South Street Spring Festival Announces 40 bands, 30 restaurants, Maifest at Brauhaus Schmitz, Family Fun, more

Philadelphia’s largest new outdoor block party returns with eight blocks of food, drink, entertainment, music, arts, family fun, shopping and more 

South Street Spring Festival celebrates the best tastes, sips, sounds and sights of South Street Headhouse District. On Saturday, May 3, 2014, from 11:00am to 8:00pm, enjoy a free, all-ages outdoor party that will close down South Street (between Front and 8th), and also run along the 2nd Street Plaza (between South and Lombard). Forty bands and performers will take to three main stages, as well as eight other performance areas. Thirty restaurants and bars will serve food, cocktails and special brews. Brauhaus Schmitz will host the second annual German Maifest with German beers, dancers and even a May pole. Children will enjoy FREE family fun in the Kids Zone storytelling, arts, crafts, music and performances. Forty artists, crafters and retail vendors will cater to your shopping needs. The Heroes Zone will salute both public service and hometown heroes. South Street Spring Festival is FREE and open to the public (ages 21 and up with identification to drink). For more information, visit www.southstreet.com and follow @officialsouthst #SouthStFest on Twitter.

MAIFEST BY BRAUHAUS SCHMITZ

On the 700 block of South Street, Brauhaus Schmitz will present the second annual German Maifest. Get ready to celebrate a time when flowers are starting to bloom, the winter chill is fading, and consumption of copious amounts of beer is highly encouraged—at least it is in Germany. Strap on your lederhosen and dirndl, and get ready to enjoy this traditional Deutsch festival with:

• May Pole with authentic German dancers between 2:00pm to 6:00pm
• Main Spring Fest stage outside Brauhaus to feature Heimat Klange between 1:30pm and 6:00pm
• In conjunction with Art/Gage and Philadelphia Magic Gardens, make your own fresh flower headbands from 2:00pm to 5:00pm and 6:00pm to 7:00pm (Donation suggested)
• Food will include roasted pork sandwiches, large pretzels, German potato salad, sauerkraut, Bratwurst sandwiches
• Three beer stations will feature six to eight selections of authentic German styles
• Special liter mugs are free when you buy $60 worth of food or drink
• Schnapps station outside with ski plank shots
• Round tables (with umbrellas) for plentiful seating to enjoy entertainment, food and drink
• Special VIP packages for special access to food, drink and inside festivities – this includes access to spring imports!
• All food and drink for Maifest are pay-as-you-go to general public, special pricing/access with VIP ticket

MUSIC

This year’s South Street Spring Festival raises the bar even higher on the quantity and quality of musical acts performing at this free all-day, outdoor music fest.   Music will be heard on three main stages (at 2nd, 5th, and 8th Streets) as well as on every block of the festival at eight street performance locations.  The street will be filled with sounds ranging from accordions, New Orleans jazz, funk and soul, bluegrass, southern rock, indie rock, and blues, to name just a few.  Curated by The Legendary Dobbs, The Twisted Tail and Brauhaus Schmitz, this line-up of musical talent has something for everyone.  If you enjoy great music and dancing in the street this is THE place to be. Over 40 popular local music acts will perform from 11:00am to 8:00pm, including:

2nd Street Stage

• Rowboat Casino
• Kid Felix
• The Great SOCIO
• Zymotic Flow
• Footwork
• The Quixote Project
• Modern Colour
• Downtown Shimmy
• April Mae and the June Bugs 

5th Street Stage

• Stolen Rhodes
• John the Conqueror
• Sweet Leda
• Johnny Popcorn
•  BAAM!
• Cold Roses
• Laura Cheadle
• Gypsy Joe Alves and the Groove Prophets
• Steve Cal Band 

8th Street Stage by Brauhaus Schmitz

• Heimatklange

Performers in other performance areas:

