Top Artists and Makers Present Handmade-in-America Wares at CRAFT PHILA Liberty Bell Fair

Top Artists and Makers Present Handmade-in-America Wares at CRAFT PHILA Liberty Bell Fair

Philly’s CRAFT PHILA-Liberty Bell Fair celebrates the region’s top independent artists with a juried, open-air festival at 6th and Market Streets. On Saturday, May 16 (10:00am to 7:00pm) and Sunday, May 17 (10:00am to 5:00pm) dozens of jewelers, fiber, glass and leather craftspeople, photographers, painters and printmakers will showcase handmade-in-the-USA wares.

Fair shoppers can also enjoy food and drink from the City’s best food trucks and carts. Entertainment and family fun will include live music, circus performances, art lessons for the kids, games and prizes, sidewalk chalk drawing, a selfie station, patriotic decor and other surprises. Admission is free, with food and drink pay-as-you-go. Rain or shine. For more information, please visit www.craftphila.orgwww.facebook.com, call (267) 679-3121 or twee

Read More

Theatre Exile Presents Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at Plays and Players Theater April 16-May 17, 2015

Theatre Exile Presents Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at Plays and Players Theater April 16-May 17, 2015

Marital strife has never been so wickedly fun -- or dysfunctional. Following two sold-out and critically acclaimed productions, Theatre Exile ends their 18th season with Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at Plays and Players Theater (1714 Delancey Place). Pearce Bunting (Boardwalk Empire), Catharine Slusar, Emilie Krause and Jake Blouch take the stage in this cultural landmark that has been riveting audiences for over 50 years and ruthlessly tears down the façade of the American family. Previews begin on Thursday, April 16, 2015 and opening night is Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at 8:00pm. The show runs for a total of 32 performances through Sunday, May 17, 2015. Tickets are on sale now for $10.00 to $40.00 at www.theatreexile.org or by phone (215) 218-4022.

Read More

Philadelphia Artists' Collective Presents Sweeping Adventure Tale The Fair Maid of the West April 1-18, 2015

Philadelphia Artists' Collective Presents Sweeping Adventure Tale The Fair Maid of the West April 1-18, 2015

Guts and glory storm the stage in full leather boots as The Philadelphia Artists’ Collective (PAC) embarks on a sweeping adventure tale with Thomas Heywood’s The Fair Maid of the West at Broad Street Ministries (315 S. Broad Street).  This long-submerged theatrical treasure rides the waves with dashing heroes, treacherous villains, plucky heroines and love on the high seas. Charlotte Northeast directs a well-known cast lead by Barrymore Award winner Rachel Camp as Bess, the Fair Maid of the West who will stop at nothing to be with Adam Altman's Spencer.  There's love, danger and enough buffoonery to warm any heart.

The Fair Maid of the West opens Friday, April 3, 2015 at 8:00pm, with previews on Wednesday, April 1 and Thursday, April 2, 2015 at 8:00pm. The show runs for a total of 12 performances through Saturday, April 18, 2015. Tickets are on sale for $20 (or $15 with student identification) by calling 215-551-1543 or visiting www.philartistscollective.org.

Read More

Inis Nua Theatre Company Brings Philadelphia Premiere of Penelope to Prince Music Theater

Inis Nua Theatre Company Brings Philadelphia Premiere of Penelope to Prince Music Theater

Spring will be sprung (loose) when Inis Nua Theatre Company presents Penelope by Enda Walsh at the Prince Music Theater (1412 Chestnut Street). This dark comedy takes us into the world of Homer’s The Odyssey by the back door, or maybe it’s a trap door, as we fall into a part of the story that’s never been told before. Penelope awaits the return of her husband, Odysseus, from the Trojan war. Four suitors are locked in a do-or-die competition to win her love at a barbecue unlike any you have ever seen. Will the great warrior return and slay his rivals, or will one of these self-proclaimed poets convince her to turn to a new love?

