Take a step into Anthony’s Italian Coffee House and take a step back in time, as the Anastasio family owned café opened in 1938. The coffee house, nestled in the Italian Market, has an old world charm with an original tin roof, small marble tables, a playlist of classic Italian songs, and black and white images of the Anastasio family that line the wall above the mantle.

Beyond their freshly brewed house blends, choose from Anthony’s laundry list of lattes, tea, and other specialty drinks. And if you’re looking to truly experience their slogan, “taste the tradition” you could try their homemade Italian sweets (cannoli, pizzelle) as well as their array of homemade Panini sandwiches. If you want to take a bit of Anthony’s home to your kitchen, pick up a bag of their loose tea, signature coffee blends, and packaged traditional Italian sweets (Baci chocolates, Biscotti, etc) on your way out.

After your taste buds make a decision, take a seat at one of the eight mini marble tables and soak in the scenery. But if you’re in more of a “people-watching” mood, then snag a window seat (or an outdoor table) and watch the crowds stroll through the market .

Anthony’s Italian Coffee House
903 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(800) 833-5030
www.italiancoffeehouse.com

The Arden Theatre Company just announced its 2009/2010 mainstage season, which is sure to excite any theatre fan. The Arden’s mission is to tell great stories by great storytellers, and the season’s five plays, which include two Pulitzer Prize winners, promise to do just that.

The season kicks off in September with The History Boys, which won a Tony in New York and follows the hilarious, sexy, and sporty exploits of a bunch of British boarding school students.

Rabbit Hole, opening in October, won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for drama. It tells the heart-wrenching (yet funny and inspiring!) story of a family struggling to survive a tragic accident. Next comes Blue Door, which takes place over the course of a sleepless night as an African American mathematics professor receives a series of “visits” from his ancestors, and grapples with their lives and his own identity.

The season wraps up with two classics. Romeo and Juliet opens in March, and I trust I don’t need to say anything in the way of plot description here! The timeless masterpiece will be unadulterated and gimmick-free, just as Shakespeare wrote it. The season finishes up with Sunday in the Park with George, the Sondheim musical inspired by Georges Seurat’s famous pointillist painting “Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.” The award-winning musical is “brimming with beauty and light,” and you’ll be sure to be humming the music for days afterwards.

So make sure to head over to Old City to catch one – or all! – of the Arden’s productions this year. Tickets, season subscriptions, and other info are available through their website.

Arden Theatre Company
40 N 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 922-8900
www.ardentheatre.org

Philly’s a tattoo, town, all right. Just throw a rock (or a can of PBR) and you’ll probably end up bruising someone who’s sporting ink. It’s only fitting, then, that the Independence Seaport Museum is hosting “Skin & Bones: Tattoos in the Life of the American Sailor,” an exciting exhibit that examines the tradition of tattoos among the seafaring Americans who introduced skin art culture to the masses.

Visitors will learn all about tattooing tools and methods and hear recorded stories told by the tattooed sailors themselves. There’s also an extensive display of flash and other tattoo-related art, historic photographs and mementos from way back, including a reproduction of an old school tattoo parlor.

The exhibit is complimented by additional programming, such as a fall screening of the documentary “Hori Smoku Sailor Jerry,” which was directed by Philly native Erich Weiss. And if your trip to the museum doesn’t inspire you to go under the needle yourself, there’s no need to feel like a poser. The gift shop stocks plenty of temporary tattoos, posters, tee shirts and more so you can take the plunge without the commitment. Your mom will be so proud!

Skin & Bones, Tattoos in the Life of the American Sailor, runs through January 3, 2010 at The Independence Seaport Museum, Penn’s Landing. Hours are 10 pm-5 pm daily.

Independence Seaport Museum
211 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106-3199
(215) 925-5439
www.phillyseaport.org

The Fairmount Art Center, located behind the PMA’s Perelman Building at 2501 Olive Street, is letting you get down and dirty this summer… in an entirely G-rated way. The center’s summer session starts July 6th, with five-week art classes for all ages taught by professional artists and educators.

