Uwishunu.com

The Union's home opener is this Saturday at 4 p.m. at PPL Park.
(Photo courtesy Philadelphia Union)

The 2011 MLS season got off to a great start with three points on the road from a 1-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo.

Now the Philadelphia Union will play their first-ever home opener at PPL Park (the stadium wasn’t ready until mid-season last year) this Saturday, March 26 at 4 p.m. against the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Tickets sold out quickly, but the team just recently released extra tickets that are now available.

No worries, though, if you miss out: there are 16 more home games in the 2011 season. There are also full and partial season ticket plans on sale now.

Click here to purchase tickets to the home opener.

Philadelphia Union [Official Site]

Eat delicious Japanese food for a good cause.
(Photo by J. Varney courtesy Zama)

Zama sushi restaurant is hosting a benefit dinner for Japan, this Tuesday, March 29.

Chef Hiroyuki “Zama” Tanaka, one of Philadelphia’s most venerated sushi chefs, is offering a delicious six-course tasting menu with seatings between 6 and 7 p.m., and 8 and 9 p.m.

The price per person is $100 and all proceeds will go to the American Red Cross. They are also accepting donations all week leading up to the dinner.

The restaurant incorporates modern ingredients and cooking techniques to serve innovative and visually stunning sushi alongside a variety of other exquisitely prepared Japanese dishes; so you can expect nothing but the culinary best.

The event is reservation-only; call (215) 568-1027.

Zama Benefit Dinner
Where: 128 S. 19th Street
When: Tuesday, March 29, 6-7 p.m., 8-9 p.m.
Cost: $100
More info: www.zamarestaurant.com

Hamlet is played by actress Mary Tuomanen. (Photo courtesy Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre)

The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre tackles Hamlet with panache, running now until May 15.

One of the world’s greatest tragedies penned by the world’s greatest bard, Hamlet is presented in Philadelphia in a way that it hasn’t been in hundreds of years: the title role is played by a woman.

Those who read Shakespeare in high school (or at least saw Shakespeare in Love) know that Shakespeare was no stranger to gender-bending: during his time, all of his characters regardless of gender were played by men. Director Carmen Kahn decided to cast a female to play the Danish Prince as a comment on the universality of the role.

Hamlet tells the tale of Prince Hamlet seeking vengeance for his father’s death at his uncle’s hand, the same uncle who recently wed Hamlet’s mother. This production focuses on the concept that “Hamlet is me” — the fact that we can all recognize a piece of ourselves in Hamlet.

This season at the Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre, Hamlet is presented in repertory with As You Like It, providing a pleasant balance between tragedy and comedy.

Tickets are available online or by calling the box office at 215-496-8001.

Hamlet
When: Now until May 15
Where: The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre, 2111 Sansom Street
Cost: Tickets are $20-$35, with student tickets available for $20
More info: www.phillyshakespeare.org

Philadelphia Weekly music editor and contributing food writer Brian McManus is publishing an in-depth guide to the world of Philadelphia’s dive bars, the product of a year’s research and trips to nearly 100 bars.

Entitled Philadelphia’s Best Dive Bars: Drinking and Diving in the City of Brotherly Love, the book reviews the grittiest drinking establishments in the city, including ratings, photos, a list of bathrooms to stay away from and more.

His favorite? Jack’s Famous Bar in Kensington, where “you’ll find 400 dusty bottles of brown liquor that have been on the wall since just after Prohibition.”

How does Philadelphia’s dive scene stack up against other cities’? According to McManus, he’d “put Philly dives against the dives in any major American city. And we’d trounce them.”

For more insider tips on “drinking and diving” in Philadelphia, you can pre-order a copy of McManus’ book on Amazon. He’s also holding a signing and reading April 6 at the Pen & Pencil, where books will be for sale.

“Philadelphia’s Best Dive Bars: Drinking and Diving in the City of Brotherly Love” [Amazon]

Submit your video by Friday at 5 p.m. for a chance to cook for Questlove and others.
(Photo by M. Edlow for GPTMC)

Philadelphia’s favorite drummer, Questlove of The Roots, is holding a open casting call on Twitter for an aspiring chef to win the opportunity to work with the renowned musician on a number of upcoming projects, including the chance to prepare a meal for him, the band and several special guests during The Annual Roots Picnic on June 4th

And you don’t need to be a professional chef to be considered, Questlove just wants to make sure you know your way around a kitchen.

To enter, send a 90-second video of yourself creatively explaining why Questlove should choose you to cook for him and the gang — note: you don’t need to be cooking in the video. Mail your video to questlovesfood@gmail.com or tweet the video to @cook4quest) by Friday, March 25 at 5 p.m.

Keep in mind that Questlove is a guy who’s passionate about food — here’s how he describes his favorite pick for cheesesteaks, Tony Luke’s: “My number one spot without a doubt. The perfect bread, the meat is perfect. Great after-taste. Just an awesome spot.” (He even debated the virtues of a great Philly cheesesteak with Jimmy Fallon and Bradley Cooper on Late Night last week.)

Of the submissions received, five chefs will be chosen over the weekend to compete in a Top Chef -style “Qook-Off Showdown” on April 3rd here in Philadelphia at a secret location.

