Get your tree lighting on today and tomorrow!

What would the holiday season be without the annual tree lighting ceremonies taking place all over the city?

Today, November 30th, the Rittenhouse tree lighting ceremony will take place from 5-7. Stop by TD bank (18th and Walnut) for hot chocolate and cookies, an elf hat and a picture with Mr. Santa Claus himself!

Also joining in the fun is Franklin Square with their annual holiday lighting ceremony, which will take place from 5-8 pm today (11/30). None other than Ben Franklin will be the illuminator, with Santa and Mrs. Claus also on hand accepting “Wish Lists” — so come prepared.

If you can't make it today, don't despair! The annual tree lighting ceremony  at City hall takes place tomorrow (12/1) at 5 pm. Mayor Michael Nutter will be on-hand to flick the switch! Shortly after, a tree in Love Park, across the street, will be lit as well. Special holiday musical performances will accompany the ceremonial lighting. Afterwards, take a stroll through the charming Christmas Village for some special holiday shopping and snacks to warm you up.

What: Christmas tree lighting
Where: Rittenhouse Square, Franklin Square, City Hall
When: 5-7 pm, 5-8 pm, 5 pm
Cost: Free!

Spelling Bee comes to the Avenue of the Arts

The Twenty-Fifth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, a Tony-Award winning musical, is performing now at the Suzanne Roberts Theater, through the 12th of December. Spelling Bee, a one-act musical, is unique in that four real audience members are invited on stage to compete in the spelling bee alongside the six young characters. Maybe if you go you'll be getting more then you bargained for, better practice your spelling now! A calender of performances, along with how to purchase tickets, can be found here.

Who: The Twenty-Fifth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
What: Tony-Award winning musical
Where: Suzanne Roberts Theater (480 S Broad)
When: Now until December 12th
Cost: $51 to $59, $10 student rush (if available)

Wanda Sykes joins Philly's "Annie" production

Wanda Sykes, comedian and actress, will be appearing as Ms. Hannigan in The Media Theater's production of Annie, beginning Tuesday. Wanda will be appearing in the role from November 23rd to December 12th, then January 12th through the 16th. For more information and to buy tickets, go here.

Who: Wanda Sykes
What: Annie
Where: The Media Theater for the Performing Arts (104 East State Street, Media)
When: November 23rd to December 12th, January 12th to 16th
Cost: $30 to $54

South Pacific comes to Philadelphia

South Pacific, the 2008 Tony-award winner for Best Revival of a Musical, is bringing it's national tour from St. Louis to Philadelphia, opening on Tuesday, November 23rd until Sunday, November 28th. Tickets are on sale now, and are available for purchase here, along with more information about the musical.

Who: South Pacific, Tony-award winning musical
What: National tour performances
Where: Academy of Music (1420 Locust)
When: November 23-28th
Cost: $20 to $105

George Lopez perfoming in Philly Friday

George Lopez, comedian, actor and host of his TBS talk show Lopez Tonight, will be performing his signature routine Friday night at the Academy of Music. As of press time, tickets are still available for purchase, ranging from Family Circle, priced at $39.50 to Parquet and Box seating, priced at $69.50. Tickets can be bought here.

Who: George Lopez
What: Stand-up Comedy
Where: Academy of Music (1420 Locust)
When: Friday, November 19th at 8 p.m.
Cost: $39.50 to $69.50
Note: For Mature Audiences 18+ years old

Baba Booey coming to Center City!

Gary Dell'Abate, better known as Baba Booey, is coming to Philadelphia to sign copies of his new book, They Call Me Baba Booey at the Borders downtown. Baba, known for being the executive producer of The Howard Stern Show, will be at Borders tomorrow (November  18th) at 6 p.m. Unfortunatly, there will be no reading or question and answer segment at the appearance.

Who: Baba Booey (Gary Dell'Abate)
What: Book signing
When: November 18th 6 p.m.
Where: Borders (1 Broad)
Cost: $25.00 (book's list price)

See those Jersey Boys while you can!

