With the Big Blue Marble Bookstore's monthly "Poetry Aloud and Alive," being held early this month because of Thanksgiving, the store will be busy with three events this weekend—all readings by local authors.

The literary events for both children and adults begins on Friday evening at 7:15 p.m. at the store, when featured reader and local poet Deda Kavanagh will start the evening off, and an open reading will follow. The event is hosted by Mike Cohen and sponsored by the Mad Poets' Society.

"It usually brings out a great crowd," said Maleka Fruean, the events coordinator at Big Blue.

On Saturday morning at 11 a.m., families can bring their children to Lucia Gunzel's reading of her book Cranky Pants which, according to the description on Big Blue's Web site, "is suitable for four to 104 year olds." Gunzel lives just outside of Philadelphia.

After whetting your poetry appetite on Friday evening, you can rest easy knowing that on Saturday afternoon Marion Cohen and Lili Bita will be reading their poetry at Big Blue at 3 p.m. Both are locals, both are musicians, and both have published poetry widely—Cohen's newest book is her nineteenth, and Bita has published ten chapbooks.

"We really want to support local authors, smaller presses, and the literary community in Philadelphia and surrounding communities," said Fruean. (Stay tuned for an article later today detailing the bookstore's five-year history.)

There will be more poetry at InFusion Coffee & Tea, as well as a slew of other events this weekend, from plays to a children's cooking class.

Friday, Nov. 12

The 25th annual Philadelphia Art Expo officially begins today at 10 a.m. at 6353 Greene St. Admission is free, but there are a variety of other events that attendees must pay to enter. Head here for a full rundown of events.

The weekly "Creative Writing Group" at the Lovett Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia begins at 1:15. Adults writers of any skill level, even published authors, are welcome.

There will be a tea tasting where one can learn about teas, brew times and temperatures, and the health benefits of different types of tea at InFusion Coffee & Tea from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Immediately following is "the FUZE" open mic and poetry slam from 7:30 to 11 p.m.

The Quintessence Theatre Group is continuing their run of Plato's Apology at the Sedgwick Theater at 7 p.m.

There are multiple classics being performed in Mt. Airy this weekend, besides Apology, William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew will be performed by the Drama Group for their fall show at the First United Methodist Church of Germantown from 8 to 10:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 13

Ed Carlos is holding a four-hour shiatsu class at Springboard Studio from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

On the second Saturday of each month, October through May, Project Learn School hosts a cooking class for children ages 5 to 14, where dishes from all over the world will be taught from 10 a.m. to noon. Parents may drop their children off or stay.

St. Michael's Evangelical Lutheran Church will host its weekly free meal of a hot dog, fruit, and cookies from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and can always use donations or volunteers.

A two hour, four mile walk, entitled "The Spirit and Science of Wissahickon Creek Waters," will meet at Northwestern Stables at 1 p.m. and will be led by Diane Garvey and Bruce Wagner.

Apology by the Quintessence Theatre Group begins at 7 p.m. at the Sedgwick Theater.

The Taming of the Shrew by the Drama Group begins at 8 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church.

Sunday, Nov. 14

The "Ride to Re-Build" fundraiser, co-headed by the Philadelphia Chapter of the Pennsylvania Equine Council and the Friends of the Wissahickon begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday at Courtesy Stable, Monastery Stable, and Northwestern Stable. Riders and walkers can enjoy Wissahickon Valley's trails, and all proceeds go to the Friends of the Wissahickon.

The Germantown Jewish Centre's weekly Israeli dancing class will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 12:30 p.m. and includes lessons and open dancing for $5.

"Drinking Liberally" is a weekly political discussion group at InFusion Coffee & Tea that begins at 12:30 p.m. on Sundays.

Apology by the Quintessence Theatre Group begins at 3 p.m. at the Sedgwick Theater.