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Modeled after long-standing music festival paragons such as SXSW and CMJ, Philly F/M 2011 will host more than 100 artists. (Photo credits clockwise from top left: courtesy Trocadero, courtesy Girard Fest, by M. Kennedy for GPTMC)

The Philly Film & Music Festival is back for its second year with a four-day citywide symphony of events for music lovers, showcasing national and local talent. And it all kicks off today.

Hear indie, electronic, metal and hip hop in more than 15 of the city’s most interesting venues and outdoor settings, plus see the music being created in 10 music-related documentary screenings shown throughout the festival.

The four-day event will take place largely in the Fishtown and Northern Liberties neighborhoods, which in recent years have become a Philadelphia cultural center for music and arts. But events will also take place at TLA, World Café Live and other fun spots.

Philly F/M 2010 attracted 13,000 visitors across all events. This year’s festival, with a total of more than 100 artists, promises to be even more mind-blowing.

Tonight’s kick-off event is at The Skybox in Fishtown,featuring Philadelphia Slick, MH The Verb, DJ Freddy Figgs and tons of drink specials. Tickets, $10, are available online.

A few other don’t-miss event highlights:

• Riot Fest East: Saturday, September 24, 11 a.m.-11 p.m., The Festival Pier, Columbus Blvd. and Spring Garden St. Every Punk rock band you’ve ever loved convene for an all-day celebration of “everything loud and nasty,” sponsored by Live Nation and Red Bull. Buy a badge here.

• Girard Fest: Saturday, September 24, noon-8 pm., Girard Avenue between Front and 2nd Streets. It’s a free all-day event showcasing three stages of more than 13 diverse live bands, craft vendors, food, a beer garden and children’s activities. Girard Fest is a celebration of Girard Avenue as a crossroads of many neighborhoods and cultures.

• Heineken House: Thursday-Sunday, September 22-25, 7 p.m.-2 a.m., The Skybox @ 2424 Studios, 2424 E. York Street.For four days, Fishtown will showcase live music, DJs and a boatload of Heineken. All access badge holders and attendees can stop by for amazing beer specials and awesome entertainment during the duration of the festival. Check out the schedule here.

• The Philly F/M Sunday BBQ: Sunday, September 25, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., The Ukie Club. 847 N. Franklin Street. Head here Sunday for a full day of festival fun with more than 15 live bands, indoor and outdoors, vendors, food, drinks and games. All access badge holders get a free beer with entry. Check out the schedule here.

• The Invincible Pictures Screening House: Friday, September 23, 7 p.m.-1 a.m.; Saturday, September 24, 6 .p.m-1 a.m.; Sunday, September 25, 4-11 p.m., Invincible Pictures Philly Sound Stages, 1600 N. 5th Street. Get prepped for lots of films, all about music; live performances by living legends who jump from the screen to the stage; plus food, drinks and more. Basically, you’ve never been to a screening house like this. More info on the movies here.

We’ve included the music and movie schedule in full, below.

Second Annual Philadelphia Film and Music Festival
When: September 22-25
Where: Locations throughout the city
Cost: $80 for a four-day all-access pass
More info: www.phillyfmfest.com

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Rachael Ray visited Philadelphia last month and stopped by Famous 4th Street, Barbuzzo, Sketch Burger and more. (Image courtesy Rachael Ray Show)

The Rachael Ray Show came to Philadelphia a few weeks ago, filming an awesome Philly Grill-Off with locals competing against each other, plus planting an urban garden at the corner of Wharton Street and East Passyunk Avenue, where the show was taped.

Today’s episode, titled “Philly’s Best Eats,” highlights Barbuzzo, Famous 4th Street Deli, Distrito, Lorenzo’s Pizza and Sketch Burger. Chef Marcie Turney makes a cameo, serving Rachael fresh beet salad, with local goat cheese and salt-roasted golden red beets, at the Barbuzzo bar herself.

Her 13th Street entrepreneurial partner in crime Valerie Safran also makes an appearance, to help explain how over nine years the pair turned the street into “Lucky 13″ with the help of six wildly successful businesses.

