Toast to Cantina's third birthday on February 1. (Photo courtesy Cantina Dos Segundos)

Cantina Dos Segundos is turning tres, and they’re celebrating with a 3rd Birthday Fiesta of triple proportions, this Wednesday, February 1.

Starting at 11 a.m., Dos Segundos will be serving up exclusive food and drink specials, all priced at $3 each.

Available throughout the day are three types of decadent $3 tacos specially crafted by Sous Chef Neal Mayton.

Think Pork Belly Tacos, dry-rubbed and marinated in Dos Equis beer; vegetarian Mini Black Bean Tacos topped with queso fresco, lettuce, and pico de gallo; and more.

The vegans can chow down on Spicy Seitan Tacos with a coconut milk-chili arbol sauce, garnished with fresh jalapeños.

Dos Segundos has also rounded up three tempting drink specials to keep the birthday boozy. For one day only, all Dos Equis drafts will be $3. Tequila fans can guzzle $3 shots of Sauza Silver and Sauza Gold, which pair perfectly with the tacos. And the third awesome drink special: $3 Sauza Silver Margaritas!

There will also be three DJs in house, a musical trifecta spinning from 10 p.m. until close.

Happy Birthday Cantina Dos Segundos!

Cantina Dos Segundos 3rd Birthday Fiesta
When: Wednesday, February 1, 11 a.m.-close
Where: 931 N. 2nd Street
Cost: Pay as you go
More info: www.cantinadossegundos.com

Dishcrawls, which began in San Francisco, are guided food tours through four restaurants in one night with a group of 20-100 local foodies. Experience the first-ever Philadelphia edition on January 24. (Photo courtesy Dishcrawl)

Tasting menu addicts take note, you’re about to seriously overdo it.

Dishcrawl, the Bay Area-based startup, is finally gracing Philly with its presence.

Affectionately coined as a “pubcrawl for hungry people,” the monthly events will take guests on a mobile feast in a different neighborhood each month.

Each Dishcrawl visits four restaurants or trucks that are kept a secret right up until guests arrive to the meeting location, with hints being dropped on Twitter throughout the month. Dishcrawlers are greeted at each location by the chef or owner who presents them with three small tastings, then everyone noshes and mingles for 30 minutes before moving along.

The social dining concept aims to not only allow locals to explore their neighborhood and try new food, but to connect them with the people behind it, and is currently in 20+ cities throughout the US and Canada.

Philadelphia’s inaugural Dishcrawl will be January 24 in Northern Liberties. Be there.

Reserve your spot online.

Dishcrawl: Northern Liberties
When: January 24, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Where: Throughout Northern Liberties
Tickets: $39
More info: www.dishcrawl.com

Besides serving as the Fringe Festival's official Festival Bar, RUBA is a great spot for community events, as you'll see tonight. (Photo courtesy Philly Fringe)

If you’re like many holiday shoppers, you’ve probably got a few more holiday gifts to pick up before you can cross all those names off your shopping list.

Let the awesome Northern Liberties venue RUBA help you out as it hosts a special Draughts ‘N Crafts night tonight, chock-full of unique, handmade Christmas gifts on sale, and some that you can create yourself.

On sale will be the works of the talented men and women of the Traveling Wares, a group of craftspeople that sells handmade jewelry, handbags, ceramics, photograph, textiles, clothing, accessories and other gift items in the Philadelphia area.

Perhaps more exciting than the the gift shopping is the terrarium Christmas ornament-making that all visitors can try their hands at. There will be instruction by Co-Artistic Director Madi Distefano on how to get that tiny little cactus into that tiny little hole in that fragile little glass ornament.

They’ll be serving up winter ales, Bailey’s and whiskey, so come out for a relaxing holiday break. Grab a drink, a stocking-stuffer and put your DIY skills to the test.

Draughts ‘N Crafts at RUBA
When: Thursday, December 22, 6-9 p.m.
Where: 416 Green Street
Cost: Pay as you go
More info: www.bratproductions.org

Ever heard of a poetry slam? It’s a spoken word competition between poets performing original work judged by members of the audience.

A Philadelphia artistic collective called “The Pigeon” organizes monthly poetry slams at The Media Bureau in Northern Liberties, every first Friday.

A poetry workshop begins at 7:30, slam sign-up is at 8:30, and the show, a three round elimination slam, starts at 9 p.m. The next show is just a week and a half away on January 6. All ages are welcome; tickets are $10, or two students for $10.

Want a taste of what to expect?

Watch the new original online webseries: 1 On 1 Slams. Co-hosts of te Philadelphia Poetry Slam Alyesha Wise and Jacob Winterstein invite Philly’s best performance poets to perform their original work on the streets of Philadelphia in front of three pedestrians-turned-judges.

The 1 On 1 Slams are the first of their kind, a unique twist on the globally popular poetry slam format. According to Poetry Slam Incorporated, in 1986 construction worker and poet Marc Smith looking to breathe life into the open mic format created what’s now known as poetry slam.

And Philadelphia, unbeknownst to many people, has a happening scene for it.

Philadelphia Poetry Slams
When: First Friday of each month (upcoming: January 6, February 3)
Where: Media Bureau Studios 725 N. 4th Street
Cost: $10 (students two for $10)
More info: www.facebook.com

Toast to the holidays at one of Philadelphia's most favorite neighborhood bars. (Photo courtesy Cantina Dos Segundos)

‘Tis the season for… tequila!

Cantina Dos Segundos is celebrating “25 Days Of Tequila” this holiday season, with daily tequila specials beginning today, December 1 through Sunday, December 25.

This year’s celebration starts off in true holiday spirit, with a canned food drive for Philabundance. For three consecutive Thursdays (December 1, 8 and 15) guests are encouraged to bring in canned goods in return for discounted margaritas.

The fun continues through December, with featured frosty margaritas like “Disguntled Elf,” a holiday classic with peach and cinnamon. The Cantina will also be meanwhile spotlighting its spectacular selection of tequilas, with great deals.

