Wow! What a year 2014 was. We’re all happy to have made it to 2015 in one piece and can’t wait to see what fresh excitement waits for us.
The first few months of the New Year are overflowing with arts, music and theater events of all kinds to keep us all occupied and entertained during the cold, dark months leading up to the glorious, bright, sun-drenched joy that is spring and summer.
So put on your snazziest boots, scarves and gloves because, this winter, there are plenty of things going on around town that are worth braving the cold weather for.
Books
Eric Foner
The author of “Gateway to Freedom: The Hidden History of the Underground Railroad” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.
Marky Ramone
The author of “Punk Rock Blitzkrieg: My Life as a Ramone” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.
Deborah Voigt
The author of “Call Me Debbie: True Confessions of a Down to Earth Diva” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.
Barney Frank
The openly gay author of “Frank: A Life in Politics from the Great Society to Same-Sex Marriage” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. March 23 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.
Candice Bergen
The Emmy Award-winning actor and author of “A Fine Romance” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. April 9 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.
Michelangelo Signorile
The out advocate and author of “It’s Not Over: Getting Beyond Tolerance, Defeating Homophobia and Winning True Equality” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. April 23 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.
African Children’s Choir
Classical/Opera/World Music
Eschenbach Visits
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs with conductor Christoph Eschenbach Jan. 8-10 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Ladysmith Black Mombazo
The South African a-cappella group performs 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 2
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Feb. 5-7 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Classic Soul
The Philly POPS perform timeless hits Feb. 6-8 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Russian Masterworks
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Feb. 12-13 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Beethoven’s Pastoral
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs March 12-14 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
The Planets
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Gustav Holst’s orchestral suite March 20-22 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
African Children’s Choir
Dance Affiliate and the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents vocal and dance chorus 10:30 a.m. March 27 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
Beethoven and Mozart
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs April 10-11 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Epic Hollywood Soundtracks
The Philly POPS perform scores from blockbuster films April 10-12 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Modern Fairy Tails
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs April 16-18 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Beethoven’s First
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs May 7-9 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Margaret Cho
Comedy/Humor
Patton Oswalt
The comedian performs at 8 p.m. Jan. 10 at Tower Theatre, 19 S. 69th St., Upper Darby; 610-352-2887.
Damon Wayans
The comedian performs Jan. 22-24 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001.
John Oliver
The comedian performs at 8 and 10:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at Tower Theatre, 19 S. 69th St., Upper Darby; 610-352-2887.
Hannibal Buress
The comedian performs 9 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Chris Tucker
The comedian performs 8 p.m. Feb. 6 at Tower Theatre, 19 S. 69th St., Upper Darby; 610-352-2887.
Lisa Lampanelli
The comedian performs 8 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Ralphie May
The comedian performs 9 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Greg Proops
The comedian performs Feb. 27-28 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001.
Margaret Cho
The out comedian performs March 1-4 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001.
Kathy Griffin
The comedian performs 8 p.m. March 14 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Lewis Black
The comedian performs 9 p.m. March 20-21 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
David Sedaris
The comedian performs 8 p.m. April 8 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.
Pilobolus Dance Theater
Dance
Rosie Herrera Dance Theatre
Dance Affiliates and the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts present the dance company that combines elements of theater, performance art, opera and ballet Jan. 15-17 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
Prodigal Son
The Pennsylvania Ballet performs the classic story Feb. 5-8 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Black Grace
Dance Affiliates and the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts present the New Zealand-based dance company Feb. 12-14 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
Swan Lake
The Pennsylvania Ballet performs the classic story March 5-15 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Jessica Lang Dance
Dance Affiliates and the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts present the classic ballet company with contemporary influences March 19-21 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
RUBBERBANDance Group
Dance Affiliates and the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts present the company combining hip-hop and ballet influences April 16-18 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
PHILADANCO
The dance company performs April 17-19 at The Kimmel Center’s Perelman Theater, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Pilobolus Dance Theater
Dance Affiliates and the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts present the gymnastic, gravity-defying dance company May 7-11 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
Exhibits
Represent: 200 Years of African American Art
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition highlighting its collection of African-American art Jan. 10-April 5, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
Drawn with Spirit: Pennsylvania German Fraktur from the Joan and Victor Johnson Collection
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of decorated Germanic documents featuring brilliant colors Feb. 1-April 26, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
duplicate.until response.
