We’re just going to come out and say it — 2020 is going to be a weird, chaotic and borderline terrifying year.
As the warm glow of the holidays fades into what is sure to be a dark and chilly winter, we contemplate what lies ahead — a crazy election in a country teetering on the edge of self-inflicted insanity. You know, business as usual. Hopefully, spring and summer will swoop in to brighten things up a bit, but that’s all months away.
So what do we have to keep us distracted and entertained in the meantime?
A lot of great entertainment is coming through the area this winter to make us laugh, cry, party and dance the winter blues away. So get your brand new calendars and a pen ready to make some plans.
Art
Designs for Different Futures
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring visionary and sometimes controversial designs that promise to transform how we live, eat, heal, travel and even love, in any number of possible futures, through March 8, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
Diego Rivera: Frescoes
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of murals the revered Mexican artist created in New York for display in an exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in 1931, through spring, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
Comedy & Spoken Word
Todd Glass
The comedian seen on “The Daily Show” performs Jan. 16-19 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001.
Steven Wright
The comedian performs at 8 p.m. Jan. 25 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.
Ross Matthews
The out TV personality tells stories live, 9 p.m. Feb. 8 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.
Patton Oswalt
The comedian performs, 9 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Ladies Night Out Comedy Tour
Nene Leakes with special guests Loni Love, Adele Givens, Sherri Shepherd, Kym Whitley & B. Simone perform, 8 p.m. Feb. 22 at The Met, 858 N. Broad St.; [email protected].
Tiffany Haddish
The comedian and actress performs at 8 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Lewis Black: It Gets Better Every Day
The comedian performs, 8 p.m. March 6 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.
Tom Papa
The comedian performs, 8 p.m. March 7 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.
Xanadu: The Musical
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” alums, Ginger Minj and Jinkx Monsoon recreate the roller-skating musical, 8 p.m. March 21 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.
Dance
Dancing With the Stars Live
Contestants from the hit TV show perform at 8 p.m. Jan. 10 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Riverdance
Broadway Philadelphia presents the blockbuster musical, Jan. 21-26, at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.
Paul Taylor Dance Company
Dance Affiliates presents the acclaimed contemporary dance company, Jan. 24-25, at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
Shen Yun
The classical Chinese dance show returns Feb. 12-March 1 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.
Mummenschanz
The world-renowned Swiss performance troupe performs at 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
La Bayadère
The Pennsylvania Ballet performs Angel Corella’s restaging of the masterpiece, March 5-15, at the Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.
Trinity Irish Dance Company
Dance Affiliates presents the award-winning Irish dance company, March 27-28, at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
Suspended in Time
The Pennsylvania Ballet performs three ballets by acclaimed choreographers, April 2-5 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.
Pilobolus
Dance Affiliates presents the acrobatic dance company, April 16-18, at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
Music
The Prince Experience
The Prince tribute band performs at 8 p.m. Jan. 11 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.
Chris Mann: From Gershwin to Gaga
The singer seen on “The Voice” performs at 8 p.m. Jan.16 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.
The Motels, Bow Wow Wow and When in Rome
The ’80s new wave groups perform at 7 p.m. Jan. 17 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.
Cracker
The rock band performs at 8 p.m. Jan. 17 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.
Snoop Dogg
The rapper performs at 8 p.m. Jan. 18 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-625-3681.
Deadmau5
The electro-dance producer performs Jan. 23-24 at The Met, 858 N. Broad St.; [email protected].
Motionless in White and Beartooth
The hard rock bands perform at 7 p.m. Jan. 23 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-625-3681.
Almost Queen
The Queen tribute band performs at 8 p.m. Jan. 25 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-625-3681.
Bob Mould
The out rock singer-songwriter performs at 8 p.m. Jan.28 at The Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 202-730-3331.
ABBA: The Concert, a tribute to ABBA
The music of the pop group is celebrated, 8 p.m. Feb. 6 at The Tower Theater, 69th and Ludlow streets; 610-352-2887.
Who’s Bad
The Michael Jackson tribute band performs at 8 p.m. Feb. 8 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.
Boyz II Men
The R&B group performs at 8 p.m. Feb. 14 at The Met, 858 N. Broad St.; [email protected].
Jill Scott
The R&B singer-songwriter celebrates the 20th anniversary of her debut album with a performance at 8 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Queensryche
The prog-rock band performs at 8 p.m., Feb. 19 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.
Angélique Kidjo
The Grammy Award-winning world music/R&B/jazz singer performs, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
Celine Dion
The pop singer performs at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney Houston starring Belinda Davids
The Whitney Houston tribute act performs at 8 p.m., March 6 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.
Squirrel Nut Zippers
The retro-swing band performs to celebrate their 25th anniversary at 8 p.m. March 8 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.
Billie Eilish
The pop singer performs at 7:30 p.m. March 13 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
Kristin Chenoweth in Concert For The Girls
The Kimmel Center presents the Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress and singer, 8 p.m. March 13 at Verizon Hall, 300 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.
Christine Havrilla
The out singer-songwriter performs with her band Gypsy Fuzz, 8:30 p.m. March 14 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.
Ms. Lauryn Hill
The neo-soul/R&B/hip-hop singer performs, 9 p.m. March 14 at The Tower Theater, 69th and Ludlow streets; 610-352-2887.
Mandy Moore
The pop singer and songwriter performs at 9 p.m. March 21 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Third Eye Blind
The alt-rockers perform at 8 p.m. March 27 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-625-3681.
Pussy Riot
The activist rock band performs at 8:30 p.m. April 3 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215-232-2100.
A Bowie Celebration
Bowie Alumni performs ‘Diamond Dogs’ & ‘Ziggy Stardust’ at 8 p.m. April 4 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.
Deafheaven
The alternative metal band performs at 8:30 p.m. April 4 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215-232-2100.
Theater
DRUMline Live
The Kimmel Center presents the show based on the high energy shows of the country’s best marching bands, Jan. 10-11 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.
A Woman of No Importance
Walnut Street Theatre presents Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy of errors, Jan. 14-March 1, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.
The Simon & Garfunkel Story
The immersive concert-style theater show chronicles the journey of the successful folk-rock duo, Jan. 29-30, at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.
Everything is Wonderful
Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the story of an Amish family struggling with issues of faith and forgiveness, Feb. 14-March 8 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215-985-0420.
Hello, Dolly
Broadway Philadelphia presents the classic comedic musical, Feb. 19-March 1, at the Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.
SHIP
Azuka Theatre presents the story of a woman fresh out of rehab trying to return to glory in her hometown, Feb. 26-March 15, at Proscenium Theatre at The Drake, 302 S. Hicks St.; 215-563-1100.
The Best Man
Walnut Street Theatre presents the story of a political game of cat and mouse, March 10-April 26, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.
Rain: A Tribute to The Beatles
Broadway Philadelphia presents the musical chronicling the journey of the Fab Four, March 13-15 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.
Les Misérables
Broadway Philadelphia presents a new production of the Tony Award-winning musical set in 19th Century France, March 17-29 at the Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.
Jesus Christ Superstar
Broadway Philadelphia presents the iconic musical for its 50th Anniversary, April 7-12, at the Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.