Uwishunu.com

Fireworks follow a free concert by Angie Stone; Photo by R. Kennedy

Philadelphia’s July 4th celebrations kick off this weekend with the Taste of Philadelphia food festival and a free concert and fireworks display on Saturday night at Penn’s Landing.

Angie Stone headlines the free concert at Penn’s Landing. The concert begins at 7:30. The fireworks will begin after the concerts ends.

Look for the fireworks to start sometime after 9 pm.

Saturday, June 27, 2009
Concert begins at 7:30 pm
Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing

July 4th in Philadelphia [gophila.com]

The Lemon Treasures

Ah, Girls Rock Philly. It’s hard not to like a charitable organization that helps put musical instruments in the hands of Philly youth. And this weekend, on Saturday, June 27th, you can help them out, by spending an evening with good music and great people at Tritone on South Street.

A night of lady rockers and DJ’s, Saturday night will feature acts like The Beloved Infidels, the six piece, Fleetwood Mac inspired Acres of Diamonds (featuring the ever awesome Kathryn Doherty), and The Lemon Treasures, with DJ Julia Factorial spinning between sets.

Go check out the show, and to learn more about Girls Rock Philly, visit their official website.

Girls Rock Philly @ Tritone
Saturday, June 27th @ 9PM

Tritone
1508 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
www.tritonebar.com

As we tighten our belts during these frugal times, we’re training our take-out dialing fingers to cook up something in our very own kitchen.

In an effort to avoid the world of bland, I’ve been spending more time in the Italian Market Spice Store. Beyond the go-to staples of salt, pepper and your basic herbs, the Spice Store is stocked with every dried spice that you’ve ever heard of on the Food Network. Yes, that’s right. You can finally make those dishes that call for the unknown herb or spice. From lavender, to cayenne, pickling spices, jalapeño powder, pumpkin pie spice, olive dipping spice, and countless other spices from around the world, I’ll guarantee they have enough spices to please the pickiest foodie’s palette.

But the flavor overload doesn’t stop at dried seasoning, as they also carry an array of flour (almond flour, semolina chestnut flour), coffee and loose tea, along with an assortment of dried fruit/nuts and other baking ingredients.

And to make this deal even sweeter (or saltier depending on your tastes), you’ll save by buying these spices in bulk rather than overpaying for the fancy schmancy grocery store brands. Make sure to leave your plastic cards at home, as they only take cash.

Italian Market Spice Store
949 S 9th St Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 627-8039
www.italianmarketspice.com

A family picnics outside the Mann Center, Photo by M. Kennedy for GPTMC

Summertime is Mann Center time, when Philly’s premiere outdoor arts venue springs to life in Fairmount Park. The center’s performances range from pop, jazz, R&B, rock and contemporary, to dance theater, opera, and classical. It’s also the summer home of the Philadelphia Orchestra (and has been since 1930!). And if you haven’t checked out the orchestra at the Mann Center yet, now there’s even more reason to do so: Picnic Competitions!

Pack your picnic basket and head out to the park on June 30th, July 21st, or July 28th. Tickets to spread out your blanket and watch the orchestra from the lawn are just $10 – a great deal even if your culinary creativity is lacking. There’s a different theme, paired with the music, each night.

June 30th the orchestra will perform Mozart and a Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the theme will be “Animal Night.” On the 21st an appropriate “Star Wars” picnic theme will pair up with the orchestra’s Hollywood Classics Under the Stars: Star Wars and More, and on the 28th Verdi and Rachmaninoff‘s theme will be “Fall in Love Again.”

Creativity and costumes are encouraged, and celebrity judges will consider picnic presentation as well as culinary excellence. Prizes each night will include tickets to the Please Touch Museum, Franklin Institute, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, other Mann Center shows, and sets of designer picnic plates. Check out their website for more details.

So dig out that wicker basket and head over to the Mann Center to strut your (picnic) stuff while relaxing under the stars to the strains of one of the world’s best orchestras!

Picnic Competitions at the Mann Center
June 30th, July 21st and 28th

The Mann Center for the Performing Arts
5201 Parkside Avenue , Fairmount Park , Philadelphia, PA 19131
www.manncenter.org

The concerts will take place on three Wednesdays in August; Photo by M. Kennedy

August 12, 19 and 26.

Concerts start at 7 and go to 9 pm.

Note: this year, it’s down from four concerts to only three (which is unfortunate), but that just means you should be sure to take advantage of the three existing concert dates a little more.

i.e. make an evening out of it. Stop at Di Bruno’s Bros. and the state store beforehand for a picnic on the lawn. And/or proceed directly to a nearby establishment after the concerts ends — you will have plenty of choices: Parc, Rouge, Barclay Prime, Devon, Snackbar, Twenty Manning, Tria, Alfa, Capogiro, Tinto, Village Whiskey, etc.

The concert series is sponsored by Philadelphia Weekly.

A little later on in the evening; Photo by M. Kennedy

Concerts in the Park [gophila.com]

Outdoor dining at the Swift Half

If you read the bottom of the cocktail menu at the Swift Half, you’ll spot an all too familiar quote. “There’s No Such Thing As Just One.” And you know what? They’re correct.

This new addition to The Piazza sits innocently in the corner and draws in an eclectic crowd of hipsters, preps, and small dog owners for what they assume will be a quick drink. Don’t let the name fool you—no visit to this Northern Liberties watering hole will be swift.

