SHENANIGANS FOR GOOD
Cupid’s Undie Run Think of it as Naked Bike Ride’s slightly more modest older sister: Cupid’s Undie Run invites runners to strip down to their bloomers for a daylong — and drunken — jog and bash near the stadiums in South Philly. The event starts at noon with drinks and mingling before runners head out for their chilly, one-mile jaunt. After that, the party continues with more drinking and merriment through 4 p.m. All money raised goes to the Children’s Tumor Foundation’s efforts to cure a rare genetic disease called neurofibromatosis, so there’s a good deed mixed in all the silliness. GayBINGO! The bawdy drag queens that call themselves the Bingo-Verifying Divas (BVDs, to be short) present their first GayBINGO! event of 2017, with a “Fifty Shades of Grey” theme. GayBINGO is one of Philly’s most unique, fun events — a must for every Philadelphian with a good sense of humor and generous heart. Each game night benefits AIDS Fund Philly. MUSIC MARDI GRAS Fat Tuesday’s FOOD Reading Terminal Market PARKS Woodford Mansion BalletX Winter Series 2017
Feb. 18, noon-4 p.m.
XFinity Live
1100 Pattison Ave.
$35
cupidsundierun.org
Feb. 18, 7 p.m.
Gershman Y
401 S. Broad St.
$25-$30
aidsfundphilly.org
Earth, Wind & Fire Tribute Show
Feb. 18, 8 p.m.
Keswick Theatre
291 N. Keswick Ave.
$38.50-$58.50
keswicktheatre.com
It’s gonna be funky up in Keswick Theatre Saturday night, when 10-piece outfit Shining Star hit the stage for a tribute to the kings of ’70s funk music, Earth, Wind & Fire. There will be lofty vocals, tons of horns and an energy that won’t let you stay in your seat as the group plays through four decades of hits like “Shining Star,” “Boogie Wonderland” and “September.”
Mummers Mardi Gras Parade
Feb. 18, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Main Street in Manayunk
Pay as you go
mummersmardigras.com
For a taste of Bourbon Street a little closer to home, the Mummers hit Main Street in Manayunk for their annual Mardi Gras Parade. Sixteen ensembles from The String Band Association promise a day of lively music, livelier costumes and shiny beads galore. Stick around after the parade for a family-friendly carnival featuring face painting, extra performances, and food and drink.
Mardi Gras Parade on South Street
Feb. 19, 1-6 p.m.
431 South St.
Pay as you go
facebook.com/The-Wild-Bohemians
Join Philly-based Mardi Gras band The Wild Bohemians for their 33rd annual NOLA-themed pub crawl along South Street. The band of revelers dress in outlandish costumes and play music as they make their way from bar to bar. The procession begins at Fat Tuesday’s and carries on to pubs like Downey’s, Paddy Whacks, O’Neals and Copabanana.
Dessert Tasting at Parc
Feb. 16, 7:30 p.m.
Parc
227 S. 18th St.
$45-$50
parc-restaurant.com
Satiate your sweet tooth with delights from the capable hands of Parc Executive Pastry Chef Abigail Dahan at this five-course, all-dessert tasting. She’ll offer up traditional French pastries, like a poached pear sabayan; a coconut-whipped ganache tart with citrus, honey and mint; and a salted caramel brulee. Spring for the $50 ticket to enjoy a beverage pairing.
Black History Month Celebration
Feb. 18, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
51 N. 12th St.
Pay as you go
readingterminalmarket.org
Philly’s iconic Reading Terminal Market marks Black History Month with an afternoon of Saturday activities. Partake in a cooking demonstration at City Kitchen, catch a performance by Demented Evolution, or learn to whip up healthier meals at a discussion led by The Dorrance H. Hamilton Center for Culinary Enterprises.
Historic Whitesbog and Pine Barrens Hike
Feb. 18, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Powelton Village (starting point)
Address revealed after registration
$30
philaparks.org
As part of an ongoing series that explores “magical and often unseen places in Philadelphia’s parks and surrounding countryside,” Philadelphia Parks Alliance takes hikers to the Pine Barrens to explore the 3,000 acres comprising Whitesbog Village. The day begins with a hearty breakfast before setting out to wander through Whitesbog’s vibrant cranberry bogs and dense forest. Be sure to pack a picnic.
The Love Stories of Woodford Mansion
Feb. 16-19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
33rd Street and Dauphin Drive
$8
woodfordmansion.org
If you’re still feeling amorous the weekend after Valentine’s Day, take a sojourn to Fairmount Park’s historic Woodford Mansion for a tour with a romantic twist. Actors dressed in period costumes will impart love stories centered around the people who lived in the storied home, like Alexander Barclay and Ann Hickman, whose portraits still hang in the front hall.
ARTS
Through Feb. 19
The Wilma Theater
265 S. Broad St.
$25-$45
balletx.org
This is the last weekend of BalletX’s Winter Series, which brings to the stage a trio of fresh and innovative new dance works like celebrated Norwegian choreographer Jo Stromgren’s American folk-music-inspired “The Letter,” and the East Coast premiere of co-founder Matthew Neenan’s “Credo,” which earned major thumbs up from The New York Times when it showed at the 2016 Vail International Dance Festival.