November 17, 2015

Christmas Village in Baltimore Sails Into Inner Harbor for 2015 Holiday Season Starting on Thanksgiving Day

November 17, 2015/ Kory Aversa

Christmas Village in Baltimore will again transform West Shore Park (501 Light Street) into a traditional, indoor and outdoor GermanChristmas Market, open between Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26 and Sunday, December 27, 2015. Inner Harbor is invited to enjoy holiday sights and sounds with thousands of twinkling lights, two Christmas Trees, live music at the main indoor stage presented by Condor, entertainment, children’s activities and more than 50 vendors. Shop for high-quality, international and local gifts and decorations. Warm up with a glass of warm mulled wine or hot chocolate while enjoying the great variety of European food and drink. On top of opening for an extra weekend, other additions for 2015 include new decorations like Original Herrnhut Stars, daily happy hours, food and drink areas, vendors and tasty treats. Admission is free on weekdays and opening weekend, and only $1 on December 4 and 5, 2015. Admission for all other weekends is $5 for adults, $3 for children 3-18 and free for toddlers under 3. Spread holiday cheer by following @baltimorexmas on Twitter and Instagram, liking Christmas Village in Baltimore on Facebook, and visiting website

November 16, 2015

75+ Philadelphia Restaurants Help Local Charities During City-Wide Food Fest Restaurant Crawl

November 16, 2015/ Kory Aversa

Over 75 restaurants in 24 of Philadelphia’s top neighborhoods will offer discounted small bites and make a donation to three local charities during their greatest time of need. Philly2Night.com and UpcomingEvents.com, with support from Tito’s Handmade Vodka, present Food Fest 2015, a city-wide Philadelphia restaurant crawl & food drive on Saturday, November 21, 2015, from Noon to 8:00pm. Ticket holders are invited to visit new restaurants around town, or stop by long-time favorites, while savoring discounted small-bite foods and enjoying drink specials. Tickets are free but participants can make an extra difference by purchasing a special $10 donation option. All guests are strongly encouraged to bring a non-perishable food donation to drop at 25 drop-off sites. Charity beneficiaries for this year include Philabundance, The Food Trust and Alex’s Lemonade Stand. For more information and for tickets, visit http://www.foodfest.org.

November 05, 2015

Taproom on 19th Celebrates Two Year Anniversary with South Philly Block Party and Pop-up with Pigheaded BBQ

November 05, 2015/ Kory Aversa

Taproom on 19th (2400 S. 19th, Philadelphia) celebrates its second anniversary with a full day celebration of brews, barbecue and live music. This Saturday, November 7, 2015, from 1:00pm to 11:00pm, owners Michael Strauss and Pete Fry will host the “Two Year Anniversary Block Party” featuring a chef pop-up with Pigheaded BBQ, performance by the Gin Canaries, tap-takeover with Bella Vista Beer Distributor, and a special cocktail designed by Lê HopSing from Hop Sing Laundromat. A large heated tent will take up the 1900 block of Ritner, making the event rain or shine. Admission is free. All food and drink are pay-as-you-go. Guests must be 21 or older to drink. For more information, visit www.taproomon19th.com, call267-687-7817 or follow @TaproomOn19th

October 28, 2015

Christmas Village in Philadelphia Returns to LOVE Park Early in 2015 with More Decorations, Expanded Seating, New Food, Other Holiday Surprises

October 28, 2015/ Kory Aversa

The Christmas Village in Philadelphia presented by NRG Home will again transform Philadelphia’s LOVE Park (15th and JFK Boulevard) into a traditional, open-air German Christmas Market, open daily between Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26, 2015 and Sunday, December 27, 2015. For the first time ever, the market will open early for a special preview on Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22, 2015. Shop for high-quality, international and local gifts and decorations. Enjoy holiday sights and sounds with thousands 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 food and drink. Watch for new decorations, seating, vendors and tasty treats! Admission is free, with food, drink and shopping pay as you go. Spread the cheer by following @philachristmas on Twitter and Instagram, liking Christmas Village on Facebook and visiting www.philachristmas.com.

October 22, 2015

South Street Headhouse District Presents New Halloween Tradition with South Street's PumpkinFest on October 31, 2015

October 22, 2015/ Kory Aversa

South Street Headhouse District (SSHD) presents a new fall festival with tricks and treats for adults and children of all ages. PumpkinFest takes over Second Street's Headhouse Plaza between Pine and South Streets, on Saturday, October 31, 2015, from 12:00pm to 5:00pm. Live music, shopping, seasonal bites and brews, football bungee challenge, straw bale maze, circus performances, horse and wagon hay rides, face painting and more. South Street businesses will open their doors for trick or treating (children 12 and under) from 3:00pm to 5:00pm. PumpkinFest is free, with food, drink and shopping pay-as-you-go. For more information, visit www.southstreet.com, follow @officialsouthst on Twitter or call (215) 413-3713.