As an added treat, the Northern Liberties Mexican restaurant will be introducing four new and exclusive tequilas on “Unwrap a Tequila” days, including the first-ever debut of Inocente Tequila in Pennsylvania.

That’s not all. The annual “Dos Segundos Holiday Roast” will take place on Wednesday, December 14, including seasonal dishes crafted by Sous Chef Neal Mayton alongside featured Luna Azul Tequila pairings.

Toast to the holidays at one of Philadelphia’s most favorite neighborhood bar/restaurants. The daily schedule of tequila specials is included below.

Cantina Dos Segundos’ “25 Days Of Tequila”
When: December 1-25
Where: 931 N. 2nd Street
Cost: Pay as you go
More info: www.cantinadossegundos.com

Uwishunu is here to help you shop locally this holiday season; stock up on locally crafted jewelry, art, home goods, clothes, food and drink and much more. (Credit: iStockPhoto

The tree lights are atwinkle, the store windows are bursting with red, green, silver and gold, the ribbon and wrapping paper and cards are calling your name from inside your cabinet.

It’s officially gift-giving holiday heyday, and there’s no time like the present to stock up on Philadelphia-made crafts, clothes, food and more for the lucky ones on your list.

Enter: uwishunu’s holiday gift guide, complete with the events you can rely on for gift-shopping, the best places to find local gifts and our curated selections for specific finds from each. Note that our roundup is solely comprised of Philadelphia-made gifts, so if we missed your go-to gift shop it may be because they don’t stock locally.

Everything that you need to give locally this season, below:

Gift-Shopping Events

• Center City District Shopping Saturdays: Support local, independently owned small businesses throughout Center City over the next month. Here are the featured dates and locations. November 26: Midtown Village. December 3: The Shops at Liberty Place. December 10: The Gallery at Market East.December 17: Rittenhouse Row.

• NOLIBS Holiday Shopping Spree: December 3-4, from 2nd to 3rd and from The Piazza to Spring Garden. At this annual boutique crawl, 10 independent boutiques will be offering refreshments, free gift wrap and an opportunity to get up to 25% off your purchases. Shoppers are given a Shopping Spree Card and collect a sticker for each store at which they make a purchase. You get 10% off the first store, 15% off at the second, 20% off at the third and 25% off at all shops after collecting all three stickers.

• Stag & Doe Nights in Chestnut Hill: Wednesdays, December 5, 14, 21, 28, 6-9 p.m., throughout Chestnut Hill. All the shops open their doors and welcome you with wonderful gift ideas, refreshments and personalized, friendly service.

• H.O.P.E. for the Holidays Craft Bazaar: December 8-10, St. James Hall, Elkins Park. H.O.P.E. stands for Helping Other People Endure. The event includes a theater performance followed by a bazaar stocked with local crafters and artisans’ work.

• Greensgrow Holiday Bazaar: December 10, 11, 17, 18, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 2501 E. Cumberland Street. Make a dent in your Christmas shopping at Greensgrow Farms’ Holiday Bazaar featuring local, handmade gift ideas from some of the neighborhood’s most talented crafters and artists, Christmas trees and holiday greenery.

• Crafty Balboa Holiday Edition: Saturday, December 17, Broad Street Ministry. Rooted in South Philly, this annual local craft extravaganza is a treasure trove of gifts.

• Punk Rock Flea Market Holiday Edition: Sunday, December 11, Punk Rock Flea Market Dome. Get pumped for 300+ tables of vendors selling old records, clothes, art, music, bicycles, stereo equipment, instruments, automobiles, tools, posters, furniture, computers, skateboards and more.

• Rittenhouse Farmers Market: Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Walnut Street between 18th and 19th Streets. In addition to fresh flowers, produce, meat, hot apple cider and other edibles, you can pick up locally made crafts likes Timothy Bahash of 4mula’s living ornaments and wreaths.

• Clark Park Farmers Market: Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 43rd Street at Baltimore Avenue. Participating vendors (all local of course) include Eden Garden Farm, Fahnestock Fruit Farm, Forest View Bakery, Slow Rise Bakery and plenty more. Pick up baked goods, handmade chocolates or locally made cider as great holiday gifts.

Where to Shop

Clothes & Accessories

• R.E.Load Bags: Create your own custom-designed messenger bag, choosing from seven styles of single-strap bags and three styles of double-straps, plus a trillion color combos. All construction work is done on site at the Northern Liberties shop. They also sell wallets, bike accessories and more. OUR PICK: The “Build Your Own” bag.

• Valerie Safran and Marcie Turney’s We ♥ Philly line: The 13th street dynamic duo has funneled their love for Philadelphia into a Philly-centric, everything-is-irresistible line of goods. The totes, cards, coasters, T-shirts, candles, paperweights and onesies are designed locally. Order online, at Open House or Verde, both in Midtown Village. OUR PICK: Pretzel necklace in silver or gold.

• SA VA: Local eco-friendly clothing designer and entrepreneur Sarah Van Aken is a true champion on the local Philly designer scene. Anything from her shop, above which her design studio is located, makes a special present. OUR PICK: Any of the wide range of eco-friendly and fair trade dresses, what SA VA is known for.

• Smak Parlour: This dollhouse-like establishment nestled in Old City is an edgy boutique where city-wise shoppers dabble in the hip and flirty. Founders Abby and Kate, who design all of the store’s garments and accessories, have created a perfect marriage of sugar and spice. OUR PICK: A chic warm sweater for the coming winter.

• Egan Day: Though not all the stock is made here in Philadelphia, much of it is. You’ll find gorgeous jewelry, from earrings to pendants to rings. OUR PICK: Jonathan Wahl’s cufflinks. Philly-born and -raised Wahl’s clients include Bruce Webber, Anne Hathaway and Caroline Kennedy.

Continue reading below for our top picks for home goods, food and drink selections and more.

