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Music + nature + summer = Wednesday nights at Penn Treaty Park

Penn Treaty Park’s weekly concert series, Waterfront Wednesdays, kicks off on July 15.

All shows are free (will the deals never stop?!) and offer great views of the Delaware River and Ben Franklin Bridge.

This summer’s lineup has been announced:

July 15: Charanga (with pre-concert salsa lessons)
July 22: John Clark Little Big Band
July 29: Jack Rose & The Black Twig Pickers / Watery Love
August 5: War On Drugs / Hunter Gatherer
August 12: Porkroll Project / Third Degree
August 19: Espers / The Oubliette Ensemble

All shows take place on Wednesdays between 7 and 9 p.m. — so you can hop on over to the Park right after Center City Sips (5 – 7 p.m.).

CLICK HERE to visit the Waterfront Wednesdays official site.

For all those jaded by the overabundance of chain java joints and hipster coffeehouses, it’s time for a visit to 3 Sisters Corner Cafe in Fox Chase. The Northeast might not be the first place you think of when looking for a cool coffee shop to visit, but 3 Sisters can compete with any of the trendy spots in Philly.

What makes 3 Sisters stand out is it’s simple menu of tea time treats. Their famous Madeleine cookies are a must! At only $1.80 for a trio of the buttery, melt-in-your-mouth treats, don’t pass up this opportunity to indulge. And speaking of indulgence, you can’t get much more lavish than Aunt June’s Decadent Chocolate Cake.

But the diet-conscious won’t be disappointed either, with my personal favorite no-carb Frittata Popems, an omelet shaped like a cupcake boasting a distinctive zing of Worchester sauce. The homemade lump crab quiche, tasty tuna salad and broiled filet mignon panini with roasted red peppers and Swiss cheese all got rave reviews from my crowd.

There’s little pretense in this tightly packed little shop that features a full blackboard of java and teas. Victorian sweetness of lace and needlepoint is thankfully balanced out by the shop’s rich lacquered tables and mismatched china.

And what would a coffee shop be without some poetry! 3 Sisters doesn’t disappoint; it’s the home to The Fox Chase Reading Series hosted by the Mad Poets Society and The Fox Chase Review. Readings are scheduled for the 4th Saturday of every month at 2 P.M. Next reading is set for June 27, featuring Amy King and Amy Ouzoonian, followed by Vincent Quatroche and Timothy Gager in July.

3 Sisters Corner Cafe
7950 Oxford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19111
(215) 725-6848

“It’s a Philadelphia theater that just happens to be in the working class Northeast neighborhood of Mayfair.”

So says Michael Pickering, the artistic director of the Devon Theater, which reopened on March 27th, after being shuttered for years.

He says he isn’t too concerned about developing a following far from the glitz of Center City’s Avenue of the Arts and the established Old City arts scene. The Devon is just another sign of a sprouting Philadelphia theatre culture.

The classic musical comedy Nunsense is the apt opener for this theater in the heart of a proud Irish Catholic community. It runs until April 19th before Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple takes front stage as the second of the five-performance inaugural season.

The Devon first opened in 1946 as another in the city’s collection of proud movie houses. It turned to second and third-run films as a strategy to fight multiscreen theaters before showing adult films in the 1970s. Before being bought by the Mayfair Community Develop Corp. in Aug. 2004, the Devon remained an empty eyesore. It’s since been restored to a remarkable luster and is certainly worth the trip alone. Seeing a classic American musical like Nunsense is another reason, indeed.

The Devon is within a short 10-minute walk up Frankford Avenue from the Frankford Transportation Center, the last stop on the El. It’s across the street from the famed tomato pies of Tony’s Place and nearly adjacent to the original Chickie’s and Pete’s. Every self-respecting Philadelphian has to see this resurgent heart of the Northeast.

Nunsense @ The Devon
Now through April 19th

The Devon Theater for Performing Arts
6333 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia
(215) 338-6300
www.devontheater.org

Northeast Philadelphia can totally do a classy bar. Seriously.

Like Three Monkeys Cafe in Torresdale.

Their menu is an Asian-French fusion but offers up a spin on city standards, like their celebrated fillet Mignon cheesesteak. It also happens to be a bar, offering house specialties like “Horny Monkey Ale,” “Monkey Bay wine” and the “Monkeytini”. If the beginning of the week is tough, the cafe also has Martini Mondays with $3 martinis, margaritas and manhattans.