Penelope opens on Friday, April 10 at 8:00pm, with previews on Wednesday, April 8 and Thursday, April 9 at 7:00pm. Penelope runs for a total of 16 performances, through April 26, 2015. Tickets are on sale for $25 and $30 by calling (215) 454-9776 or visiting inisnuatheatre.org.

Read More

Save the Date: South Street Spring Festival Kicks Off Philadelphia Festival Season with All-Day, All Ages, Free Party on Sat, May 2, 2015

South Street kicks off Philly's summer festival season with a free, all-day, all ages block party on Saturday, May 2, 2015 from 11:00am to 8:00pm. Festivities will take over South Street between Front and 8th, plus continue onto 2nd Street Plaza.

Over 30 restaurants and bars will serve food and drink outside on the street.  The district will come alive with music and entertainment from three stages and eight additional street locations. Children of all ages will enjoy free family fun in the Kids Zone. Over forty artists and retailers will cater to your shopping needs. In conjunction with the Festival, Brauhaus Schmitz will host the 3rd annual German Maifest with German beers, dancers, music, food and the city’s largest Maypole.

South Street Spring Festival is FREE and open to the public. Food and drink are pay-as-you-go. 21 and up with identification to drink. Rain or shine. For the full schedule, visit www.southstreet.com, call 215-413-3713 and follow @officialsouthst #SouthStFest on Twitter.

Inis Nua Theatre Company Presents American Premiere of Long Live the Little Knife by David Leddy at Off Broad Street Theater, Philadelphia

Inis Nua Theatre Company Presents American Premiere of Long Live the Little Knife by David Leddy at Off Broad Street Theater, Philadelphia

Hot on the heels of winning five Barrymore awards, Inis Nua Theatre Company in Philadelphia returns with the American premiere of Long Live the Little Knife by David Leddy at the Off-Broad Street Theater (First Baptist Church, 1636 Sansom Street). This fast-paced and hilarious romp features con artists turned art forgers as they tangle with Russian oligarchs, brothels, castrated labradoodles and spirit mediums. Tickets are on sale for $25 and $30 by calling (215) 454-9776 or visiting http://inisnuatheatre.org. Opening night is Friday, February 6 at 8:00pm, with previews on Wednesday, February 4 and Thursday, February 5 at 7:00pm. Knife runs for a total of 16 performances, through February 22, 2015. Leddy will also be in Philadelphia for a talk-back after the show on February 4, attend a post-show reception on February 5, and attend opening night reception on February 6. For shows on February 7, 12 and 13, patrons that try to sneak in with their best attempt at a forged ticket will get $3.00 off admission at the door and a chance to win a pair of tickets to the last show of the season, Penelope. 

Read More

Barrymore Award Winner Inis Nua Theatre Company Presents Spy-Themed Craicdown Under Cover Concert Benefit at World Cafe Live

inis nua theatre company, barrymore, craicdown, benefit, concert, world cafe live

Inis Nua Theatre Company isn't taking a breather after this fall’s production of Ciphers and five recent Barrymore wins.  Enjoy this weekend doubleheader! 

CRAICDOWN UNDER COVER
Inis Nua Theatre Company presents their annual benefit Craicdown Under Cover this Friday, November 21, 2014, at World Cafe Live! (3025 Walnut Street), from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. In honor of Ciphers, Inis Nua's successful fall production, this year's concert benefit features a "spy" theme, with performers doing their versions of the James Bond movie theme songs. Musicians and theatre artists appearing include Mal Whyte, TJ Kong from TJ Kong & the Atomic Bomb, as well as the mighty West Philadelphia Orchestra (putting some Balkan swing on James Bond). Hosting the event is Inis Nua fan favorite Damon Bonetti as Le Falcon, the notorious (and goofy) assassin for hire from Inis Nua's 2013 world premiere The Hand of Gaul. Enjoy an evening of dance, music, comedy, raffles and great performances.  Ticket sales will support future works by Inis Nua Theatre Company. Tickets are $25 in advance at inisnuatheatre.ticketleap.com and $30 at the door. Help “craic” the code to support future works by Inis Nua.
 