• Bohema Artisan and Vintage Boutique: Located in Roxborough, Bohema carries vintage clothing plus an assortment of handcrafted goods from Philly artists. OUR PICK: Any of the Birdqueen Designs jewelry.

• Tselaine: Featuring reasonably priced, handmade jewelry by local designer Elaine Tse, this cute Rittenhouse boutique is a great place to find a gift for someone…or yourself. OUR PICK: Philly LOVE necklace.

• Adorn Boutique: This Frankford Avenue shop from local jewelry designer Sarah Lewis features handcrafted jewelry, accessories and apparel by Lewis, as well as collections from other artists and designers. OUR PICK: Gemstone earrings hand-made by Lewis.

• Lucifer: Stop into Lucifer for contemporary clothes, plus trendy jewelry from Philly brand Bullet Babe. OUR PICK: Sparrow feet earrings from Bullet Babe.

• Metro Clothing: This East Passyunk shop stocks local brand 611Lifestyle,from former DJ Nigel Richards. OUR PICK: Tees featuring Philly sports-themed renditions of the 611 logo.

• Duke & Winston: This independent Philadelphia-based apparel company launched in 2009 as a casual-wear brand for men. It’s gained a fervent following for its clean and simple apparel. OUR PICK: The classic Logo Tee, so you can wear your Duke & Winston pride proudly.

• Reward Project: Old City’s Reward stocks a selection of independent designers for both men and women, including the Philly-based clothing brand Bandit. OUR PICK: Hand-made dip-dyed crochet dress from Bandit.

• Scarlet Fiorella: One of the hot shops along 13th Street, Scarlet Fiorella stocks unique and stylish apparel and accessories for women and kids. Locally made goods include jewelry from local designers Sultana Aschim and Marlyn Schiff, and hand-painted silk scarves by Anne Foresman. OUR PICK: Any of Anne’s scarves, perfect for the colder weather.

The only downside to shopping for gifts at Midtown Village's Duross & Langel is that you will always leave with a little something extra for yourself. (Photo by T. Scheid for GPTMC)

Home Goods

• Duross & Langel: Step inside and swoon from the delicious combination of fragrances wafting all around the store. From soaps to balms and salves to bath products, everything is made right upstairs in the kitchen. And is amazing in every possible way. OUR PICK: One of the flavor gift sets, so you don’t have to choose just one thing.

• Philip H. Bradley Co. Antiques: Early Philadelphia side chairs, Lancaster County hanging cupboards and Pennsylvania German house blessing boards are among the 200-plus year-old finds here. OUR PICK: Berks County, PA walnut cupboard — if it’s still there when you get there!

• Origin & Ash: T.R. Risk has been creating one-of-a-kind furniture since the early 1990′s in his West Chester studio. Hand made from reclaimed lumber, vintage hardware and antique glass, each piece is an original work of art. You’ll also find paintings, upholstery and more. OUR PICK: Jade dragonfly serving bowl.

• SWAG Boutique: This homegrown shop features whimsical, handmade gifts made by local artisans. OUR PICK: Custom fabric name banners from local brand Unique Annick.

• Beekman’s COPA Soaps: Beekman’s COPA Soaps are cold processed, all natural soaps hand made in their small shop in Fishtown. Catch them at craft bazaars and design shows in and around the city (and New York). OUR PICK: Travel bar pack.

• The Little Apple: This adorable Manayunk boutique stocks local as much as possible. They sell everything from kitchen stuff to baby items to candles to scarves to home decorations. OUR PICK: Customizable hometown sign.

Food & Drink

• Di Bruno Bros. 2011 Holiday Gift Guide: From German chocolate brownies to an antipasto sampler, you can’t go wrong with Di Bruno helping you pick and package. OUR PICK: Cheese Connoisseur Club Membership, which includes monthly delivery of four cheeses, hand selected by Di Bruno’s knowledgeable staff, plus a pairing card describing each cheese and the best way to enjoy it with wine and beer.

• Garces Restaurant Group: Pick up a signed copy of Chef Jose Garces’ Latin Evolution cookbook, Garces Trading Company’s seasonal macaroons, GTC Éclat Chocolate Bars, Garces Trading Company coffee beans, a gift card or one of three Gift Sets to take the pain out of picking. OUR PICK: GTC’s seasonal macaroons available by the dozen: Caramel, Chocolate, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Huckleberry, Apple and Pumpkin Spice, shipped fresh to you.

• Iron Hill Holiday Bottled Reserves Gift Packs: It’s a perfect way to share craft beer with friends and loved ones. The gift packs will showcase Iron Hill’s Bottled Reserves series of award-winning and seasonal beers, brewed in small batches and available only in large-format, cork finished 750 mL bottles. OUR PICK: Winter Wheat Wine Ale package, featuring a bottle of winter wheat wine and two etched Iron Hill wine glasses.

• Home Sweet Homebrew: George Hummel and Nancy Rigberg, owners of Home Sweet Homebrew, Philadelphia’s original homebrewing supplier that gave many top craft brewers their start, are celebrating 25 years of serving the region. The duo, dubbed the godparents of homebrewers by Governor Ed Rendell when he bestowed them the Governor’s Inspiration Award in 2008 for their contributions to the craft brew industry, have made the community what is today. OUR PICK: “The Complete Homebrew Beer Book” packaged with a brewing kit and start-up batch of ingredients.

• Metropolitan Bakery: Founded in 1993, Metropolitan is the brainchild of pastry chef James Barrett and Wendy Smith Born who met while working at local-food landmark White Dog Café. Today, the bakery boasts five locations around the city, selling delicious breads, award-winning granola, handmade popcorn with a kick and local dairy and eggs. OUR PICK: Popcorn mix-and-match.

• Capogiro Gelato Artisans: No big deal… Capogiro was just named #1 ice cream spot in the world by National Geographic. Gift-wise, it’s hard to choose from all the local products stocked in the store, including Gilda’s Biscotti and B.T. Brownies. But who wouldn’t want a regular shipment of locally made, farm-to-freezer gelatos and sorbets in stunning flavors like Sweet Potato with Pecan Praline, Chestnut, Blueberry Thyme? OUR PICK: A year’s worth of gelato.

