September 20, 2016

Old City Fest Returns to Old City District on Sunday, October 9, 2016

September 20, 2016/ Kory Aversa

Old City District presents Old City Fest on Sunday, October 9, 2016, from 11:00am 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, two runway fashion shows, a 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 Ben FM, Bridge, Colonial Penn, Comcast, East River Bank, Mighty Engine, MRP Realty, Where Magazine, Xfinity, Yelp, plus other sponsors and contributors.

September 16, 2016

Brauhaus Schmitz to Transform 23rd Street Armory into Philadelphia's Largest New Oktoberfest

September 16, 2016/ Kory Aversa

Brauhaus Schmitz will transform the 16,000 square-foot 23rd Street Armory (22 S. 23rd St.) into the likeness of a Munich festival tent for the first annual 23rd Street Armory Oktoberfest on Friday, October 7-9, 2016. Decked out with Bavarian blue and white ceilings, authentic festival tables and benches imported from Germany plus a lofted stage area for musical acts like the Grammy-nominated Alex Meixner Band, Brauhaus will throw the trip-state region’s largest Oktoberfest celebration. Traditional food provided by Chef Jeremy Nolen and beer will be provided by the famous Hofbräuhaus will be served. Tickets are available for each of the five sessions for $45 general admission, or $65 VIP. With the most authentic German dancing, food, entertainment, beer and more this new festival is sure to be as amazing as Munich!

September 16, 2016

America’s First Higher-Education Circus School To Open In Philadelphia Fall 2017

September 16, 2016/ Karianna Simpkins

Philadelphia, a city of many historic firsts, will take to the air and make history by being home to America’s first circus school providing a vocational diploma. Executive Director Shana Kennedy, from the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, unveiled plans for Circadium, School of Contemporary Circus, at a press conference outside the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art. The full-time, three-year, non-profit training program will bring together circus students seeking higher education and professional training opportunities. Circadium will open in fall of 2017 in a new facility that will also become the new home for the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts. Negotiations for the purchase of the new facility are currently underway. A Kickstarter campaign for the new non-profit school was launched today, and seeks to raise $50,000 in start-up funds to support Circadium’s mission. The online application process for students is now open with a deadline of November 30, 2016. Students and future donors can learn more by visiting www.circadium.com.

September 13, 2016

Comedians Tracy Morgan and Carlos Mencia to Perform at Valley Forge Music Fair

September 13, 2016/ Kory Aversa

Valley Forge Casino Resort (1160 First Avenue) kicks off their fall line-up with two of the biggest names in comedy, Tracy Morgan and Carlos Mencia. Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock alumn Morgan will bring his Picking Up the Pieces Tour to VF’s Event Center on Saturday, October 15, 2016, at 9:00pm. Comedy Central’s ‘Mind of Mencia’ creator Mencia brings his C 4 Urself Tour on Friday, November 18, 2016, to VF’s Venue on Friday, November 18, 2016, at 8:00pm. Both comedians will perform as part of the revival of the 40+ year tradition of Valley Forge Music Fair, that brings top music, comedy and entertainment to the King of Prussia and Philadelphia region. Tickets for both shows are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com.

September 06, 2016

Les Dames D’escoffier To Honor Culinary Pioneer Esther McManus At Harvest Dinner

September 06, 2016/ Karianna Simpkins

Les Dames d’Escoffier will honor Philadelphia culinary pioneer Chef Esther McManus on Sunday, September 25th at Outstanding in Her Field, a new annual event to recognize talented women making a difference in the region’s culinary field. The locally sourced harvest farm dinner will be set amidst the vines of Inn of Grace Winery (50 Sweetwater Road, Glen Mills) and paired with its fine wines and will celebrate McManus’ artistry and legacy. McManus is a quiet and behind-the-scenes rockstar in the culinary world - she taught Julia Child how to make the perfect croissant, is considered by many to be the mother of Philly’s artisan bread movement, and currently inspires legions of young cooks at the Restaurant School at Walnut Hill. Funds raised from the event will help fund scholarships for women entering the culinary field. Tickets are on sale now starting at $125 at http://bit.ly/tixlesdamesphl

September 02, 2016

Revolution Taco Debuts PoBoy Taco to Help Louisiana Flood Victims

September 02, 2016/ Kory Aversa

Revolution Taco, PoBoy, Flood Victims, Louisiana, Taco, Fried Oyster

Revolution Taco (2015 Walnut) will raise funds for flood victims in Louisiana through the sale of a special new taco - designed by Chef Chef Carolyn Nguyen, who was born and raised there.

