La Viola is an adorable BYOB in Center City, where reservations come in handy, and the service is almost as noteworthy as the food. Almost. The food is fantastic, and reasonably priced. Best of all is the Grigliata di Calamari appetizer.

The outsized slabs of fresh squid are the perfect texture–not too chewy; not too soft–and marinated in garlic, lemon, and oil, and topped with tomatoes, they are flavored quite nicely too. Maybe what [...]

In the works since the summer, John Freeborn’s booktour of Big Kids / Little Kids begins on January 4th, here in Philadelphia, at the 222 Gallery. The show will be hitting up New York, LA, Houston, and Raleigh, taking the art of Philly within the pages of Freeborn’s book. At the Philadelphia opening, artist Andrew Jeffery Wright will reveal his limited edition dust jacket for the book, which is limited to [...]

With Philly’s scorching summer long over, everyone may be a little less desperate for ice-cold coffee drinks, and a little more likely to order the stuff hot. Iced coffee cools me down just as much as it caffeines me up, so usually that’s at least half of its appeal. At Ray’s Cafe & Tea House, though, I discovered an icy invention that will keep me craving it all year round. And it’s called the Hazelnutchino.

The Hazelnutchino is not the [...]

The N Crowd’s New Years Special
Catch The N Crowd’s last performance of the 2007 at the Actors Center, as they bring hilarity to the stage with their improv antics. Tickets are $10.
Actors Center, 257 N. 3rd Street

Four By Four @ In Liquid
Visit the International House for the final presentation of Four by Four, a collection of video works by Anita Allyn, Sinae Lee, James Rosenthal and Jody Sweitzer. It’s FREE.
International House [...]

Free cake builds community. It’s amazing how fast people form a line when the announcement of free cake is bellowed to those luckily enough to be within earshot. I am guilty of this crime. You could make the joke that I’ve never even seen what the cake looks or tastes like because there I am, dropping whatever I was doing, to stand in line and devour it. Although the argument could be made about free [...]

Tonight, Caterpillar, an indie rock outfit from Philadelphia, takes the stage for the first time in quite a while. Jamming out in the early 90’s with groups like Pavement, Yo La Tengo, and Superchunk (they even released a split EP with them), Caterpillar has been on a hiatus for the last few years. Now, back together with an all new set, you’ll be able to catch them at Johnny Brenda’s.

They’ll be hitting [...]

The High Line Trestle has carried freight trains along the West Bank of the Schuylkill for ages, and this Sunday, December 30th, it will bear witness to the Tussle at the Trestle, a flat, grass-track race happening on lower 31st Street, below Walnut.

Trophy Bikes recommends knobbly tires for this race in West Philly, and be prepared for a run in with rain, snow, or sleet. All bikes are welcome. Mountain, cross country, BMX, whatever. [...]