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Holidays: Penn-Style
November 24, 2009, Volume 56, No. 13
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Holiday Happenings at Penn
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Festivities at the Penn Museum

The Penn Museum offers international celebrations, music, shopping and family fun to bring everyone of every culture into the spirit of the season. Info.: www.museum.upenn.edu.

Holiday Shopping Savings: December 2-6
Wednesday, December 2 through Sunday, December 6, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The Penn Museum’s shops—the Museum Shop and the Pyramid Shop for Children—will offer holiday oriented merchandise, as well as an assortment of international arts, crafts and jewelry.

Visitors during the holiday shopping days enjoy these discounts: 10% off all purchases (general public), 15% off all purchases (University of Pennsylvania, HUP and CHOP employees, with ID), and 20% off all purchases (Museum members with ID). For more information, call the Museum shops at (215) 898-4040.

Holiday Family Celebration: December 6
Grab your “passport” and get into the spirit of the season Sunday, December 6, 1-4 p.m., with the Penn Museum’s 14th annual free Peace Around the World family afternoon. All visitors receive Museum “passports” with itineraries to visit nine countries via nine International Classroom speakers and explore holiday traditions in countries around the world. The day also features holiday choir music by children and adults, Maya storytelling, face painting, balloon art, international family crafts and free treats for children.

On December 6, Penn Museum will offer a $25 discount on family memberships.

Visitors are invited to join in the holiday spirit of giving; a Toys For Tots Philadelphia official gift drop box will be accepting all new, unwrapped toy donations.

Shopping/Dining

Holiday Dinner at the University Club
The University Club’s annual holiday reception dinner will be held on Tuesday, December 1, from 5:30-8 p.m. The event is open to Club members and their guests. The evening will include butlered hors d’oeuvres, a carving station, and seasonal desserts display. A full cash bar will be available including specialty cocktails. The cost is $30 per person plus service charge and tax. Reservations are required by phone (215) 898-4618 or e-mail universityclub@pobox.upenn.edu.

Penn Bookstore Annual Holiday Sale
The Penn Bookstore’s Annual Holiday Sale on December 10 and 11 features 20% off books, music, gifts and more! Some restrictions apply.

Celebrations

Youcie Holiday Party and Gift Drive
Join the Young Friends of University City (Youcie) for a special event to benefit area mothers and children currently residing at the People’s Emergency Center (PEC), West Philadelphia’s longstanding and comprehensive social service agency for homeless women, teenagers, and their children. On Wednesday, December 2, 6-8 p.m., all those age 21 and over are invited to gather at The Blockley Pourhouse, 3801 Chestnut Street (at Ludlow), for the Holiday Party and Gift Drive.

Visit http://universitycity.org/youcie for an extensive list of suggested gifts.

Donations of those who can’t attend the event, should be placed in the drop box at the University City District office at 3940 Chestnut Street. The drive ends December 16.

To RSVP: e-mail youcie@universitycity.org

Holiday Bazaar: December 2
The New Parents@Penn and the Working Parents’ Association Holiday Bazaar will take place on Wednesday, December 2 in front of Penn Women’s Center on Locust Walk, noon-4 p.m. Self-made crafts, baked goods, holiday cards, and a gift wrapping service will be offered.

Kwanzaa Celebration: December 3
The Makuu Black Cultural Center is hosting a Kwanzaa Celebration Dinner Thursday, December 3, 6-9 p.m. in Bodek Lounge, Houston Hall. The Penn community is invited to join Makuu in this annual festive affair with music, good food, and fellowship. RSVP: makuu@dolphin.upenn.edu.

CA Christmas Open House: December 11
The Christian Association’s annual Christmas Open House will take place on December 11, noon-2 p.m. There will be food, fellowship and good cheer for students, faculty and staff.

Holiday Party at I-House: December 11
The International house will host its annual international holiday extravaganza with food, dessert, tree trimming and orchestral music on Friday, December 11 at 6 p.m. Admission: free for IHouse alumni, members; $5 guests; $8 general admission (cash only).

Holiday Skate: December 19 and 20
Saturday, December 19, Business Services will host a Holiday Skate; free admission when you bring a gift for Toys for Tots; 5:45 p.m.; at Class of 1923 Arena. Also, Sunday, December 20, 1:30 p.m. 

Performances

Holiday Performances at World Café Live
Info./Tickets: www.worldcafelive.com

Holly Cole, A Night Before Christmas—Wednesday, December 2. A mix of jazz and pop standards and an eclectic selection of songs from Christmases past. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $27, $37.