World Cafe live, Inis Nua, Craicdown, benefit, concert, barrymore winner

WORKSHOP FOR CARMILLA: VIDEO NASTY
Inis Nua Theatre Company presents a free public sharing of a one-week workshop on Carmilla: Video Nasty, an Inis Nua original in development, this Sunday, November 23, 2014, at 6:00pm at Pig Iron School (1417 N 2nd St, Philadelphia). In 1983, a low budget film company tries to adapt Sheridan LeFanu's Gothic horror novella, Carmilla for a direct-to-video audience. With the advent of VCRs, people have the ability to watch video movies in the privacy of their own home. But in 1980's Thatcher Britain, there is no film classification for these videos. And the conservatives are upset about it. They worry that the movies, dubbed "video nasties", will destroy society. Think of the children! What proceeds is a media frenzy and social hysteria ultimately resulting in banning the so-called video nasties. Come see the beginning ideas as the company devises its new work. The workshop is free and open to the public. Register online at inisnuatheatre.ticketleap.com.

WHAT IS NEXT?

Big Fat Quiz of the Year
Monday, December 15, 2014, 7:00pm
Test your knowledge of the year's events as well as Inis Nua trivia. Admission donation is $15.00 at the door, which includes one free drink.  Location is to be announced.


Long Live the Little Knife by David Leddy
February 4-22, 2015
“You need to keep your wits about you, but you will still be taken in by this hugely enjoyable romp.”—The Guardian.  Long Live the Little Knife is a more absurdist take on the double-cross. It’s a fast-paced tale of swindling, dirty tricks and false identities. Husband and wife con artists set out to become the greatest art forgers in the world. What they gain—and what they lose—makes for a shocking, funny and oddly uplifting trip.


Penolope by Enda Walsh
April 8-26, 2015
“Mr. Walsh has an intense, love-hate relationship with words… And the gorgeous, outlandish sentences and speeches he weaves seem to self-destruct even as they are spoken.”—New York Times. This inspired take on Homer’s The Odyssey finds four absurd men holding vigil in an empty swimming pool. These are the last of the one hundred suitors of Penelope, who has waited ten years for her husband Odysseus to return from the Trojan Wars. Will the great warrior return and slay his rivals? Or will Penelope give up and turn to a new love?

ABOUT INIS NUA THEATRE COMPANY

Inis Nua’s mission is to produce contemporary, provocative plays from Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales which reflect those cultures’ new identities in today’s world.  Inis Nua also seeks to cultivate and produce contemporary, provocative work from American playwrights who deal with the Irish-American, Welsh-American, Scottish-American and Anglo-American experiences.

To date, Inis Nua has produced one world premiere, seven American premieres and ten Philadelphia premieres. Inis Nua Theatre Company has been the recipient of grants from the Wyncote Foundation, the Pew Center for Arts and Culture through the Philadelphia Theatre Initiative, the Independence Foundation, the Fels Fund, the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, and the Charlotte Cushman Foundation. Inis Nua Theatre has also had six playwrights visit for their shows.


 

Christmas Village in Philadelphia Returns to LOVE Park for 2014 Holiday Season with Festive Sights, Sounds and Shopping

The Christmas Village will again transform Philadelphia’s LOVE Park (15th and JFK Boulevard) into a traditional, open-air German Christmas Market, open daily between Thanksgiving and Sunday, December 28, 2014. Shop for high-quality, international and local gifts and decorations. Enjoy holiday sights and sounds with thousand of twinkling lights, the LOVE Park Christmas Tree, live music, children’s activities and photos with Santa Claus. Warm up with a glass of warm mulled wine or hot cocoa while enjoying European and American food and drink. Admission is free, with food, drink and shopping pay as you go. Spread the cheer by following @philachristmas on Twitter, liking Christmas Village on Facebook and visiting www.philachristmas.com.

