A Glimpse of Van Gogh: Vincent in Brixton
A play at Walnut Street Theatre examines Van Gogh before he was famous.
February 18, 2013
Seasoned playwright Nicholas Wright brings the story of Vincent Van Gogh to Philadelphia’s Walnut Street Theatre through the acclaimed Vincent in Brixton, starting tomorrow (February 19, 7:30 p.m.).
Directed by Kate Galvin, the play depicts Van Gogh’s early years as he attempts to make ends meet as an art dealer in Brixton, England. The legendary tale of the troubled artist’s self-discovery unfolds as he finds inspiration from his surrounding environment. Brought to life by actor Brian Cowden, the audience will see what shaped Van Gogh into one of the world’s most renowned artists.
“We’re getting a glimpse of Van Gogh’s life before he becomes the artist that we all know,” says Galvin. “There are many elements of the play that are based in fact. It’s fascinating to see the impact that this period of his life had on his later work.”
The piece will show on a regular schedule from February 21 through March 10 after two nights of preview performances. Tickets are $30-$40 on walnutstreettheatre.org. 825 Walnut St., Center City, 215-574-3550
President’s Day Weekend DJs at HQ
Spend the weekend with top turntable-pros at this AC nightspot.
February 14, 2013
This weekend, HQ plays host to star DJs.
Revel in Atlantic City hosts an array of globally renowned DJs this President’s Day weekend at its HQ Nightclub (February 15-17). DJ Tatiana Fontes will warm the crowd up on Friday night before Swedish musical mastermind, DJ Eric Prydz, hits the tables. Recently confirmed for both Coachella 2013 and the Ultra Music Festival, Prydz is recognized for energetic hits like “Call on Me” and “Every Day.”
On Saturday night, the good times continue with resident DJ A-Trak, who makes his second appearance at HQ. A-Trak effectively mixes multiple musical genres to result in exciting, must-dance beats.
Closing the weekend out is a visit from The Generation Wild Tour 2013—a compilation of some of the biggest names in the electronic-dance scene, like Deniz Koyu, Danny Avila, dBerrie, and Mikael Weermets. As a bonus on Sunday, club-goers will enjoy photos and Champagne showers by nightlife photographer, Kirill Was Here.
Doors open at 10 p.m. each night. For more information or tickets, visit revelnightlife.com.
New Exhibit: ‘Journeys to New Worlds’
Spanish and Portuguese colonial works spotlighted at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
February 14, 2013
“Journeys to New Worlds” opens February 16 in the Ruth and Raymond G. Perelman building at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The exhibit explores Roberta and Richard Huber’s impressive collection of Spanish and Portuguese colonial art from the 17th and 18th centuries, manifested in everything from paintings to sculptures to silverwork.
The Hubers began curating their extensive collection nearly four decades ago while living and working in South America. The compilation most notably features a variety of paintings by Andean master Melchor Pérez Holguín. But some of the exhibit’s most remarkable items—like The House at Nazareth, a vibrant painting from the late 18th century—are from unknown Peruvian and Bolivian artists.
“We are all very excited about ‘Journeys,’” says exhibition coordinator Mark A. Castro. “Although this museum has a long tradition of exhibiting colonial art, this show breaks new ground by examining a collection that wasn’t assembled by any strict academic principles, but rather by the interests and experiences of two enthusiastic collectors.”
The exhibit will remain open through May 19, Tuesday through Sunday (10 a.m. -5 p.m.). 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy,. 215-763-8100
Where to Spend Valentine’s Day
Prix-fixes and hotel packages make this day of love one to remember.
