July 21, 2009
In 1974, progressive rock band Gemini Rising returned to the studio to begin work on a second album. They were never heard from again…
Until now.
That’s the premise behind Bucks County independent film company Fugue Films’ 2009 Webby Honoree Web Series “Gemini Rising”. Check it out at koldcast.tv or geminirising.tv, or come to the screening and live music event at 941 Theater (941 Front Street) on July 26th at 3 p.m., featuring select episodes from the show including the debut of the series’ latest. The music performance to follow will include original music written for the show, plus sets by Philly rock band Syrrah and Joe Trainor.
The program will also feature short films, video art and a raffle of a brand new electric guitar courtesy of “Gemini Rising” sponsor DiPinto Guitars. Doors open at 2 p.m., tickets are $10. Oh, and in case you needed one more selling point, beer and wine will be sold.
The acclaim of “Gemini Rising” has shown that fresh, raw talent and creative inspiration are enough to give independent filmmakers the legs to stand beside corporate giants like MTV. Producers Gina Andreoli and Christopher Marston have taken a limited budget and spun gold out of it, nabbing the Webby award and attention from industry insiders (The Washington Post cited the show as a “a highlight in the new revolution of web TV”).
Don’t miss out on the chance to view it live, and to give some love to our very own budding Spielbergs.
Gemini Rising Screening
July 26th, 2009 | 3PM
www.geminirising.tv
941 Theatre
941 Front St, Philadelphia, PA
July 21, 2009
This ice cream parlor / restaurant in Philadelphia’s Washington Square West neighborhood is a lot more than just ice cream. But the ice cream has always distracted me so much, that I rarely stop at the baked goods counter. But inside, there are fruit cobblers, pies and cakes. And the brownies. Oh, don’t get me started on the brownies.
Top off any of their delicious assortment of baked goods with some ice cream and you’ve got yourself a sweet summer. Or try one of their homemade waffle cones with a scoop of ice cream. Either way, you can’t lose in the taste department. My favorite? A warm raspberry/blueberry fruit crisp with a scoop of the French vanilla. Heavenly.
Take a seat inside on one of their over-stuffed, velvet-covered seats underneath cone-shaped lamps or head outside for sidewalk seating. Just don’t forget to bring a friend or two to help you tackle that sundae or piece of cake. Be warned, you may just need a spoon in each hand to finish the deep dish apple pie.
Actually… never mind. You probably won’t want to share.
More Than Just Ice Cream
1119 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 574-0586
July 21, 2009
The Wine Room @ XIX in the Bellevue / Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC
If you find yourself on Broad Street now through September 20th, stop by the Bellevue at 200 S. Broad to wish the old girl a happy 105th birthday. As of September 20th, 2009, the Bellevue building will have graced the corner of Broad and Walnut Streets for 105 years. And these days, this national historic landmark comes complete with on-site shopping and dining, as well as a 172-room hotel that is centrally located on the Avenue of the Arts, convenient to theaters, attractions and businesses.
The Bellevue Building is getting into the celebration spirit this summer, with an impressive line-up of offers, contests and events in honor of the anniversary. Park Hyatt Philadelphia has several options for both the sophisticated traveler and the foodie alike. When you visit the city, ask about the special $105 anniversary rate that is available for a limited number of guest rooms per evening, leading up to the anniversary date. Simply enter offer code “105TH” when making your online reservation to take advantage of this limited time offer.
The culinary team at XIX has put together a specialty chef’s tasting menu, offering a four-course meal for two at $105. There’s also a delicious $105 dessert (!!!), a decadent chocolate cake with a peanut butter caramel mousse center, encrusted in sugar diamonds, served in the building’s own Tiffany & Co. crystal bowl… which is yours to keep. Many of your favorite Bellevue merchants will also offer their own special anniversary offers.
In addition to other anniversary celebrations, the building will launch a “You and Bellevue” story contest. Share your stories and your memories of The Bellevue, past and present, for a chance to win a weekend stay at the national historic landmark. For information on how to enter the contest, hit the jump. Happy birthday, Bellevue!
(more…)
July 21, 2009
Getting ready to zip!