Now in its seventh year, Christmas Village in Philadelphia has grown into one of the region’s most unique and charming holiday attractions. It expects to attract more than 550,000 people in 2014. Sixty-five international and local merchants and artists are busy preparing high-quality gifts that will be sold in decorated tents and wooden houses that will pop-up throughout Center City’s famous LOVE Park. With toys, apparel, jewelry, decorations, homegoods, artwork and more, there will be something for everyone on Santa’s list.

For the second consecutive year, Christmas Village in Philadelphia is presented by an NRG company.

“NRG Home is once again proud to be the presenting sponsor of Christmas Village in Philadelphia, a growing tradition that brings the community together,” said Heather Farber, Managing Director, NRG Retail Northeast. “We look forward to connecting with consumers at Christmas Village, listening to what their energy needs are, and sharing how NRG Home can help power their holidays both at home and on the go.”

Follow the smell of gingerbread and waffles to a full menu of European food, sweets and drinks, including mouthwatering German bratwurst or schnitzel served on a warm roll (Brötchen). Look for new menu additions this year, including Döner Kebab (a German specialty featuring fresh meat shaved right off the rotisserie spit, placed in a warm pita pocket with tomato, onion, and our delicious homemade sauce). Wash it all down with a warm mug of traditional German Glühwein (spiced mulled wine) or rich hot chocolate.

On top of the great shopping and dining experiences, visitors will enjoy the glorious Christmas Tree in LOVE Park, a Wish Wall in conjunction with the Make-a-Wish Foundation, a new kid’s zone on the weekends, theme days and weekends, tasting tours with Chaddsford Winery, live music during evenings and weekends, and other surprises to be announced.

The Christmas Village previews for two days on Thanksgiving Day (9:00am to 5:00pm) and Black Friday (11:00am to 7:00pm). Stop over after Philadelphia’s annual Thanksgiving Parade on Thursday, November 27 and beat the mall crowds on Black Friday, November 28, 2014.

Daily market hours starting Black Friday through the last Sunday in December will be Friday through Saturday 11:00am to 8:00pm, and Sunday through Thursday 11:00am to 7:00pm. Christmas Eve hours are 11:00am to 5:00pm (closed on Christmas Day).

The market will have a Grand Opening Ceremony on Saturday, November 29, from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm.  Invite your family and friends to come sing-a-long to holiday selections by local choirs, marching bands and other entertainers. Meet the original Christkind from Nuremberg after she officially opens the market by reciting her traditional prologue and rings in the official lighting ceremony of the Chritmas Village Fountain (not the tree), presented by NRG Home. Take photos with her as she does her traditional walk of the market. In Germany, she is the person that brings the Christmas gifts to the kids, and she won’t be coming to Philadelphia empty handed!

Vendor lists, food and drink menus, theme weekends, special event details and special promotions will be released in mid-November. Follow @philachristmas on Twitter, follow Christmas Village on Facebook and visit www.philachristmas.com for more information.

ABOUT NRG HOME

NRG Home empowers residential energy customers with a new way to think about, buy and use energy. Innovative, exclusive energy products give customers unprecedented choice and control through customized electricity plans with unique rewards and access to emerging energy technology solutions. NRG Home is part of NRG Energy, Inc., a Fortune 250 company that serves almost three million retail customers across the country. NRG Energy creates value through reliable and efficient conventional power generation, while driving innovation in solar and renewable power, electric vehicle ecosystems, carbon capture technology and customer-centric energy solutions.

South Street Headhouse District Resurrects Philadelphia's Day of the Dead Festival and Parade

South Street Headhouse District announces the resurrection of the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Festival and Parade, on Sunday, November 2, 2014.  After a twelve year hiatus, this popular celebration returns to honor departed loved ones while celebrating the circle of life. The unique procession will feature spectacular giant puppets, dancing skeletons, traditional Mexican music, strolling costumed spirits, Frida Kahlo look-alikes and a funeral hearse.  The parade route begins at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens (1020 South Street) starting at 1:45pm and ends on the 400 block with food, drink, art and family fun from 2:00pm to 7:00pm. The parade and street festival are free, with food and drink pay-as-you-go. For more information, visit www.southstreet.com, follow @officialsouthst on Twitter or call (215) 413-3713.

