November 30, 2006
It was late Friday afternoon and I was chugging a cup of coffee while running to meet a blind date. Not a good combination. Especially since this was my first date in, well, never mind about that. With a big coffee stain and only about seven minutes to do something about it, I ducked into Suzanne Roberts boutique. Suzanne ushered me into a dressing room, asked me about my budget, favorite colors and within minutes I was completely outfitted in something that was w-a-y better than what I started out in. The date was a washout, but I fell in love with the store.
This is no place for teeny-boppers or people who base their fashion decisions on which bad-girl actress is on this week’s magazine covers. Their clothing and accessories are stylish, trendy and for grown-ups who appreciate quality. Suzanne’s staff has a knack for suggesting what will look good on you. If something isn’t working, they’ll tell you that, too. More than once they have saved me from committing crimes against fashion. Be sure to sign up for their mailing list–you’ll get first crack at the best stuff during sales.
Suzanne Roberts
1211 Walnut
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-829-8830
November 30, 2006
Plain Parade, the now defunct concert promotion duo of Sara Sherr and Maria Tessa Sciarrino, specialized in giving fringe, local, and before-they-were-famous music acts a live outlet in Center City. Sherr continues that tradition in West Philly with “Karaoke That Doesn’t Suck” every Monday night at the Millcreek Tavern, except instead of boosting groups like the Spinto Band and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs to future success, Sherr nurtures the Nancy Wilson and Steven Perry in us all.
American Idol this is not. There are no movie soundtrack nights, and you will not hear five consecutive renditions of “The Greatest Love of All.” Instead, undiscovered local talent screech, howl, and fist-pump their way through the best-worst pop songs of the last thirty years, armed only with a mic, a lyric screen, and a .15 blood alcohol level. You will never look at REO Speedwagon and Pat Benatar the same way again.
Every Monday, 9:00 pm, free
Millcreek Tavern
4200 Chester Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
November 29, 2006
If you’ve spent any time in Port Richmond, you’ve probably already been to the New Wave Cafe. I was first taken there for pierogies, which were made in the back by, I believe, the elderly woman who was peeking out from behind the kitchen door. New Wave Cafe is the kind of place where if you’re not really Polish–and you get the sense they can tell just by looking–you’re the outsider, and I LOVE this kind of place.
In addition to Polish standards (kielbasa, pierogies, borscht), they have pickle soup on the menu. They don’t always have the pickle soup in the kitchen, but it’s always on the menu. This soup is warm and tangy, heavy on the dill in a good way, and unlike any other soup I’ve had. I’ve been there a bunch and have never been dissatisfied. Check out the Polish market around the corner on Richmond Street while you’re in the neighborhood.
New Wave Cafe
2620 E. Allegheny Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19134
Photo courtesy of Flickr user Lauren Eileen.
November 29, 2006
The kids are doing it. Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction was started by local printmakers Nick Paparone (one of the founders of the Black Floor Gallery) and Tim Gough to commission and sell original limited edition t-shirts, hoodies, and prints by up-and-coming local Philadelphia artists.
Their roster is full of hot-shot all stars and is always growing. There’s tons of stuff to get excited about, but since I feel inclined to mention a few, here are some picks: Jamie Dillon’s Thug Life shirt which has prints of all of Tupac Shakur’s tattoos, Kris Chau’s Down the Rabbit Hole, and the Abe Lincoln/JFK mash-up hoodie that puts the two psychically linked president’s faces together into one Vultron-like super president (Did you know Lincoln’s secretary was named Kennedy and Kennedy’s secretary was named Lincoln?).
While you’re shopping on the site, you can also check out the art blog from local artist and Paper Napkin vocalist/keyboard player Annette Monier, who faithfully updates it regularly with interviews and stories about artists and art happenings in Philly and NY. There’s also the amazing video blog (or vlog) by Philadelphia video artist/rock-star Dave Dunn. Dave co-runs the Small Change Film Screening Series, a monthly screening of contemporary experimental films and videos, and regularly updates the blog with new work by him and a myriad of other artists.
November 29, 2006
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They are many hot spots in Philadelphia that cater to the elite 21-and-over Hip Hop enthusiast. Every day of the week you can find one of these club/bars open for business. Security greets you at their door to check your I.D. and to see if you look like trouble. (Can someone tell me what trouble looks like?) Then with a healthy pat down and a stern, “If I catch you in the club with your hat on you will be ejected,” you’re in! Now you can listen to songs you just heard on the radio in the car, spend your hard earned money on double-priced drinks, and try to dance with girls that don’t like to dance to Hip Hop. (Can someone tell me why they’re in a Hip Hop club?)
If this sounds like your recent night out–don’t worry, every last Thursday UPenn’s The Gathering @ The Rotunda gives relief to the old souls and young ones that understand that Hip Hop culture is for the people. This FREE, ALL-AGES event is sponsored by University of Pennsylvania’s Foundation Arts Initiative. It was first established in 1997, and has become the city’s longest-running Hip Hop jam ever.
