January 12, 2012
Celebrate MLK Day early this weekend, with events at the Free Library. (Photo courtesy Murphey Quigley Co. for the Free Library)
This Monday, January 16, hundreds of thousands of Philadelphians will be helping out in honor of the 17th Annual Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, the largest King Day of Service event in the nation.
In celebration of Dr. King’s January 15 birthday and volunteer and advocacy events throughout the city, the Free Library of Philadelphia is inviting you and your family to “An Afternoon with Martin Luther King Jr.”, an introduction to Dr. King’s life work through readings, arts and crafts.
At the event, held this Saturday, January 14, kids will have the opportunity to learn about the late Dr. King’s iconic place in the history of the civil rights movement and how, in 1964, he became the youngest person ever to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Also being held in honor of MLK Day this year will be a free concert by the Philadelphia Orchestra, service opportunities at the National Constitution Center and family programming at the National Museum of American Jewish History and the Franklin Institute.
For a full calendar of all the great events and classes taking place at the Free Library of Philadelphia, check here.
“An Afternoon with Martin Luther King Jr.” at the Free Library of Philadelphia
When: Saturday, January 14, 2:30 p.m.
Where: Northeast Regional Library, 2228 Cottman Avenue
Cost: Free
More info: www.freelibrary.org
January 11, 2012
This Thursday, January 12, join fellow social media junkies as the National Constitution Center hosts “What Would the Founding Fathers Think of Facebook?,” a discussion on the often unrealized effects of social networking on both our private and public lives.
On hand will be New York Times political reporter Jennifer Preston, Forbes social media blogger Kashmir Hill and famed privacy lawyer and author Lori Andrews, who’s celebrating the release of her new book, I Know Who You Are and I Saw What You Did: Social Networks and the Death of Privacy.
While most of us just use Facebook to keep up with friends and check out our favorite brands and businesses, Andrews found that the lives of people around the world had been upended by oftentimes harmless social media posts.
Her book and the discussion will delve into ways that we can protect ourselves and our children, and posit ways in which our legal system can deal with changing trends in tech.
Because our Founding Fathers never could have guessed what a Facebook Timeline would be, hear how social media could in fact be at the center of the next Amendment to the Bill of Rights.
Advance ticket purchase is required and available online.
“What Would the Founding Fathers Think of Facebook?” at the National Constitution Center
When: Thursday, January 12, 6:30 p.m.
Where: 525 Arch Street
Cost: $10, $7 for Members, students and teachers
More info: www.constitutioncenter.org
January 11, 2012
Orchid Extravaganza brings a taste of spring to winter, with this year's display boasting a 13-foot living arch, made of 350 white orchids and surrounded by six violet orchid orbs, each made from more than 100 blossoms. (Photo courtesy Longwood Gardens)
This winter, Longwood Gardens has your cure for the winter blues with the opening of its latest installment in floral artistry: Orchid Extravaganza.
Opening next Friday, January 20, Orchid Extravaganza will feature thousands of the stunning blossoms throughout the Gardens’ four-acre Conservatory.
Drawing inspiration from the building’s natural architectural elements, this year’s Extravaganza will be home to a 13-foot living arch, made of 350 white orchids and surrounded by six violet orchid orbs, each made from more than 100 blossoms.
And it won’t just be the orchids getting you into the springtime spirit this winter. There will also be some four dozen additional species of flowers and shrubbery in bloom throughout the extensive indoor and outdoor gardens, including butterfly bushes, pansies, hollies, lilies, roses and tulips.
Plan your trip for Friday, March 23 through Sunday, March 25 and treat yourself to the fruits of some of the world’s best orchid growers and collectors as part of the International Orchid Show & Sale. Special orchids will be on display and for sale by growers hailing from as far as Hawaii and South America.
Advance ticket purchase is available online.
Orchid Extravaganza at Longwood Gardens
When: January 20-March 25
Where: 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square
Cost: $18 for adults, $15 for seniors age 62 and over, $8 for students and children age 5-18, free for children age 4 and under
More info: www.longwoodgardens.org
December 22, 2011
Besides serving as the Fringe Festival's official Festival Bar, RUBA is a great spot for community events, as you'll see tonight. (Photo courtesy Philly Fringe)
If you’re like many holiday shoppers, you’ve probably got a few more holiday gifts to pick up before you can cross all those names off your shopping list.
Let the awesome Northern Liberties venue RUBA help you out as it hosts a special Draughts ‘N Crafts night tonight, chock-full of unique, handmade Christmas gifts on sale, and some that you can create yourself.
