POTTSTOWN PA – With partly cloudy to mostly sunny skies predicted through Sunday (Feb. 11), accompanied by high temperatures of up to 59 degrees, the weekend looks like an enjoyable one to be out and about. What might make it better? An equally great list of local things to do.
They’re close to home.
Want to entertain younger kids? Let them build with blocks in Schwenksville, sing along with a musician in Pottstown, make Valentines at the Pennypacker Mills historic site, or be enthralled by a children’s opera, The Three Little Pigs, in Reading.
Something for the ‘tweens and teens? Encourage them to join you for the Great Backyard Bird Count discussion in Lower Frederick, or a mosaic-making class in Pottstown.
As for the adults, there’s a wide variety of events this weekend. See the play, “The Cake,” in Pottstown, enjoy a chocolate and wine pairing (or two!) across Berks County and also in Phoenixville, or take in art exhibits in Trappe and Boyertown. Go do something!
Some weekend events are free. Some have fees (labeled as “ticketed”). Some have limitations, registrations, or other conditions. Some may be affected by weather conditions (hint: if unsure, call before you go). Each weekend listing includes a link for more information.
Friday, Feb. 9
- Block and Building Playtime, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., free, “Play is a literacy skill; blocks and other building toys will be available; sign-in is required, and an adult must stay in the room and supervise their child, in the auditorium of the Perkiomen Valley Library, 192 Church St., Schwenksville PA
- Makin’ Music Gilbertsville, 10:30-11:10 a.m., free, have your children “sing, dance, and get those wiggles out with musician Mr. Mike, at Pottstown Regional Public Library, 500 E. High St., Pottstown PA
- Chocolate and Wine Pairing, 4-7 p.m., ticketed, described as “three delicate handmade truffle chocolates from Bridge Street Chocolates, paired perfectly with three Folino Estate wines; sponsored by Vintner’s Table of Folino Estate Winery, at 135 Bridge St., Phoenixville PA
- Valentine’s Date Night Out, starts at 6 p.m., ticketed, “make a custom sign with your significant other, and also enjoy a half dozen chocolate covered strawberries from Malizzi Cakes & Pasteries, at Hammer & Stain, 692 W. Schuylkill Rd., Pottstown PA
- Beef, Beer, and Bubbles with the Soroptimists, 6-9 p.m., ticketed, serving Uncle B’s BBQ on an all-you-can-eat buffet with beverages, accompanied by live music, door prizes available, at Ann’s Heart of Phoenixville, 35 Hall St., Ste. 301, Phoenixville PA
- “Play: “The Cake,” 7-9 p.m., ticketed, a one-act comedy about same-sex marriage that contains strong language and adult themes, and challenges the audience to “confront our own prejudices and biases, and potentially even reevaluate our ideas of acceptance and inclusion,” 90 minutes with no intermission, at Steel River Playhouse, 245 E. High St., Pottstown PA
- “Draw Back Your Bow:” an ETC Theater comedy production, 7-10 p.m., ticketed, “leave your delicate sensibilities at home and be prepared to laugh until your sides hurt, includes sketch comedy, music parodies, stand up, and rock-n-roll, at Steel City Coffee House and Brewery, 203 Bridge St., Phoenixville PA
- Live Music with Bjorn Jacobsen, 7-10 p.m., free, at Gatsby’s Pub inside SoulJoel’s Sunnybrook Ballroom, 50 Sunnybrook Rd., Pottstown PA
Photo by Douglas Lopez on Unsplash, used under license
Saturday, Feb. 10
- “Dot & Ziggy: An Interactive Play for Young Audiences,” 10-11 a.m., ticketed, an immersive experience by Linda Hartzel and Mark Perry, with music by Christopher Walker, attempting to determine what a ladybug and a skunk possibly have in common; in the Schumo Theater of the Yocum Institute for Arts Education, 3000 Penn Ave., West Lawn PA
- Freestyle Mosaic Class, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., ticketed, a 3-Saturdays beginner’s event in which participants create their own custom mosaic 12×12 inch piece, all materials included, at ArtFusion 19464, 314 Beech St., Pottstown PA
- Basket Weaving Workshop, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., ticketed, Appalachian Egg Basket beginner’s weaving class with instructor Andrea Miles, participants’ choice of colors, at Regina Marie Designs Fine Art and Crafts Gallery, 4076 Skippack Pike, Skippack PA
- Valentine Craft Workshop for Kids, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., free (a $2 donation is suggested), advance registration requested by calling 610-287-9349, for grade-school children, materials and instructions provided for children to make several Valentine crafts at their own pace, at Montgomery County’s Pennypacker Mills historic site, 5 Haldeman Rd., Schwenksville PA
- Exhibit: Native Son: The Life & Art of David Ellinger, (Saturdays through July 28) 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., ticketed, his paintings reportedly “played a pivotal role in kindling widespread fascination with Pennsylvania German culture during the latter half of the 20th century;” nearly 100 works on display, at the Center for Pennsylvania German Studies in the Dewees Tavern, 301 W. Main St., Trappe PA