• Green Aisle Grocery: Brothers and food veterans Adam and Andrew Erace opened this quaint grocery on East Passyunk, stocked with local products aplenty. OUR PICK: Market Day Caneles.

• Pumpkin Market: Owners Hillary and Ian have made a commitment to showcasing the wonderful products of our region, including seasonal produce, meats, dairy, sweets, local coffee roasting, sandwiches, chili, all day breakfast and prepared food. Everything is made fresh daily. OUR PICK: Pumpkin Thunder Pies.

• Plenty: At Plenty, locally grown seasonal produce is paired with meats that are cured and smoked in house. You’ll also find both housemade and locally produced cheeses, jarred and pickled goods, freshly baked desserts and more. OUR PICK: Salted caramels made with pumpkin flower honey from Bucks County.

• Milk and Honey Market: Celebrating the Philadelphia region’s foodways and indigenous ingredients, Milk and Honey Market stocks its shelves with locally grown and produced wares. Owners Annie Baum-Stein and Mauro Daigle, who live nearby, have envisioned their West Philly grocery as a “dream pantry,” and their eager clientele agrees. OUR PICK: Locally made honey.

All of Chef Marcie Turney’s chocolates are handcrafted onsite using Lancaster County organic cream and butter, and nearby farms’ produce, herbs and honey.(Photo courtesy Marcie Blaine)

• Verde: Besides jewelry, accessories and home goods, this 13th Street shop, part of Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran’s Midtown Village empire, is home to Marcie Blaine chocolates, whipped up on site in a special kitchen at the back of the store. OUR PICK: Marcie Blaine chocolates, Philadelphia series. OUR PICK: John & Kira’s chocolates (also available at area farmers markets).

• Talula’s Table Market in Kennett Square: As a modern day general store for food enthusiasts of all types, they offer all sorts of homemade specialty foods as well as imported goods from around the world.

Art

• Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens: Visit the gallery at the Magic Gardens for a wide selection of mosaics, Zagar-designed sterling silver jewelry and more. OUR PICK: Handmade mosaic pieces.

• Woodmere Art Museum Holiday Store: During the holiday season the Museum Store expands into the Antonelli Gallery to make room for an extraordinary array of hand-selected and handcrafted items made by local artists. OUR PICK: Locally crafted candlesticks.

• The Art Shop at Moore College of Art & Design: Moore College’s Art Shop houses paintings, crafts and more from Moore students and alumnae. OUR PICK: Hand-made, holiday-perfect greeting cards.

• Art Star Philly: This Northern Liberties gallery/boutique runs the super popular and award-winning Art Star Craft Bazaars. OUR PICK: Gocco framed prints on antique maps and antique letters, like the “Flying Over Philly” piece.

• Center for Art in Wood: A solid 15-20% of the pieces sold in this gorgeous, newly relocated shop are made by local Philly artists. OUR PICK: Any of the gorgeous hand-carved serving pieces.

• Hudson Beach Glass: Following in a family tradition that spans three generations, Sean Gilvey and his wife Emily opened Hudson Beach Glass in October 2008. The store carries more than 40 types of sculptural, functional pieces, all hand crafted and designed in 13 colors by Sean or one of the founding members of Hudson Beach Glass. OUR PICK: Glass cake stand, perfect for holiday baking.

Everything

• Philadelphia Produces Original Design (P.POD) at the Philadelphia Museum of Art Store: This pop-up bazaar showcases Philadelphia-designed jewelry, toys, stationary, furniture and decorative arts. There’s also the “P.POD Pantry” featuring handsomely-packaged local brands like Metropolitan Granola, John & Kira’s Chocolates and La Copine limited-edition bourbon cider syrup and chocolate pretzel toffee. OUR PICK: the resin Ill (as in “Phillies”) pendant from Masters of None.

• Penn Museum’s Museum Shop and Pyramid Shop for children: Select from a diverse collection of clothing, jewelry, games, toys, books, souvenirs and more, collected from almost every corner of the globe, including right here in Philly. Bonus: much of the inventory was obtained through fair trade practices. OUR PICK: The Game of Ur, a recreational wooden game found at the Sumerian city of Ur during a joint expedition by the British Museum and Penn Museum.

• Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts’ Portfolio shop: Set in a light and airy street-level environment in the contemporary Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building, Portflio offers jewelry, gifts, cards, accessories and books carefully selected to reflect the collection and teachings of the Academy. Products include those made exclusively for the Academy, and other items unavailable anywhere else in Philadelphia. OUR PICK: Cube jigger by Philadelphia designer, Josh Owen.

• Square Peg Artery & Salvage: This is an undiscovered gem of a shop in Rittenhouse, stocked with 100% locally crafted goods, from hand-painted ornaments to digital prints and photos to coasters, lamps, magnets, jewelry, you name it. OUR PICK: Chainmaille Ball Ornaments, available in multiple colors, made from anodized aluminum.

• Jinxed: Located right on the Piazza, the shop carries goods (art, clothes and more) from a wide range of local brands. OUR PICK: Broad Street Bootlegs quirky Philly sports teams T-shirts.

• Nice Things Handmade: Located on East Passyunk Avenue, Nice Things Handmade carries locally-made tees, housewares and artwork, plus jewelry from local designers Gretchen Diehl and Typhaney Shanker. OUR PICK: Mike Geno’s fine cheese oil paintings.

• Art in the Age of Mechanical Production: Pick up everything from tees to letter-pressed coasters to books to perfume to liqueurs to soap, all made by hard-working creatives, many local. OUR PICK: Philly-raised Rebecca Suss’s beautiful oil paintings.

• VIX Emporium: This Baltimore Avenue shop offers an eclectic mix of unique handmade gifts, such as jewelry, pottery, art, accessories, soaps, baby gifts and more. OUR PICK: sewZinski hand-embroidered purses and wallets made out of reclaimed leather.

