December 22, 2008
Well… not really. I’m not suggesting you pick up last minute Christmas gifts at the local SEPTA stop. What I am recommending is that you pay a visit to Bus Stop, a cute boutique located on Fabric Row in Queen Village. They are currently in the midst of a three day holiday sale, offering 15% off shoes, boots, and handbags. Plus every purchase gets free gift wrapping. Nice!
It’s also worth mentioning that after Christmas, you’ll be able to save up to 40% on various clothing. You should definitely take the time to stop by this fun shop in QV. Back when I lived on Fabric Row, I’d walk past this shop almost every single day, and there were always people inside scoping out shoes and bags.
Bus Stop will be open today and tomorrow, from 11AM to 6PM, and on Christmas Eve from 10AM to 5PM.
Bus Stop Boutique
750 S. 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 627-2357
www.busstopboutique.com
December 19, 2008
Photos by Plaid Pony Vintage
Christmas is almost here, and you’ve got precious little time to get your holiday shopping in. Forget standing in long lines at the local department store. Head on over to Orphelin Vintage Boutique for their Holiday Soiree on Monday, December 22nd.
While you’re shopping, you can nibble on cheese and sip wine while taking full advantage of their wonderful assortment of gift worthy vintage stock. Clothing, shoes, housewares, art… lots of fun stuff to choose from.
Check out their website to see some great photos from inside the shop, and to get an idea on what they have for sale. If you see Tara, tell her Eric sent you. It won’t get you a discount or anything, I’m just hoping it’ll get me one next time I’m there.
Edit: The store is open from 6PM – 10PM this coming Monday.
Orphelin Vintage Boutique
720 South 5th St, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 796-5711
www.orphelinvintage.com
December 16, 2008
A wonderful holiday open house at our beloved Philadelphia Mural Arts Program is set to take place tomorrow, Wednesday, December 17th at the Lincoln Financial Mural Arts Center in Fairmount. Items up for grabs at this open house includes the ’09 Mural Arts Calendars, limited edition Mural Arts Collectible Tastykake Tins, 25th Anniversary Commemorative Mural Posters, Mural Arts Note Cards, their best-selling coffee-table books, as well as Mural Tour Gift Certificates.
Since ’84 this arts initiative has positively shaped so many of the streets and neighborhoods through out our lovely city. In fact, The Mural Arts Program originally began as the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network, and today is considered one of the largest public arts initiatives in the nation. I think its safe to say that the artwork created by Mural Arts have become somewhat iconic.
Tours are provided year-round, and for similar reasons, their coffee table book Philadelphia Murals & the Stories They Tell, calendars, etc are trul pieces of Philadelphia history in the making to own or give out as gifts. Items cover a variety of price ranges and the organization truly needs our continuing support.
Mural Arts Holiday Fundraiser
Wednesday, December 17th
Lincoln Financial Mural Arts Center
1727-29 Mount Vernon Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130
www.muralarts.org
December 15, 2008
Nothing is more synonymous with Christmas in Philadelphia than the Holiday Light Show at Macy’s. The light show has been leaving visitors awed for over half a century. The magic lies in the simplicity of it all… just blinking multicolored lights and music.
One visit guarantees a lifetime of returns. Just ask the hundreds of parents and children who come year after year to sit in the Grand Court and see a show as wonderful and simple as the snow that falls in the North Pole.
The lights and music play inside the grand court at the top of each hour, from 10AM to 8PM, running through December 31st.
Holiday Light Show @ Macys
1300 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 241-9000
December 11, 2008
The handmade IOU coupons and fruitcake didn’t go over too well last year, so this holiday season you might want to put some thought into gift giving. Lucky for you, Lakshmi Hair Studio has a few gift options that will excite the organic, glamour queen in your life.
Lakshmi recently started carrying Starflower Essentials, a line of organic skincare products made from botanicals. These products would pair well with a gift certificate towards one of their organic facials (the word on street is that the aromatherapy facial is a stellar sensory experience). Just stop by their studio in Old City, and Laurel (the esthetician) will assist you in choosing the right products and services.
While you’re in the giving mood, treat yourself to a quickie hair color transformation in their color lounge (only takes ten minutes thanks to their ozone machines). And can’t forget to mention the view from the lofted color lounge. You can squeeze in a great people-watching session through their large-scale windows while sipping on a cup of complimentary Old City Coffee.
In just one stop you can pick up some great gifts and treat yourself to some pampering. Win-Win situation.
Lakshmi Hair Studio
21 n. 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 923-2272
www.lakshmihairstudio.com
December 4, 2008
There is an Ebenezer Scrooginess that comes over me right after Halloween. Not a stingy Scrooge, but certainly a grumpy Scrooge, as we start to be beaten about the head with an overload of the commercial end of Christmas this and Holiday that.
After a proper appreciation of the Fall Season and Thanksgiving, I start to be more receptive, and The Soweto Gospel Choir performing at the Kimmel on December 10th seems perfectly timed to unharden my heart for the home stretch towards Christmas.
In the America of the mid to late 19th century, we chained the season to a New England iconography that is pretty and quaint, and I’m not here to throw it in the river, but imagine celebrating the same sentiments of universal peace, love and joy coming from somewhere without sleigh rides in the snow and fur mufflers.
