Home trends
Pennsylvania Convention Center: Get ideas to renew, refresh and restore your home at the Philly Home Show noon to 8 p.m. Jan. 12 and 19, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Jan. 13 and 20, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 14 and 21, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 15. Learn about products and deals in remodeling, home improvement, decor and outdoor spaces with more than 300 experts under one roof at 1101 Arch St., Philadelphia. Tickets are $13 at the door, $10 online at www.phillyhomeshow.com, $3 for children 6-12, free to children 5 and under.
Valley Forge Casino Resort: The Greater Philadelphia Spring Home Show happens 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 5, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 6 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 7 at 1160 First Ave., Upper Merion. Admission is free. Get more details at www.greaterphillyhomeshows-vf.com.
Obscured no more
Museum of the American Revolution: “Among His Troops: Washington’s War Tent in a Newly Discovered Watercolor” makes a five-week appearance Jan. 13-Feb. 19. It spotlights a newly-discovered 235-year-old, seven-foot panoramic painting by Pierre L’Enfant depicting an eyewitness account of the Continental Army’s 1782 encampment at Verplanck’s Point in New York’s Hudson Valley. It includes the only known depiction of Gen. George Washington’s headquarters tent in the field – the very tent that is dramatically presented at the museum. The exhibit brings together works of art, weapons and other artifacts from the Revolutionary War. Check it out in the museum’s Patriots Gallery, 101 S. Third St., Philadelphia. “Among His Troops” will include hands-on activities for families, gallery talks and a series of public lectures. An adjacent activity space will feature replica soldiers’ tents that visitors can climb inside, and replicated furniture from Washington’s tent, including his bed, stools, and accoutrements. Admission is $19, $17 for seniors, students and active or retired military, $12 for children 6 and up. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Visit www.amrevmuseum.org or call (215) 253-6731.
Follow the star
ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks: From 3 to 6 p.m. Jan. 7 ArtsQuest celebrates El Dia de los Reyes, a cultural and religious tradition in many Latin American countries reflecting on the 12-day journey to ancient Bethlehem by the Gaspar, Melchior and Balthazar to present the baby Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The free Three Kings Day event includes a scavenger hunt, crafts, live music by Herencia Jibara in the Musikfest Cafe and food. SteelStacks is at 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem. Visit www.steelstacks.org.
Kimmel Center: In collaboration with the Consulate of Mexico and the Mexican Cultural Center, the Kimmel Center celebrates Three Kings Day at 5 p.m. Jan. 6 in the indoor Commonwealth Plaza, 300 S. Broad St., Philadelphia. Join in a reenactment of the story of the Christmas story’s three wise men and enjoy an evening of activities, pinatas and a piece of traditional “Rosca de Reyes” bread. Admission is free.
Dinosaurs forever
Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University: A “Night in the Museum: Dinos after Dark” sleepover event for ages 6 and up is set for Jan. 13 at 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia. Take a flashlight tour of the special exhibit “Tiny Titans: Dinosaur Eggs and Babies,” show off your paleo-skills during hands-on games and activities and make a “jacket” for a fossil to take home. Then roll out a sleeping bag under T. rex and have sweet dreams. One adult is required per three children. Cost is $65, $89 for VIP (Very Important Paleontologist) tickets. Visit www.ansp.org or call (215) 299-1060.
Pennsylvania Convention Center: The family expedition “Dinosaur Time Trek: Dragon Edition” takes over Hall E on the second floor Jan. 5-7. Observe enormous prehistoric dinosaurs, track modern day sharks in real-time, or glimpse mythological, magical dragons. When you buy a ticket, you choose an entry time. You may enter anytime within your one-hour time window. Enter from the Broad Street Atrium at Broad and Cherry streets, Philadelphia. Get complete details at www.dinosaurtimetrek.com.
Who done it?
Chaddsford Winery: Fridays and Saturdays in January from 6:30 to 9 p.m. are Wild West Murder Mystery Nights at the winery at 532 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford. Check ticket availability and get more information at www.chaddsford.com.
Joyous jams
World Cafe Live: The annual Light of Day concert to fight Parkinson’s disease is set for 7 p.m. Jan. 6 in both the upstairs and downstairs performance areas. The bill features Willie Nile, Remember Jones, Joe D’Urso & Stone Caravan, Jim Boggia, Ben Arnold, Graham Alexander, Isabella Rose, original E Street Band drummer Vini Lopez, Lisa Bouchelle and more. Tickets are $30, $20 for downstairs only, $15 for upstairs only. Go to www.worldcafelive.com.
Merriam Theater: Juan de Marcos leads The Afro-Cuban All Stars in concert at 8 p.m. Jan. 12 at 250 S. Broad St., Philadelphia. Tickets range from $39-$59. Visit www.kimmelcenter.org.
ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks: YouTube acoustic mash-up artist Megan Davies plays the Fowler Blast Furnace Room at 8 p.m. Jan. 12. Advance tickets are $12, $15 the day of show. Visit www.steelstacks.org or call (610) 332-3378.
Rule the rails
Schuylkill Valley Model Railroad Club: The annual Model Railroad Open House continues 1 to 5 p.m. Jan. 6-7 and 13-14 at 400 S. Main St., Phoenixville. Four different railroads are depicted on the 1,000+-square-foot HO scale model. See Thomas the Tank Engine and try your observation skills with a scavenger hunt. Admission is free. Call (610) 935-1126 or visit www.svmrrc.com.
