December 15, 2008
Nothing is more synonymous with Christmas in Philadelphia than the Holiday Light Show at Macy’s. The light show has been leaving visitors awed for over half a century. The magic lies in the simplicity of it all… just blinking multicolored lights and music.
One visit guarantees a lifetime of returns. Just ask the hundreds of parents and children who come year after year to sit in the Grand Court and see a show as wonderful and simple as the snow that falls in the North Pole.
The lights and music play inside the grand court at the top of each hour, from 10AM to 8PM, running through December 31st.
Holiday Light Show @ Macys
1300 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 241-9000
December 3, 2008
Size does matter… well, when it comes to Christmas trees. Bigger means better when hundreds gather tonight at City Hall’s Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration. Join our mayor, the honorable Michael Nutter as he lights this 33-foot-high Colorado Blue Spruce that has been decorated with close to 4,000 light bulbs and over 1,400 ornaments.
But the tree isn’t the only reason to visit City Hall this evening because the real treat will be hearing the sounds of the One Flock Choir. Comprised of 50 students from the five special education schools of our Catholic Archdiocese. When they put their voices together, it is pure magic.
The theme this year is the importance of the Spirit of Giving. Doesn’t hurt to at least give your time, does it?
See you at the Tree Lighting.
City Hall Tree Lighting Tonight!
Starts at 5pm at City Hall Courtyard
Broad & Market
November 26, 2008
Photo by J. Smith for GPTMC
Sleigh bells riiiing, are you listening?
Well, Thanksgiving is upon us, and Friday officially marks the start of the holiday season. So it’s that time to bring your wishlist to Santa. For all you good girls and boys, here’s our list of places that Old Saint Nick will be dropping by in the Philadelphia area this weekend. Do me a favor? Let the big guy know I need a Nintendo Wii under my Christmas tree. Thanks.
Santa Express – Who needs a sleigh when you have SEPTA? Hop on the R8, Market Frankford El, or the Broad St Line to the Gallery at Market East with Santa and his merry elves as they parade to Center Court with music and fun galore!
Santa @ The Gallery – Friday, November 28th
10th & Market, Philadelphia, PA
www.galleryatmarketeast.com
Holiday in the Square – Bring your holiday wish list to Franklin Square and receive a free ride on the Philadelphia Park Liberty Carousel. Santa will be there with his trusty elf, Elfreth and Mrs. Claus who will be sharing stories as you wait to sit on Santa’s lap.
Santa @ Franklin Square – November 28th – 30th, 11AM – 3PM
238 North 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA
www.onceuponanation.org
Santa’s House at City Hall – Wow! Santa has his own Photo Booth outside of City Hall! Come drop off your letter and of course, have your picture taken while your parents shop at the Christmas Village, a German-style Christmas Market set up all along Dilworth Plaza.
Santa @ Philadelphia’s City Hall – Nov 28th – 30th, 11AM – 8PM
1400 John F Kennedy Blvd, Philadelphia, PA
www.cityhallsanta.com
Santa @ Dickens Village – Travel back in time at Macys to see the life-sized characters of Dicken’s Classic “a Christmas Carol” with Scrooge, the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, Future and Tiny Tim! End that wonderful experience with a visit to the jolly man in the red suit.
Santa @ Macy’s – Nov 28th – 30th, 10AM – 7PM
1300 Market St, Philadelphia, PA
www.macys.com
Santa Comes to Life – If your wish list includes more expensive tastes like Ralph Lauren, spend Saturday at the Shops at the Bellevue to tell Santa that you would like that Nicole Miller in a size 4 while indulging in hot chocolate and cookies but make sure you leave him some!
Santa @ The Bellevue, November 29th, Noon – 3PM
200 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
www.bellevuephiladelphia.com
Tree Lighting with Santa!! – Watch as Santa arrives on a fire truck to light the Christmas tree on South Street! Listen to the vintage costumed carolers as you sip free hot cocoa during this annual holiday tradition.
Tree Lighting on South Street – Sunday, Nov 30th, 5:30PM
www.southstreet.com
November 21, 2008
The story of Betsy Ross. I’m sure you know it. Being the young lady credited with sewing the American Flag does have its fanfare. Her home at 3rd and Arch is rumored to be where the stars and stripes were born. And millions (including myself) have been in through its doors to see this tale come to life… and we have Charles Weisgerber to thank.
Inspired by her story, Charles, an artist by trade, was rewarded $1000 for Birth of our Nation’s Flag a 9 x 12 painting that depicts Betsy Ross presenting the first American Flag to George Washington, Robert Morris, and George Ross. Almost immediately afterwards, rumors spread of Betsy’s home. That it was to be demolished in order to make room for warehouses!
Fearful of what lied ahead, Charles put his winnings towards making certificates with copies of his famous painting and gave them to anyone who would donate a dime to his cause to save the house. 2 million dimes later, he purchased the home and the rest is history.
This Saturday, come meet Charles to hear his remarkable story and help him kick off another dime drive to ensure that future generations will be able to visit her home. Admission is only 10 cents for children all day!
So save your dimes, we’re going to make history!
Meet Charles Weisgerber on Saturday, November 22nd
Noon – 3PM
Admission for Children only 10 cents all day!
The Betsy Ross House
239 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 686-1252
www.betsyrosshouse.org
November 11, 2008
When Cafe Cret opened on the Ben Franklin Parkway in September, it helped answer that burning question – where can I get an espresso around here? Named after Paul Cret, the French architect credited with designing the Rodin Museum, the Ben Franklin Bridge and the Parkway itself, it is the first free standing coffeeshop in its 91 year history. It’s location at 16th & the Parkway is the ideal stop for grabbing some java and a sandwich before a charity walk, parade, or just simply sightseeing at one of our many museums including the Franklin and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Serving this delicious duo inside is Capriccio, a beloved coffeehouse that spent 15 years at the Radisson Warwick before electing for a change of scenery. Feel free to also indulge in their raspberry or peppermint white mocha which is perfect for this nippy weather. The menu also includes a variety of grilled panini sandwiches, pastries, and ice cream. Open all year long, it doubles as an info center with brochures and an LED screen to highlight happenings all along the Avenue.