On sale will be the works of the talented men and women of the Traveling Wares, a group of craftspeople that sells handmade jewelry, handbags, ceramics, photograph, textiles, clothing, accessories and other gift items in the Philadelphia area.
Perhaps more exciting than the the gift shopping is the terrarium Christmas ornament-making that all visitors can try their hands at. There will be instruction by Co-Artistic Director Madi Distefano on how to get that tiny little cactus into that tiny little hole in that fragile little glass ornament.
They’ll be serving up winter ales, Bailey’s and whiskey, so come out for a relaxing holiday break. Grab a drink, a stocking-stuffer and put your DIY skills to the test.
Draughts ‘N Crafts at RUBA
When: Thursday, December 22, 6-9 p.m.
Where: 416 Green Street
Cost: Pay as you go
More info: www.bratproductions.org
December 19, 2011
The National Constitution Center is hosting fun holiday programming the entire week between Christmas and New Year's. (Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)
This year the National Constitution Center has got your post-Christmas holiday fun covered, as it hosts a special Winter Holiday Celebration Monday, December 26 through Saturday, December 31.
With the kids off from school this is the perfect week to check out all that the Constitution Center has to offer, including its exhibits Spies, Traitors & Saboteurs: Fear and Freedom in America and Fighting for Democracy: Who is the “We” in “We the People”?, closing January 8 and 16, respectively.
During the week, the center’s Grand Hall Lobby will be home to a bunch of great holiday-themed activities, like arts and crafts making, where kids will be able to decorate their own confetti crackers, New Year’s noise makers and hats.
There will be holiday games and an area where visitors can make and send greeting cards to the brave men and women serving overseas in our Armed Forces.
Join in the fun as participants belt out winter classics like “Let it Snow” as part of a seasonal karaoke sing-along, and learn about New Years traditions celebrated around the world. Never heard of the English tradition “first-foot,” or Scotland’s “Hogmanay”? Let the great staff and volunteers of the Constitution Center teach you a thing or two about these fun international customs during your visit.
There’s nothing better than sharing in the spirit of the holidays, so plan your visit now.
Tickets are available online.
National Constitution Center’s Winter Holiday Celebration<
When: Monday, December 26-Saturday, December 31
Where: 525 Arch Street
Cost: Free with museum admission
More info: www.constitutioncenter.org
December 12, 2011
Join Santa for holiday ales and merry cocktails at a dozen East Passyunk bars and restaurants. (Photo courtesy East Passyunk)
The bars and restaurants of East Passyunk Avenue invite you to eat, drink and be merry on Wednesday, December 14 at the annual Spirits & Suds with Santa Bar Crawl.
A dozen different East Passyunk establishments will be participating in this year’s festivities, including: The Bottle Shop, Stateside, Le Virtu, Cantina Los Caballitos, Adobe Cafe, Lucky 13, Paradiso, Stogie Joe’s, Pub on Passyunk East, South Philly Bar & Grill, Sticks & Stones and Birra.
Each of the locations will be offering one draft craft beer for $3 and one cocktail or wine-based drink for $4.
Registration will be held at The Bottle Shop from 5:30-8 p.m. The $5 admission gets you the drink specials at each of the listed bars, a Santa or Elf hat and Santa’s Sipping Stamp Card.
Cards will be stamped with your purchase of every special drink, and after collecting 5 stamps, you’ll be entered to win a $300 Gift Certificate Prize Package!
All proceeds benefit local needy families this holiday season.
This definitely beats your office holiday party. Advance ticket purchase is available online.
Spirits & Suds with Santa East Passyunk Bar Crawl
When: Wednesday, December 14, 5:30-11 p.m.
Where: Along East Passyunk Avenue
Cost: $5 registration, then pay as you go
More info: www.visiteastpassyunk.com
December 7, 2011
Toast — pun intended — to Sabrina's turning 10 with this awesome breakfast deal available at all three locations, including the newly opened Sabrina's Cafe @ Powelton pictured here. (Photo courtesy Sabrina's)
Happy 10th Anniversary to Sabrina’s, one of Philadelphia’s favorite brunch spots, home to arguably the city’s most epically massive French toast.
In celebration of 10 years of rave reviews and consistently mouth-watering meals, the cafe will be offering special weekday morning specials throughout December, and possibly into the new year.
All three locations, including the newly opened Sabrina’s @ Powelton in University City, will be serving up the deal, which includes one of four full breakfasts and a cup of coffee, all for just $6.99.
