UPPER DARBY — Presented by the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet, in partnership with the Upper Darby School District, the professionally produced and affordable production of “The Nutcracker” will run Nov. 21–23, the weekend before Thanksgiving at the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center
The 90-minute, family-friendly production, recommended for ages 4 and up, combines professional guest artists from the Philadelphia Ballet with the region’s most talented young dancers.
Additionally, The Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet Society is providing hundreds of Upper Darby students with free livestream performances of the beloved holiday ballet “The Nutcracker,” giving many children the chance to experience professional ballet for the very first time.
To further expand access, Upper Darby Township students and their families are offered a special coupon code for discounted tickets, allowing them to attend the live performances at the performing arts center at a reduced cost. This initiative ensures that all local children can enjoy the beauty of classical dance and music, regardless of background or income.
Yuka Iseda and Erin Patterson, left and right, respectively, guest artists from the Philadelphia Ballet, take photos with Upper Darby community members after last year’s performance in “The Nutcracker.” Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker” will return to the stage, Nov. 21-23 at Upper Darby Performing Arts Center. (COURTESY OF UDPAC)
“If you want to have art in your life, it shouldn’t be limited by anything. Ballet is for everybody,” said Melinda Pendleton, director and second-generation owner of the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet. “When young kids see this performance, I want them to imagine themselves on stage and know that this art form is for them, too.”
The Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet, now in its 52nd season, is one of the region’s leading classical ballet schools and remains dedicated to making world-class ballet accessible close to home.
Performances for regional families take place Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center on the Upper Darby High School campus along Lansdowne Avenue.
Free parking and easy access from the Main Line, Blue Route, and Center City make this holiday tradition convenient and welcoming for all.
Tickets are $12 to $25, and are available at https://paacademyofballet.com/Nutcracker.
Notre Dame to hold holiday bazaar, Santa breakfast this weekend
Our Lady of Peace Parish in Milmont Park will hold its annual Christmas Bazaar this weekend, on Friday from 6 to 9 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
It will be in Nelson Hall behind Notre Dame deLourdes School, 990 Fairview Road, Swarthmore.
The bazaar will feature vendors, food, raffles, desserts, decorations and crafts, a kids’ craft table, and more. Kids are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite Disney or Christmas character.
The parish will hold a Breakfast with Santa on Sunday, Nov. 16 in Nelson Hall following the 9:30 a.m. Mass.
Cost for a full breakfast is $5 for children 5 and under, and $10 for everyone older.
Santa is expected to arrive at 10:30 a.m. For reservations, email Rose Moran at rosetimmoran@gmail.com. Money will be collected at the door.
Helen Kate Furness Library to hold Craft Chaos for grown-ups
The Helen Kate Furness Free Library, 100 N. Providence Road, Wallingford, will host a Craft Chaos workshop, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21.
Adults are invited to a one-of-a-kind crafting adventure.
The library is opening up its large stash of leftover supplies from a wide variety of past library projects. The stash includes fabric, ribbons, paint, buttons, feathers, beads, buttons and much more.
There will be no set project and no wrong way to create, but instead, an opportunity to experiment with imagination and creativity, with all materials provided for free.
To register for the unique crafting event, go to http://delcolibraries.libcal.com/event/15053597.
Hosts for Hospitals issue plea for donations of temporary housing
In 2026, Philadelphia will be holding hundreds of events.
Among them will be the PGA Championship, FIFA World Cup Soccer, MLB All Star Game and many more.
These events are expected to bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to the area, which means it could be hard to find a place to stay. To help meet this lodging need, Hosts for Hospitals is asking individuals, local businesses, organizations, and others to donate temporary housing and help spread word of the opportunity to do so.
These housing donations will help ensure that patients and families who are traveling to the city for medical care have a place to stay.
“The patients and families we serve are in Philadelphia for medical treatment, often during some of the most difficult times in their lives,” said Mike Aichenbaum, Hosts for Hospitals executive director. “Whether it be the patient or their loved ones, staying in a real home can make a huge difference. It helps them feel supported, manage the medical situation and better cope with the emotional stress of their situation. What makes us unique is that we’re the only organization in the region offering this kind of lodging regardless of the patient’s age or illness.”
Hosts for Hospitals is a nonprofit that provides deeply discounted lodging and support to patients and families who are traveling to the Philadelphia area for medical treatment.
Patients and their families are lodged in the homes of volunteer hosts or private housing. Most lodging requests come to Hosts for Hospitals from health systems in the region, such as Jefferson Health, Penn Medicine, Shriners Children’s Hospital, Main Line Health and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
“With the local lodging already in short supply for patients and families traveling to CHOP for care, and Philadelphia preparing to host numerous major events in 2026, additional housing resources are urgently needed. By offering your home or donating local housing through Hosts for Hospitals, you can provide comfort and relief to families during one of the most challenging times in their lives,” said Megan Bowers, senior manager, Social Work Department, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Hosts for Hospitals was founded in 2000 and since that time has provided lodging to over 4,500 patients and families.
This housing has saved families close to $20 million in equivalent hotel expenses. Volunteer hosts working with Hosts for Hospitals have also provided a sense of ‘home away from home’ for families during often complicated medical journeys.
