MUSIC
Bobby Long
Thursday, 8 p.m.
World Cafe Live
3025 Walnut St.
From $15,www.worldcafelive.com
British-born singer Bobby Long performs in support of his new album, “Ode to Thinking.” His soulful vocals, sparse guitar and melodies that nod to outlaw country bestow a thematic, familiar narrative to his style. Pennsylvania native singer-songwriter Lily Mae opens. Marcus Alan Ward
Thursday, 8 p.m.
MilkBoy
1100 Chestnut St.
From $5, www.milkboyphilly.com
Marcus Alan Ward combines R&B vocals with electronic and atmospheric sounds, creating a soothing yet sexy vibe. Not quite danceable, this is still music to get a party started. A Thursday night out, a cocktail, the cool vibe at MilkBoy – if that’s the kind of party you’re into, Marcus Alan Ward is your man. RELATED:All the cool kids were at the Franklin Institute’s Science After Hours Fetty Wap
Thursday, 8 p.m.
Liacouras Center
1776 N. Broad St.
Temple University hosts New Jersey native and rapper Fetty Wap, along with Wale, Logic and French Montana. From his breakout “Trap Queen,” to new single, “Handgun,” Fetty Wap’s melodic, narrative-driven style has led to chart-topping hits. THEATER
‘Once’
Friday through Sunday
Academy of Music
240 S Broad St.
From $20, www.kimmelcenter.org
Winner of eight Tony Awards, this unique musical about an Irish busker and a young Czech woman was written by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová of The Swell Season. The actors rotate in and out of the orchestra, providing the soundtrack as well as the story of love, music and distance. MUSEUMS
La Maladie: Confronting the Uncomfortable
Through Jan. 10
Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Ben Franklin Pkwy.
From $3, www.ansp.org
New Orleans-born painter Betsy Stirratt’s stirring collection features portraits of ailing and disfigured body parts rendered in the shining richness of gold leaf. For this first exhibit of the show on the East Coast, the Mütter deftly pairs her work with some of the museum’s permanent illustrations and artifacts. MLK Celebration
Friday through Jan. 18
African American Museum in Philadelphia
701 Arch St.
From $2, www.aampmuseum.org
The African American Museum ofPhiladelphia expands its MLK celebration to include the weekend, offering discounted admission, panel discussions and family-friendly activities. Performances and workshops will complement the permanent collections of this museum, the first of its kind in America. MLK Weekend
Saturday through Jan. 18
Please Touch Museum
4231 Avenue of the Republic
Free with museum admission, www.pleasetouchmuseum.org
The Please Touch Museum features a weekend of interactive events to commemorate the life of Martin Luther King and make history come alive for young learners. Visitors can listen to stories, make crafts to send to local children’s hospitals and participate in a hip-hop fundamentals class to get moving and learn the history of the music. FOOD & DRINK
Big Philly Beerfest
Friday and Saturday
Pennsylvania Convention Center
1101 Arch St.,www.bigphillybeerfest.com
Where there’s whack liquor laws, there will be amazing beer festivals. The second annual Big Philly Beerfest is a tasting weekend featuring over 300 beers, including some extremely difficult to find in Pennsylvania. Connoisseur and designated driver tickets are also available, featuring appetizers and soft drinks. AQUARIUM
Little Blue Penguins
Thursday and ongoing
Adventure Aquarium
1 Riverside Drive, Camden
From $20, www.adventureaquarium.com
The little blue penguin—– also known as the fairy penguin in its native Australia — is an azure-feathered bird that grows to about a foot tall. The Adventure Aquarium introduces some of these adorable avians to the public this month, complete with a brand new habitat exhibit that mirrors the birds’ native beaches. Sydney Dupriest
Fetty Wap, ‘Once,’ Big Philly Beerfest, and more things going on in Philadelphia
Jamie Strachan
