A One Unified Guide: Things to do This Holiday Season.

Looking to keep the kids occupied on that oh so long winter break? Or maybe you need some fresh ideas for entertaining out of town holiday guests? Or perhaps you’re just looking for a fun date night or night out during the busy holiday season? Well, any way you look at it, we’ve got you covered.

There are some spectacular holiday themed events in and around the Philadelphia are every year. From new favorites, to traditional holiday classic events, there is sure to be something for everyone this time of year. So get out and enjoy the beauty and magic of the holiday season, as only Philly can offer it.

The Comcast Holiday Spectacular– A free 15 minute show featuring an incredible holiday light show cast as a backdrop to the dancers of The Pennsylvania Ballet performing to The Nutcracker. It runs at the top of very hour from 10 a.m- 8 p.m beginning Thanksgiving Day and running until January 3, 2016. 1701 JFK Blvd. Philadelphia.

The Franklin Square Holiday Festival & Light Show- This year Franklin Square is featuring Electrical Spectacle: A Holiday Light Show. Showcasing a spectacular light show set to holiday music and a giant lighted kite. The festival also features holiday train rides, visits from Santa and carousel rides. The light show runs every half hour from 4:30-8:30 pm. It runs now through December 31st. Franklin Square 6th st and Race st. Philadelphia.

The Christmas Village-  Set up like an old German style holiday village the Christmas Village at Love Park is a Philadelphia holiday staple. You can shop for Christmas crafts and ornaments, enjoy seasonal themed food and beverages, and pose for a classic holiday photo in front of Philly’s famous LOVE sign. The Village is set up now and remains up until December 27th at Love Park 1500 Arch St. Philadelphia.

The Macy’s Christmas Light Show– Macy’s in Center City has been turning out the holiday spirit with it’s renowned light show since 1956. The show, a holiday tradition for many local families features a huge 3 story light show featuring 100,000+ LED lights all set to the sound of the famous Wanamaker organ. Julie Andrews  narrates the story as the lights deliver the show. The show has been delighting Philly families for 60 years. The show runs from now until December 31 with shows at 10am, 12, 2, 4 6 and 8 pm every day but Christmas Day. 1300 Market St. Philadelphia.

Dickens Village– If you’re already at Macy’s enjoying the light show, why not take a trip up to the third floor to check out Dicken’s Village. The show  consists of 100+ animated characters in individual displays acting out scenes from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. The lines are usually long, so arrive early if you can. A personal warning: firsthand experience has shown me (after waiting an hour in line) that some smaller children find the animated figures a little creepy. Just a thought from one mom to another who might be considering it.

Winterfest at the Blue Cross River Rink– Situated at Penn’s Landing along the Delaware River, Winterfest features an olympic sized ice skating rink for the whole family to enjoy. Outdoor seating, fire pits, festive holiday decor, and a huge heated tent for warming up and maybe a snack are set up all around. A variety of holiday treats and eats are available  including food from Garces Group restaurants (from legendary chef Jose Garces). Perfect for a family day out or a cozy date night. Winterfest is open now and will remain up until March 6, 2016 at the Blue Cross River Rink, Columbus Blvd at Market St. Philadelphia.

The Holiday Railroad at Reading Terminal Market- The Reading Terminal Market is always a fun favorite for a huge variety of yummy foods from around the area and around the world. If you happen to be a train buff, or just love the look of those beautiful elaborate train and village sets at Christmastime, this is a perfect stop for you. Miniature scenery and buildings line up next to a 500 square foot holiday railroad display set up on a track a third of a mile long. A treat for the young and old train lover. The display is up now through December 31. Reading Terminal Market is located at 12th & Arch Streets, Philadelphia.

Longwood Gardens Christmas Display– If you’re familiar with the beautiful grounds of Longwood Gardens, you’ll be delighted to see it in its full holiday splendor. The grounds are set up with over half a million lights- yes half a million. Trees, shrubs, and fountains are fully around in twinkling beauty. Even if you have never seen Longwood before, now is the perfect time to see it for the first time. The display remains up until January 10, 2016. 1001 Longwood Rd. Kennett Square, PA.

