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The story of Baltimore clothing company Squidfire, could easily be in some patriotic flag-waver documentary about the gumption of the American entrepreneur. After spending nearly five years traveling to festivals and selling clothes out of a beat-up Cadillac, the Squidfire crew opened their own store in their hometown. But just like all good entrepreneurs, these cats are never satisfied.

Now, the surrealist t-shirt and merch designers take aim at conquering the very culture that brought them to their current prominence, by introducing the D.I.Y. Philly Art Mart. This collection of young crafters brings a set of functional arts and crafts you won’t find anywhere else. These are not fine art pieces, rather they are all fully usable pieces of work.

This ain’t no flea market either. Squidfire designer and festival creator Jean-Baptiste Regnard hand selects each vendor for quality and originality. Starting with just 25 vendors, the festival has grown to include designers and crafters from across the country, coming to show off their designer accessories, toys, soaps, and other original functional items.

So if you are looking to infuse some artistry into your everyday life, the Squidfire crew would like a word with you. Check out the merch October 17th from 11-6 at the Old Pine Community Center. Come for the display of American entrepreneurial spirit, stay for the designer belt buckles.

Squidfire Art Mart
Saturday, October 17th, 2009

Old Pine Community Center
401 Lombard St, Philadelphia, PA 19147-1516
(215) 627-2493
www.oldpine.org

People say a picture is worth a thousand words. Fortunately for us, no one ever told macabre master and former Philadelphian Edgar Allen Poe. His lengthy lyrical poetry and scary short stories gave us some of the most famous chills in literary history. But some people just can’t get over that old adage.

Starting tomorrow, Art In The Age will be opening their Tell Tale Heart Exhibit, attempting to test the old theory once and for all. Artists from around Philly have created original works inspired by Poe’s dark tales of murder, mystery and evil.

The event is a celebration of Poe’s 200th birthday, a date Philadelphia historians have been celebrating for years. Philadelphia was Poe’s home when he wrote several of his most seminal works and historians have been in a custody battle-of-sorts over the final resting place for the famous writer’s remains. Some claim that Poe belongs in Philly. But citizens of Baltimore like Poe right where he is.

These artists have their work cut out for them. Their works will attempt to scare and delight for the Halloween season, celebrate the birth of one of the most celebrated writers in history, settle a debate over the strength of words versus pictures and attempt to settle a bi-state competition for Poe’s undying love. Luckily for you, all you have to do is check out these creative interpretations on America’s greatest horror writer.

Tell Tale Heart Exhibit @ Art in the Age
October 2nd – November 1st, 2009
Opening Reception: Friday, October 2, 6-8pm with complimentary ROOT cocktails

Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction
116 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 922-2600
www.artintheage.com

It may seem strange to publicize a professional design exhibition. While design has always been more creative than other commercial efforts, what kind of vibe should visitors expect from DesignPhiladelphia? Art Show? Trade Show? Museum Tour? Rock Show?

In what has become the largest national celebration of its kind, DesignPhiladelphia is a massive exhibition, showing off the talents of over 450 designers. Now in its 5th year, designers prepare for the show by creating events, lectures and sprawling experiments for a one-of-a-kind cultural event.

As all great design should reflect the world around it, this year’s designers have created a series of recession-chic and eco-friendly projects. To bring locality and sustainability to urban design, these firms have focused on resourcefulness and building from the ground. These are welcome themes for a city and a country dealing with recession.

Among the many designers, SoReFa presents an eco-couture runway show featuring socially responsible fashion. Philly {heart} Design has produced an urban park design experiment in an empty city lot. Philly Works has created a marketplace and exhibition of locally made products.

This is a chance for lovers of creativity and culture in Philadelphia to experience what our hometown designers are all about. Some of these designs may influence future city products, projects or programs. One thing is for sure, they make for one hell of a show. For a full listing of events, lectures, and more, visit DesignPhiladelphia’s official website.

DesignPhiladelphia
Wednesday, October 7 thru Tuesday, October 13, 2009
www.designphiladelphia.org

Gluten. This oft-misunderstood and vilified grain protein seems to have created a recent fad of non-inclusion in food. But for sufferers of the digestive disorder known as celiac disease, gluten can cause pain, physical debilitation and even death. Unfortunately, some of the world’s most beloved foods contain gluten and it can be hard to avoid.