Perhaps even more than its fresh bar menu and house drinks, Three Monkeys is known for its decor.

The deep wooden interior was salvaged from an old-timey Kensington tap room for its construction and August 2005 opening. Black and white photos of old Philadelphia and a Torresdale of old blanket the walls of the main room, which also hosts a long mahogany bar.

The cafe has a loyal following and a daily lunch crowd, from the neighborhood and the nearly adjacent Torresdale regional rail train station. As unique as its inside is, just wait for the warm weather and fight for its pleasant outdoor seating. Lunch items range from $7 to $12, and entrees are nearer to $15.

Three Monkeys Cafe
9645 James St. (Grant & State Rd), Torresdale, Northeast Philadelphia
(215) 637-MONK
www.3monkeyscafe.com

So, the last time I woke up on a Saturday just in time to drag myself to a brunch where alcohol was the guest of honor, I was a freshman in college joining all of the other underage wanna-be’s at Theta Chi’s annual Spring Fling tequila pancake breakfast. Now, more than a decade later, I’m pleased to report that my taste in alcohol-soaked morning meals has improved: now it’s my glass that’s soaked in exquisite-quality beer instead of my pancakes inedibly drenched in cheap tequila.

Sure enough, Lew Bryson’s Wheat Beer Brunch last Saturday at the Grey Lodge Pub in Northeast Philly was a testament to growing up enough to appreciate the difference between a cask-conditioned Sly Fox O’Reilly’s Stout and a can of Natty Bo. Throughout the late morning and early afternoon, beer fans ready to kick off Philly Beer Week ambled through the lodge to sample from dozens of imported and local craft beers on tap and in bottles (which on this day emphasized wheat beers) and munch on a crab cake sandwich or a veggie burger.

Local beer and whiskey writer Lew Bryson was on hand to explain the typical differences between American, Belgian and German wheat beers and Daily News beer journalist Don Russell (AKA “Joe Sixpack”) was there, the morning after his official book release party, signing said new book, “Joe Sixpack’s Philly Beer Guide.” The man must be an expert in avoiding hangovers. On Saturday morning, The Grey Lodge was also the spot of choice for local beer celebrities who weren’t required to be there, given that Yard’s Brewing Company’s owner, Tom Kehoe, was washing down his breakfast with a cold one and some friends at a table at the top of the stairs. Plus, so many jovial and friendly non-celebrities packed the joint that bar owner (and uwishunu contributor) Scoats worked up a sweat serving, bussing tables and playing bartender by making his first yummy Irish coffee for a patron who was very glad to be ending her brunch with some fine Jameson whiskey instead of the Jose Cuervo of her younger days.

You can learn more about beer week here and here.

Grey Lodge Pub
6235 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19135
215-825-5357
www.greylodge.com

I took a trip up to Benjamin Rush State Park (Northeast Philadelphia, at the intersection of Roosevelt Boulevard and Southampton Road) to see if I could see some migrating bobolinks. Bobolinks are a sparrow-like blackbird (as in the family not a description) that breeds in weedy meadows and fields in North America and winters in South America. There is not much open space in Philly that is left wild, so there is not much to attract this bird here.

Benjamin Rush state park is an undeveloped park with no facilities with a wonderful expanse of mostly weedy fields. I was successful in seeing some of my target birds, but what took me by surprise were the community gardens.

I had no idea that Benjamin Rush State Park had community gardens (seen above!), let alone what may be the largest in the world! Indeed while researching the park Wikipedia says the park has “some of the largest”, while VisitPA claims, “This undeveloped park is in northeast Philadelphia and hosts the world’s largest community gardens.”

According to the Friends of the Poquessing Watershed the, “funds for development of the park have never been allocated by the state, and in 1993, 19.5 acres were given to the Veterans Administration for construction of a Nursing Home. The present status of the park is unclear; more may be lost for commercial development”. So maybe you should get out seeing this gem and appreciating how nature and the local community have reclaimed this resource.

Benjamin Rush State Park
Roosevelt Blvd & Southampton Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19154
Benjamin Rush State Park

View Larger Map

The late, great, Mitch Hedberg once said, “As a comedian, you have to start the show strong, and end the show strong. Those are the two key elements. You can’t be like pancakes, all exciting at first, but then by the end you’re sick of them.” Words to live by, comedically and culinarily.

