ENTERTAINMENT

North by Northwest. Zydeco A Go Go swings on Friday, December 19 and Freedy Johnson entertains on Saturday, December 20. Alligator Zydeco will play on Friday, December 26 and The Resolution will play on Saturday, December 27. Performance times and cover charges vary. 7105 Germantown Ave., Mt. Airy. 215-248-1000.

Goat Hollow. Animus plays world fusion music on Friday, December 19 and Bluesman Jay return with his New Orleans sound on Saturday, December 20. John Conaghan plays blues, rock & originals on Friday, December 26 and Secret Society plays R&B, reggae and jazz on Saturday, December 27. No cover. 300 W. Mt. Pleasant Ave., Mt. Airy; 215-242-4710.

Mermaid Inn. Ellyn Hill & Richard Drueding play on Friday, December 19 and it’s Lava Blues on Saturday, December 20. Richard Drueding & Stephe Ferraro play instrumentals on Friday, December 26 and The Dukes of Destiny play R&B on Saturday, December 27. Times and cover charges vary. 7673 Winston Road, Chestnut Hill. 215-247-9797 or www.themermaidinn.net.

Keswick Theatre: Cyndi Lauper sings on Wednesday, December 17; George Winston plays solo piano on Thursday, December 18 (please bring a donation for the Food Bank to this concert); the Manhattan Transfer return for a holiday concert on Friday, December 19; and Saturday, December 20 features Irish comedian Noel V. Ginnity starring in Doyle’s Traditional Irish Cabaret Christmas, featuring singer Andy Cooney, plus dancers, musicians and more. Times and ticket prices vary. The theater is at Keswick Avenue and Easton Road, Glenside. 215-572-7650 or www.keswicktheatre.com.

Anglesea Pub North, 7136 Germantown Ave.: Wednesdays are martini nights; Thursdays are college nights; live music Friday and Saturday nights. 215-248-4435.

InFusion Coffee and Tea Gallery, 7133 Germantown Ave.: Aaron Mitchel performs on Thursday, December 18 and it’s an open mic with In the Red on Saturday, December 20. Times vary; all free. 215-248-1718.

The Gomang Monks Cultural Pageant will take place on Friday, December 19 at 8 p.m. at the Sedgwick Cultural Center, 7137 Germantown Ave. Call 215-248-9229 for tickets and information. www.sedgwickcenter.org.

‘Klezmas Eve’ At The Sedgwick: The Sedgwick Cultural Center, 7137 Germantown Ave., once again sponsors its unique “Klezmas Eve” on Wednesday, December 24. There is also a 5 p.m. pre-concert “traditional” Chinese dinner. Call 215-248-9229; tickets sell out quickly.

Jazz Flutist Walter Bell, of Chestnut Hill, is a featured performer each Sunday at Hibachi, Pier 19, Columbus Blvd. & Callowhill St., from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Reservations: 215-592-7100.

Holiday Medley by Settlement Music School Children’s Choir will be on Sunday, December 20, at 10 a.m., at the SMS Germantown Branch, 6128 Germantown Ave. Free and open to the public. Information: 215-320-2686 or www.smsmusic.org.

“Christmas Potpourri,” the Mount Saint Joseph Academy annual Christmas concert performed by the Mount Glee Club, Instrumental Ensemble, Scholarship Madrigal and the Sweet Madelines, will be at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday & Thursday, December 17 & 18. Tickets are $5 at the door. Information: 215-233-3177.

The Nutcracker. Students of Settlement Music School will perform a shortened version of this holiday classic on Friday, December 19 at 6:30 p.m. Free; 416 Queen St., Germantown; 215-320-2686 or www.smsmusic.org.

The Philadelphia Chamber Chorus hosts a Messiah sing-a-long on Friday, December 19, at 7 p.m., at the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill, 8855 Germantown Ave. Guest soloists; refreshments; scores provided by the Drinker Collection of the Free Library of Philadelphia or, bring your own. Everyone welcome. Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for 16 and under. Information: 610-352-6565.

Vox Ama Deus presents “A Renaissance Noel” on Sunday, December 21 at 4 p.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 154 East Mt. Airy Ave. Motets, chansons, carols and pageantry from Old Europe will be performed in period costumes with voices and instruments by Vox Renaissance Consort. Tickets: $20 at the door; $10 for students.

