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Holidays: Penn-Style
November 23, 2010, Volume 57, No. 13
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Holiday Happenings at Penn
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Festivities at the Penn Museum

Discount Days at the Museum Shops: December 4-5

At the Penn Museum, The Museum Shop and the Pyramid Shop for Children offer an international shopping experience, featuring holiday gifts that are fair trade and globally responsible, ecologically sustainable and “green,” or, in this difficult economy, just plain affordable. The shops feature jewelry, clothing, accessories and crafts from around the world. Saturday, December 4 and and Sunday, December 5, are Holiday Shopping Savings Days when PennCard holders receive 15% off and Penn Museum members, 20% off all purchases.

Fair trade practices are an important criteria in stocking the Museum shops. Store Director Kevin Freitag handpicks merchandise that directly benefits low-income artisans and their communities around the globe. This year, fair trade “green” offerings abound, including:

Recycled, paper-beaded jewelry from Acacia Creation is an elegant and unique fair trade gift starting at $5. Each bead is individually hand-rolled from recycled magazine paper by women in Uganda and Western Kenya.

From India, produced under the Fair Trade system by Handmade Expressions, are handbags from recycled textile patches. Prices range from $20 to $60.

Museum
Necklace and earrings handmade by women—from recycled magazine paper.

Annual Peace Around the World: Passport to Culture: December 5

Penn Museum will celebrate its 15th annual Peace Around the World family-oriented holiday afternoon Sunday, December 5, 1-4 p.m. Visitors receive a “Passport to Cultures” with an itinerary to visit galleries where Penn Museum International Classroom speakers share holiday traditions of their home countries through music, stories, arts, crafts, games and more. The afternoon also features international music and dancing, children’s choirs, exotic face painting, balloon art, international family crafts and free treats for children! Free with regular admission donation.

Activities

Toys for Tots Holiday Skate

The Penn Ice Rink hosts a Holiday Skate at the Class of 1923 Arena on Saturday, December 18 at 5:45 p.m. and Sunday, December 19 at 1:30 p.m., free public skat­ing admission with a donation to Toys for Tots.

Holiday Garden Railway Display

Railway

The Holiday Garden Railway, opening November 26 at the Morris Arboretum features displays and buildings made of all natural materials to form a miniature landscape. Philadelphia-area landmarks such as a replica of Independence Hall are made using pinecone seeds for shingles, and acorns, finials and twigs as downspouts.

The Morris Arboretum’s popular Holiday Garden Railway Display returns Friday, November 26 and is open daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m. through January 2 (closed December 24, 25 and January 1). The display includes model trains decked out for the holidays running along a quarter mile track outdoors in the Morris Arboretum’s winter garden, surrounded by a miniature village adorned with thousands of twinkling lights for the holidays.

The grand opening celebration will be held Friday, November 26, 1-3 p.m. and will include the sounds of carolers. Kids and adults will also have the opportunity to make an ornament or decoration from natural materials to take home. Free with regular garden admission. See www.morrisarboretum.org

Shopping

Holiday Book Sale

The Walnut Street West Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia will hold a book sale on Saturday, December 4, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The proceeds will go towards after school programs for youth and acquisition of new books.

Penn Bookstore Annual Holiday Sale

The Penn Bookstore’s Annual Holiday Sale on Thursday, December 9 and Friday, December 10 features 20% off merchandise storewide! Enjoy live musical/vocal performances by student groups.

UCAL Craft Show and Sale

The University City Arts League is having its annual arts craft show and sale starting Friday, December 10 with a special preview for members then Saturday, December 11 with an opening reception for the general public. Both evenings: 6-9 p.m. The show is in the gallery of the Arts League at 4226 Spruce St. Some 30 local artists will show and sell their art and crafts including jewelry, silk scarves, hand made purses, clay pieces and an array of other original and hand made items. The show runs until December 23. Refreshments will be served on both opening nights. Memberships can be secured at the door.

Special Events

Kwanzaa Celebration

The Makuu Black Cultural Center is hosting a Kwanzaa Celebration Dinner Thursday, December 9, 6 p.m. in Bodek Lounge, Houston Hall. The Penn community is invited to join Makuu in this annual festive affair with music, good food, and fellowship.

CA Christmas Party

The Christian Association’s annual Christmas Party will take place on Friday, December 10 at 5:30 p.m. There will be food, fellowship and good cheer for students, faculty and staff.

Performances

Annenberg Center Holiday Performances

For ticket prices see www.annenbergcenter.org

Preservation Hall Jazz Band—December 10. New Orleans Creole Christmas celebration featuring Christmas classics and beloved standards with a twist of ragtime, blues and jazz; 8 p.m.; Zellerbach Theatre; $20-$50.

Slide (Ireland)—December 11. Celebrate the yuletide with Slide, straight from the Emerald Isle Featuring festive fiddling, traditional Irish tunes and holiday favorites; 8 p.m.; Zellerbach Theatre; $20-$50.

Mummenschanz—December 16-18. A unique alternative to The Nutcracker or A Christmas Carol, this Swiss company tells stories using ordinary materials such as toilet paper, white sheets, foam and recycled junk that morph into giant balloons, huge slinkies and gargantuan potato heads; Zellerbach Theatre; various times; $24-$48.

A Christmas Carol Performance

Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” will be performed by Jared Reed of the Curio Theatre, Saturday, December 18, 7:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church. This performance is a benefit of St. Mary’s Church, Hamilton Village. Suggested donation: $10 adults, $5 children aged 5-12. Call (215) 386-3916 for more information.

Holiday Performances at World Cafe Live
Info./Tickets: www.worldcafelive.com

HighKixMas Celebration—Tuesday, December 21. High Kick will perform their new holiday musical, “High on Christmas;” 8 p.m.; $18.

Rock to the Future Christmas Benefit—Thursday, December 23. Rock to the Future is a new, free afterschool music education and youth development program; 8 p.m.; $12.

New Years Eve with Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue—Friday, December 31. A mix of rock, funk, jazz, hip-hop and soul; 10 p.m.; Downstairs Live; $115/reserved seating/free appetizers & champagne toast, $80/reserved seating, $40 standing room.

New Year’s Eve with Slo-Mo and Steph Hayes & the Good Problems—Friday, December 31. Steel driven grooves with hip-hop poetry; 10 p.m.; Upstairs Live; $28, $25/advance.

Dining

Pepper Mill Cafe Holiday Tea Party
The Pepper Mill Cafe at the Penn Museum will host a Holiday Tea Party, Saturday, December 4, 3-4:30 p.m. Enjoy traditional tea fare along with an assortment of holiday treats, teas and lemonade; $17.95.

University Club’s Holiday Reception
The University Club’s annual holiday reception dinner will be held on Tuesday, December 7, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The event is open to Club members and their guests. The evening will include butlered hors d’oeuvres, a carving station and seasonal desserts display. The cost is $28 per person plus service charge and tax. Reservations are required by phone (215) 898-4618 or e-mail universityclub@pobox.upenn.edu.

Holiday Beer Tasting at World Cafe Live
Winterfest ’10: Stouts, Porters, Winter Seasonals and Special Holiday Brews­­—Sunday, December 26. Sample winter seasonal brews from local and national craft breweries. Finger foods are included and the Eagles game will be on; noon-4 p.m.; $45 (ages 21 and over), $20 designated driver.

 

Almanac - November 23, 2010, Volume 57, No. 13