Some choice Rachael quotes:

• “Philly is a city rich in brotherly love and good food.”

• “If you think it’s all about the Philly steak, you’re so wrong.”

You can watch a clip from the Philadelphia segment of today’s episode here.

Meanwhile, tune in Monday to catch the much buzzed-about Philly Grill-Off episode!

Rachael Ray Show [Official Site]

Previously: Rachael Ray Comes To Town, Dines At Barbuzzo, Builds A Community Garden In South Philadelphia, And Films A Philly Grill-Off For Her Show

Help Arcadia celebrate turning four with a special event this Friday evening. (Photo courtesy Arcadia)

Four years ago this week, Arcadia Boutique opened the doors to its Northern Liberties shop.

To celebrate the occasion, they are hosting a big birthday party, complete with two trunk shows and an art opening on Friday, September 23 from 5–9 p.m.

Come out and meet two local designers, Seun Olubodun from Duke & Winston, a Philadelphia-based clothing line for men, and Sultana from Sultana Maria Jewelry, handmade steampunk jewelry, and be among the first to preview their new collections.

Arcadia’s fall art exhibit, “The Printed Page,” will also open during the occasion. The show will combine 2D and 3D pieces of illustrations from literature. Curated by local artist Gretchen Diehl, the exhibit features works by 15 Philadelphian artists that convey the simple experience of turning the pages of a physical book.

What party would be complete without cocktails, snacks and music? Local mix master DJ John Madden Sex Tape will be spinning tunes all night long while you nosh and sip your way through the boutique.

Best of all? The entire store, including all new fall items, will be 15% off during the event. Now that’s something to celebrate.

Arcadia Boutique’s 4th Birthday Party
When: Friday, September 23, 5-9 p.m.
Where: 819 N. 2nd Street
Cost: Pay as you go
More info: www.arcadiaboutique.com

This annual event highlights the work of premier artists specializing in photography, watercolors, oils, pastels, jewelry, ceramics, glass, wood, sculpture and furniture. (Photo courtesy Visit New Hope)

Every fall, city dwellers like to cross urban borders and head towards Bucks County, where Mother Nature transforms this bucolic region, with all its magnificent multi-colored foliage, into a majestic work of art.

But another equally valid reason to journey north on I-95 in autumn is to view the man-made art on display at the annual New Hope Arts & Crafts Festival. This family-friendly two-day event will run Saturday, September 24, from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday, September 25, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Showcasing works from more than 150 artists and artisans who hail from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and beyond, this prestigious event features premier craftspeople who specialize in a variety of media such as oil painting, pastels, watercolors, photography, sculpture, furniture, pottery, wearable art and jewelry.

Artwork for sale will be exhibited in New Hope’s Union Square. The event will also include musical entertainment, local food vendors and a children’s activity booth.

Rain or shine, this free, fun, art-filled festival will carry on.

New Hope Arts & Crafts Festival
When: Saturday, September 24, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday, September 25, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: one block west of North Main Street on West Bridge Street in Union Square
Cost: Pay as you go
More info: www.visitnewhope.com

Surround yourself with Swedish style: the American Swedish Historical Museum presents 17 Swedish Designers, a just-opened special exhibition of, well, Swedish design.

Since the 1950s, Scandinavian design has been celebrated throughout the world for pioneering functionalism, streamlined aesthetics and relative affordability.

Historically, Swedish design has been a largely male-dominated realm. But in recent years more and more women choosing the design profession have brought greater diversity to the field. Enter 17 Swedish Designers.

This exhibition — based on gallery founder Pascale Cottard-Olsson’s book of the same name — displays the work of 17 talented women. The exhibition consists of three to ten products from each of the designers, ranging from porcelain pieces to furniture.

Note that the museum will be closed this weekend, September 23-25, for the Popped! Music Festival in FDR Park.

17 Swedish Designers at the American Swedish Historical Museum
When: Now through January 29, 2012
Where: 1900 Pattison Avenue
Cost: Adults $8, Seniors and Students $6, Children 5-11 $4, Children under 5 Free
More info: www.americanswedish.org

All previously purchased tickets will be honored, and you can still get tickets to the festival online or at the Liacouras box office. (Photo courtesy Liacouras Center)

Due to forecasted weather conditions and possible flooding at FDR Park, the POPPED! Music Festival has been moved to Temple’s Liacouras Center.

