Here’s a question you don’t get every day: What to belly dancing, sexuality, and helping the needy all have in common? If you’re smart enough to read the headline you might have guessed already – they’re all upcoming events at the Penn Museum (aka The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, one of the greatest history museums in the world)!

The museum regularly hosts workshops, lectures, performances, and other events in addition to its regular exhibits and programming (check out my previous profile of the museum ). There are three great events coming up in the next week....
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Related Destination: Penn Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology »

Related Tags: Entertainment, Culture, Universities + Colleges

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Free Sustainability Workshops: the Next Two Tuesdays

Posted by Samantha Lazar on March 12, 2010

UCD is all about improving West Philly/University City in every way possible. But while we’re at it, why not improve the city, the country, or the whole world? Environmental sustainability is a hot topic, and for good reason – it’s not only good (nay, necessary) for the planet, but it’s good for your pocket book as well. To that end, UCD is offering two free sustainability workshops, the first part of a series, that are open to West Philly residents and businesses.

The area is already home to numerous environment-boosting organizations, like UC Green, which goes around the neighborhood planting trees, and PRooF, the Philadelphia Rooftop Farm. In addition to painting the town green, though, why not cut down on your energy usage? These workshops will teach you how, with a special emphasis on problems and techniques that are especially relevant to the area. Learn how to caulk cracks, weather-strip, V-seal, and switch to the most efficient bulbs. You’ll also learn the nitty-gritty about your energy bill, PECO, and special money-saving rebates and tax credits.

The first workshop (on March 16th) is geared toward the owners of commercial properties, and the second (on March 23rd) is for residents. Do your part to reduce energy usage and make University City an even more environmentally friendly neighborhood. Your bank account – and the planet – will thank you! RSVP today to make sure to reserve a spot.

RSVP to seth@universitycity.org, or contact Seth Budick at 215-243-0555 by Friday, March 12

Tuesday, March 16, 3-4pm
Energy Efficiency Improvements for Commercial Property Owners
Walnut Street West Free Library, 201 South 40th Street

Tuesday, March 23, 5:30-6:30pm
Energy Efficiency Improvements for Residential Properties
Walnut Street West Free Library, 201 South 40th Street

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Related Tag: Community Resources

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The Arts and Spirituality Center: Empowering Youth through Art, Peace, and Love

Posted by Samantha Lazar on March 8, 2010

The Arts and Spirituality Center is located at 37th and Chestnut, right in the heart of University City, but if you weren’t a Philadelphia teenager in the past ten years you might not have heard of it. The interfaith non-profit serves schools, community and youth groups, faith-based organizations, and the generally downtrodden, helping them to stand up to violence and other negative pressures by embracing their creativity and nurturing their spirits. Their several unique programs focus on art education, interfaith work, community building, imagination, and rites of passage. Each is specially tailored to a specific set of people. The Rites of Passage program, for example, is for 10 to 14 year-old girls, and uses ancient and modern arts, expressive techniques, and traditions to help empower while easing the transition from childhood to adolescence. Combined, their programs have reached over 6,000 Philadelphians since the center opened in 2000. ...
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Related Destination: The Arts and Spirituality Center »

Related Tags: Family Fun, Culture

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Zocalo: Upscale Mexican Cuisine in a Cozy Authentic Atmosphere

Posted by Samantha Lazar on February 24, 2010

Mexican restaurant Zocalo has been sitting on the corner of 36^th and Lancaster for over twenty years now. A couple years ago, though, it made the shift from “contemporary” Mexican food to more authentic dishes, under the new leadership of Mary and Greg Russell. Though you might not guess it from their name, the Russells’ experience with Mexican restaurants goes back decades, and they even met in Zocalo, serendipitously, when Greg was working in the kitchen under a different owner. They’ve redecorated the space, re-tooled the menu, and re-vamped the concept, and Zocalo now manages to be simultaneously bright (note the hand carved and vibrantly painted chairs), cozy, and traditional, while exuding the warmth of a family-run endeavor. ...
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Related Destination: Las Tarascas en Zocalo »

Related Tags: Dining + Food, Nightlife + Bars

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Al-Bustan: Planting the Seeds of Arabic Arts and Culture

Posted by Samantha Lazar on February 19, 2010

Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture is a West Philly nonprofit arts organization dedicated to advocating the appreciation of Arabic arts and culture. That may seem like a mouthful, but try saying it in Arabic! Actually, that’s one of the things they’ll help you do – in addition to programs about art, music, literature, geography, and other elements of Arab culture, they also offer language instruction.

