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A 1990 suit designed by Vivienne Westwood is one of the more modern artifacts on display.
(Image courtesy PMA)

The Peacock Male: Exuberance and Extremes in Masculine Dress is on display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art now through June 2011.

Drawn from the museum’s collection of Western fashion, the exhibition examines 300 years of men’s outlandish sartorial display, contradicting the notion of male apparel as staid and restrained.

Extravagant costumes on display include those worn by the Mummers, elaborate formal military uniforms, a 1960s-era psychedelic “paper” shirt emblazoned with the names of the era’s sex symbols, and modern day specimens including Vivienne Westwood’s bright orange bondage suit.

The exhibition takes place in the Ruth and Raymond G. Perelman Building.

Check out the Wall Street Journal’s kudos to the exhibit.

The Peacock Male: Exuberance and Extremes in Masculine Dress
Where: PMA’s Perelman Building, Fairmount and Pennsylvania Avenues
When: Now through June 2011
Cost: Adults $8, Seniors (65+) $7, Students $6, Children (13-18) $6, Children (12 and under) Free
More info: www.philamuseum.org

Host Andrew Zimmern (left) makes an off-hours visit to the sushi bar at Morimoto, among other places.
(Photo courtesy Travel Channel)

The Travel Channel’s popular travel and food show, Bizarre Foods, is spotlighting Pennsylvania and specifically Philadelphia in an episode that will debut tomorrow night at 9 p.m.

The show, currently in its 6th season, documents the audacious gustatory journeys of chef and culinary explorer Andrew Zimmern.

In the Pennsylvania episode, Zimmern hits up a number of intriguing Philadelphia staples, including John’s Roast Pork in South Philly for a cheesesteak and roast pork sampling with owner John Bucci, Stephen Starr’s original Morimoto where he enjoys an off-hours personal dining experience with Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto himself, and Czerw’s Kielbasy in Port Richmond where Zimmern gets a behind-the-scenes look at some traditional Polish sausage-making.

But that’s not all. The show also visits the Italian Market, Reading Terminal Market, and even goes gets an up close and personal look at the making of scrapple. Eventually, Zimmern was left asking if Philadelphia is the best sandwich city in the country.

Take a sneak peek at a few more cool, behind-the-scenes photos from the filming of the episode below.

We can’t wait to watch! (more…)

On Saturday, January 22, the Please Touch Museum launched a new exhibition called access/ABILITY. This traveling, interactive exhibit will be in Philadelphia through April 24, 2011. It was developed by the Boston Children’s Museum and was designed to show the similarities and differences in how each of us, with or without disabilities, goes places, communicates, has fun, and learns.

Visitors will have a chance to learn a few phrases in American Sign Language, type their name in Braille and try out a hand-pedaled bike. There’s also an opportunity for kids to interact with a puppet with cerebral palsy and try to navigate up a ramp and through a door in a wheelchair.

This exhibition was developed for children ages 5-12 and is accessible to strollers and wheelchairs, as well as to visitors who are visually impaired, hearing impaired and physically impaired. Admission to this special exhibition is included in the regular museum fee ($15 per person, babies ages 0-12 months are free).

A slideshow of pictures from the exhibition is embedded after the jump.

access/ABILITY at the Please Touch Museum
January 22-April 24, 2011
4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia
(215) 581-3181
pleasetouchmuseum.org

(more…)

Traverse Arts' latest musical is on stage through Februrary 6. (Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)

There’s a new show in town unlike any other you might have seen recently. Imagine as much as you can based on its tongue-in-cheek title, and you’ve only pictured the tip of the iceberg.

Coming: A Rock Musical of Biblical Proportions, is a world premiere musical. The plot follows Josh Crenshaw, a doe-eyed boy from Bethlehem who auditions for “American Icon” in order to spread his message of love and hope through song.

Josh, who is unwittingly the second coming of Christ, is soon sucked into a NYC world of vice — and fabulous costumes. We watch Josh struggle to prevail (through outrageous song and dance, of course), while the events of the Book of Revelation unfold in the present day. The result is raucous, risqué and rollicking.

The show is produced by Traverse Arts Project, a company that seeks to promote thought and the exchange of ideas, especially within and about the GLBT community.

Catch this show during its short run; it has the potential to be the next cult classic.

Tickets are available online.

Coming: A Rock Musical of Biblical Proportions
When: Now through February 6th
Where: Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut Street
Cost: Tickets range from $15-$27
More info: www.traversetheater.org

(Image via Ticketmaster)

Attention concert fans: we have TWO pairs of tickets available to see Swedish electro-pop star Robyn with Diamond Rings & Natalia Kills, Thursday, February 3rd at the Electric Factory.

Remember the mid-’90s teen-pop hits “Show Me Love” or “Do You Know (What It Takes)?” Since then, in 2010 alone Robyn released a trilogy of hit albums, earning her 53rd Grammy nomination. Entertainment Weekly, among others, has showered her recent resurgence with praise.

All you have to do is email your full name with “Robyn Ticket Giveaway” in the subject line to tips@uwishunu.com by this Friday, January 28th.

We’ll notify the winners later that day. They’ll each have two tickets under their name at the Electric Factory box office the day of the show.

Robyn
Where: The Electric Factory, 421 N. 7th Street
When: Thursday, Februrary 3rd, 7:30 p.m.
Cost: FREE for two readers and their +1s
More info: www.ticketmaster.com

Orchid Extravaganza takes place through March 27. (Photo courtesy Longwood Gardens)

From now until March 27th, the Conservatory at Longwood Gardens will be covered with orchids of many colors, shapes and sizes for the annual Orchid Extravaganza.