• A Day Without Love (Brian Walker)
• Bastards of Earle
• Ben Abrams
• Blackstars
• Brooks Long
• Cole Campbell
• Cookie Rabinowitz
• Craig / Berto (Great SOCIO)
• Daniel de Jesus
• Greg Sover
• Gypsy Joe Alves and the Groove Prophets
• Joe Jordan
• Justin Gonzalez
• Justin Phillippi
• marc lancaster
• Mike Pays Heat
• Montgomery Streets
• My Man Shafe
• out of the beardspace
• Ovi Horta
• paul st John
• Rachel Schain
• Seth Adam
• skip denenberg
• Tess Emma
• Vanity Plates / Jim Feigan
• Wooden Hez
• xap

FOOD AND DRINK

Spring Festival will close South Street to traffic, and transform this historic business district into one of the city’s largest block parties. At least 30 restaurants, bars, cafes and food trucks will come outside to serve signature food, drinks, and cuisine from around the world. Look for everything from free samples, to special one-off dishes, to signature favorites, to specially priced grab-and-go. Pricing will vary by vendor and ranges from free samples to pay-as-you-go. Participants include: 

• Bistro Romano
• Boyler Room
• Brauhaus Schmitz
• Bridget Foy’s
• Cavanaugh’s Headhouse
• Copabanana
• Delicias
• Fat Tuesday’s
• Headhouse Crab & Oyster Company
• Hot Diggity
• Jon’s Bar & Grille
• Las Bugambilias
• Legendary Dobbs
• Leziz Turkish Cuisine
• The Lite Choice
• Lovash
• Manny Browns
•  O’Neals Pub
• Paddy Whacks
• Pizzeria Stella
• Primo Hoagies
• Redwood
• The Reef
• Rita’s Water Ice
• Steaks on South
• Supper
• The Twisted Tail 
• Woolly Mammoth

FREE FAMILY FUN  

The Kids Zone (located in the 200 block of South Street) will feature engaging activities for the young and the young at heart from 11:00am to 5:00pm. Let your young artists express themselves with hands-on art and craft projects by our community partners, or have a seat for storybook reading. There’s something for everyone, of all ages, in the Kids Zone. The line-up includes:

• Liberty Bellows accordion band
• Performance by Philadelphia Dance Academy
• Martial arts demonstrations by Gracie Academy
• “Discover Your Inner Artist” chalk area
• Storytelling
• Face Painting by Freckles
• Arts and crafts by Fleisher Art Memorial and Queen Village Art Center
• Readings and activities from the Art Sanctuary
• Sand castle art projects
• More to be announced

HEROES ZONE

Join us as we salute both public service and hometown heroes in the Heroes Zone (located in the 600 block of South Street) from 11:00am to 5:00pm, including:

•  Philadelphia Police Department
• Philadelphia Fire Department
• U.S. Coast Guard
• U.S. Air Force
• Civil Air Patrol
• Homeland Security
• American Red Cross
• Local Cub Scouts and civic associations

ART/GAGE BY PHILADELPHIA MAGIC GARDENS

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens can’t wait to show its Philly pride for the seventh year with its ART/GAGE initiative! Since 2007, PMG’s ART/GAGE initiative has offered interactive experiences outside of the museum and classroom to enGAGE a diverse audience with ART, furthering PMG’s mission to inspire creativity and community engagement.

Many arts experiences will be scattered throughout Spring Festival to provide an engaging break between the array of street vendors. PMG exhibiting artist Joel Garcia, all the way from Mexico City, will demonstrate his master papier-mâché skills. Francesca Rivetti from Follicle Studio and Conrad Booker will show off their hair-expertise with a live interactive demonstration of fashion and hair wizardry. 

Feeling thirsty? Stop by Brauhaus Schmitz, grab a drink, and create your own flower head-wreath or painted mug while you sip. The Neighborland project will get festival-goers thinking about South Street’s potential with an interactive endeavor that all are encouraged to take part in. Participants can also create their wheat-paste masterpiece to contribute to a community collage. Last but not least, don’t forget to bring a blank t-shirt and create your own Philly-inspired screen-printed fashion statement with Camden Printworks.

