Volunteer on MLK Day | Things to Do

It’s gearing up to be a chilly, snowy three-day weekend in the region but at least we’ve started seeing the sun set after 5 p.m., so brighter, longer days are ahead. Don’t let the frigid temperatures keep you inside for too long, though — if you’ve got the right gear you can enjoy the wintry outdoors like a pro (more on that later). Do you have any favorite things to do on a snow day? Let me know!

This week’s lineup:

— Rosa Cartagena (@_RosaCartagena, Email me at thingstodo@inquirer.com)

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

Philadelphia honors civil rights legend Martin Luther King, Jr. all weekend long with celebratory events across the region including opportunities to volunteer. Lend a hand for a day of service at Fairmount Park, or head to the African American Museum in Philadelphia or Museum of the American Revolution to enjoy live music and informative exhibits on resilience and resistance. Plus, King’s daughter Bernice King, a lawyer and activist, will speak at Swarthmore.

😂 Lineup for lolz: A slate of great comics is coming to town this year, including Colin Jost, Sheng Wang, and Kathy Griffin. This weekend see Philly comedian Che Guerrero at Punch Line Philly, and catch up on our list of the best stand-up acts to see this year.

🎭 Moon walk to the theater: This weekend is your last chance to see MJ the Musical, where three actors play the King of Pop across his lifetime. Hear Michael Jackson’s biggest hits at the Academy of Music.

🏔️ Beat the cold: Those brave enough to seek outdoor adventures during this chilly weather know that proper gear is essential to be an all-seasons outdoors lover. Here are a few more useful tips for winter hiking and camping.

🥊 Underdog inspo: The new film Unstoppable — starring When They See Us actor Jharrel Jerome and Jennifer Lopez — follows Anthony Robles, a real-life wrestler born with one leg. We talked to the director William Goldenberg, a Philly native, about all the Rocky influences.

🍻 Beer, not boxing: Diehard Rocky fans recognize the Kensington building that once posed as Mighty Mick’s Gym. Now the site has a new life, as a taproom for Lost Time Brewing Company.

👠 And just like that: There’s a Sex and the City-themed murder mystery show. Head to Red Rum Theatre, where you’ll help solve the mystery in the interactive play, Slay and the City: A Killer Cosmo.

📅 My calendar picks this week: Lady Laughs Philly Comedy Show, Wicked World of Oz Drag Brunch, Adult Watercolor Workshop

I’ll admit, ordering delivery can often win over a night out in this weather, but there are some perks to Philly dining out this season. First up is Center City Restaurant week, running Jan. 19 through Feb. 1, where more than 100 bars and restaurants are serving up (delicious) discounted meals. A few notables from our list of The Inquirer’s 76 essential restaurants in the area are also participating, including a. kitchen, Bolo, and Oyster House.

🌳 New on Museum Row: The long-awaited Calder Gardens — dedicated to Philly’s legendary sculptor Alexander Calder — is set to open this fall. Here’s what we know so far.

🎹 Curious keys: Following the closure of Macy’s Center City, we’ve been wondering about the future of the iconic Wanamaker organ. Is it safe? We’re trying to find out what that means.

🔥 Light it up: Cigar enthusiasts, this one’s for you. We rounded up the best cigar lounges in the area, from the 87-year-old Harry’s Cigar Shop to the new Fishtown hang, Smokin’ Silverbacks Cigar Lounge. Find your favorite cozy spot to light up.

🕶️ Gamer time: If you’re tired of escape rooms, have you tried virtual reality games? Team up with your friends, put on headsets, and fight your way out of obstacle courses with Sandbox VR, which just announced a Center City location scheduled to open in April.

🎬 Get on set: Steven Spielberg will be at the Shore this spring, filming his rumored-to-be UFO project starring Emily Blunt, Colman Domingo, and Colin Firth. Find out how to be an extra.

Pop music critic Dan DeLuca breaks down the best upcoming shows:

🪗 Thursday: Maruja Limon, six women from Barcelona who mix flamenco with jazz, Latin pop, and electronic rhythms on their EP Te Como la cara, play World Cafe Live.

🎹 Thursday and Friday: Pianist Robert Glasper settles in for a multi-night run at City Winery. The five-time Grammy winning jazz-hip-hop-R&B bandleader is a frequent collaborator with Philly compadres like Questlove, Bilal, and the Baylor Project, and he’s been a regular at the Roots Picnic. In the last year, Glasper has released no fewer than four Apple Music exclusive projects, including the becalmed Let Go, the jazz-hip-hop fusion Code Derivation, a Keys to the City, Vol. 1 live album, and the holiday collection In December. He also has an Apple Music radio show. Expect surprises at his City Winery stop, which includes two shows Thursday and Friday.

🖼️ Friday: Black Buttafly is the New Brunswick, N.J.-based singer-songwriter Kayla Childs, who was a 2023 Black Music City honoree. Her four-song 2024 EP, Fly Free, recalls 1970s soul women like Chaka Khan and Betty Davis. She will perform at the Philadelphia Museum of Art as part of the Friday Night Lounge series.

🎸 Saturday: Over the holiday break, Kurt Vile dropped in to play Wilco and Tom Petty covers with Philly band Florry at Johnny Brenda’s. This weekend, the “Wakin On a Pretty Day” singer-guitarist, last seen singing “Must Be Santa” in a Christmas video with daughters Awilda and Delphine is back at the Fishtown club to play two solo acoustic shows.

🎤 Sunday: The holiday party of the weekend in Atlantic City is the All Stars of Hip-Hop show happening at Boardwalk Hall. Headliners are Method Man and his longtime non-Wu Tang Clan partner Redman, the cofounder of the National Cannabis Political Party. Joining them in the legal weed capital of South Jersey is an old-school cast of luminaries including Too Short, Da Brat, Ja Rule, and Lil Jon.

Read more music picks.

I’ve been watching the gorgeously shot magical adaptation of Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s 100 Years of Solitude on Netflix and I can’t recommend it enough. It’s weird, delightful, and totally engrossing — definitely a great series to binge watch when it’s cold out.