Jersey Boys, named 'Best Musical' in 2006 by the Tony Awards, is playing now at the Forrest Theater, until December 12th. Jersey Boys is a musical, telling the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. A calender of performances and available tickets can be seen here.

Who: Jersey Boys, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons
What: Tony-Award winning musical
Where: Forrest Theater (1114 Walnut)
When: Until December 12th
Cost: $54.00 to $251.50

Jeff Ross coming to Philadelphia!

Jeffrey Ross, best known as the "roastmaster general" for Comedy Central's infamous roasts, is coming to Philly to perform stand-up! Jeff, fresh off his book tour for I Only Roast the Ones I Love and The "Hoff" roast, will bring his irreverent humor to Philadelphia next Thursday and Friday to Helium. Tickets are still available, and can be purchased here.

Who: Jeffrey Ross
What: Stand-up comedy
When: November 11th at 8:00 p.m., November 12th at 8 and 10:30 pm
Where: Helium (2031 Sansom)
Cost: $20 general admission, $25 reserved

Big Jay is coming back to Philly!

As seen on "Comedy Central Presents", funnyman and Philly native Big Jay Oakerson is coming back to his roots, playing Helium comedy club next Saturday night. Tickets are still available here, and more information can be seen here.


Who: Big Jay Oakerson
What: Stand-Up Comedy
When: Saturday, November 13th 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Where: Helium comedy club (2031 Sansom)
Cost: $20 general admission, $25 reserved seating

Rob Shuter to speak at Drexel

Rob Shuter, former celebrtity publicist and current gossip columnist for Popeater.com, is going to be speaking at Drexel University on November 11th. Rob, whose clients included Diddy, J. Lo, Jessica Simpson and Jon Bon Jovi, will be discussing both of his careers at the event. For more info, look here

Who: Rob Shuter
What: Speaking Engagement
Where: Ruth Auditorium at Nesbitt Hall (3125 Market st) at Drexel University
When: November 11th at 7 p.m.
Cost: Free and open to the public

Have you visited Terror Behind the Walls yet??

Because your last chance is coming up this weekend!

Terror Behind the Walls, the exciting Halloween attraction at Eastern State Penitentiary, is closing it's doors until next year, but not before a thrilling Friday and Saturday night experience.The calender, along with other information, can be found here.

What: Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary
Where: 22nd & Fairmount Avenue
When: Friday 7-11 pm, Saturday 7-midnight pm
Cost: Friday $25, Saturday $30. Coupons can be found at Lukoil.

Jerry Seinfeld and Bette Midler to perform in Philly

Jerry Seinfeld and Bette Midler will be performing at the opening gala of the National Museum of American Jewish History in its new home on Independence Mall.

Who: Jerry Seinfeld & Bette Midler

What: Opening gala at the new National Museum of American Jewish History

Where: 55 N 5th St, Philadelphia, PA 19106

When: November 9th at 6 PM

Cost: $1500-$5000

Nigella Lawson to sign books at KOP and Philly!

Food Network fans rejoice, Nigella Lawson is coming around to promote her new book, Nigella Kitchen: Recipes from the Heart of the Home. On November 8th, Nigella will be at the Williams Sonoma at King of Prussia, and at the Borders in Center City.

Who: Nigella Lawson

What: Book signing

Where: Williams Sonoma at King of Prussia (160 S. Gulph Rd) & Borders (1. S Broad St)

When: Williams Sonoma from 1-3 pm & Borders 6-8 pm

Cost: $35 for book

Mandy Patinkin to perform in Philadelphia

Actor and singer Mandy Patinkin will be performing at the Baptist Temple at Temple University, at their evening of hope, to benefit the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Center for Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Tickets are on sale for $60, and are available here.

Who: Mandy Patinkin
What: Charity performance
Where: Baptist Temple at Temple U (1837 N. Broad St)
When: Saturday, November 13th
Cost: $60