The grown-up crowd can sign up for Drawing & Painting, Mixed-Media & Collage, Jewelry Introduction: Beads, Wire & Silver Clay, or Sewing. No experience necessary, and in most cases equipment is supplied. For the younger set of aspiring Picassos, ways to get creative include Mommy-and-Me sing and dance sessions for infants through five-year-olds, visual arts classes for ages two through four, and weekly theme-based classes for four-year-olds through teens ranging from drawing to painting to printing to sculpture.

There’s also a Mini-Camp that meets twice weekly, and week-long camps in June and August. As with the adult courses, all kids’ and teens’ programs are taught by experienced art instructors. Need proof of Fairmount’s credentials? The center recently won the Parent’s Pick Award for “Best Artsy Class for Little Kids in the Greater Philly Area”, courtesy of GoCityKids.com.

A full-range art center serving the greater Philadelphia area since 2004, Fairmount caters to all ages and artistic ability levels in a casual and comfortable environment. The newly remodeled studios (the organization relocated to their current space in 2007) offer top-of-the-line materials and instruction. The combo of community and creativity is a great way to channel positive energy in bleaker times, not to mention the perfect refreshment from soaring summer temps.

Sign up online at fairmountartcenter.com, and check out price packages like signing up for 2 sessions at once and getting $15 back, signing up for 3 and getting $25 back, and 15% family discounts.

The 20th Annual Manayunk Arts Festival takes place this weekend and it’s sure to be as popular as ever.

Local and national artists exhibit their work along historic Main Street in Manayunk, showcasing more than 260 artists and their artwork including jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, photography, painting, glass and mixed media.

And, oh yes, there will be food as well.

Manayunk restaurants set up shop along Main Street offering their goods to the hungry masses. So another reason to check it out is for a tasting tour of the neighborhood.

Participating restaurants this year:

- Bella Trattoria
- Cactus Restaurant and Bar
- Caputo’s Pizzeria
- Chabaa Thai
- Chloe’s Corner
- Couch Tomato Café
- Dairyland
- Derek’s (120 seats outside fronting Main Street and there will be a outdoor Martini Bar as well)
- Jake’s Restaurant (Jake’s $8 crab cake sandwich will be served outside all day, $10 with a homemade lemonade)
- Kildare’s (plentiful outdoor tables right on Main Street)
- Machismo Burrito Bar
- Manayunk Brewery and Restaurant
- Mango Moon
- Sapphire
- Saxby’s
- Sole of Manayunk
- Winnie’s Le Bus Manayunk

Bonus: Canada Dry is a festival sponsor, so they’ll be there to keep you hydrated with complimentary Snapple, Nantucket Nectar juices, Honest Tea, Vitamin Water and Hydrive Energy drinks. And ABSOLUT, another sponsor, will be on hand serving complimentary adult summer beverages featuring ABSOLUT’s first tropical flavor — ABSOLUT Mango

Saturday, June 27, 2009: 11 am - 8 pm
Sunday, June 28, 2009: 11 am - 6 pm

Manayunk Arts Festival [gophila.com]

The Painter by Mike McJilton

That adorable little tea/curiosity shop on North 4th street, The Random Tea Room, has turned their operation into a multi-use space for tea drinkers, perusers and artists. Their monthly 2nd Thursday art openings are a welcome change from the crowded First Friday. This month they are featuring an incredibly talented artist, Mike McJilton.

Mike’s show “Some People, Some Places” will be on display through June 30th (which gives you some time to go and see it). I’m not an art critic, but I think Mike’s paintings are amazing. He’s particularly adroit at capturing subtle emotions and quiet glimpses into the lives of his subjects. Depending on the piece, his unique approach might remind you of anyone from Picasso to Hockney, with Impressionist and Expressionist influences thrown in, but Mike’s art is all his own–it’s sure to entice you to reflect.

So stop by the Random Tea Room to have a cup of tea, a scone and a gander at some fantastic art!

