Fri. 02/25
Writer/comedian Michael Showalter The author of “Mr. Funnypants” hosts a reading at 4 p.m. at Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St.; 215-898-7595.
Second Annual Youth Empowerment Fair The William Way LGBT Community Center hosts the free event with special guest speaker Joey Kemm from 4-9 p.m., 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220.
Tomas Mournian The author of “hidden” hosts a reading at 5:30 p.m. at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; 215-923-2960.
Spring 2011 Gryphons Season Kick-Off Party The gay rugby team kicks off its 2011 season with raffles and drink specials, 6-9 p.m. at Woody’s, 202 S. 13th St.; phillygryphons.org.
Kem, Musiq Soulchild and Ledisi The R&B singers perform at 8 p.m. at the Tower Theatre, 19 S. 69th St., Upper Darby; 610-352-2887.
A Very Metal Sugar Town The monthly show of lady rockers and DJs goes metal(!) with performances by Thee Nosebleeds with Jo-Ann and Elliott of Thorazine, Blonde Sabbath and DJ Laura Lawless, 9 p.m. at Tritone, 1508 South St.; 215-545-0475.
Sat. 02/26
Queer Writer’s Collective The William Way LGBT Community Center hosts the free monthly workshop and discussion from 4-6 p.m., 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220.
Fiona Zedde The author of “Dangerous Pleasures” hosts a reading at 5:30 p.m. at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; 215-923-2960.
Kate Clinton WomenTwoWomen presents the out comedian at 8 p.m. at Memorial Auditorium at Montclair State University, 1 Normal Ave., Montclair, N.J.; www.womentwowomen.org.
PGMC Concert: Rat Pack Live Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus performs the swinging music of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford, 8 p.m. at Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion, 2111 Sansom St.; www.pgmc.org.
Sun. 02/27
Chamber Music Concert The Philadelphia Orchestra presents an intimate performance at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
The Waitstaff: Smokin Hot Comedy with Dave Terruso, Jaylene Dunlap of Jaylene & the Judge & The Real Housewives of South Philly The hilarity begins at 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.
Clay Aiken The out singer and former “American Idol” contestant performs at 7:30 p.m. at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.
Mon. 02/28
Michael Sims The author of “The Penguin Book of Victorian Women in Crime” hosts a reading at 7:30 p.m. at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-686-5322.
The Big Quiz Thing The live game show experience returns to Philadelphia at 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.
Due Date The comedy film starring Robert Downey Jr. is screened at 8 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.
Tue. 03/01
Michael Fischman The founding member and current president of the Art of Living Foundation presents an account of his spiritual journey and the encounter that changed his life forever, 6:30 p.m. at Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St.; 215-898-7595.
James Gleick The former science writer for the New York Times and author of “The Information: A History, a Theory, a Flood” hosts a reading at 7:30 p.m. at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-686-5322.
Wed. 03/02
Bon Jovi The rock band performs at 8 p.m. at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 South Broad St.; 215-336-3600.
Jim Boggia with Tracy Bonham and Bleu The rock musicians perform at 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.
Thu. 03/03
Chris Illuminati The author of “A**holeology The Cheat Sheet,” hosts a reading at 6 p.m. at Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St.; 215-898-7595.
A Hero’s Life? The Philadelphia Orchestra performs at 7 p.m. at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish The author of “I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor’s Journey on the Road to Peace and Human Dignity” hosts a reading at 7:30 p.m. at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-686-5322.
Fri. 03/04
Friendly Friday’s Fifth Anniversary Party Friendly Friday, a party for LGBTs and friends, will mark its fifth anniversary from 9 p.m.-close at Zinc, 1750 Sumneytown Pike, Lansdale; www.friendlyfridayonline.com.
Global Soul Lounge The Kimmel Center hosts a free artist showcase presented by AfroTaino Productions at 5:30 p.m. at Commonwealth Plaza, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Motorhead The hard-rock band performs at 8 p.m. at House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-343-4000.
Ron White The comedian performs at 8 p.m. at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572- 7650.
Opening
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater The legendary dance theater comes to town Feb. 26-27 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
’50s Dance Party Peter Nero and the Philly Pops perform songs from the era when rock ’n’ roll was born, March 2-6 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play The Wilma Theater presents a comedy about Mr. Thomas Edison, who has become a personal hero of Dr. Givings, who begins harnessing the newfound power of electricity to treat hysterical patients at his home with an experimental electric apparatus, March 2-April 3, 265 S. Broad St.; 215-546-7824.
Pilobolus Dance Theatre The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents the long-running innovative dance troupe, March 3-6 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
Superior Donuts Arden Theatre Company presents a comedy about a doughnut shop that’s undergoing some changes along with the community it’s in, March 3-April 3 at F. Otto Hass Stage, 40 N. Second St.; 215-922-1122.
Swan Lake by Christopher Wheeldon The Pennsylvania Ballet performs the classic March 3-12 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Dutoit Conducts Strauss The Philadelphia Orchestra performs with Maestro Dutoit March 4-8 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Continuing
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer People’s Light & Theatre, through March 13, 39 Conestoga Road; Malvern; 610-644-3500.
Amadeus Walnut Street Theatre presents the Tony Award-winning play about the legendary composer, through March 6, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.
Facing Out, Facing In: Figurative Works The James A. Michener Art Museum, through May 1, 138 S. Pine St., Doylestown; 215-340-9800.
Fruitville/The School Papers AxD Gallery, through April 2, 265 S. 10th St.; 215-627-6250.
A Glimpse of Paradise: Gold in Islamic Art Philadelphia Museum of Art, through April, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
John Folinsbee and American Modernism Woodmere Art Museum, through March 6, 9201 Germantown Ave.; 215-247-0476.
The Lieutenant of Inishmore Theatre Exile, through March 13 at Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey St.; 215-218-4022.
Mark Cohen: Strange Evidence Philadelphia Museum of Art, through March 13, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
Parenting 101: The Musical! The musical comedy about the various stages of raising children is on stage through March 6 at Kimmel’s Innovation Studio, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
The Peacock Male: Exuberance and Extremes in Masculine Dress Philadelphia Museum of Art, through June, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
Resisting Racism: 30 Years of Men of All Colors Together The William Way LGBT Community Center, through March 25, 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220.
Tailoring Philadelphia: Tradition and Innovation in Menswear Philadelphia Museum of Art, through summer, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
To Love, Honor and Obey? Stories of Italian Renaissance Marriage Chests Philadelphia Museum of Art, through July, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
Closing
Attic Youth Center Queerealities: Posters for ChangeThe William Way LGBT Community Center, through Feb. 25, 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220.
Nocturne Flashpoint Theatre Company presents Adam Rapp’s one-man show about how grief can unravel a family, through Feb. 26, Second Stage at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St.; 215-665-9720.
Tchaikovsky and MacMillan The Philadelphia Orchestra performs with composer James MacMillan, through Feb. 26 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Virtues and Vices: Moralizing Prints in the Low Countries, 1550-1600 Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of moralizing prints created between 1550 and 1600 in Antwerp and Haarlem, through Feb. 27, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.