Three Exciting Events at the Penn Museum
Posted by Samantha Lazar on March 17, 2010
Here’s a question you don’t get every day: What to belly dancing, sexuality, and helping the needy all have in common? If you’re smart enough to read the headline you might have guessed already – they’re all upcoming events at the Penn Museum (aka The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, one of the greatest history museums in the world)!
The museum regularly hosts workshops, lectures, performances, and other events in addition to its regular exhibits and programming (check out my previous profile of the museum ). There are three great events coming up in the next week....
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: Penn Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology »
Related Categories: Entertainment, Culture, Universities + Colleges
The Arts and Spirituality Center: Empowering Youth through Art, Peace, and Love
Posted by Samantha Lazar on March 8, 2010
The Arts and Spirituality Center is located at 37th and Chestnut, right in the heart of University City, but if you weren’t a Philadelphia teenager in the past ten years you might not have heard of it. The interfaith non-profit serves schools, community and youth groups, faith-based organizations, and the generally downtrodden, helping them to stand up to violence and other negative pressures by embracing their creativity and nurturing their spirits. Their several unique programs focus on art education, interfaith work, community building, imagination, and rites of passage. Each is specially tailored to a specific set of people. The Rites of Passage program, for example, is for 10 to 14 year-old girls, and uses ancient and modern arts, expressive techniques, and traditions to help empower while easing the transition from childhood to adolescence. Combined, their programs have reached over 6,000 Philadelphians since the center opened in 2000. ...
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: The Arts and Spirituality Center »
Related Categories: Family Fun, Culture
Al-Bustan: Planting the Seeds of Arabic Arts and Culture
Posted by Samantha Lazar on February 19, 2010
Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture is a West Philly nonprofit arts organization dedicated to advocating the appreciation of Arabic arts and culture. That may seem like a mouthful, but try saying it in Arabic! Actually, that’s one of the things they’ll help you do – in addition to programs about art, music, literature, geography, and other elements of Arab culture, they also offer language instruction.
Most of Al-Bustan’s programs are geared toward children and young adults, as the cornerstone of their mission is to educate youth about Arabic heritage. You don’t have to share that heritage to get in on the fun, though. Youth of all backgrounds enjoy their programs, which include a July summer camp in which kids learn some Arabic (or improve their skills) while exploring the arts and culture. During the school year, weekend language and art classes offer a stimulating environment for learning the language – this is about fun, not the classroom! Language instruction is integrated into drama, dance, art, and story writing. It’s the perfect combo for creative and inquisitive kids who are up for learning something new....
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture »
Related Categories: Family Fun, Culture
Rembrandt’s Etchings: Masterpieces on Display at Drexel (through Feb.26)
Posted by Samantha Lazar on February 11, 2010
Most people think of Rembrandt van Rijn, the 17th-Century artist best known by just his first name, as a painter. Indeed, the Dutch artist was a masterful painter. But he’s also famous for his etchings, and is considered the best artist ever to try his hand at the medium. A special exhibit at Drexel’s Rincliffe Gallery is displaying 20 of the virtuoso’s best etchings.
Etchings are created by scratching an image into the surface of a wax-covered copper plate, immersing it in acid, and then inking the plate and its freshly engraved design in order to print it. (There’s a lot more explanation of the various processes that you can read when you check out the exhibit.) The themes of Rembrandt’s etchings, like those of his paintings, are widely varied. They include portraits, nudes, landscapes, and religious scenes. In fact, his most famous etching, “Christ Preaching” (aka “The Hundred-Guilder Print”) is familiar to anyone who’s taken an introductory art history course, and is the star of this show. It’s given pride of place at the entrance to the gallery, and its detail and intricacy is truly astounding. Other etchings you should make sure to take an extra close look at include “Man Wearing a High Cap,” “Beggar with a Stick,” and my personal favorite, “Grotesque Profile.” ...
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: Drexel Univeristy »
Related Category: Culture
Pecha Kucha Night at Studio 34!
