National Dog Show, LuminoCity light display among weekend highlights [Events roundup]
Nov. 15—The following events are planned for the week ahead throughout the region:
—The Kennel Club of Philadelphia's Dog Shows will be held Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks. Saturday is The National Dog Show Presented by Purina, to be broadcast nationwide at noon on Thanksgiving Day by NBC with consistent audiences of over 20 million viewers. Nearly 2,000 of the top AKC-registered dogs from across the country will be competing throughout the weekend, representing some 190 breeds. There will be Breed, Group and Best In Show judging plus top agility and performance dogs. Best In Show is announced at approximately 6 p.m. on Saturday and 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. The entire Expo Center is filled with 13 breed judging rings and more than 75 vendors. Tickets cost $16 for adults, $7 ages 4-11, and are free for children 3 and younger. For more information and tickets, see www.nds.nationaldogshow.com.
—Malvern-based People's Light theater company continues its 2023-24 season with an adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic "A Christmas Carol," running through Dec. 31. Adapted by Producing artistic director Zak Berkman, the show features an ensemble cast, under the direction of Nell Bang-Jensen, that includes Barrymore Award-winner Ian Merrill Peakes as Ebenezer Scrooge. The production incorporates a vibrant mix of original songs and rearranged 19th-century English carols by Berkman with additional arrangements by multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Mitch Chakour. During the performance, music is performed by a live, five-piece musical ensemble supporting the nationally-renowned cast of performers. Like the ghosts who visit Ebenezer Scrooge, the People's Light adaptation is a dialogue among the past, present and future — a "Christmas Carol" for today that explores themes of loss, generosity and the collective good. Preview performances run through Saturday, then the production opens with an invite-only performance on Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $55, including fees. To purchase single tickets, visit peopleslight.org or call the box office at 610-644-3500. The show has a runtime of 2 hours and 10 minutes with a 15-minute intermission.
—LuminoCity Festival brings its Golden Holiday experience, a magical light installation celebrating the holiday season, to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks from Friday through Jan. 15. Hours are Thursdays through Mondays from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. While traveling through Golden Holiday, visitors will be transported into a winter wonderland where they will encounter 40 life-size, animated dinosaurs, more than 80 lighting sculptures and a 50-foot lighted Christmas tree. Tickets cost $29 for adults, $20 for ages 4 to 12 and are free for ages 3 and younger at luminocityfestival.com or at the gate.
—The Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular presented by Dietz & Watson, a one-of-a-kind winter wonderland experience, opens Friday and runs through Jan. 1 at FDR Park in South Philadelphia. Visitors of all ages will feel the magic of the holiday season as they stroll through a spectacle of lights, check off their holiday shopping list, dine on festive treats and beverages, meet Santa Claus, and much more. Tickets start at $15.99 at tinseltownholiday.com. At the time of purchase, visitors will be asked to select an entry time. With sell-outs of the most popular dates and times anticipated, visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets early.
—Jim Brickman, one of the most beloved pianists in the world, will deliver his distinctive style and captivating live performance in a show titled "Hits Live and A Little Bit of Christmas" on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Miller Center Center for the Arts at Reading Area Community College. Brickman has revolutionized instrumental music. He has transformed the popularity of solo piano-playing. His musical canon has hundreds of original, pop-style instrumentals with star-studded vocal collaborators joining in. He has become the most charted Adult Contemporary artist and best-selling solo pianist to date. For tickets, see millercenter.racc.edu/jim-brickman.
—The historic borough of West Chester is lighting up more downtown blocks than ever — and hosting more free holiday events than ever — to attract visitors to the 50+ retail stores and 60+ restaurants that make downtown West Chester so unforgettable during the holiday season. "Beginning this week, our beautifully decorated historic streets feature additional blocks aglow in the borough to accommodate the increasing number of visitors who want to shop (and eat!) small in downtown West Chester before Thanksgiving even begins," said Katie Walker, president of the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce. "We're also offering plenty of free, family-friendly activities and free street-level, metered parking as we head into Thanksgiving weekend." It's just the beginning of six weekends of holiday magic, Thanksgiving through New Year's, during Chester County Hospital Lights Up Holiday Weekends in West Chester when thousands of golden lights and sparkling decorations illuminate the heart of historic West Chester. For more information on activities, visit www.gwcc.org or contact the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce at 610-696-4046.
