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. ...
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: The Arts and Spirituality Center »
Related Categories: Family Fun, Culture
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....
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture »
Related Categories: Family Fun, Culture
The Penn Ice Rink: Skating Central for University City
Posted by Samantha Lazar on January 14, 2010
There's no doubt that winter has hit hard this year. What with the freezing temperatures, that massive blizzard, and ice choking the Schuylkill, Philly has certainly taken on the feel of an arctic city. You could complain about the cold. Or, instead, why not embrace the season with one of winter's most time-honored activities? Go ice skating!
A lot of people know about the ice rink at Penn's Landing on the Delaware River, but for those of us on the western side of the city there is a rink much closer to home, The Penn Ice Rink at the Class of 1923 Arena, on 31st and Walnut, which is celebrating its 40th season this winter. The rink is home to hockey teams from local universities and high schools, and it also hosts Open Hockey for anyone who wants to practice their skills and have some fun. They offer skating lessons (private and group) as well....
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Categories: Entertainment, Family Fun, Sports
Peoplehood Parade & Pageant: Saturday, 10/24!
Posted by Samantha Lazar on October 19, 2009
Get excited for one of the most unique sights of the season: Spriral Q Puppet Theatre’s 10th annual Peoplehood Parade and Pageant.
Originally scheduled for Saturday October 17th, the event has wisely been pushed to the following week, the 24th, due to horrendous weather. Hopefully the sun will smile on West Philly and the true colors of the parade will shine forth – because, oh boy, there are a lot of colors!
If you’re not familiar with it already, Spiral Q is something of a blend between a puppet theater (regularly putting on performances), a giant puppet factory (the puppets themselves and the sheer number that they churn out are both giant, and are on display at their museum), and a community organizer and neighborhood touchstone....
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: Spiral Q Puppet Theater »
Related Categories: Entertainment, Family Fun, Parks, Culture
Schuylkill Banks River Tour: A Float Through History
Posted by Samantha Lazar on October 13, 2009
In Dutch "Schuylkill" means "hidden river." During Philadelphia's early history it was "hidden" because it was so far away from the center of town, which was alongside the Delaware, that few city dwellers ever ventured over to its banks (though my main man Benny F. was a big fan of its tranquility and liked to relax on its shores). During the industrial era people wished it was hidden, but had a hard time avoiding its filth and stench -- for years a slaughterhouse near 30th Street poured steams of blood and offal directly into its waters. Nowadays, though, the Schuylkill doesn't deserve its dirty reputation; The Schuylkill River Development Corporation has been working hard to revive the river, and it is no longer the wasteland of its industrial days. Over 45 species of fish now thrive in its waters, people run and jog alongside...
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Categories: Entertainment, Family Fun, Culture
The Annenberg Center: Like the Kimmel, but Farther
Posted by Samantha Lazar on September 24, 2009
The Annenberg Center, conveniently located on Penn’s Campus, is one of Philadelphia’s premiere performing arts venues. Every season their three theatres host a huge array of programming, ranging from music, to dance, to theatre, to student productions.
The critically acclaimed “Penn Presents” series brings outstanding professional productions to West Philly, and this fall’s line-up is looking exceptionally fabulous. “Thank You Gregory,” which runs from October 6th through 10th, is “a tribute to the legends of tap.” The show will feature live music, dancing (of course!) and multimedia projections, paying homage to big names like Fred Astaire and Gregory Hines. After “Thank You Gregory” comes “MacHomer,” a one-man blend of “MacBeth” and “The Simpsons” that’s sure to fill the nearly 1,000-seat Zellerbach auditorium. Rick Miller performs the hysterical spectacular, imitating 50 voices from “The Simpsons” while performing a version of “MacBeth” ...
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: Annenberg Center »
Related Categories: Entertainment, Family Fun, Culture
Performances, Festivals, and More at The Rotunda
Posted by Samantha Lazar on August 7, 2009
You know about The Rotunda, right? It’s hard to find someone in West Philly who isn’t at least passably familiar with the gorgeous old church-turned-arts-venue at 40th and Walnut. Once a little-used empty space whose awesome architecture had fallen into disrepair, the building was taken over in 1996 and transformed into a community gathering place determined to use art as a catalyst for social change. Situated on the edge of Penn’s campus, many efforts aim at building bridges between the university and the surrounding community. ...
