October 21, 2008
When it comes to the Tbar, Philadelphia is really the city of sisterly love. Sisters, Julia and Susan Chu, own and operate one of my favorite tea spots in the city. The moment you walk in, you feel completely at ease in this urban tea haven. Step up to the bar and take a peek through the glass counter top at several loose teas beautifully laid out and labeled.
Not only do they offer an amazing selection of over 70 loose teas, but they also host tea-related events, and will even create custom loose tea blends for your picky palette. Along with the wi-fi loving customers staking out their ground in their favorite chairs, Tbar is filled with tea ware goodies as well as beauty products infused with tea. The Tbar sisters encourage customers to steep out of their teacups and taste something new, by highlighting a different tea every month (the 10% discount is a sweet deal).
So the next time you step into this tea spot, I suggest you order a pot of a loose tea that is served in delicate tea ware on a beautiful ceramic tray, with your choice of Japanese tea cookies (Matcha and Chai Almond are fabulous). If you’re feeling a little chilly I recommend a pot of Black Jasmine Cream (green tea, black tea, jasmine flowers, and vanilla flavor). But if you’re in the mood to sit back and chill, ask for a green honeydew bubble tea. You can shake things up a bit with their tea fizz blends (Tea and wild-crafted herbal blends mixed with sparkling water).
And if you want to brush up on your tea IQ before you go, check out their site’s tea glossary that teaches you why an “attractive” tea leaf is better than one that is “flaky.” But I’m sure you could have guessed that.
TBar Philadelphia
117 S. 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
www.tbarteas.com/tbar
October 21, 2008
Photo: Joan Baez
Spend a few evenings soaking up some folk and bluegrass this October at the Kimmel Center. I highly recommend that you take the time to experience American musical history that spans from 60′s classics to modern innovative pieces. These artists will truly take you on a musical journey through the American Songbook.
Joan Baez : Sunday, October 26, 2008
Joan Baez, the queen of folk and social activism, will be sharing pieces from her new album, Day After Tomorrow, in Verizon Hall. The Grammy award winning singer-songwriter has been performing for over 50 years, and continues to shape the American Roots musical scene. She not only introduced the world to a powerful style of folk, but also to musical greats like Bob Dylan. “Baez will interpret the works of Steve Earle, Eliza Gilkyson, Patti Griffin, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, Diana Jones and Thea Gilmore, among others.”
Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile : Wednesday, October 22, 2008
These innovative artists will be making a stop at the Kimmel Center while on their North American tour, just after releasing 12 of their collaborative compositions. 27-year-old mandolinist and vocalist Chris Thile, is most known for being a member of the popular band Nickel Creek while also pursuing solo work and collaborative pieces. Edgar Meyer, a three time Grammy award winner, is a fabulous composer and performer on the double bass. Meyer and Thile have created their own sound that combines country, classical, bluegrass and jazz improvisation. The duo just released their self-titled studio debut on September 23rd.
For more info and to purchase tickets call 215-893-1999 or visit www.kimmelcenter.org
Kimmel Center
260 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 790-5800
www.kimmelcenter.org
October 20, 2008
As fall settles in, our thoughts switch from summer BBQs to Halloween costumes and fun-sized candy. So while you’re planning your events for the ghoulish month of October, try to schedule some time to celebrate Dracula at The Rosenbach Museum and Library.
The week-long Dracula Festival is filled with entertaining events with informative facts that you can really sink your teeth into (come on, the pun had to be used at some point). The Rosenbach has authority on the fanged man, as it is the “home of Bram Stoker’s research notes and outlines for Dracula.”
