Weekend event picks: Bacon and beer, film festival & more

Keep your sights set on the weekend. You can do it.

A collection of artists, crafters and makers are joining together for a collective exhibition series running until Sunday, Nov. 15. Craft NOW Philadelphia brings together four exhibitions for "Masters of Craft: American Craft Council Fellows in Philadelphia," highlighting collections at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway), Philadelphia Art Alliance (251 S. 18th St.), The Clay Studio (137-139 N. 2nd St.) and the Center for Art in Wood (141 N. 3rd St.). Outside of the exhibits, hands on, social and educational events will also be held during the festival.

Over 70 films and events spotlighting Asian American culture comprise the entertainment programming at the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival. Opening Thursday, Nov. 12 with a screening of comedic coming-of-age story Seoul Searching at 7 p.m. at International House Philadelphia (3701 Chestnut St.) followed by a Q&A with the director and an opening night reception. Screenings and events continue at International House like a short film screening and panel discussion on Saturday, Nov. 14 and a drama screening on Sunday, Nov. 15.

It doesn't really feel quite like winter yet, but Franklin Square (6th and Race Streets) knows you're already in the holiday spirit. Their holiday festival, featuring the dazzling Electrical Spectacle light show, food and beer garden and holiday market kicks off on Thursday, Nov. 12. The first light show kicks off at 4:30 p.m. and continues every half hour until 8 p.m. through the end of the year.

The Rothman Institute Ice Rink at Dilworth Park (1 S. 15th St.) opens for its second season on Friday, Nov. 13 at noon where Philly sports favorites like Flyers alumni Danny Briere, Eagles mascot Swoop, Phillies Ball Girls, Flyers Skate girls and more will be there to grace the ice for the first time. Also expect music and synchronized skating. The rink will be open until 11 p.m.

Peddler's Village (Routes 202 and 263, Lahaska) is also feeling the holiday cheer. They'll welcome Mrs. Claus for a parade, brass band concert and tree lighting from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13.

Sample wines at select Downtown Haddonfield shops during Haddonfield Uncorked on Saturday, Nov. 14. So while you're shopping at the Haddonfield Antique Center (9 Kings Highway East) or Running Co. of Haddonfield (121 Kings Highway East), from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., you can get your sip on.

Perhaps this weekend's crowning moment comes on Saturday, Nov. 14 for the Philadelphia Bacon and Beer Festival. Over 20 local restaurants — like Triangle Tavern, The Blue Duck and City Tap House — will bring bacon creations while you wash it down with Dogfish Head, Ommegang, Sly Fox, Allagash and more brews. The good times roll from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the 23rd Street Armory (22 S. 23rd St.).

Picks from the Inquirer's Michael Harrington

Conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin leads the Philadelphia Orchestra in three works on the theme of national identity — Sibelius' Finlandia, Copland's Appalachian Spring, and the premiere of Hannibal's oratorio One Land, One River, One People, featuring soprano Laquita Mitchell and tenor Rodrick Dixon. The concerts are at the Kimmel Center's Verizon Hall (Broad and Spruce Streets) at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13 and Saturday, Nov. 14 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15.

Nearly 200 fine craft artists from across the nation will have work for sale in the 39th Annual Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show Craft Show, with glass, ceramics, basketry, wearable and decorative fibers, metal, paper, and mixed media, as well as furniture and jewelry. The show is at the Convention Center (1101 Arch St.) from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15.

Our best friends compete for best in show at the National Dog Show, with over 180 breeds taking part, including some new entries, such as the venerable Cirneco dell'Etna, a small hunting hound that has been bred in Sicily for 2,500 years; the Berger Picard, a French herder that was rescued from obscurity when some of the scruffy breed played the mutt hero of the film Because of Winn-Dixie; and our favorite, the Bergamasco, an Italian shepherd with a matted coat featuring three different types of hair (it looks like a walking throw rug). The show is at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center (100 Station Ave., Oaks) from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14 and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15.

In the fall of 1777, the only obstacle between the British army and Washington's battered troops was a small garrison at Fort Mifflin — on what was then an island in the Delaware River — that managed to withstand a siege long enough to give the colonials some breathing room. Relive those days during Siege Weekend, with living history activities, military reenactments, guided tours, musket drills, and a visit from Ben Franklin. The events are at Fort Mifflin (Fort Mifflin and Hog Island Roads) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14 and Sunday, Nov. 15.

Acclaimed vocalist Dianne Reeves performs at the Annenberg Center's Zellerbach Theatre (3680 Walnut St.) at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15.

For more Things to Do, check out our calendar for the most up-to-date happenings.