“Sing Out – A Holiday Celebration” will be at St. Luke’s Church, 5421 Germantown Ave., on Sunday, December 21 at 3 p.m., featuring soprano Karen Slack, bass Eric Owens, with Lisa Keller on the piano. Free, but tickets necessary; call 215-735-6999.

“Spirit Train,” an educational ride through Afro-centric history, is a play performed by the Mitchell-Robinson Youth Troupe at the Germantown Theater Center, 4821 Germantown Ave., on Friday & Saturday, December 19 & 20. Call 215-843-5155 for tickets and times. www.mitchell-robinsontheatre.org.

Looking for Half-Price Tickets to cultural events in the area? Click http://www.phillyfunguide.com/calendar/home.do and sign up!

ART

JMS Gallery, 8236 Germantown Ave., will be exhibiting the cast acrylic work of sculptor Karen Brown through December 27. Information: 215-248-4649

** The First Woodmere Triennial of Contemporary Photography is on display through January 11. Call 215-247-0476 or click www.woodmereartmuseum.org to access a complete list of special programs at the museum, at 9201 Germantown Ave.

Whitemarsh Community Art Center, 100 Cedar Grove Road, Conshohocken, is offering a variety of art workshops for adults and children. Information: 610-825-0917.

Contrasting Elements: Wearable and Decorative Art is on exhibit at Allens Lane Art Center, Allens Lane & McCallum Street. The show features jewelry by Martha Kent Martin and Judy Jurgaitis, hand blown glass by Steven Hagan and raku by Peter Quinn. Information: 215-248-0546 or www.allenslane.org.

"Where Martin Luther Walked," an exhibit by photographer Hans Walther highlighting landmarks that were part of Luther's lifetime journey, is on display in the lower rotunda of the Krauth Memorial Library at Lutheran Theological Seminary, 7301 Germantown Ave. Free and open to the public until early February; hours vary. Information: 215-248-6323.

Photographs from the Friends of the Wissahickon Photo Contest will be on display at the Valley Green Inn through January 5. The exhibit, which contains 27 photographs of the Wissahickon Valley, showcases the work of the local photographers. For directions or information, call 215-247-1730.

Gallery Saint Martin is featuring the works of Naomi Limont, Monique Seyler and the late Ursula Sternberg. Call 215-247-7811 to arrange a visit.

Goat Hollow, 300 W. Mt. Pleasant Ave., is showing the watercolor, pastel and acrylic paintings of Chestnut Hiller Robert Joachim through January 5. Information: 215-242-4710.

** At the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, 8480 Hagy’s Mill Road, Roxborough: “The Schuylkill Valley Revisited” is a exhibit of works by Joseph Sweeney on display through February 29. Click www.schuylkillcenter.org or call the center at 215-482-7300 for details about all events.

NATURE/GARDENS

** At the Morris Arboretum, 100 Northwestern Ave.: A variety of holiday arts and crafts classes — and other horticultural courses for amateurs as well as professionals — are going on now. Also, The Holiday Garden Railway Display returns for a third season until January 4. For information, call 215-247-5777 or click www.morrisarboretum.org.

HEALTH/FITNESS

Comfort and Joy at Yoga Schelter in December. Enjoy a number of unique classes and workshops this December in celebration of the winter holidays at Yoga Schelter, 3502 Scotts Lane, Bldg. 3, Suite 1 in East Falls. Call 215-991-YOGA for details.

Alzheimer’s Association Family Caregiver Support Group meets the third Wednesday of the month from 7-9 p.m. at Homelink Adult Day Care, 6950 Germantown Ave. 1-800-272-3900.

Blood Donors are Always Needed, especially during the holiday season! You can give at the Joseph Coleman Regional Library, 68 W. Chelten Ave., on Monday, December 22 from 1:30-7 p.m. For more information, call the Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.

Fun Run. Wissahickon Wanderers Running Club meets every Saturday at 8 a.m.; start at Valley Green. Details: 215-849-9080 or www.wanderersrunningclub.org.

Hike the Wissahickon with various groups throughout the month. Call the Friends of the Wissahickon at 215-247-0417 for details.

Family Yoga, for parents and children 6 and over, is offered on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. and Yoga & Tai Chi classes for seniors are offered throughout the week at The Second Wind Center, 98 Bethlehem Pike. Information: 215-248-9642.