In an effort to save the park from thousands of people congregating over two days in the excessively wet area and still be able to bring a safe, exciting event to Philadelphia, the decision was made to move the festival.

Rest assured it will still be a completely awesome time, with a jam-packed music lineup.

All previously purchased tickets will be honored, and advance tickets are on sale now for the Liacouras shows through Ticketmaster and also at The Liacouras Center Box Office and the Electric Factory Box Office. Day-of-event tickets will be $65 each, available at the Liacouras Center box office.

The food bazaar will be rescheduled and will not be at the Liacouras Center; it will now be at the Piazza at Schmidts on Saturday from 3-9 p.m. In the meantime, you’ll be able to get concessions from 14 different stands throughout the center including the award-winning Chickie’s & Pete’s.

The Liacouras Center is easily accessible with area parking lots, on-street parking and numerous public transportation options.

The 10,200-seat center has played host to huge events ranging from Cirque du Soleil to this year’s Hip Hip Reunion Tour featuring some of hip hop’s biggest legends, including Salt N Pepa, Naughty By Nature, Doug E. Fresh, Kool Moe Dee and Kurtis Blow. See you there.

POPPED! Music Festival
When: Friday, September 23 at 2 p.m.-Saturday, September 24 at 10 p.m.; Food Bazaar Saturday, 3-9 p.m. at the Piazza at Schmidts
Where: NEW LOCATION: Temple’s Liacouras Center, 1776 N. Broad Street
Cost: 1-day passes start at $59.50
More info: www.poppedphiladelphia.org

Chef Caspi cut his culinary teeth at New York establishments like Per Se. (Photo courtesy M Restaurant)

In honor of this fall’s Center City District Restaurant Week, which kicked off September 12 and lasts through this Friday, September 23, we’ve been running a short series of Q&As with some top Center City chefs whose restaurants are participating in the biannual promotion.

The final featured chef is Michael Caspi of M Restaurant at the Morris House Hotel. The restaurant recently won the coveted title of Best Outdoor Dining in Philadelphia Magazine’s 2011 Best of Philly issue.

Chef Caspi began his career in Israel, following in his father’s footsteps, before moving to New York in 2005. He spent several years there at extremely high-end restaurants such as Daniel, Adour Alain Ducasse and Per Se. In 2010, he came to Philadelphia and, following a short stint at Parc, landed his current position at M.

We got a chance to chat with the chef about using local and organic ingredients, his favorite restaurants to eat at when he’s off the clock and more. Check it out:

Uwishunu: An exciting new aspect of this fall’s Restaurant Week, in partnership with Philly Homegrown, is the inclusion of a fresh, local dish on each participating restaurant’s menu. What’s your favorite local ingredient to use or local dish to make?

Chef Caspi: The amazing fresh peaches. We use them in our house salad and I also make a vinaigrette with them.

Uwishunu: Delicious. Philly’s restaurant scene is thriving more than ever before. What do you think makes it great?

Chef Caspi: The fact that people are catching on to the importance of using local organic ingredients. We have done this from day one at M, and always support local farmers and what they have to offer, which is always better than frozen food or produce with pesticides.

Uwishunu: We totally agree. When you’re off the clock during Restaurant Week or otherwise, what is one of your favorite places to go for a bite?

Chef Caspi: Zavino Wine Bar.

Uwishunu: And what Philly spots do you take out-of-towners to, food-related or otherwise?

Chef Caspi: The Farm and Fisherman on Pine Street.

Check out M Restaurant’s Restaurant Week menu here.

Center City District Restaurant Week
When: September 12-16 and September 18-23
Where: Center City District
Cost: $35 for dinner, $20 for lunch
More info: www.centercityphila.org/restaurantweek

The Brandywine Harvest Festival celebrates the 2011 vintage at the various vineyards along the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail. (Photo credits: top by B. Krist for GPTMC, bottom right courtesy Penns Woods Winery, bottom left courtesy PA Wine Trails)

In agricultural terms, fall signifies the end of the growing cycle for crops, which is known as harvest. Fortunately with every end comes a new beginning. Thus commences the seasonal celebrations known as harvest festivals.