For more information, go to http://HostsForHospitals.org.
Herr’s asks chip lovers to vote in Taste the 250 contest
Herr’s iconic Flavored by Philly campaign is back, and this year, it’s making snack history. In honor of America’s 250th birthday, Herr’s is celebrating the flavors of freedom, liberty, and unity that define both Philadelphia and our nation with Flavored by Philly: Taste the 250.
For the past four years, Herr’s has turned to the people of the Philadelphia area to help shape its most mouthwatering chip flavors.
Since launching in 2021, Herr’s Flavored by Philly has been a love letter to the region’s unmatched food scene and community pride. From iconic cheesesteaks and stromboli to roast pork and tomato pie, past flavor finalists have paid homage to the tastes that make Philly one of a kind. This year, Taste the 250 invites locals to go beyond the plate and define flavor through the very ideals that unite us.
To commemorate 250 years of American flavor and Philly pride, the brand is once again putting the power in the hands — and taste buds — of its hometown fans.
This year’s Flavored by Philly comes with a fresh twist: rather than submitting new flavor ideas, fans will select from a curated lineup of flavors inspired by the American ideals of Freedom, Liberty and Unity. Now it’s up to Philadelphians to decide which flavor best embodies the heart of the American story.
This special edition of Flavored by Philly pays tribute to the bold, authentic spirit that has always defined America’s birthplace. Each flavor concept — Freedom, Liberty, and Unity — represents an idea that helped shape the American story.
Now, Herr’s is asking: What do those ideas taste like to you?
Philadelphians can cast their votes online at http://Herrsflavoredbyphilly.com until Wednesday, Dec. 10. The top three chip flavors, chosen by popular vote, will hit shelves in June, just in time to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.
Attendees can enjoy a fun-filled evening kicking up their heels at the PAC Center’s second annual hoedown on Nov. 22. Above, dancers having fun at the hoedown a year ago. (COURTESY OF ANDREW OSTER)
PAC Center to host second annual foot-stompin’ hoedown fundraiser
The community is invited to kick up their heels at the good ol’ fashioned Family Hoedown and Barn Dance fundraiser from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22 at the Park Avenue Community Center in Swarthmore.
Dancers can throw on their best cowboy wear and get ready to two-step the evening away as a band with professional callers leads partygoers in a variety of fun barn dances that everyone can do, from kids and teens to adults and seniors.
The hoedown will feature country-style food and drinks, including lip-smackin’ pulled pork and brisket from local favorite Shutdown Barbecue, veggie chili, mac and cheese, more tasty sides and desserts, beer, wine and soft drinks.
A kids’ activity zone will feature supervised crafts and games, giving parents the chance to hit the dance floor with friends and enjoy the festivities. Also, gift baskets from local businesses and an array of scrumptious pies will be raffled off just in time for Thanksgiving.
“We’re thrilled to offer an evening of good old-fashioned fun for all ages while raising money for the PAC Center to continue building a healthy, connected community,” said Kate Tejada, vice president of the PAC Center board of directors. “Between the live music, dancing, raffles, yummy food and kids’ activities, there will be something for everyone.”
This event is made possible in part with the support of these sponsors: Heidi Foggo Homes Team of Compass RE; Petrikin, Wellman, Damico, Brown & Petrosa; JCK Real Estate and Renato Pizza.
Tickets are $35, with children aged 4 to 10 just $15; and younger kids are free. Door prices will be higher.
All proceeds benefit programming at the PAC Center, dedicated to enriching the lives of the entire community, from children to seniors, with accessible health and wellness classes, youth programs, art classes, and arts and cultural events, many offered free or at a reduced cost. Tickets are available at http://thepac.center/events.
Tickets on sale for Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame event
The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia will celebrate this year’s Hall of Fame and Person of the Year on Friday, Nov. 21 at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia.
Tickets are $145. Honorees include Sue Serio, weather anchor on Fox 29’s “Good Day Philadelphia,” who will receive the Person of the Year.
The Class of 2025 honors:
• Monica Avery, Emmy Award-winning producer at CBS News Philadelphia, KYW
• “Lady B” Bahiyyah Clark, pioneer hip-hop rapper and host on Classix 107.9
• George Cummings, retired Temple University television manager and former program/operations manager at FOX29
• Jacqueline London, Emmy Award-winning anchor and reporter for NBC10
• Mike Monsell, vice president of marketing, Disney ABC Television Group, 6abc
• Former Eagles wide receiver Mike Quick, WIP color commentator for Philadelphia Eagles radio broadcasts
• David Skalish, director of technical operations at Audacy, Philadelphia
• Andie Summers, Gracie and CMA winning host of “The Andie Summers Show” on 92.5 XTU
• David Yadgaroff, SVP and market manager for Audacy, Philadelphia.
Jim Donovan and Scott Palmer return as hosts for the event, so guests can expect a lively night of fun and memories with some of the broadcast industry’s best-known names, past and present.
Tickets are available at www.broadcastpioneers.org through Friday, Nov. 14. For questions, email gala2025@broadcastpioneers.com.
Readers can send community news and photos to Peg DeGrassa at pdegrassa@21st-centurymedia.com.