Starting today, through Sunday, September 11th, Revolution Taco will offer the Fried Oyster PoBoy Taco, that features fried oysters, Cajun aioli, tomato, onion, lettuce, pickles and Tabasco sauce.

"I grew up in Louisiana for almost all of my childhood," said Nguyen. "Deep down it will always be home for me. When Hurricane Katrina hit, I felt helpless. With more resources on our hands now, I want to lend a hand, reach a bigger audience and make more of an impact."

The Fried Oyster PoBoy will sell for 2 for $10 or 3 for $13.50. All proceeds will be donated to the Disaster Relief Fund established by the Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana.

"It is important for restaurants and/or any business to give back. Our customers support us daily by coming in the restaurant so we have a duty to support the communities in need," Nguyen added. "It may not affect our customers directly but they may have friends or family that were affected. We are all one big community."

The Disaster Relief Fund was established by the Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana (501c3 non-profit) to support teachers who have lost their classroom materials during this year’s horrific flooding. The fund gives 100% of the donations directly to Louisiana teachers. Their website features a special application process for those in need of aid, at http://www.apeleducators.org/page/DisasterRelief

September 02, 2016

Azuka Theatre Launches Pay-What-You-Decide Ticket Model For 2016-2017 Theater Season

September 02, 2016/ Karianna Simpkins

Azuka Theatre invites audiences to pay-what-you-decide for the entire 2016-2017 theater season with an innovative new approach to ticketing. A city that celebrates so many historic “firsts” is the perfect place to launch the only full-season model of this kind in the United States. Audience members will make a reservation for a show, see the production first and then pay what they decide based on the value of the experience. Pay-what-you-decide is designed to bring in new audiences and remove financial barriers to theater. The program is supported by a $55,000 grant from The Barra Foundation. Shows in the new season will include the world premieres of Sh_theads by Douglas Williams and The Arsonists by Jacqueline Goldfinger, as well as the Philadelphia premiere of How We Got On by Idris Goodwin. All performances will take place in Azuka’s resident theater complex at The Drake (302 S. Hicks Street). For more information, visit www.azukatheatre.org or by phone at (215) 563-1100.

September 01, 2016

11th Annual Greenfest Philly Returns with Rock Wall, Edible Bugs, Prius Prime Drives

September 01, 2016/ Kory Aversa

Clean Air Council’s 11th Annual Greenfest Philly presented by Toyota Hybrids returns to Headhouse Square (2nd and South Streets) on Sunday, September 11, 2016 from 10:00am to 4:00pm. The tri-state region’s largest environmental festival and tastier than ever - with new cooking demonstrations with Miss Rachel’s Pantry, P’unk Burger and Revolution Taco, plus organic food vendors, free coffee from Joe Coffee, outdoor beer garden and edible bugs. Festivities will also include live music, group bike rides, free adult and kids’ yoga, hybrid vehicle test drives, handmade and green shopping, MOM’s Organic Market Kids’ Corner and a twenty-five foot rock wall. Admission is free. For more information, visit the website, call 215-567-4004, and follow @greenfestphilly on Twitter.

August 31, 2016

Bartram's Garden Partners with Little Babies and Art in the Age During Honey Fest

August 31, 2016/ Kory Aversa

Bartram’s Garden (54th Street & Lindbergh Blvd.) has been busy as a bee preparing to host its first ‘BUZZED’ Ice Cream Social during the Philadelphia Honey Festival. On Sunday, September 11, 2016, from 3:00pm to 5:00pm, enjoy an exclusive ice cream flavor created by Little Baby’s Ice Cream using ingredients found in the Garden, plus cool off with Art in the Age cocktails and boozy ice cream floats. Treats for children will also be available. While you enjoy, explore the historic gardens and try your hand at period lawn games and authentic country dances. All ages welcome. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $12 for Bartram’s Garden members. Tickets available at bartramsgarden.org/buzzed. Proceeds benefit Bartram’s Garden.

August 28, 2016

Birds on a Wire Presents In the Clearing During Philadelphia Fringe Festival

August 28, 2016/ Kory Aversa

Birds on a Wire Dance Theatre, Philly’s collaborative dance company dedicated to emerging, female artists returns to the Philadelphia Fringe Festival with In the Clearing. This contemporary, full-length dance work, directed by Artistic Director Melissa Cameron, embarks on a journey through a fairy-tale forest to uncover the best and worst of humanity. What do the dancers discover in these woods? Beauty and nature? Threats and danger? Pack a picnic basket in this BYOB (Bring Your Own picnic Blanket) adventure at Christ Church Neighborhood House on Friday, September 9 at 8:00m or Saturday, September 10 at 1pm and 6pm to discover what is In the Clearing.