For the next two weekends, September 24 to 25 and October 1 to 2, celebrate the harvest season in the Brandywine Valley for the annual Brandywine Harvest Festival.

Participating vineyards include: Twin Brook Winery, Penns Woods Winery, Black Walnut Winery, Chaddsford Winery, Kreutz Creek Vineyards and Paradocx Vineyard. The wineries, which are sprinkled across the beautiful and historic region that lies between the cities of Philadelphia, Wilmington, Lancaster and West Chester, each have their own individual character.

Bring your picnic basket to these fun-filled fall weekend events or devour delicious fall-themed foods. The festival will also contain numerous family-friendly activities like games, live music, olive oil tastings and local art. Those over the age of 21 can enjoy harvest tastings.

Full event listings for each winery are available here.

With so many events “cropping up” throughout this festival, it’s a good thing that it goes on for two weekends.

Brandywine Harvest Festival
When: September 24, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; September 25, noon–6 p.m.; October 1, 11 a.m.-7 p.m; October 2, noon–6 p.m.
Where: Wineries along the trail
Cost: Pay as you go
More info: www.bvwinetrail.com

Campus Philly is offering Philadelphia students a resounding welcome to the city this Saturday. (Photo credits: top right and bottom left © Campus Philly, bottom right by G. Widman for GPTMC, top left by J. Smith for GPTMC)

Campus Philly presents its annual College Day this Saturday, September 24, a city-wide welcome to Philadelphia’s new and returning college students.

College Day 2011 includes free admission for students, with valid ID, to a whopping 15 museums and attractions, including the Academy of Natural Sciences, Eastern State Penitentiary, National Constitution Center, National Museum of American Jewish History, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia-themed Mini Golf at Franklin Square and more. Be sure to browse these museums’ shops for unique gifts, artwork, crafts, clothing and souvenirs.

Students can access each location through a free bus loop, as well as the Phlash trolley, which will be free to students courtesy of Center City District.

In addition, local tour group Free Tours By Foot will offer free tours of three featured College Day neighborhoods: Parkway Museums District, Rittenhouse Square and Historic Philadelphia. Area businesses will offer awesome one-day-only discounts for tour-takers.

College Day then extends into evening with a free screening of the new movie 50/50 starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogan at The Pearl Theatre at Avenue North beginning at 7 p.m. (Watch the trailer here.)

Bonus: look out for a special uwishunu giveaway at Campus Philly tables staked out in Rittenhouse Square, Franklin Square and at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Campus Philly College Day 2011
When: Saturday, September 24, starting at 10 a.m.
Where: Locations around the city
Cost: FREE
More info: www.campusphilly.org

Philadelphia’s only smoked beer festival returns this Friday, September 23 with 30 different rauchbiers to try and a veritable feast of smoky fare.

Yards Brewing Company’s 3rd Annual Smoke ‘Em if Yous Got ‘Em Fest is partnering up with The Smoke Truck, Percy Street Barbecue and Brauhaus Schmitz to make the the unique celebration even bigger and smokier than the last.

In addition to smoked meat and beer, the festival will include an amateur barbecue cook-off outside the brewery to really turn up the heat. Live music with Brad Hinton Band and Keystone Mountain Boys will be rocking through the afternoon.

Breweries showcasing their rauchbier (“smoke beer” in German) include Slyfox, Victory, Stoudt’s, Iron Hill and plenty more. Full list here.

$50 gets you an evening of unlimited beer, barbecue, music and a glass to take home. Tickets are available online.

Smoke ‘Em if Yous Got ‘Em Fest
When: Friday, September 23, 4:30-8 p.m.
Where: Yards Brewing Company, 901 N. Delaware Avenue
Cost: Tickets start at $50 to drink, $25 for designated driver
More info: www.yardsbrewing.com