The 2008 Dracula Festival:
Book Signing The New Annotated Dracula, Reading and Book Signing with author Leslie Klinger
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 from Ҭ6:00pm Р7:30pm
Dracula Festival Hands-On Tours: The Growth of Stoker’s Dracula
Wednesday, October 22, Saturday, October 25, and Wednesday, October 29″¨ at 3:00pm
Signature Program: Dracula Parade Featuring Spiral Q Puppet Theater at the Rosenbach
Saturday, October 25, 2008 Ҭat 5:30pm
Monster’s Ink: The Bogeymen in Sendak’s Closet
Wednesday, October 29, 2008 Ҭat 6:00pm
For more details about the festival, visit Release The Bats on the Rosenbach’s website.
Rosenbach Museum and Library
2010 Delancey Pl, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 732-1600
www.rosenbach.org
October 17, 2008
If you haven’t stopped by Vintage Connection within the past year, then you’ve been missing out on Heather Waity’s (owner of VC) fabulous vintage finds. Whether you’re making a first visit or are a VC tried and true fan, stop by Vintage Connection’s 1 yr b-day party and celebrate in style.
Browse through fall items while sipping on some bubbly, and get a sweet tooth fix from the candy confetti bar. And as if you needed another reason to skip on over to the party, everything in the store is 20% off for the evening. Oh and did I mention there were prizes? For every $100 you spend, your name will be entered in a drawing to win a $150 cosmetic gift bag (two lucky winners will be announced at the end of the bash). Celebrate Vintage Connection’s first year while updating your wardrobe for fall’s chillier days.
Vintage Connection One Year B’Day Party
Friday, October 17th
5-8pm
Vintage Connection
701 S. 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(267) 528-1625
www.shopvintageconnection.com
September 29, 2008
There are some restaurants that become part of your weekly routine when you can’t bear the thought of turning on the stove (or even the microwave), and Nam Phuong is on my list. Located right near the corner of 11th and Washington, Nam Phuong offers authentic Vietnamese food that delights the senses with the bright green of cilantro, orange of carrots, red of traditional Thai iced tea, etc. In fact, Craig Leban noted that it is the “consistent destination for classic Vietnamese cooking.”
If I had to highlight a dish that my taste buds can’t seem to forget, it would be the summer rolls with shrimp, pork, vermicelli noodles, daikon, thai basil wrapped in delicate rice paper and accompanied with sweet peanut sauce to dip in. It’s delicate, hearty and offers a unique flavor explosion that is comforting and fresh. I also highly recommend the beef sautéed with watercress and papaya salad.
And if this tasty deal couldn’t get any sweeter, two people can have a filling dinner and leftovers (if you haven’t licked the plate) for just around $20.
Nam Phuong Restaurant
1110-1120 Washington Ave.Ӭ(corner of 11th St. & Washington Ave.) ҬPhiladelphia, PA 19147
September 23, 2008
I’m sure you’re tired of reading texts and tweets about your NYC friends making a run to Pinkberry (a healthy fro-yo chain). I know I am. But no worries ladies and gents, Philly just gave Pinkberry a knockout Rocky-style punch, with the opening of Phileo Yogurt.
Phileo Yogurt recently opened up its doors to Philly at its South St. location, offering 16 kinds of fro-yo and tons of toppings. Since it’s a self-serve kind of place, just grab a cup and let your blending creativity begin. Just be careful on piling up in the cup, because at 49¢/oz your treat has a chance of getting pretty pricey. Don’t get overwhelmed by the process, and just do what their poster says: 1). dispense your flavor in a cup 2.) add your favorite toppings 3.) weigh it and pay it.
Unsure of what to try? No problem. They have mini cups to sample from: NY cheesecake, snicker doodle, banana tart, blueberry tart, pineapple tart, mango tart, strawberry, georgia peach, plain tart, taro, green tea, cappuccino, cookies n cream, butterbrickle, chocolate, vanilla. Top those off with dried/fresh fruit, sprinkles, nuts, cereal, mochi, red bean paste, candy, etc.
I haven’t heard the best reviews about the traditional flavors like chocolate and strawberry, which is why I’m savoring the green tea and taro flavors (with white chocolate chips and coconut shavings). So if you’re looking for a traditional sweet fix, I would head over to Ben and Jerry’s. But if you want to mix and match and create an exotic treat, then this fro-yo spot is the place to go.
