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Inside Pub & Kitchen, Photo by M. McClellan

This Tuesday, Philadelphia’s Raven Society invites you to celebrate Edgar Allan Poe’s birthday.

Stop by Pub & Kitchen on Tuesday, January 19th, for a special Edgar Allan Poe happy hour. The Raven Society promises drink specials, complimentary appetizers, and birthday cake!

Admission is free for Raven Society members, and only $5 for non-members. You can RSVP to raven[at]freelibrary.org.

Lovers of Poe and books in general, the Raven Society is a group of 20 to 30-somethings who support the Free Library of Philadelphia with fun programs, events, and fundraising efforts. To learn more about them (and how to join), visit their page on the Free Library’s website.

Poe’s Birthday Happy Hour @ Pub & Kitchen
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
6pm – 8:30pm

Pub & Kitchen
1946 Lombard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146-1411
(215) 545-0350
www.thepubandkitchen.com

Founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1731, the Library Company of Philadelphia has been keeping tabs on this city’s ever-evolving history and culture for more than 250 years. They strive to maintain a respect and appreciation for history while also embracing new technologies and modalities.

With the announcement of their new online exhibition Faces and Facades of Philadelphia (in partnership with the newly launched PhilaPlaces website), they’ve made clear their appreciation and of technology, by using Flickr to share some of their vast archives. This collection of street portraits were taken between 1010 and 1940 by John Frank Keith, a Philadelphia native who spent years documenting the neighborhoods of the city he knew best.

Click here to see this new exhibition (careful though, it’s easy to lose hours to these images).

Caramel Appletini, Black Cherry Cosmo, and Seafood Unlimited's bar mosaic

Not enough can be said about the welcoming atmosphere of Seafood Unlimited in Rittenhouse. I went in for cocktails, not intending to stay too long, but found myself still at the barstool hours later. This is an easy thing to do with the family-like employees of the restaurant and bar, and the patrons who are part of it. It also helps that Seafood Unlimited’s happy hour lasts from 5–close. No closing up shop at 7pm here.

For the cold winter months, Seafood Unlimited has fixed up some lovely seasonal cocktails for a very reasonable $8 a pop. These are sure to warm you for your walk home later. Check out the list.

Frostbite: Tequila, white crème de cacao, blue Curacao & cream. This was one of my favorites. Besides looking pretty, it was a very nice mix of liquor & cream, with the hint of tequila lasting after each sip. Perfect for someone like me who loves the dangerous booze.

Yuletide: vanilla vodka, peppermint schnapps, cream, cinnamon & grenadine. Another joy to look at. It has a very minty kick, though, so I would suggest you save this one for your after-dinner drink.

Milky Way Martini: Skyy vodka, coffee liquor, crème de cacao & cream. This isn’t an original, but it is tasty nonetheless. It was so good we convinced the guy sitting next to us at the bar to order one!

Cinnamon Apple Manhattan: Jim Beam, Dekuyper Sour Apple Pucker, apple cider & cinnamon. A refreshing twist to an old fave.

Black Cherry Cosmo: Red Stag, triple sec, lime, cranberry, sour mix & coke. This was hands-down our favorite cocktail on the fabulous list. It was a yummy concoction somehow tasting like berry jam. But this one’s dangerous, folks, you can’t taste the booze in it. But I promise it’s there.

Pumpkintini: Vanilla vodka, pumpkin liquor, splash of OJ. This cocktail is definitely for the sweet tooth who can handle their liquor. There was literally only a splash of OJ. But I’m not complaining.

Caramel Apple Martini: sour apple pucker, vodka, butterscotch schnapps. Another fan favorite that tastes just like a candied apple from the carnival, without the nuts. I may have stuck my finger in the glass to get every drop of caramel out. I may have.

Seafood Unlimited's fried calamari... only $5!

Now, with your winter cocktails you will definitely want some apps, so check out SU’s $5 bar menu that includes some fantastic dishes like the awesomely succulent fried calamari (above) and the popular buffalo shrimp – not too spicy, perfectly accompanied with bleu cheese and surprisingly filling.

Swing into Seafood Unlimited after work, and come join the family.

Seafood Unlimited
270 South 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-5601
(215) 732-9012
www.seafoodunlimited.com

Swing by the Piazza for the first Farmers Market, this Saturday. Photo by M. McClellan

Friday

Free Milk @ Reading Terminal Market
It’s not too late! Center City folks, take a stroll down on your lunch break, and grab some free milk. It’ll be available til 2pm.

Fifty Years of Printmaking: Exhibit Opening @ the Magic Gardens
New exhibit launching at the Gardens, in conjunction with Philagrafika. Stop by, meet Isaiah Zagar, and learn about his works.

Independent Voices Festival in Norristown
The month long theater festival kicks off this weekend, with Marx in Soho by Howard Zinn and Citizen Paine by Bill Hollenbach, with performances every weekend through January.

Saturday

Positano Coast Turns 5
Head over to the Old City restaurant to celebrate their 5th anniversary. Dancing, drink specials, and more.

SugarHabit Sale in Rittenhouse Square
Watch as Sugarcube and Third Street Habit join forces to become… Sugarhabit. Buy lots of stuff on the cheap, designer brands, vintage clothing, etc.

Farmers Market in the Piazza
Stop by for the very first farmers market in Northern Liberties’ Piazza. Check out a full list of the vendors here.

Blood Feathers at Johnny Brenda’s
Philebrity’s Blood Features are performing their CD release show at Johnny B’s in Fishtown. Stop by and support a stellar band and a great blog (and now label).

