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Tour the building's history, beauty and architecture and channel your inner child in the museum's wondrous exhibit spaces.
(Photo courtesy Please Touch Museum)

Join the Please Touch Museum for a rare after-dark, adults-only, behind-the-scenes look at the Centennial Exhibition’s Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park, where the museum is housed.

On Thursday, September 15 beginning at 6 p.m., tour the building’s history, beauty and architecture to channel your inner child in the museum’s wondrous exhibit spaces.

Designed in the magnificent Beaux Arts style, Memorial Hall served as the Art Gallery at the Centennia, during which 3,256 paintings and drawings, 627 works of sculpture, 431 works of applied art and nearly 3,000 groups of photographs from 20 nations were exhibited.

The event also includes light hors d’oeuvres and full cash bar. Admission is $20.

Tickets are available online.

Memorial Hall After Dark
When: Thursday, September 15, 6 p.m.
Where: Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic
Cost: $20
More info: www.pleasetouchmuseum.org

The Summer of the Beer Garden continues at Frankford Hall — enjoy it while you still can. (Left image credit: iStockPhoto)

So we’re not sure if you’ve heard, but this is the summer of the beer garden. And with the gorgeous weather that we’ve been getting this week — ahem, minus a little earthquake — you really need to do yourself a favor and get out there and enjoy it.

May we suggest Frankford Hall’s new weekday happy hour today and maybe a trip to the With Love Beer Garden tomorrow.

Stephen Starr’s Frankford Hall has just introduced a brand new weekday happy hour with some awesome specials. We’re talking about $8 for a beer and sausage combo: 1/2 liter of any draft beer plus your choice of any sausage. That means you can enjoy a delicious Stoudt’s Karnival Kolcsh along with a Hot Bauernwurst for a steal of a price of just $8.

Other happy hour specials:

• 1/2 Liter Drafts – $5
• Liter Drafts – $10
• Warm Bavarian Pretzel with 1/2 Liter of Victory Prima Pils – $6
• Your choice of one sausage with 1/2 Liter of any Draft Beer – $8
• French Fries – $3

Seriously, the forecast for today reads “sunny and delightful.”

We’ll see you out there.

Update: Due to popular demand, Starr has extended happy hour at Frankford Hall until 7 p.m.

Happy Hour at Frankford Hall Beer Garden
When: Tuesday – Friday, 4-7 p.m.
Where: 1210 Frankford Avenue
More info: www.frankfordhall.com

You’ve heard of chamber music, but what about chamber magic? There’s only one man who does it, and it’s Steve Cohen, who makes a special stop-over at the Four Seasons Philadelphia Hotel on September 13 and 14.

Cohen is a longtime regular at New York’s tony Waldorf Astoria, where he dazzles select audiences with his unique brand of magic. Select because the audience is limited: in Philadelphia only 50 people are admitted per show.

Cohen likes to keep things nice and cozy, all the better to have everyone up close and personal for this marvelous program chock full of mind tricks that include sleight of hand, telekinesis (that’s the ability to move objects without touching them), physical bafflements and illusions.

This is top-of-the-line magical mystery. That’s why Cohen is a favorite of moneyed bigwigs who like to have truly memorable private parties, such as Warren Buffett, Michael Bloomberg, Martha Stewart, Stephen Sondheim and the Queen of Morocco.

You don’t need to be a millionaire to catch Cohen’s act, but you do need to dress appropriately, which in this case means cocktail attire.

So get dolled up and be ready for a one-of-kind parlor performance. With only 100 seats available in all, this is likely to sell out. If you have your heart set on this performance, buy your tickets pronto. Call Theater Mania at 866-811-4111 or get them online.

Steve Cohen’s Chamber Magic at the Four Seasons
Where: 1 Logan Square
When: Tuesday, September 13 and Wednesday, September 14, 7 and 9 p.m.
Cost: $75-$100
More info: www.chambermagic.com

It's one of your last chances to enjoy an al fresco meal; take advantage! (Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)

[Summer in Philadelphia is action-packed, and we want to help you cherry-pick from all the events and activities going on. On certain days that promise particularly bustling evenings, we'll be rounding up our selections for the most can't-miss pursuits with which to fill your schedule. See you out there!]

Earthquake or no, it’s finally gorgeous out! Take advantage of it with any of the options below:

• Tinto Tuesdays: This tasty new happy hour begins tonight, with food for $2 and drinks priced at $5 and under from 5-7 p.m. every Tuesday. You can toast to “Tinto Tuesdays” either at the bar or in the adjacent dining room.

Where: 114 S. 20th Street
When: Tuesdays, 5-7 p.m.
Cost: $2 food and $5 drinks

• Liberty Lands Park Summer Movie Series: It’s your last chance to catch a movie in Liberty Lands park, courtesy of the Northern Liberties Neighbors Association. Tonight’s movie is West Side Story. Pack a picnic!

Where: 700 N. 3rd Street
When: Tonight, 8:30 p.m.
Cost: Free

• Cabo Wabo Tequila Pairing Dinner at Distrito: $55 gets you four courses of delicious modern Mexican cuisine, each course complemented by Cabo Wabo, a 100% pure agave azul tequila.

