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Taste of Philadelphia @ Penn's Landing, Photo by J. Smith for GPTMC

Ah, Taste of Philadelphia. There are few events that offer up such a delicious opportunity to sample so many dishes in one spot. With free admission, over two dozen vendors, and a great opportunity to stake out a seat for Saturday night’s fireworks, Taste of Philadelphia is the must-attend event this weekend.

Taste of Philadelphia kicks off tomorrow, June 25th, at 5pm. The tastes from participating vendors are just a couple dollars, a fraction of the cost you’d normally pay for full entrees. And these restaurants are certainly worth tasting.

Steaks on South Cooking Up Some Cheesesteaks @ Taste of Philadelphia, Photo by J. Smith for GPTMC

You’ll be able to nibble on mini-entrees from a number of great establishments, from local eateries to larger chains. This includes Capital Grille, Gapogiro, Cuba Libre, Darlings, the Jamaican Jerk Hut, Karma, North Bowl, Philly Flavors, Paesanos, Steaks on South, Square on Square, Tony Lukes, Yards Brewery, and many, many more! For a full list of vendors, visit Taste of Philadelphia’s official page.

On Saturday, hang around. After you’ve filled up on nibbles from every stand, find a seat, and enjoy a food coma accompanied by fireworks and live music. Morris Day & The Time are performing at 8pm, with fireworks blasting off immediately after.

Taste of Philadelphia Schedule:

* Friday, June 25th, 5pm – 8pm
* Saturday, June 26th, 11am – 7pm
* Sunday, June 27th, 11am – 7pm

Enjoy!

Taste of Philadelphia [ www.visitphilly.com ]

Dreamgirls Margaret Hoffman (Michelle), Syesha Mercado (Deena) and Adrienne Warren (Lorrell), Photo by Joan Marcus

The year is 1962 and The Dreamettes, a young group of female R&B singers—are hoping to break out and become famous. Innocent, but enthusiastic, they enter a talent competition… and walk away with a manager, who quickly earns them gigs. All seems to be going well, until they start to make it big—and quickly discover that life in the big leagues is no picnic.

This is the story of Dreamgirls, the Tony- and Drama Desk-award winning musical that has captivated audiences for nearly 30 years, and which debuted at the Academy of Music Tuesday night to grand enthusiasm. Everything about the production—from the music to the set—was exquisite—resulting in a truly unforgettable experience.

Moya Angela’s performance as Effie White, the plus-sized protagonist with a powerhouse voice was spot-on, the actress’s own pipes earning her a standing ovation. Chester Gregory had the audience laughing, crying, and dancing in their seats as the James Brown-esque Jimmy “Thunder” Early—while Syesha Mercado (of American Idol fame), played lead Dreamette Deena Jones with beauty and grace.

William Ivey Long’s costumes included more than 580 outfits (most of them sparkly) and 184 wigs (which made the production dazzle)—while Robin Wagner’s minimalist set used LED’s to show everything from cityscapes to pop charts. It all adds up to one absolute must-see—check it out, this week only!

Dream Girls at the Academy of Music, June 22-27, 2010
Broad and Locust Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 893-1999
www.academyofmusic.org

The Devon Seafood Grill in Rittenhouse Square is hosting a unique event this Tuesday in honor of the World Cup.

Entitled Wines of the World Cup, for $35 a person, from 6pm to 8pm, guests will learn about and taste six South African wines while nibbling on appetizers inspired by the cuisine of the region. The appetizer menu includes…

* Oysters with peppadew mignonette
* Chipotle grilled shrimp with mango chutney
* Grilled rare yellowtail, toasted coconut in endive cups
* Grilled elk sausage skewers
* Ostrich tenderloin kabobs
* Cured, dried beef and red pepper pesto crostini

Space is limited, so call the restaurant to save your spot. It all goes down Tuesday, June 29th.

Devon Seafood Grill
225 South 18th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 546-5940
www.devonseafood.com

An Eager Audience Waiting for a Show to Start @ the Mann Center

This Independence Day weekend, celebrate your freedom to rock at the Faith No More concert at the Mann Center. After a 12-year hiatus, the popular band has re-grouped and will be returning to stage for an historical performance in Philadelphia—one of only three scheduled shows on the East Coast.

The band gained U.S. rock-star status in the early 90s with their album The Real Thing, which included their smash hit Epic. The rockers went their separate ways in 1998, but a reunion in February 2009 resulted in the reformation of the band.

July 3rd is your chance to witness music history-in-the-making as they perform together on stage once again. Get your feet ready for jumping and your head ready for banging. This is one show you don’t want to miss.

Tickets are $49.50 and lawn seats are now available for just $25.00. You can purchase your tickets at the Mann Center Box Office or online at their official website.

