What about the kids?
Hedgerow Theatre: Child’s World presents the first episode of “The Raising of America” documentary, a five-part series aimed to spark a conversation about improving the lives of children and American families. Watch it at 7 p.m. Jan. 25 at 64 Rose Valley Road, Rose Valley, then join in a discussion led by Child’s World America. Admission is free but tickets need to be reserved by going to http://childsworldamerica.org/cw-present.
Orchids in January?
Longwood Gardens: During Orchid Extravaganza Jan. 21-March 31, the heated, four-acre conservatory transports guests into an oasis featuring thousands of orchid blooms. New this year, 100 Phalaenopsis Sogo Yukidian V3 orchids will be suspended in six 24-inch baskets above the Center Walk. Additional indoor highlights include the Mediterranean Garden and nectarines, melons, and other fruits and vegetables flourishing in the Estate Fruit House. There will also be activities and programs for the entire family, including concerts, talks, tours, OrKid Days and more. At 8 p.m. Jan. 28 Farah Siraj will bring her Arabian flamenco jazz to the Longwood stage. Special tickets are required for the performances and can be purchased online at www.longwoodgardens.org. The gardens will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Longwood Gardens is on Route 1 near Route 52, Kennett Township. Admission is $23, $20 for seniors 62+, $13 for students 5-18.
Fresh air
Norristown Farm Park: Adults and children 8 and older can bring skis to the park at 10 a.m. Jan. 22 for a free Cross-Country Ski Clinic. This program will be held even without snow on the ground.
Preregistration is required for a “Nature Detectives” program at 1 p.m. Jan. 25. Be a nature detective for chew marks, tracks and scat and learn about the special adaptations that allow animals to survive the winter. Participants will also hear a story and make a craft. This event is for children 3 and up with an adult. Cost is $5 per child.
Preregistration is required by calling (610) 270-0215. Meet at the salt wing of the barn. Use the entrance at Barley Sheaf Drive and Germantown Pike, East Norriton.
High octane
Greater Philadelphia Expo Center: The Motorsports Racecar & Trade Show includes more than 250 cars, more than 400 racing dealers, free industry seminars, appearances by Richard Petty, the Ms. Motorsports pageant and a Dorney Park Reunion display 2 to 9 p.m. Jan. 20, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Jan. 21 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 22. See http://aarn.com.
Comic relief
Knauer Performing Arts Center: It’s interactive improv comedy with Better Than Bacon at 8 p.m. Jan. 27 at 226 N. High St., West Chester. Tickets are $15. Call (484) 639-9004 or go to www.uptownwestchester.org.
Centre Theater: Starving Artist Prevention presents “Delinquent Comedy” with Chris Stenta, Tommie Turner, Bino Brogden, Brian Isley and host Domo Jones at 8 p.m. Jan. 21 at the theater, 208 DeKalb Pike, Norristown. Tickets are $15. Call (215) 906-0919 or see http://delinquent.brownpapertickets.com.
ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks: The Improvised Shakespeare Company and Hunter Nelson and Terry Withers’ “David Mamet’s ‘The New David Mamet Play'” headline the fourth annual SteelStacks Improv Comedy Festival 6 p.m. to midnight Jan. 20 and 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Jan. 21 at SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem. The festival will also feature an improvised action movie, puppets and a live comic book creation, as well as 50 other improv comedy groups from across the U.S. and Canada doing short- and long-form improv comedy. Friday tickets are $16 in advance, $19 the day of show. Saturday tickets are $25 in advance, $29 the day of show. Go to www.steelstacks.org/comedy or call (610) 332-3378.
The Venue at Valley Forge Casino Resort: Lisa Lampanelli brings her raw brand of comedy to The Venue, 1160 First Ave., Upper Merion, with shows at 7 and 10 p.m. Jan. 28. Tickets are $47.50. Visit www.vfcasino.com.