During the festival, Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens will also be open to the general public to enter its glittering space. Guided tours will take place at 12:00pm to 4:00pm. Call 215-733-0390 to make your reservation!

SHOPPING

Over 40 artists, crafters, and retailers of all kinds will fill the street and our Artisan fair to serve your shopping needs. District merchants from South Street, Headhouse, Fabric Row and more will offer day of specials and other promotions. 

South Street Spring Festival is free and open to the public. For the full schedule and roster of events, visit www.southstreet.com and follow @officialsouthst #SouthStFest on Twitter. 
 

Aversa PR Seeks PR and Social Media Assistant - Philadelphia Job Opening

Aversa PR is expanding! There are currently Philadelphia job openings for PR and Event Assistant and a Special Events Administrative Assistant to work out of the Aversa PR office at 12th and East Passyunk. Please see below for application instructions. Make sure to list the job title in the email subject line. Thank you! 

PR and Social Media Assistant 
Aversa PR - Philadelphia, PA and South Jersey

Aversa PR & Events seeks an ultra organized, creative and driven multi-tasker to assist with 20+ client accounts that cover retail, fashion, beauty, food, neighborhoods, tourism and much more. We work with small business owners, entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders that expect the best from us - including smart and creative results, on a budget, in a timely manner, with measurable results. We're seeking a proven professional with some or all off the following skills: 

• Event administrative experience, day of event staffing and coordination (25% of position)
• Social media account management and strategy (25% of position)
• Public relations research, writing, pitching (25% of position)
• Office assistance, intern management, photo shoots, meetings and planning (25% of position)

Successful candidates will exhibit attention to detail, be excellent communicators, work well under pressure, have a sense of humor, be a team player, pitch in for overall agency activities and be able to generate award-winning messaging on the fly. 

Proven experience in managing social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest) preferred. This is a new starter contractor position with up to 20-30 hours per week, with option to grow position in future. Dependable transportation at all times is a must as clients require store visits, photo shoots, meetings and event support. Office-based position in South Philadelphia.

Please submit a formal cover letter, resume and list of social media samples/handles to hr@aversapr.com. Applications will be considered incomplete without all three elements. No phone calls please. If you have applied in the past feel free to apply again for this new position. 

For more information about us and our company, visit www.aversapr.com or follow us on Twitter at @koryaversa @aversapr @phillylovesfun 

Special Event Assistant - Temporary
Aversa PR - Philadelphia, PA and South Jersey

Aversa PR & Events seeks an ultra organized, creative and driven multi-tasker to assist with coordination of a large event planning project. Work begins in February and continues through the end of April. Duties will include attending meetings, intake for volunteers, volunteer coordination, simple design of flyers, creation of day-of-event documents, planning event logistics, returning inquiries, outreach to nonprofit partners, distribution of flyers, management of interns, agency team projects, other administrative duties.

Successful candidates will exhibit attention to detail, be excellent communicators, have amazing follow-up, be self-directed, work well under pressure, have a sense of humor and have the ability to closely follow directions. 

This is a new temporary position that could turn into additional hours or could result in additional projects on a case-by-case basis. Dependable transportation at all times is a must. Office-based position in South Philadelphia and Center City. Approximately 10-15 hours per week, until final two weeks before the event. At that time, position jumps to 20-25 hours. 

Please submit a formal cover letter, resume and references to hr@aversapr.com. Applications will be considered incomplete without all three elements. No phone calls please. If you have applied in the past feel free to apply again for this new position.  

For more information about us and our company, visit www.aversapr.com or follow us on Twitter at @koryaversa @aversapr @phillylovesfun 

Join us! Aversa PR Holiday Open House + East Passyunk Tree Lighting After Party

Get ready to rock your way around the Avenue! On Thursday, December 5th, join us for one of Philadelphia's biggest tree lighting parties followed by our first-ever Aversa PR Holiday Open House/ After Party. Don't miss the festive fun! 

