July 15, 2010
En Vogue
The bigger-than-ever Global Fusion Festival kicks off tomorrow, with a concert that celebrates the cultures of the world. From international Bachata performers and hands-clapping gospel artists, to award-winning R&B soloists and cultural performers, the festival’s line-up is sure to excite the rhythms within your soul.
The festival starts at noon and runs until 8pm on the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing. Get ready for ethnic dance performances, cultural vendors, kid’s activities and a concert with national headliners such as R&B divas En Vogue; Soul singer Lyfe Jennings; Gospel Recording Artists JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise; Bachata artist Toby Love; Salsa singer Huey Dunbar; International Reggae singer Gyptian and many more… all hosted by VH1’s music host Amanda Diva.
For more information and for additional performers, visit the Global Fusion Festival’s official website.
Global Fusion Festival
Saturday, July 17th, 2010, Noon to 8pm
www.globalfusionfestival.com
Penn’s Landing [ www.visitphilly.com ]
July 15, 2010
The Philadelphia Orchard Project, an organization that wants to plant orchards across the city of Philadelphia to provide healthy food, green spaces, and community food security, is hosting a music festival and fundraiser this Saturday, July 17th.
The concert kicks off at 3pm at Liberty Lands Park, featuring the West Philadelphia Orchestra and four other groups. Suggested donation is only $5, and all proceeds go towards the organization.
Hungry concert goers can look forward to food from a number of great local food trucks, include Honest Tom’s Taco Truck, the Buttercream Cupcake Truck, and the Dapper Dog. Thirsty? Philadelphia Brewing Company made a donation to the event, and their guys will be there pouring beer all day.
For more info on the Philadelphia Orchard Project, visit their official website.
Concert for the Philadelphia Orchard Project
Saturday, July 17th, 3pm – 8:30pm
www.phillyorchards.org
Liberty Lands Park
926 N American St, Philadelphia, PA 1912
July 15, 2010
Screenshot from Jake Armstrong’s The Terrible Thing of Alpha-9
Tomorrow, July 16th, University City’s 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.
From Melissa Graziano’s Love on the Line – which explores how frustrated lovers communicated via telegraph in a pre-internet age – to Eric Dyer’s The Bellow’s March – a 5 minute short inspired by the Sisyphean cycle of creation and destruction – these films promise to deliver humor, profundity, and everything in between.
Best of the Ottawa International Animation Festival
July 16th, 7PM
$8 General Admission / $6 Students / $5 Members
International House
3701 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 387-5125
www.ihousephilly.org
July 15, 2010
Luscious Dresses Hang From the Ceiling @ Carmelita Couture
I don’t know how many stores you’ve been to that happen to have a seamstress on hand for sample-making, but my visit to Carmelita Couture was a definite first for me.
The entrance evokes vintage Paris with its black and white-striped awning and abundance of bright red hues. Once inside, you are greeted by luscious dresses hanging from the ceiling, shoes resting in cutouts in the walls accompanied by other colorful accessories. The clothes that you see make a definite statement of confidence and fashion-forwardness.
Carmelita Martell is the woman behind the clothes. She started the line in Miami in 2007 and is now based in Philadelphia where she creates her designs. She described the line as “fashion-forward and art-inspired”. Her clothes have been featured on Millionaire Matchmaker, Dancing With the Stars, and many a celebrity can be spotted in one of her pieces these days.
So, next time you feel you need a brush-up on the latest in fashion, stop by and open your mind to couture.
Carmelita Couture
17 N. 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(305) 310 0446
www.carmelitacouture.com
July 14, 2010
Did you miss Avatar in the theaters and at Penn’s Landing over July 4th? Relax, lazy movie buff. This Friday, the Village of Arts & Humanities has you covered.
At 8pm, on Friday, July 16th, head over to the Village of Arts & Humanities for the start of their outdoor film series. Be sure to show up early. Before the main feature, the Village will screen videos produced by teens at the Center.
Cafe V, a new student-run cafe, will be at the park, selling concessions and dishing out free popcorn.