Chestnut Hill Hospital offers a great variety of programs and support groups, including exercise programs for all ages and physical conditions, cardiac rehabilitation, programs on women’s health issues, Smoke Stoppers, CPR, a senior activity and functional evaluation (SAFE) program, a variety of clinical trials, a driver screening course, wound care program, diabetes education and support center, a geriatric resource center, drop-in parenting discussion and child play group, a prosthetic and orthotic program, wheelchair program,  prenatal/postpartum yoga classes, cancer support groups, breastfeeding classes, stroke club, babysitter training and more. Call 215-753-2000 for more information or click www.chh.org.

Overeaters Anonymous conducts two meetings each week at Roxborough Memorial Hospital, near Walnut Lane and Ridge Avenue. Details: 215-674-4418.

BOOK SCENE

At Borders, 8701 Germantown Ave.: Fiction Book Club will meet on Wednesday, December 17 at 7:30 p.m. to discuss Evensong, by Gail Goodwin. No registration necessary. Information: 215-248-1213.

EDUCATION

The Business Center at New Covenant Campus offers a variety of courses in business, marketing, management and more for small businesses. 7500 Germantown Ave. Call 215-247-2473 or click www.thebizctr.com for more information.

The LEAP After School Program provides homework assistance, computer literacy, library skills, and enrichment activities for school age children and teens (grades 1-12). The program is offered Monday through Friday at all Free Library locations. LEAP is an open, drop-in program; no registration is necessary. Call your local library for additional information.

Next ACT Test Is January 2. The next national test date for the ACT Assessment is February 7, 2004. College-bound students should register by the January 2 postmark deadline. Students can register online at www.act.org. or they can get a registration packet from their high school guidance counselor and register by mail. The Web site also has sample test questions and a link to a free financial aid calculator.

Scholarship Opportunity. The deadline for The Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Company’s fifth annual “Celebrate the Knowledge” Expression Contest is quickly approaching. Area high school juniors and seniors could win $1,000 in scholarship money for college by answering the following question: How has your talent or form of self expression contributed to who you are today? Entries are being accepted in five categories — essay, art, dance, spoken word/poetry, and music (vocal or instrumental). Entry guidelines may be obtained at local high schools, Phillycoke.com, or by calling 215-871-0400. The contest deadline is January 16, 2004.

Travel Challenge Scholarships. Students through the country can compete for $156,000 in college scholarships when the second annual AAA Travel High School Challenge kicks off soon after the New Year. The AAA Travel High School Challenge is a geography test and a national travel literacy contest. The 2004 Challenge is open to public, private and home-schooled high school students in grades 9-12, who are legal residents of the United States, ages 13 and older, in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The Challenge begins with a 40-question online quiz offered January 12-21, 2004 at www.aaa.com/TravelChallenge. Students are encouraged to register ahead of time and take the practice test before the testing period begins.

FOR THE KIDS

** At The Chestnut Hill Library: Stories, crafts, food and games for children 5 and older enhance the holidays while parents shop on the Avenue. On Wednesday, December 17, kids can enjoy a Kwanzaa Sampler of activities from 6:30-8 p.m. The library, at 8711 Germantown Ave., also holds story time for 1- to 3-year-olds, on Tuesday mornings at 10:30 a.m., and on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. for children 3-6. Call 215-685-9290 for all program information.

Kwanzaa Celebration for the whole family will take place on Saturday, December 27 at 2 p.m. at the Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library, Greene Street and Chelten Avenue, Germantown. Information: 215-685-2153.

Visit Santa! All children are invited to the Falls of Schuylkill Library to hear holiday stories and sing their favorite carols while waiting for Santa to visit. Snacks will be provided. No pre-registration required. Monday, December 22 at 7 p.m. at 3501 Midvale Ave. (at Warden Drive). Information: call Elizabeth Heideman at 215-685-2093.

“Little Red Riding Hood,” a Storybook Musical Theatre production, will run from December 22 to December 30 at the Germantown Academy Art Center, 340 Morris Road, Ft. Washington. Tickets are $10. School and group discounts are available. Show times vary. For information, call Storybook Musical Theatre at 215-659-8550 or visit www.storybookmusical.org.

Storyteller Milt Cohen will share stories about Hanukkah — for the whole family — on Wednesday, December 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Joseph Coleman Regional Library, Greene Street & Chelten Ave. Information: 215-685-2152.

Dewey Days: Disasters, Mummies and More. In our continuing exploration of the Dewey Decimal System, we uncover mummies, costumes, mythology and disasters. School-age children are invited to the Falls of Schuylkill Library on Thursday, December 18 at 3:30 p.m. to learn about some strange and interesting books in our collection and participate in a fun related activity. No pre-registration is required. 3501 Midvale Ave. (at Warden Drive). For more information, please call Elizabeth Heideman at 215-685-2093.