- Valentine Workshop, starts at 10:30 a.m., free, recommended for ages 3-6, advance online registration requested, with stories, themed crafts, snacks, and making Valentine’s cards, at Perkiomen Valley Library, 290 2nd St., Schwenksville PA
- Cartooning for Kids, 10:30 a.m. to noon, ticketed, an 8-Saturdays class to learn learn character design, caricatures, comics and storyboards, and introduce animation, instructed by Brooke Steytler, at ArtFusion 19464, 341 Beech St., Pottstown PA
- eARTh & Climate’ Exhibit, Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 2 p.m. until April 21, free, annual exhibition of artworks that feature the environment, at Studio B Fine Art Gallery, 39A E. Philadelphia Ave., Boyertown PA
- Valentines on the Farm, from noon to 4 p.m., ticketed, featuring a Valentines Petting Zoo, a special Valentine for each child, photo opportunities, Sparkles Airbrush Tattoos, and a DonutNV food truck on site, at Ironstone Creek Farm, 16 Old State Rd., Boyertown PA
- Chocolate and Wine Pairing Weekend, noon to 5 p.m., ticketed, “decadent chocolate paired with award-winning local wines” at 11 participating wineries across portions of Berks County on its Wine Trail, centered in Reading PA
- The Three Little Pigs children’s opera, starts at 3 p.m., ticketed (online, or by calling 610-607-6270, an operatic version of the story, based on scenes from operas by Wolfgang Mozart; in the Miller Center for the Arts at Reading Area Community College, 4 N. 2nd St., Reading PA
- “Play: “The Cake,” 7-9 p.m., ticketed, a one-act comedy about same-sex marriage that contains strong language and adult themes, and challenges the audience to “confront our own prejudices and biases, and potentially even reevaluate our ideas of acceptance and inclusion,” 90 minutes with no intermission, at Steel River Playhouse, 245 E. High St., Pottstown PA
- “Draw Back Your Bow:” an ETC Theater comedy production, 7-10 p.m., ticketed, “leave your delicate sensibilities at home and be prepared to laugh until your sides hurt, includes sketch comedy, music parodies, stand up, and rock-n-roll, at Steel City Coffee House and Brewery, 203 Bridge St., Phoenixville PA
Sunday, Feb. 11
- “Dot & Ziggy: An Interactive Play for Young Audiences,” 11 a.m. to noon, ticketed, an immersive experience by Linda Hartzel and Mark Perry, with music by Christopher Walker, attempting to determine what a ladybug and a skunk possibly have in common; in the Schumo Theater of the Yocum Institute for Arts Education, 3000 Penn Ave., West Lawn PA
- eARTh & Climate’ Exhibit, Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 2 p.m. until April 21, free, annual exhibition of artworks that feature the environment, at Studio B Fine Art Gallery, 39A E. Philadelphia Ave., Boyertown PA
- Exhibit: Native Son: The Life & Art of David Ellinger, (Sundays through July 28) noon to 4 p.m., ticketed, Ellinger’s paintings reportedly “played a pivotal role in kindling widespread fascination with Pennsylvania German culture during the latter half of the 20th century;” nearly 100 works on display, at the Center for Pennsylvania German Studies in the Dewees Tavern, 301 W. Main St., Trappe PA
- Chocolate and Wine Pairing Weekend, noon to 5 p.m., ticketed, “decadent chocolate paired with award-winning local wines” at 11 participating wineries across portions of Berks County on its Wine Trail, centered in Reading PA
- Participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count, 1-2:30 p.m., free, a discussion of bird-watching, and how to join in the international Great Backyard Bird Count set for Feb. 16-19, by Wyncote Audubon Society President Leigh Altadonna, at the Lower Frederick Township Building, 53 Spring Mount Rd., Schwenksville PA
- Annual Groundhog Day (“Grundsau Lodsch fer Yunge”) celebration, 1-3 p.m., free, with a lengthy list of “groundhog-related activities, making fun for all ages,” refreshments provided, at the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, 105 Seminary St., Pennsburg PA
- The Three Little Pigs children’s opera, starts at 2 p.m., ticketed (online, or by calling 610-607-6270, an operatic version of the story, based on scenes from operas by Wolfgang Mozart; in the Miller Center for the Arts at Reading Area Community College, 4 N. 2nd St., Reading PA
- “Play: “The Cake,” 2-4 p.m., ticketed, a one-act comedy about same-sex marriage that contains strong language and adult themes, and challenges the audience to “confront our own prejudices and biases, and potentially even reevaluate our ideas of acceptance and inclusion,” 90 minutes with no intermission, at Steel River Playhouse, 245 E. High St., Pottstown PA
Weekend events are curated from a variety of sources, including public submissions. Got a weekend (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holiday Mondays) event you’d like us to add? Send it to travelswiththepost@gmail.com.
Top photo by Vadim Vasenin on Deposit Photos, used by Travels With The Post under license