The Gathering incorporates all the elements of Hip Hop all under one roof. Graffiti Artists can do “Tags and Throw ups” on the giant 10′x 10′ graf board. Breakdancers and Pop Lockers of all experience levels are welcome to dance in one of the four circles. Emcees are encouraged to grab the mic and spit their best 16 bars in the “M.C. Sign-Up” hosted by I-Be. All the while, DJ Ambush (The Commission Music Group) and special guest DJs keep the music jumping by playing any and everything that’s considered good music. Now that’s a party.
The Gathering @ The Rotunda
Last Thursdays of the Month (AKA tomorrow!)
No cover
10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
4014 Walnut
Philadelphia, PA 19104
November 28, 2006
If you’ve ever been to any awesome event in Philadelphia that had anything to do with puppets, then you’ve probably seen the work of Beth Nixon. Beth is a Philly institution and for the past five years her charming, heartfelt, and beautifully ridiculous work has been featured in venues all over the city from high-brow art galleries to neighborhood puppet pageants. She came to Philly from Providence working with and among groups like Fort Thunder and Forcefield. Since coming to Philly she has also done several U.S. puppet show tours, been a member of the band The Department of Land Management Kills Horses (it’s true ya know), and toured Europe with an international posse of lady-clowns.
Recently Beth was also an artist-in-residence at the Brew-House in Pittsburgh, making work for the Black Sheep Puppet Festival. There she produced her newest work, Magic Land. The show features a plethora of papier-mache half-human creatures such as a “Humanaroo” (half-human half-kangaroo) and a “unicorn-bull-man” living within a cardboard wonder-world. There will also be a conglomeration of local musicians on hand playing live Balkan tunes!
Beth’s artwork has secret magical powers to take your adult self and reintroduce it to all the best parts of the little kid it used to be. Her shows always make me believe that human beings are intrinsically good. This show is one more chance, and it’s playing one night only.
Check out more of Beth at: www.ramshackleenterprises.net.
Magic Land
Tonight: 7-10. Free.
East Africa Resource & Study Center
3809 Pearl Street (between 38th & 39th streets and Lancaster & Powelton Streets)
November 28, 2006
Hello, my blog-reading friend/superstar. I would like to personally invite you to party with uwishunu this Friday at 33 N. 3rd Street from 7-9 p.m. What can you expect? Here’s what:
PLUS: Show off your vast Philly knowledge by blogging with our very own Inspiration Machine. And Zoltar is in the house…
Get your Google map and we’ll see you there!
November 28, 2006
One Laris Kreslins is the brains behind this comedy operation, and this follow-up show to the premier back in ’01 (Pete’s Candy Store in Brooklyn) is sure to delight. Hosted by Rose Luardo (Sweatheart), local luminary non-comedians will perform 3-5 minute bits they think might be “funny” to an audience ready to laugh at about anything. Or that’s the plan anyway. This is perfect for anyone relishing uncomfortable pauses and the embarrassment of others. What’s the word? Schadenfreude… Yea, that’s it. Don’t miss it.
The Laugh Track:
Free–seating at 9, show at 10
Standard Tap (upstairs)
2nd & Poplar St.
Philadelphia, PA 19123
November 28, 2006
Janelle Tsai of dancingmeatballs.com just tipped me off to a free 4 p.m. talk tomorrow at the Penn Bookstore that might be of interest to parents. Charles Yang, a Linguistic Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, will discuss his new theory on how children acquire new languages. You might want to stop by and hear what Dr. Yang has to say if you’re entertaining the idea of teaching your children one or two foreign languages during their early years.
Penn Bookstore
3601 Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-898-7595
November 28, 2006
Buying from local, indie designers like talented textile and handbag designer Nicole Giordano makes me feel good. First, I know I’m supporting the local economy like a good Philly-ite. Second, I’m buying something unique that not all the world has. That’s why come December 2, I will be at Nexus Gallery in Old City, where Nicole and artist/designer Ann Burton will display their wares along with emerging Philly-region designers and artists such as Nicole Rae Styer, Typhaney B. Jewelry, Denise Fike, Gauchita, the LympheDIVAS and more.
Not only can I get cool holiday gifts, but they promise I can shake my thang to live jazz, hip-hop, a cappella and house. (Drake: Live Sophisticated Modern Music and The Modular Ensemble provide afternoon entertainment, while Glenn Weikert and World Wide Weez spin house and hip-hop in the evening). And when dancing and shopping makes me work up an appetite, I can taste good grub from Xochitl and drink Philly’s own Sly Fox beer.
So get on Santa’s “good” list and go there.
Noon-9 p.m.
Nexus Gallery
137 N. 2nd Street
Photo courtesy of nicolegiordano.com/.