February 13, 2013
10 Arts Bistro
At Eric Ripert’s 10 Arts Bistro, chef de cuisine Nathan Volz will prepare a six-course Valentine’s tasting menu for you and your date, as you relax in a candle-lit atmosphere (February 14-16, 5:30-10 p.m.). For $195 per couple, enjoy dishes like smoked kusshi oysters, lobster and prawn ravioli, petite aged ribeye, and two dessert rounds of yuzu granita and chocolate creme brûlée. Guests can also opt for a $275 menu, which adds Moët & Chandon Champagne pairings to the aforementioned food items. For reservations, call the restaurant at 215-523-8273. 10 Avenue of the Arts
Bar Ferdinand
For a truly unique day of love, head to Bar Ferdinand's Spanish-inspired Día de San Valentín celebration. The Northern Liberties tapas spot is offering a five-course prix-fixe menu (February 14, $65/person; $90 with additional wine pairing), complete with live flamenco performances, and a complimentary Cava cocktail for each guest. From roasted chestnut soup, to seared ahi tuna with foie gras crouton, to a succulent dark chocolate cake with dulce de leche and chocolate sauce, diners will have an array of delicious dishes to choose from. A vibrant list of Valentine’s Day drinks will also be available, February 14-16. For reservations, call the restaurant at 215-923-1313. 1030 N. 2nd St., Northern Liberties
Bistro St. Tropez
Toast the year’s most romantic weekend at Bistro St. Tropez, where a three-course prix-fixe spotlights the likes of oysters, Scottish salmon, lobster feuilette, filet mignon, and lemon goat cheese risotto from February 14-16 ($58 per person). Have other plans on Valentine’s night? Bistro St. Tropez is also hosting a Valentine’s Brunch on Sunday, February 17 for $25 per guest. In addition to an amuse bouche course, brunch-goers can opt for first-course salad or salmon, mains like lobster scrambled eggs or a farm-fresh omelette, and a nutella or gluten-free dessert. For reservations, call the restaurant at 215-569-9269. 2400 Market St., 4th Fl., Center City
Caesars, Atlantic City
Looking to make it official with your significant other? Head to Atlantic City for Valentine’s weekend and pop the question with the Light Your Love package from Caesars Entertainment. Let Caesars profess your love in lights on the Waterfront Tower of Harrah’s Resort before you head off on an elegant limo ride with a $100 dining credit and a bottle of Etoile Rose Brut Champagne. For just $699 ($1,000 for the weekend), you and your loved one will also enjoy an overnight stay at the Tower with a special 1 p.m. checkout. For reservations or more information, visit caesarsac.com. 777 Harrah’s Blvd., Atlantic City, 609-441-5000
Hotel Monaco
Hotel Monaco’s Diamond in the Sky package comes complete with everything you need to make that special someone’s dreams come true. For $80,000, guests will get a Bernie Robbins engagement ring, access to a private pavilion at the Stratus Rooftop Lounge where you can ask for her hand, a personal photographer to capture the moment, a complimentary bottle of Veuve Cliquot, two nights in the Majestic Suite, car service, in-room brunch by chef Guillermo Tellez, an en-suite couples massage, a first-class flight home, and complimentary passes to local museums and attractions in the city. Plus, the package gives you a jump-start on wedding planning—it includes a wedding reception for up to 200 guests at the hotel’s luxurious Lafayette Ballroom. For more information, visit monaco-philadelphia.com; available February 8-17, minimum of five-day advance notice needed. 433 Chestnut St., Old City, 215-925-2111
Mardi Gras Offerings at REX 1516
The South Street restaurant spotlights a special menu for Fat Tuesday.
February 11, 2013
Enjoy takes on traditional Fat Tuesday fare like a muffuletta sandwich and a Hurricane cocktail.
Don’t be discouraged if you can’t join the soiree in New Orleans this Mardi Gras—REX 1516 is bringing the Fat Tuesday spirit to Philadelphia. As a supplement to their everyday offerings, the Southern-inspired eatery is serving up food and drink specials all day and night in honor of the holiday (Tuesday, February 12). Pay homage to The Big Easy with executive chef Justin Swain’s inspired menu, which is set to include lamb gumbo, sweet potato beignets, and the muffuletta, an over-stuffed sandwich with salami, Tasso, sopressata, Swiss, provolone, and house-made olive salad.
To accompany your themed meal, general manager and mixologist Heather Rodkey is shaking up an upscale twist on the classic N’awlins Hurricane cocktail. Rodkey’s re-imagining includes aged rum, passion fruit, cranberry, lime, and orange, and pairs perfectly with any item on the Mardi Gras menu. 1516 South St., 267-319-1366
Celebrate the Chinese New Year
Two high-end restos present prix-fixe menus to toast the Year of the Snake.