Posted by Samantha Lazar on January 27, 2010
Ever heard of “Pecha Kucha” (pronounced peh-CHAK-cha)? From the Japanese word meaning “chit-chat,” Pechu Kucha has been dubbed “show-and-tell for the 21st century.” It’s essentially a Power Point presentation unlike all the boring ones that lulled you to sleep in dim lecture halls. Rather, it’s interesting, informative, and often very funny. What makes it special is that it’s rapid-fire: the presenters show 20 slides, each for only 20 seconds. The slides generally have very few words on them – you’re supposed to listen and look, not read info.
Baltimore Avenue’s Studio 34 has played host to several Philly Pecha Kucha presentations in the past, and this Saturday (Jan.30) will be the fourth installment. Studio 34 is a great venue...
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: Studio 34 Yoga|Healing|Arts »
Related Categories: Entertainment, Culture
World Café Live: Live Music and Tasty Food – a Perfect Combination
Posted by Samantha Lazar on November 24, 2009
World Café Live is a gem of a music venue. Just barely on our side of the Walnut Street bridge, it’s close enough to Center City to draw in a varied assortment of people (including those ignorant types who think anything west of the Schuylkill is a hike), and its proximity to 30th Street Station makes it possibly the most accessible venue in the city.
Always bustling, World Café is a two level music venue, the home of WXPN, and a fabulous restaurant all rolled into one. Their programming is varied and prodigious (check out the full upcoming schedule here), with shows playing almost every day of the week. They bring in local acts as well as big name stars, and the shows are usually aimed at adults (you won’t find many screaming teens in attendance, though you’ll probably spot a few people pushing sixty). ...
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: World Cafe Live »
Related Categories: Dining + Food, Entertainment, Nightlife + Bars, Culture
30th Street Station: More than a Train Depot
Posted by Samantha Lazar on November 18, 2009
30th Street Station is awash with travelers at all hours, and you probably know it as the behemoth of modern transportation that it is – Amtrak, Septa, NJ Transit, PATCO, and countless buses (including our own LUCY) rumble through its labyrinths every day. In fact, after New York’s Penn Station, it’s the second busiest rail terminal in the country. But have you ever paused to look at the hub as more than just a quick stop en route somewhere else?
The station was built by the Pennsylvania Railroad around 1930 to serve the bustling city of Philadelphia, replacing the old “West Philadelphia Station” that was a couple blocks farther from Center City. The art deco style main concourse (in case you’ve never opened your eyes when passing through) is almost the size of a football field, with gorgeous marble floors and a soaring coffered ceiling. And of course you’re familiar with the exterior’s eye-catching ...
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Categories: Dining + Food, Nightlife + Bars, Goods + Services, Culture
Institute of Contemporary Art
Posted by Samantha Lazar on November 13, 2009
The ICA is one of West Philly’s swankiest museums – both the building itself and the art within scream modern, sleek, and cutting-edge. In addition to its exhibitions, the museum regularly hosts talks and lectures, produces publications, and puts on contemporary art related events. The rotating exhibitions in its galleries are its highlights, though, and here’s an added bonus that’ll surprise anyone who hasn’t been there in a while: admission is free for all visitors! That’s right, free public admission is being sponsored for five years (one down, four to go), making it super tempting to stop in and check out what’s new next time you find yourself loitering around 36th and Sansom. But with the great exhibits they currently have running, you might want to set aside a couple of hours....
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: Institute of Contemporary Art »
Related Category: Culture
Shakespeare’s “Love’s Labour’s Lost” at the Annenberg Center
Posted by Samantha Lazar on October 28, 2009
The Globe Theatre of London, arguably the world’s best Shakespeare company, is at The Annenberg Center for just five days, performing a rowdy, energetic, and altogether excellent performance of “Love’s Labour’s Lost,” one of the bard’s earlier and lesser-known comedies.
The company normally performs in a London venue that is more like a stadium than a theater – it’s a reconstruction of the open-roofed Renaissance theater that Shakespeare’s works were originally performed in. For this rare U.S. tour – the company’s first in four years – they are re-creating the feel of their famous home stage, and the Annenberg’s Zellerbach Theatre fills the role admirably. The lights stay on in the house the whole time (in London, with no roof and no stage lights, works were and are performed by daylight), and the actors...
