November 27, 2013

East Passyunk Rocks Around the Christmas Tree with Tree Lighting Party at the Singing Fountain

November 27, 2013/ Kory Aversa

East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District (EPABID) and Passyunk Avenue Revitalization Corporation (PARC) kick off the holiday’s with the annual Tree Lighting Party at the Singing Fountain (Tasker and EPA) on Thursday, December 5, 2013, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. The free celebration will include carolers from Alphabet Academy, music by students from Andrew Jackson School, a visit from Santa Claus, holiday cupcakes for sale from Ms Goody Cupcake truck. Free food and drink samples will be provided by Belle Cakery, Black n Brew, Noord, Stateside and other restaurants to be announced. At 7:00pm, revelers are invited to the first Deck the Ave kick-off with free candy canes and treats at the shops, extended shopping hours, specials and sales, giveaways and other festive surprises. The Joe King Trio will stroll down the Avenue, leading shoppers to seasonal fun. Select restaurants and bars will offer dinner and drink specials, including Noord’s Chef Joncarl Lachman preparing Kabritu Stoba (whole braised goat).

November 26, 2013

Ray's Happy Birthday Bar Celebrates 75th Anniversary

November 26, 2013/ Kory Aversa

Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar, 1200 East Passyunk Avenue, celebrates 75 years of birthday wishes, cheap drinks, familiar faces and jokes of the day. Ray’s, celebrated as one of America’s top dive bars, will host its 75th Anniversary Party on Sunday, December 1, 2013, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. Turn back the clock to the late 1930s, where you can celebrate the end of Prohibition, gas at ten cents a gallon, and Ella Fitzgerald serving up "A Tisket A Tasket." Owners Lou and Rose Capozolli will offer drinks at “throw back” 1938 prices (SELECT drafts, whiskeys, more). Lite up your free pack of (candy) cigs as you say hubba-hubba to our Ray’s authentic cigarette girl. Get flapping to live music and jukebox sing-a-longs. Blow out the candles on our special anniversary cake. Chow down on candy and snacks inspired by and originating from 1938. Dress in 30s costume for a chance to win best dressed.

November 23, 2013

Message from CEO: Philadelphia FIGHT Celebrates 20+ Years of Saving Lives

November 23, 2013/ Kory Aversa

Philadelphia Fight for Life Gala Honoring Governor Ed Rendell

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

This year, I'm proud to serve for the first time on the host committee for the Philadelphia FIGHT's 2013 FIGHT for Life Gala. On Wednesday, December 4, 2013 we celebrate over 20 years of the FIGHT to save lives and to honor Governor Ed Rendell. I invite you to join me at the Union League and help support FIGHT's important work.

Why is this important?
Not familiar with FIGHT?
Why should you give with all the great causes out there?
Why give NOW?

Good questions! While there are many life-saving and important causes in the city (including many I support), why I signed on is because FIGHT is quietly working behind the scenes, but is in fact the most comprehensive LARGEST HIV/AIDS service organization in our city. It serves ALL Philadelphians, gay, straight, questioning, black, white, latino, homeless, etc. While this is what first got me interested, what sealed the deal my visit to one of their very unique pilot programs, the Youth Health Empowerment Project "Empowerment Center." Homeless youth and young adults can access prevention services and support, take workshops, take showers, have a safe space during the day (and even some night/weekend hours), participate in activities, enjoy two stable and solid meals a day, get tokens, clothes - or simply relax in a safe space away from the rest of the world. I hope to host a free "friend" tour of this amazing space next year!

The other development that shows how FIGHT serves our community is the announcement of a Spanish-speaking HIV clinic to open on Dec. 11 at the North Philadelphia Prevention Point space. FIGHT is proud to open this new facility that is a first of its kind in the city. This hit the news on Thursday and is a top reason to support and give NOW! (For more about this, visit G Philly, WHYY Newsworks and Al Dia.)

FIGHT's other services include the AIDS Library, Project TEACH, Critical Path Project, HIV counseling and testing, computer labs and the Jonathan Lax Center. In the spring, I hope to host some friends on a tour of their facilities, including a stop in the Y-HEP Empowerment Center and the AIDS Library.

While I host many (MANY!) events during the year nearly all of them are free or very inexpensive. FIGHT is one of our hand-picked charities (besides City of Hope) - and this is one of the few times a year we ask you to give and donate out of your own pocket.

Please consider joining us at the event or consider a donation of any size. Auction items are also welcome!

For tickets, click here, call 215.525.0372 or email mmarsico@fight.org. If you want to hear more about FIGHT or take a sooner vs. later tour of FIGHT please let me know!

Thank you for considering, and we hope to eat, drink and BID on great auction items with you on December 4th. Happy Thanksgiving if I don't see you beforehand!