February 08, 2013
Welcome the Year of the Snake with a four-course tasting menu at AC's Buddakan.
Buddakan Atlantic City
February 9-10
Ring in the Chinese New Year at Atlantic City’s Buddakan, where they’ll be adorning the place with traditional red lanterns and offering a four-course Chinese New Year tasting menu for $55 per person. Guests can expect dishes that symbolize longevity, wealth, fidelity, prosperity, and good marriage, like Cantonese shrimp rolls, Peking duck lettuce wraps, San Bei basil chicken, and a whole fish served with forbidden black rice and black garlic. Cap the celebration off with Mandarin cheesecake. For reservations, visit buddakanac.com. 1 Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic City, 609-674-0100
Sampan
February 10-11
Chef Michael Shulson’s Sampan is welcoming the Year of the Snake with a six-course prix-fixe and performances by the Pennsylvania Chinese Dance Club. For $55 per person (minimum of two guests), indulge in a family-style feast of pork pot-stickers, crab Rangoon, duck egg rolls, Dan Dan noodles with Chinese sausage, Cantonese steamed salon, and Peking duck. Wash your hearty fare down with specialty cocktails like The Author, which features Jefferson’s Bourbon, Domaine de Canton Ginger liquer, and lemon. The coconut-tapioca pudding with passion fruit puree will be the perfect way to end the meal. For reservations, visit sampanphilly.com. 124 S. 13th St., Center City, 215-732-3501
Philadelphia Fashion Incubator Pop-Up
Knit Wit hosts a pop-up shop that pays homage to emerging local designers.
February 06, 2013
The Philadelphia Fashion Incubator's Designers-in-Residence present their completed collections at Knit Wit this week.
Starting tomorrow, February 7, the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator presents a pop-up shop at Knit Wit. The event is the culmination of the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator’s one-year fashion program, which started in March 2012 when four students from area universities were chosen as the Incubator’s first Designers-in-Residence (DIRs).
The lucky students—Melissa D’Agostino, Kaitlyn Doherty, Autumn Kietponglert, and Latifat Obajinmi and Moriamo Johnson—were given exclusive access to work spaces, showrooms, curriculum, mentoring, and other resources from Macy’s Center City. Now, they will showcase and sell the Spring/Summer 2013 collections that they’ve spent the past year crafting.
“I am very excited about this because I believe that fashion is not just about the dress—it is so much more than that,” says Knit Wit’s owner, Ann Gitter. “It is how you live your life. I want to start doing these showcases once a month.”
The pop-up will remain at Knit Wit through February 14, with a wine and cheese opening reception tomorrow night (February 7, 6-8 p.m.) 1729 Chestnut St., 2nd Fl., Center City, 215-564-4760
New Menu at MilkBoy Philadelphia
The all-in-one establishment adds new food and drink options.
February 01, 2013
MilkBoy makes big changes to its menus.
Previously known for their coffee and live music line-up, Chestnut Street’s MilkBoy can now add dining destination to their repertoire. With a brand-new menu focusing on upscale comfort food from chef Jon Bohn, the all-in-one restaurant, bar, café, and live-music venue proudly indulges the varying tastes of its customers.
Situated in close proximity to Jefferson Hospital, MilkBoy opens its doors at 7 a.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. weekends to accommodate hard-working doctors and nurses who are heading home from the evening shift. Offering a full bar and the entire menu all day, MilkBoy is often packed at off-peak hours for what they call the “third shift.”
Since MilkBoy is open for every meal, Bohn has crafted a seasonal menu with dishes that can be enjoyed at any time of the day (or night). Carnivores will delight in the updated bacon bowl, filled to the brim with spiced honey-glazed bacon and served with a side of rich and creamy buttermilk dipping sauce. Vegetarians and vegans should sample the seitan asada—soft corn tortillas filled with cilantro, fresh salsa, and lime. Just don’t fill up before trying the creative takes on French fries, from chili cheese jalapeno fries to the house-favorite steak frites, topped with six ounces of sirloin and a mushroom-sherry reduction.