The Random Tea Room & Curiosity Shop
713 North 4th Street, Philadelphia PA 19123
www.therandomtearoom.com

The sublime, labyrinthine passageways of Philadelphia's Magic Gardens. (Photo by Albert Lee)

The first time I walked through Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, I was instantly enchanted. Isaiah Zagar, South Street’s poet of the mosaic arts, crafted this exuberant and emotionally cohesive collection of bottles, bicycle spokes, tiles and anything else you can think of, spending several decades in this parking lot-turned-thing of beauty to bring it closer to completion. Today, the Gardens is nothing short of genius.

Haven’t visited? Well, you’re missing some of the best stuff in this city. And you can redeem yourself this weekend.

This Sunday, June 21st, the Magic Gardens is hosting its second annual Summer Solstice Festival from 2 until 10 p.m. The event kicks off with six hours of world music, drumming performances, artistic wood burning, storytelling, dance ensembles and more (2 to 8 p.m.). A DJ takes over for the final two hours for a Gardens-wide dance party (8 to 10 p.m.).

Food and non-alcoholic drinks will be provided by Jim’s Steaks, Starbucks, La Fourno, Black and Brew, Gennaro’s and others.

Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for students and free for kids.

The Summer Solstice Festival is a perfect way to 1) enjoy the longest day of the year; 2) treat your dad to a Father’s Day he’ll never forget; and 3) turn your Sunday into something extraordinary. I promise that, once you’ve visited the Gardens, it will be forever in your mind. And it just may bring the artist out of you.

Click here or the image below to download the official flyer.

Summer Solstice Festival @ Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
1022-1024 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 733-0390

CLICK HERE to read more about Philadelphia Magic Gardens’ Summer Solstice Festival

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens [gophila.com]

Museum of Archeology and Anthropology

Besides cheese steaks and Rocky, Philadelphia is known for its thriving historical sites and museums that shed light on American culture and politics. Although, why not avoid the tourists at Independence Hall this weekend and delve into a history that you haven’t had instant access to… the ancient Maya culture.

UPenn’s Museum of Archeology and Anthropology are currently sharing their personal collection of Maya pottery and other artifacts via their exhibit, Painted Metaphors: Pottery and Politics of the Ancient Maya, which opened up back in April. This new exhibit features over 150 ancient artifacts, including pottery, jewelry, incense burners, figurines, musical instruments and other historical pieces that were excavated over a century ago and have recently been restored and studied. These treasured pieces depict significant Maya traditions and political turmoil.

And if you’re looking for a hands on experience (yes, even in a museum), why not try to create your own painted metaphor with inked stamps of symbols and glyphs. Or maybe you’d like to give the art of restoration a try, by carefully assembling a broken Maya vessel with magnetic pieces.

Beyond the artifacts, this exhibit also offers audio, video and photos of more recent Maya life in the village of Chama. In essence, Painted Metaphors is expressing and preserving stories of the Maya culture.

University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
3260 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
www.paintedmetaphors.org

“Common creatures, in other cities, dress to live; but in Paris people live to dress.” - Charles Dickens (1867).

We all know how Paris has been inspiring fashion addicts for centuries, but it is fascinating to discover the evolution of the shopping process.

The Shopping in Paris exhibition, showing at the Spain Gallery of the Philadelphia Art Museum until October 25th, pairs, among its nearly 35 garment and accessories, the luxurious designs of leading couturiers such as Charles Worth, Emile Pingat and Paul Poiret with American fashion items inspired by these Parisian designers.

The exhibit also underlines the radical changes in ladies fashion at the corner of the century, evolving from stiff, heavy gowns to light, leg-showing dresses as women were experiencing a newly found independence.

Shopping in Paris French Fashion 1850-1925
Now through October 25, 2009

Philadelphia Museum of Art
2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA‎
(215) 235-3200

Ever look up at one of the signature Philadelphia murals and say: “I wish I could paint something like that.” Well, this is your chance! The city wide mural project, This We Believe, is letting everyone get their hands dirty to paint a mural that will be seen all over Philly.

The project, which celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Mural Arts Program, started in February with two teams competing for the design of the mural. In May 4,500 Philadelphians cast their votes and a winner was announced. The winning design brightly captures Philadelphia’s past and present and the people who live in it.