ShadyBrook Farm’s Holiday Light Show– ShadyBrook Farm becomes a festive holiday mecca when it is draped in over 3 million holiday lights each year! They start setting up the lights in August for this truly magical display. Drive through and enjoy the view or hop out of your car and hitch a ride through on a tractor drawn wagon. When the ride is over, keep the spirit going by having your picture taken with Santa! The lights will be up until January 10, 2016. ShadyBrook Farms is located at 931 Stony Hill Rd. Yardley, PA.

Christmas at the Adventure Aquarium– Located on the Camden water front, the aquarium is always a big family draw. At Christmastime the huge aquatic attraction transforms into a holiday wonderland. Kids will delight in appearances by Rudolph, Bumble the Abominable Snowman and the now famous Scuba Santa (yes, it is what you think it is). The aquarium is adorned with twinkling lights, and traditional holiday decor making it a festive outing for everyone. You can catch Scuba Santa and more now through December 31st. On the waterfront at 1 Riverside Drive in Camden NJ.

Washington Crossing Reenactment– Join thousands of reenactors and spectators as they line the banks of the Delaware River at Washington Crossing Historic Park to present the annual reenactment of George Washington leading the troops across the Delaware in a pivotal moment of the American Revolution and of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania history.
Christmas Day. The crossing event is from 1-3 p.m with the actual river crossing at 1 pm. It is free. 112 River Rd. Washington Crossing.

Being [ ] at Christmas
The National Museum of American Jewish History invites people from all backgrounds to the museum Christmas Day for a day of family fun. You are invited to fill in the blank any way you choose. You can enjoy the museum and special events all day. Admission $12 adults $5 kids. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. 101 S. Indepenence Mall East (Corner of 5th & Maket) Philadelphia.

If you’re looking for something to do once the gifts are open but the holiday dust hasn’t quit settled yet, we’ve got an answer for that too.

Sugar House Casino’s New Year’s Eve on the Waterfront– Spend New Year’s Eve at Penn’s Landing with a pair of spectacular showings of their holiday fireworks. Join thousands of onlookers as they ring in the New Year with the breathtaking beauty of a waterfront fireworks display. 6 pm & Midnight. Penn’s Landing, Philadelphia.

The Mummer’s Parade. Now known as the Sugar House Casino Mummer’s Parade, this festive albeit slightly unusual New Year’s Day celebration has been a Philadelphia tradition for over a hundred years. The parade is an event that families in the area have joined together to enjoy for generations. With string bands, and paraders adorned in costumes ranging from elaborate and fantastical to truly must be seen to be believed, parade goers line the streets to catch a glimpse and enjoy the show. Teams (or brigades) parade and compete in various categories such as Fancy and Comics. If you have never seen a Mummer’s Parade, are not from this area, or are asking yourself right now, “what the hell is a Mummer?”, then this is the place for you this New Year’s Day. The parade starts at City Hall and marches south down Broad Street to Washington Ave. in Philadelphia. Parade starts at 10 a.m.

Whatever you do this year, One Unified wishes you a fantastic holiday season!

 

 

 

Best of Philly…Two Polls

Today we really need audience participation! We have two separate polls today with 10 questions in each. We want to hear from you on your favorite spots in and around Philly. If your selection isn’t listed, you can enter it in the “other” option and other people will get to select it too!!! Your selection may be in Philly or the surrounding burbs. So please, take the poll and share it with friends. Results will be shared with you on Saturday. Thanks a bunch. You’re our favorite reader!!!!
POLL 1: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TCV96L2
POLL 2: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XY8ZDSZ

Movies & Summertime. Our Picks for This Season’s Best Outdoor Movie Screenings.

