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Animus, Performing at the Penn Museum on July 21st

On Wednesday evenings from 5pm – 8pm through August 25th, the Penn Museum’s Summer Music Series in the lush Warden Gardens offers an opportunity to sip drinks, enjoy light fare and explore the gardens while listening to live music inspired by ancient stops along the famed Silk Road trading route that brought East and West together.

The Silk Road theme is offered to herald the coming of a new major exhibition from China, Secrets of the Silk Road, making its East Coast stop at the Penn Museum in early 2011.

The Summer Music Series is Pay-What-You-Wish and is the perfect location to unwind after work. Select museum galleries are also open and the event occurs rain or shine. Visit the Penn Museum’s official website for a full line-up of performers.

Penn Museum
3260 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-898-4000
www.penn.museum

Sun Ra Arkestra, Photo: Mark Lazarski

At 6PM on Saturday, July 24th, University City District and The Rotunda are hosting a free, outdoor performance by the Sun Ra Arkestra that will take place on 40th Street between Walnut and Locust, directly behind the Walnut Street Free Library.

These pioneers of experimental music have called Philadelphia home since 1968, and for over 50 years have combined their Afro-Futurist ideas with traditional jazz music to create a unique sound that merges bebop, swing, ragtime, free jazz, and astral electronic instrumentation.

After Sun Ra’s death, Marshall Allen – who recently celebrated his 86th birthday! – became the Arkestra’s maestro in 1995 and they have continued to make creative music that is every bit as sonically spectacular and ahead of its time as it was 50 years ago.

If you’ve never seen a Sun Ra Arkestra performance, or missed last year’s excellent Pathways to Unknown Worlds: Sun Ra, El Saturn & Chicago’s Afro-Futurist Underground, 1954-1968 exhibit at the Institute of Contemporary Art, now is the time to witness one of Philly’s legendary music groups for yourself!

A performance by the Scorch Fire Show will combine flames and movement arts prior to the music and Rita’s Water Ice will be freely available to keep things cool.

Sun Ra Arkestra & Scorch
Saturday, July 24, 6PM
40th & Walnut/Locust Streets (behind Walnut Street Free Library)

Cheer on the Philadelphia Union at Lincoln Financial Field as they face one of the world's premier clubs. (Photo courtesy of Go USA Bid)

The World Cup may have ended, but soccer (football) excitement continues this week in Philadelphia!

As Manchester United’s second stop on their North American tour, the star-studded English Premier League Champions face the Philadelphia Union this Wednesday at Lincoln Financial Field (7:30 p.m.).

This isn’t Manchester United’s first trip to the Linc, they played in front of capacity crowds in 2003 and 2004, but this will be their first ever match against the Union, who are in the midst of their inaugural season in the MLS.

Tickets are still available but move quickly, as this match promises to be one to remember.

CLICK HERE for tickets.

Manchester United vs. Philadelphia Union
Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.
Lincoln Financial Field
1020 Pattison Avenue

Philadelphia Union [Official Site]
Manchester United’s North American Tour Blog [manutd.com]

Rawr! A Yarn & Felt Lion, On Display @ the Art Star Gallery & Boutique

There’s a new exhibit launching at the Art Star Gallery & Boutique in Northern Liberties. Entitled Out of the Wild, this three person exhibition features the fabric and thread works of Kate Durkin, Maggie Rozycki Hiltner, & Abby Glassenberg.

Each artist uses animal imagery to tell stories through their embroidery and hand-stitched work. You can learn more about each artist on Art Star’s official website.

The exhibition runs July 24th through August 29th, with a special opening reception this Saturday from 5pm to 9pm. Stop by, meet the talented artists behind the work, and nibble on some light refreshments.

Out of the Wild @ Art Star
July 24th – August 29th, 2010
Opening Reception: Saturday, July 24th, 5-9pm

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

The forecast is calling for sweltering and sticky weather straight through the weekend. We at uwishunu would like to suggest that you indulge in our favorite heat-beating edible: a nice, cooling scoop of ice cream. And we have the perfect place to do it.

The Reading Terminal Market Ice Cream Festival is going to be taking over the market’s Center Court from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. tomorrow. There will be all your favorite Bassetts flavors, homemade scoops from Miller’s Twist, ice cream and root beer floats from Franklin Fountain, ice cream cupcakes from Chestnut Hill’s Bredenbeck’s and Pure Gourmet sorbets.

Reading Terminal Market
45 N. 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
readingterminalmarket.org

The historic Headhouse Square Shambles (photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC)

Friday

Best of the Ottawa International Animation Festival
Tonight, International House is bringing some of the best films from 2009’s Ottawa International Animation Festival to Philadelphia. The evening will consist of 15 shorts created by the most imaginative and original artists working in animated film today.