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: Annenberg Center »
Related Categories: Entertainment, Culture
Ready > Run at the Klein Art Galley: Classic Video Games Gone Crazy!
Posted by Samantha Lazar on October 22, 2009
Your mother was wrong – all those hours spent staring at a screen and pushing little buttons turned out to be worthwhile after all! At least, they did for the artists whose work is currently on display in the Esther M. Klein Art Gallery’s “Ready > Run” exhibit, which is running until November 7th. The gallery is dedicated to exploring the intersections between science, technology, and art, and is in the lobby of the Science Center at 36th and Market Streets. Just walking into the building induced an instant flashback to twenty years ago, sitting on the floor ...
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: Esther Klein Gallery (EKG) Project Space »
Related Categories: Entertainment, Culture
Peoplehood Parade & Pageant: Saturday, 10/24!
Posted by Samantha Lazar on October 19, 2009
Get excited for one of the most unique sights of the season: Spriral Q Puppet Theatre’s 10th annual Peoplehood Parade and Pageant.
Originally scheduled for Saturday October 17th, the event has wisely been pushed to the following week, the 24th, due to horrendous weather. Hopefully the sun will smile on West Philly and the true colors of the parade will shine forth – because, oh boy, there are a lot of colors!
If you’re not familiar with it already, Spiral Q is something of a blend between a puppet theater (regularly putting on performances), a giant puppet factory (the puppets themselves and the sheer number that they churn out are both giant, and are on display at their museum), and a community organizer and neighborhood touchstone....
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: Spiral Q Puppet Theater »
Related Categories: Entertainment, Family Fun, Parks, Culture
Schuylkill Banks River Tour: A Float Through History
Posted by Samantha Lazar on October 13, 2009
In Dutch "Schuylkill" means "hidden river." During Philadelphia's early history it was "hidden" because it was so far away from the center of town, which was alongside the Delaware, that few city dwellers ever ventured over to its banks (though my main man Benny F. was a big fan of its tranquility and liked to relax on its shores). During the industrial era people wished it was hidden, but had a hard time avoiding its filth and stench -- for years a slaughterhouse near 30th Street poured steams of blood and offal directly into its waters. Nowadays, though, the Schuylkill doesn't deserve its dirty reputation; The Schuylkill River Development Corporation has been working hard to revive the river, and it is no longer the wasteland of its industrial days. Over 45 species of fish now thrive in its waters, people run and jog alongside...
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Categories: Entertainment, Family Fun, Culture
VIX Emporium: Local Crafts and Baltimore Avenue’s Most Unique Gifts
Posted by Samantha Lazar on October 9, 2009
VIX Emporium is an adorable little shop on 50th and Baltimore – actually, its name derives from its address: VIX is Roman numerals for 5009. The store boasts entirely handmade crafts from local artists and other individuals, and everything lining the walls and cluttered shelves of this former 1940’s millinery is completely unique.
There’s tons of funky jewelry made from glass, metal, beads, and everything in between, eye-catching pottery, and colorful trinkets of all sorts. There’s also a great selection of fun totes and shirts displaying slogans of West Philly pride, and (in a nod to the store’s hat shop history) an array of classy one-of-a-kind headgear. Bottom line: this is an awesome place to find a cool, arty gift – be it for someone else or yourself! Super-friendly owner Emily is always a smiling face behind the counter, ready to tell you anything you’d like to know about the shop’s wares.
...
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: VIX Emporium »
Related Categories: Retail, Culture
Scribe Video Center: Social Change, One Budding Filmmaker at a Time
Posted by Samantha Lazar on October 1, 2009
Scribe Video Center is a truly unique West Philadelphia institution. Founded over 25 years ago, the nonprofit is a community-oriented training ground and hub for aspiring and dedicated video and media artists. Through its classes, workshops, screenings, equipment-sharing, and youth programs, people from West Philly and beyond learn and hone the art of filmmaking.