Who doesn’t love a good movie? A nail-biting drama? A tear-jerker love story? Perhaps a riotous comedy? Movies might just be America’s other great pastime. Our love affair with movies goes all the way back to the turn of the century when silent movies with film stars like Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton gave people something that they never imagined before. Making movies as a form of pure entertainment eventually evolved to an art form, and eventually a cultural phenomenon.

The first movie with sound and synchronized dialogue, 1927’s The Jazz Singer starring Al Jolson, told the musical story of a famous jazz singer who began as a young Jewish boy who defies the traditions of his cantor father and devout Jewish family. Since the days of Al Jolson, and the first days of the “talkies”, our movie passion has seen a steady incline. Though peaks and valleys in popularity have been a natural occurrence through the years, movies have continued to permeate every aspect of our culture. We take our kids to the movies to entertain them. We take our love interests there on first dates. The movies are often one of the first places we are allowed to go independently, without our parents or some other chaperone. We have elaborate parties and office pools that revolve around movie award’s programs. And we, as a society, are obsessed with movie stars and the celebrity lifestyle. So it’s easy to see how we can devote a whole week to movies, moviegoers, and our love of things that are movie related.

Perhaps though, you don’t think of movie going as a summer activity? If you think heading out to catch the latest action flick or the newest scary story to hit the big screen is more of a rainy day or cold weather activity, think again. There’s nothing like a beautiful starry summer night. So, what could be better than enjoying the latest blockbuster or an old family favorite under the summer sky with a comfy blanket, a cool beverage, and a friend… or a few. If you’ve never heard of events like Screenings Under the Stars, then you will definitely want to read on and check out our top selections for summer screenings in and around the Philly area! There’s something for everyone, from family films to more eclectic selections.
And if you’re familiar with other summer outdoor movie events, please feel free to share them with us here or on our Facebook page.
One frequent outdoor movie goer and One Unified reader had this to say, “It’s great because it’s something fun you do with your whole family. It gets the kids outside and off of the electronics, and almost all of the events that we go to are totally free. Some even have complimentary beverages and snacks.” And another offered this, “It’s a good place to take a date. It’s a relaxed atmosphere, outside under the stars, and it’s free so if you’re too busy talking to watch, you don’t lose out. Plus, it saves the cash that you can use for dinner or drinks afterwards.”

Many events do have food and beverages available for purchase on site. Be prepared with your own beverages and food or check each events website prior to going for information on any available selections. Don’t forget to bring a blanket or lawn chair to all events.

Screenings Under The Stars. Summer Movie Series at Penn’s Landing.
When: Every Thursday in July and August at dusk.
Where: On the big screen at The Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing.
Cost: Free
July 23: Back to the Future
July 30: Home
August 6: Annie
August 13: Lego Movie
August 20: Cinderella
August 27: Guardians of the Galaxy

Fringe Arts Outdoor Movie Series 
When: Every Wednesday beginning at 8:30 until August 26th.
Where: Fringe Arts (Beer Garden) Columbus Blvd (At Race street).
Cost: Free
July 22: Pulp Fiction
July 29: Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samaurai
August 5: The Big Lebowski
August 12: Jaws
August 19: The Birds
August 26: Dirty Dancing

The Awesome Fest’s Movie Screening in the Park
When: Friday nights at 9 until August 14.
Where: Liberty Lands Park 926 N. American St. (Northern Liberties)
Cost: Free
July 17: Catch Me Daddy
July 24: Body
July 31: Uncle Kent
August 7: Sun Choke
August 14: Dethgasm

Franklin Square Saturday Night at the Movies (Kids movie screenings)
When: 3 Saturday nights this summer. 7-11 p.m.
Where: Franklin Square
Cost: Movie is Free. Carousel and mini golf available for additional cost.
•July’s movie had already taken place at less time.
August 15: Dolphin Tale
September 5: Ghostbusters

