Weekend event picks: Legos, theater & more

The first weekend of February is looking pretty spicy. Just try to resist all the amazing things happening this weekend.

Having been the destination for car enthusiasts and interested spectators alike, the Philadelphia Auto Show will continue its stay in the Pennsylvania Convention Center (1101 Arch St.) for one weekend more. Test drive a few rides and see some expensive whips. The expo runs from noon to 10 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5 and Friday, Feb. 6, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8.

Preview performances for Theatre Exile's "The Whale," a play in which the main character Charlie, a 600-pound gay man, couch-bound after the death of his partner, tries to bury the hatchet with his estranged daughter, are this weekend at Theatre Exile's Studio X (1340 S. 13th St.). See it at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6 and Saturday, Feb. 7 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8.

The Netherlands' Het Filaal, a youth-friendly theatre company, crosses the pond for a presentation of "Miss Ophelia" at the Painted Bride Art Center (230 Vine St.) at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 6; 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7; and noon and 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8. Feeling down and uninspired, Ophelia fosters friendships with a few unclaimed shadows and puts on a display of shadow puppetry.

Opera Philadelphia's East Coast premiere of "Oscar," the operatic production of writer Oscar Wilde's imprisonment for "gross indecency" due to his relationship with another man, opens at the Academy of Music (Broad and Locust Streets) at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6. Other performances include 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6 and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 8.

The next show in Philly POPS!'s season with an evening of smooth soul at the Kimmel Center (Broad and Spruce Streets). Hear the ensemble put their spin on tunes like Aretha Franklin's "Natural Woman" and Marvin Gaye's "I Heard it Through The Grapevine." Show times are at 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6, and 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7 and Sunday, Feb. 8.

If you've ever wanted to see Van Gogh's "Starry Night" or Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" comprised totally of Lego bricks, then you'll feel right at home at the Franklin Institute's (222 N. 20th St.) newest temporary exhibit "The Art of the Brick." Opening Saturday, Feb. 7, the collection is comprised of over 100 original and re-created pieces and sculptures made exclusively of the tiny bricks. The museum is open daily 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There's a lot of stuff in the world. Isn't that what engineering is — the study of "stuff?" Families that are interested in seeing demonstrations on liquid nitrogen ice cream, groundwater cleanup, fiber optics and more should take part in Philly Materials Day, a free daylong science and engineering expo on Saturday, Feb. 7. Running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the hands-on experience takes place at Drexel University's Bossone Research Enterprise Center (31st and Market Streets).

While Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest (101 S. Columbus Blvd.) will be closed to the general public from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, if you purchase ticket to the Kisses For Kyle Foundation benefit, you'll be treated to a day of "Frozen"-themed entertainment. In addition to open skate, games, and food, kids will be able to have their photo taken with "Frozen" characters and see an on-ice performance by the Snow Queen.

Combining a social engagement and silent auction is InLiquid's annual benefit, held at Crane Arts (1400 N. American St.).The benefit will include an auction on art, jewelry and design items as well as food and cocktails. VIP entry begins at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7 while general admission is at 6:30 p.m.

Mural Arts folks will be giving their popular Love Letter tour, featuring a private, slow-moving ride along the Market-Frankford SEPTA line, featuring prime viewing of artist Stephen "EPSO" Powers' murals on Sunday, Feb. 8. For the first time, Love Train riders will also see a same-sex marriage during the tour. Check-in is at 11:30 a.m. at SEPTA Headquarters (1234 Market St.), the tour begins at noon and a reception will kick off at 1:30 p.m. at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel (1200 Market St.).