Happy New Year
Penn Museum: World Culture Day Series presents a Chinese New Year Celebration 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 21 in the China Gallery of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 3260 South Street, Philadelphia. Welcome in the Year of the Rooster, and learn more about how the Lunar New Year is celebrated throughout Asia with traditional music and dance, tai chi and tangram workshops, a Shaolin-style kung fu demonstration, family gallery tours, storytelling, crafts and the Grand Finale Lion Dance Parade. Admission is $15, $13 for seniors 65+, $10 for children and students, free for military personnel, members and children 5 and younger. Check out www.penn.museum or call (215) 898-4000.
Music highlights
Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County: Kim Robson and Russell Ferrara will present a benefit concert of original music at 8 p.m. Jan. 28. Tickets are $20 and includes snacks, soft drinks, beer and wine. Tickets are available at http://robsonferrara.bpt.me or at the door. Call (610) 566-4853, ext. 202.
James A. Michener Art Museum: At 8 p.m. Jan. 27, the museum presents the third of its new Friday Night Band Jam series, this one featuring The Sherwood Brothers. Admission, which includes access to galleries (and the new “Polaris: Northern Explorations in Contemporary Art, an exhibition showcasing the work of regional artists who have visited Iceland, Greenland, Norway/Svalbard and the greater Arctic). The exhibition will be on view through April 23, is $25, $20 for members. Advance registration is required at www.michenerartmuseum.org. The museum is at 138 S. Pine St., Doylestown.
Temple Performing Arts Center: Philadelphia Sinfonia will open its 20th Anniversary Season with a concert featuring soloist, David Kim. Concert time is 3 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Temple Center for the Performing Arts, 1837 N. Broad St., Philadelphia. Tickets are $15. Go to www.philadelphiasinfonia.com or call (215) 351-0363.
Trinity Lutheran Church: The annual free January Tuesday at Noon Organ Recitals, sponsored by the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, are held at Trinity, 1000 W. Main St., Lansdale. On Jan. 24 hear Lee Milhouse and on Jan. 31 Michael Krentz will perform. For more information call (215) 368-1710.
“An Evening with Kristin Chenoweth – Celebrating the Art of Elegance:” The Emmy and Tony Award-winner is in concert at 8 p.m. Jan. 21 at the American Music Theatre, 2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, and 7 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Sands Bethlehem Event Center, 77 Sands Blvd., Bethlehem. Check ticket availability at www.officialkristinchenoweth.com.
Art adventure
Reading Public Museum: Sculptor Joan Danziger’s creepy, crawly creations with six legs and wings take center stage in the new exhibition “Beetle Mania: The Art of Joan Danziger” in the museum’s Meinig Family Gallery through Sept. 3. More than 50 creatures cling to the walls throughout the gallery, and are paired with some of the museum’s scientific collection of beetles, as well as some cultural artifacts from ancient Egypt and South America that decorated with the insects. The artist enlists metal wire, iridescent glass, celluclay and paint to create her larger-than-life sculpted beetles. The exhibition is even locally sponsored by Ehrlich Pest Control. Reading Public Museum is at 500 Museum Road, Reading. Admission is $10 adults, $6 for children, seniors and student, free to members and children 3 and under. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Visit www.readingpublicmuseum.org.
Berman Museum of Art: “Natessa Amin: Dancing on the Water Tank” opens Jan. 20 and continues through June 4 at the museum on the campus of Ursinus College, 601 E. Main St., Collegeville. A Philadelphia-based artist, Amin makes paintings and sculptures that incorporate unconventional materials such as loose pigments, silkscreen prints, flocked paper, cardboard, ceramic and wood. She finds inspiration in African textiles, Pennsylvania Dutch folk art and South Asian architecture and garden design. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Admission is free. An opening reception is held Jan. 20 from 4 to 7 p.m.
Galleries at Moore College of Art & Design: Recycled Artist In Residency’s “Filthy Rich” features projects incorporating demolition debris, wood, plastic, metal, cardboard and miscellaneous rubble, challenging the perception of “trash.” An opening reception for the exhibition is scheduled for 5:30 to 8 p.m. Jan. 27 at the Galleries at Moore College of Art & Design, between 19th and 20th Streets on Race Street, Philadelphia. Admission is free and hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays. A complete list of events and programs scheduled in conjunction with the exhibition is available at www.thegalleriesatmoore.org. For more information call (215) 965-4027.
