#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Academy of Music reflections
(Photo by @_mtkrupka)
In Philly, protest march following killing of Minnesota woman by ICE
About 1,000 people marched through Center City on Thursday evening to protest the killing of a Minnesota woman by an ICE agent during an anti-immigration sweep. Billy Penn has photos.
Earlier in the day, DA Larry Krasner, several city councilmembers, police chief Rochelle Bilal and others spoke to the matter, criticizing ICE and saying its agents were not welcome in Philly.
African American Museum in Philadelphia unveils plans for MLK Jr. weekend
The African American Museum in Philadelphia is preparing for Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a long weekend of activities and reduced admission cost.
“The theme for this weekend is radical peace, which honors Dr. King’s legacy of non-violence,” said AAMP President and CEO Ashley Jordan. Details here …
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• The Pennsylvania Farm Show butter sculpture is back, and this year, it’s a 1,000 pound creation honoring Philly and Pa.’s role in the founding of the U.S. [CBS3]
• Gov. Josh Shapiro officially announced his reelection campaign for a second term. [WHYY]
• Gen Z has entered city hall. Meet 4 young Pa. mayors who want to bring new ideas to local government. [Spotlight PA]
• Judge Ann Butchart — Pennsylvania’s first openly LGBTQ+ elected leader — has retired. [PGN]
• Two new schools will open as part of the new North Philadelphia Promise Zone, modeled on the Harlem Children’s Zone. [Chalkbeat]
• $84 million reboot: PHA to transform vacant Germantown properties into 121 affordable rentals. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker and the Office of Clean and Green Initiatives, in partnership with Mural Arts Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, will announce the city’s “Gateways to Philadelphia” Anti-Graffiti & Highway Beautification Project, at City Hall. (10 a.m.)
ON THE CALENDAR
✊🏾 MLK Jr Weekend at the African American Museum of Philly
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Friday, Jan 9: Philly’s Rockin’ Jazz
The Friday Night Jazz series at Woodmere Art Museum kicks off with a celebration of Philly’s homegrown giants of jazz. The series continues through March 27. $28 tickets. (6 to 7:30 p.m.)
Friday, Jan. 9: PhillyLovesBowie Week Happy Hour Dance Party
The Sound & Vision dance party at Trestle Inn features live DJs spinning Bowie on vinyl, go go dancing, classic videos, happy hour specials, and more. No cover. $1 from every purchase of the $9 Young Americans Sour gets donated to CHOP’s in Memory of David Bowie campaign. (6 to 9:30 p.m.)
Friday, Jan. 9: Bowie Night at Brooklyn Bowl
50th Anniversary Performance of Station To Station. $16-65 tickets. (8 p.m.)
Friday, Jan. 9: Bowie and Prince Dance Party
At Underground Arts. $21.06 tickets. (9 p.m. to 1 a.m.)
Saturday, Jan. 10: Philadelphia Mummers FreeWalk
Walk through the heart of South Philly, home of the New Year’s tradition of mummery, and the Mummers Museum. Celebrate the 125th anniversary of a Philly holiday tradition. Starts and ends at LOVE Park. 8 miles overall. (9:15 a.m.)
Saturday, Jan. 10: 2026 Winter Wonderland Party
Hosted by Philadelphia Family Pride. Festivities include catering, a drag performance, and an auction. At Kids on 12th. Free. (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
Saturday, Jan. 10: “Firstival” ceremony at Mummers Museum
Celebrating the nation’s first folk parade, dating back to 1901. Part of the Philadelphia Historic District’s “52 Weeks of Firsts,” which are showcasing a variety of marvels, inventions and events that first happened here in Philly. Free. (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
Saturday to Sunday, Jan. 10-11: 43rd Presentation of the Boar’s Head Festival
The Boars Head Festival is a 14th century festival that sees a full choir and orchestra retell Christmas. The Cameron Highland Pipe Band marches in ceremoniously, while the Beefeaters keep watch. There will be a live Nativity, medieval dancing, and plenty to keep the whole family entertained. At St. Peter’s Church Lafayette Hill. (Saturday: 1, 4 & 7 p.m.; Sunday: 1 and 4 p.m.)
Saturday, Jan. 10: Liberty Bell Laughs Standup Comedy Show
A hilarious night, courtesy of Sawubona Creativity Project. $12.51 tickets. (8:30 to 9:30 p.m.)
Sunday, Jan. 11: Philadelphia Mid-Winter Bird Census in Tacony Creek Park
For four decades, the annual Philadelphia mid-winter bird census has highlighted the remarkable diversity of habitats and species within our city limits. Contribute to community science! Includes a 4-mile walk starting from I St & Ramona Ave Gateway to Cheltenham Ave & Crescentville Rd Gateway. Free. Note: no restrooms in the park. (8 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
Sunday, Jan. 11: Brewed to Belong: A Sober-Curious Workshop at Love City
Led by Registered Dietitian Talia Follador and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Kri Gore. Practical tools + supportive conversation and actionable tools + hands-on mocktail demo. $10 tickets. (2 to 3 p.m.)
