It’s a blustery Thursday afternoon in South Philadelphia, and Justin Jain is becoming Pete Buttigieg. The out actor looks and sounds nothing like the openly gay, dark-horse presidential candidate, but he works prodigiously to adopt Buttigieg’s Midwestern mannerisms and homespun charm.

Out gay director Todd Haynes’ new film, “Dark Waters,” is a chilling true story about the unprecedented legal case Robert Bilott (Mark Ruffalo) built against DuPont for poisoning the residents of the town of Parkersburg, West Virginia for decades.

André Aciman, author of “Call Me by Your Name,” achieved the kind of success most writers dream about. His first novel (after several nonfiction books) was a well-reviewed, award-winning, best-seller.

“The Sun, the Earth, and the Moon” is a book of endings and beginnings. The journey from adolescence into adulthood, the line between friendship and love, the disparity of the world before and the world after AIDS.

HAMMERS OF THE GODDESSES: Lez Zeppelin, the all-female Led Zeppelin tribute band, returns to the area for what is sure to be a thundering performance, 8 p.m. Nov. 30 at The Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del. For more information or tickets, call 202-730-3331. 

Karine Jean-Pierre is a unique voice in the world of political analysis and activism — an openly gay woman of color and Haitian immigrant who started from humble beginnings and went on to serve as the deputy campaign manager for both Barack Obama’s and Martin O’Malley’s presidential campaigns.

Scene in Philly features photographs of events around town by Kelly Burkhardt.

Several years ago, a friend of mine contacted me on Christmas Eve and asked me if there was any way I could pick up some toys before the stores closed. He was working with an organization that was helping a number of kids experiencing hardships — many in situations preventing them from receiving presents for Christmas that year.

AIDS Fund Philadelphia is commemorating World AIDS Day by putting 20 blocks of The AIDS Memorial Quilt on view Dec. 1, making it the largest display of the quilt in the region.

Gifts galore for him, her, they and them

The Borgata has been Atlantic City’s premier destination for LGBTQ customers since its doors opened in 2003. The venue strengthened its connection to the community when it launched OUT at Borgata, a program that curates events and travel packages designed specifically for queer patrons.

SIBLING REVELRY: Famous and stylish emo/hip-hop/R&B brother/sister duo, Jaden and Willow Smith, have teamed up for a tour that brings their star power to Philly, 8 p.m. Nov. 25 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St. For more information or tickets call 215-309-0150.