Northern Liberties’ annual holiday shopping boutique crawl returns Saturday, December 3 with progressive sales to put you in the giving spirit!

Keep it local, enjoy generous discounts and get all your holiday shopping done in a single weekend.

Ten unique independent boutiques are participating and will be offering refreshments, free gift wrap and an opportunity to get up to 25% off your purchases.

Participating shops include Arcadia, Art Star, Bloom, Colors by Padmini, Concrete Polish, Duke and Winston, Jinxed, Milliseme, Once Worn Consignment and Swag Boutique.

Here’s how it works: shoppers are given a Shopping Spree Card and collect a sticker for each store at which they make a purchase. Customers are given 10% off the first store they visit, 15% off at the second store, 20% off at the third store and 25% off at all shops after collecting all three stickers.

As a new service for parents with children over three, NLArts will be offering child care and holiday crafts during the event at the Northern Liberties Community Center for just $5 an hour.

Happy holiday shopping!

4th Annual Nolibs Holiday Shopping Spree
When: December 3-4, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: Ten participating shops from 2nd to 3rd, and from The Piazza to Spring Garden
Cost: Pay as you shop
More info: www.artstarphilly.com

This weekend the chic Northern Liberties eco-fashion store Arcadia Boutique is hosting its annual Denim Brunch, with delicious eats and fabulous denim perfect for holiday gift giving or some weekend shopping.

25% off designer denim, brunch cocktails and snacks from Soy Café, complimentary hems, jeans for $50 and more can be found at the annual Arcadia Denim Brunch, this Saturday, November 12 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Can’t make it to the event? The 25% Denim Brunch discount will also be featured online on Saturday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Use code ‘MIMOSA’ at checkout, and get shopping!

Arcadia Boutique Denim Brunch
Where: 819 N. 2nd Street
When: Saturday, November 12, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Cost: Free snacks and cocktails, pay as you go
More info: www.arcadiaboutique.com

From world-class art museums to the city’s award-winning performing arts community, creativity in Philadelphia is bearing more fruit than ever, and now it's getting a special new site for even more dedicated development. (Image courtesy Macro-Sea)

3rd Ward, the Brooklyn-based creative workspace, is coming to Philadelphia; they’ve announced plans for a second location, to be located in the Northern Liberties/Old Kensington neighborhood.

3rd Ward was founded in Brooklyn in 2006 as a community creative hub.

It offers a supportive community, top-of-the-line creative workspaces for all genres of art and a vast education program. No matter your creative project, 3rd Ward helps you get there.

In recent years, the number of young creative professionals in Philadelphia has exploded, attracted by the city’s rich legacy of craft and inventiveness.

To that end, 3rd Ward’s new Philadelphia location is 27,000 square feet of creative workspace, classrooms and event space located in the Northern Liberties/Old Kensington neighborhood, which was once known as the “Workshop of the World.” The neighborhood earned that title in the 19th century, when it was one of the city’s main centers for industry and manufacturing.

Like its Brooklyn flagship, the Philadelphia site will offer an inter-disciplinary education program, membership options for every purpose and budget, and special programming.

Guests will be able take a class or get their work done in any of the following art spaces:

• Wood/Metal Shop
• Prototyping Lab with CNC mills and laser cutters
• Media Lab/Coworking space with conference rooms, reference library & kitchenette
• Studio for screenprinting, painting and more
• Jewelry Studio
• Fashion/Textile Studio
• Culinary Classroom
• Circuitry/Maker Lab

Plus, guests will be able to hang out and meet new people in the following public spaces:

• Gallery Space with frequently updated art shows
• Cafe with indoor/outdoor seating
• Retail Store
• Event space for lectures and networking sessions
• Rooftop garden

The location comprises three buildings: a three-story brick warehouse, a historic church and a single-story concrete warehouse. The renovation is preserving the unique character of each building while restoring key features, such as the historic facade and plaster ceiling medallion of the church and the hardwood floors and brick of the warehouse.

Ground has already been broken on-site; hiring is due to start in early 2012, with an open date in Summer 2012.

3rd Ward: Philadelphia — Coming Soon!
1227 N. 4th Street
www.3rdward.com/philadelphia

See Also: Report: Philadelphia Is A Hub For Creative Activity, With The City’s Creative Sector 70% Stronger Than The National Benchmark

In the spirit of Halloween, North Third in Northern Liberties is hosting a delicious pumpkin beer dinner, Wednesday, November 2.

You get three courses for $35, plus a greeting course which includes Rogue Dead Guy Ale paired with a tasty Pumpkin Butter and Chive Crostini.

The dishes are all fall-themed, the perfect complement to spicy pumpkin beer.

As always, North Third has a great assortment of local beers on tap and interesting Belgian bottles as well so if you want to supplement the meal you’re in good hands.

Call (215) 413-3666 for reservations.

North Third Pumpkin Beer Dinner
When: Wednesday, November 2, 6-10 p.m.
Where: 801 N. 3rd Street
Cost: $35
More info: www.norththird.com

It’s almost time for Halloween, and attractions around the city are hosting spooktacular celebrations from the epic Terror Behind the Walls to parties at restaurants and bars to kid-friendly festivals. (Photo courtesy Eastern State)

From the colonial streets still haunted by the ghosts of America’s Founding Fathers, to Eastern State Penitentiary’s award-winning fright fest Terror Behind The Walls, Philadelphia has more than its share of things that go bump in the night.

So to celebrate the most bone-chilling weekend of the year, we’ve selected our top picks for activities and festivities Friday through Monday, October 28-31.

First off, check out our Halloween roundup of haunted houses, frightening festivals, spooky shows and terrifying tours offered all season long; and reference Visit Philly’s Halloween itinerary for even more options.

