Exodus
Pearl S. Buck International: The stories of Jewish communities in China over the centuries intrigued Pearl S. Buck and her husband, Richard Walsh, so much that each explored them in their published works. The exhibit “Jewish Flight into China” is on view through Aug. 30 in the Exhibit Gallery at the PSBI Welcome Center, 520 Dublin Road, Hilltown. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and 12:30 to 3 p.m. Sundays. Admission to the gallery is free. For more, see www.pearlsbuck.org/exhibits.
Valentine’s fun
Pennypacker Mills: A Valentines Workshop for Kids is held 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 11. Kids 5 and older can make four Valentine crafts to share, including two Valentine ornaments, a 3-D card with a sweet surprise inside, and a small gift in a special hand-some holder. During the break there will be kid-friendly refreshments and a chance to play a few Victorian parlor games. There is a $5 fee per child; adults get in free. Preregistration is required by Feb. 7. The registration form is at http://pa-montgomerycounty2.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/15591. You can also call (610) 287-9349.
Bucks County Wine Trail: Many of the nine wineries that comprise the Bucks County Wine Trail are inviting wine enthusiasts to celebrate Valentine’s Day with food and wine pairings, tastings and more. Buckingham Valley Vineyards is offering “Labels of Love” through Feb. 14. Rose Bank Winery will be highlighting its rose wine and pairing it with chocolate throughout the month. Crossing Vineyards and Winery will host a romantic candlelit Valentine’s Dinner at 7 p.m. Feb. 11 and 14. The winery will also host Champagne for Lovers on Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. New Hope Winery will offer three specially picked wine flights paired with chocolates on Feb. 11 and Feb. 12. Sand Castle Winery will host a Sweetheart food and wine airing event on Feb. 12 and 14. Wycombe Vineyards will pair white, milk and dark chocolate fondue with fresh fruit as part of its wine tastings on Feb. 11 and 12. Visit www.buckscountywinetrail.com.
SteelStacks: Tony ‘n’ Tina’s Wedding,” the interactive and over-the-top Italian-American celebration of a show comes to the ArtsQuest Center’s Musikfest Cafe Feb. 10-11, 14 and 17-18 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets range from $65-$75. Get more details at www.steelstacks.org and (610) 332-3378.
Knauer Performing Arts Center: “Serenade in Love,” a concert with Eduardo Project and Friends, starts at 7 p.m. Feb. 11 at 226 N. High St., West Chester. Tickets are $25, $20 for students. An Opera Tutti Valentine’s Brunch starts at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 12. Tickets are $50. Call (610) 356-2787 or visit www.uptownwestchester.org.
Brrr!
Brandywine Picnic Park: Make a splash at the ninth Annual Polar Plunge Feb. 11 at the park, 690 S. Creek Road, West Chester. The Brandywine Red Clay Alliance hosts the event to get outdoors and raise awareness about their conservation work in the Brandywine and Red Clay Watersheds. Participants collect at least $35 in donations from friends and family in exchange for braving the chilly Brandywine Creek in the middle of winter. Registration starts at 10 a.m. Go to www.brandywineredclay.org.
In motion
Merriam Theater: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performs new works and long-standing favorites Feb. 3 and 4 at the Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St., Philadelphia. For tickets and showtimes, go to www.kimmelcenter.org.
In concert
Gwynedd Mercy College: Singer Lauren Lark will bring scat back to Gwynedd Mercy University’s Julia Ball Auditorium at 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3 in celebration of Black History Month. Students, faculty, staff and members of the community are invited to experience a new take on the classic jazz sound. This event is free and open to the public.
Lark, whose musical style is reminiscent of Sarah Vaughn and Ella Fitzgerald, is known for bringing the sounds of the 1940s and 1950s into the 21st Century.
A Philadelphia native, Lark has performed with the National Grammy Choir in Los Angeles, California, and with hip-hop artists on tour in Japan. She has performed solos with the Philly Pops Orchestra, The Voices of the Pops. She has also performed at the Cape May Jazz Festival, the Coltrane Jazz Festival, Welcome America Parade, the Rehoboth Beach Autumn Jazz Festival, and the Swedesboro Jazz Festival.
Santander Performing Arts Center: Grammy-nominated blue collar comedian Bill Engvall will perform two stand-up shows at 4 and 7 p.m. Feb. 12 at 136 N. Sixth St., Reading. Tickets are $59 and $39. Call (866) 448-7849 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
Theatre of Living Arts: Rising country band The Cadillac Three play the TLA at 8 p.m. Feb. 10. The venue is at 334 South St., Philadelphia. Tickets are $18. Call (215) 922-1011.
Kimmel Center: In honor of the 50th anniversary of The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” the Philly POPS and Classical Mystery Tour will perform the album at 8 p.m. Feb. 3, and 3 p.m. Feb. 4-5 at the Kimmel Center. On opening night, WMMR’s Pierre Robert will participate in a free pre-concert conversation on the Plaza Stage at 6:30. Then at 8 p.m. WMMR’s Preston Elliott will introduce the concert and conduct the “Rocky” theme song before the concert begins. On Saturday, WMGK’s Andre Gardner will participate in a free pre-concert conversation at 1:30 p.m., then conduct a Beatles song during the show. Tickets range from $35-$145. The Kimmel Center is at 300 S. Broad St., Philadelphia. See www.kimmelcenter.org.
Swarthmore College: Jazz pianist Uri Caine will perform a free concert with vocalist Theo Bleckmann at 8 p.m. Feb. 4 in the Lang Music Building,Concert Hall, 500 College Ave., Swarthmore. For more information, visit www.swarthmore.edu/cooper-series or contact (610) 328-8141 or nanders1@swarthmore.edu.
Dock Woods Community: Amici Opera Company presents Puccini’s “Il Tabarro & Gianni Schicchi” at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 5 in the Dock Woods chapel, Woods Drive, Towamencin. Tickets are $20. Call (215) 224-0257.
Haverford College: At 3 p.m. Feb. 12 the Department of Music presents a free Music and Conversation program with Michal Schmidt, cello, and Christine Delbeau, piano. Their program “From Beethoven to the Romantics: A Perfect Progression” features music by Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann and Chopin. This concert will be held in Roberts Hall’s Marshall Auditorium, 370 Lancaster Ave., Haverford. For more information, call (610) 896-1011 or see www.haverford.edu/music/concerts-events.
World Cafe Live: WXPN’s free Latin Roots Live concert series presents salsa band Los Hacheros at 8 p.m. Feb. 9 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., Philadelphia. Admission to the all-ages show is free via RSVP at www.latinroots.org.
Event Center at Valley Forge Casino: Howard Stern alum and comedian Artie Lange takes the stage at 8 p.m. Feb. 4 at 1160 First Ave., Upper Merion. Tickets range from $45-$55. Visit www.vfcasino.com/events/artie-lange.
Black History Month
Black History Month: Throughout February, the National Constitution Center, the Free Library of Philadelphia, African-American Museum in Philadelphia and Independence National Historical Park will host a variety of special programs. Check www.constitutioncenter.org, https://libwww.freelibrary.org, www.aampmuseum.org and www.nps.gov/inde for details.
Case for organ donation
Mutter Museum: “Tracing the Remains” artfully tells what happens to your organs after death. On view through July 6, it features detailed embroidered and crocheted pieces, beadwork and layered drawings. The museum is at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, 19 S. 22nd St., Philadelphia. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $18, $16 for seniors 65+, $15 for military, $13 for students and youths 6-17. Visit www.muttermusuem.org.