The Clark Park Movie Series
When: Friday nights from August 21st through September 18th at dusk.
Where: Clark Park 4398 Chester Ave. University City
Cost: Free
August 21: The Incredibles
August 28: Casablanca
September 4: Little Shop of Horrors
September 11: Selma
September 18: Best In Show *Pets welcome for the pet parade preceding the movie*

Collingswood Summer Movie Nights
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays all summer long at dusk.
Where: Knight Park, Browning Rd. and Collings Ave.
Cost: Free
Tuesday Nights:
July 21: Big Hero 6
July 28: The Lego Movie
Thursday Nights:
July 23: Hachi
July 30: Field of Dreams
August 6: Shrek the Third
August 13: Into the Woods
August 20: Planes: Fire & Rescue
August 27: E.T.

Asbury Park Movie Nights
When: Jul 30- Aug 27 at dusk
Where: Asbury Park Boardwalk (Langosta Lounge)
Cost: Free
July 30: Pee Wee’s Big Adventure
August 6: The Simpsons Movie
August 13: Better Off Dead
August 20: Jaws
August 27: The Muppet Movie (original)

Sunday Spotlight Part Two…The Philadelphia Museum of Art, Art Splash

Today’s second Spotlight Sunday feature is the Philadelphia Art Museum’s Art Splash summer program. Emily Schreiner graciously spoke to us and gave us great information on the program.

What is your job at the museum and how long have you worked there?
“I am an associate curator of education for family and community learning. I’ve been at the museum for 6 1/2 years. What that means is that I oversee all the different programs that we do for family audiences and community audiences. That is primarily looking at adults coming with kids out of school time. Families visiting during leisure time. A lot of our programming happens on the weekends and over winter break and summer break. Art Splash is our big summer break program.”

Tell me a bit about the Art Splash program?
“Art Splash is now in its third year. It started as an initiative to take a lot of programming we had in place and bump it up, ten fold. So, what would it look like to do family programming more on a festival scale over the course of a whole summer? Art Splash runs from July 4th week through Labor Day. This year, we go all the way through September 7. It offers opportunities to families to explore the museum in a way that’s age appropriate and designed for them all summer long. Art Splash has been in a different location each year and had a different theme. This year we are in the museums main building and we have a whole chunk of the building that we’re calling “Art Splash Zone”, on the ground floor. It’s really easy to get to. It includes a gallery with art work from the museums collection that are paired with interactive activities for families to do that encourage them to have a playful experience but also look closely at the art in the collection. A studio space so they can make art inspired by the collection and by our bi-weekly themes. That studio space also has a reading area in it, a block area, a 16-foot long chalkboard in a beautiful sunlit space that people just come in and are like “wow, I want to hang out here for a couple of hours”. We also do tours every day to get people up into the galleries seeing the art in the collection. New this year, we did the museums first mobile app, which also takes people on a scavenger hunt through the galleries. It’s a busy summer and we have a lot of stuff to offer families who come in. One of the reasons we offer so many options is because we know families come in all shapes and sizes with kids of all different ages. Whoever comes in the door, we have something for them. We want to make them feel comfortable and let them know that they belong here at the museum.”

Why do you think it’s important for there to be a program specifically for children?
“Art Splash is a family program, meaning that it is for adults and kids to do together. The reason we think that’s really important is because a lot of adults don’t feel comfortable exploring the museum with their kids just by themselves. They don’t know quite what to do, they don’t know what to say about the art, they’re worried that their kids are going to misbehave or break a rule. Having programs like this where you can both be in a separate space where kids can really explore and have fun and them setting them up with something like an app or tours to do up in the galleries. It gives family a structure to their visit and it helps them boost confidence to know that they belong here, that they can participate here in their own way and that kids are going to have a good time.”

