July 17, 2009
Eastern State Penitentiary used to have a pretty strict zero-tolerance policy about leaving the prison… but that didn’t stop a dozen inmates from trying to tunnel out of the historic jail in 1945. And the stories of exactly how the men escaped are as wild and varied as the men who told them.
So Eastern State is going to set the record straight on August 1st and 2nd, with two actors who will debate exactly how the great escape went down and what led to the quick recapture of the inmates. The actors will play the parts of tunnel expert Clarence Klinedinst and notorious bank robber “Slick Willie” Sutton. Children and adults can hear the conflicting accounts of how they were able to dig for more than a year without the guards catching on and what they did with the dirt as they progressed.
At the end of the presentations, visitors will have a chance to vote on whose story best stands the test of time, perhaps putting the matter to rest once and for all.
Prison Break Weekend
August 1 and 2, 2009
11:30am to 4:30pm, on the half-hour
Eastern State Penitentiary
22nd and Fairmount, Philadelphia, PA
www.easternstate.org
July 2, 2009
If there’s one stereotype chemists have been fighting since Boyle’s Law, it’s that they love to party.
OK, maybe not really. But that’s not stopping Philadelphia’s Chemical Heritage Foundation from getting in on the First Friday action around the city. The foundation (315 Chestnut St.) is staying open until 8 p.m. on Friday, July 3rd and hosting “Manual Science,” where visitors will learn how to create electric batteries using household items. It’s a very “Ben Franklin” thing to do, making it all the more fitting for a First Friday in Philadelphia so close to the 4th of July.
The foundations two permanent exhibits will also be open to the public. See the fascinating and often unpredictable ways chemistry has shaped our world in the exhibition, Making Modernity. Or check out sLowlife, an exhibit of time-lapse photography that shows various plants reacting to their environments as they develop and grow. In true First Friday fashion, all of these exhibits and presentations are free to the public.
Who says First Friday has to be limited to art galleries?
Chemical Heritage Foundation
315 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA
www.chemheritage.org
(215) 873-8258
June 8, 2009
Bloomsday at the Rosenbach (next Monday!)
James Joyce’s famous novel Ulysses is based on The Odyssey – anyone who’s taken an English course in college (or read the Wikipedia page) can tell you that.
But Joyce had another major inspiration and technique he used to drive the plot forward – money. It’s this element of the novel that The Rosenbach Museum and Gallery will focus on in the exhibit “Money Matters” from June 9th through June 28th.
The exhibit, curated by Penn scholar Dr. Laura Heffernan, features portions of Joyce’s original manuscript and will examine the role money saved, earned, spent and borrowed plays in Joyce’s novel, and the economic conditions in Dublin at the beginning of the 20th century.
The exhibit is just one piece of The Rosenbach’s big to-do over the yearly celebration of the novel and “Bloomsday” – June 16th, the day Ulysses’ main character, Leopold Bloom, stumbles through his native city of Dublin.
The exhibit and museum entrance is free on June 16th as part of the Bloomsday outdoor festival at The Rosenbach. Throughout the rest of its run, entrance to the exhibit is included with admission to the museum. Either way, it’s definitely worth wandering by for a look.
Money Matters
June 9th through June 28th
The Rosenbach Museum and Library
2008-2010 Delancy Place, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 732 1600
www.rosenbach.org
June 5, 2009
Of all the foods to try and recreate at home, sushi seems like it’d be near the bottom of the list. Sticky rice is hard to get right, you have to buy seaweed, and to top it all off, you’re most likely dealing with raw fish.
Fishtown’s Otolith Sustainable Seafood doesn’t have time for our lame excuses. And to prove DIY sushi is easy and fun, it’s hosting “The Art and Preparation of Sushi” this Saturday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The lesson will use a variety of sustainable seafood, including King Crab, King Salmon and Kodiak sea scallops.
The event promises to be enjoyable for every level of sushi chef (Itamae, in Japanese), from novice to expert. Tickets are $25 with a $5 deposit before the event, $35 at the door. Still not convinced homemade seafood is up your alley? Otolith has tons of great sustainable seafood items, both a la carte and in convenient seafood packs – perfect for summer cookouts.
The Art and Preparation of Sushi
June 6th @ 7PM
Otolith Sustainable Seafood
143 Girard Ave., Philadelphia, PA
(215) 426-4266
www.otolithonline.com
June 5, 2009
Most classier dining establishments pick a theme or atmosphere in an attempt to appeal to a specific kind of patron looking for a specific kind of experience. Hotel restaurants don’t have that luxury. They have to appeal to a group as diverse as the guests occupying the rooms.
Fortunately, T. Burke’s at Dolce Valley Forge has the space and quality to please a wide array of guests, from romantic couples, to executives at a boisterous business meeting, to the solo business traveler catching the game after work. The large space maintains an intimate feel with soft lighting and comfortable seating. When my dining cohort and I arrived around happy hour, the atmosphere was surprisingly upbeat. Top 40 radio played quietly while several muted flat-screen TVs played ESPN.
The Monday night happy hour special, “Flight of the Four Bourbons,” consisted of four mini shots of an interesting spread of whiskeys, the high point being the unique Wild Turkey American Honey. It’s a cool happy hour idea that appeals to the whiskey connoisseur or the causal happy hour-goer, and the price is right — $8. After the dinner crowd dies down, the staff pulls out some of the seating and the free games — darts and pool – take center stage, giving the space more of a lounge feel.
June 3, 2009
West Girard Avenue and the surrounding neighborhood is experiencing a “Brewerytown Renaissance,” according to the West Girard Business Association. Sounds like a good excuse for a party.