Faith No More @ the Mann Center [ www.manncenter.org ]

We've Got THREE Fireworks Shows, the First is This Saturday! Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC

As the birthplace of America, we do things a little differently here in Philadelphia when July 4th rolls around. While some folks might celebrate for one night, others for a weekend… we party for two weeks straight. What can I say? We just like to have a good time.

It isn’t even July yet, and the celebration begins. Check out all these events running tomorrow through June 30th, all part of Wawa Welcome America. We’ll feature a roundup of July events next week, and spotlight some of our favorites. Celebrate America!

Friday, June 25th

Looking for something to nibble on? Taste of Philadelphia is this weekend, granting you the chance to sample cuisine from the region’s best chefs. Head over to Penn’s Landing at 5pm tomorrow, June 25th, or at 11am on Saturday and Sunday. Just make sure you show up hungry!

Saturday, June 26th

Morris Day & The Time are playing a concert at Penn’s Landing on Saturday, June 26th. Kicks off at 8pm, with the fireworks show immediately after.

Love fireworks? Of course you do. Well we’ve got three fireworks shows this year, over two weekends. Saturday, June 26th is the first one, with two more on July 3rd at Penn’s Landing and July 4th along the Parkway.

Food-loving Philadelphians come out in throngs for this kick-off to Wawa Welcome America! Photo by J. Smith for GPTMC

Sunday, June 27th

Last day to hit up Taste of Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing. I suggest you do it. Look how much fun those people pictured are having!

Monday, June 28th

On Monday, June 28th, Franklin Square invites you to come learn about history. From 10am to noon, Mayor Nutter and some local celebrities will host a special Historical Story Time with kids from across the region. Free face painting, crafts, games, and a chance to take a photo with a 1918 Wawa Antique Dairy Truck.

The first Philly at the Movies event is Monday night. Head over to Rittenhouse Square for a screening of To Catch a Thief at 9pm on Monday, June 28th. Free!

Tuesday, June 29th

Tuesday, there’s another Go 4th and Learn event, this one at the Franklin Institute. Science of Fireworks takes place on Tuesday, June 29th, and starts at 10:30am. Admission is free and on a first-come-first-served basis. Limited availability, so show up early.

The next Philly at the Movies takes place in Love Park, with a free screening of Grease at 9pm, on Tuesday, June 29th. Free!

Wednesday, June 30th

Learn about art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. At 10am, Jerry Pinkney will be hosting a storytelling event.

Wednesday is also Wawa Hoagie Day at the Philadelphia Museum of Art! A mile long hoagie will make an appearance at 7pm for guests to nosh on, followed up by a special screening of…

Rocky! Come 9pm, it’ll be screening at the PMA. This is a particularly special Philly at the Movies event though. Show up dressed as Rocky on June 30th, run up the steps, and give your best impression for a chance to win free Wawa hoagies for a year. Yum!

… and that’s just the beginning. We’ll have rundown of July events next week.

Washington & Joan of Arc, Photos courtesy Museum Without Walls

This month, the Fairmount Park Art Association launched Museum Without Walls, a multi-platform, interactive audio experience for Philadelphia’s preeminent collection of public art and outdoor sculpture. Now, this free self-guided tour lets visitors and Philadelphia natives alike experience public art through three-minute interpretive audio segments. The narratives are told by over 100 authentic, locally-known voices with personal connections to the artwork.

So, whether you have been walking, driving or biking by these works of art for years or you are discovering them for the first time, this tour promises intriguing facts and surprises along the way. Once you have heard the individual histories of the 51 outdoor sculptures at 35 stops along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and Kelly Drive in Fairmount Park, you will have a deeper understanding of the breadth and scope of public art in Philadelphia and a bit of exercise under your belt as well for the day.

Covenant, Photo courtesy Museum Without Walls

Museum Without Walls is now accessible through multiple platforms including mobile apps, audio downloads, and streaming audio on the official program’s website. It’s also available to the public for free on the street by cell phone by calling (215) 399-9000.

Museum Without Walls [ www.museumwithoutwallsaudio.org ]

On Monday, June 28th, Oyster House will host seven of the city’s top mixologists for an evening of delicious and unique cocktails.

Along with Oyster House’s own Katie Loeb and Andy DeGiulio, participants include “Preston Eckman from Adsum, Phoebe Esmon from Chick’s Café, Al Sotack from Franklin Mortgage & Investment, Christian Gaal from Noble and George Costa from Southwark.”

All the drinks will be priced at a modest $8, and each one will be inspired, in some way, by the sea.

Now, while I’d love to dish out the details of each cocktail, Oyster House is keeping these drinks secret. You’ll have to follow them on Twitter (@PHLoysterhouse) for updates as the event gets closer. Well played, Oyster House.