Hooloon Art Gallery presents an exhibition of duplicates of artwork created and inspired by the act of community balloon releases Feb. 7-March 15, 53 N. Second St.; 215-560-8167.
Ink and Gold: Art of the Kano
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition highlighting the artistry of the esteemed Kano painters, Feb. 16-May 10, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
Khaki King
Music
Seether and Papa Roach
The rock bands perform 6:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.
Marilyn Manson
The shock rocker performs 8:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.
Billy Idol
The punk-rock icon performs 8 p.m. Jan. 24 at Tower Theatre, 19 S. 69th St., Upper Darby; 610-352-2887.
Erin McKeown
The out singer-songwriter performs 8 p.m. Jan. 30 at Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St.; 215-928-0978.
Sophie B. Hawkins
The singer-songwriter performs 8 p.m. Jan. 31 at Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St.; 215-928-0978.
Kaki King
The out guitarist performs 8 p.m. Jan. 31 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.
Who’s Bad
The Michael Jackson tribute band performs 8 p.m. Feb. 7 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.
ABBA the Concert
The ABBA tribute band performs 8 p.m. Feb. 13 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.
50 Cent
The rapper performs 8:30 p.m. Feb. 13 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.
Chris Brown
The R&B singer performs 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
Helmet
The hard-rock band performs 8 p.m. Feb. 20 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.
Maroon 5
The rock band performs 8 p.m. March 9 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
Ariana Grande
The pop singer performs 8 p.m. March 12 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
Sarah McLachlan
The singer performs 8 p.m. March 14 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
ZZ Top
The rock band performs 9 p.m. March 14 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.
Neil Diamond
The singer performs 8 p.m. March 15 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
Motionless in White
The goth/metal/industrial band performs 7:30 p.m. March 29 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.
Coal Chamber, Filter, Combichrist and American Head Charge
Rock bands perform 7:30 p.m. April 4 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.
The Decemberists
The folk-rock band performs 8 p.m. April 7 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Indigo Girls
The out acoustic duo performs with the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra 8 p.m. April 12 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Iggy Azalea
The rapper/singer performs 7:30 p.m. May 10 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
Kinky Boots, the musical
Theater
Private Lives
Walnut Street Theatre presents Noël Coward’s comedy about a divorced couple who ends up honeymooning with their new spouses at a French seaside resort Jan 13-March 1, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.
The Miracle Worker
Media Theatre presents the story of Helen Keller and her relationship with her governess Jan. 28-Feb. 15, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100.
Mothers and Sons
Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the Tony Award-nominated play by Terrence McNally about a woman who leaves Texas after her son’s death and pays an unexpected visit to the New York apartment of Cal, her late son’s partner who is now married to another man and has a young son, Feb. 6-March 18 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215-985-0420.
Ghost the Musical
Media Theatre presents the supernatural love story March 4-29, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100.
Moon Cave
Azuka Theatre presents the world premiere drama by Philadelphia playwright Douglas Williams March 4-22, 1636 Sansom St.; 215-563-1100.
And Then There Were None
Walnut Street Theatre presents the suspense drama based on the Agatha Christie novel March 10-April 26, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.
Annie
The classic musical about an orphan who wins the heart of a millionaire runs March 17-22 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Dirty Dancing
The musical based on the hit drama plays March 24-April 5 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
The Submission
Quince Productions presents a comedy about a young Caucasian playwright who pens a play under a pseudonym about growing up poor and African-American, and then has to hire an African-American actor to “play” the playwright, April 9-25 at Walnut Street Theatre Studio 5, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.
Hello Dolly
Media Theatre presents the popular musical April 22-May 24, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100.
Kinky Boots
The Tony Award-winning musical about a shoe factory that finds a new lease on life making shoes for drag queens plays April 28-May 10 at Forrest Theatre, 1111 Walnut St.; 215-923-1515.
The Lion King
The musical based on the hit Disney musical plays May 20-June 14 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Smiths’ Social
The music of The Smiths is celebrated, 8 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.
Pig Iron Theatre’s Pigonometry
Martha Graham Cracker, Brian Sanders’ JUNK and more perform at the theater company’s annual cabaret, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.
Sally Kellerman
The actor and singer performs 8 p.m. Jan. 24 at the Rrazz Room, in The Ramada New Hope, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 888-596-1027.
Peek-a-Boo Revue
The cabaret troupe performs a Valentine’s Day show 8:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.
RuPaul’s Drag Race: Battle of the Seasons
Drag queens from the show perform 9 p.m. March 7 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.