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Jeffery Siegel, image courtesy the Kimmel Center

After a successful performance in November, Jeffery Siegel is returning to the Kimmel Center this Monday, with another fantastic program about Chopin.

Entitled Chopin the Storyteller, Siegel will perform a number of Chopin’s works, including three ballades and a novelette by Chopin’s contemporary, Robert Schumann. The entire program is listed here, have a look!

Tickets to the show are only $30, and can be purchased via the Kimmel Center’s official website.

Jeffrey Siegel’s Keyboard Conversations @ the Perelman Theater
Monday, January 18th, 7:30pm

Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
Broad and Spruce Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 893-1999
www.kimmelcenter.org

Bob Weick as Karl Marx Photo Credit: John Doyle

If you’re in the mood for some dynamic theater, but not in the mood to endure the hustle and bustle of Center City, then The Centre Theater’s Independent Voices Festival is just the place for you. Running from January 16 to January 31, the festival is an opportunity for shows with successful runs in the past to showcase their work once again, this time to a new audience.

The festival kicks off tomorrow, with Marx in Soho by Howard Zinn and Citizen Paine by Bill Hollenbach…

Marx in Soho by Howard Zinn
Friday, January 16 at 8PM
Marx in Soho has been touring the country with Bob Weick starring as the role of Karl Marx since its sold out run at the 2004 Fringe Festival. Zinn’s work takes German philosopher Marx, whose ideas are credited as the foundation of modern communism, into the present world where he can comment on his own ideas and the state of the nation today.

Citizen Paine by Bill Hollenbach
Saturday, January 17 at 8PM and Sunday, January 18 at 2PM
A one man show starring Adam Altman, Citizen Paine brings 17th century revolutionary Thomas Paine’s progressive thinking into clarity through stories from Paine’s own life. Don’t miss out on this production that played to sold out houses last January at The Centre Theater, the Philadelphia City Tavern, and at this year’s Fringe Festival.

All tickets to the shows are $15. However, if tickets are purchased for two of the shows featured during the first two weekends, then tickets are only $10 each. I’ve got the full schedule detailing the next two weekends after the jump. Take a look!

January is a great month for theater is Norristown!

The Centre Theater
208 DeKalb Street, Norristown, PA 19403
(610) 279-1013
www.artscc.org

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Schuylkill River view of the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Traditionally, museums are closed on Mondays. This gives these visitor-friendly institutions a chance to regroup after busy weekends, take care of maintenance and generally make sure that everything gets a good, deep cleaning once a week. The only problem that comes with Monday closings is that they mean that people can’t take advantage of their occasional Monday holidays to take in a new exhibition or display.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art has determined to buck this tradition and is opening their doors to the public on holiday Mondays. This means that they’ll be open this coming Monday, January 18th (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day), as well as February 15 (Presidents’ Day), May 31 (Memorial Day), and September 6 (Labor Day).

The sea creatures of Art Star's 'Sea Party'

It is definitely Winter here in Philadelphia, and it’s cold out there. And on these windy, frostbitten days, all I want to do is just curl up on the couch with a hot cup of tea, and after my visit to Art Star, one of the truly unique plush creations from their Sea Party exhibit.

Running through February 14th, the show features the goods of plush artists Jenny Harada, Heidi Kenney, of My Paper Crane, and Spooky Daddy. Having shown Kenny’s and Harada’s work before, the Northern Liberties DIY boutique is sure to draw in both old fans and new admirers alike.

With sea creatures of all shapes and sizes, there is something for everyone, in every price range. Take home one of Kenney’s wide-eyed octopi for yourself, or pick up the perfect gift for a niece or nephew with one of Harada’s or Spooky Daddy’s furry, under-water monsters. Monsters, for the children? Well, with their bright colors and cartoon-like faces, they are likely to be the most adorably cuddly monsters you’ve ever seen.

These three talented artists have created a show full of soft sculptures sure to help you beat the winter blues. And while you’re there, check out some of the gallery’s winter and holiday items, with prices reduced for your shopping pleasure!

Sea Party
Now through February 14th, 2010

Art Star Gallery & Boutique
623 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 238-1557
www.artstarphilly.com

Jerry Blavat, Photo courtesy the Kimmel Center

At the end of the month, radio icon Jerry Blavat is visiting the Kimmel Center, and bringing some good friends with him.

Blavat’s year-long, 50th anniversary celebration hits the Kimmel Center’s Verizon Hall on Saturday, January 30th. A number of performers responsible for major hits in the 50′s and 60′s are joining him for the party, including Jay Black, Shirley Alston Reeves (from The Shirelles), The Skyliners, Earl Lewis & The Channels, and the recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominee, Darlene Love.

Ticket prices range from $40 to $80, and are available on the Kimmel Center’s official website.

Showing up early? There’s a free dance party in the Kimmel Center’s Commonwealth Plaza before the show.

Jerry Blavat’s Rock n’ Roll and R&B Celebration
January 30th, 2010, 8pm

The Kimmel Center
Broad and Spruce Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 893-1999
www.kimmelcenter.org

The Sopra Lounge at Positano Coast, Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC

Since the beginning of January, Old City’s Positano Coast has been celebrating their 5th birthday with amazing $5 daily specials and an outstanding $55 prix-fixe menu. This Saturday, January 16th, the festivities cap off with a special anniversary bash.

The party kicks off at 10pm and features a live DJ and happy hour specials. The party is no cover, and everyone is welcome to come out and celebrate.

You can still take advantage of the anniversary deals today and tomorrow, so give Positano Coast a call, and see what they’re serving up. No matter what’s on the special $5 menu, you can bet it’ll be delicious.

Positano Coast
212 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 238-0499
www.positanocoast.net