Now that summer is here, everyone is looking to do something a little more adventurous. Yes there’s the beach and theme parks, but what about something new? You’re bound to find some adventure in Spring Mount, PA, a reasonable hour away from the city of brotherly love.
Throughout the summer, Spring Mountain Ski resort offers canopy tours that include zip lining, canopy climbing, and more! You’ll take the chair lift to the top of the mountain, hike to your starting point and then, harnessed to zip lines, you’ll fly through the air high above the mountain. But don’t worry; you’re prepped before you even get to the top. As you advance, the zip lines get gradually longer and faster. The longest zip line… it’s longer than a football field.
Reservations are required for all canopy tours. You can score some more information on Spring Mount’s official website. Have fun, be adventurous!
Spring Mountain Adventures
757 Spring Mount Road, Spring Mount, PA 19478
(610) 287-7900
www.springmountainadventures.com
July 20, 2009
The younger sibling of East Passyunk’s Cantina Los Caballitos, Cantina Dos Segundos has been throwing down quality Mexican fare up on 2nd Street in Northern Liberties for a full year now. This Wednesday, July 22nd, they’re throwing a fiesta to celebrate that first anniversary, complete with specials on meals and their signature margaritas.
The doors open at 5 p.m. for dinner, but the festivities don’t get really rolling until 9 p.m., at which point the Rocktits and Broadzilla DJs will be spinning rock, garage, soul classics, and more until the wee hours (2 a.m.). Go early and stay late, because from what we hear, a good time will most certainly be had by all.
Cantina Dos Segundos
931 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
215-629-0500
www.cantinadossegundos.com
July 20, 2009
Luxury, meet affordability. The legendary restaurant Lacroix at the Rittenhouse (located within the fancier-than-fancy hotel) has just opened Bar 210, a drinking post that’s both sophisticated and accessible.
Bar 210′s happy hour is a good one, and it kicks off tonight. Wonderfully enough, it will be available every weeknight from 5 to 7 p.m.
Here’s the lineup:
- $6: Half-priced creative cocktails (with names like Lemongrass Martini, Coconut Milk and Sweet Tea)
- $5: Wines
- $4: Beers
- Free: Hors d’oeuvres, compliments of chef de cuisine Jason Cichonski
CLICK HERE to visit Bar 210′s official site.
Lacroix at the Rittenhouse [gophila.com]
July 20, 2009
Outdoor (and often free!) concerts in Philadelphia. (Photos by E. Savaria and M. Kennedy)
Philadelphians are always ready to rock. Luckily for us, live music is within earshot pretty much everywhere you go in this town  especially in the summer, when musicians take their shows outdoors to bring you live music in the key of fresh air.
So, over at gophila.com, we’ve compiled our five favorite ways to hear live music outdoors  from the city’s best outdoor venues to our favorite summer concert series.
Check out the list, grab your beach blanket and get ready to kick those summertime blues!
Top Five Ways to Catch an Outdoor Concert [gophila.com]
July 20, 2009
Grilled shrimp is a crowd favorite at Vietnam Café. (Photo by A. Lee)
University City Dining Days  that delicious, one-week event where prix fixe meals are $15, $25 or $30  is just three days away.
So far, we’ve taken a look at Pod and Distrito; now, we’re heading over to the dining room at Vietnam Café (offering the 3-for-$15 option), where inexpensive plates and a BYOB policy have made diners very full and very happy.
An off-shoot of Chinatown’s immensely popular Vietnam, Vietnam Café offers a generous menu of vermicelli, pho and rice platters. As I’ve discovered, it’s easy for your eyes to be bigger than your stomach here; knowing that “Crispy Veggie Spring Rolls Served Over Rice Vermicelli Noodles with Crushed Peanuts” will taste as good as it sounds, it’s hard to hold back.
Vermicelli with chicken, meatballs and spring rolls. Delish. (Photo by A. Lee)
Luckily, Vietnam Café’s Dining Days menu chauffeurs your appetite into three courses (appetizer, entrée dessert). All told, you have a whopping 31 options. Good luck choosing. And don’t forget to bring a bottle of white.
CLICK HERE to download Vietnam Café’s Dining Days menu (or click the image below).
University City Dining Days [gophila.com]
Vietnam Cafe
814 South 47th Street, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 729-0260
www.eatatvietnamecafe.com
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