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Catch a Buzz at PA’s Drexel University’s Academy of Natural Sciences Boozy Botanicals Art Deco-Era Event
Whatever lies behind Door 19 must be more mysterious than anything in the proverbial door numbers one, two or three. Story, photos by Sharon Kozden “Every great advance in science has issued from a new audacity of imagination.” — John Dewey I suspected that I was in for a wild night at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University‘s Door 19 event, cleverly named Boozy Botanicals. My vivid imagination envisioned scenes straight out of Little Shop of Horrors, all man-eating plants and specialty cocktails infused with the likes of stinging nettles or mugwort, ferns and fronds serving as swizzle sticks. Maybe my previous assignment at the Academy (Xtreme Bugs, featuring…
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Animatronic ‘Xtreme Bugs’ Invade Philly’s Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University
Sleep tight! Not on your life with this bed bug … imagine that bite. “All the winged creatures I have loved!” — Victor Hugo Story, photos by Sharon Kozden Back in the day, I recall hearing terrifying reports of killer bees on the loose and headed in our country’s direction. Alerts about their imminent arrival were as ubiquitous throughout my youth as were Judy Blume YA (young adult) books. My vivid imagination even decided these bees were specifically targeting me. I envisioned a swarm descending without warning and when least expected. Ironically, I have no idea to this day if those dang bees ever did come ’round. Just when I…
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Philly Wine Week 2017 Rocks the Socks Off of Philadelphia’s Winos
Story by Tiffany DuBois, photos by Eric Morales This year’s annual Philly Wine Week was held from March 19th through March 26th. The official kickoff party, “Opening Corks”, was held at the Academy of Natural Sciences on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Sunday, March 19th. It was a wine lovers dream as more than 25 vendors were on hand to pour more than 100 unique and hard to find premium wines. Nothing like enjoying a good wine with T-Rex looking over your shoulder. And of course what always pairs well with wine? Cheese! Food was not in shortage as delicious cheese samples and light snacks were provided by several area restaurants…
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Frogs: A Chorus of Colors at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
Story, photos by Tiffany C. DuBois Perhaps our new favorite exhibit, “Frogs: A Chorus of Colors!” at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University was a journey with frogs from every corner of the world, available to view through May 14th. This is a fun exhibit for kids and families, or if you want to impress a blind date with memorable facts, this is also a good place to go. Tickets can be purchased online and in person. Hours of operation are 10 am to 5 pm, seven days a week. Now, on to the good stuff! For anyone interested in architecture, the exhibit itself was very impressive. Frogs…
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Bugging Out with Cirque du Soleil’s OVO Contortionists at Academy of Natural Sciences
Photos by Louis Perri, video by Cassie Hepler In anticipation of Cirque du Soleil’s upcoming insect-themed arena production, OVO from May 11-15 at the Liacouras Center, two performers, dressed in full costume and make-up as OVO’s black and white spiders, performed a jaw-dropping contortionist number from the show during a scrumptious “Bug Brunch” in the Tarantualas: Alive and Up Close exhibit at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. A tasty offering of edible insect entrees, including Cricket Pancakes, Mealworm Frittata, Homemade Granola Bars made with Queen Weaver Ants, Cricket Scones, and bug-inspired beverages including Beetle Juice, Bumble Bee Honey Lemonade, Slug Juice, Cockroach Coffee and Tarantula Tea were…
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Imagine Tarantulas Climbing All Over You at Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
Photos, video, story by Cassie Hepler We like to get our hands dirty furry here at Explore Philly. And if that means holding a huge, fuzzy spider, so be it. Meet Misty, a rose haired Chilean tarantula with blue tones on her butt. She’s 8 years old and was very calm, cool and collected. We were eager to hold her which really resulted in her climbing all over our hands. She felt weightless and we only spazzed out slightly once but fortunately Invertebrate Specialist Karen Verderame and Misty didn’t even notice. Now you too can see the biggest, baddest and most fearsome of all spiders in Tarantulas: Alive and Up Close…