Hey West Philly beer lovers – let your voice be heard! The nomination round for the 2012 Drinker’s Choice Awards has opened today and you can nominate your favorite local bar, restaurant or beer in several categories now through Wednesday, Feb. 15. The Top 10 nominees in each category will move on to the final round, where the winners will be decided through popular voting. By the way, Dock Street Brewery is included in the list of the city breweries in the Best Local Beer of 2011 category (12-A).

For more information and to enter your nominations, go here.

VIX Emporium (5009 Baltimore Ave) is inviting folks this Thursday, Feb. 9, for a custom jewelry making workshop with Sultana Aschim of Sultana Maria Jewelry. Everyone is welcome to bring a small memento and Sultana will make a charm necklace with it. She will drill a hole in your item or seal it inside a small glass vial, and attach it to your choice of chain.

If you don’t have anything to bring, you can create your own piece using only the components provided by Sultana.  She will also bring her full array of finished jewelry to use as design inspiration. This jewelry will also be available for purchase at a reduced price.

Sultana will be at the shop from 5 to 8 p.m. Refreshments will be served. No registration is required (it is first come first served) and there is no admission fee to shop the trunk show, but a custom piece costs $20-$40 depending on the complexity. For more information go here.

Are you single, between 25 and 35 years old, looking for a partner and love reading? Then this event may be for you. On Monday (Feb. 6), come to the Walnut St West Branch Library (40th & Walnut) for the Literary Speed Dating event. You are encouraged to bring a book you love, hate, or just want to use as an ice-breaker.

Mingling and light refreshments start at 5:30 p.m. and speed dating begins at 6:00. The event is free, but pre-registration is required. And please arrive early, as no-shows and late arrivals will forfeit their place on the registration list to those on the waiting list.

To register, please email Dan at ryand [at] freelibrary.org.

NOTE: This event is for straight singles. A similar event for gay singles is taking place tonight at 6:00 p.m. at the Independence Branch.

Friends of Clark Park are hosting Charles Dickens’ 200th Birthday Party this Sunday (Feb. 5) and everyone is welcome to attend this fun and free event. The celebration begins at 2 p.m. in Griffith Hall of the University of Sciences (43rd & Kingsessing), across the street from Clark Park. The party will feature dramatic readings, music and refreshments.

One of the party guests is British folksinger David Jones who will perform a medley of songs popular in England during the time of Dickens. Curio Theatre’s Jared Reed will present a scene from his adaptation of A Christmas Carol. The list of performers also includes The Kingsessing Morris Men with their sampling of English morris dancing and Frank Chance, Ceil Mann and Curio Theatre’s Paul Kuhn reading from David Copperfield, The Pickwick Papers, and Great Expectations.

The bronze Dickens statue was installed in Clark Park in 1901 and was the only statue of him in the world for over a century. It’s become a good tradition for neighbors to meet on or near his birthday to commemorate the statue’s special role in the neighborhood’s history.

Starting tonight, there will be a new opportunity to enjoy music and dancing from Africa and the African diaspora at Elena’s Soul Showcase Lounge & Cafe.

Every first Thursday of the month, Elena’s will host the “Sonic Diaspora Dance Party” featuring DJs Brotha Onaci (the People’s DJ Collective) and Champe’ (Lion’s Den Productions) spinning music from traditions as diverse as Afrobeat, Cumbia, Kuduro, Reggae, House, Afro-Latin, Dancehall, and Soca.

Opportunities can be rare to listen and dance to African inspired music, and for many who follow the genre, Onaci is a welcome addition to the West Philadelphia music scene. Having moved from Chicago to West Philadelphia in August 2011, Onaci has made his mark in Philadelphia by performing for Occupy Philadelphia and Sanctuary Holistic Arts, in addition to spending time with broadcasting staff at WPEB 88.1.

Tonight’s Sonic Diaspora is a special celebration of Bob Marley in honor of his birthday on February 6, and there will be Marley tunes every hour, in addition to the high energy dance beats.

9:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. 21+. $5 cover. 4912 Baltimore Avenue.

– Emma Eisenberg

Reminder: The “West Philly Grows Again” kids consignment sale will be held this Saturday, Jan. 28, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Nursery School (3916 Locust Walk). The sale will feature high-quality children’s and maternity clothing, toys, gear, and books. There will also be a raffle and prizes. See the flyer below for more information. All proceeds raised from this sale will go to support the nursery school programs and scholarships.