¡Viva Christmas! with El Vez & Los Straitjackets and the Lovely Elvettes—Friday, December 4. Holiday hits and Christmas classics.  7:30 p.m. Tickets: $24, $34.

4th annual Lizanne Knott and Friends Philabundance Benefit—Friday, December 11. Celebrate the holiday season and give a helping hand to those in need. 9 p.m. Tickets: $6 plus a non-perishable food item.

New Year’s Eve with Davy Knowles & Back Door Slam—Thursday, December 31. Performance includes acoustic guitar with blues rock sounds. Enjoy dinner before the show in the Upstairs cafe. 10 p.m. Tickets: $40, $55, $75.

Penn Presents Holiday Performances
For ticket prices see www.pennpresents.org

Irish Christmas in America—Friday, December 11. Celebrate the yuletide traditions of the Emerald Isle with members of Téada, plus Irish singer and accordionist Séamus Begley and guest musicians and dancers; 8 p.m.; Zellerbach Theatre.

A Creole Christmas—Saturday, December 12. Straight from the Big Easy and featuring a flavorful gumbo of Christmas classics with a twist of ragtime, blues and jazz; 8 p.m.; Zellerbach Theatre.

Holiday Garden Railway Display
The Morris Arboretum’s popular Holiday Garden Railway Display has returned and is open from November 27 through January 3 (closed December 24, 25 and January 1). The display includes model trains decked out for the holidays running along a quarter mile track outdoors in the Morris Arboretum’s winter garden, surrounded by a miniature village adorned with thousands of twinkling lights for the holidays.

A grand opening celebration will be held on Saturday, November 28, 1-3 p.m., that will include the sounds of costumed carolers strolling through the garden. Kids and adults will also have the opportunity to make an ornament or decoration from natural materials to take home. This family event is free with regular garden admission: $14 adults, $12 for seniors, students and youth (13-18) $7, children under age three and members free.

On Sunday, December 13, 1:30-2:30 p.m., the Penn Glee Club will provide musical entertainment. Free with regular admission.

Workshops

Morris Arboretum Holiday Classes
Register: www.morrisarboretum.org

Holiday Wreath Making—Sunday, December 6. Designed for those who want to make their wreath from fresh loose boughs of greens. There will be a selection of ribbons and decorations to make it festive. Section A: 10 a.m.-noon; Section B: 1-3 p.m.; $55, $46/members.

Holiday Tabletop Tree with Lights—Wednesday, December 9. Design your own tree from long lasting greens, and choose your colors for bows and glass balls with fresh flowers to decorate this spectacular holiday centerpiece (22”-24” tall). Bring a box to take your tree home. Section A: 1-3 p.m.; Section B: 6:30-8:30 p.m.; $60, $50/members.

Holiday Centerpiece Class—Saturday, December 19. Design your own festive, fragrant arrangement for yourself or to give as a gift. Learn professional tricks of the trade to create a beautiful display with a variety of evergreens. There will be an assortment of candles, flowers, fruit and accessories; 10 a.m.-noon; $55, $46/members.

Kids’ Holiday Centerpiece—December 19. Work with evergreen to create a fresh flower arrangement to use as a centerpiece at your family’s holiday table; 1-2:30 p.m.; $33, $30/members.

The Sounds of Penn Performers

The new album by the Counterparts, New Wave, features popular and jazz tracks. Alumnus John Legend was a member of this premier jazz/pop a capella group. The CD is available for $15 on their website, www.dolphin.upenn.edu/cparts/index.html.

Penn’s co-ed modern rock/pop/indie a cappella group, The Penny Loafers, has released The Cops Come at Midnight. Purchase the CD for $15 or download for $12. See www.thepennyloafers.com.

On Detours, is the latest CD by Hindi a cappella group Penn Masala. Last  month, the group performed at the White House for the Diwali celebration. Penn Masala’s music is influenced by both Eastern and Western cultures. Their CD can be purchased for $10 at www.pennmasala.com and be downloaded from iTunes.

Now in its 147th season, the Penn Glee Club has released Penn Pipers. The CD containing 20 titles, reflects their unique blend of musical excellence and theatrical showmanship. It is available for $10 on their website, www.dolphin.upenn.edu/gleeclub.

Soulchild is the latest release by Penn’s all-female South Asian a cappella group, Atma. The group blends music from India, Bangladesh, America and the West Indies. Purchase the album for $10 at www.pennatma.com.

 

Almanac - November 24, 2009, Volume 56, No. 13