Village of Arts & Humanities
2544 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19133-1642
(215) 225-1570
www.villagearts.org
July 14, 2010
Outside Olive
I was sad to learn that Ava, one of my favorite local BYO’s, was closing down. It was the first BYO I went to when I moved to Philadelphia four years ago. So, I was excited to try Ava’s replacement, Olive.
When we walked into Olive we were quickly greeted by the friendly owner, whose enthusiasm over food and the restaurant did not cease throughout our meal. Her vision for the restaurant is one devoted to the neighborhood; she envisions customers who view Olive as an extension of their own kitchens, and dine with her “three times a week.”
Bread & Oil @ Olive
We started with a seafood salad and white fish empanadas. These were both very good. While waiting for our entrees, we were handed a lovely complimentary tuna carpaccio. I ordered the meatloaf which was both hearty and delicious. My dining partners also very much enjoyed their mushroom pasta and chicken chipotle dishes.
Towards the end of our meal a family from Long Island walked outside from the restaurant, turned to us at our sidewalk table, and with a genuine analysis, admitted that their meal and dining experiences in Philadelphia were unrivaled. Always great getting a compliment from a neighbor to the north.
Olive is a great addition to the neighborhood BYOB circuit. Check it out!
Olive
518 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147-2309
(267) 519-9498
July 14, 2010
Exterior of Independence Hall (all photos by M. McClellan)
Now that the Welcome America celebrations are behind us for another year, it’s time to bid farewell to the familiar view of the Independence Hall tower, at least for the next year or so. You see, Philadelphia’s hot summers and cold winters, along with years of spotty maintenance, have taken a toll on the landmark’s iconic spire.
Specially trained restorers will spend the next 18 months carefully taking the tower apart piece-by-piece, rebuilding every single element and replaced each reinforced piece right where it belongs. When the edifice is unveiled in the Fall of 2011, it will look just as good as the day it was built.
In preparation for these repairs, we got a chance to take a behind-the-scenes tour of the tower (it’s not typically open to the public), to document the way it looks now. To see all the pictures, click over to the slideshow on Flickr (the same slideshow is also embedded after the jump, if you prefer to view it that way). Additionally, a short video has also been produced about the tower’s history. Click here to see that.
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July 14, 2010
Gardenia Restaurant's Patio, Tucked Away Behind the Art Alliance Building
For an intimate outdoor sips, check out Gardenia by Rittenhouse Square. Tucked away from noisy street traffic, as part of the Art Alliance building, Gardenia hosts a back patio garden where guests can sip on delicious cocktails next to statues and flowers, shaded by trees.
As part of Center City Sips, the restaurant offers drinks and dishes for under $10. Try the hearty Gardenia Angus Burger, served with a generous portion of fries. For lighter fare, order the Mediterranean plate, which comes with grilled pita, chickpea hummus, tzatziki and marinated olives. Both appetizers are half off.
Gardenia's Cherry Lemonade
What outdoor happy hour is complete without breezy, summer concoctions like the Dragon Berry Mojito or Gardenia Cherry Lemonade? To go along with the season, the drinks come in cute mason jars and are garnished with fruit.
Stay after sips for an extra bonus. Gardenia is one of the restaurants that offer 15% off dinner after sips is over at 7pm. So enjoy the rest of the menu under the evening sky at a discount. The restaurant also has indoor seating for those who prefer to socialize in air conditioning.
Gardenia Restaurant
251 South 18th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-6118
(215) 732-3606
July 14, 2010
The First Person Arts’ Summer Grand Slam is almost here, and this year, they’re doing things a little differently. Along with great tales from local storytellers, audience members can look forward to a fantastic block party, complete with food, drinks, and live music.
The pre-slam BBQ features nibbles from Sweet Lucy’s Smokehouse, lager from Narragansett Brewery, drinks from ROOT, and a live concert featuring Peculiar Gentlemen. The party starts outside the Painted Bride Art Center at 5pm.
Come 8pm, head into the Painted Bride for the Grand Slam. Winners of First Person Arts’ slams from January through May will battle it out for the title of Best Storyteller in Philadelphia.
It all goes down next Saturday, July 24th. Be there!
First Person Arts Grand Slam & BBQ [ www.firstpersonarts.org ]