Start the party early, from 5-7pm, with the Tree Lighting Party + Deck the Halls Kick-Off at the Singing Fountain on East Passyunk Avenue (at EPA + Tasker Streets). Enjoy holiday music, sweet treats, free food/drink samples, visit from Santa + the lighting of the magnificant tree ABOVE the historic, world-famous Singing Fountain.

After the ceremonies, from 7-9pm, come get your holly jolly on with us as we present our first Holiday Open House /After Party with lite bites, holiday spirits and more. Ms Goody Cupcake truck will have free cupcake minis, The Tot Cart will serve tots and beer cheese and Sum Pig Food Truck will offer sliders, stews and more (all at big discount).  Noir Restaurant will offer pasta and rice balls (yum), Bitar's will have new flavored hummus and Middle Eastern platters, candy displays, sweets and treats, more! 

The party is free but we're hosting an optional holiday drive for two great organizations. Bring school supplies to support City Year's work in the Philadelphia schools. Donations will go to several classrooms in need of supplies for the second half of the school year.  We will also collect toileties, gift sets, toys, etc. for Bianca's Kids to help foster children. Small gift cards are also welcome for Staples, Wal-mart, etc. 

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

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.) 

2013 Honoree Governor Ed Rendell 

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

Philadelphia PR Job: Aversa PR Seeks PR and Social Media Coordinator

Aversa PR & Events is hiring - Philadelphia PR job alert! We seek a creative, detail-oriented, dependable and enthusiastic Philadelphia PR and Social Media Coordinator to assist with 20+ client accounts that cover the best of Philly's retail, fashion, beauty, food, bars, neighborhoods, arts, theater, entertainment and much more. We work with small business owners, entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders that expect the best from us - including smart and creative results, on a budget, in a timely manner, with measurable results. We're seeking an up-and-coming communications rock star that brings one to three years of professional success under their belt. We're looking for documented experience and skills in collecting and organizing content, developing short and long range strategies, growing social media followings, crafting an ongoing, unique for each business, teaching social media best practices to clients, and maintaining a content calendar. On the PR side, we seek someone that either has or easily can develop relationships with the area press, that can write a world-class press release, expand our media list and coordinate press events. 

Successful candidates will exhibit attention to detail, be good communicators, work well under pressure, have a sense of humor, work within budget and time frames, and be able to generate award-winning messaging on the fly.  Proven experience in managing social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest) preferred.  This is a new starter position that offers 20 to 25 hours per week, with room for quick increases in hours as you help develop new client accounts.  It is preferred that candidates have a car for errands on the fly, but otherwise dependable transportation at all times is an absolute must as clients require store visits, photo shoots, meetings and event support.  Office-based position in South Philadelphia. We are seeking candidates to work in the office, and are not seeking telecommuters at this time. 

Please submit a complete application with the following elements: cover letter, resume and list of social media samples/handles to hr@aversapr.com. Applications will be considered incomplete if any of the above are missing. We plan to hire as soon as we find the right candidate. No phone calls please. For more information about us and our company, visit www.aversapr.com or follow us on Twitter at @koryaversa @aversapr 

Registration Set to Open for Diner en Blanc Philadelphia/ Look Back at 2012

Viral buzz is building for our client Diner en Blanc Philadelphia! The party of the year returns on Thursday, August 22, 2013 to a secret public space in the city of Philadelphia. This past week, the co-chairs previewed the fashion, food and fun on Fox 29 and MyPHL 17. Registration also opened to last year's registered guests. Next week, final registration phases open to more than 5,000 people on the wait list. As we enter the final home stretch, check out our favorite snapshots from last year. If you aren't on the list, don't get sold out. Add yourself today by clicking here.