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Mauckingbird Theater Company's poster for TRU & the Threshing Floor

The Threshing Floor, directed by Brandon McShaffrey, skillfully examines and unfolds the complicated life of Baldwin, author of a number of formative works including Giovanni’s Room and Go Tell It on the Mountain, in a moving one-act, one-man play written by and starring James Ijames.

In the play, Ijames portrays Baldwin’s mentors, family members and lovers, as well as other luminaries in Baldwin’s time, including Josephine Baker, Eldridge Cleaver and Richard Wright. The play takes the shape of a fictional interview between a graduate student and Baldwin and traces the author’s journey from 1920’s Harlem where he grew up under the thumb of strict, religious parents to his move to Paris as a 24-year old, with only $40 in his pocket. In its final moments, it recounts Baldwin’s subsequent return to America and his passionate involvement in the civil rights movement.

The Threshing Floor vividly recounts the racism and homophobia that Baldwin, an openly gay black man, was subject to during the early 50s and 60s and yet manages to bring levity in its approach of such serious topics. A surprise addition to the performance was Ijames’ pleasant singing voice, which he used to accentuate the tone of poignant scenes. Whether it is a belated-celebration of MLK Day or in preparation of Black History Month, a performance of The Threshing Floor affords an important exploration of a quintessential American figure.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for senior citizens and $15 for students. The show closes this Sunday, so do catch it while you still can. For play dates and times, visit the Mauckingbird Theatre’s website.

The Threshing Floor
Now through January 31st, 2010

Adrienne Theatre
2030 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

James Ijames as James Baldwin in The Threshing Floor

Opening tomorrow, January 8th, and running through the 31st, the Mauckingbird Theatre Company presents The Threshing Floor, a play based on the life of James Baldwin, one of the most colorful literary figures of mid twentieth-century America.

Author of such influential books as Go Tell It on the Mountain and Giovanni’s Room, Baldwin also served as a prominent civil rights activist during the civil unrest of the 50s and 60s. Openly gay, Baldwin frequently ignited controversy through his constant examination of issues of sexuality and race in his work.

The Threshing Floor depicts Baldwin’s time in 1920s Harlem as well as his journey to bohemian Paris in the 1940s. A one-man play directed by Brandon McShaffrey, one of the founding members of the Theatre, The Threshing Floor stars Philadelphia-based playwright and actor James Ijames, as Baldwin, Josephine Baker, Eldridge Cleaver and other characters in Baldwin’s life.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for senior citizens and $15 for students. For play dates and times, visit the Mauckingbird Theatre’s website.

The Threshing Floor
January 8th – 31st, 2010

Adrienne Theatre
2030 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Want to look and walk like a star? Look no further than Rittenhouse Square’s Tip Toe shoe boutique, where Philadelphia-born R&B songstress Jill Scott finds her favorite heels when she’s in town. Don’t even bother trying to window shop at this charming store, which contains every style of shoe you can imagine. You won’t be able to resist trying something on. It was all I could do to not to slip into a pair of buttery leather heels or try on one of their towering wedges.

Recently named Best Women’s Shoes in Philadelphia by MyFoxPhilly’s Best of Philly Hotlist, Tip Toe boasts an impressive array of flats, heels, wedges and boots in a variety of styles and colors. The boutique offers shoes from Paris, Spain and Italy – as well as the new Pour La Victoire – a five-inch heel collection made in Brazil and designed with French aesthetics that are both stylish and comfortable.

Tip Toe, which was opened two years ago by proprietress Monique Rice, offers two floors of shoes as well as a variety of jewelry and clothing. The airy, bi-level loft, has walls lined with framed shoe prints and features a friendly staff that can tell you everything you need to know about the ABC’s of shoe styling. If you’re looking for style and quality, Tip Toe is the place to go. And why wouldn’t you go the best shoe store in Philly? Go. Your feet will thank you.

Tip Toe
2027 Walnut St Philadelphia PA 19103
(215) 564-0372
www.tiptoeshoes.com

As a child, fall wasn’t complete for me without the requisite hayride to the pumpkin patch at Freddy Hill Farms in Lansdale. There was nothing better than huddling with a group of friends at the back of a wagon as you made your way through the pumpkin path as the sun went down. And before the hayride, there was the cornstalk maze (where I always got lost). But the best part by far was picking out pumpkins to take home and decorate.