When I go out for breakfast, I’m often torn between choosing sweet or savory. Savory usually wins, because by the end of a mononotous plate of syrup-laden pancakes, I’m under the table with a brick in my stomach. Lately though, I have found two inconspicuous locations housing the answer to my doughy dilemma.

A local favorite on Girard Avenue, Sulimay’s serves hearty food at totally reasonable prices. Their roasted breakfast potatoes are great, as are most of their other offerings. But the prizewinner is their pancakes. They are thinner than other hotcakes, but not delicate–they’re the big-shouldered Fishtown cousin of the crepe. Not sure what the secret is, (though I think they might use sour cream), but they are so very delicious. I love polishing off a stack, without discomfort or a post-game nap.

Deeper into the Northeast is the Richmond Diner. The building isn’t much to look at, and situated across the street from a truck parking lot, nor is the view. But inside, tucked next to the normal diner fare–burgers, shakes, spaghetti, chipped beef–is something very special: Sweet Potato Pancakes. These aren’t latkes made with sweet potatoes. These are hotcakes. Cakey, but not too cakey, laced with a conservative amount of cinnamon. The sweet potato affords them a richness that normal hotcakes don’t have, while keeping them from straying into stomach antagonism. They aren’t topped with mountains of totally inappropriate whipped cream or syruped fruit as some diners would do. They are plain in presentation, and totally delightful to consume.

Next weekend, eschew the standard brunch locations, long waits, and stomach aches. Head to the Northeast and say, “hello” to the fine folks grilling the finest cakes this side of the Schuylkill.

Sulimay’s
632 E. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125
(215) 423-1773

Richmond Diner
3447 Richmond St, Philadelphia, PA 19134
(215) 425-0308

Being a native Philadelphian, my appreciation of ribs was like a Californian’s appreciation of what passes for a cheesesteak out there. Hard to see what all the fuss is about. There are a few well-scattered great rib places hidden around the Philadelphia metro area, but on the whole so-so ribs are the norm here.

After Sweet Lucy’s ribs, many us now know what all the fuss is about. Sweet Lucy’s husband and wife owner-chefs, Jim and Brooke Higgins, did a 30-day road trip around the southern US sampling ribs before opening their initial version of Sweet Lucy’s, a lunch truck located in the parking lot of a family business run by Brooke’s father and uncles. They quickly graduated from the lunch truck into an 80-seat restaurant; the second generation family business now sharing a roof with the first generation.

Jim and Brooke’s ribs are a unique combination of the various styles (St. Louis, Kansas City, Memphis). Unlike most ribs around these parts that are smathered with a heavy hand, Sweet Lucy’s pork ribs are deliciously sublime and wonderfully executed with a delicate touch.

Worth the fuss. And if you’re from outside the Northeast, worth the trip.

Sweet Lucy’s
7500 State Road
Philadelphia, PA 19136

I’m not sure if I believe in past lives. I’m somewhat open to the idea, but I also haven’t ever seen, experienced, or felt anything to make me think I lived before.  Sometimes it doesn’t matter whether you believe or not though, because sometimes past life regression hypnosis is free. If you agree to be televised.

See, apparently there’s a hypnosis training center up in Northeast Philly.  And apparently, they’re having a free past life regression session tonight from 7-9 p.m. The catch, as mentioned above, is that you have to agree to be televised. Here’s my question: what if all you remember from your past life is like, getting mauled?  And you scream a lot?  I mean, it says on their website that you can learn how you died in the past, but I can’t imagine that watching someone relive every moment of, say, an hour-long death by sabertooth tiger would help sell the past-life regression experience.  Then again, being able to say that you died by sabertooth tiger mauling is pretty cool.

Whether you’re looking for the truth about your mauling or not, you can check out their website for all the details.

Northeast Philly has long been a wasteland for many things, especially good authentic tacos and homegrown fiction. We are still waiting on the tacos, but the fiction situation has definitely been looking up lately. Joining Shawn McBride’s Green Grass Grace is The Mustard Jar, by another first-time novelist, Tom Scheid.