But the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness has a solution: hire all the chefs in town to create new, gluten-free recipes for all celiac sufferers out there. They call it Appetite for Awareness: A Gluten-Free Cooking Spree. Like the protein itself, this event has flown under the radar but in its 6th year, the gluten-free cookoff has a lineup no one can ignore.

35 chefs from the Philadelphia area’s varied culinary community will partner with top doctors to create gluten-free dishes for everyone to try. The cooking competition will pit these chefs against each other as they vie for a prize for ‘Best Gluten-Free Dish’ awarded by a panel of celebrity judges. NFCA will also present the ‘People’s Choice Award,’ giving the guests the chance to vote for their favorites. With music, wine, gluten-free beer, an auction, raffle, and lively Marketplace to round it all out, this year’s Appetite for Awareness will put gluten (or the lack thereof) on the map for good.

Gluten-Free Cooking Spree
Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Wachovia Center
3601 S. Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19148

Photography courtesy of Supper Restaurant

Isaiah Zagar’s Magic Garden Murals, with their chalk-and-mirror inlays accented with pottery shards and other additions, give South Street and many other spots across the city a bright, one-of-a-kind look you won’t find anywhere else.

The murals have become so popular, seeing them all could take a while. You might even work up an appetite. So this old South Philly institution has teamed with a new South Street restaurant to battle the hunger of mural sightseeing with their second annual South Street Stroll.

For $40 a person, Philly’s Magic Garden and Supper Restaurant offer a full tour of all magic garden murals. Some are plainly visible, in spots you know and love. Others lie in alleyways and enclosures only the neighbors know about. A PMG guide will lead the way, showing you mural techniques, sharing stories about their creation and explaining some little-known South Street history. You will get to see it all on your way to supper at Supper.

After the hour-long walking tour, you can enjoy a 3-course tasting menu at South Street’s fine dining establishment, paired with a complimentary glass of wine or bottled beer. These eclectic murals are some of the most original street art Philly has to offer. It is no wonder their walking tour is also far from ordinary.

Interested? Contact the Magic Gardens to reserve your ticket.

Second Annual South Street Stroll
Sunday, September 27, 2009, at 4:00PM

Supper Restaurant
926 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 592-8180
www.supperphilly.com

In the world of 50’s Be-Bop jazz, Dizzy Gillespie didn’t play background to anyone. He was a star and on most jazz records, he made his presence known. But on the 1957 album Sonny Side Up, Gillespie was glad to take a backseat, allowing the tenor sax masters Sonny Rollins and Sonny Stitt take over. The result is some of the best bop ever blown with tenor sax duels aplenty.

Garnering that kind of respect from Dizzy Gillespie doesn’t come easy. And Sonny Rollins has not let the world forget it. As a star in his own right, Rollins continues to wow tenor lovers to this day with performances and his latest album, which came out in 2008.

Staying connected to fans through Twitter and a new iPhone application, due out in October, Rollins has worked tirelessly to stay in touch with fans and create new ones along the way.

Now, with a 23-city international tour underway, Rollins is poised to keep on going well into the next decade. He brings his prolific and rich horn stylings to the Kimmel Center on Friday, September 25th at 8pm.

Releasing over 80 albums over his career with the likes of Miles Davis, Thelonius Monk and John Coltrane, Rollins will be showing his improv chops over some favorites and jazz standards, as well as debuting new material from his forthcoming 2010 release.

Sonny Rolins at the Kimmel
September 25th, 2009, 8PM

The Kimmel Center
260 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 790-5800
www.kimmelcenter.org

Local improv favorites, Rare Bird Show

What does it take to put on a large-scale comedy festival in a major American city? Well, just ask the producers of the Philadelphia Improv Festival. They had to work with a doctor, a diplomat, a bunch of rare birds and 30,000 Khz of sound. Who knows what’s in store this year?

With performers from some of the most famous comedy troupes from around the country, including Dr. Fantastic (Washington Improv Theater), 30,000 Khz of Sound (New York), Mister Diplomat (DSI Comedy Theater), and local favorites Rare Bird Show, the Philadelphia Improv Festival is now in its fifth year of creating gut-busting giggles. And this year, they have more familiar faces than ever before.