The WGBA is hosting Art + Soul Food on Saturday, June 13th on W. Girard Ave (between 26th and 30th streets). The event will feature art exhibits from artists like Beth Beverly, Sarah Peoples and Bob Deane in unoccupied storefronts temporarily converted into galleries. Exhibitor styles include painting, sculpture, digital video, even taxidermy.
Can’t make it on the 13th? No worries, Art + Soul Food will be back at it on June 20th and 27th, culminating in a 4th of July celebration.
Plus the events will be serving up some of the best Soul Food in the city (some call W. Girard “the epicenter of soul food in Philly) along with free water ice from Rita’s. Throw in a ton of live musical performances, including a live high school band, and Art + Soul looks like it’s shaping up to be a pretty fun month of Saturday afternoons, for a renaissance man (or woman), that is.
Art + Soul
artplussoulfood.blogspot.com
May 28, 2009
Napoleon Bonaparte… ahem, Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte is a major historical figure, but there are just as many myths about the French leader as there are truths about his life.
No, he wasn’t all that short for his time. Yes, he somehow managed to win several military battles. Maybe he was poisoned to death.
Let the National Constitution Center separate fact from fiction for you with their upcoming exhibit, Napoleon, opening May 29. The installation features over 300 objects, as well as some of the most recognized portraits of the man. Objects on display include the first letter Napoleon wrote, a lock of his wife Empress Josephine Bonaparte’s hair, his personal map of the French Empire at its most powerful in 1812 and articles of clothing Napoleon actually wore.
And, if you’re stuck on American history, the exhibit has a special gallery that explores the American Revolution’s connection to the French Revolution and Napoleon’s rise to power. The exhibit even has the valise the Louisiana Purchase was transported in.
This is the collection’s first time in North America. The exhibit runs through Sept. 7. Admission includes tickets to the Constitution Center’s main exhibition, The Story of We the People and the Freedom Rising theater production.
Napoleon
May 29 – Sept. 7
The National Constitution Center
525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 409-6700
www.constitutioncenter.org
May 6, 2009
Costumes of Deanna Troi, Khan, and Captain Janeway
The Star Trek universe has gotten a lot of buzz lately because of J.J. Abrams’ upcoming movie. And sure, it looks good, but The Federation has a lot more to offer than just a summer blockbuster.
The Franklin’s Star Trek: The Exhibition, running from May 16 to Sept. 20, boldly promises to be an in-depth journey into the entire spectrum of Star Trek lore, spanning 40 years, five TV shows and 10 movies.
Truth be told, there are lots of Star Trek fans (let’s just call them that) who would flock to this thing no matter what. The difference here is the subjects and highlights of this exhibit look awesome. Who wouldn’t want to sit in Captain Kirk’s original chair?
Thankfully, the exhibit is heavy on Next Generation artifacts, including a recreation of the bridge, engine room and sick bay. There’s also the Infinite Diversity Gallery, an examination of the new lives and new civilizations the franchise created.
Star Trek: The Exhibition also looks at the science behind Star Trek in the context of real-world developments. As tricorders and communicators stop looking like science fiction, the exhibit looks at the Star Trek timeline and compares it with our own scientific advances that inspired the shows and films.
Did we mention there’s a shuttle simulator involving the Borg?
So go see the new movie this summer. But first, show a little respect to those that came before you. Pay homage to the previous generations who first traversed the final frontier.
Star Trek: The Exhibition @ The Franklin
May 16 – Sept. 20
Adults $23.75/Seniors $22.75/Children $15.50
www.fi.edu/startrek
The Franklin
222 N. 20th St., Philadelphia, PA
www.fi.edu
May 5, 2009
The World Rock Paper Scissors Society (est. 1918) has some crucial RPS advice on its web site:
“Experienced and talented trainers can be invaluable in building an RPS career, but beware of charlatans.”
Competitors would be wise to heed that advice through this summer if they have any hopes of winning the fourth annual Pabst Blue Ribbon Philadelphia Rock Paper Scissors City League Championship Series (yes, that’s the PBRPRPSCLCS).
Competitions began April 20th and run through the June 13th, when the championship competition will be held at Connie’s Ric Rac in South Philly. The prize for the city-wide champion, besides eternal glory, is a title, trophy and $1,000. Last year’s winner, the first female champ, was Mr. Is of team David Bowie’s Package.
Cash prizes are awarded at all events (see a full schedule here). Regular competitions are held at The Raven Lounge, Dirty Franks and The Dive with additional cash prizes awarded at the end of the season to reward the strongest players in several categories. And here’s the coolest part: Every event’s only $1.
PBRPRPSCLCS
Now thru June 13
www.rpscityleague.com
May 4, 2009
There’s a pretty healthy competition surrounding burgers in Philly – make that unhealthy. There’s Good Dog, with its Roquefort, caramelized onions and brioche goodness. And more recently, Stephen Starr’s gotten into the burger mix with plans to open a burger shack in Franklin Square.
But the Food Network, in its recent 50 States, 50 Burgers article, named the Angus Burger at South Philly’s Royal Tavern the best burger in the state. It’s tough to argue with the toppings – bacon, Gouda, chili mayo and pickled hot peppers, plus the familiar caramelized onions on a brioche bun.
Food Network isn’t the first site to rave about the burger, but the national attention will only bring more burger aficionados to the city, raising the stakes, and cholesterol, of the burger competition even higher.
Food Network 50 States 50 Burgers
www.foodnetwork.com/50-states-50-burgers/package/index.html
Royal Tavern
937 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 389-6694
www.royaltavern.com