Take the family to Freddy Hill Farms any weekend in October and check out the pumpkins, pig races, pony rides and petting zoo, which features a whole bunch of farm animals. And don’t forget to grab a glass of cider. Autumn comes but once a year.

And if you get lost in the maze, don’t say I didn’t warn ya.’

Freddy Hill Farms
1440 Sumneytown Pike, Lansdale, PA 19446
www.freddyhill.com

I can still remember the first time I tasted apple butter. My neighbors were old-order Pennsylvania Dutch Mennonites and when they handed me a slice of homemade bread generously slathered with apple butter, I swore off peanut butter and jelly for years. I still put this delicious apple cinnamony treat on everything I can, from sandwiches to roasts.

Luckily, the Apple Butter Frolic at the Mennonite Heritage Center in Harleysville, PA has enough apple butter so I can stock up for the winter season. The festival, on October 3rd, features samples of Pennsylvania Dutch cooking (including apple butter), demonstrations of antique farm equipment and dozens of folk craft vendors.

And if you’re not apple buttered out, check out the bonfire at Pennypacker Mills in Schwensksville where you can cozy up to haunted stories around a bonfire while roasting marshmallows. Apple butter + bonfire = perfect autumn day.

Mennonite Heritage Center
565 Yoder Road, Harleysville, PA 19438
www.mhep.org/frolic.htm

Pennypacker Mills
5 Haldeman Road,
 Schwenksville, PA 19473

Photo courtesy of Valley Forge National Historic Park

Fall is the perfect time to celebrate George Washington, this country’s first president, at the Founder’s Festival in Valley Forge. On September 26th, join Valley Forge staff for colonial music, story time and games. Children are sure to enjoy the crafts and dog show that will be featured in the historic and beautiful Valley Forge Park.

And when you’re finished over there, head over to Souderton, PA for Asher’s Chocolates’ Fall Festival. It features face painting, a moon bounce and hot dogs for the kids. And of course lots of chocolate for the entire family.

Founder’s Day Fall Festival
September 26th, 2009
www.phillyfunguide.com/event/detail/55321

Asher’s Chocolates’ Fall Festival
September 26th, 2009
80 Wambold Road, Souderton, PA 18964

If you’re a real Oktoberfest fan, you’ll know that Germans always celebrate Oktoberfest in September. But you don’t have to go all the way to Germany to enjoy some hops. On September 19th, celebrate German heritage with a variety of beers in Norristown’s Elmwood Park Zoo. Walk through the zoo and enjoy live music while sampling the fall’s best brews. Admission is for adults 21 and older, so get the kids a babysitter and hop on down to the Elmwood Park Zoo. Admission includes a complimentary Oktoberfest mug.

And if you can’t make it to that Oktoberfest, there’s always Ambler, Pennsylvania’s Oktoberfest on October 3. Head down to Butler Street for hayrides and crafts for the kids, beer tasting for adults and dozens of vendors selling hand-crafted items.

Oktoberfest in Norristown
September 19th, 2009
1661 Harding Boulevard, Norristown, PA 19401

Oktoberfest in Ambler
October 3rd, 2009
Along Butler Avenue, Ambler, PA 19002

This ice cream parlor / restaurant in Philadelphia’s Washington Square West neighborhood is a lot more than just ice cream. But the ice cream has always distracted me so much, that I rarely stop at the baked goods counter. But inside, there are fruit cobblers, pies and cakes. And the brownies. Oh, don’t get me started on the brownies.

Top off any of their delicious assortment of baked goods with some ice cream and you’ve got yourself a sweet summer. Or try one of their homemade waffle cones with a scoop of ice cream. Either way, you can’t lose in the taste department. My favorite? A warm raspberry/blueberry fruit crisp with a scoop of the French vanilla. Heavenly.

Take a seat inside on one of their over-stuffed, velvet-covered seats underneath cone-shaped lamps or head outside for sidewalk seating. Just don’t forget to bring a friend or two to help you tackle that sundae or piece of cake. Be warned, you may just need a spoon in each hand to finish the deep dish apple pie.

Actually… never mind. You probably won’t want to share.

