MUSICBobby LongThursday, 8 p.m.World Cafe Live3025 Walnut St.From $15,www.worldcafelive.comBritish-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 WardThursday, 8 p.m.MilkBoy1100 Chestnut St.From $5, www.milkboyphilly.comMarcus 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 HoursFetty WapThursday, 8 p.m.Liacouras Center1776 N. Broad St.$30, www.liacourascenter.comTemple 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 SundayAcademy of Music240 S Broad St.From $20, www.kimmelcenter.orgWinner 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.MUSEUMSLa Maladie: Confronting the UncomfortableThrough Jan. 10Academy of Natural Sciences1900 Ben Franklin Pkwy.From $3, www.ansp.orgNew 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 CelebrationFriday through Jan. 18African American Museum in Philadelphia701 Arch St.From $2, www.aampmuseum.orgThe 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 WeekendSaturday through Jan. 18Please Touch Museum4231 Avenue of the RepublicFree with museum admission, www.pleasetouchmuseum.orgThe 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 & DRINKBig Philly BeerfestFriday and SaturdayPennsylvania Convention Center1101 Arch St.,www.bigphillybeerfest.comWhere 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.AQUARIUMLittle Blue PenguinsThursday and ongoingAdventure Aquarium1 Riverside Drive, CamdenFrom $20, www.adventureaquarium.comThe 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