Most of Al-Bustan’s programs are geared toward children and young adults, as the cornerstone of their mission is to educate youth about Arabic heritage. You don’t have to share that heritage to get in on the fun, though. Youth of all backgrounds enjoy their programs, which include a July summer camp in which kids learn some Arabic (or improve their skills) while exploring the arts and culture. During the school year, weekend language and art classes offer a stimulating environment for learning the language – this is about fun, not the classroom! Language instruction is integrated into drama, dance, art, and story writing. It’s the perfect combo for creative and inquisitive kids who are up for learning something new....
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Related Destination: Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture »

Related Tags: Family Fun, Culture

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Elena’s Soul: YOUCIE Karaoke in Baltimore Avenue’s Soul Food Mecca

Posted by Samantha Lazar on February 12, 2010

Elena’s Soul, described as a “showcase lounge and café” is a mix between a dark bar, a chill lounge, a hip café, a glowing den, and a raucous party – all with soul food thrown in. The place (for lack of a better term) is on 49th and Baltimore, and is filled with regulars seemingly every night of the week. One of the times it comes alive most, though, is Wednesday evenings when DJ Kev busts out the karaoke machine.

Karaoke at Elena’s Soul is a unique West Philly event, making it the perfect spot for the next YOUCIE event. YOUCIE is University City’s young friends group, and they regularly hold events throughout the year for young professionals and over-21 students to mix, mingle, and enjoy what the area has to offer. The event will be Wednesday evening, February 17th, and the bar will be running happy hour specials the whole time. But, even better, if you RSVP (address below), you’ll get your first drink free! ...
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Related Destination: Elena's Soul - Showcase, Lounge & Cafe »

Related Tags: Dining + Food, Entertainment, Nightlife + Bars

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Rembrandt’s Etchings: Masterpieces on Display at Drexel (through Feb.26)

Posted by Samantha Lazar on February 11, 2010

Most people think of Rembrandt van Rijn, the 17th-Century artist best known by just his first name, as a painter. Indeed, the Dutch artist was a masterful painter. But he’s also famous for his etchings, and is considered the best artist ever to try his hand at the medium. A special exhibit at Drexel’s Rincliffe Gallery is displaying 20 of the virtuoso’s best etchings.

Etchings are created by scratching an image into the surface of a wax-covered copper plate, immersing it in acid, and then inking the plate and its freshly engraved design in order to print it. (There’s a lot more explanation of the various processes that you can read when you check out the exhibit.) The themes of Rembrandt’s etchings, like those of his paintings, are widely varied. They include portraits, nudes, landscapes, and religious scenes. In fact, his most famous etching, “Christ Preaching” (aka “The Hundred-Guilder Print”) is familiar to anyone who’s taken an introductory art history course, and is the star of this show. It’s given pride of place at the entrance to the gallery, and its detail and intricacy is truly astounding. Other etchings you should make sure to take an extra close look at include “Man Wearing a High Cap,” “Beggar with a Stick,” and my personal favorite, “Grotesque Profile.” ...
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Related Destination: Drexel Univeristy »

Related Tag: Culture

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Welcome to Campus: The Northside Dining Terrace at Drexel

Posted by Samantha Lazar on February 8, 2010

After construction that lasted through the summer and fall, the Northside Dining Terrace is officially open at Drexel. The 5,000 square foot modern building is on Race St. between 33rd and 34th, right in the heart of the residential northern part of campus. It’s a welcome addition for students with late-night cravings (most of its retailers are open until 1 a.m.) or for those simply sick of cafeteria food.

The metal and glass structure was built with environmental sustainability in mind, and the interior feels sunny and open. Once warmer weather comes through you’ll also be able to take advantage of outdoor dining space. It houses franchises selected by a campus-wide vote. There’s the ever-popular Subway and Chik-fil-A, as well as a Currito (delicious burritos) and Southern Tsunami, which makes fresh sushi on site. There’s also a small market to pick up essentials like milk, cereal, and toilet paper. ...
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