Do you believe that technology has improved art or damaged creativity in art?
“I think in the best possible world, it will have fostered interest in art. The museum has a really robust website which people from all over the world can connect with artwork in our collection. That’s a beautiful thing. An issue that we have here is wayfinding. People get lost in our building. We have over 200 galleries and people get turned around. We have an internal team that has built wayfinding software that allows people to take a designed tour through the galleries and not get lost. It works sort of like Google maps. Our goal with the app was to find ways to bring people closer to the artwork, not to push them away. It’s not like a video game that you happen to be standing in a gallery and doing. Some information that we love, as educators, to share with the public that is really not that suited to do so on a wall label. Like pictures of people installing, pictures of artists creating the artwork, videos of how someone carves woodwork and prompting them “if you like this, check this thing out”. Those are things that are really rich ways of engaging people in the galleries that can really only be achieved through technology. So our goal with using technology is to bring people closer to the art and not a distraction from the collection. The rest of our programs are designed to be a family experience so maybe the adult is the way finder or the kid is the way finder. A lot of the activities prompt you to do something with your family. Or you do this thing and your grown-up does this other thing. So it is still in the service of intergenerational interaction. We want to use the museum galleries as a space to bring families closer together. I think one of the wonderful things about being in a museum is that your phone isn’t ringing and the radio’s not on and the TV is not on. It actually gives you a space to be able to slow down and share an actual experience together. And so we certainly would want to be enhancing that and not distracting from it.”

What do you think is the most important reason for people to come to the art museum and have an appreciation for art?
“I think we really want to raise kids to be creative thinkers and creative problem-solvers. There’s not a lot of art that’s happening in schools right now. But we want kids to have all of the many benefits that come out of learning the creative process, becoming creative thinkers. I think the museum is a perfect place to come and do that. To give people not only an opportunity to express themselves creatively, to explore something different, but also to use a different piece of their brain. You use a different piece of your bread when you’re making art. It’s an important muscle to exercise, one that’s very important to use as a child. The target age range for Art Splash is ages 3 to 10 with an adult, so preschool to elementary school. Kids at that point aren’t intimidated about making art. Intimidation starts when they reach puberty, so you want to make sure that you really stack them up with artistic experiences there in that preschool to elementary age range and push them to continue that when they continue middle school and high school. I have a really fantastic team of people. We work on Art Splash together and the studio projects all strive to be something that people from all different ages and ability levels can do or do together.”

Who and why should people come to the museum?
“One of the things that I think is really important for people to know, is that Art Splash has a lot of opportunities for people to visit the museum even if they feel that it might not be in the budget. First of all, kids 12 and under are always free at the museum, which is really fantastic when you compare it to other museums. That’s really remarkable for a big museum like ours. And we have a lot of opportunities for what we call “pay what you wish”. You have to pay something, but you can pay a dollar instead of full admission if that’s what you can afford. We do that every Wednesday starting at 5 PM and the first Sunday of every month. And Art Splash does stay open late on Wednesdays till 7 o’clock. So people can come in during that time. Our goal is for people from every walk of life to be able to experience the museum together. In the last two years, this is the third year of the program, about 30% of audiences have come in either free or reduced admission through “pay what you wish” opportunities, through direct community outreach engagement that we do through our community programming arm. It’s a really wonderful way for the whole region to come together and celebrate summer and art. We hear a lot of people who come to the museum the first time on “pay what you wish” and are like, “Wow! You guys do this all the time?”, and then buy a membership. Membership is a really wonderful way to support the museum year round but also to be able to come all year long.”

How much are the memberships?
“A single adult membership is $75 a year. A membership for two adults, it can be people that do not live in the same household, is $125. That includes unlimited admission throughout the year for the adults, the kids are always free, it gives you a discount on parking, on all the restaurants, cafeteria, café, in the store and tickets to our special exhibitions. Right now we do have a ticketed exhibition on Impressionism. It’s beautiful. Membership includes tickets to that as well. Membership is a really awesome way to take advantage. There is also an Art Splash membership deal. The membership deal is 10% off through September 7 with the code MSPLASHEDU. Call 215-684-7840 or visit philamuseum.org/membership.”