Where: 3945 Chestnut Street
When: Tuesday, August 23, 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $55

• “Can of Wheat” Dinner at Percy Street Barbecue: Beer and BBQ: is any combo sweeter? Chef Erin O’Shea of Percy Street Barbecue is dishing up a special “Can of Wheat” beer pairing dinner tonight. Seeing as Percy Street boasts one of the city’s largest canned beers list — 60+ craft and domestic beers! — the event is supremely fitting.

Where: 900 South Street
When: Tuesday, August 23
Cost: $50

Talk about an amazing venue for a concert — book your tickets now for a night of country-rock, Americana, indie rock and Britpop fusion. (Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC)

The Brooklyn-based indie supergroup The National with Yo La Tengo and Wye Oak are performing in Philadelphia at the Academy of Music for two nights, Wednesday and Thursday, September 7 -8.

Formed during the post-punk revival of the late 1990s, The National has released some of the most critically-lauded albums of the past decade. Hoboken natives Yo La Tengo and Baltimore-based duo Wye Oak will perform indie rock as openers to the show.

Don’t miss these headliners’ Philadelphia stop on their international tour.

Tickets went on sale June 10 but they’re still available! Click here.

The National with Yo La Tengo and Wye Oak
Where: Academy of Music, 1420 Locust Street
When: Wednesday and Thursday, September 7 -8, 7 p.m.
Cost: Tickets start at $39.50
More info: www.kimmelcenter.org

George Washington led us to victory in the American Revolution, chaired the Constitutional Convention and served as our first president — all in the Philadelphia region, which is what makes this exhibition so special. (Photos courtesy National Constitution Center)

Only two weeks remain to learn more about the man behind the iconic face on the dollar bill.

The National Constitution Center’s summer headlining exhibition, Discover the Real George Washington: New Views from Mount Vernon, has been a slam-dunk success, and you want to make sure you see it before it leaves town.

The 6,500-square-foot exhibition is organized into eleven sections, each focusing on a specific aspect of Washington’s life, from his ambitious youth to his status as a beloved national hero.

Prepare for an incredible glimpse into the life of George Washington with more than 100 objects including architectural models, pieces of the family’s fine art collection, personal artifacts and three stunning, life-size figures.

Highlights include: an original set of Washington’s dentures, the Washington family Bible and original pieces of Martha Washington’s jewelry.

To coincide with Discover the Real George Washington, the center also is hosting The President’s House: Their Untold Stories in Quilts through September 5. This collection of art quilts celebrates the dignity and courage of the nine slaves owned by the Washingtons at the President’s House.

Bonus: families can save a pocketful of “Washingtons” during the center’s first-ever Kids Free Summer promotion; free admission for up to four children (ages 12 and under) with one paying adult.

George Washington led us to victory in the American Revolution, chaired the Constitutional Convention and served as our first president — all in the Philadelphia region, which is what makes this exhibition so special. Don’t miss it!

Discover the Real George Washington: New Views from Mount Vernon
Where: National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street
When: July 1-September 5
Cost: Adults $15, Seniors and students $14, children FREE with a paying adult for “Kids Free Summer”
More info: www.constitutioncenter.org

The President’s House: Their Untold Stories in Quilts
Where: National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street
When: July 1-September 5
Cost: Free with admission; $15 for adults, $14 for seniors (ages 65+) and students, $11 for active military, children FREE with a paying adult for “Kids Free Summer”
More info: www.constitutioncenter.org

Previously: Video Teaser: Discover The Real George Washington, The National Constitution Center’s Summer Blockbuster Exhibition

Summer Of Washington: The National Constitution Center’s Exhibition Is The Centerpiece Of A Region-Wide Celebration Of All Things George

Johnny Brenda’s is a Fishtown landmark known for its delicious food, on-trend live music — and great beer.

Toast to that last one at the 3rd Annual Pils Picnic, Saturday September 10 from noon to night.

Enjoy an end of summer beer-fest, celebrating Philadelphia’s local pilsners.

On tap will be: Twin Lakes Route 52 Pilsner, Standard Pils, Southampton Keller Pils, Victory Braumeister Pils with Saaz hops, Troeg’s Sunshine Pils, Sly Fox Pikeland Pils and a firkin of Stoudt’s Pils.

The full food menu will be available as well. This is one of your very last chances to enjoy a refreshingly crisp, summer-perfect Pilsner with the sun streaming through the windows and carefree tunes on the speakers. Make it count.

3rd Annual Pils Picnic
Where: Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave
When: Saturday, September 10, noon to 11:30 p.m.
Cost: Pay as you go
More info: www.johnnybrendas.com

Chef O’Shea and her crack team of barbecue wizards are bringing their addictive BBQ to the Comcast Center. (Photo by J. Varney courtesy Percy Street Barbecue)

This October, restaurateurs Steven Cook, Michael Solomonov and Chef/partner Erin O’Shea will debut a second location of their extremely popular Percy Street Barbecue in The Market & Shops at Comcast Center.