Scribe has so many amazing programs that it’s difficult to even give an overview. They run over 45 workshops a year, ranging from those for novices to those for professionals, and for both adults and kids (including after school and summer programs). Workshop topics start at Camera Operation for newbies, and go all the way through...
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: Scribe Video Center »
Related Category: Culture
The Annenberg Center: Like the Kimmel, but Farther
Posted by Samantha Lazar on September 24, 2009
The Annenberg Center, conveniently located on Penn’s Campus, is one of Philadelphia’s premiere performing arts venues. Every season their three theatres host a huge array of programming, ranging from music, to dance, to theatre, to student productions.
The critically acclaimed “Penn Presents” series brings outstanding professional productions to West Philly, and this fall’s line-up is looking exceptionally fabulous. “Thank You Gregory,” which runs from October 6th through 10th, is “a tribute to the legends of tap.” The show will feature live music, dancing (of course!) and multimedia projections, paying homage to big names like Fred Astaire and Gregory Hines. After “Thank You Gregory” comes “MacHomer,” a one-man blend of “MacBeth” and “The Simpsons” that’s sure to fill the nearly 1,000-seat Zellerbach auditorium. Rick Miller performs the hysterical spectacular, imitating 50 voices from “The Simpsons” while performing a version of “MacBeth” ...
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: Annenberg Center »
Related Categories: Entertainment, Family Fun, Culture
The Live Arts & Philly Fringe Festival in U. City
Posted by Samantha Lazar on September 13, 2009
It’s early September, which means the Live Arts & Philly Fringe Festival is in full swing! Every year the festival inundates the city with two weeks of experimental and edgy performances spread across the whole metropolitan area. Luckily, many of the shows are happening at venues throughout West Philly.
I was lucky enough to catch the Live Arts experimental dance/performance art piece “STORE” this past weekend. A world premiere, it was the third and final piece of the “American Spaces Trilogy,” following on the heels of past years’ fringe productions “HOUSE” and “CAR.” An interdisciplinary performance company, Kate Watson-Wallace/Anonymous Bodies, took over the former Rite Aid on 42nd and Walnut and turned the empty store into an overwhelmingly surreal space ...
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Categories: Entertainment, Culture
The Arthur Ross Gallery Delves into W. Philly History
Posted by Samantha Lazar on September 11, 2009
The Arthur Ross Gallery is something of an unintentional secret. Tucked away inside the Fisher Fine Arts Library, one of Penn’s most gorgeous gothic buildings, many people have no idea that this little gem of an art gallery exists.
The gallery is free and open to the public, and always features smart, insightful, well-curated and unique shows. The current show, which runs through October 11th, is called “West Philadelphia: Building a Community.” The exhibition documents the area’s architectural and urban development over the last couple of centuries, featuring watercolors, photos, and sketches, many of which date to the mid-1800’s and are drawn from the collection of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. The images are remarkable, and I had a lot of fun comparing the streetscapes of yesteryear ...
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: Arthur Ross Gallery »
Related Category: Culture
Performances, Festivals, and More at The Rotunda
Posted by Samantha Lazar on August 7, 2009
You know about The Rotunda, right? It’s hard to find someone in West Philly who isn’t at least passably familiar with the gorgeous old church-turned-arts-venue at 40th and Walnut. Once a little-used empty space whose awesome architecture had fallen into disrepair, the building was taken over in 1996 and transformed into a community gathering place determined to use art as a catalyst for social change. Situated on the edge of Penn’s campus, many efforts aim at building bridges between the university and the surrounding community. ...
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: The Rotunda »
Related Categories: Entertainment, Family Fun, Culture
Studio 34 Yoga, Healing, Arts
Posted by Samantha Lazar on August 3, 2009
Just over a year old, Studio 34 is a hip and happening yoga studio whose mission is to foster a “community that nurtures individuals and families in their pursuit of physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness.” With tons of events and classes going on year-round in their airy, comfy Baltimore Avenue studio, they’re well on their way to uniting the community, healing our ills, and saving the world. (Well, at least a little piece of it!)
