The Rotunda (4014 Walnut Street) is hosting Go West! Craft Fest’s Holiday show this Saturday, Dec. 3 from 11:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. Forty artisans will present their handmade creations, including unique, affordable jewelry and ornaments, art originals and reproductions, ceramics, and cozy hand-stitched woolens. There will also be an opportunity to buy children’s toys and clothes, soaps, candles and special holiday gifts for those you love. Everything is made locally.

For the entire list of crafty vendors and their profiles go to: gowestcraftfest.blogspot.com.

 
The AIDS Library of Philadelphia, the Institute of Contemporary Art at the University of Pennsylvania and West Philly Local collaborated to revive this image from the early days of AIDS cultural activism. In recognition of World AIDS Day, the over 25 million people who have died from AIDS, and the 30,000 Philadelphians living with HIV, we encourage you to get tested today.

2012 marks the 25^th Anniversary of the AIDS Library – the only lending library devoted to HIV/AIDS in the United States. A part of Philadelphia FIGHT and located at 1233 Locust Street, more information about the AIDS Library and HIV testing can be found at www.fight.org.

Free screenings of Untitled, a 60-minute film on the history of the AIDS Crisis, will be held at the ICA from 11 a.m – 5 p.m., every hour on the hour, throughout the day today. The ICA is located at 118 South 36^th Street.  For more information, visit www.icaphila.org.

Here’s another opportunity to shop local for the holidays. The University City Arts League (4226 Spruce Street) is opening its annual Holiday Craft Show and Sale on Friday, Dec. 2.

Over 30 artists and crafts people will be selling their work, including jewelry, hand-painted silk scarves, pottery, hand-made gift cards, small paintings and prints. All work is hand-made and reasonably priced.

The artisans at the Arts League Crafts Show include Kelly Ann Mifflin (jewelry, pictured), Ken Beidler, Priscilla Sepe, Art Cohen, Dave (Fatman) Fowler (pottery), and Aubrey Levinthal (paintings).

The show is running December 2 through December 15 with the following hours: Dec. 2 & 3: 6 – 9 p.m., daily hours: 3 – 9 p.m., weekend hours: noon – 6 p.m.

60 percent of the proceeds will go to the artists and the remainder to support community arts programs provided by the Arts League.

Project Theater Project, a community-based company working on the local production of the School Edition of the musical RENT, set up an IndieGoGo fundraising page to help this project several weeks ago. So far they have raised only about a third of their goal and there is just a week left.

To help get a final push toward their goal the project has begun the 11520 Minutes campaign. The fundraising goal can be achieved if just about 180 people donate only $10. To donate please go here.

Twelve talented young people aged 16-23 have been cast for roles in this musical. This is a rare opportunity for high school aged teens since many school music and theater programs have been cut.

Set in the East Village of New York City the show is about AIDS, HIV, drug usage, homosexuality, and gentrification. But it’s also about falling in love and finding your voice.

The shows begin on Dec. 4 at The Rotunda (4014 Walnut Street) and ticket prices are kept low. To order tickets go here. For the full show schedule please check The Rotunda’s events calendar.

33 percent of the profits will go to the cast in the form of scholarships to help the teens reach their dreams as performers.

 
This is a photo of a cool wire sculpture made by an anonymous artist. Thanks to our reader Lynn for submitting it! We’ll reveal where this photo was taken a little later. If you know where this sculpture is located please leave a comment.

The Rotunda (4014 Walnut Street) is hosting a few awesome, free events for all ages this weekend.

On Saturday, Nov. 12, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. young children and their parents/guardians are invited to celebrate the joy of reading at the Family Book Festival. Organized by the Parent Infant Center, the festival will feature arts and crafts for ages 7-under, read-aloud stories by WXPN’s Kathy O’Connell (host of Kids’ Corner), a concert by award-winning musical group The Cat’s Pajamas, and presentation by author/illustrator Brian Biggs who will introduce “Everything Goes: On Land,” the first in a series of books for youngsters who love trains, trucks and anything on wheels.

Kids will also have an opportunity to learn how to make a book and there also will be a book swap table. You can bring a slightly used children’s book to take home some new stories to share with your family.

On Sunday, starting at 12 p.m., the Philly Zine Fest 2011 will open its doors. This festival showcases local artists and small press publishers. This is a good chance to connect with local writers and get involved with creating new forms of accessible media. For the full line-up of the participating artists go here.

Finally, also on Sunday at 8:30 p.m. don’t miss an evening with Alash, a Tuvan throat-singing and traditional Tuvan music ensemble. Tuva is a small republic in southern Siberia and the ancient art of throat singing (khoomei) developed among the nomadic herdsmen of this region. Singing in this style gives the impression of wind swirling among rocks.