The emotional rollercoaster we called 2016 is finally over. Thank goodness. Let’s just take a long hot shower and scrub all the psychic residue of the last 365 days off us.
Whew!
It’s not like 2017 is looking like it’s going to be a vast improvement, but it’s a new year and we are all going to need something to keep our collective minds off the past, present and future gloom and doom we are wading through.
On the bright side, we have a lot of great artists and entertainers coming through the area during the cold and dark months ahead that we need to check out, because really, we need to get all the good times in and support all the talent we can patronize while we still can.
So, enjoy! Red wine and Xanax are optional.
Books
Irene Levy Baker
The author of “Gateway to Freedom: The Hidden History of the Underground Railroad” hosts a reading 6:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.
Michael Eric Dyson
The New York Times opinion writer, MSNBC political analyst and author of “Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.
Camille Paglia
The author of “Free Women, Free Men: Sex, Gender, Feminism” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. March 13 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.
Alec Baldwin
The actor and author of “Nevertheless: A Memoir” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. April 7 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.
Classical/Opera/World Music
All Mozart
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs selections for the iconic composer Jan. 5-7 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Broadway Up Close: Vanessa Williams
The singer and actor comes to town for a live Q&A 8 p.m. Jan. 21 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 300 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Andre Watt’s 60-Year Legacy
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Feb. 2-4 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Valentine’s Day Concert
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs a concert honoring Cupid and St. Valentine 8:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Brahms Symphony No. 3
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Feb. 17-19 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Raiders of the Lost Ark with The Philadelphia Orchestra
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs the score alongside a screening of the classic adventure film March 17-19 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Comedy
Judy Gold
The out comedian performs 8 p.m. Jan. 14 at the Rrazz Room at the Prince, 1412 Chestnut St.; 267-239-2941.
Sarah Silverman
The comedian performs 8 p.m. Jan. 15-16 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650.
Todd Glass
The comedian performs Jan. 26-29 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001.
Kathy Griffin
The comedian performs 8 p.m. Feb. 17 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 10-11 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Carol Burnett: An Evening of Laughter and Reflection
The comedy icon tells stories and answers questions 7:30 p.m. April 11 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Eddie Sarfaty
The comedian performs 8 p.m. April 22 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Dance
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
The legendary international dance company performs Feb. 3-4 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Balé Folclórico da Bahía
The troupe of dancers, musicians and singers performs a repertory based on Bahian folkloric dances of African origin 8 p.m. Feb. 17 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Shen Yun 2017
The acclaimed international Chinese dance company performs Feb. 18-26 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Le Corsaire
The Pennsylvania Ballet performs a lighthearted production about a swashbuckling pirate in search of treasure who becomes enamored with a slave girl March 9-19 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Romance
The Pennsylvania Ballet performs a playful modern ballet April 6-9 at Kimmel’s Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Shadowland
Dance Affiliates and the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts present the full-length piece about a teenage girl who wakes up one day to something incredible lurking behind her bedroom wall April 6-7 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
PHILADANCO
The acclaimed Philadelphia dance company performs April 13-15 at Perelman Theater, 300 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Exhibits
Hidden History Exposed
Photography enthusiasts Tracy Buchholz and Jason Giordano present an exhibit highlighting friendship, photography and one very cold winter, Jan. 13-Feb. 24 at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220.
Person of the Crowd: The Contemporary Art of Flânerie
The Barnes Foundation presents an exhibition featuring works by 40 international artists making provocative spectacles of themselves to speak to issues like commodity fetishism, gentrification, gender politics, globalization, racism and homelessness Feb. 25-May 22, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.; 215-278-7000.
American Watercolor in the Age of Homer and Sargent
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring watercolor’s remarkable rise in the United States from 1860-1925 March 1-May 14, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
Marcel Duchamp and the Fountain Scandal
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition celebrating the centennial of the provocative and influential work that changed the course of modern art April 1-Dec. 3, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
Music
Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven
The rock bands perform 8 p.m. Jan. 13 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.
The Smithereens
The rock band performs 8 p.m. Jan. 20 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.
Adam Ant
The classic new-wave rock singer performs 8 p.m. Jan. 26 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650.
Rick Astley
The pop/dance/R&B singer performs 8:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.
O-Town
The boy band performs 6 p.m. Feb. 12 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-625-3681.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
The alt-rock band performs 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12-13 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
Chely Wright
The out country singer performs 8 p.m. Feb. 17 at Sellersville Theater 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215-257-5808.
Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs
The acclaimed out actor and singer performs 8 p.m. Feb. 19 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Panic! At The Disco
The alt-rock band performs 7 p.m. Feb. 25 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
KT Tunstall
The rock singer performs 8 p.m. Feb. 27 at Sellersville Theater 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215-257-5808.
Ariana Grande
The pop singer performs 7:30 p.m. March 1 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
The Flaming Lips
The alt-rock band performs 8:30 p.m. March 4 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-625-3681.
Mike Doughty
The alt-rock singer performs 8 p.m. March 5 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.
Sting
The iconic rock singer performs 8 p.m. March 11 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-625-3681.
Vanessa Carlton
The singer-songwriter performs 8 p.m. March 11 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.
Lionel Richie and Mariah Carey
The pop/R&B icons perform 7 p.m. March 18 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
The Temptations and The Four Tops
The R&B groups perform 8 p.m. March 24 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650.
Bon Jovi
The rock band performs 7:30 p.m. March 31 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
The Beach Boys
The classic band performs at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. April 1 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650.
Anthrax
The metal band performs 8 p.m. April 5 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.
Steve Winwood
The classic-rock singer performs 8 p.m. April 22 at Tower Theatre, 19 S. 69th St., Upper Darby; 610-352-2887.
PJ Harvey
The alt-rock singer performs 8 p.m. April 21 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-625-3681.
Theater
Cirque Eloize: Saloon
Broadway Philadelphia presents the latest Cirque adventure, inspired by the rich legacy of the Wild Wild West, Jan. 13-14 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.
Laughter on the 23rd Floor
Walnut Street Theatre presents the Neil Simon play that gives the audience a peek into the writer’s room of a hit 1950s television show Jan. 17-March 5, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.
Romeo & Juliet
Media Theatre presents the classic Shakespeare tragedy Jan. 25-Feb. 19, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100.
Having Our Say
Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the story of 103-year-old Sadie and 101-year-old Bessie, who welcome us into their home to share an endearing, true story, Jan. 27-Feb. 19 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215-985-0420.
Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man
The romantic comedy takes the audience on a ride where no topic is taboo and the insider “tips” come straight from the source: a gay man, Feb. 9-11 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 300 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
The 1812 Game Show Spectacular!
1812 Productions presents the hilarious mash-up of “Match Game,” “Pyramid” and “The Price is Right” Feb. 20-21 at Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey St.; 215-592-9560.
The Bodyguard
Deborah Cox stars in the musical based on the hit film Feb. 21-26 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Shitheads
Azuka Theatre presents the story of a down-and-out bike-shop manager in Lower Manhattan Feb. 22-March 12 at Proscenium Theatre at The Drake, 302 S. Hicks St.; 215-563-1100.
Sideshow
Media Theatre presents the musical about the conjoined twins who survive by being part of a “freak” show in the 1930s, March 8-26, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100.
The Importance of Being Earnest
Walnut Street Theatre presents the classic Oscar Wilde play March 14-April 30, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I
Broadway Philadelphia presents the story of a British schoolteacher who is invited to educate the many wives and children of the king of Siam March 22-April 2 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Hand to God
Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the Tony Award-nominated Broadway comedy about a puppet at the Christian Puppet Ministry who presents a shockingly sinister agenda of its own, March 31-April 30 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215-985-0420.
Cabaret
Broadway Philadelphia presents the classic Tony Award-winning musical April 4-9 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Broadway Philadelphia presents the rock opera about a transgender rock singer April 18-23 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Dirty Dancing
Broadway Philadelphia presents the musical based on the hit blockbuster drama May 16-21 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Saturday Night Fever
Walnut Street Theatre presents the musical based on the popular disco-era blockbuster May 16-July 16, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.
Misc.
Lady Bunny
The iconic drag artist performs 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at The Rrazz Room, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 888-596-1027.
Wendy Williams
The TV personality hosts a live show 9 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Chippendales 2017: Best. Night. Ever.
The male-stripper revue comes to town 9 p.m. Feb. 18 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.
Martha Graham Cracker in Lashed But Not Leashed
The new work created by Dito van Reigersberg for his vivacious alter-ego is a musical fever-dream featuring original songs March 16-18 at the Kimmel Center’s SEI Innovation Studio, 300 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.
Judy and Liza Together Again!
Rick Skye is rejoining Tommy Femia to portray Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli 7:30 p.m. April 15 at The Rrazz Room, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 888-596-1027.