Chef O’Shea, who was featured in Bon Appetit as among America’s few female pitmistresses, will offer a menu of easy-to-eat hand-crafted, smoked meat sandwiches in addition to her irresistible signature homey sides.

Texas-style smoked meat sandwiches will include: Sliced Brisket Sandwich, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Smoked Ham Sandwich, Chopped Brisket Sandwich, Boneless Ribs, Smoked Turkey Sandwich, Cheddar Sandwich and dessert will include Mini Pecan and Key Lime Pies.

A selection of non-alcoholic beverages will also be available, including sweetened and unsweetened “Tea on Tap.” Menu items will range in price from $3 to $10.

Percy Street Barbecue at Comcast Center will be open every Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. We’re drooling already.

Percy Street Barbecue at The Market & Shops at Comcast Center — Coming Soon!
17th street and JFK Boulevard
www.themarketatcomcastcenter.com

The Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe is just days away, and we want to make sure you’re fully prepared for the 16 days of festival madness.

As always, we’ll be helping you out with a series of guides to events, plus spotlights on some of our favorites, to assist you in choosing what to attend.

First up was our guide to free events. Now check out our roundup of family-friendly Fringe shows, in date order:

• Zon-Mai: September 2-17, Former Pumping Station, 140 M. Columbus Boulevard. Opposite the Race Street Pier, inside a former pumping station, is a house of screens 20 feet high and wide. You walk around looking at films of dancers performing in their homes, from bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, furniture, by their windows and more, playing with notions of what home life means to them.

• Run Grunt Sing: An Open Air Theatric: September 2-11, Liberty Lands Park, 913-61 N. 3rd Street. A commedia show that offers daring feats of comedy in fantastical masks at breakneck speed, set to stompin’ live music in three languages, this show takes place ouside at Northern Liberties’ Liberty Lands Park. It’s suitable for all ages, excellent for picnic-bringing and free!

• Elephant Room: September 2-17, Plays and Players Theater, 1714 Delancey Place. Three world-class semi-pro conjurors Dennis Diamond, Daryl Hannah and Louie Magic take you on a journey you never even knew existed. Prepare to be confounded, amaze; but only if you’re 10 years old or older.

• Red Rovers: September 2-10, Live Arts Studio, 919 N. 5th Street. Headlong Dance Theater and Chris Doyle present the Jet Propulsion Laboratories 2011 Rover Driver Conference! You’ll need to don a name tag and get ready for action. The show combines dance, silent film, art installations and more, with plotlines including sending a text 19,000,000 miles and robotic explorers. It’s wacky; perfect for kids.

More, below.

(more…)

From an after-hours walking tour to Philly-themed mini golf, there's something for everyone in Historic Philadelphia this Labor Day Weekend. (Photo credits: top left J. Holder courtesy Historic Philadelphia, top right by M. Kennedy for GPTMC, bottom right by R. Kennedy for GPTMC, bottom left by J. Fusco for GPTMC)

If you’re keen on avoiding the Labor Day Weekend travel frenzy, stick around and celebrate in Historic Philadelphia.

All weekend long, September 2-5, attractions from Independence Hall to the Betsy Ross House are hosting special programming and events.

Check out an overview, below:

• Independence After Hours walking tour: Friday, September 2 and Saturday, September 3. Take a sneak peek into Independence Hall at night, with the Independence After Hours walking tour, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Start with dinner at City Tavern then eavesdrop on the goings-on at the Pennsylvania State House on a July evening in 1776. Tickets are $75 for adults; $70 seniors/student/military; $50 12 & under.

• Colonial Kids Quest: Saturday, September 3, 11 a.m.-noon. Take part in a kid-friendly, stroller-friendly “whodunit” with kids searching for a missing copy of the Declaration of Independence. Tickets are $17.

• Liberty 360: Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Monday, September 5, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. This 15-minute film experience in the PECO Theater at the Historic Philadelphia Center explores the symbols of our freedom in dazzling 3D, 360-degree style hosted by Ben Franklin. Tickets are $7 for adults; $6 seniors/students/military.

• Once Upon A Nation storytelling benches: Daily through Monday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. It’s your last chance until next summer to hear fascinating tales from our nation’s past at these charming benches scattered throughout the Historic District. Click here for bench locations. It’s free!

• Franklin Square: Saturday-Monday, September 3-5, noon-3 p.m. Enjoy free games and family fun on the Great Lawn. Also dive into a delicious burger or milkshake from Stephen Starr’s Squareburger.

• Betsy Ross House: Saturday-Monday, September 3-5, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Kick off the back-to-school season with a Back To School Scavenger Hunt: find the colonial school supplies and get a prize. You can also meet Betsy Ross herself, America’s most famous flagmaker, as she works in her upholstery shop. In addition, be among the first to see the new Rally ‘Round the Flag exhibit, examining the most dangerous job on the battlefield and featuring a flag sewed by Betsy Ross’ daughter.