—BNS Productions presents Rory D. Sheriff's play "Speakeasy" on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Miller Center for the Arts at Reading Area Community College. Set in 1978 in his hometown of Reading, "Speakeasy" is the latest from the imagination of Sheriff, a playwright, director and producer who was recently named Theatre Person of the Year by the Metrolina Theatre Association. The play centers on dutiful Virginia, who decides to take control of her life, starting with unlearning everything she was taught how a woman should be. No sooner than deciding to dump her husband's belongings on the doorstep in trash bags, she's presented with a foreclosure letter for back taxes on her childhood home. With more than a few reservations, she gives in to the idea of turning the house into a speakeasy to raise money for the taxes, which is exactly when all heck breaks loose. Tickets range from $29 to $49 at millercenter.racc.edu.
—The 36th annual North Penn Holiday Craft Market will be held Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at North Penn High School. These craft shows include over 95 artists and feature fine and unusual pottery, jewelry, fiber, dried flowers, fraktur, tinware, baskets, folk art, theorem, quilts, appliqués, furniture, painted scissor cuttings, ceramics, scherenschnitte, embroidery, children's clothing, dolls, rug weaving, decoys, calligraphy, leather, band boxes, iron work, toys, wood carvings, wooden spoons, and much more. A highlight of the craft shows is a delicious homemade luncheon. Admission is $6. For more information and a $1 off coupon, see northpennifc.org.
—The Kutztown Presents! performing arts series at Kutztown University presents the family show Okee Dokee Brothers on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Schaeffer Auditorium on campus. As childhood friends growing up in Denver, Colo., Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing were born adventurers. Now the Grammy Award-winning Okee Dokee Brothers put this passion for the outdoors at the heart of their Americana Folk music. Performing music that inspires children and their parents to step outside and get creative, they hope kids will gain a greater respect for the natural world, their communities and themselves. The five-time Parents' Choice Award winners have been called two of family music's best songwriters. Tickets are $15 at kutztown.edu.
—The Santander Performing Arts Center, Reading, presents comedian John Crist's "Emotional Support Tour" on Thursday at 7 p.m., the Underwater Bubble Show on Friday at 6 p.m., the Aaron Lewis acoustic tour on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and blues guitar great Joe Bonamassa on Tuesday at 8 p.m. Crist is known for viral videos such as "Honest Football Coach," "Every Parent at Disney" and "Brands That Need To Be Cancelled." The Underwater Bubble Show, or The Unexpected Journey of Mr. B, blends drama, mime, dance, puppetry, juggling, contortionism, sand art and magic with the amazing beauty of soap bubbles. Aaron Lewis, best known as the frontman of Staind, is touring in support of his latest album, "Frayed at Both Ends." The three-time Grammy nominated Bonamassa is touring in support of his live concert film and album "Tales of Time." For tickets and more information, see santander-arena.com.
—The Greater Reading Chamber Alliance's Taste of Berks will be held Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Berkshire Mall, Wyomissing. Enjoy samples from more than 30 food and drink vendors along with a photo booth, Caricatures by Courtney, access to the rest of the mall and visits with Santa. Guests can peruse the new maker's market to shop for those on their holiday lists. New this year, attendees over the age of 21 may indulge in a Beer and Wine Garden. Tickets cost $30 for ages 12 and older and $15 for children ages 3 to 11 at greaterreading.org.
—The historic Newtown Theatre will present its next Singer-Songwriters in the Round: The Stories Behind the Songs on Friday at 8 p.m. Part concert, part conversation, this special evening will bring together four singer-songwriters — Brad Hinton, Heather Hurlock, Greg Sover and Joe Montone — to play their songs and share the stories behind them. They'll discuss origins and arrangements while offering a deeper dive into the songwriting process. Led by Daniel S. Bower, the format will encourage conversation between musicians, giving the audience an opportunity to hear songwriters play their music and riff as if they're in their own living rooms. This special musical event is inspired by the "guitar pulls" of the legendary Bluebird Café in Nashville. Tickets are $27. On Saturday, the Newtown Theatre presents comedian Michelle "Shelly Belly" Rider, whose relatable comedy consists of talking about things you won't, with a touch of naughty. Tickets cost $36. To reserve, visit thenewtowntheatre.com.