As for Halloween weekend proper, our top picks for how to celebrate, below:

Restaurants and Bars

• “Heroween” Celebration at City Tap House: Saturday, October 29. Enjoy the ghoulish atmosphere of the City Tap House at the 1st annual Heroween event to benefit the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House. Featuring DJ, dancing, raffles and a Halloween fashion show. There will be prizes for best costume, best team costume and highest fundraiser. A $10 donation will be collected at the door.

• Mischief and Martinis at Hotel Palomar: Friday, October 28, 8-11 p.m. The Young Friends of the Foundation for Breast and Prostate Health (FBPH) are hosting “Mischief and Martinis” from 8-11 p.m., where guests will enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction. Tickets are $75 a person, with 100% of the proceeds going to the FBPH. An exclusive after party will follow at Tryst, downstairs at Le Bec-Fin.

• Halloween Thrills at Varga Bar: Saturday, October 29, 9 p.m. Think 80′s movie costume party, Flying Fish brewmaster Casey Hughes birthday bash, specials on Great Lakes beer and whiskey and DJ all night.

• 4th Annual Ghosts + Goblins Halloween Party at Manayunk Brewery: Saturday, October 29, 8 p.m. Tickets range from $8-$22.50 (with some proceeds going to P.A.W.S.) and costumes are encouraged. If you’re one of the best of the best, you’ll get the chance to be voted on by the crowd just after midnight to win one of three prizes valued in total over $1,000!

• Halloween, Tryst Le Bar Style: Monday, October 31, doors open at 5 p.m., contest begins at 9 p.m. Join Tryst, downstairs at Le Bec-Fin, for an elegant night of Halloween festivities, including all night drink specials and a Costume Contest, the winner of which will take home a $100 gift card.

• Hollywood Halloween Costume Bash at South Philly Bar & Grill: Friday, October 28. There will be a celebrity look-a-like contest, music and video by DJ Perry Angelozzi, plus great specials. $50 gift certificate goes to the 1st place male and 1st place female. Best costume wins an iPod shuffle!

Dozens more options, below.

• Mischief Night Halloween Party at Cantina Los Caballitos: Sunday, October 30. DJs Joe “Killer Kooze” Kusy and Gregory “Frantic” Frantz will be entertaining you for the night. Costume contest, drink specials and more.

• Halloween Party with costume contest at Stogie Joe’s: Saturday, October 29. Drink specials all night, plus delicious tomato pie, as always.

• Halloween Costume Party at Pub on Passyunk East: Saturday, October 29. Local beer galore makes for a surefire awesome night out.

• Day of The Dead Costume Party at Raven Lounge: Saturday, October 29, 8:30 p.m. Raise the spirits of Rittenhouse as you party at the Raven Lounge. Enjoy a complimentary select open bar. But you need to get dressed up for this Monster Mash.; costumes are required!

• John DeBella’s 5th Annual Masquerade Bash at Finnigan’s Wake: Saturday, October 29. Party with the MGK DJs, The US Marines and the new MGK house band. It’s one of the biggest costume contests around with: $1,000 for 1st place, $500 for 2nd and $250 for 3rd. Win prizes, eat a free hot buffet, enjoy $3 Miller Lites and $4 Pinnacle Vodka drinks all night long, and, as always, enjoy a coffin full of free candy. Admission is only $10 cash or a new, unopened toy. 100% of the proceeds go to kids in the tri-state area thanks to the US Marines Toys for Tots.

• Halloween at McGillin’s Olde Ale House: Sunday, October 30. Wear your costume to win prizes, enjoy the annual Halloween parade, a Ghoulish toast at midnight and other tricks and treats including a wide range of pumpkin beer and pumpkin food.

• Bitten: The Ultimate Halloween Experience at McFadden’s: Saturday, October 29, 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Bitten is a six-hour blow-out costume extravaganza; it’s sold out for the last seven years in a row. The DJ will be playing amazing mash-ups and the costume contest has more than $1,000 in cash and prizes.

Haunted Tours

• Ghost Tours of New Hope: October 28-31, 8 p.m. Follow a lantern-led walk along picturesque streets where you’ll see the phantom Hitchhiker who may pass you in the moonlight, or see the historic inn where Aaron Burr appears from time to time and stares with sightless eyes… plus new exciting stories that have been added to the tour.

• New Hope and Ivyland Railroad’s Haunted Halloween and Trick or Treat Trains: October 28-31. Do you dare to climb aboard? Take a ride on the dark side, or for the Trick or Treat Train, assorted toys and candy will be given out onboard as well as at the station for children (costumes encouraged!) of all ages.

• Ghost Tours of Powel and Physick House: October 28-31. Peer into the shadows of Philly’s supernatural side as you explore the dark tales and paranormal activity of the haunted, colonial-era mansions in Society Hill, either the Powel or Physick House. Both are said to be haunted, with strange and unexplainable experiences reported for 70+ years. You’ll get easy-to-use EMF meters (electromagnetic field meters) to peer behind the veil that separates the living from the dead.

• Murder, Mystery, & Mayhem Tour: October 28-30. Have you ever wondered where the first kidnapping for ransom was? Where the first bank robbery in the country happened? On what street in the city Dr. Helmuth would waken to find more than 40 dead in one night from the fever? This is not your typical ghost tour, it’s a macabre fact tour of the city with a little bit of paranormal added for good measure.

• Flashlight Halloween Tours at Laurel Hill Cemetery: Friday, October 28 and Saturday, October 29, 7 p.m. Guides will lead you along winding, dimly-lit pathways and through forests of gravestones and sculptures, as you learn about the history of this enchanting site. Along the way, you’ll meet some of Laurel Hill’s most restless spirits, as portrayed by talented local actors, the Not Ready for Afterlife Players. Afterwards, feast aside fire pits on cookies, hot apple cider and other spooky treats.

• Haunted Moonlight Tours at Graeme Park (PDF): Friday, October 28. The Friends of Graeme Park present ghostly Moonlight Tours of this Revolutionary War era estate. Separated lovers Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson and Henry Hugh Fergusson supposedly still inhabit the grounds. Henry, a loyalist, left Elizabeth behind in deep despair during the war. A live theater performance illuminates their spirits and sheds light on subsequent encounters with the duo.