Having grown up with a record player that was no stranger to Miriam Makeba and the surprising South African Broadway hit, WAIT A MINIM!, the sounds from the tip of Africa ring like familiar (and familial) comfort food.
The Soweto Gospel Choir draws on the best voices from the many churches in the Soweto area, and we’ve thanked them with two Grammys so far. If you love great vocals, if you love gospel and would like to experience a different approach to that same love, if the struggles and ultimate triumphs of South Africa have been part of your life, if all that can and should come together during the holiday season, then grab a few friends and family members, get tickets and get on board!
Soweto Gospel Choir
www.sowetogospelchoir.com
Kimmel Center
300 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 790-5800
www.kimmelcenter.org
December 3, 2008
Size does matter… well, when it comes to Christmas trees. Bigger means better when hundreds gather tonight at City Hall’s Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration. Join our mayor, the honorable Michael Nutter as he lights this 33-foot-high Colorado Blue Spruce that has been decorated with close to 4,000 light bulbs and over 1,400 ornaments.
But the tree isn’t the only reason to visit City Hall this evening because the real treat will be hearing the sounds of the One Flock Choir. Comprised of 50 students from the five special education schools of our Catholic Archdiocese. When they put their voices together, it is pure magic.
The theme this year is the importance of the Spirit of Giving. Doesn’t hurt to at least give your time, does it?
See you at the Tree Lighting.
City Hall Tree Lighting Tonight!
Starts at 5pm at City Hall Courtyard
Broad & Market
November 26, 2008
Photo by J. Smith for GPTMC
Sleigh bells riiiing, are you listening?
Well, Thanksgiving is upon us, and Friday officially marks the start of the holiday season. So it’s that time to bring your wishlist to Santa. For all you good girls and boys, here’s our list of places that Old Saint Nick will be dropping by in the Philadelphia area this weekend. Do me a favor? Let the big guy know I need a Nintendo Wii under my Christmas tree. Thanks.
Santa Express – Who needs a sleigh when you have SEPTA? Hop on the R8, Market Frankford El, or the Broad St Line to the Gallery at Market East with Santa and his merry elves as they parade to Center Court with music and fun galore!
Santa @ The Gallery – Friday, November 28th
10th & Market, Philadelphia, PA
www.galleryatmarketeast.com
Holiday in the Square – Bring your holiday wish list to Franklin Square and receive a free ride on the Philadelphia Park Liberty Carousel. Santa will be there with his trusty elf, Elfreth and Mrs. Claus who will be sharing stories as you wait to sit on Santa’s lap.
Santa @ Franklin Square – November 28th – 30th, 11AM – 3PM
238 North 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA
www.onceuponanation.org
Santa’s House at City Hall – Wow! Santa has his own Photo Booth outside of City Hall! Come drop off your letter and of course, have your picture taken while your parents shop at the Christmas Village, a German-style Christmas Market set up all along Dilworth Plaza.
Santa @ Philadelphia’s City Hall – Nov 28th – 30th, 11AM – 8PM
1400 John F Kennedy Blvd, Philadelphia, PA
www.cityhallsanta.com
Santa @ Dickens Village – Travel back in time at Macys to see the life-sized characters of Dicken’s Classic “a Christmas Carol” with Scrooge, the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, Future and Tiny Tim! End that wonderful experience with a visit to the jolly man in the red suit.
Santa @ Macy’s – Nov 28th – 30th, 10AM – 7PM
1300 Market St, Philadelphia, PA
www.macys.com
Santa Comes to Life – If your wish list includes more expensive tastes like Ralph Lauren, spend Saturday at the Shops at the Bellevue to tell Santa that you would like that Nicole Miller in a size 4 while indulging in hot chocolate and cookies but make sure you leave him some!
Santa @ The Bellevue, November 29th, Noon – 3PM
200 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
www.bellevuephiladelphia.com
Tree Lighting with Santa!! – Watch as Santa arrives on a fire truck to light the Christmas tree on South Street! Listen to the vintage costumed carolers as you sip free hot cocoa during this annual holiday tradition.
Tree Lighting on South Street – Sunday, Nov 30th, 5:30PM
www.southstreet.com
November 25, 2008
The Big Canvas, an ongoing public forum and organized dialog about how arts and culture fit into our lives and how we should fund said arts and culture in the future, is wrapping up months of regional get togethers with their ‘big finish’ on Saturday, December 6th.
I believe that every committed Philadelphia artist and musician, every actor and gallery owner, every arts and music and theater organization should attend The Big Canvas Confab. Without sounding heavy handed, we need to understand, clearly, that real policy decisions will ultimately come out of this, and this is a last chance to grab an oar rather than flop in the wake of this well intentioned, well concieved behemoth.
Take a minute and read Chris Satullo’s full write up. There will be free buses from Center City out to King of Prussia for this, complimentary food and drink to keep everybody warm, fuzzy and focused, and First Lady Midge Rendell will be giving the keynote address. If pressed, she will also do her Jackie Wilson, which I hear is quite the experience.
You must preregister for this one. Tell your friends, and make an adventure out of it!
The Big Canvas Confab
December 6th @ 1PM
www.greatexpectationsnow.com/content/the-big-canvas-confab