In addition to a noteworthy collection of canned beers, draughts, and coffees, MilkBoy also presents an impressive selection of specialty cocktails from bar manager Evan Maffiore. New drinks include the Waiting Room, with Frangelico, peppermint schnaaps, and coffee, and the Picket Line, which pairs espresso with double chocolate vodka. The menu and cocktails may be new at MilkBoy, but patrons can still expect the same 200-person live-music venue upstairs, showcasing both local and national talent. 1100 Chestnut St., Center City, 215-925-6455
Shelley Spector Opens Solo Exhibit
Local artist shows 'But Not As Much As Tomorrow' at Bridgette Mayer Gallery.
January 30, 2013
Starting today (January 30), works from local artist Shelley Spector’s solo exhibit “But Not As Much As Tomorrow” will be on view at the Bridgette Mayer Gallery. “But Not As Much As Tomorrow” is the gallery’s first solo exhibition and its first exhibit of 2013.
The installation will feature works from Spector’s Five and a Half by Forty for the first time—a 28-print collection that she started cultivating 20 years ago. In addition to print pieces, exhibit-goers can expect two- and three-dimensional objects fashioned from reclaimed and recycled materials that have been passed down through generations. Paper, metal, vintage upholstery, wood, and paint have all been used to create masterpieces such as Mariposa, an 800-square-foot deconstructed wool blanket that will be erected on the floor of the showroom’s North Gallery.
“I am so excited to unveil to the public Shelley Spector’s new installation at my gallery,” says gallery owner, Bridgette Mayer. “Shelley has been an icon in the Philadelphia arts scene for many years. She is a beloved artist, teacher, and talented sculptor and mixed media artist.”
The exhibit will remain open through February 23, with an opening reception on February 1 (6-8 p.m.). 709 Walnut St., 215-413-8893
Photography courtesy Bridgette Mayer Gallery
Where to Watch the Super Bowl
Upscale bars/restos in the area offer specials on food and drink for the big game.
January 28, 2013
Davio’s
The Northern Italian steakhouse is offering fans a tailgating-themed prix-fixe for the Super Bowl, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Taste of the NFL. For $60 per person on February 2 and 3 (5-10 p.m.), guests can enjoy four courses or “quarters,” comprising Philly cheese steak spring rolls, gnocchi bolognese, Amish free-range chicken, and a classic tiramisu. Wash each course down with a choice of two beers on tap. 111 S. 17 St., Center City, 215-563-4810
The Knight's Pub
Located in the regal Stokesay Castle in Reading, the recently renovated Knight's Pub is the perfect place to watch the big game. Guests can catch every heart-pounding play on the multiple flat-screens while enjoying a football-inspired all-you-can-eat buffet on February 3 (6:30-10 p.m., $18). In addition to door prizes and giveaways, the fully stocked bar will have drink specials on Dueling sangria, beer towers, and select drafts—perfect for both celebrating and soothing. 141 Stokesay Castle Ln., Reading, 610-375-6100
London Grill
In light of the Harbaugh brother vs. Harbaugh brother Super Bowl matchup, London Grill presents guests with its Brethren Bowl event. Stone Vertical Epic Ales will be tapped side by side: 11.11.11, and its brother brew, 12.12.12. The Fairmount eatery will also offer $3 light bites including truffled deviled eggs, Korean fried chicken nuggets, meatballs, and crab fries, in addition to more traditional sports-watching snacks like nachos, wings, burgers, and cheese steaks (February 3, 4 p.m.-game’s end). 2301 Fairmount Ave., Fairmount, 215-978-4545
City Tap House
Showing love for both teams, City Tap House will feature beers from both San Francisco and Baltimore. National Bohemian (Natty Boh to Baltimoreans), Stillwater, and Brewer’s Art call out to Charm City, while Anchor Steam and 21st Amendment represent the Bay area (available all day Super Bowl Sunday). Don’t feel like leaving your house for the match? City Tap House is also offering growlers, pizza, and wing platters to-go, as well as their complete catering menu. See citytaphouse.com for more information (order 48 hours in advance for Super Bowl delivery). 39 and Walnut St., University City, 215-662-0105
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