Micah the Maccabee will be at Intermission, 8405 Germantown Ave., from 7-9 p.m on Wednesday, December 17, for an evening of Hanukkah Hijinx. Come sing the Dreidel Song and get gelt! Information: 215-242-8515.

Bug-A-Palooza weekend at the Academy of Natural Sciences will be on Saturday & Sunday, December 27 & 28. Have the kids build a beetle or butterfly, have fun stamping, play knowledge games and more. The Academy is at 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and until 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Admission prices: $9 for adults, $8 for children ages 3-12, $8.25 for seniors and children under 3 are free. 215-299-1000 or www.acnatsci.org.

O’Doodle’s Toystore, 8335 Germantown Ave., is now offering martial arts for kids classes and holds an interactive story time on Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. Call 215-247-7345 for details.

Free Library of Springfield Township, 1600 Paper Mill Road, Wyndmoor, offers daytime and evening story times for young children. Call 215-836-5300 for exact times.

Children’s Story Time is held Monday mornings at 10:30 a.m. at Borders, 8701 Germantown Ave. 215-248-1213.

RELIGION

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 22 E. Chestnut Hill Ave.: Sundays through December 21, at 9:15 a.m., there will be discussions of readings, prayer and meditation about Advent. Centering prayer sessions are on Wednesdays at 7 a.m. and Thursdays at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Information: Ken Garner at 215-242-2055 or www.stpaulschestnuthill.org.

At The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill: Two services are offered on Christmas Eve, December 24: There will be a Family Service and Christmas Pageant at 5:30 p.m. and a Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols at 10 p.m., with harp prelude starting at 9:30. Wednesday evening Bible study continues at 7:30 p.m., with ongoing discussion of The Life and Letters of Paul. 8855 Germantown Ave.; 215-247-8855 or www.chestnuthillpres.org.

Being Jewish At Christmas — a family fun day with music, activities and refreshments — will be celebrated at the National Museum of American Jewish History, 55 N. 5th St., on Thursday, December 25 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: 215-923-3811 or www.nmajh.org.

“Introduction to Judaism from a Reconstructionist Perspective” will be offered on Tuesdays through May 18 from 7:30-9 p.m. at Or Hadash, 190 Camp Hill Road, Ft. Washington. 215-283-0276 or www.orhadash.com.

At Congregation Or Ami, 708 Ridge Pike, Lafayette Hill:. “Torah from a Woman’s Perspective” meets on Thursday, December 18 at 9 a.m. Information: 610-828-9066.

"Great Leaps Forward By Jewish Thinkers” is the title of an Adult Education Workshop at the Jewish Children’s Folkshul, held at the Germantown Friends School, Sharpless Building, 31 W. Coulter St., on Sunday, December 21 at 10:15 a.m. Information: 215-248-1550.

Oreland Presbyterian Church will present a live nativity drive-by on Saturday, December 20 from 7-8:30 p.m. and a nativity pageant with carols on Sunday, December 21 at 7:30 p.m. The church is at Church and Paper Mill roads.

Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, 8000 St. Martin’s Lane, will host a quiet day of reflection on Saturday, December 20 from 9 a.m.-noon, will hold a Carol Sing on Sunday, December 21 at 10 a.m., and a festival of lessons & carols on Sunday, December 28 at 10 a.m.  Information: 215-247-7466 x109.

Christmas Church Services at Grace Epiphany Church: Wednesday, December 24, 5 p.m.; Children and Family Service with Holy Communion; 9 p.m., Carol Sing; 9:30 p.m., the Festival Candlelight Service of Holy Communion. Thursday, December 25, 9 a.m., celebration of Holy Communion with Christmas Carols. Sunday, December 28, 10:30 a.m., traditional service of Christmas lessons and carols. Everyone welcome. Gowen Avenue and Ardleigh Street; 215-248-2950.

"A Family Christmas" is a Christmas Cantata and Pageant at The First Presbyterian Church in Springfield on Sunday December 21 during 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. worship services performed by the Senior Choir, Youth Choir and Star-Cherub Choir. The church is at the corner of Bethlehem Pike and East Mill Road in Flourtown.  Information: 215-233-3223 or www.flourtownpres.org.

