FEASTIVAL is coming! (photo courtesy of FEASTIVAL)

FEASTIVAL is a fundraiser for the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe. Co-hosted by Stephen Starr, Michael Solomonov, and Audrey Claire Taichman, it marries dynamic performance with food from some of the city’s most acclaimed restaurants.

Returning for a second year on Wednesday, September 14, FEASTIVAL 2011 will be held at Pier 9 on North Columbus Boulevard. Attendees will be treated to live performances by choreographer Brian Sanders, live painting by the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program and a circus performance by Montreal’s 7 Fingers whose nationally touring show Traces will make its Philadelphia premiere at the Live Arts Festival from September 15-18. (More on that soon.)

Some of the restaurants that have signed on to participate so far include 10 Arts, a.kitchen, Audrey Claire, Barclay Prime, Bistrot La Minette, Capogiro, Federal Donuts, Fish, Fork, Lotus Farm to Table, Sampan, Vetri and many, many more.

In addition to showcasing great food and performance, FEASTIVAL 2011 will also honor Former Governor and Mayor Edward G. Rendell for his role in Philadelphia’s cultural community, as well as for his significant city and statewide contributions.

Tickets are on sale now and can be bought by phone or online. VIP tickets are $350 and include early admission, a preview of the auction and private bar service. General admission is $250.

FEASTIVAL 2011
When: Wednesday, September 14, 6-9 p.m.
Where: Pier 9, 121 N. Columbus Boulevard
Cost: $250-350
More info: www.phillyfeastival.com

Then you won’t want to miss the Movie Prop Warehouse Sale at the Philadelphia Navy Yard this Thursday and Friday, August 4-5. Coordinated by Stu Eli and Janet Morales of Three Potato Four (a fabulous shop located in Manayunk that specializes in all things vintage, charming and one-of-a-kind).

The collection of items on sale includes East Asian and Early American furniture, a multitude of tables, cabinets, bookcases, bowls, baskets, rugs and so much more. To see some preview photos, click over to the Three Potato Four Twitter account and check out some of the pictures they’ve been snapping and posting.

Everything is priced to and all items must be purchased with either cash or check (unfortunately, that means no plastic).

Movie Prop Warehouse Sale
When: Thursday and Friday, August 4-5, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Philadelphia Navy Yard, 900 Constitution Avenue
Cost: Free to enter, cash or check only for purchases
More info: www.threepotatofourshop.com

Designed to show off some of the area’s most gorgeous agricultural land, this ride gives cyclists an opportunity to explore the less-trafficked back roads of Chester County (and all for a good cause).

Each course starts and ends at Victory Brewing in Downingtown and participants can choose from 25, 50 and 75 mile rides. The rides get progressively more challenging as the mileage increases, so choose accordingly.

All routes pass through Springton Manor Farm, a 300-acre parcel that was originally part of William Penn’s Manor and that has been in continual agricultural use for more than three centuries.

After your ride is over, you’ll be able to join fellow cyclists at Victory for generous spread of local foods, burgers and beer. Advanced registration is currently available now through September 19. For more information about PASA and the Bike Fresh, Bike Local event, visit Philly Homegrown.

Bike Fresh, Bike Local
When: Sunday, September 25
Where: Victory Brewing in Downingtown
Cost: $40 for advanced registration, $45 the day of the event
More info: www.pasafarming.org

 
The next installment of Night Market, Philly’s favorite roving, outdoor food bazaar is next Thursday, August 4 in Mt. Airy! And this time, it’s a true street fair, taking over a two-block stretch of Germantown Avenue between Sedgwick and Mt. Airy Avenue.

Brought to you by The Food Trust, this edition of the night market will feature not only an array of fabulous food vendors (including Vendy winners Gigi & Big R and Sweetbox Cupcakes), but also but also live performances from musicians like the UCC Royal Brass Band and Doc Gibbs and his band, as well as the Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble.

Oh, and did we mention that both McMenamin’s and Earth Bread + Brewery will be on hand serving beer to ensure than no one goes thirsty?

Admission to Night Market is free, the food and drink is pay as you go. We recommend that you head over early and come hungry!

To further tickle your appetite for all things Night Market, check out the above video that the Philly Homegrown team recorded at the last night market. We’re hungry already!

