Weekend Preview: Dec 5th

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Here are our picks for your weekend entertainment in Philly:

FRIDAY:

It’s First Friday! There are art things going on all across the city. Yes, the weather is cold, but a stroll up and down 2nd and 3rd Street is always a worthwhile endeavor. While bopping in and out of the art galleries in Old City you can warm up with cocktails and food at Race Street Cafe, Sassafras, and Paddy’s Old City Pub on Race Street.

Friday night is the Tree Lighting Ceremony at Penns Landing’s RiverRink.  The festivities go from 6:30-8:00 p.m. and is free to watch. There should be free coffee available to keep you warm.  Carolers will be on hand. Kids can skate with Santa and make crafts.

Philly’s own Mike Boone Quartet has a record release party for Heart and Soul at Chris’ Jazz house.  Mike is local bass player and mentor to many young artists. Chris’ Jazz House is also a cool spot to see a show.  Here’s a little of Mike Boone:

Keeping with good music, Medeski Scofield Martin and Wood are at Union Transfer. It’s hard to classify this stuff as jazz, but it’s worth checking out if you can find a reasonable ticket on the secondary market. The show is currently sold out.  Here’s a recent video for Juicy Lucy. If you saw this show with your friend Mary Jane, she’d probably dig it, too.

SATURDAY:

The No. Libs/Fishtown Shopping Spree starts Saturday (11 a.m. – 8 p.m.) and runs through the weekend (Sunday 11-6).  The is the 8th Anniversary of the Spree and a great way to support local retailers and get cool/unique gifts for friends and loved ones.  16 shops in all take part in the Spree and discounts are to be had.

Philadelphia’s 2nd Annual Bacon & Beer Festival takes place Saturday from 2:30-5:00 p.m. at the 23rd Street Armory.  Local restaurants and breweries come together to offer creative bacon-based dishes and fine brews. Proceeds from the benefit Manna. That’s a good cause and the Armory is a cool spot if you haven’t been.

Deck the Alley is a chance to tour the private historic houses on Elfreth’s Alley, the nation’s oldest residential street. The event will have carolers, refreshments, as well as encounters with Ben Franklin, Dolley Madison and colonial Pennsylvania’s own cranky Santa “Belschnickel” himself.

SUNDAY:

The Eagles/Seahawks are on Sunday at 4:25.  That might give you time to sneak in a trip to the South Street Headhouse District Winter Wonderland at the Shambles at 2nd & Pine Streets. Santa arrives on a fire truck at 5:00. A tree lighting happens at 6:30. Brauhaus Schmitz will be offering German sausage sandwiches, goulash, beer and mulled wine.

Don’t forget all weekend to check out:

The Winter Lodge at RiverRink on Penn’s Landing for cocktails, smores and fire pits.

The same can be said for Franklin Square Holiday Festival. 

Love Park Christmas Village for your local shopping needs.

TEASER TIME:

In college tease Northern Illinois to -.5 vs. Bowling Green. They win this game. The public is on Arizona put tease Oregon down to -8.5.

In the NFL, tease the Ravens to a +9 vs. the Dolphins. I still don’t like the Dolphins. I do like Mike Zimmer and I think his defense shuts down a bad Jets team. So tease the Vikings from -6 to a pick’em.