Philadelphia

Things to Do in Philadelphia {Jan. 26-27, 2013}

by Alissa on January 25, 2013

Things to Do in Philadelphia

things to do in Philadelphia

Things to Do In Philadelphia (Jan. 26-27, 2013)

Free Family Event – Make a Valentine
Participating Michaels stores
Sat. Jan. 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Free. Bring the family and create a handmade Valentine card for free.

Story time with Costume Character Spot
Barnes & Noble, 301 Main Street, Exton, PA
Sat. Jan. 26, 11 a.m.
Join us in the children’s department “under the trees” for storytime. Special guest: costume character Spot. Free.

Delia’s Dull Day – Storytime Author Event
Barnes & Noble, The Metroplex – 2300 Chemical Road, Plymouth Meeting, PA
Sun. Jan. 26, 11 a.m.
Join us for a special storytime featuring author Andy Myer reading from his book Delia’s Dull Day. Delia complains that nothing ever happens to her, but perhaps if she decided to look up, she’d see the elephants marching through her house.

Kids’ Matinees: All Dogs Go to Heaven
Bryn Mawr Film Institute, 824 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr, PA
Sat., Jan. 26 at 11 a.m.
Presented by Main Line Animal Rescue. Adults $5 and kids $4. Rated G.

Community Paint Day for Philadelphia Zoo Mural
The Gallery at Market East, 9th and Market Streets (Level 2), Philadelphia
Sat. Jan. 26, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Come roll up your sleeves and work alongside muralist Eurhi Jones and her assistants on the production of this 8,000 square foot mural by helping paint panels that highlight the Zoo’s wildlife and environment. No painting experience necessary and all supplies provided. NOTE: This activity is for adults and kids ages 7 and over. A coloring activity will be provided for children under the age of 7. Three 1-hour sessions will be offered. Each can accommodate 30 guests. Event is free, but reservations are required.

Free Crafts for Kids – Magnetic Snowman Notepad
Lakeshore Learning
Sat. Jan. 26, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Celebrate the season with a decorative notepad that sticks right to the fridge. Plus print this coupon and bring with you to save $5 off a $25 purchase. *Lakeshore Learning has free activities for kids every Saturday!

LEGO Chima Challenge – Toys R Us
Participating Toys R Us stores
Sat. Jan. 26, 12 to 2 p.m.
Free. Bring your friends and compete in CHIMA Speedorz Challenges and catch a preview of the new series “Legends of CHIMA” coming to Cartoon Network this summer.

Turtle Story Times with local author Donna Zapala
Adventure Aquarium, Camden, NJ
Sat., Jan. 26 (12:00, 1:15 and 2:15 p.m.)
To celebrate the aquarium’s newest exhibit, Turtles: Journey of Survival, local writer Donna M. Zappala reads her children’s book, “What Kind of Turtle Am I?” Includes interactive elements and a hands-on craft activity. Copies of the book also available for sale and autographs. Free and included with admission to Adventure Aquarium. Space limited and attendance is first come/first serve. Doors open 10 minutes before start time.

Clover Market – Winter Market
23rd Street Armory, 22 s. 23rd St., Philadelphia PA
Sun. Jan. 27, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Clover Market, the open-air market, usually found outdoors in Ardmore during the spring and fall, is traveling to Philadelphia’s 23rd St. Armory for an indoor version of their popular market. Looking for a unique, handmade, vintage gift for Valentine’s Day? With 55 vendors, food trucks and DIY workshops, you’re sure to find something special.

Fore! The Planet (indoor mini golf) and Recycled Tree Maze
Linvilla Orchards, 137 W. Knowlton Road, Media, PA
Open every day. Sun-Thurs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday/Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
A highly interactive and playful museum exhibit created by The Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. Eighteen educational holes explore butterfly metamorphosis, tropical rainforest, evolution, dinosaur extinction, food chains and more. $6.95 (ages 11 and over) and $4.95 (ages 10 and under). See our full review from last year here.

