Uwishunu.com

Inside Second Time Around

If you love spending your weekends thrifting as much as I do, you’ll want to add Philly’s latest second-hand store to your list of go-tos: Second Time Around, an upscale designer consignment chain with 23 stores along the Northeast, opened its Philly location in Rittenhouse Square recently.

Super cute dresses can be found all over the shop!

Specializing in the retail of contemporary designer labels and fashionable vintage, you’ll find everything from Alexander McQueen handbags to Prada and Manolo Blahnik heels, Louboutins pumps, Hermes purses and vintage Louis Vuitton shoulder bags here.

Even if you’re not in for a splurge, Second Time Around is your spot for great accessories, cute spring/summer dresses and basics every fashion lover craves.

Follow Second Time Around on twitter to find out about the latest items in store.

Second Time Around
1728 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 988-9903
www.secondtimearound.net

Betty Woodman The Green Picture, 2009 glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, laquer, paint, canvas 84 1/2 x 97 x 18 inches

On March 23rd, The Locks Gallery welcomed Betty Woodman’s breathtaking vessels with a new exhibit, displaying her two recent bodies of work; Vases Upon Vases and Rooms.

Curious how she creates her ceramic pieces and life-size sculptures? Well, Betty is stopping by the Locks Gallery this First Friday, April 2nd, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, to answer all your questions.

Can’t make the artist reception? That’s okay. Woodman’s work will be on display at the Locks Gallery now through April 24th, 2010.

Betty Woodman @ the Locks Gallery
Artist reception: First Friday, April 2nd, 5:30-7:30pm
On Display Now through April 24, 2010

Locks Gallery
600 Washington Square South, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 629-1000
www.locksgallery.com

Want to tell the Lantern Theater how much you adore their wonderful, minimalistic performances? Or chat with the Arden about their Barrymore Award winning shows? Well, as our friends over at Phillyist report, now is your chance. Thanks to the Casting Couch.

Through the month of April, you may see a giant red couch in random places around the city. Rittenhouse Square, Reading Terminal Market, etc. There’s a reason for that. It’s the Casting Couch, sponsored by the Philadelphia Theatre Alliance. Here, visitors can talk to famous theatre-makers and important Philadelphians about theater in the city.

According to Phillyist, “these chats will be videotaped and posted on Theatre Alliance’s website, where people can vote for their favorite interviewee. The person who gets the most votes will have the chance to appear in a PSA that will debut at the Barrymore Awards in the fall.” Famous folks include Mayor Nutter, Tony Danza, Ben Franklin, and more.

For dates, celebrity appearances, and locations of the couch, visit Phillyist. This is such a fun idea, I can’t wait to see the videos.

[ via Phillyist ]

Chanticleer, Visiting the Kimmel Center on April 7th

Next Wednesday, the Grammy award-winning classical ensemble, Chanticleer, will be performing their eclectic mix of vocal stylings at the Kimmel Center’s Verizon Theater.

This is their first visit to Philadelphia, so let’s make them feel welcome. For ticket prices and to stream a couple of their tracks, visit the Kimmel Center’s official website.

Chanticleer @ Verizon Hall
Wednesday, April 7th, 2010

Kimmel Center
300 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 790-5800
www.kimmelcenter.org

Love chocolate but don’t know what to do with it beyond stirring Nestle chips into cookie dough? Antoine Amrani Chocolates has just the thing for you. This gourmet chocolate factory is located in East Norriton (just a couple miles past the Plymouth Meeting Mall) and offers a number of classes, demonstrations and tasting that chocolate lovers of all stripes can enjoy.

Choose from Wine and Chocolate Pairings, Le Petit Chocolatier Classes (for kids), Chocolate Pastry Classes and Chocolate Pastry Demonstrations. Most classes and demos are offered once a month. However, they fill quickly, so sign up promptly if you’re interested.

Pan seared local tilefish w/ potatoes, chorizo in a saffron broth & basil aioli (Top) Chilled asparagus soup with crab salad (Bottom Left)

I had the the chance to stop in at Northern Liberties’ Bar Ferdinand last Thursday to check out the Chef’s Tasting Menu. Considering the restaurant uses fresh, local ingredients, it’s quite difficult to give an indication what dishes might be featured. However, it’s safe to say that everything I sampled was truly an exquisite and impressive showcase of creativity, with huge amounts of flavor with every bite.

The Chef’s Tasting Menu is available every Thursday with reservations and is priced at $35 per person. I’d recommend the outdoor seating on Liberties Walk in order to truly enjoy the upcoming warm Spring evenings. It’s also one of Philly’s finest locations to enjoy a nice, quiet romantic dinner.

Bouchot mussels w/ grapes, hazelnuts, tarragon, verjus

The menu is served in roughly a dozen, small made-for-sharing plates divided over four courses. Each course was more exciting than the previous. It started with the first course featuring appetizer-like offerings such as a mezze plate (Salmon and Mediterranean Rilletes and Pork Head Terrine) and soup (Chilled Asparagus Soup with crab salad).

The two middle courses can be likened to small entrees such as Pan Seared Local Tilefish with fingerling potatoes, piperade, chorizo, saffron broth and basil aioli or Roasted Poussin with rhubarb compote, salad of strawberries, watercress and lomo.