Avatar Screening @ Village of Arts & Humanities
Catch Avatar on a large screen outside, over at the Village of Arts & Humanities. Free popcorn and activities for the family.

Cheap Trick & Squeeze @ the Mann Center
A fantastic Summer concert at the Mann Center for Performing Arts!

Disappearing Voices in Clark Park
PWStyle reports in on a film screening in Clark Park. Proceeds from the event go towards local community radio.

Saturday

Good Food, Good Beer @ Headhouse Square
From 6pm to 9pm, nibble and sip under the historic Headhouse Shambles. Marisa has the full scoop, here.

Concert for the Philadelphia Orchards Project
Support the movement to plant orchards around the city! Admission to the concert is only $5, and a bunch of great food trucks will be parked around Liberty Lands Park, dishing out tasty nibbles.

Global Fusion Festival @ Penn’s Landing
En Vogue headlines this massive concert / festival, with a number of other fantastic artists supporting.

Rainforest Rhythm @ the Please Touch Museum
This wildly popular exhibit returns to the Please Touch Museum today.

Sunday

Free Admission to the Franklin Institute
Why not head over to the Franklin Institute and explore the museum for free in the late afternoon? Free admission starting at 3pm!

Ice Cream Day @ Pumpkin Market
The cozy cafe and grocery store on South Street will be dishing out $1 scoops all day!

Find both Pumpkin Market and Pumpkin Cafe on the 1600 block of South Street (photos by M. McClellan for GPTMC)

July is National Ice Cream Month, and the third Sunday in July is National Ice Cream Day. And to celebrate this incredibly delicious national event, Pumpkin Market on South St is dishing out $1 scoops of Bassetts Ice Cream all day long.

Pumpkin opens at 7am and closes at 9pm, giving you plenty of time to indulge in the cheap scoops. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Market
1609 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 545-1173
www.pumpkinphilly.com

The Franklin Institute, Photo by K. Ciappa for GPTMC

This Sunday, July 18th, from 3pm to 5pm, the Franklin Institute is offering up free admission to all visitors.

Along the with usual exhibits and demonstrations through out the museum, guests will be treated to a number of other activities, from educational workshops to special dance classes.

This is all thanks to a partnership with Target’s Arts & Wonder program, which offers up free admission to museums and attractions across the country.

The Franklin Institute
222 North 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 448-1200
www.fi.edu

During the Tour de France (now through July 25th), South Philadelphia’s Devil’s Den is offering up $1 off Ommegang Duvel drafts while watching the race. And that’s not all.

Guests visiting the Den can enter to win a Trek Racing Bike from Human Zoom, sponsored by Ommegang Duvel. You’re limited to one entry per day, so make sure you swing by a couple of times.

Devil’s Den
1148 South 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 339-0855
www.devilsdenphilly.com

Matzo Ball Soup @ Delicatessen

I don’t know about you, but I judge a deli by its matzo ball soup.

So when I blew on my spoon and took a sip of Delicatessen’s fragrant broth, hunks of flavorful chicken, and pleasantly mouthful sized matzo balls, I decided the place already passed the test. But owner Michael’s goal is to exceed, not just meet, tough-crowd-Philadelphians’ deli expectations. And, even after just a few months, boy does he deliver.

Kentucky Brisket in the Basket Hot Brown @ Delicatessen

There’s the “Kentucky Brisket in the Basket Hot Brown,” two sunny side up eggs topped with brisket, grilled tomato and a creamy cheese-based mornay sauce, on a soft challah roll, with crispy spiced waffle fries on the side.

Or the “4 Bite” Sliders: house-smoked pastrami, corned beef and turkey served on mini challah rolls with cole slaw and tart Russian dressing, with a side of deliciously cinnamony homemade apple sauce.

The Four Bite Sliders @ Delicatessen

There’s something for the beef-eater: the “Tuxedo Dog”, a foot long Hebrew National hot dog stuffed with American cheese, wrapped with applewood smoked bacon and served on a toasted roll. And for the vegetarian: the “Wholey Trinity,” grilled muenster cheese with fresh avocado and tomato pressed on thick cut rye bread. And for the chocoholic: the best bread pudding I have ever consumed: chocolate-y, banana-y, challah-y, egg-y luscious goodness.

I could go on. But in the interest of encouraging you to stop reading and head over to Delicatessen, I’ll say that for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, these guys won’t disappoint. Reasonable prices, great Hill location, excellent service, innovative and mouth-wateringly delicious food: what more could a deli-goer ask for?

Delicatessen
703 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA
215-923-4560
www.delicatessenphilly.com