The winner will receive the opportunity to cook for the Grammy-award winning band and promised special guests — and be a part of a potential food project that Questlove has in the works. (We’re hearing rumors he may be trying to bring a new food truck to Philly…)

We’ll keep you posted if we find out more information. And good luck to everyone that applies — it sounds like it’s going to be a lot of fun.

UPDATE: Deadline extended until midnight tonight.

?uestlove’s Qookoff Show Down [Okayplayer]

Catch Jesse Ventura's talk for free at the library. (Photo courtesy Free Library)

Jesse Ventura, former Navy SEAL and professional wrestler, well-known actor and TV personality, visiting fellow at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, governor of Minnesota, and bestselling author (feeling lazy yet?) is speaking at the Free Library, Saturday, April 9 at 2 p.m.

He’ll be discussing his latest book, 63 Documents the Government Doesn’t Want You to Read. In it, the host and executive producer of the acclaimed TV series Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura sheds new light on what our elected officials are not telling us, and why the omissions matter.

Ventura’s other bestselling books include Don’t Start the Revolution Without Me! and American Conspiracies. You can pick up a copy of all three at the Free Library if you want to brush up on your Ventura before the event.

Admission is free!

Jesse Ventura at the Free Library
Where: Central Branch, 1901 Vine Street
When: Saturday, April 9, 2 p.m.
Cost: FREE
More info: libwww.freelibrary.org

Buttermilk Fried Chicken will be one of the Sunday Supper options. (Photo courtesy JG Domestic)

Chef Jose Garces is jumping on the Sunday Supper bandwagon with a new Sunday Supper series at his Cira Centre restaurant JG Domestic.

The homey comfort food menu (which will likely change monthly) is just $35 per person and will be served Sundays from 4 to 9 p.m. The a la carte menu will not be available on Sundays.

The April 3 inaugural supper menu, served family-style, will include: Green Salad; Chilled Baby Beets; Lentil Soup with house-made garlic sausage; House-Baked Dinner Rolls; Springer Mountain Organic Chicken, herb-roasted or buttermilk-fried; Baked Macaroni and Vermont Cheddar with herbed breadcrumbs; Roasted Garlic and Turnip Mashed Potatoes; Chilled Haricots Verts; Pickled Baby Carrots and Pearl Onions; and Seasonal Cobbler with vanilla ice cream.

Special beverages, including a growler of Victory craft beer, will also be offered to complement the meal.

You can make reservations online, or call (215) 222-2363.

Full menu below.

(more…)

Biba's new outdoor deck will be a prime spot for a drink or light meal this spring. (Image courtesy Biba)

Biba Wine Bar, the University City cousin of Tria, is expanding.

A new outdoor deck adjacent to the main entrance will be opening hopefully by week’s end, just in time for the spring season.

There will be 12 outdoor seats, in addition to the 32 indoor seats (bar and communal).

All wines are under $10 per glass, as is most of the food, so Biba will be an ideal spot to imbibe alfresco all spring and summer long. Insider tip: check out “Biba Before Bed” to enjoy any glass on the wine list for just $6, Monday through Thursday, 10 p.m. to midnight.

Biba Wine Bar
3131 Walnut Street
www.bibawinebar.com

The Philadelphia Antiques Show marks its 50th year as the major fundraiser for Penn Medicine. (Photo courtesy Philadelphia Antiques Show)

If modern and trendy isn’t your style, but all things antique and vintage melt your heart, then the annual Philadelphia Antiques Show is the place to be this April.

Widely recognized as the premier American antiques and decorative arts show in the country, the Philadelphia Antiques Show will take over the Cruise Terminal at the Philadelphia Navy Yard For five days, beginning April 9 (with a preview gala April 8). The expo will be showcasing one-of-a-kind finds with items that span from furniture, folk and fine art, ceramics and porcelain to silver, jewelry and textiles.

This year’s show is expected to attract 10,000 visitors, and will feature 50 of the nation’s leading antiques dealers and fine art galleries in honor of the show’s 50th anniversary.

Known throughout the country as the top venue for antique furnishings and decorative arts for the American home, the Philadelphia Antiques Show has raised more than $17 million as a major fundraiser for Penn Medicine since its inception in 1962.

Check out the website for a full schedule of events (including a free lecture series and a juried flower exhibit) and to purchase tickets. Proceeds go towards the Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center.

Philadelphia Antiques Show
When: April 8-12 (times vary; note: April 8 is the preview gala only)
Where: The Navy Yard, 5100 S. Broad Street
Cost: $20 for adults, $17 for ages 65+, Navy Yard employees, WHYY members, and for all tickets purchased before April 1, $12 for students and University of Pennsylvania Health System employees
More info: www.philaantiques.com

500 Degrees pairs their delicious burgers with great fries and tasty milkshakes. (Photo courtesy 500 Degrees)

500 Degrees, the popular Rittenhouse burger shop from the owners of Rouge, is celebrating its one year anniversary today.

In honor of the occasion, they’re rolling out a special awards program that grants guests stamps with each burger purchase towards free sodas, fries and more burgers.

Three burgers will score you a free soda, six burgers gets you free fries, and you get a free burger at ten purchases.

Plus, the restaurant will be holding a monthly drawing for free combos, so be sure to drop off your business card with your email to be entered. And don’t leave without trying a black and white milkshake.

Bonus: today, March 23, earn TWO stamps for every burger purchase!

500 Degrees
1504 Sansom Street
www.500degrees.com