Once young, now middle-aged local music supporters like me might remember Tommy’s band, Alice to Nowhere. Alice to Nowhere eventually released a CD under the name Easter. Like many local bands, although more than talented enough, they never made it to the big time. Easter’s CD still holds up.

Suffering from neither rose-colored nostalgia nor bitter lamentations, Tom’s memories of the people and places of Northeast Philly circa the 1980s seem right on target. The Mustard Jar follows a year or so in the directionless post-high school life a normal Northeast Philly guy, who winds up joining a band. Like a great rock song, The Mustard Jar is light, breezy, fun, with some good riffs and a solid ending. Along with teenage antics, The Mustard Jar also craftily weaves in a father/son story with genuine heart.

The Mustard Jar is self-published and needs a little additional editing, but it’s a solid effort nonetheless. Buy one now to read on the beach this summer. Amazon has it, and you can always Froogle it too. And you can try before you buy–page samples can be found at Google Books.

Now if someone would do something about the taco situation.

Northeast Philly has long been a wasteland for many things, especially good authentic tacos and homegrown fiction. We are still waiting on the tacos, but the fiction situation has definitely been looking up lately. Joining Shawn McBride’s Green Grass Grace is The Mustard Jar, by another first-time novelist, Tom Scheid.

Once young, now middle-aged local music supporters like me might remember Tommy’s band, Alice to Nowhere. Alice to Nowhere eventually released a CD under the name Easter. Like many local bands, although more than talented enough, they never made it to the big time. Easter’s CD still holds up.

Suffering from neither rose-colored nostalgia nor bitter lamentations, Tom’s memories of the people and places of Northeast Philly circa the 1980s seem right on target. The Mustard Jar follows a year or so in the directionless post-high school life a normal Northeast Philly guy, who winds up joining a band. Like a great rock song, The Mustard Jar is light, breezy, fun, with some good riffs and a solid ending. Along with teenage antics, The Mustard Jar also craftily weaves in a father/son story with genuine heart.

The Mustard Jar is self-published and needs a little additional editing, but it’s a solid effort nonetheless. Buy one now to read on the beach this summer. Amazon has it, and you can always Froogle it too. And you can try before you buy–page samples can be found at Google Books.

Now if someone would do something about the taco situation.

FRIDAY_

Just go outside
Anywhere in town

I have been in the car for what feels like the last ten thousand years, eating cheap burritos and drinking many Wachusett Blueberry beers. I’m posting from New York and am psyched to be home tomorrow in the early morning. Come nighttime, I’ll be celebrating by taking a bike ride, maybe going for a walk down by the river, getting some Abyssinia and hanging out on various West Philly porches.

Tonight, if you’re already here, just go outside. Vibes are good and it’s First Friday, so many doors downtown will be open. If you feel like hanging out, the punx will be downstairs in the Church basement for this, while hippies will be upstairs in the Church chapel for this – both R5 joints.

SATURDAY_

Rob Crow / Glorytellers / Audible
North Star Bar

The Pinback frontman’s solo action. Indie rock about World of Warcraft and San Diego. 9pm, $12.

Exhibition Opening Lecture: Vanishing Worlds: Art and Ritual in Amazonia
University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology

This new exhibition at the museum opens tomorrow with a 2pm lecture by associate curator Dr. Clark Erickson. It runs through June and attempts to frame traditional Amazonian art in a context of use and meaning beyond the vast reductional containers of “local crafts” and “primitive art.” It should be good stuff.

Philly Craft Beer Fest
Philadelphia Cruise Terminal

Forty bucks for an afternoon of sampling mad beers in deep South Philly. You can go ride the ducks afteward.

SUNDAY_

Wake up early and eat brunch outside somewhere, then go check out the Archeology Museum exhibit – no lecture, but the museum is open for free on Sundays.

Brenda Thomas hangs out
In the great Northeast

Brenda wrote The Velvet Rope, Threesome and Fourplay. She’ll be celebrating her new book at Chickie and Pete’s up in the Northeast at 5:30pm.

Borbetomagus
International House

Double-sax and guitar trio playing ultimate American destruction. These long-running free jazz heroes are playing their first Philly show in ages and ages thanks to Ars Nova. This is unmissable action for the Echo-era Dave Burrell, Pulse Demon Merzbow, and Sonic Youth side-project crews alike. $8, 8pm.