Mezze plate: salmon rilette, pork head terrine w/ sauce gribiche, vegetable rillete

The final course concluded in a highly anticipated dessert, which was a Warm Chocolate Rosemary Cake and Mahon Ice Cream with poached figs, Pedro Ximenez gelee, sherry reduction and candied pumpkin seeds.

Wine pairing is also available for the entire meal for $25. Four wines are served alongside each course, and as intended complements the dishes beautifully.

While the Chef’s Tasting Menu changes week to week, a pleasant experience is guaranteed. Make your reservations today.

Bar Ferdinand
1030 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123-1552
(215) 923-1313
www.barferdinand.com

One of Joy Brown's 'Dancing Ladies', Photo courtesy Hudson Beach Glass

Hudson Beach Glass is preparing for yet another First Friday exhibition opening, only this time, no glass is involved.

On April 2nd, from 5:30pm to 9:30pm, guests can stop by the Old City glass studio for the opening reception of Joy Brown’s Clay: A Way Of Life. The exhibition displays a number of Brown’s clay ceramic wall pieces, figurines both large and small, and a selection from her 108 Dancing Ladies collection.

Light refreshments and drinks will be served. To learn more about Joy Brown and her creative process, read up about her here.

Joy Brown’s Clay: A Way of Life @ HBGS
Saturday, March 13th, 2010

Hudson Beach Glass Studio
26 South Strawberry Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(267) 319-1887
www.hudsonbeachglasspa.com

After three years of preparation, The National Constitution Center opened a fabulous new temporary exhibit last month. The exhibit, Ancient Rome & America, covers 8000 square feet of museum space and displays over 300 ancient artifacts along with modern and colonial pieces.

Having studied classics in college and being an American history buff, this was a must-see exhibit for me. But you don’t need extensive background knowledge (or even a middle school education) to enjoy it. There are even special interactive materials to help kids get the most out of the cultural comparison.

The exhibit focuses on drawing out the social, cultural, and political connections between ancient Rome and America, and elucidates just how essential the ancient society was to the creation of our own culture and government. The founding fathers looked to Rome as a model when crafting our nation, and you can see busts of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Ben Franklin wearing togas to prove it!

The exhibit places artifacts from ancient Rome alongside colonial and modern American symbols, drawing out the parallels between the Roman Empire and the United States. Comparisons range from the noble (bald eagles statues) to the not-so-noble (slave collars).

There’s also a bit of humor involved, apparent in the side-by-side display of gladiator helmets – the 2,000 year-old Roman one from the ancient city of Pompeii, and the modern one from the Eagles’ locker room (wide receiver Harold Carmichael’s football helmet)!

Ancient Rome & America
Now – August 1
www.constitutioncenter.org/rome

National Constitution Center
525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 409-6700
www.constitutioncenter.org

The "Phanatic Around Town" in Headhouse Square, Photo by M. Edlow for GPTMC

Every year, the Headhouse District hosts the annual Easter Promenade, a lively parade through the Philadelphia neighborhood.

This year however, the South Street Headhouse District wants you to join in, put on some bunny ears, and participate in the first ever Bunny Hop. Through out the area, various businesses, from restaurants to boutiques, will be dishing out discounts and promotions for people wearing rabbit ears.

As for the parade, the promenade will feature a number of performers and attractions, including an appearance by the Clevemore Fancy Brigade, a mini auto show, live Samba dancers, and special performances from the Philadelphia Capoeira Arts Center and Philadelphia School of Circus Arts.

After the parade, stop by the historic Headhouse Square for a performance by Philadelphia’s Paul Green School of Rock and a costume contest by Master of Ceremonies Henri David. Kids will be treated to a playground, petting zoo, pony rides, and a puppy parade hosted by PAWS.

79th Annual Easter Promenade
Sunday, April 4th, 2010

Headhouse Square
S. 2nd Street and Lombard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Top, Metropolitan Bakery's matzo; bottom, their flourless chocolate cake (all photos courtesy Metropolitan Bakery)

The Jewish holiday of Passover begins tonight at sundown. During this eight-day celebration, Jews give up foods with leavening in them, and eat matzo and an array of matzo-based goods instead. To aid in this temporary dietary mandate, Metropolitan Bakery will be offering (as they have for the last ten years) four varieties of gourmet matzo.

You can get olive, sundried tomato, sesame or plain matzo at their Rittenhouse Square, West Philadelphia and Chestnut Hill locations for $3 a slice (it’s a bit pricier than a box of Manischewitz, but far tastier). And for the highly observant among you, they do abide by traditional baking guidelines and get the matzo into the oven within 17 minutes of the water hitting the flour. However, they are not a kosher bakery, so this matzo is not appropriate for the truly orthodox.

Additionally, Metropolitan is also offering flourless chocolate cakes and delicious, Passover-friendly macaroons, should you be in need of a Seder dessert.

If your religious predilections run more towards pastel eggs and candy-filled baskets, Metropolitan also has you covered. The seasonal hot cross buns will be in stock Wednesday through Sunday of this week. They’ll also have an array of Easter-appropriate cupcakes and cookies available all week long. If you need something particularly, make sure to call ahead, availability varies depending on shop location and demand.