• Spirit of ‘76 Ghost Tour October 28-31 The 75-minute tour winds walkers down a spine-chilling path of cobblestone streets to visit Historic Philadelphia’s 20 most haunted attractions, including Carpenters’ Hall, Old Pine Street Church and Cemetery and the Benjamin Rush House.

• Spooky Tours of Stenton: Saturday, October 29. Something Spooky has taken over James Logan’s Stenton for Halloween… the exact day Mr. Logan died in 1751! Join, if you dare, a frightfully fun tour exploring the mysteries of Stenton mansion and the Logan family. If you make it out of the mansion alive, have fun painting a pumpkin to take home. Light refreshments will also be served.

• Mercer by Moonlight Tour: Friday, October 28. What lurks in the shadows of the Mercer castle? Discover the history and folklore of some of the museum’s more chilling or ghoulish objects, including a hearse, gallows, “witch” doctor’s canes, brooms and more on this seasonal nighttime tour. Light refreshments will follow.

• Our guide to haunted houses in the Philadelphia region

Other locations

• Terror Behind the Walls: Nightly through November 12. Eastern State Penitentiary can be terrifying enough on its own, as it stands soaring 30 feet high, its castle-like Gothic architecture intimidating even the most fearless of patrons. But when it comes to the penitentiary’s annual Halloween spooktacular Terror Behind The Walls, truly only the bravest should venture forth. One of the nation’s largest, most ambitious and top-rated haunted attractions takes you (and the other 100,000 visitors from around the world who attend each year) on a heart-pounding journey through six attractions, each more gripping than the last.

• Art After 5: Halloween edition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art: Friday, October 28, 5 p.m. Come in costume for an evening of rendezvous, revelry and spooky fun. Jam to Brian Carpenter’s Ghost Train Orchestra, as they play Halloween tunes and cartoon medleys against a backdrop of vintage animation projections. Social swing dancers who’ll have you on your feet. A tarot-card reader will be on hand, and a tour of the museum’s most haunting works of art will give you the chills.

• Halloween Soiree at Gallery 309: Saturday, October 29, 6-9 p.m. Join Gallery 309 in Old City in celebrating the season of transformation. Masquerade is encouraged. Works will be on display inspired by Halloween and the fall.

• Vox Populi Halloween Party: Saturday, October 29, 9 p.m. Entrance is $10, and there is free beer all night. There are prizes for costumes, a cover band and more.

• HorrorFest at Shady Brook Farm: October 28-30. Shackle up a wagon on the Hayride of Horror and visit the depths of Shady Brook’s wooded acres. Walk through the darkness, test the limits of bravery, and find what lurks in the night inside the Barn of Horror. See the fields run red at Carnage, where the earth is tainted with the destruction, and dismemberment, of man: literally. And step outside of the realm of reality and into the 3-D Alien Encounter, a terrifying adventure that will bring the extraterrestrial into focus with out-of-this-world special effects. Hayrides and Pumpkinfest are also available for something tamer.

• Rosenbach’s Dracula Festival: October 28-29. To celebrate the man, the myth, the vampire, the Rosenbach Museum and Library, home to Bram Stoker’s original research notes and outlines for Dracula, presents the 9th Annual Dracula Festival. Create Dracula-inspired crafts, read aloud from Stoker’s infamous tale, attend a talk on the Rosenbach’s collection of Dracula notes and collections, or have your image captured in the Dracula-themed photo booth.

• Society Hill Dance Academy’s yearly Halloween Party: Friday, October 28, 8:30–10:30 p.m. The BYOBe soiree includes costume contests, games and a putrid potluck with all sorts of gross-enough-to-eat goodies (sautéed brains, anyone?), plus a Thriller dance lesson.

• Henri David Ball at the Sheraton Philadelphia Center City Hotel: Monday, October 31, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. For more than 40 years, party animals, celebrities and dignitaries have flocked to the annual Henri David Ball at the Sheraton Philadelphia Center City Hotel for a night of costumed mirth. The host, eccentric owner of jewelry shop Halloween, and offers a discount for attendees who dress up.

• Paranormal Investigation on the Cruiser Olympia: Saturday, October 29. Is the Cruiser Olympia really haunted? Are some crew members still onboard over 100 years after the battle of Manila Bay? The Tri-County Paranormal Research Society will lead a paranormal investigation aboard the Olympia. Along with a knowledgeable guide, visitors will investigate areas of the ship that have been reported to have paranormal activity: sick bay, guns deck, admiral’s quarters and engine and boiler rooms. The Olympia has had a history of reported paranormal activity. In October, 2010 the ship was investigated by The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS) and was featured on an episode of the SyFy channel series Ghost Hunters.

• Plays and Players’ Halloween Shebang: Saturday, October 29. The boogeyman is not on the guest list at this event, where a little hocus pocus transforms the playhouse into a haunted house with costumed actors, live music from Alex and the Kaleidoscope Band and plenty of treats for young witches and warlocks.

• Halloween Party show at Hedgerow Theatre: Saturday, October 29. This annual event at Hedgerow Theatre in Media adds more fun to the performance of Agatha Christie’s Black Coffee with intermission treats and prizes awarded to audience members wearing the funniest, scariest, best couple and most creative costumes.

• Hoodoo Blues Halloween Party at The Twisted Tail: October 29. Fire breathers, costumed performers, live music by the Gas House Gorillas, a costume contest with various prizes as well as food and drink specials are all part of the night’s festivities. Admission is $10 per person, but for those dressed in costume admission is waived. Dinner will be served in the downstairs dining room.

Family-Friendly

• Halloween at The Bellevue: Saturday, October 29, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Come dressed in your favorite costume and create your own Treat Bag downstairs at The Bellevue Gourmet Food Court. Then go Trick or Treating at The Shops and Gourmet Food Court. Children specials are available, so stay for lunch. The event is free for all ages.