The full mural will hang in 30th St. Station and the Gallery at Market East before being divided into segments to hang in neighborhoods throughout the city. There are six days to paint during June and July so grab a brush, and a friend, and help paint our town.

Mural Arts Project Paint Days

Sunday, June 21
Allens Lane Art Center, 601 W. Allens Lane, 10AM - 1PM

Saturday, June 27
John Perzel Community Center, 2990 St. Vincent Street, 10AM - 1PM.

Sunday, June 28
Wall St. International, 1431-39 N. 52nd Street, 10AM - 1PM.

Wednesday, July 1 during Sunoco Welcome America! 1PM - 3PM
Rittenhouse Square, 18th and Walnut Street
Logan Circle, 19th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Washington Square, 7th and Walnut Streets
Franklin Square, 6th and Race Streets

Saturday, July 18
Colombus Square, 12th and Wharton, 10AM - 1PM

Saturday, July 11
The ARC/PDDC, 2350 West Westmoreland Street, 10AM - 1PM

Brand new this year is the 2nd Street Festival in Northern Liberties, happening this Saturday, June 20, 2009.

The festival will take place on 2nd Street in Northern Liberties between Green Street on the south end and Germantown Avenue on the north end.

The festival is free to attend and there will be lots of live music, more than 60 local vendors on the street, children’s activities, and, yes, plenty of delicious food.

About the food. Vendors will be located all along the half-mile stretch of 2nd Street. There will also be three beer gardens along the way operated by local restaurants and bars.

Some food vendor highlights:

- Standard Tap Beer Garden & Food
- North Bowl Beer Garden & Games
- 700 Club Beer Garden
- Cantina Dos Segundos
- A Full Plate - Serving Vegan Foods!
- Rustica
- Greenwood Kitchen

And then you have the new restaurants at the Piazza at Schmidts as well as the places on Liberties Walk.

So bring your appetite. There will be plenty to eat.

First Annual 2nd Street Festival in conjunction with The Popped Music Festival

Popped! Music Festival [gophila.com]

West Oak Lane Jazz & Arts Fest, June 19-21; Photo courtesy WOL

Thousands of people are expected to attend the 6th Annual West Oak Lane Jazz & Arts Festival this weekend.

And in addition to all the great music and art, the food is a main attraction.

Check out the impressive selection of food offerings the festival organizers have put together:

Aquil Fish and Wings
Fish, Chicken Wings, Shrimp, Fries, Lemonade

Arnold Goldberg
Roasted Corn, Stuffed Baked Potato

Chef Ali’s Kitchen
Fish, Chicken, Shrimp, Crabcake Platters, Kabobs, Asst. Sides, Iced Tea, Lemonade

Coco Bongos
Smoothie in Novelty Cups

Festival Food Management
Funnel Cake, Chicken Tenders, Fries, Lemonade

Hot Diggity Dogs
Hotdogs, Sausage, Chicken Wings, Pretzels, Coffee, Punch

Hot Spot Foods
Louisiana Cajun Fried Chicken, Sausage, Shrimp Jambalaya

Irish Ice
Irish Ice, Cotton Candy, Kettle Corn

La Authentica
Kabobs, Rice and Beans, Corn, Arepas, Pork Platter, Pina Coloda

Liberty Concessions
BBQ Pork, Chopped Brisket, Pulled Chicken, BBQ Ribs, Fries, Lemonade

Montegonia Delite
Curry Chicken, Jerk Chicken, Fried Fish, Oxtail, Rice and Peas, Sides, Iced Tea

New Fizon
Cheese Steak, Fries, Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, Chicken Parm, BBQ Chicken

Payne Catering
Fried Wings, Fried Fish, Sides, Fried Shrimp, Water Ice, Lemonade Punch, Iced Tea

R&D Specialty Foods
Kabobs, BBQ Chopped Chicken, Wingettes, Grill Doggs, Bigg Bigg Burgers, Sides

Sara Festival
Gyro, Sausage, Fajitas, Cajun Chicken, Falafel, Greek Salad, Fresh Cut Fries and Chips, Grilled Veggies, Iced Tea, Lemonade

Taste Catering
Fried Whiting, Crabcake, Wing Platter

Mmmm… Everything.

