August 14, 2009
Post by Deni Kasrel
Back in the 1800′s through early turn of the last century, Philadelphia was known as “the workshop of the world,†due to the amount of mills and manufacturing facilities scattered all about our fair city.
While these days might be gone, they are certainly not forgotten, as witnessed by Philadelphia and its Manufactures: Photographs and Objects from Factories Here and Gone at Art in the Age. Created by artist/activist Jacob Hellman, the presentation shows his personal fascination with both functioning and abandoned factories.
Setting out original photos as well as assorted artifacts, the presentation aims to prod us to ponder notions of disposability, materialism and the fact that while our manufacturing roots have been largely severed, there are pockets where production does indeed still happen here today.
Hellman was inspired to create the show after reading a long out-of-print book titled “Philadelphia and Its Manufactures,†passages from which are beside photos he took of places described in the text. The juxtaposition of reading about what once was and then seeing how those same sites look today may offer additional food for thought.
Meanwhile, the show is appropriately staged in the Old City shop Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, which was recently named by Philadelphia Magazine as the “Best Place to Find Really Original Stuff.â€
Philadelphia And Its Manufactures
On Display Now through August 30th, 2009
Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction
116 N. Third St, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 922-2600
www.artintheage.com
August 5, 2009
Post by Andrew Thompson
First Friday in Old City is a tough event to compete with, but the folks on Frankford Avenue have done an impressive job so far. Their own version of the monthly arts crawl has employed the same basic strategies – open everything up for a few hours and let people have at it – but they’ve had a slightly more meager arsenal to work with, what with only a few galleries and eateries on the avenue.
The Frankford Ave. First Friday, though, is poised to take off in a big way – the new performing arts venue, Caterpillar, is one of the most bizarre, unique venues in the city. It’s second show, going on this Friday, will host jazz band Shot x Shot, the Spooks, Eric Carbonara Lillie Ruth Bussey and Druid Circles – a full complement of space rockers.
Suggested donation is $5, and proceeds from the show will benefit the Kensington Community Food Co-op.
The Caterpillar
2005 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA
August 3, 2009
Post by Lindsay Warner
Consistently rated on botanical top-10 lists and a popular place to take granny for Mother’s Day, it’s easy to categorize Longwood Gardens as a boring place to just look at flowers. Well, it’s not. With 1,050 world-famous acres of manicured beds, formal gardens and trees, you’d be hard-pressed to skip the flowers completely  but Longwood also offers a diverse calendar of events that don’t require you to sniff a single blossom.
Longwood’s Fireworks & Fountains is a dramatic concert series combining lavish fireworks and musical programs set against the backdrop of Pierre S. du Pont’s gem of a garden, first conceptualized in the early 1900s. This year, the music of ABBA kicks off Fireworks & Fountains’ first pop concert with Abbacadabra: The Magic of ABBA on Aug. 8 and Sept. 19, spotlighting the disco era’s best, from “Dancing Queen, to “Knowing Me, Knowing You” to the ever-popular “Waterloo.”
For those less inclined to dance among the roses, Sept. 6 showcases the music of Aram Khachaturian (1903 – 1978) with Khachaturian Cavalcade. Featuring music from some of Khachaturian’s best-known compositions, including the Adagio from the 1956 ballet Spartacus and the well-known “Sabre Dance” from the 1939 ballet Gayaneh, Khachaturian Cavalcade is filled with lyrical compositions, folk rhythms and pulsing energy, accompanied by the dramatic crash of fireworks designed by Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks of Loveland, Ohio and Longwood’s famous dancing fountains.
And if you find you can’t resist the siren song of the botanical offerings, not to worry  Fireworks & Fountains tickets permit all-day access to the gardens as well.
For more information, visit the Longwood Garden’s official events page.
Longwood Gardens
1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348
(610) 388-1000
www.longwoodgardens.org
July 14, 2009
Post by Alyssa Dingwall
As a resident of the area, I have watched the construction at 11th & Sansom, anxious to find out what was being built. The new kid in town turned out to be Smokin’ Betty’s, a new venture by the owner of Devil’s Alley (1907 Chestnut Street) and Sam’s Grill in Wynnewood and Jenkintown. And what a cool new kid she is! Huge windows let the sun flood both levels of the space with light, showing off the sleek wood floors and exposed brick.
The menu offers some unexpected options like matzo ball soup and a turducken burger alongside old favorites. The prices are also reasonable, with most items being less than $10, and the big plate entrees no more than $20. My friend praised the cobb salad for it’s lettuce-topping-dressing ratio. I ordered the barbecue sandwich with pulled pork, which I had to give in and use a fork to eat. It was completely worth it, and the sandwich was delicious.
Smokin’ Betty’s has an attentive staff, great atmosphere, yummy food, and the novelty of being a new establishment that can quickly turn become a favorite destination! What’s not to like!
Smokin’ Betty’s
116 South 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 922-6500
June 12, 2009
FRIDAY
Sir Richard Bishop & His Freak of Araby Ensemble, Oaxacan, Jack Rose
Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N Frankford
Sun City Girl Richard Bishop’s killer new “Freak of Araby” has been on repeat over here in the compound for the last month; tonight he’s playing that material with his full exploration unit. File possibly under “world music” from/for people who aren’t completely terrified of the world. With Fishtown’s worthiest son, Jack Rose. 9:30pm, $10.
Secret Cinema presents BORN RECKLESS
Digitas Health at The John Wanamaker Building, 100 Penn Square East The annual Secret Cinema party benefitting the AIDS Law Project.
Ample food and drinks roll out at 6pm, and then the movie projects on 16mm at 7:30pm. More info on all aspects of this at Secret Cinema. $25.
The Zodiac: Gemini Edition with Roxy and Nex Millen
Medusa, 21st and Chestnut
The monthly hip hop night guided by the stars. 10pm, $5, Geminis free.
Best of the Ottawa Intl Animation Fest
International House, 3701 Chestnut
A big pile of short animations from near and far. Many of these are available on Youtube, but it’s totally worth the price to see them large. Program notes at the link above. 7pm, $7.
SATURDAY
Art + Soul Food = Brewerytown
2600-2900 Girard
Art/soul food block party at the top of Fairmount. Kate covered it at the link above. 6-9pm.
Philadelphyinz with Apt One, Skinny Friedman and Kenny Raw
Medusa, 21st and Chestnut The one true party for the reigning Roman youth. Eat a grape from the vine. Lexie hosts. 10pm, free.
The Shakedown with Rob Paine and Willyum
The Barbary, Frankford and Delaware
The #1 deep house monthly. Empty the problems from your pockets and then watch them recede into the far distance. 10pm, $5.
