Frugal in Philly - Far From Quiet on New Year's Day

Frugal in Philly is a weekly celebration of all things Philly that are fun, frugal (costing $10 or less) or free! Stop here each week to see what Philly's got to offer for those of us who haven't quite mastered the art of becoming Independently Wealthy (although believe us, we're trying).

Featured Pick of the Week: Ringing in the New Year
Well, damn; 2006 is nearly here, and we haven't made a dent in our list of 2005 resolutions yet. (First resolution for 2006 - get around to making a resolution list). In case you've been remiss in planning a frugal New Year's celebration - Phillyist has got just the ticket: ways to celebrate the illustrious eve and the proper first day of the new year- and they're both free. (You've got to work out your midnight kiss on your own, though).

Fireworks on New Year's Eve: A midnight celebration of color explosions which is FREE and said to be best seen at the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing (on the Delaware River at Chestnut Street) - although we hear folks on the Jersey side can see it just as well. As expected, the fireworks start at midnight.

The Mummer's Parade: We've got a little tradition around here...you may have heard of it: otherwise upstanding Philadelphia citizens get up at the crack of dawn New Year's Morning (or, perhaps, just never go to sleep New Year's Eve), adorn themselves in all manner of feathers and spangles and then march through the streets playing banjos. Strange but true - the Mummer's Parade has been strumming their way through our city streets for almost as long as we've been Philadelphia. The parade starts at 9AM at Broad and Washington, and will go up to City Hall (parade route map here). (Shivering along the route is free, but tickets are required if you want access to the Grandstands at 15th and Market or the judging inside the Convention Center). If you need to take a break from the wind and the cold, you can always pop into the Kimmel Center (260 South Broad Street), where they'll be having FREE performances in the Plaza throughout the day.

And if you, like Phillyist, are one of the few people who, in fact, don't love a parade - take heart - you can still watch the comics and fancies on your tv while you stay nice and warm, drinking your coffee and nursing your first hangover of 2006.

This Week's Events:

Tuesday:

Comedy Open Mic Night:
Helium Comedy Club (2031 Sansom St.) 2 hours of comedy for just $5 (+ the cost of two menu items)

Wednesday:

Philly Unplugged:
Every Wednesday at the Reef Caribbean Lounge (3rd and South) local artists are highlighted by Philly Unplugged. Doors open at 9PM, show starts at 10PM, and admission is $10.

Thursday:
All is Bliss
Billed as a "winter celebration of everything good," Bliss is a party inspired by the "old school" party scene. Entertainment will include a host of acts, including guests who bring their own records and sign up for one of the "15 minutes of fame" slots. You must be 16 to attend, 21 to drink, and if you're 18 or under, you'll need a permission slip to get in the door. This event will take place at the Vaudeville Theater (501 East Armstrong Street) and starts at 8:10 PM. This party is all about the PLUR - which we had to look up, since we are more old than old school. The Internets tell us it stands for Peace, Love, Unity and Respect -which seems like a pretty nice return on the $10 admission fee.

Friday:

Free Friday Noon Concert:
WXPN's free and weekly lunchtime concert Downstairs at World Cafe (3025 Walnut Street). This week's show features hip hop steel guitarists- Slo Mo with Mic Wrecka. Show starts at Noon and is FREE. RSVP required.

Monday:

Philly Rising Open Stage :
Weekly open mic Upstairs at World Cafe Live (3025 Walnut Street). Would be performers sign up at 6PM, and the show starts at 7:30PM. Free!

Photo Credit: World News