For more events and things to do in Philadelphia and the surrounding area throughout the week, check our Kid-Friendly Events Calendar!

Tagged as: activities for kids, things to do in Philadelphia, things to do with kids

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WIN: Catch Me If You Can at The Academy of Music, Philadelphia

by Alissa on January 11, 2013

Catch Me If You Can (the musical)

Catch Me If You Can

UPDATE: We have a winner!

Catch Me If You Can

The lucky winner is… Colleen Schroeder!

———–

Broadway musical Catch Me If You Can is coming to the Academy of Music in Philadelphia January 15-20.

Catch it while YOU can during the following performances:

Tuesday, January 15 – 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 16 – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 17 – 7:30 p.m.
Friday, January 18 – 8 p.m.
Saturday, January 19 – 2 p.m.
Saturday, January 19 – 8 p.m.
Sunday, January 20 – 1 p.m.
Sunday, January 20 – 6:30 p.m.

Synopsis:

Based on the hit DreamWorks film and the incredible true story that inspired it, Catch Me If You Can is the high-flying, splashy new Broadway musical that tells the story of Frank W. Abagnale, Jr., a teenager who runs away from home in search of the glamorous life. With nothing more than his boyish charm, a big imagination, and millions of dollars in forged checks, Frank successfully poses as a pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer—living the high life and winning the girl of his dreams. But when Frank’s lies catch the attention of FBI agent Carl Hanratty, Carl chases Frank to the end…and finds something he never expected. This delightfully entertaining musical has been created by a Tony Award®-winning ‘dream team,’ with a book by Terrence McNally (The Full Monty, Ragtime), a swinging score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray), choreography by Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray, Legally Blonde), and direction by Jack O’Brien (Hairspray, The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels). Don’t miss this big-hearted musical adventure based on an astonishing real-life story of being young, in love…and in deep, deep trouble!

WIN IT: Catch Me If You Can tickets

Best yet, one lucky reader will win tickets to the opening night performance this Tuesday, Jan. 15 at 7:30 p.m.! This is a quick turnaround giveaway, since the performance is this Tuesday.

To enter to win, leave a comment below with your favorite musical, play or live performance.

Entries accepted through tomorrow night (Saturday 1/12/2013) at midnight. Winner will be chosen at random and will be notified via e-mail on Sunday 1/13. Winner must respond and confirm within 12 hours or a new winner will be chosen.

Good luck!

If you’re looking for more chances to win, check out my friends at:
Delco Deal Diva
Genesis Moments
Kitchen Table
Mommy Entourage
The Wedding Queen

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Les Miserables – Academy of Music in Philadelphia

by Alissa on January 9, 2013

Les Miserables

The film version of Les Miserables hit theaters Christmas Day and so the plight of Fantine, Cosette and Jean Valjean are once again in the public realm. And yes, I look forward to seeing the film adaptation.

But I can tell you. Nothing replaces seeing Les Miserables live on stage. Nothing.

It’s the type of musical that draws you in slowly and leaves you with goosebumps with each and every song performed. The 25th Anniversary production of Les Miserables in Philadelphia at the Academy of Music is no exception.

The talented actors and actresses transform themselves and lead the audience back to 1800s France with ease.

Worth noting is the innovative use of technology in the set design to provide depth and a changing sense of perspective during a select few scenes. At the risk of making this production of Les Miserables sound like a modernist version of 1800s France (which it’s most certainly not), the CGI used in the background allows the audience to really see the movement of Jean Valjean as he’s running through the cobblestone streets, for instance. Technology here is used sparingly and perfectly so.

Highlights for me were the lively innkeeper and wife and their signature song, “Master of the House”, along with “On My Own” and, of course, Fantine’s “I Dreamed a Dream”.

*If you’re not familiar with the story of Les Miserables, this is a story with adult themes. I first saw this with my own family on Broadway when I was in high school, but it’s not one I’ll take my own kids to quite yet.