“After all these years, we are proud to bring this beloved festival and parade back to Philadelphia,” said Executive Director Michael Harris. “It will be a day to celebrate those we have lost, contemplate our existence and reaffirm our ties with our ancestors.”

Children and adults are encouraged to come in costume and share food, art, music and fun with their extended community, both living and dead.  Starting at 1:30pm, participants can gather at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens. While waiting pay homage to deceased family members and friends by writing a chalk message in front of the specially created “ofrenda,” or altar offering up gifts to the dead. The parade kicks off at 1:45pm and feature spectacular giant puppets, dancing skeletons, traditional Mexican music, strolling costumed spirits, Frida Kahlo look-alikes and a funeral hearse (provided courtesy of McGuinness Funeral Home).

Once the procession hits the 400 block, the festival comes to life with music, song and performances from the following:

  • * Mariachi Pedro Villaseñor (1:45pm to 2:30pm)
  • * Los Straitjackets (2:45pm to 3:30pm)
  • * Fuego Nuevo (3:30pm)
  • * Tonantzin Coatlicue (3:45pm to 4:15pm)
  • * Grupo de Danza Nuevo Mexico (4:30pm to 5:00pm)
  • * Grupo Cenzontle (5:15pm to 5:45pm)
  • * Ensemble de Folklore de la Escuela de Música del Estado de Hidalgo (6:00pm to 7:00pm)

The world’s number one instrumental combo, Los Straitjackets, will perform a special preview prior to their show at World Café Live that night where they will perform with the legendary Deke Dickerson in promotion of their new album Los Straitjackets: Deke Dickerson Sings the Instrumental Hits. For tickets and more information, visit tickets.worldcafelive.com

Additionally, participants can enjoy face painting, art demonstrations with Joel Garcia from the Eyes Gallery, Frido Kahlo look-alike contest hosted by the Eyes Gallery, skull tile making, and food and drink from Baron Von Schwein, Copabanana, Farm Truck, Las Bugambilias,Tuk Tuk Real and Woolly Mammoth.  All festival activities will take place on the 400 block, which will be closed to traffic.

Leading up to the Day of the Dead, stop by the Headhouse Square Fountain this week to visit an ofrenda hosted by Brujo de la Mancha (artist, musician, and traditional Aztec dancer). This altar will serve as a place for the community to place objects to honor their loved ones and will include a set of pre-Columbian sculptures provided by Nazbalam, Cascada del Jaguar.

The Day of the Dead Festival and Parade is presented by South Street Headhouse District with support from the Consulate of Mexico in Philadelphia, the Mexican Cultural Center, and in part by grant funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, as part of its Knight Art Challenge.  Guidance is being provided by original organizers, Isaiah and Julia Zagar of Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens and Eyes Galley, and Bill Curry of Copabanana.  

All activities are free and open to the public. Food and drink are pay-as-you-go. Beer and cocktails are available for those 21 and up, with valid identification.

For schedule updates and additional activities, visit www.southstreet.com, follow @officialsouthst on Twitter or call (215) 413-3713.

Inis Nua Theatre Company Presents American Premiere of Spy Thriller Ciphers by Dawn King

Inis Nua Theatre Company Presents American Premiere of Spy Thriller Ciphers by Dawn King

 Inis Nua Theatre Company presents the American premiere of Ciphers by Dawn King, running October 8-26, 2014 at the Off-Broad Street Theatre in the First Baptist Church (1636 Sansom Street). Ciphers is a smart and provocative spy thriller that draws a straight line from today’s terrorist headlines to our age-old struggle to know who we really are.  This British espionage tale opens on Friday, October 10 at 8pm, with previews on Wednesday, October 8 and Thursday, October 9 at 7pm.  Tickets are on sale for $25 and $30 by visiting inisnuatheatre.org or calling 215-454-9776. 

Read More