Abington Lines Model Railroad Club: Visit the HO gauge open house noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 6-7 and 13-14 at 2066 Second Street Pike, Richboro. Admission is free; donations appreciated. Call (215) 598-7720 or see www.abingtonlines.org.
Black Diamond Society of Model Engineers: See several sizes of model railroad layouts on two floors 1 to 5 p.m. Jan. 6-7 and 13-14 at 900 E. Macada Road, Bethlehem. Admission is $5, free to children 12 and under. Call (610) 867-2591 or visit www.bdsme.org.
Coopersburg Area Society of Model Engineers: Check out an open house noon to 5 p.m. Jan. 6-7 in the basement of the Coopersburg Borough building, 5 N. Main St., Coopersburg. Admission is free. Call (215) 538-0501 or see www.casme.org.
Chelten Hills Model Railroad Club: A free open house HO layout is running noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 6-7 in the former Old York Road station at 8000 Old York Road (Route 611), Elkins Park. Call (215) 635-9747 or visit www.cheltenhillsmrr.org.
Greater Philadelphia Expo Center: The Greenburg Train and Toy Show returns 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 13-14 at 100 Station Drive, Upper Providence. Tickets are $10 Saturday, $9 Sunday, free to children 9 and under. Refer to www.greenburgshows.com.
Saint Alban’s Railroad Fellowship: St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 3625 Chapel Road, Newtown Square, will have a free open house of an HO layout 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 13-14. There will also be a Thomas the Tank Engine layout for the kids to operate. Visit www.starr-mrc.org.
Big voicesVenice Island Performing Arts & Recreation Center: Delaware Valley Opera Company presents “Amahl and the Night Visitors” at 4 and 7 p.m. Jan 6 at 7 Lock St., in the Manayunk section of Philadelphia. Tickets are $25, $20 for seniors and students, $10 for children. Email delvaloperaco@gmail.com.
Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel: At 7:45 p.m. Jan. 7 soprano Rachel Sigman, mezzo Kaitlyn Beth Tierney, tenor Remy Martin and baritone Matthew Lulofs will sing familiar Broadway songs, opera arias, duets, trios and quartets. Some songs will feature audience participation. There’s an optional deli supper at 6:30 p.m. for $16 per person (available by RSVP only). Tickets are $40, free for students through age 23. Mail checks, payable to Music Arts, to Keneseth Israel, 8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA, 19027.
Dock Woods Community: Amici Opera Company presents Giordano’s “Andrea Chenier” at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 7 in the chapel. Enter from Woods Drive, Towamencin. Tickets are $20. Call (215) 224-0257.
Game onGrand Opera House: See members of the Delaware Symphony perform music from games like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Sonic the Hedgehog, Halo, Warcraft and Final Fantasy in Copeland Hall with the multimedia concert Video Games Live at 8 p.m. Jan. 13. Tickets range from $54-$62. The Grand is at 818 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del. Visit www.thegrandwilmington.org.
Big and in Philly
Pennsylvania Convention Center: Big Philly Beerfest has brews from down the street and around the country 8 to 11:30 p.m. Jan. 12-13 in Exhibit Hall A, 1101 Arch St., Philadelphia. VIP tickets for early admission are available. Check www.bigphillybeerfest.com.
Comedy shows
Valley Forge Casino Resort: Colin Quinn’s “One in Every Crowd” Tour inlcudes shows at 7 and 10 p.m. Jan. 12 as part of the Valley Forge Music Fair, 1160 First Ave., Upper Merion. Tickets range from $15-$20. Visit www.vfcasino.com/entertainment.
Merriam Theater: Paula Poundstone takes the stage at 8 p.m. Jan. 11 at 250 S. Broad St., Philadelphia. Tickets range from $30-$45. Visit www.kimmelcenter.org.
Agri-tainment
Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center: The 2018 Pennsylvania Farm Show’s theme, “Strength in Our Diversity,” showcases the diversity of Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry and the people who make it thrive. The show runs 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Jan. 6-13, except Sunday Jan. 7, when it runs 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday Jan. 13, when it’s open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It offers visitors a peek into the industry that employs nearly a half-million people and contributes $74.5 billion to the state’s economy every year. The show will feature nearly 12,000 competitive exhibits, more than 5,200 of which are animal competitions, plus 300 commercial exhibits and educational and entertaining events. The farm show complex is at 2300 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg. See www.farmshow.pa.gov.
Classic organ sound
St. Luke’s United Church of Christ: The 2018 Tuesday at Noon Organ Recitals series begins Jan. 8 at St. Luke’s, with Vince Ryan as the featured organist. A reception is held after the performance. The church is at 125 N. Main St., North Wales.
Enduring musical
Academy of Music: Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, “Les Miserables” tells a story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption. Choose from performances at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 9-11 and 16-18, 8 p.m. Jan. 12 and 19, 2 and 8 p.m. Jan. 13 and 20, and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Jan. 14 and 21. The Academy of Music is at Broad and Locust streets, Philadelphia. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased by calling (215) 893-1999 or visiting www.kimmelcenter.org.