Best of all, sales from the Cafe go to improving our Parkway! So no matter how you take your coffee, make sure to get two!
Cafe Cret
16th & the Parkway, Philadelphia, PA
M-F 6:30AM-7PM
Sat, Sun 8am-8pm
capricciocafe.com
November 7, 2008
Old City. With world class restaurants and one of a kind boutiques, this special Philly neighborhood provides the perfect blend of dining and shopping to go along with touring the Liberty Bell.
On the First Friday of every month, people of all types gather in this historic neighborhood to view new installations in a over dozen galleries while enjoying wine and cheese. And although our days are now much shorter and our nights much colder, there is no better time for you to rediscover Old City than tonight, Friday November 7th, when the Old City Collective and the Philadelphia Weekly present the First Annual Old City Light Festival! Throughout the holiday season, Old City will be illuminated in glowing lights, allowing us to forget the cold of winter and enjoy the warmth of this village community.
It all starts with a free kickoff party at Old City Ironworks. Slated for 7pm, enjoy fare from National Mechanics, Konak and Paddy’s Pub while grooving to the sounds of a live jazz band. Register to win a gift basket valued at $1000 and even hang out with Ben Franklin. And if nothing else, burn some extra calories. After-all, you’ll be inside a gym!
Be on the lookout for “hot spots” where you can enjoy hot apple cider or just cool down with some pumpkin ice cream from the folks at Franklin Fountain.
So come shop, dine and explore in Old City. We’ll leave the light on for you!
First Annual Old City Festival
Friday Nov 7
www.oldcitydistrict.org
Free Kickoff Party at Old City Ironworks @7pm
141 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
www.oldcitydistrict.org
October 31, 2008
Is there anything sweeter than the Phillies winning the World Series? No, but 8,000 pounds of candy could be a close second! This Sunday, Carnival Cruises will try to set a Guinness Book World Record when they unveil the world’s largest Pinata, standing a whopping 6 stories filled with an obscene amount of that sweet stuff. There will be a chance to win 5 weeklong cruises and become the next internet star because it will be streaming live!
So if you miss the chance to go trick or treating tonight, bring your sweet tooth and a trash bag to Broad and Washington this Sunday!
Carnival Block Party – Sunday, November 2nd
12-3pm Broad + Washington, Philadelphia, PA
www.carnival.com
October 30, 2008
Thanks to the skillful hands of five brilliant artisans from China, the Friendship Gate in Chinatown has found new life. For the last seven weeks, they have restored this crown jewel that has served as the gateway to the rich culture, heritage, and cuisine for the people of Chinatown for more than 23 years.
The emblazed dragons symbolize our protector, for they can breathe fire but also hold water, while the Phoenix represents prosperity. The four Chinese characters translate to We Love Tourists. Okay, not really, they really stand for Philadelphia’s Chinatown. We still do love tourists in our neighborhood though!
Although nowhere near the size of New York or the Bay Area, this has been the proud home of over 3,000 men and women from all across China and beyond. Come for the shops, stay for the food but be sure to start at the Gate!
Chinatown Arch
10th & Arch, Philadelphia, PA 19107
October 20, 2008
Despite the current economic rollercoaster, I still love spending money on food. As the saying goes “good food isn’t cheap and cheap food isn’t good.” However, everything is starting to cost a bit more and it might be time to switch to gasp! chain restaurants.
Wait! For just $25, you can taste the cuisine of over 35 restaurants in Philadelphia Weekly‘s 2nd Annual Taste of Philly Culinary Event being held at the Franklin Wed Oct 22nd.
From 7pm to 10pm, peruse not only the science of Ben Franklin but also a wonderful array of culinary flavors supplied by Café Spice, Konak, Les Bon Temps and Rum Bar to name a few, with digphilly.com providing the soundtrack.
Fifty percent of the tickets sales will benefit ArcheDream for Humankind, an archetypal mask theatre who will also be providing the evenings entertainment.
Dinner, dancing and a show for just 25 dollars, what more can you ask for? Visit phillyweekly.com/taste for more information. Be sure to come hungry–you’ll certainly leave happy!
2nd Annual Taste of Philadelphia
Wed Oct 22- 7pm to 10pm (Doors open at 6:45 p.m.)
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
The Franklin Institute
222 N. 20th St., Philadelphia, PA 19103
For tickets and more info: www.philadelphiaweekly.com/taste
October 10, 2008
Okay seriously, who willingly walks through an old abandoned warehouse in the middle of the night? And with bloodsucking zombies, rotting corpses and vampires in the mix. Really… who DOES that? Would you?
Well, it is Halloween season, so I’m guessing the answer is yes.
“Voted the scariest haunted attraction in Philadelphia” by Fox 29, the Fright Factory in South Philadelphia definitely delivers. It’s not very often that I use my cell phone as flashlight, but walking through a maze of total darkness with creatures lurking within every corner certainly required it.
Three terrifying attractions (Horror High, The Asylum, and Village of the Damned) await you as you stumble, run or crawl through this house of horrors. With every turn of the corner, be sure to keep a look out for your friends… because they may vanish in the darkness.
Scare yourself silly at the Fright Factory this weekend… but don’t come alone; you’ll need someone for them to take!!!
Fright Factory
