A sampling of things going on around the hoods today. There may be more in the happenings section (our ever-expanding listings). Send your listings to editor [at] westphillylocal.com

• Premier performance of Missa Brevis for the Virgin of Guadalupe • 8 p.m. • Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral • 3723 Chestnut St. • Donation: $5-10

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church composer in residence Scott Ordway presents his piece, which is based on travels he did in Mexico last Spring. Here is video from the final dress rehearsal:

• Diabetes Education Classes • 11 .a.m. – 12:30 p.m. • Mercy Hospital Outreach Center • 5322 Cedar Ave.

• Women of Faith and Hope Cancer Self-Support Group • 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. • Mercy Hospital • 501 S. 54th St., administrative conference room, 1st floor.

• Books Through Bars 20th Anniversary Party • 7 p.m. • Dock Street Brewing Co. • 701 S. 50th St.
The 20th anniversary party of Books Through Bars will include music by DJ Half-Breed and spoken word by Andrea “Philly” Walls. Pizza and Beer will be served. Suggested donation is $15-$25 and advance tickets are available at Books Through Bars.

If you were planning to head to Clark Park for some caroling tonight, you’re going to have to wait a week. The caroling that was planned to start at 5 p.m. today will now take place next Sunday, Dec. 19, at the maintenance shed near 45th and Regent.

A sampling of things going on around the hoods today. There may be more in the happenings section (our ever-expanding listings). Send your listings to editor [at] westphillylocal.com

• Members-only sneak preview • 7 p.m.-10 p.m. • University City Arts League • 4226 Spruce St.

UC Arts League members get a sneak preview of the handcrafted items up for sale in the annual Holiday Craft Show and Sale. The show is open to the general public on Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and then again Monday through Friday 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• The Philadelphia Science Fiction Society presents fantasy novelist Ellen Kushner • 9 p.m. • The Rotunda • 4014 Walnut St. • Free

Ellen Kushner is a writer of fantasy novels and the host of the radio program Sound & Spirit, produced by WGBH in Boston and distributed by Public Radio International.

• Emil Baumann: Return To The Future exhibition opens today at the Second Floor Gallery • 6 p.m.-9 p.m. • 3809 Pearl Street

Emil Baumann’s present body of work and his exploration of yet another dimension of painting: Still Life. Also on display, Emil Baumann’s recent ceramic art. The exhibition will run Dec 10-Dec 23. For more information call: 215-382-1541.

A sampling of things going on around the hoods today. There may be more in the happenings section (our ever-expanding listings). Send your listings to editor [at] westphillylocal.com

• Snow Caps CD Release Party/Kate Ferencz and The Chairman Dances • 7 p.m. • Green Line Cafe • 4426 Locust St. • Cover: $5-7 sliding scale.

Snow Caps is Andrew Keller. Here he is performing in Tulsa in 2009

“Baby Bird” by Andrew Keller (a.k.a. Snowcaps) from Taryn Jones on Vimeo.

• WPEB Programming meeting • 6:30 p.m. • WPEB studios • 541b S. 52nd St.

Check out West Philly’s FM station here.

• Books Through Bars 20th Anniversary Film Festival • 7: 30 p.m. • Cindergarden • 4823 Baltimore Ave. • Suggested donation $3-5.

Books Through Bars’ film festival continues tonight with the theme Immigration Detention: The Racialized Face of U.S. Incarceration. Mia-lia Kiernan, a Cambodian Community Organizer, will introduce the three films. See the full schedule and a description of the films here.

• Andrew’s Video Vault at The Rotunda • 8 p.m. • The Rotunda • 4014 Walnut St. • Free

This month installment of A.R. McElhinney‘s movie madness features:

Before I Forget [aka, Avant que j’oublie] (2007 / 108 minutes) In one of the great movies of the last decade Jacques Nolot writes, directs and stars as a gay man adjusting to his lover’s death, advancing age, and his failing body.

Poison (1990 / 85 minutes)  Todd Haynes’ masterful first feature is inspired by the writings of Jean Genet and propelled by Haynes’ own unique sense of collage.

The Meatrack (1970 / 65 minutes)  A young boy grows up to be a hustler in this time capsule of a more carefree and groovy era.

A sampling of things going on around the hoods today. There may be more in the happenings section (our ever-expanding listings). Send your listings to editor [at] westphillylocal.com

• Cancer Support Group • Iris Henderson Conference Room of Mercy Hospital • 501 S. 54th St. • 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. • 215-879-7733

• Reading • Author Dan Berger reads from his book The Hidden 1970s: Histories of Radicalism • Penn Bookstore • 3601 Walnut St. • 6 p.m.

• CD Release Party • Gabrielle de Burke/Plum Dragoness & The Elements • World Cafe Live • 3025 Walnut St. • 7 p.m. • Tickets: $10 in advance, $13 at the door.

West Philly native Gabrielle de Burke (aka the Plum Dragoness) is celebrating the release of the CD Renaissance of a Poetess, a blend of trip-hop and spoken word. Guest DJ’s for the show include Lina Luv, Bang Ri Lah and Le Mayjahs. VJ Peter-Parker Broadhead is also scheduled to be on hand.

A sampling of things going on around the hoods today. There may be more in the happenings section (our ever-expanding listings). Send your listings to editor [at] westphillylocal.com

• WPEB monthly general meeting • 6 p.m. • WPEB studios • 541b S. 52nd (Between Cedar and Hazel)

The monthly meeting of West Philly’s low-power FM station starts at 6 with an orientation for new members. Committee summaries and public comments will begin at 6:30.

• Motorcycle Maus/Icarus Himself • 7 p.m. • Green Line Cafe • 4426 Locust St. • All Ages • Cover, sliding scale

Here’s an Icarus Himself vid (actually it’s a song, the photo doesn’t change):