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: The Rotunda »
Related Categories: Entertainment, Family Fun, Culture
Free Shakespeare in Clark Park!
Posted by Samantha Lazar on July 31, 2009
Ah, Shakespeare in the park. It’s one of those unofficial rites of summer that people come to expect. If you’ve never seen a Shakespeare performance in a park before, you might not understand what’s so great about it – which is all the more reason to get yourself to Clark Park to see the “The Comedy of Errors” this weekend!
Clark Park is a gem of West Philly, coming alive with children, dogs, exercisers, the farmers’ market and more every summer. Adding to the fun, Shakespeare in Clark Park had been producing free outdoor plays since 2005. This year’s choice is one of the bard’s most popular comedies, and the play features a whole slew of Philly’s comedic actors, with Luigi Sottile (as Antipholus of Syracuse) and David Sweeney (playing many different characters) turning in especially hysterical performances.
...
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: Clark Park »
Related Categories: Entertainment, Family Fun, Clark Park, Parks, Culture
A Treasure Trove of History at The Penn Museum
Posted by Samantha Lazar on July 20, 2009
When was the last time you came face to face with a 12-ton sphinx? I bet I’ve got you beat on this one: I did yesterday. The giant sphinx of Pharaoh Ramsses II, dating from around 1200 BC, is one of the most-visited residents of 3260 South Street, also known as the Penn Museum.
The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology is one of the greatest history museums in the world. Unfortunately, far too few people seem to know this! ...
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: Penn Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology »
Related Categories: Entertainment, Family Fun, Culture, Universities + Colleges
Curio Theatre Summer Camp
Posted by Samantha Lazar on June 18, 2009
The Calvary Center at 48th and Baltimore is a community hub; you probably know about some of the goings-on that take place there in addition to its more churchly activities. Did you know that it’s the home of Curio Theatre Company? With its offices next door, Curio has taken up residency in the old church’s sanctuary, and offers up all kinds of productions throughout the year (stay tuned for Fringe shows in September!). They also host a summer theatre camp for kids ages 6 – 16....
Read the rest of this entry »
Related Destination: Curio Theatre Company »
Related Categories: Entertainment, Family Fun, Culture
Tips
Have a dining, entertainment, or nightlife tip?
share it with us!
About Us
Recent Entries
Free Sustainability Workshops: the Next Two Tuesdays
The Arts and Spirituality Center: Empowering Youth through Art, Peace, and Love
Zocalo: Upscale Mexican Cuisine in a Cozy Authentic Atmosphere
Al-Bustan: Planting the Seeds of Arabic Arts and Culture
Elena’s Soul: YOUCIE Karaoke in Baltimore Avenue’s Soul Food Mecca
Rembrandt’s Etchings: Masterpieces on Display at Drexel (through Feb.26)
Welcome to Campus: The Northside Dining Terrace at Drexel
The Best House Pizzeria: the Answer to Late Night Cravings
The Gables Bed & Breakfast: a Victorian Getaway in the Heart of University City
Pecha Kucha Night at Studio 34!
Recent Comments
Dietra on MidAtlantic Restaurant and Tap Room
Warren on The Gables Bed & Breakfast: a Victorian Getaway in the Heart of University City
Karen Wisnia on The Gables Bed & Breakfast: a Victorian Getaway in the Heart of University City
Lauren on Honest Tom’s Taco Shop: A Food Truck Like No Other
BJK on 30th Street Station: More than a Train Depot
Corina on MidAtlantic Restaurant and Tap Room
Lori on MidAtlantic Restaurant and Tap Room
Insider on Milk & Honey Market: Bringing the Best of Local Goods to Baltimore Avenue
Jean on Milk & Honey Market: Bringing the Best of Local Goods to Baltimore Avenue
Kelly on Milk & Honey Market: Bringing the Best of Local Goods to Baltimore Avenue