stay a while!

Matilda the Musical

SALT Performing Arts opens its run of Matilda the Musical this weekend. Through November 29-December 15, and based on the Roald Dahl novel, the story follows a courageous little girl with a magical imagination takes a stand and changes her own destiny. For times, tickets, and more, check it out online.

On the Exhale

On the Exhale is a performance from Theatre Exile about a liberal college professor searching for meaning after a terrible act of violence. Challenged by the inaction and corruption of legislature, she’s faced with the opportunity to teach a lesson, but she may have to learn one first in this piece written by Martin Zimmerman and directed by Matt Pfeiffer. The show opens on Friday and runs through December 22. Check it out online.

Kulu Mele African Dance and Drum Ensemble

On Saturday and Sunday, Kulu Mele makes its Annenberg Center debut with Ogun & the People, a full-length performance exploring the Afro-Cuban/Yoruba parable of the deity Ogun, a warrior and protector who abandons the other gods, wreaking terrible violence and famine on the world. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, this weekend’s showing is a world premiere. Catch the vibes from dance and percussion this weekend, and pick up your tickets ahead of time.

A Very Special Vinyl Tap

Amalgam Comics is hosting it’s Very Special Vinyl Tap on Saturday, November 29 at 12-5pm. Along with Vinyl Tap 215, and hosts Duiji 13 and Starfire, the afternoon is jam-packed with DJs rotating chill vibes, vendors, live artists painting, baked treats, and more. The event is free and all are welcome.

AIDS Memorial Quilt Display

The AIDS Fund is commemorating World AIDS Day with the AIDS Memorial Quilt on display at the Congregation Rodeph Shalom, 615 North Broad Street. The quilt includes 49,000 panels over the last 30 years. A reading of names will take place throughout the event to commemorate those who were lost in the battle against AIDS. See the spectacle of hope, love, and healing on Sunday, December 1 from 11am-3pm.

Delaware Art Museum Holiday Festival

The Delaware Art Museum is celebrating the holiday season with its annual Museum Store sale and Winter Arts Festival, a special holiday-themed Family 2nd Sunday, performances by the popular Cartoon Christmas Trio, and spectacular handmade holiday decorations created by the Delaware Art Museum Council. And it all starts this Sunday, December 1 and returns once again on Friday, December 13 and 14, with live music, art vendors, and more.

Community Vegan Potluck at the Rotunda

The free, family-friendly vegan potluck is here just in time for the holiday weekend. Bring a small vegan dish of your choosing (The Rotunda does not have a kitchen, so bring something ready to serve), bring friends, make new ones, and try some new recipes. It goes down on Sunday at 5:30-7:30pm at the Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street.