This year, the festival features a performance from Baby Wants Candy, a star-studded troupe that includes a revolving band of featured performers like Stephanie Weir and Nicole Parker (MadTV), Rachel Dratch and Seth Meyers (SNL), Jack McBrayer (30 Rock), Garry Tallent (Bruce Springsteen and the E St Band), and Mark Pender (Max Weinberg 7) are all featured performers with the group.

This three-day festival of improv goes down at the Society Hill Playhouse, from October 1-3. Once you get there, you won’t care how they pulled it off, just that you can’t stop laughing.

Philadelphia Improv Festival
October 1st – 3rd, 2009
www.phif.org

Society Hill Playhouse
507 S. 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 923-0210
www.societyhillplayhouse.com

There are a lot of great places in Philadelphia to see fashion and beauty on display. The fashionistas strolling Society Hill or Rittenhouse Square would usually give you all the glamour you could shake a Louis Vuitton purse at. With all these enclaves of beauty, a power plant would be the last place you would look for fashion.

The exception comes September 20th when Power Plant Productions performance space hosts Soiree In The City, a fashion showcase for brides, party and wedding planners and anyone interested in fashion and event décor.

Soiree In The City hosts a cadre of high-end vendors, including photographers, fashion designers and even caterers. Organizers started the event as a response to the more traditional bridal shows that are more like trade shows. Soiree In The City is meant to be more of a celebration of fashion and event style, say the creators.

For a $10 admission price, guests will get to check out all the latest designs for parties, events and weddings, all while enjoying complimentary cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and desserts. Guests will also receive a goodie bag and visit to the decadent Beauty Lounge, staffed by Béke Beau makeup artist, Dar Clinton hair and Tierra Mia Organic Nail Spa.

It all goes down at the new Power Plant Productions performance space in the old Chocolate Factory space at 230 N. Second Street, in the heart of Old City’s gallery district. To purchase tickets and view a complete list of participants, visit Soiree in the City’s official website.

Soiree in the City
Sunday, September 20th, 2-6PM
www.soireeinthecity.com

Power Planet Productions
230 N. Second Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
www.powerplantproductions.com

The Painted Bride / The Mural & The Mint

Love theater? How about being green? Well, then come find where the two meet up at the Off the Grid Festival, the first renewable energy theater festival. The fest kicks off today and runs for 15-days alongside the Live-Arts Fringe Fest. The entire 15-day festival, which will bring innovative theater, dance, magic and music to the stage at the Painted Bride Art Center, will be powered by different types of renewable energy, without ever plugging into the power grid!

So who’s playing? And what’s powering them? Here’s the line-up.

Microworld(s) Part 1 – A play that takes place all in a 3X3X8 feet space, introduces you to a man in Japan who is obsessed with comedian Bill Hicks and Fumio, his rubber duckie. The show will be powered by a foot pump generator.

Digital Effects – Will bring New York based magician Steve Cuiffo to Philly for some slight of hand powered by solar panels.

Generate. Degenerate – Miro Dance Theater will put on a one-woman performance involving and powered by a bicycle.

The Mural & The Mint – A Philly band will rock your eardrums and body with a dance-concert powered by solar panels and bikes.

The shows will rotate times and evenings so be sure to check the schedule… but don’t print it! After all this is a green fest!

Off the Grid Festival
September 4th to 19th
www.offthegridfest.org

Painted Bride Art Center
230 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 925-9914
www.paintedbride.org

In the annals of famous treehouses, many names come to mind. The Swiss Family Robinson sheltered themselves in a veritable tree palace. The lost boys of Peter Pan have been depicted in any number of deciduous dwellings, including the combination tree fortress and skate-park constructed in the 1991 Robin Williams classic Hook. And even Tarzan got in on the fun both in live action and animated form.

Philadelphia’s Tyler Arboretum can now join this storied list as they present their newest exhibition Totally Terrific Treehouses. Local artists have created treehouses in all shapes and sizes for you to explore. You will never look at a tree the same way again.

Go inside the world’s greenest treehouse with The Three Little Pigs Go Green; a structure made from straw sticks and bricks and containing green home innovations like a rain barrel, a green roof and sustainable building materials.

Tree Treasures @ Tyler Arboretum
Now through September 27th

Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road, Media, PA 19063
(610) 566-9134
www.tylerarboretum.org

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