Music Meditations for Peace and Healing, with Julia Haines on the harp, take place most Thursdays from 7:30-8:15 p.m. at the Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church, 8812 Germantown Ave. 215-842-9123.

Unitarian Society of Germantown, 6511 Germantown Ave., offers “Coffee and Conversation” on most Sundays at 9:30 a.m. 215-844-1157 or www.usguu.org.

MISCELLANEOUS

Oldies Dance — with favorite Philly DJs Lou Costello and Billy from Philly — Friday, December 19, 8-midnight. $10 cover.  BYOB. Water, ice and soda available. Lu Lu Shriners Great Hall, 5140 Butler Pike, Plymouth Meeting. Information: 800-898-5858.

The Philadelphia Ceili Group will celebrate "Forty Five Years Along the Road" at their annual Christmas Ceili on Saturday, December 20 in the Grand Ballroom of the Commodore Barry Club, Carpenter Lane and Emlen Street in West Mount Airy. Tickets are $12, $10 in advance. Information: 215-849-8899 or visit www.PhiladelphiaCeiliGroup.org.

Winter Holiday Celebration in Erdenheim will feature a fire truck stopping at various locations, with music, luminaries and candy distributing on Sunday, December 21 from 5-6:30 p.m.

Eighth Annual Winter Solstice Gathering, hosted by the Meridian Writers Collective, will take place on Sunday, December 21 at 7 p.m. at the Sedgwick Cultural Center, 7137 Germantown Ave. Bring something to perform and a new, unwrapped children’s book for the kids who visit the St. Vincent’s dining room. Free. 215-248-9229 or www.sedgwickcenter.org.

Thursdays Are Oldies Nights at the Commodore Barry Club, Carpenter Lane and Emlen Street in West Mount Airy. In the tradition of continuing culturally diverse gatherings in Northwest Philadelphia, 2 Girls and A Guy sponsors an oldies night dance party every Thursday (not December 25 or January 1) from 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m. $10 includes one drink and food. Information: 215-275-8577.

Dating Parties For Grown-Ups are now available in Chestnut Hill for a range of age groups at different times. Call 215-248-9642 or click www.philadelphia-speed-dating.com for all the details. First party free for men 50+ years old.

Winter Coat Drive In Mt. Airy. As part of the Philadelphia Cares 8th annual Winter Coat Drive, new and “gently used” winter coats can be dropped off at Cresheim Cottage Café (7402 Germantown Avenue) or Trolley Car Diner (7619 Germantown Avenue) from now until January 19, 2004. Coats can be dropped off between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. at the diner and 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. at the cottage. For more information about the coat drive, call Philadelphia Cares at 215-564-4544.

Recycling Scheduled For December 20. Recyclables will be collected from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 20 at the Unitarian Church of Germantown parking lot (enter off Johnson Street between Greene Street and Wayne Avenue). Weaver’s Way Cooperative and PhilaPride sponsor this third Saturday of each month collection of the following recyclable items: white office and computer paper (which includes white bond, letterhead, copy memo and ledger paper, and envelopes; all white, greenbar and bluebar computer paper; white card stock and index cards); cardboard and paperboard (cardboard boxes; corrugated cardboard; posterboard; oaktag); plastic containers without lids (labeled #1 or #2 only but no plastic bags or automotive fluid containers); mixed paper (colored office paper; envelopes with labels or cellophane windows; thermal fax, notebook, newspaper and mimeograph paper; telephone and paperback books; magazines, catalogs, junk mail; file folders, index cards, tab cards; paper bags, all other paper).

** Signifies that the sponsoring or host organization belongs to the Chestnut Hill Cultural Alliance

HOLIDAY SPECIALS

• Enjoy a Holiday Wednesday on The Avenue on December 17, with shopping until 9 p.m. and many special events for parents and kids. Information: www.chestnuthillpa.com or 215-247-6696.

• On the five Saturdays after Thanksgiving, through December 27, meter parking is free after 11 a.m. throughout the City of Philadelphia!

VOLUNTEER

The Center for Literacy is seeking volunteers to help improve the reading skills of thousands of area residents. Call 215-474-1235 or click www.centerfor literacy.org for mor einformation.

CONTACT US

E-mail press releases and information for This Week to listings@chestnuthilllocal.com by noon on the Friday before publication. Please be sure to include dates, details, complete addresses and phone numbers for events, as well as phone numbers for contact people. Questions? Call 215-248-8804.