Oyster House
1516 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 567-7683
www.oysterhousephilly.com

Inside Varga Bar, Photo courtesy of the Restaurant

Walking into Washington Square’s Varga Bar feels like a little trip back to the 1930’s. Inspired after the first true pin-up girl artist, Alberto Vargas, the deco of the gastropub consists of gorgeous detailed murals of sultry pin-up girls and rich patterns featuring variations on black, white, and maroon. The inside of Varga is small enough to be cozy, but not uncomfortable, with a large inviting bar, intimate tables by oversized windows, and an abundance of outdoor tables perfect for people watching.

Varga’s extensive menu will not disappoint. Divided into four different sections (bar snacks, plates, cheeses, and salads & sandwiches), you’re bound to find the perfect platter whether you’re simply looking for a something to munch on while you finish a drink or a large meal to satiate a hearty appetite.

Mini Burgers, Cheese Fries, & Salad @ Varga Bar, Photo by Kate Bracaglia

You must order their duck confit chicken wings. By far my favorite wings in the city, the perfectly cooked chicken is coated in a delicious pomegranate molasses-bourbon-chili sauce and served with homemade bleu cheese and a side of celery. Another tasty option is the jumbo lump cheese fries (crisp fries topped with a generous amount of jumbo lump crab meat mixed with white cheddar and Parmesan cheeses). Make sure you ask for their homemade ketchup to dip the fries into!

The kobe burger is another signature item to check out. Lancaster County aged cheddar cheese, apple-wood smoked bacon, caramelized shallots, organic greens, heirloom tomato, and a large sesame seed bun all perfect an already juicy burger. A healthier option is the varga salad, featuring a tasty combination of baby spinach, sliced pear, bleu cheese, spiced cashews, red onion, and applewood smoked bacon mixed together in a light champagne vinaigrette dressing.

Summer Cocktail @ Varga

Varga’s drink list is as pleasing as their food selection. With over 20 beers on stock, you’re guaranteed to find the perfect beer to accompany any meal. The beer selection constantly changes to reflect new and unusual brews. If you’re not a beer lover, check out their cocktail list.

Tying into their pin-up girl theme, Varga has a specialty cocktail dedicated to each month of the year. This summer, they’re featuring Miss June, July, and August. Make it your summer goal to sample each one.

Varga Bar
941 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 627-5200
www.vargabar.com

Come to the HAUTE Summer Party this Friday, June 25th, at Bus Stop and walk out with hot shoes, good deals and maybe a little something extra.

In celebration of warm weather and hot new styles from Irregular Choice, Nicole, Schu and more chic brands, Bus Stop is holding a party where guests can sip on PIMMS No. 1 cocktails and obsess over lush shoes on display and for sale.

The boutique will also be selling the new TOMMS Summer Collection, which includes cute Gold Glitters and super-comfy Cordones. Go ahead, indulge. For every pair of TOMS you purchase, the brand pays it forward by giving one pair of shoes to a child in need.

And with 15% off the purchase of any summer shoe (excluding TOMS), you can leave the store, new shoes in hand, without leaving your wallet empty.

The party starts at 5:30pm and lasts until 8:30pm. Be sure to come early. The first 10 customers will receive a free Bus Stop beach bag—as if you weren’t spoiled enough.

Bus Stop Boutique
750 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147-3121
(215) 627-2357
www.busstopboutique.com

Outside Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

Summer is here! And with that, Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens’ Annual Summer Solstice celebration!

This Saturday, June 26th from 1-10pm, the Gardens’ Once Upon A Tile event will feature music, dancing, poetry readings, and interactive activities, all with narrative themes.

Guests will enjoy family-friendly programming throughout the day– from song and poetry, to painting and artwork. Be sure to also roam the adjacent Kater and Alder Street alleys where a wide variety of artists, craftspeople, and food vendors will sell their wares.

A mix of eclectic performances kick off the celebration at 2pm., with key performers including:

* Joe Boruchow & The Nite Lights – performing a captivating musical score along with a slideshow of Boruchow’s renowned picture book: Stuffed Animals: A Story In Paper Cutouts
* Lenny Seidman and Thomas Wave — World Music and Jazz curator at the Painted Bride Art Center in Philadelphia, playing interesting Indian tabla drums and sitar
* Sonic Liberation Front — exciting 13 member Afro-Cuban jazz group playing lively dance music
* Bhakti – Astonishing yoga acrobatics, formerly called Fly Girls
* DJ Ginkgo – The Solstice will come to a close with world beats spun by PMG’s favorite DJ

For ticket info and a full performer line-up, visit the Magic Gardens’ official website.

Summer Solstice @ Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
Saturday, June 26th, 2010

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
1020 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
215-733-0390
www.philadelphiasmagicgardens.org