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A Mr. T Christmas, One Moment Now, holidays at Lemon Hill, and a South Philly book crawl
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, December 14-20, 2023
Kyle V. Hiller
The holiday effect is apparent this week. Lemon Hill Mansion, which has been under renovation for three years, hosts a holiday party to celebrate the long-awaited reopening of the historic site. Then, Tiny Dynamite hosts an audio experience from a theater collective from Ireland, and a book crawl stomps through South Philly. The Weitzman screens one of the most significant movies in film history, and PhilaMOCA plays a rare screening of a Mr. T Christmas special.
Stay warm, Philly!
One Moment Now
Through Sunday, December 17, 2023, various times
Good Karma Cafe, 265 South Broad Street, Philadelphia
Irish theater collective Murmuration, known for creating audio-centric experiences, brought its new performance from Dublin to Philly (with the help of Tiny Dynamite and Good Karma Cafe), and it wraps up this weekend. One Moment Now is an audio play for one audience member (that’s you!) as they’re guided through a story about memory, grandchildren and grandparents, coffee shops, and hospital visits through the sound, smell, and pictures you make for yourself out of a simple bag of coffee beans. The experience plays out through headphones and runs for 20 minutes; you’ll have to schedule your own time.
I Pity the Scrooge! A Mr. T-Inspired Holiday Celebration
Thursday, December 14, 7:30pm
PhilaMOCA, 531 North 12th Street, Philadelphia
PhilaMOCA hosts a screening of the rare TV special A Christmas Dream, starring Mr. T and Emmanuel Lewis. Pop culture enthusiast and owner of one of the largest collections of Mr. T memorabilia Ben Leach will host a talk, a showcase of Mr. T collectibles, a curated selection of clips, and games with Mr. T-themed prizes.
South Philly Book Crawl
Saturday, December 16, 12pm
Starts at Head House Market, 2nd and Lombard Streets, Philadelphia
Take a jaunt through South Philly for the sake of books and local history with stories of Philadelphia’s notable literary figures and the bookstores that held their books. Stops include Headhouse Books, Mostly Books, Black and Nobel, Garland of Letters, Philly Game Shop, and Atomic City Comics.
Schindler’s List at the Weitzman
Saturday, December 16, 6:30pm
Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 South Independence Mall E, Philadelphia
It’s the 30th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s three-hour epic, and it’s screening at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History this weekend. The film tells the true story of Oskar Schindler, the wealthy German businessman, and the more than 1,000 Jewish people he saved by taking them into his factory.
Holidays in the Park at Lemon Hill Mansion
Sunday, December 17, 10am-4pm
Lemon Hill Mansion, Lemon Hill Drive, Philadelphia
Lemon Hill Mansion just wrapped a three-year renovation, and the holidays will help celebrate the historic mansion’s reopening. The day features a variety of performances and entertainment, including family-friendly activities like photos with Santa, kids holiday sing-alongs, seasonal jazz, and more. There is also a craft workshop from Sisters Interacting through Stitches, a Wynnefield-based diverse group of women who crochet and knit items that are donated to local, national, and international programs. Cosmic Cafe makes its way from Boathouse Row to serve hot soup, seasonal snacks, and a full menu of beverages to keep folks warm. The event is free, but it is $5 to enter the mansion.
At top: One Moment Now uses audio and coffee beans to tell a story of family, memory, and bereavement. (Photo by Donal Talbot.)
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