Classes are offered every day of the week for just $10, with special discounts making some classes just $5 or even Pay What You Can. They run the gamut from your expected yoga, pilates, and Tai Chi to more unusual offerings ...
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Categories: Entertainment, Goods + Services, Culture, Sports
Free Shakespeare in Clark Park!
Posted by Samantha Lazar on July 31, 2009
Ah, Shakespeare in the park. It’s one of those unofficial rites of summer that people come to expect. If you’ve never seen a Shakespeare performance in a park before, you might not understand what’s so great about it – which is all the more reason to get yourself to Clark Park to see the “The Comedy of Errors” this weekend!
Clark Park is a gem of West Philly, coming alive with children, dogs, exercisers, the farmers’ market and more every summer. Adding to the fun, Shakespeare in Clark Park had been producing free outdoor plays since 2005. This year’s choice is one of the bard’s most popular comedies, and the play features a whole slew of Philly’s comedic actors, with Luigi Sottile (as Antipholus of Syracuse) and David Sweeney (playing many different characters) turning in especially hysterical performances.
...
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: Clark Park »
Related Categories: Entertainment, Family Fun, Clark Park, Parks, Culture
A Treasure Trove of History at The Penn Museum
Posted by Samantha Lazar on July 20, 2009
When was the last time you came face to face with a 12-ton sphinx? I bet I’ve got you beat on this one: I did yesterday. The giant sphinx of Pharaoh Ramsses II, dating from around 1200 BC, is one of the most-visited residents of 3260 South Street, also known as the Penn Museum.
The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology is one of the greatest history museums in the world. Unfortunately, far too few people seem to know this! ...
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: Penn Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology »
Related Categories: Entertainment, Family Fun, Culture, Universities + Colleges
Curio Theatre Summer Camp
Posted by Samantha Lazar on June 18, 2009
The Calvary Center at 48th and Baltimore is a community hub; you probably know about some of the goings-on that take place there in addition to its more churchly activities. Did you know that it’s the home of Curio Theatre Company? With its offices next door, Curio has taken up residency in the old church’s sanctuary, and offers up all kinds of productions throughout the year (stay tuned for Fringe shows in September!). They also host a summer theatre camp for kids ages 6 – 16....
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: Curio Theatre Company »
Related Categories: Entertainment, Family Fun, Culture
Tips
Have a dining, entertainment, or nightlife tip?
share it with us!
About Us
Recent Entries
Three Exciting Events at the Penn Museum
Free Sustainability Workshops: the Next Two Tuesdays
The Arts and Spirituality Center: Empowering Youth through Art, Peace, and Love
Zocalo: Upscale Mexican Cuisine in a Cozy Authentic Atmosphere
Al-Bustan: Planting the Seeds of Arabic Arts and Culture
Elena’s Soul: YOUCIE Karaoke in Baltimore Avenue’s Soul Food Mecca
Rembrandt’s Etchings: Masterpieces on Display at Drexel (through Feb.26)
Welcome to Campus: The Northside Dining Terrace at Drexel
The Best House Pizzeria: the Answer to Late Night Cravings
The Gables Bed & Breakfast: a Victorian Getaway in the Heart of University City
Recent Comments
Dietra on MidAtlantic Restaurant and Tap Room
Warren on The Gables Bed & Breakfast: a Victorian Getaway in the Heart of University City
Karen Wisnia on The Gables Bed & Breakfast: a Victorian Getaway in the Heart of University City
Lauren on Honest Tom’s Taco Shop: A Food Truck Like No Other
BJK on 30th Street Station: More than a Train Depot
Corina on MidAtlantic Restaurant and Tap Room
Lori on MidAtlantic Restaurant and Tap Room
Insider on Milk & Honey Market: Bringing the Best of Local Goods to Baltimore Avenue
Jean on Milk & Honey Market: Bringing the Best of Local Goods to Baltimore Avenue
Kelly on Milk & Honey Market: Bringing the Best of Local Goods to Baltimore Avenue