Frugal Fun Alert: Weekend

Fun around town, for $10 or less:

FRIDAY
Year-End Cabaret: Puppet Uprising's 9th Annual event featuring a famed roster of quick and quirky antics by performing artists from around the U.S. It's a Cavalcade of Short Puppet Shows with Robot Neutron, Puppelele & Great Quentini, and the Great Big Cheap Art Bazaar. 8PM at the Rotunda (4014 Walnut Street). All ages. Free (although donations are accepted). Also on Saturday, same time.

Book signing: Graphic novel author, and Philly native, Kevin Colden (of Fishtown fame) will be signing at Brave New Worlds (45 North Second Street) for First Friday. South Philly artists Johnny Zito and Tony Trov will also be there.

Army/Navy Pep Rally: The official pep rally, where pep bands, cheerleaders, and Army and Navy fans will get fired up for the game. Check it out at the Shops at Liberty Place (1625 Chestnut Street). Free. (Once you're good and charged up, check out the Army/Navy Salute at the Blue Cross RiverRink at noon on Saturday and Sunday. Tour two of the U.S. Navy’s most impressive ships, enjoy music, food, fun, and ice-skating, and watch the game on the Blue Cross RiverRink's giant video wall. Also free!)

The New Moscow: As part of its Envisioning Russia series, The International House (3701 Chestnut Street) will screen Alexander Medvedkin's 1938 film at 7PM. It's an eye-popping amalgamation of country comedy, musical romance and science fiction. The story focuses on a young designer working in Siberia who creates a “living model” of what Moscow will be like in the bright, technological future imagined by Stalin. $7 ($5 for members, students, and seniors)

The Dave Hill Explosion: Dave Hill is a popular NYC-based comedian with a show that features chat, variety acts, and a donkey. Check it all out at the Shubin Theatre (407 Bainbridge Street) at 8PM tonight, and/or 10PM tomorrow night. Presented by Philly Improv Theater. $10

SATURDAY
Craftadelphia: Craftadelphia! is a sale featuring art, independently designed and produced items, and various handmade items. The event is brought to you by the Philly Etsy Team and Mew Gallery, and held both outside and inside the Mew Gallery (906 Christian Street). Starts at 11AM. Free

Folklore Open House: At Philadelphia Folklore Project's open house event, held on the first Saturday of each month, you can learn more about local folk and traditional arts. You can also chat, visit exhibitions, and see a video postcard on Liberian singer Zaye Tete. The event runs from 10AM to 1PM at Philadelphia Folklore Project (735 S. 50th Street), and it's free.

SUNDAY
Benefit Concert: A concert to support the Music Training Center, which provides music education services to hundreds of students each week. Their programs include private music lessons, School of Rock, musical theatre, Makin' Music, and Suzuki violin. The event starts at 10AM at World Cafe Live (3025 Walnut Street). $10

Sunday Comedy at Lickety Split: Here's a chance to watch comics from all over Philly, with every level of experience from first-timer to old pro. Comics sign up at 9:30PM, and the show, hosted by Damon D, starts around 10PM. It all takes place at Lickety Split Lounge (401 South Street), and it's free!

Visual Music: Visual Music - Art Out Loud and In Motion is a collaboration between The Galleries at Moore College of Art & Design, Moore’s Art Education Department and New Freedom Theatre. It features art works and performances by New Freedom Theatre Students, all of which explore the relationship between sound and image, and are inspired by the work of Moe Brooker. The event takes place at 3 pm in the Stewart Auditorium at Moore College of Art & Design (20th Street and The Parkway). Free

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