• Philabundance “Scare Hunger” trick-or-treating: While going door-to-door trick-or-treating this year, consider asking your neighbors if they can donate coins they have lying around in lieu of candy, because for every $1 donated, Philabundance is able to provide two meals to neighbors in need in our region. Just a few cents from every neighbor can add up to a huge difference in the lives of those inneed. Check out the Scare Hunger toolkit to get started.

• Liberty Lands Fall Halloween Festival: Sunday, October 30, 2-5 p.m. This very popular annual event features hayrides, candy, pumpkins, hot cider, a fire truck, kids in costumes and more.

• Trick Or Tweet Halloween Nestival: Sunday October 30, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. It will be a day of not-so-spooky “nestivities” at Nest for parents and their children of ages newborn to 8 years old. Featured activities include a Black Cat Treasure Hunt, Ghostly cupcake and mask decorating, the “Zoo-on-wheels” petting zoo and delicious food from Schlesinger’s Deli. Chef David Katz of Meme will be making chocolate-coconut macaroon spiders with kids, there will be wholesomely healthy desserts by Pure Fare, a DJ spinning kid friendly tunes and games, face painting, balloon making and storytelling sessions.

• Sesame Place’s The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular: October 28-30. Sesame Place gets even more fun for Halloween, when costumed kids trick-or-treat throughout the park, catch special Halloween-themed shows, wind through an interactive maze and enjoy hayrides and story time with the Sesame Street gang. For even more Halloween fun, families can sign up for The Count’s Dine With Me dinner party, including a buffet, character appearances and sing-alongs (October 29-30).

• Linvilla Orchards Pumpkinland Festival: October 28-31. Perfect for all ages, Pumpkinland has endless activities for children and a farm market with seasonal items for adults. Every day, the festival has live music, straw bale and corn mazes, a costume shop, endless amounts of pumpkins, caramel apple stands and much more. Visitors can also purchase tickets for hayrides, train rides and pony rides. Upcoming events include all-you-can-carry pumpkins for $19.99 on October 30, and face painting all day until 5 p.m. on Halloween night.

• Franklin Square PumpkinFest: Saturday, October 29, 3-6 p.m. The event’s got something for the entire family, including spooky mini golf, pumpkin and face painting, cupcake decorating, a costume parade, a magician, raffles, a trick-or-treat trail and food provided by Stephen Starr’s delicious burger joint SquareBurger. Also on hand with will be Eagles’ tackle Winston Justice, Kathy O’Connell of WXPN’s Kids Corner and the Phillie Phanatic.

• The Great Pumpkin Carve at the Chadds Ford Historical Society: October 28- 29.Local artists take on a patch of monster-sized pumpkins at The Great Pumpkin Carve as they carve and decorate the giant gourds into massive masterpieces. Along with live music, food and hayrides, the displays create a spooky-yet-fun atmosphere.

• Rittenhouse Row Halloween Celebration: Saturday, October 29, 10 a.m.-noon. Little ghosts and witches get a real treat at the annual Rittenhouse Row Halloween Celebration, featuring trick-or-treating at participating restaurants, shops and hotels, as well as activity stations dotting the route.

• Radnor Hotel’s Howl-i-day Tea: Saturday, October 29. A bewitching afternoon tea party awaits costumed little ones at the Radnor Hotel’s Howl-i-day Tea, which also includes arts and crafts, storytelling and special character appearances between sips.

• Witches of Narberth and Narberth Halloween Parade: October 29-30. On Saturday, October 29, at 1pm, on the corner of Forrest and Haverford Avenues, Halloween weekend kicks off with this popular annual scavenger hunt. Kids search downtown Narberth high and low for thirteen of the witchiest witches around. They collect treats along the way, and then return to the start to collect a Halloween prize. Then on October 30, hundreds of local children and their families will meet at St. Margaret’s School parking lot on N. Narberth Ave between 6 and 6:15 p.m.From there, they will parade in costume all through Narberth’s downtown to the basketball courts in Narberth Park. At the end of the parade all children receive cider, treats and a goody bag.

• South Street Headhouse District Pumpkinland: Saturday, October 29. The day will begin with an array of activities under the Historic Headhouse Square Shambles, including Sleep Hollow Farm’s pony rides and petting zoo, Make-N-Take Art & Pumpkin Decorating with the Queen Village Art Center, Wilby Band kids rock band performance, music and giveaways courtesy of B101, face painting, a roaming magic act, balloon art and more. There will be a costume parade and contest around The Shambles at noon, including a festive doggie costume category.

Don’t forget to enter our Halloween giveaway; you have until November 2 to win two VIP tickets to Eastern State Penitentiary’s epic Halloween attraction Terror Behind The Walls plus a $50 gift certificate to nearby London Grill restaurant.

Philadelphia boutiques Arcadia and Bus Stop love to collaborate. Not only do they share their clientele, but they have a common mission to bring the best hard-to-find eco-chic fashions to Philly.

Tonight, Thursday, October 20, from 6-9 p.m., they’re hosting a great joint event: a launch party for their look book titled “Faces of Philly.” This combined effort, part of DesignPhiladelphia, showcases the two boutiques’ picks of the hottest apparel and shoes from both shops modeled by none other than their very own customers.

Each model in the look book shares her personal story, including her style inspiration, which helps to play an integral part in making up the city’s design as well as its diverse culture.

During the party at Arcadia’s Northern Liberties location, Bus Stop’s pop-up shop will be on-hand with the latest shoe styles. Reps from both boutiques will be available to help you create your own autumn look from head-to-toe.

With every purchase at the event, customers will receive a free copy of Faces of Philly. It’s enough to put a smile on any face.

DesignPhiladelphia Faces of Philly Launch Party with Arcadia and Bus Stop Boutiques
When: Thursday, October 20, 6-9 p.m.
Where: Arcadia Boutique, 819 N. 2nd Street
Cost: Pay as you go
More info: www.busstopboutique.com