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Winter solstice, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and more
The BSR Weekly Arts and Culture Roundup, December 19-31, 2024
Kyle V. Hiller
It’s the final roundup of 2024! Finishing up the year are an immersive show from Theatre Exile, standup and improv from Lady Laughs Philly, and celebrations of the winter solstice, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.
Wishing you and yours a happy holiday if you celebrate. Thank you so much for reading this year, spending time with us at our events, and experiencing the arts right here in Philly together. I’m looking forward to what next year brings us.
Kea and the Ark
December 19-23
Theatre Exile, 1340 South 13th Street
This immersive show uses electric cello, puppetry, and dance to tell the true story of a woman’s protest against displacement in Newark, New Jersey. Kea Tawana, a self-taught engineer, artist, and visionary, single-handedly built an 86-foot-long, three-story ark in Newark’s Central Ward. She lived a life of displacement, invention, and resilience from internment camp to Hopi reservation, to ever-moving life in Newark. This will be the Philadelphia premiere of the performance.
YES, stANDup
Friday, December 20
The Proscenium at the Drake, 302 South Hicks Street
The beloved all-women-and-queer comedy show Lady Laughs Philly teams up with Impulse Control Freaks for a show that culminates into an 11-person comic extravaganza. Pulling from Lady Laughs’ regulars’ sets, the show promises standup comedy and improv for a night of chaotic situations.
Winter solstice at Glen Foerd
Saturday, December 21, 2-5:30pm
Glen Foerd, 5001 Grant Avenue, Philadelphia
Pay a visit to the park for the solstice this weekend for an afternoon of crafts, guide walks, hot drinks, a bonfire by the river, and more. The event is free and open to all ages.
Being ___ at Christmas
Monday, December 25, 10am-3pm
Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 South Independence Mall East
The Weitzman’s annual Being ___ at Christmas is back. Join in for performances and activities, including Adoughma dough play, a scavenger hunt, an interactive concert, make-and-take crafts, and a lighting of the menorah for the first night of Hanukkah. All are invited, as the event encourages folks to “fill in your own blank” and join in for the family fun.
Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience – A Parody by Dan and Jeff
December 26-January 5
Zellerbach Theatre at Penn Live Arts, 3680 Walnut Street
London’s West End hit Potted Potter is making its way to Philly just after Christmas. The critically acclaimed comedic rendition of all seven Harry Potter books. I know there are still plenty of Harry Potter fans, and this sounds like a great chance to see a unique take on the cultural phenomenon.
AAMP’s Kwanzaa series
December 26-January 1
The African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street
AAMP hosts a series of special programs and events at the end of the month to celebrate Kwanzaa. This year has in-person and virtual offerings, including a resource fair, arts and crafts, music, dance, interactive workshops, and more—all that honor Nguzo Saba: the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.
Also, check out two new exhibitions from AAMP: Shaheed Rucker: (re)Covering the Iconic (which opens December 20) reimagines Jet magazine and Wheaties box designs to spotlight Black Pennsylvanians’ achievements; and The Pearl Bailey Showcase (opening December 24), a digital showcase online that features over 100 scrapbook collages hand-crafted by award-winning actress, singer, and author Pearl Bailey.
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