Night Market: Mt. Airy
When: Thursday, August 4, 6-10 p.m.
Where: Germantown Avenue between Sedgwick and Mt. Airy Avenue
Cost: Free
More info: www.nightmarketphilly.org

Get your fresh produce from Walnut Hill Community Farm (photo by M. McClellan)

Founded in spring 2010, The Walnut Hill Community Farm is a combination community garden, urban farm, and pocket park that you can find at 4610 Market Street in West Philadelphia (we first told you about it last summer). Managed by Philly Rooted in partnership with The Enterprise Center, it is located on a plot of land that’s owned by Septa but has been utterly transformed over the 18 months.

In their second year, the Youth Growers (students who are learning farming and business skills) at Walnut Hill are making an effort get even more involved with the community. To this end, they’ve opened two farm stands that will operate for the duration of the growing season. You can find the first farm stand on site at the farm on Tuesdays and Fridays from 3 – 6 p.m. A second stand is located on the concourse level of SEPTA’s offices (1234 Market Street) every other Wednesday (next market day is July 27) from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

For more information on how to eat local, make sure to visit our sister site, Philly Homegrown. You’ll find information about farmers’ markets, restaurants, chefs and even recipes. We’re planning on blending up a batch of their Watermelon Agua Fresca as soon as the work day is over to help beat the heat!

Walnut Hill Community Farm Stands
When: Tuesdays and Fridays, 3 – 6 p.m., alternate Wednesdays, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: 4610 Market Street, 1234 Market Street
Cost: pay as you go
More info: www.phillyrooted.com

The six-course meal, family-style meal features specialty dishes associated with world-renowned Italian singers and artists. These include the Bellini, Penne Pavarotti (a pasta that tenor Luciano Pavarotti is said to have favored), classic Saltimbocca, and an authentic Opera Cake, the classic seven-layer cake whose origins date to the Roman Empire.

This event isn’t just dinner and a show. Diners will also have the opportunity to cast a vote for their favorite performer. The winner will be announced at the event’s final evening on August 24. A portion of the proceeds from these Opera evenings go benefit the Opera Company of Philadelphia. The grand prize for the winning contestant will include a subscription for two to the Opera Company of Philadelphia’s 2011-2012 Opera at the Academy Series, in addition to a $500 cash prize. Call (610) 695-8990 to make your reservations.

Opera Evenings at Trattoria San Nicola
When: 6:30 p.m. on August 3, 10, 14 and 24
Where: Manor Road, Paoli
Cost: $49.50 per person, wine flight an additional $15
More info: www.sannicola.net

Two Gander Honey at the Dickinson Square Farmers' Market (photo by Jill Ivey)

This week is positively bursting with ways to get out and eat some of the Philly region’s homegrown goodness. Between the festivals, pig roasts and farmers’ markets, your local food social calendar is bursting with possibilities.

• We recommend starting things off on Saturday morning with a scoop of 150 years local Bassetts Ice Cream at the Ultimate Philadelphia Ice Cream Festival at Reading Terminal Market. If you’re concerned about eating ice cream for breakfast, just get a scoop of strawberry. The fruit makes it okay.

• Later that day, find a few friends and pile into the car for the Mood’s Farm Market in Mullica Hill, NJ for some old fashioned pick-your-own fun. Right now, you can fill your buckets with blueberries, raspberries and peaches. We also recommend that you don’t leave without a bag of their fresh, warm apple cider doughnuts.

• Once you’ve had your fill of fresh fruit, make your way to Headhouse Square for the annual Good Food, Good Beer and the Rest is History event. A fundraiser for Slow Food Philly and Farm to City, this urban cook-out is half pig roast, half beer festival and an entirely good time.

• Sunday morning, skip the crowds at the Headhouse Square Farmers’ Market and head down to the one at Dickinson Square instead. In addition to the corn, peaches, tomatoes, blueberries, and Two Gander Honey (pictured above), the market is bringing Rachel Klein of Miss Rachel’s Pantry to cook up a few of her favorite no-cook specialties. The demonstration will be held in the Parson’s Building in the center of the park, starting at 12 noon.

And, as always, for more local food happenings, visit Philly Homegrown.

(Photo by M. McClellan for GPTMC)

Looking for a good way to while away this Saturday evening? Get your tickets for the 7th annual Good Food, Good Beer and the Rest is History event at Headhouse Square this Saturday, July 16th. This Slow Food Philly and Farm to City fundraiser is a summer institution for the local food inclined and is always a good (and delicious) time.

For just $25 ($30 at the door), you get to sample delicious tidbits from Feast Your Eyes, Healthy Bites, BT Baking and the Restaurant School, as well as unlimited sips of beer from Philadelphia Brewing Company, Earth Bread & Brewery, Victory Brewing, and Stoudt’s Brewing.