The food court area will be located in the middle of the festival, on Ogontz Avenue between Walnut Lane and Tulpehocken Street.

CLICK HERE to download a festival brochure, complete with festival tips, a festival map, and a full performance schedule.

CLICK HERE for more information on the Festival’s official website.

West Oak Lane Jazz & Arts Festival [Gophila.com]

You don’t just celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Edgar Allan Poe. You have to warm up to it.

In preparation for their Poe-based production event Haunted Poe which runs from Oct. 1 to Nov. 1, Brat Productions is hosting a macabre doll-crafting workshop and haunted cabaret on Thursday June 25 at the Latvian Society at 5th and Spring Garden in Northern Liberties. Read more about the fall’s Haunted Poe at hauntedpoe.com.

The three-hour workshop, which begins at 1 p.m., will be led by Dame Darcy, an artist, musician and comic book author. Participants will first craft dolls related to the dark women in Poe’s life and stories, from Lenore to Virginia Clemm, Poe’s first cousin and wife. Play your cards right, and your work could be displayed during October’s Haunted Poe.

Then later, Brat’s cabaret will feature performances from Darcy and others, including a comedian and a Poe impersonator — all with a decidedly darker theme. The cabaret begins at 9 p.m.

The workshop fee is $25, which includes materials, light snacks and admission to the cabaret. Workshop tickets are available through Brown Paper Tickets. Cabaret-only tickets are $5 and are available here. For tickets by phone, call 1-800-838-3006.

Just across the street, audiences can also visit the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site, where Poe lived and penned some of his best-known works from 1838 to 1844. The house is open with free admission from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Doll Workshop and Haunted Cabaret
1 p.m. and 9 p.m. Thursday, June 25

Latvian Society
531 North 7th St, Philadelphia, PA

Have you ever realized how many murals there are in Philadelphia? You know you’ve passed some before – South Street, 3rd Street in Old City – they are all over. But do you know just how many there really are? 3000. 3000! This Sunday, the 3000th mural in the Mural Arts Program is being unveiled at 39th & Market streets.

This special mural by Marcus Akinlana is The Tuskegee Airmen: They Met The Challenge. This mural celebrates the achievements of the Tuskegee Airmen, the nation’s first African American military airmen and women. This group was comprised of the air crew, ground crew and operations support training in the Army Air Corp during WWII. Members of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen were actively involved in putting together this mural, and will be in attendance on Sunday.

The mural includes images of some of the local members when they were younger, but still remains intergenerational. Other elements of the design were inspired by stories the men told of how they yearned to fly when there were young boys.

The dedication takes place from 2-3pm, where you can show your support for this fearless crew. Immediately following the dedication is a reception at The Rotunda, and exhibition of portraits of the Tuskegee Airmen created by students who participated in the Diego Rivera Mural Academy, with workshops led by the creator of this mural, Akinlana. The reception will feature a panel discussion reviewing the achievements of the Tuskegee Airmen and the evolution of this mural project.

The Tuskegee Airmen: They Met The Challenge Dedication
Sunday, June 14th @ 2pm
39th & Market Streets

Philadelphia is a city of rabidly enthusiastic fans. You’ve got your sports fans, your food fans, your neighborhood fans, fans of Fairmount Park, fans of the music scene. Name something in this town and you’re sure to have a crowd of people willing to leap up and declare themselves die-hard supporters of that thing. We’re lucky to live in such a passionate city, where people stand behind the things they love.

Last night, our sister website, gophila.com, launched a new fan page on Facebook, as a way to give people a chance to announce to the world that they aren’t just fans of things inside Philadelphia, but that they’re a fan of Philly itself. So, uwishunu readers, what are you waiting for? Head over and fan up the city! While you’re there, why don’t you tell us what other Philly-centric things you’re a fan of.

Also, we’d love it if you’d tell your friends to become Philly fans. We’ve set up an easy little redirect so that it’s easy to spread the word. Just go to gophila.com/facebook to check out our fan page.