Scatter Joy Center for the Arts: The Philadelphia Calligraphers’ Society Exhibit features work by artists from Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Lancaster and Philadelphia counties Jan. 20-Feb. 20 at the center, 305 Horsham Road, Horsham. An opening reception runs 5 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. Call (215) 672-3140 or visit www.scatterjoyarts.org.
Mennonite Heritage Center: The art exhibit “Snow Comes to the Highlands” by David Page will be on display from Jan. 24-Feb. 18 at 565 Yoder Road, Franconia Township. The exhibit depicts the seasons changing from autumn to winter across the Pennsylvania Highlands. A public opening reception is scheduled for 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 29. Visit www.mhep.org.
History and booze
Centre Theater: Beer samples from Conshohocken Brewing Co. and liquor samples from Five Saints Distillery are offered 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Jan. 20, followed by a presentation on “The Death and Rebirth of the Schuylkill River.” The theater is at 208 DeKalb Pike, Norristown.
Colonial Theatre: At 6 p.m. Jan. 27, it’s the 10th annual Robert Burns Memorial Whisky Tasting, featuring artisanal cheeses and chocolates. The event benefits the Colonial’s Classic Film Series. This year’s theme is Single Malt Classics. Riannon Walsh, the author of “Whisky Dreams,” will speak on the liquor’s enduring qualities, taste and cultural influence. Tickets are $125 and includes a keepsake tasting glass. There will also be a silent auction. The theater is at 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville. Go to www.thecolonialtheatre.com.
Yum
Center City District Restaurant Week: Held Jan. 22-27 and Jan. 29-Feb. 3, participating restaurants will offer three-course dinners for $35 per person. In addition, many participating restaurants will also offer a three-course lunch for $20. Use m.CenterCityPhila.org to search participating restaurants, check menus and make reservations on your phone. Also, keep up with the latest Restaurant Week news on Twitter @PhilaRestWeek.
January frolic
Bryn Mawr College: The Wintry Mix/Performance Festival features two different programs of 12-minutes-max showings of theater, dance, video and music at 8 p.m. Jan. 27 and 28 in the Hepburn Teaching Theater in Goodhart Hall, 150 N. Merion Ave., Bryn Mawr. Check the program schedule at www.brynmawr.edu/arts. Tickets are $20, $18 for seniors, $10 for students and Dance Pass holders or members of dancephiladelphia.org, $5 for children under 12. Call (610) 526-5210.
Lambertville/New Hope Winter Festival: The 2017 festival features both free and ticketed events in both New Hope and Lambertville, NJ Jan. 21-29. One of the highlights will be a Jan. 27 “An Evening at Odette’s” cabaret with pianist Bob Egan, Brian Pastor’s Big Band and singer/bandleader Eddie Bruce, starting at 8 p.m. at New Hope Solebury High School. See the schedule at www.winterfestival.net.
Good governing
Pennypacker Mills: at 1 p.m. Jan. 22, learn about the accomplishments of Samuel Pennypacker, a noted historian and Governor of Pennsylvania from 1903-1907. Visitors are welcome to stay after the talk for a tour of the Pennypacker mansion. A special exhibit on Pennypacker’s legacy is open through January. Suggested donation is $2 per person. Pennypacker Mills is at 5 Haldeman Road, Perkiomen Township. For more information, call (610) 287-9349 or visit www.montcopa.org/pennypackermills.
Getting married?
Lazaretto Ballroom: The Delco Bridal Show takes place noon to 3 p.m. Jan. 29 (snow date Feb. 19) at 99 Wanamaker Ave., Essington. Check out more than 20 wedding professionals, refreshments and prizes. Admission is $5, free to children under 12. Visit www.delcobridalshow.com.
