We are just over the hump of this winter quarter, so let’s get out into the city and de-stress a bit. Here are some cool events going on throughout the city this weekend.
Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention — Feb. 15-17 at The Pennsylvania Convention Center
Around 500 different vendors, performers and tattoo professionals gather from around the country for the annual Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention. The weekend long event returns to the Pennsylvania Convention Center this weekend. Beyond the tattoo arts, the convention also has experts and vendors in the fields of piercing, body modification and human suspension. Special guests featured this year are Alakazam the Human Knot, Olde City Sideshow, Carl “Dr. Blasphemy” Murray and “Ink Master” season 11 winner Tony Medellin. Tickets are available at the event and online at a price of $22 a day or $45 for a three-day pass.
Puppy Love Brunch — Feb. 16 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at City Tap House
Brunch with puppies? Say no more. The City Tap House in University City will be hosting a batch of trained therapy dogs during their brunch hours Feb. 16. The pups will be throughout the restaurant for patrons to pet and snuggle. Live music will also take place during the event with an acoustic set from John Gilbride. Donations made at brunch will benefit the non-profit Paws for the People.
VHS Swap and Retro Flea Market — Feb. 16 5 to 9 p.m. at South Street Cinema
The Philadelphia Unnamed Film Festival hosts another flea market event at South Street Cinema. Head on over to buy or trade VHS tapes, vinyls, posters and other collectibles. This event is free and is followed by a screening of the horror movie “My Bloody Valentine.”
Artist Bash: Take Me Home — Feb. 16 8 to 11 p.m. at The Barnes Foundation
Artist Bash is a series of themed multi-discipline performance art events curated by the Barnes Foundation. This is the sixth event, and the theme is home. The invited performers will address what the theme means to them through their different mediums. The lineup of artists include Julian Saporiti of No-No Boy, choreographer Rhonda Moore, Sistahs Attune, Gabrielle Revlock, choreographer Christina Castro-Tauser, Nyxal and vocalist-composer Ruth Naomi Floyd. Tickets are available online for $10, and the program is in partnership with iHeartRadio, OneHunted, Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival and Small but Mighty Arts.
The Thrifty Disco — Feb. 16 10 p.m. at Philly AIDS Thrift
Drexel’s own WKDU partners with Philly AIDS Thrift to bring back The Thrifty Disco. Dance the night away in the thrift store for a good cause. DJs will include Manik, Del and Rana Ransom. A $10 donation at the door is suggested but not required. All proceeds of the night will go towards Qunify, a LGBTQ social community organization.
Marvel Murder Mystery — Feb. 17 6 to 9 p.m. at Evil Genius Beer Company
Marvel fans unite at Evil Genius for a night of games and mystery solving. One of the guests is getting killed off, and it’s up to the other superhero attendees to get to the bottom of the murder. Tickets are available online for participants and spectators. Dressing up is encouraged.