October 14, 2015

Clean Air Council's Dine Out for the Environment Showcases Sustainable Restaurants Around the Region

October 14, 2015/ Kory Aversa

Philadelphia restaurants will serve up their signature dishes and highlight their commitment to sustainability tomorrow (October 15, 2015) during Clean Air Council's Dine Out for the Environment. This second year event will give diners a sneak peek into impressive kitchens that work hard to support local farms, reduce waste and chemical usage, and leave the world a better place for future generations. Restaurants will donate 15-30% of their sales tomorrow to the Clean Air Council to support its work in the Philadelphia area.

October 13, 2015

Valley Forge Casino Resort Hosts Queen of Southern Cuisine Paula Deen as Part of Taste Philadelphia Festival

October 13, 2015/ Kory Aversa

Valley Forge Casino Resort will host Queen of Southern Cuisine Paula Deen for the 17th Annual Philadelphia Festival of Food, Wine and Spirits on October 16-18, 2015. Deen has lost over 40 pounds and will share her favorite recipes lightened up on stage for two demonstrations on Saturday, October 17, 2015, at 1:00pm and 3:00pm. Recipes will come from her soon-to-be-released 15th cookbook, entitled Paula Deen Cuts the Fat. Deen joins over two dozen other top chefs from the region and country including Chef Nicholas Elmi (Top Chef) and Nicole Gaffney (Food Network Star). Deen’s demonstration is sponsored directly by Valley Forge Casino Resort. Tickets are on sale now at www.vfcasino.com.

October 05, 2015

Theatre Exile Presents World Premiere of RIZZO by Bruce Graham from October 15 to November 8, 2015

October 05, 2015/ Kory Aversa

Theatre Exile begins their 19th season by searching for the moral center with the world premiere of Rizzo, by award-winning playwright and South Philadelphia resident Bruce Graham. Based on “Rizzo: The Last Big Man in Big City America” by Sal Paolantonio (published by Camino Books, Inc.), Rizzo brings one of the most divisive figures in Philadelphia’s history to the stage October 15 through November 8, 2015 (opening night October 21) at Christ Church Neighborhood House (20 N American Street). Founding Artistic Director Joe Canuso will direct, with Barrymore Award-winning actor Scott Greer playing the role of Rizzo. Tickets are on sale now for $10.00 to $40.00 at www.theatreexile.org or by phone (215) 218-4022.

September 30, 2015

Old City Fest Celebrates Art and Design, Fashion and Food, Creativity and Culture on Sunday, October 11, 2015

September 30, 2015/ Kory Aversa

Old City District presents Old City Fest on Sunday, October 11, 2015, from 12:00pm to 6:00pm, along N. 3rd Street (from Market to Race) and Arch Street (from 2nd to 4th). Activities will include a festival stage with live music, runway fashion show, design showcase installation, family fun zone, pop-up street performances and a wide array of food, beverages, art, craft and retail shopping, with 100+ Old City vendors participating. Admission is free, with food and drink pay-as-you-go. For more info, visit oldcitydistrict.org, tweet @oldcitydistrict or call (215) 592-7929. Old City Fest is produced by Old City District with support from major sponsors Xfinity, Mighty Engine, Kaiserman Company, Colonial Penn Life Insurance, More FM and Where Magazine, plus other sponsors and contributors.

September 24, 2015

Inis Nua Theatre Company Presents American Premiere of Hooked! by Gillian Grattan at Fergie's Pub

September 24, 2015/ Kory Aversa

Inis Nua Theatre Company celebrates the start of their 12th season by presenting Hooked! by Gillian Grattan, from October 7-25, 2015. A dark comedy perfect for the Halloween season, Hooked! brings us a pretty little village where nothing is what it seems. The gossip, secrets and scandals will have you cringing and laughing. Hooked, ensnared, trapped…trick or treat, anyone? The show begins previews on October 7, opens on October 9, and runs for 16 performances through October 25, 2015. Times vary by performance. Hooked! is a site-specific presentation. All shows are upstairs at Fergie’s Pub, 1214 Sansom Street. Tickets are on sale for $25 and $30 by calling (215) 454-9776 or visiting inisnuatheatre.org.