page 18 The South Philadelphia Public Record • January 1, 2009
CitiLife Start a new year with Poe, Amahl, Please Touch & good cheer by Ruth R. Russell ‘Quoth the Raven’ is the thought-provoking title of the current exhibition in the Rare Book Department at the Central Library, 1901 Vine St. This is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Edgar Allan Poe, the famed author who spent part of his life living in Philadelphia. If you have ever shivered through The Murders in the Rue Morgue or The Masque of the Red Death (my favorite), you will want to take a look at the display of various autographed manuscripts, first editions and Poe family heirlooms. Also shown is ‘Grip,’ the pet raven of Charles Dickens and the inspiration for Poe’s most famous poem, The Raven. Although the department is open Mondays through Fri-
days from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with tours at 11, this show will welcome the public during special Saturday hours on January 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The exhibit continues through February 13. To learn more, call 215-6855416 or visit www.freelibrary.org. (The Edgar Allan Poe National Historical Site, at Seventh and Spring Garden Streets, will launch a special series starting on January 17. More on that later.) Amahl & Night Visitors Gian Carlo Menotti, an Italian-born American composer, wrote an opera in 1951 for Epiphany — the Christian festival that celebrates the arrival of the Magi (or Three Kings) to see the infant Jesus. Amahl and the Night Visitors, now one of the most per-
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formed works of the Christmas season, is the tale of young Amahl and his mother who open their modest house to the Magi who are on their way to visit the Christ child and witness a miracle while staying there. Members of the Keystone State Boychoir and the Germantown Oratorio Choir, conducted by David C. Daugherty, will present this delightful selection on Sunday, January 4, at 3 p.m., in the First Presbyterian Church in Germantown, 35 W. Chelten Ave. Everyone is welcome, admission is free and donations are accepted. For information, call 215-8438811 or visit www.fpcgermantown.org. World for young kids On the day after Christmas we took our youngest grandson, his mother and father to visit the Please Touch Museum at its new home in Memorial Hall. We had been advised that young children were still likely to be enjoying their new gifts and therefore the 26th should be a good day to go. What an interesting thought! The parking lot was filled to overflowing and the museum was truly Little Girl and Boy Land, full of kids and parents pushing empty
Ruth Russell strollers as their offspring took off to enjoy varied activities including a walk through the Enchanted Colonial Village and a ride on the Dentzel carousel. We ate lunch at the Please Taste Café, a nice option that enables parents to plan a day that includes something to eat. Starting in January there will be interactive plays, story hours and musical programs. Museum admission is charged and there are group rates. However, after you see how much fun your kid has at Please Touch you might consider a family membership. To learn more, call 215-581-3181 or visit www.pleasetouchmuseum.org. Seaport Slumbers For the adventurous sea-
loving youngster, the Independence Seaport Museum (ISM) is offering Seaport Slumbers during January, February and March. Boys and girls ages 5-12 are able to stay overnight, enjoy an evening focusing on the world of shipwrecks, then in the morning tour the Submarine Becuna and the SpanishAmerican Cruiser Olympia. ISM is at Penn’s Landing, Columbus Boulevard and Walnut Street. Entrance is generally by Museum admission or membership. For this program, however, the cost is $45 and reservations are needed. Call 215-413-8630 or visit www.phillyseaport.org for complete details. GustaferYellowgold Dodge Caravan Peanut Butter and Jams will present the remarkable Gustafer Yellowgold on Saturday, January 3, at World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St. The show starts at 11:30 a.m.; doors open at 11. Gustafer is described as a golden alien who comes from the sun, bringing creatures such as the Blue Star, the Pterodactyl and the dragon for a show for kids and adults by illustrator/singer/songwriter Morgan Taylor. Admission is charged and a
kid-friendly buffet is available (not included in ticket price). For complete details, call 215-222-1400 or visit www.worldcafelive.com. New Year at the Kimmel Last but not least, if your plans for New Year’s Day include being in Center City for the parade, consider spending part of the time at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Broad and Spruce Streets. There will be entertainment from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., including performances for kids by Yosi, Steve Pullara and His Cool Beans and the Hardly Able String Band. Snacks will be available on the ground level and a family brunch on Tier One. Cadence will be open on Tier 2, where patrons can dine and watch the Mummers strut. In the New Year, Miss Amy will offer her free Kids’ Fitness Rock & Roll on Saturday, January 3, at 11 a.m., in the Commonwealth Plaza as part of PNC Grow Up Great. This performer draws in her audiences with own original songs that include “health & fitness movements.” Visit www.kimmelcenter.org to learn about all programs. Email news for CitiLife to ruth@phillyrecord.com.