You have to give credit to a place that respects this city in its name, Phileo (Philly-Yo!). Say it with me. You know you want to.
Phileo Yogurt
416 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 873-8361
September 17, 2008
Sure you can buy your very own handmade, natural soap and salve right in their store, but why not take your love of cleanliness to a whole new level and craft your own? Duross and Langel offer 2 hour workshops for DIY beauty lovers. You bring your love for the scented salves and $35, and they’ll provide all the tools, oils, extracts, pigments and all natural ingrdeints.
From healing elements, to aromatherapy, autumn soaps and metro moms, their workshops aim to please any soapy scientist and scent lover.
Some of their fall workshops are filling up fast or are already sold out, so check out the schedule and sign up soon.
Who ever thought that getting your hands dirty could feel so clean?
Duross & Langel Savonniers
117 South 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107″¨
215.592.SOAP
September 2, 2008
 
As summer has started to fade, I hear more and more of you screaming for ice cream as you seek out your favorite flavor. The sweet tooth search will come to a halt once you visit Scoop Deville “an exotic ice cream parlor,” that blends almost any imaginable combination of ingredients with ice cream to create a flavor that is oh so decadent. Just step right up to the chalkboard, filled with countless ingredients (candy, fruits, nuts) and ice cream choices and make your pick. A minute or so later you’ll be handed a cup with a treat made just the way you like it.
For those of us hearing the screams of our spinning instructor, don’t worry, they have fruit and fat free yogurt that can be blended into a delicious and diet worthy treat. My personal favorite blend: fluff, peanut butter, bananas, chocolate syrup, and moosetracks ice cream. I mean, I’ve heard it’s good.
Oh and did I mention they deliver? (from Vine to Pine, 21st to broad street).
Scoop Deville
1734 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 988-9992
www.scoopdeville.com
August 29, 2008
RA Friedman, photographer extraordinaire, has invented a mystical, carnival-like space in the AxD gallery for this year’s Fringe Fest, where visitors can not only view his photographic work but also participate. A Cabinet of Photographic Curiosities is “part photography, part time-machine, part side-show, mixed up with a boat-load of alchemical visual inventiveness.” Visitors are encouraged to step back in time with vintage costumes, as Friedman photographs them with a large single lens reflex camera on traditional silver instant film that will be artistically aged and enhanced.
From the digital techniques to the Polaroid film, every element on Friedman’s exhibit is carefully thought-out to reflect a certain mysticism, curiosity and transformation. Friedman will be using what’s left of his Polaroid film since the company has closed. He will even be shooting on a few “left-over rolls of the circa 1970′s film” from Polaroid.
Those who choose to step into the photo tent can either leave with a free, instant photo of their new persona or have their photo become a “work-in-progress” for Friedman. What this means is that after the shoot Friedman will “work on using some pretty unusual digital techniques. Because [he] was trained as a painter, [he] works more like a printmaker and often evolves the image though various states until [he's] satisfied.” If you make the decision to have your photo transformed into a photographic curiosity, you will need to sign a model release and will receive a free final print, signed and dated by Friedman. Simply amazing.
Friedman will exhibit finished pieces (bearded ladies, snake handlers, etc), as well as those that he creates throughout the fringe festival in the gallery, truly creating an evolving, living exhibit. I encourage you to visit the gallery and experience the curiosities that Friedman has created as “this residency during the Fringe is really going to be the “last hurrah” in terms of using Polaroid products and possibly for my doing instant photography on this kind of scale and for free.”
Be the first to experience Friedman’s work at the opening on Friday, August 29th from 6-9pm.
A Cabinet of Photographic Curiosities
Opening: Friday, August 29, 6:00-9:00 pm ҬRuns through: Sept. 13. Entrance and photos are FREE.
RA Friedman at AxD Gallery
265 S. 10th St., Philadelphia, PA
