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Art of the American Soldier brings a never-before-seen collection of soldier artwork, 100 years in the making, to the National Constitution Center this September.

What can art tell us about the experience of being a soldier? Since World War I, both soldier and civilian artists have been commissioned by the U.S. Army to create a visual and historical record of military conflicts around the world. Wielding paintbrushes as powerful as their weapons, these soldier-artists have captured the human dimension of war in a way no newsreel or photograph ever could.

Today, the U.S. Army has collected more than 15,000 paintings and sketches created by over 1,300 American soldiers in the line of duty. With no national museum to display this impressive collection, these works have remained in curatorial storage in Washington, D.C. for decades, seldom made available for public viewing.

Art of the American Soldier at the National Constitution Center brings this previously unseen collection into the spotlight for the first time. The exhibition explores how soldier-artists have portrayed moments of soldier life, duty, and sacrifice in military conflicts spanning the past 100 years.

Through these unforgettable images, visitors to the exhibition will connect with the soldier experience and discover insights into the men and women who have answered the Constitution’s call to “provide for the common defense.”

A painting from the exhibition: Landing Zone - John Wehrle, Vietnam, 1966 (Image courtesy The NCC)

The exhibition has a great new website, complete with an interactive gallery and timeline where you can preview some of the art as it was created over the last century.

Art of the American Soldier
September 24, 2010 through January 10, 2011
National Constitution Center in Philadelphia

Art of the American Soldier [National Constitution Center]

Born last May, the Fourth Wall Arts Salon is the city’s newest way showcase for both up-and-coming and established artists, musicians, writers and more. They’ll be holding their fourth salon this Saturday evening at the Trinity Center for Urban Life (22nd and Spruce) and we recommend you check them out (see our introductory post about them here).

This month, the artists who will be joining regular host Carlo Campbell include Nema Etebar, John Abner, Jessi Teich, Alice Mendoza, Thierry Lundy and DJ Supreme. They are fine artists, singers (jazz, folk, opera), photographers, dancers and more. Part of the beauty of this event is the juxtapositioning of such diverse performers.

Tickets for the August Fourth Wall Arts Salon are $15 (there is a small additional fee to buy them online). Make sure to buy them well in advance of the show, as they have been experiencing sell-out crowds for the last few months.

The defending FCS champion Villanova Wildcats face potential Heisman Trophy winner Bernard Pierce and the Temple Owls on September 3rd at Lincoln Financial Field. (Photos courtesy of Villanova and Temple Universities)

Friday, September 3rd at Lincoln Financial Field, cross-city rivals Temple Owls and Villanova Wildcats go head to head in the 2nd Annual Mayor’s Cup.

The Mayor’s Cup provides a great chance to see a big-time game at the Linc at an affordable price — tickets begin at $18 — as both teams are returning from successful 2009 seasons.

Last year’s winners and reigning FCS (formerly Division 1-AA) champions, the Wildcats, enter this season ranked #1 in the nation. Meanwhile, the Temple Owls are hoping to build on last year’s historic season, which saw them finish with a record of 9-4 and compete in their first bowl game in 30 years.

The Owls also boast a Heisman Trophy candidate in sophomore running back Bernard Pierce, who is out to prove he’s among the elite players in college football.

It’s great to see this budding rivalry between two successful teams continue to develop in a city where local college football is often overlooked.

Tickets begin at $18 and are available here.

2nd Annual Mayor’s Cup
Who: Temple Owls vs. Villanova Wildcats
When: September 3, 2010 — Kickoff at 5 p.m.
Where: Lincoln Financial Field

Temple-Villanova Coming Sept. 3 [Lincoln Financial Field]

Cheesesteak from Mickey D's Grill (photo courtesy of Unbreaded)

Make sure to head over to Love Park today to get your free locally sourced cheesesteak! Philly Homegrown has teamed up with chef Steve Poses to give away 1,000 portions of classic Philly cheesesteak (he’ll be making 250 full-sized ‘steaks that will be sized down so more people can get a taste). Each and every bite of the cheesesteaks were grown, raised and produced in our 100 mile food shed.

If you can’t get over to Love Park today, head over to Ben’s Bistro in The Franklin Institute Science Museum. They’ll be featured the all-local cheesesteak for a limited time (August 26-29). The restaurant is open to the public daily and does not require museum admission.

You can also try to make the cheesesteak yourself. Chef Poses has posted the recipe on his blog so that anyone who wants can make it for themselves at home.

Thanks to Ben Kessler and Unbreaded for letting us use that succulent cheesesteak image above.

Make an evening out of it tonight in Rittenhouse Square. (Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC)

Allow yesterday’s almost fall-like weather to remind you that you should take advantage of outdoor summer activities as much as possible while you still can.

To that end, tonight is the second Wednesday of the Concerts in the Park concert series in Rittenhouse Square. Last week’s show was postponed due to rain so here’s hoping for better luck tonight. UPDATE: The 80-degree forecast is looking promising.

The bands playing this week are 1) Government Cheaze, 2) Drink Up Buttercup, and 3) A Place to Bury Strangers.

It’s a great opportunity to maybe check out Center City Sips first, and then swing by the Rittenhouse Square concert afterward.