The menu serves up sophisticated bar food that compliments the long beer menu and innovative cocktail list. Being averse to beets, I was shocked at how much I enjoyed the beet-and-goat cheese sandwich, accompanied by perfectly crisp fries. The meal, while fantastic, was overshadowed by what turned into a day-drinking event with Swift Half’s incredible drinks menu.

Traditional bar food isn’t the only thing getting an upgrade at The Swift Half; classic cocktails have also been given an elegant (and potent) transformation. Take the Ghost of Mary, a drink that boasts the all the flavors of a classic Bloody Mary in a grapefruit juice-like liquid, accompanied by olives. This cocktail packs a punch; drink these wisely. The Dirty Tom on the Rocks puts the timeless dirty martini in a tumbler over ice, but don’t assume these changes reduce the potency of the drink. And if beers and wine are more to your liking, your only problem will be choosing one from the lengthy list that The Swift Half provides.

Whether it be for dinner, to watch the Phillies, or for some good weekend day-drinking, plan on visiting Swift Half this summer.

The Swift Half
1001 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19123

How do you like your (deviled) eggs?

On July 1st, to kick-off National Picnic Month, Supper Restaurant will get you egg-static with 12 different variations on the traditional Deviled Eggs!

From 5:00 to 8:00 PM, for $1 apiece (or $9 for all 12 varieties) you can try chef Mitch Prensky’s modern interpretations such as: Sriracha Deviled Egg with pickled daikon, carrot and coriander; Pistou Deviled Egg with ratatouille; Horseradish Deviled Egg with steak and Roquefort, and more… I recently tried the Black Truffle Deviled Egg, and let me tell you… they are evil. That egg will lure you in and make you want to try more.

And to help you get all those eggs down, add to you egg-feast, a can of Sly Fox Beer, such as Pikeland Pils, Phoenix Pale Ale or Royal Weisse Ale for only $3.00.

“I hope our guests will feel inspired by these easy-to-make goodies and perhaps create signature deviled eggs of their own at home,” says Prensky, who counts more than 20 varieties of deviled eggs in his repertoire. Anyone up for a throwdown?

If you miss the kick-off event, or if you’re up for more, through out July patrons will be able to enjoy Supper’s daily changing selection of four deviled egg halves and a can of Sly Fox for $6. What a fun way to get your daily dose of protein!

Supper Restaurant
926 South Street, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 592-8180
www.supperphilly.com

Photo by J. Smith for GPTMC

My comrade Marisa wrote this great post about Taste of Philadelphia, a three-day food fest that kicks off tomorrow.

Part of the city’s massive Sunoco Welcome America! festival to celebrate July 4th, Taste of Philadelphia includes almost 20 restaurants set up along Penn’s Landing — ranging from Cuba Libre to Steaks on South — selling samples of their signature dishes. Consider it fine dining at fast-food prices.

Admission is free. Now, that’s patriotic!

Taste of Philadelphia follows this schedule:

Friday, June 26th, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m
Saturday, June 27th, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, June 28th, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

CLICK HERE to see the full list of restaurants. [americasbirthday.com]

Taste of Philadelphia [gophila.com]

The 20th Annual Manayunk Arts Festival takes place this weekend and it’s sure to be as popular as ever.

Local and national artists exhibit their work along historic Main Street in Manayunk, showcasing more than 260 artists and their artwork including jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, photography, painting, glass and mixed media.

And, oh yes, there will be food as well.

Manayunk restaurants set up shop along Main Street offering their goods to the hungry masses. So another reason to check it out is for a tasting tour of the neighborhood.

Participating restaurants this year:

- Bella Trattoria
- Cactus Restaurant and Bar
- Caputo’s Pizzeria
- Chabaa Thai
- Chloe’s Corner
- Couch Tomato Café
- Dairyland
- Derek’s (120 seats outside fronting Main Street and there will be a outdoor Martini Bar as well)
- Jake’s Restaurant (Jake’s $8 crab cake sandwich will be served outside all day, $10 with a homemade lemonade)
- Kildare’s (plentiful outdoor tables right on Main Street)
- Machismo Burrito Bar
- Manayunk Brewery and Restaurant
- Mango Moon
- Sapphire
- Saxby’s
- Sole of Manayunk
- Winnie’s Le Bus Manayunk

Bonus: Canada Dry is a festival sponsor, so they’ll be there to keep you hydrated with complimentary Snapple, Nantucket Nectar juices, Honest Tea, Vitamin Water and Hydrive Energy drinks. And ABSOLUT, another sponsor, will be on hand serving complimentary adult summer beverages featuring ABSOLUT’s first tropical flavor — ABSOLUT Mango

Saturday, June 27, 2009: 11 am – 8 pm
Sunday, June 28, 2009: 11 am – 6 pm

Manayunk Arts Festival [gophila.com]

The 2nd annual Philadelphia Independent Film Festival (PIFF) kicks off today in Northern Liberties!

Film screenings, special events, panel discussions and parties are taking place through Sunday night, so check out the official blog, follow PIFF on Twitter and download the Official Festival Guide (pdf) to keep up with the latest news and updates all weekend long.

PIFF’s opening party is tonight at North Bowl, 10:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. and includes bowling, hors d’oeuvres, contests and giveaways!

Official Site
PIFF Blog
Twitter
Official Festival Guide (pdf)