The flowers will sprawl across 20 rooms, transforming the entire Conservatory into a spring-like refuge of color, beauty and warmth.

OrKID Days is a series of concerts and family activities accompanying the Orchid Extravaganza. They will take place this Saturday, January 29th and Saturday, February 26th. Each OrKID Day will feature a concert, a kids craft table, and a chance to meet exotic animals— all in one visit! While you’re there, don’t forget to check out the expanded Indoor Children’s Garden.

All OrKID events are included in the admission to the Gardens. Tickets are available online.

OrKID Days at Orchid Extravaganza
Where: Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square
When: January 22nd and February 26th, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (the Extravaganza is every day through March 27th)
Cost: $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, $8 for ages 5-18, free for ages 4 and under

Two of Philly's best chefs go head-to-head in Kitchen Stadium on Jan. 30th. (Photo courtesy Food Network)

On Sunday, January 30th at 10 p.m., tune into the Food Network to watch two of Philadelphia top chefs battle on Iron Chef America.

Reigning Iron Chef Jose Garces will defend his title and 4-2 Kitchen Stadium record against challenger (and friend) Michael Solomonov, the man behind acclaimed Philadelphia restaurants Zahav, Xochitl and Percy Street Barbecue.

It’s definitely going to be awesome to see two Philadelphia chefs go head-to-head in Kitchen Stadium on national television.

If you want to join your fellow Philadelphians in cheering on our stars, Percy Street is hosting a viewing party. They’ll screen the show and the kitchen will stay open until 11 p.m. Plus, Chef Solomonov himself will be there.

Which has us wondering: if Solomonov is holding a viewing party and Garces isn’t, could that be a clue as to which chef is going to come out on top??

We guess we’ll just have to tune in to find out. Can’t wait.

The Food Networks’ Iron Chef America: Garces vs. Solomonov
When: Sunday, January 30th, 10 p.m.
More info: www.foodnetwork.com

Kids get a firsthand cooking lesson from Lacroix's Executive Chefs. (Photo courtesy Lacroix)

Lacroix at The Rittenhouse Hotel is hosting a special “Cooking with the Kids” class at noon on Saturday, February 5th for children between the ages of 9-14.

The kids will learn how to cook from Lacroix’s team of expert chefs. Executive Restaurant Chef Jon Cichon and Executive Pastry Chef Fred Ortega will show the budding gastronomes how to cook healthy yet tasty foods at home. The chefs will demonstrate three healthy courses for the kids, who will then have the chance to eat the foods they help prepare.

Lacroix will also be offering a 15% discount on lunch for the parents of the children participating in the program.

To reserve a space at the event, call Lacroix: (215) 790-2530. Registration is limited, but still open!

Cooking With the Kids
Where: Lacroix at The Rittenhouse Hotel, 210 W. Rittenhouse Square
When: Saturday, February 5th, noon
Cost: $35 (plus tax and gratuity) per child
More info: www.lacroixrestaurant.com

(Image via The New York Times)

On the heels of our cheesesteak-centric roundup of top 20 most popular dishes according to Foodspotting comes a Philadelphia dining scene roundup that counters the supremacy of that distinguished sandwich: The New York Times enthusiastically profiles the latest Philadelphia restaurants in a guide literally labeled “Beyond Cheesesteaks.”

The article, which will be printed in this weekend’s Sunday Travel Section, nods to our city’s “evolving palate,” specifically profiling Supper, Barbuzzo, JG Domestic and Fish.

In the writer’s words, “[H]oagie shops now compete with the inventive B.Y.O.B.’s and creative farm-to-table restaurants that are transforming the cheese-steak capital into a well-rounded eating destination.”

We couldn’t agree more.

Beyond Cheese Steaks: A Tour of Philadelphia Restaurants [The New York Times]

There are still a few spots left for the Broad Street Run, May 1st. (Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)

The 32nd annual Blue Cross Broad Street Run may not be until May 1st, but all 30,000 spots have been snapped up.

The 10-miler sold out in a record-breaking time of four days, four hours, and 45 minutes, although there are still some spots left for American Cancer Society fundraisers (register online).

The race course, which follows Broad Street (what else?), has been named one of the fastest 10-mile courses in the country by Runner’s World magazine. If you’re lucky enough to be one of the racers, or if you just want to finally put that New Year’s resolution into effect, we’ve got you covered, training-wise.

Check out these trails in the Philadelphia area:

• The Philadelphia section of the Schuylkill River Trail is about the same length as the race, so it makes for perfect training ground. From Schuylkill Banks to East Falls, this paved trail follows Kelly Drive and beautiful Boathouse Row.

• Blast “Eye of the Tiger” on your iPod and trace Rocky’s footsteps through Philadelphia. Run past City Hall and cut up Benjamin Franklin Parkway to finish at the famous Art Museum steps. Racing up the stairs and fist-pumping not required.

• Test out your racing skills at the Ugly Mudder race, an unconventional medium challenge race on February 27th sponsored by Pretzel City Sports. The course covers 7.25 rocky and hilly miles in Reading, ensuring that you’ll finish the race covered in mud. There’s free food at the finish line, and beer for purchase.

• Although the popular Forbidden Drive Trail has been closed temporarily due to falling concrete, upper trails at Wissahickon Park make for a challenging workout until Forbidden Drive is open again. Trail maps are available for purchase online.

Broad Street Run [Official Site]