Or maybe bring a picnic and enjoy a nice summer evening in the park, complete with a concert under the stars.

Concerts in the Park [Official Site]

Chef de Cuisine Jen Carroll and Pastry Chef Monica Glass have a special new lunch deal just for you. (Photos courtesy 10 Arts)

10 Arts at the Ritz Carlton has just launched a new Five Bite Lunch special.

Top Chef alum Jennifer Carroll and Pastry Chef Monica Glass have teamed up to bring you five tastes from the restaurant’s impressive lunch menu — plus a Victory beer — all for just $22.

The new Five Bite Lunch special at 10 Arts includes:

- Warm Soft Pretzels served with creamy cheddar sauce, jalapeño jam, Dijon mustard
- A shot of 10 Arts signature Smoked Heirloom Corn Chowder
- Choice of Two Minis:

* Mini Fish Burger, striped bass,topped with fennel, oven-dried tomato and saffron aioli
* Mini Lobster Roll, Maine lobster salad on a toasted bun
* Mini Cheeseburger, made with Pineland Farms ground sirloin
* Mini Hot Dog

- Mini Cupcake of the Day.
- Victory Beer or choice of soft drink or iced tea

The lunch special is available Monday – Friday, from 11:30 am until 2pm.

Five Bite Lunch at 10 Arts [Foobooz]
10 Arts [Visit Philly]
Ritz Carlton Philadelphia [Visit Philly]

Time to make it count. (Photo courtesy Table 31)

Don’t look now, but it’s getting dangerously close to the end of summer.

Case in point: this Wednesday, August 25th, is the last Center City Sips of the season!

So make sure you take advantage. $4 cocktails, $3 wine, $2 beers and half-price appetizers at some of Center City’s best bars and restaurants, with some establishments even offering a 15% dinner discount after 7 p.m.

Center City Sips [Official Site]

The Liberty Medal was established in 1988 as way to celebrate the bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution. It is awarded annually to people who have work to protect and maintain the liberty of people all around the globe. The awards ceremony is held each year in Philadelphia and has been hosted by the National Constitution Center since 2006.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is the recipient of the Liberty Medal for 2010. For the first time, the ceremony will be streamed online at 6abc, allowing people from all over the global to participate in the festivities. Past winners include Steven Spielberg, residents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela, Shimon Peres, Kofi Annan, Sandra Day O’Connor, and Bono.

The ceremony will take place on Monday, September 13, 2010 at 7 p.m. at the National Constitution Center. To watch the live stream, click over to the NCC’s Live Stream.

This week, take advantage of your last chance to enjoy the Phanatic statues around Philadelphia before they are removed from their locations around Philadelphia the week of August 30th!

Well, this is it. We’ve reached the final week of the “Phanatic Around Town” photo submission contest. You’ve submitted hundreds of awesome photos with the various Phanatic statues over the past 19 weeks and it’s been our pleasure to send out t-shirts to all of the the lucky winners.

On that note… let’s go out with a bang!

This Week’s Featured Phanatic Around Town Location: All of Them!

Only one Phanatic statue remains to be featured: “Phanatic Phans” at Philadelphia International Airport. We understand that attempting to get a photo with this particular statue (located at the food court between terminals B and C) is a daunting task, so in celebration of the conclusion of the contest we’re requesting you send us your absolute best photo with ANY of the Phanatic statues around town.

This week, send us your most clever, creative, interesting, etc. photo with any one of the 20 Phanatic statues and we will select FIVE winners to each receive a Phillies t-shirt. Click here for the full list of Phanatic locations.

To submit your photo, upload it to our Visit Philly Facebook fan page or share it on Twitter using the hashtag: #Phanatic. Click here for all the details.

Statue Removal and “Phanatic Walk” at Citizens Bank Park

The Phanatic statues will be removed from their current locations the week of August 30th and relocated to Citizens Bank Park where all 20 will be on display along the new “Phanatic Walk” inside the Third Base Gate, beginning September 3rd through the end of the Phillies season.

On September 11th from 12 noon to 4 p.m., Citizens Bank Park is opening its gates for the public to enjoy the statues on “Phanatic Walk” without needing a game ticket.

Last week’s winners after the jump.

“Phanatic Around Town” Summer Promotion [Visit Philly]

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Summer’s coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean you have to sit around and wait for crisp air to hit and the kids to go back to school. Celebrate the end of summer this weekend at the Summer Samba Festival at Headhouse Square.

Friday kicks off with 4th Friday specials. Visitors can enjoy discounted food and drink, browse art shows and reap the benefits of discounted shopping. Starting at 6:30 pm at the Historic Shambles, Philadelphia’s ASCAB Capoeira will give demonstrations to onlookers.

On Saturday, catch the hour-plus performance by Afro-Brazilian musical quartet, Xande Cruz at 1pm. Later, from 3-5, South Street Performers turned tween sensation, Kate and Bina will play. Throughout the day on South Street, you can delight in dance performances by 3 professional Samba dancers.

Saturday and Sunday, crafty folks can learn jewelry design with an emphasis on the popular Brazilian design technique called fuxico. Philly fashion designer Priscilla Costa will be on hand to offer her knowledge in these popular classes held at Beadworks on East Passyunk Avenue.