In a departure from past years, this incarnation of this event will feature two roasted pigs from Countrytime Farms (one of the area’s most beloved small scale pork producers). This is THE event for those of you who love nothing more than an outdoor pig roast on a summer evening.

Good Food, Good Beer and the Rest is History
When: Saturday, July 16, 6-9 p.m.
Where: Headhouse Square, 2nd and Lombard Streets
Cost: $25-30 (tickets for children over 12 can be bought for $15)
More info: www.slowfoodphilly.org

Dining Days, University City District’s version of Restaurant Week, kicks off in just a few short days.

From July 14 through July 28 nearly 30 participating restaurants will be offering an array of hot deals on dinner. These offers clock in at either $15, $25 or $30 for three courses, making them both delicious and accessible for just about everyone.

Our sister site, Philly Homegrown, is also pretty thrilled about the arrival of Dining Days. That’s because there happens to be a number of restaurants on the list who are dedicated local food buyers. Look for locally grown and produced items at spots like City Tap House, MidAtlantic, Rx, JG Domestic, Penne and White Dog Cafe. Just make your reservations now. If the past is any indicator, opportunities to dine at these prices don’t last long.

If you’re driving to Dining Days, make sure to get yourself a good deal on parking. Starting on Thursday, you can get $7 parking at either 38th or 40th and Walnut Street garages from 5 p.m.-midnight with validation from participating restaurants.

Finally, don’t forget to enter our University City restaurant gift certificate giveaway!

We’re offering two readers a chance to win $100 in restaurant gift certificates. You could win either $50 gift certificate to MidAtlantic Restaurant & Taproom and a $50 gift certificate to Rx or $50 gift certificate to White Dog Cafe and a $50 gift certificate to JG Domestic.

University City Dining Days
When: July 14-28
Where: Locations vary
Cost: $15, $25 or $30 (does not include tax, alcohol or gratuity)
More info: www.universitycity.org

Philly Homegrown has partnered with Philly.com/Food, a new website devoting to all things delicious. (Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC)

Yesterday’s Thanksgiving in July event at Reading Terminal Market wasn’t just about seeing celebrity chefs demonstrate dishes or raising funds for area food banks (as good a cause as that is). It was also intended to serve as the launch for Philly.com/Food, a new website devoting to all things eating, drinking, dining and delicious.

Former Inquirer writer Michael Klein is the driving force behind this new site and brings his many years of food knowledge and know-how to bear on its pages.

What’s more, he has partnered with a variety of local organizations, establishments and writers to create a robust, varied and deeply useful site.

One of his content partners in this endeavor is our sister site, Philly Homegrown. You’ll find many of Homegrown profiles, blog posts and recipes under the Locavore tab of the site.

Make sure to check back regularly to see new ideas for restaurants to try, farmers’ markets to visit and dishes to put on your dining room table!

www.philly.com/food [Philly Homegrown: Locavore]

The ice cream festival is a summer event too sweet to miss. (Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)

Ice cream lovers, may we have your attention please!

The 5th Annual Ultimate Philadelphia Ice Cream Festival will be returning to Reading Terminal Market on Saturday, July 16 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. for another year of delicious scoops, sundaes and shakes.

Sponsored by Bassett’s Ice Cream, this year’s festival will be celebrating their 150th anniversary. In addition to Bassett’s, you’ll also find a number of other local ice cream, gelato and sorbet makers on hand offering up the best in frozen confection in the market’s Center Court.

Highlights of the day include ice cream eating contests, tastings, games, demonstrations, giveaways, live music, children’s crafts and more.

The ice cream festival is pay as you go, so make sure to bring cash and a healthy appetite.

The 5th Annual Ultimate Philadelphia Ice Cream Festival
When: Saturday, July 16, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Reading Terminal Market, 12th and Arch Streets
Cost: Pay as you go
More info: www.readingterminalmarket.org

Reading Terminal Market will be holding a canned food drive in conjunction with the event to benefit Philabundance, so if you decide to come by, make sure to pick up something to contribute. If you can’t coordinate getting your hands on some tuna, peanut butter or black beans, do know that they’ll also be accepted cash donations that will benefit Philabundance, MANNA and the Food Trust.

Thanksgiving in July
When: Thursday, July 7 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: Reading Terminal Market, Center Court
Cost: Free, donations accepted
More info: www.readingterminalmarket.org