More Than Just Ice Cream
1119 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 574-0586

This summer, there’s nothing better than stopping by the Scoop DeVille ice cream shop, picking up a cone, and sitting outside on their lovely pink benches to people-watch. Located around the corner from Rittenhouse Square (another great people-watching spot), Scoop DeVille is known for their automated mixer, which churns your choice of ice cream and toppings into a finely-blended mix of goodness.

Choose from nuts, cookies, cookie doughs, candies, cereals and various other goodies that can be ground straight into your favorite ice cream flavor. Get creative or choose from Scoop’s list of recommendations. My favorite? Chocolate chip cookie dough and wet walnuts mixed into vanilla ice cream. Mmm!

And the deal gets even sweeter in July. This month only, Tuesday from 12AM-2PM, buy a medium cone or cup and get two toppings free. As the folks at Scoop DeVille say, “Life is short… eat dessert first!”

Scoop DeVille
1734 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 988-9992

Ice cream in the summer is a must-have. Luckily for Philadelphians, we have plenty of spots that serve great ice cream, every day. If you’re a frequent visitor to the Reading Terminal, you already know about the gooey, frozen goodness that is Bassett’s Ice Cream. And if haven’t gone yet, Bassett’s 3rd Annual Ultimate Philadelphia Ice Cream Festival on Saturday, July 18th from 10AM to 4PM is the perfect time to go! The festival includes ice cream eating contests, tastings, games, giveaways and more.

Bassett’s has been delighting both locals and visitors at the Reading Terminal with its cones, sorbets and shake offerings since 1893, when the market first opened. The oldest vendor at the Reading Terminal, Bassett’s is currently in its 148th year and continues to make the original rich, smooth flavors it always has– with some new, scrumptious additions. Last summer, Bassett’s introduced an original flavor called “The WHYY Experience” in collaboration with local public broadcasting radio station, WHYY.

WHYY listener Sean O’Hallaran created a winning combination of vanilla ice cream, chocolate-covered pretzel pieces and veins of butterscotch. Delicious. And if that doesn’t satisfy your sweet tooth, check out the Gadzooks! flavors. Gadzooks original is chocolate ice cream, peanut butter brownie pieces, chocolate chunks and caramel swirls. Gadzooks Blanc has the same mixings but features vanilla ice cream instead of chocolate. I suggest you try both. Happy ice-cream tasting!

Bassett’s Ice Cream
45 N. 12th Street, Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia, PA 19107
215.925.4315
www.bassettsicecream.com

If you’re someone who loves a well-cut dress, you’ll adore the fabulous creations of Pakistani American designer Zahra Saeed, who opened her flagship store, Zahra Saeed, in Rittenhouse Square this past March. Saeed’s Walnut Street boutique features clothing with her signature touch: gorgeous fabrics from Europe and Asia.

Along with her collection of delicious dresses, the store showcases Zahra-designed jewelry and various accessories, many with exquisite Eastern-inspired beading and embroidery detailing. So whether you need a formal look for a fancy graduation dinner, or simply a cute summer sundress for a day on the beach, check out local designer Zahra Saeed for your fashion needs.

Zahra Saeed
1901 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA
(267) 519-0804
www.zahrasaeed.com

Starbucks, eat your heart out. There’s a new coffee shop in town. Lovers & Madmen Coffee Lounge, located in University City on the corner of South 40th Street and Ludlow has everything you could possibly want in a local coffee shop. Free wireless? Check. Multiple floor outlets in convenient spots? Check. Organic scones, cinnamon knots and artisan quiches from Under the Oak Cafe? Check. Bright airy space perfect for reading, writing and enjoying? Absolutely. Pleasant, helpful staff? Yep.

Ever since Lovers & Madmen opened, I’ve been addicted to its great ambiance. Windows that open out onto the street are perfect for people-watching. Plus, the fact that it’s a part of PA Buy Fresh, Buy Local means you can enjoy their sandwiches , coffees and teas knowing your purchase supports local farmers and merchants. And it doesn’t hurt that Lovers & Madmen is located one block from the Market-Frankford Line.

So drive/walk/bike/SEPTA down to West Philadelphia and check out Lovers & Madmen. You won’t be disappointed.

Lovers & Madmen is open from 7AM to 7PM Mondays through Saturdays and from 8AM-6PM on Sunday.

Lovers & Madmen Coffee Lounge
28 S 40th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 243-9851