On the menu is either 2 Eggs Any Style plus your choice of a breakfast meat and toast, Short Stack Buttermilk Pancakes, Challah Frenchtoast or Pigs in a Blanket. In case you’re wondering, this isn’t your average Pig in a Blanket: it’s grilled sausage and cheddar eggs wrapped in a buttermilk pancake and topped with vanilla syrup. So good.
So, let Sabrina’s help you celebrate the most important meal of the day with this awesome deal. We know where we’ll be every weekday morning this month.
Sabrina’s Cafe Celebrates its 10th Anniversary
When: Monday-Friday, 8-10 a.m., through December, and possibly into January
Where: 910 Christian Street, 1804 Callowhill Street and 34th Street & Powelton Avenue
Cost: $6.99 base
More info: www.sabrinascafe.com
December 5, 2011
See a more athletic side of Santa at this special skating event this Sunday, December 11. (Photo courtesy Blue Cross RiverRink)
Be a part of the holiday celebration as the Blue Cross RiverRink hosts a very special visit from Santa and His Friends this Sunday, November 11.
As part of the event, there will be two skating sessions, one from 12:30-2:30 p.m. and another from 3:30-5 p.m., with Santa arriving on the historic 1902 tug Jupiter and hitting the ice at about 1 p.m.
Santa won’t be the only one in town to visit with the kids, as a handful of other Philadelphia area mascots will be in attendance, including the River Rink’s own Rinky, B101′s Buzzbee, the Camden Riversharks’ Blueper and Finley, Wally Wawa and more.
There will also be a variety of free Santa-themed activities for the kids, which don’t require setting foot on the ice, including holiday face painting, free keepsake photos and arts and crafts, like decorating your own Santa hat.
And after Santa completes his skate, he’ll retire to his throne so that the kids can tell him what they want for the holidays this year.
Santa Arrives at the Blue Cross RiverRink
When: Sunday, December 11, 12:30-5 p.m.
Where: Penn’s Landing, Columbus Boulevard and Market Street
Cost: Free to attend, $8 to skate, $3 optional skate rental
More info: www.riverrink.com
November 28, 2011
Eastern State Penitentiary is even more beautiful in the stark months of winter. (Photo by E. Feist courtesy Eastern State Penitentiary)
This Thursday, December 1 marks the opening of the latest installment of seasonal fun at Eastern State Penitentiary: the annual Winter Adventure Tours.
This year’s tours provide an hour-long look at the historic prison, including a glimpse at Death Row, the massive central surveillance hub and a walk through Al Capone’s infamous cell.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to unlock one of the Penitentiary’s “escape-proof” cells and check out murals painted by actual inmates. And new this year will be a “Hands-On History” interactive experience to keep you and your friends and family on your toes.
If you reserve your spot for Thursday, December 15 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., you’ll be treated to special holiday performances by the University of Pennsylvania Glee Club. Visitors will also be able to donate new or used books to Books Through Bars, an organization that provides reading material to inmates.
Parts of the tour can get a bit chilly, so you’ll want to dress for the weather. But, back by popular demand will be the complimentary hot chocolate, so you should stay nice and toasty.
Advance tickets are strongly recommended for Saturday and Sunday tours, and are available online.
Winter Adventure Tours at Eastern State Penitentiary
When: Opens Thursday, December 1 and runs through March, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 2027 Fairmount Avenue
Cost: $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $8 for students and children
More info: www.easternstate.org
November 18, 2011
Grab your beer-loving friends as one of Philadelphia’s newest concert and event venues, Union Transfer, hosts the annual Winter Beerfest, next Saturday, November 26.
This year’s event promises to be one of the best, with dozens of local and national beers to choose from, including choice selections from Harpoon, Victory, Allegash, Flying Fish and Dark Horse.
There’ll be IPAs, pumpkin ales, stouts and porters; so, basically, a little something for every different type of beer lover. New beers are being added daily, so check the full list for any last-minute additions.
This year’s venue will also be considerably larger than years past, meaning more space for you and for the beers, and less time spent waiting in line. Food will also be on sale at the event, as will commemorative t-shirts, mugs, pint glasses and jewelry.
Only 1,000 tickets are up for grabs, so get yours here now.
Winter Beerfest at Union Transfer
When: Saturday, November 26, 1-5 or 6-10 p.m.
Where: 1026 Spring Garden Street
Cost: $33; $43 the day of if available
More info: www.winterbeerfest.com