Best, Kory Aversa
CEO/ Aversa PR & Events

November 22, 2013

Spirits and Suds Bar Crawl with Santa Jingles into 14 East Passyunk Restaurants and Bars

November 22, 2013/ Kory Aversa

Forget the cookies and milk! This year, St. Nick is getting his holly jolly on with seasonal craft beer and merry cocktails during “Spirits & Suds with Santa Bar Crawl,” on Wednesday, December 11, 2013, from 5:30pm to 9:30pm. Enjoy $3 seasonal craft beers, $4 merry cocktails and $5 discounted snacks (select locations) at 14 award-winning bars and restaurants along East Passyunk Avenue. Five dollar admission also includes a Santa or Elf hat, and a Santa’s Sipping Stamp Card. Collect five or more stamps to be entered to win a gift certificate prize package worth $350.00. Registration will be held at South Philly Bar & Grill (9th and Wharton) from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Stamp cards will be collected at Noir (1909 EPA) at 9:30pm. Advance tickets are on sale now for only $5.00 at www.visiteastpassyunk.com. All proceeds will benefit local needy families this holiday season through East Passyunk Crossing's holiday giving program.

November 21, 2013

Workout for a Cause at Sweat During Fitness for Hope

November 21, 2013/ Kory Aversa

With the holiday season approaching, give yourself the gift of health and goodwill by stopping by Sweat Fitness this Sunday for 14th Annual Fitness for Hope. On Sunday, November 24, 2013, from 10:00am to 1:00pm, at the Queen Village Location (700 Passyunk Avenue), Sweat's best trainers will offer four special donation classes in spinning, wonder track, boxing and personal training. On top of getting your workout on, enter to win a raffle for a Breakaway Bike. Additionally, Santa can check off all the items on his gift list by purchasing a commemorative t-shirt, or winning some items in the silent auction. Donations of any size are accepted for this special event. Raise or donate $50 or more, and receive a gym bag valued at $50. Donation ribbons are also available to write the name of a loved one you want to remember or honor. For more information, visit www.sweatfitness.com or www.cityofhope.org, or call 215-627-5600.

November 20, 2013

Be Merry (And Gay) On East Passyunk Avenue At Holiday QOTA LGBT Party

November 20, 2013/ Kory Aversa

East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District invites you to come out for a merry and gay ole time at November's edition of the roving Queers on the Avenue (QOTA) party. QOTA Among the Trees takes over Urban Jungle (1526 East Passyunk Avenue) tomorrow night, on Thursday November 21, 2013, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Enjoy festive fun as you prance, mix and mingle among the spectacular holiday tree displays, still-green plants and festive decorations. Complimentary lite fare and drinks will include Pinnacle Vodka cocktails in fall flavors, Bai cocktails, beer, wine and samples of MANNA's Thanksgiving pies. Admission is free, and all are welcome. Please remember to dress warmly, as Urban Jungle will be selling x-mas trees and the front door will be open! Come out for a merry and gay ole time. For more information visit Facebook, Twitter or EPA's website.

East Passyunk Avenue LGBT Party QOTA Urban Jungle Holiday

November 08, 2013

Homemade Pies Debut and Thanksgiving Stuffing Waffle Return at Chhaya Cafe

November 08, 2013/ Kory Aversa

Chhaya Café, 1823 East Passyunk Avenue, is now serving tasty treats very dear to Chef Varnana Beuria — her fabulous pies. Once reserved only for guests in Chef Beuria’s home, these delicious pies with delicate crusts are now available at her café on East Passyunk Avenue in South Philadelphia. Stop in for pie, baked goods, desserts, coffee and other treats this holiday season.

November 06, 2013

New York Times Best Selling Author Josh Piven Presents World Premiere of Stage Comedy NO RESERVATIONS at Adrienne Theater

November 06, 2013/ Kory Aversa

New York Times best-selling humorist Josh Piven gives theater audiences a best-case scenario this holiday season with the World Premiere farce No Reservations. Piven trades the volcanoes, quicksand, and alligator wrestling for holiday survival among the mistletoe, scrapple, and paparazzi. Penned by the author of The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook and directed by Allison Heishman, the production runs November 26 through December 15, 2013 at Skybox @ The Adrienne Theater. The ensemble cast of Philadelphia favorites features Jared Michael Delaney, Wendy Staton, Brian McCann, Mary Beth Shrader, Colleen Corcoran and Brandon Pierce. Tickets are available now for $18 to $25 at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/449685.

November 01, 2013

Weekend Top Events: Free Pizza, First Friday, Fantasy Hair and Flying Trapeze

November 01, 2013/ Kory Aversa

We're happy to say goodbye to all things spooky and haunted and welcome new fall events and menus during November. Enjoy these top weekend picks from our clients City of Hope, Fly School Circus Arts, Nick's Roast Beef in Old City, Sassafras, Serrano and SliCE. Don't miss FREE pizza, live music, fantasy hair, flying trapeze, salted caramel creme brulee and peanut butter beer.

October 31, 2013

Halloween Weekend: Salons Do Battle on Runway during City of Hope Fantasy Hair Competition

October 31, 2013/ Kory Aversa

Let the games begin! Watch as top salons from the tri-state area battle it out during the region's top Universal Warrior: Fantasy Hair Competition (formerly COH Hair Ball) on Saturday, November 2, 2013, at 8:00 PM, at Voyeur Nightclub (1225 St. James Place, Philadelphia, PA 19107). Salons will compete in seven different categories for top prizes valued over $5,000. Stylists will gather their "hair-raising" forces and prepare to enter the arena to compete head-to-head (literally) against the best coiffed warriors from all parts of history, time and space. Ten-dollar cover donation goes directly to City of Hope. For more information call 1-800-344-8169, email hgiordano@coh.org or visit www.hopecuts.org. All guests must be 21 years of age or older with identification.