Looking for some fun, unique and safe ways to spend your weekend? In the age of social distancing, Metro has you covered. A few Philly establishments have come up with inventive ways to still have fun this weekend while staying healthy.
MLK Day Free Tribute Concert
This Monday, The Philadelphia Orchestra is going to be presenting its 31st annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Tribute Concert in partnership with Global Citizen’s Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service. However, unlike years passed, this year’s performance will be shown virtually to help keep social distancing.
According to the release, The Orchestra’s 2021 Martin Luther King, Jr., Tribute Concert is part of Our City, Your Orchestra, a series of free online concerts performed by small ensembles and recorded without audiences at Black-owned businesses and iconic cultural locations throughout the region. The repertoire is chosen specifically for, and in collaboration with, each location to speak to its unique mission, and interviews with leaders at each venue also help to tell their stories.
The program premiering on MLK Day will be led by Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin, who will celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., through music and interviews with prominent Philadelphians who are continuing Dr. King’s work today. The show will kick off at 7 p.m. on Jan. 18.
philorch.org
Kimberly Boutique Pop-Up Sale
This weekend, shoppers can head to Kimberly Boutique’s pop-up sale where everything will be marked down 50%, plus 75% off of the sale rack. The boutique, which is celebrating its 16th year in business, will offer a few different ways for Philadelphians to shop: Just stop by, schedule a private shopping experience or score some deals at home with the code, “HOLIDAY50” through their online shop—private shopping experience’s can be scheduled over email, at [email protected].
The boutique will also be popping up for an outdoor shopping experience in partnership with Rittenhouse Row, at the corner of 18th and Walnut on Saturday, Jan. 23, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., so there will be another opportunity to shop till you drop.
123 S. 16th St., kimberlyboutiquephilly.com
Collaboration Dinner
Philly chefs Jason Peabody and Christopher Godfrey are launching a brand new Philly inspired concept this week. Remi Ricotta is going to be a pasta-centric, takeaway only restaurant to be run out of Chef Townsend Wentz’s Oloroso space on Walnut Street. According to the release, the menu includes playful takes on salads, antipasti, pasta and desserts, including the “Five-a-Bean” Salad; Mortadella Toast; Potato Gnocchi; and Dirty Chai Tiramisu.
However, for the opening this Monday, Jan. 18, Remi Ricotta will feature a four-course collaborative prix fixe menu put together by the two chefs and Chef George Sabatino, a long standing Philadelphia culinary veteran. The menu includes hibiscus cured tilefish; hand-cut pappardelle with mushroom ragu; wood grilled prawns; and dark chocolate mousse. Dinner costs $45 and is available for pickup at Oloroso between 5 and 9 p.m. Vegetarian and vegan substitutions are available and orders can be placed at ouipopup.com.
1121 Walnut St., remiphl.com
The MOAR’s MLK Day Celebration
This Monday, Jan. 18, at 10 a.m., The Museum of the American Revolution will feature a free virtual concert by vocalists and musicians from the Philadelphia Jazz Project on their Youtube page. The performance will feature highlights from PJP’s previous performances at the museum and interviews with special guests while also intermingling spoken word, gospel, jazz, and blues, inspired by excerpts from Martin Luther King, Jr’s speeches and sermons.
However, Philadelphians can also head directly to the museum to partake in activities throughout the whole weekend as well. On Saturday, Jan. 16, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. visitors can learn the story of Ona Judge, a woman who was enslaved in George and Martha Washington’s household in Philadelphia and later escaped at a contactless Discovery Cart (a virtual walkthrough will also be available at that time on the MOAR’s Facebook page.) Other happenings include 10-minute pop-up talks on the Revolutionary War, the new Finding Freedom digital interactive activity and more.
101 S. 3rd St., amrevmuseum.org
A Sweet Soiree
Opera Philadelphia will be continuing to host their fundraiser featuring Lee Hoiby’s one-woman opera, “Bon Appétit!” According to a release, based on two episodes of Julia Child’s classic TV program, “The French Chef,” this short, critically acclaimed confection stars renowned mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton and is directed by Ryan and Tonya McKinny, bringing audiences into the chef’s storied kitchen as she bakes a chocolate cake.
Opera Philadelphia has built a unique digital fundraising event around the comic opera, which was produced by Houston Grand Opera. This particular fundraiser is free to stream on the Opera Philadelphia Channel through Friday, Jan. 15, at 8 p.m. Opera Philadelphia will also be offering a unique “menu of benefits” for supporters of this event, partnering with acclaimed chef Pierre Calmels, owner of Bibou Boutique, who will provide a three-course French dinner to gala guests in the Philadelphia region (at the Benefactor level and above).
