This weekend, I fell in love! His name is Ferdinand. He’s good looking. He knows how to please. And, boy, can the man cook. Best of all, he’s a cheap date. Oh, have I mentioned that Ferdinand is a restaurant/bar? As in Bar Ferdinand, Northern Liberties’ new tapas hotspot.

It’s no coincidence that this place is as visually stunning as any Stephen Starr restaurant in the city. The owner, designer Owen Kamihira, put the Buddha [...]

Because I’m special, I got to see the a-some historical costume collection at Drexel University, where I learned that their College of Media, Arts & Design conserves historical costumes for use by fashion students, professionals and scholars, as well as the everyday fashion-minded Philadelphian. Adopting a costume, such as the two-piece silk wedding gown created by father of haute couture Charles Worth in 1912, offsets the university’s costs of replacing deteriorated fabrics and [...]

I had the privilege of meeting Earle Brown a few years ago at my favorite Jazz nightspot, Zanzibar Blue. Jimmy Scott & The Jazz Expressions were playing that evening, and Earle was emceeing the show. I found that the sincerity and warmth he projected from the stage was even greater when I spoke to him in person. In addition to being one of the kinder people I’ve met, Earle is a wealth of musical knowledge—Jazz in particular.

His love of [...]

I’m always amazed at how much public art Philly has to offer. So many people are oblivious to it, though, and it’s weird. It’s like not knowing the first names of Madonna’s kids or how many times J-Lo’s been married. You should just know that, man. Do you have to remind yourself how to breathe too?

Anywho, I could go on and on about how much public art we have and where it’s all at, but instead I will just tell [...]

Maybe you’ve heard classical music floating on the breeze through Rittenhouse Square. Nope, it’s not in your head. It’s coming from The Curtis Institute of Music, considered to be one of the finest conservatories in the world, and just sitting there, right on the corner of 18th and Locust. So fine, in fact, that they would have never let yours truly in… not in a million years. Sob.

Anyway, I know what [...]

Seriously. Here’s an opportunity to take part in a Monster Mash-Up. DJ Spooky, a master of blending hip hop and experimental influences to make lush, danceable soundscapes, is making a guest appearance at the Back 2 Basics Halloween Party at World Cafe Live, West Philly’s latest and greatest music venue. Back 2 Basics, the longstanding DJ night hosted by Philly’s own King Britt, is taking over the downstairs stage on [...]