Isabel Allende at the Free Library
Isabel Allende is a Chilean-American writer and she is coming to Philly next Thursday to talk about her life, her career and the world today. She is heralded as one of the world’s most widely read Spanish language authors, and has spent many years working to empower women and girls worldwide. The event costs $$, but trust us, it will be worth it.
Why you should go:
This woman is really fucking cool. She has been inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters, her novel “The House of the Spirits” was adapted into a movie starring Meryl Streep, she received Chile’s National Literature Prize AND President Obama awarded her the 2014 Medal of Freedom. It’s not everyday someone this influential visits the Philadelphia Free Library (but maybe every week).
Logistics you should know:
When: Thursday, November 12th from 7:30pm—9pm
Where: The Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine Street
Tickets: $32, purchase in advance
College Night at the Barnes
We all know about the Barnes (if you don’t, you need to read this magazine more), be it for its art or its Young Professionals parties that let us pretend we know it for its art. Regardless, the Barnes Foundation is one of the best museums in the city. It offers an extensive collection of Impressionist, Post–Impressionist and early Modern art, all housed within a gorgeous, modern building situation just off the Parkway. And, every so often, the museum opens its doors and hosts social events for the public to encourage engagement with art in a new (read: drunk) way. Although in the past this has mostly been for “Young Professionals,” the Barnes has recently decided to host its first ever “College Night” on Friday, November 13th.
Why you should go:
The event is free. Young Professionals events average around $30 a ticket—this is a bargain for what is essentially the same thing. It is also restricted to those with a valid college ID, aka no creepy old men wearing cowboy hats will be eyeballing because you are also wearing a hat (Ed. note: this happened). Bonus: it’s on a Friday, which means you definitely don’t have conflicting social plans, and it’s from 7-10, which means it can be your pregame if you do.
Logistics you should know:
When: Friday, November 13th from 7pm—10pm
Where: 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
The Art: “Totally Twisted” tours of the most unusual art housed in the Barnes’ collection. These only last for 15 minutes, aka an appropriate dose of culture in an amount of time that suits our short attention spans.
The Music: Live performances from the Eric Montague Quartet and Worldtown, as well as a dance performance by Inger Cooper
Tickets: Free admission with valid college ID, preregistration is preferred but not required
