- Culture, Dessert, Drink, Entertainment, Events, Explore with Cassie, Fashion, Food, Latest News, Music, Restaurants, Style
Mixing and Mingling at the Philadelphia Wine and Cocktail Festival at Sugarhouse Casino
Story, photos by Jill Beckel The Philadelphia Wine & Cocktail Festival was the perfect event for wine connoisseurs, mixologists and just about anyone who loves a great wine or cocktail. The event took place at the brand new Event Center at Sugarhouse Casino. General admission for $40 included dozens of wine and cocktail samples in a custom sampling glass. VIP admission tickets went for $60 and included unlimited wine and cocktail samples, extra VIP-only wines and cocktails, a custom sampling glass and also allowed an hour early entry to the event to beat the rush. All attendees also received $20 in free slot play (new rewards members, $10 current members) at SugarHouse Casino. Event-goers…
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Changing Lives One Haircut at a Time with Haircuts for the Homeless
Story by Jill Beckel, photos by Joseph Berardi Explore Philly recently got a chance to talk with Joseph Berardi, a local Philly hair stylist, about his amazing act of generosity that soon turned into much more. Joseph works with his dad and brother at Richard Nicholas Hair Studio and was born and raised in Philly. We think that the world could use more people like Joseph. What inspired you to first give haircuts to the homeless? “I have a client that runs SREHUP, a Student-Run Emergency Housing Unit of Philadelphia, in Center City. One day we were talking, it happened to be near the holidays, and I thought it would be nice to visit the shelter and give out haircuts. I…
- Celebrities, Drink, Entertainment, Events, Explore with Cassie, Food, Latest News, Music, Restaurants
With Burgers, Wings AND Tacos, No One Left Hungry at This Year’s Burger Brawl
Photos, story by Jill Beckel On a hot and humid Sunday, the 7th Annual Philadelphia Burger Brawl took over the parking lot of Xfinity Live. Over 60 local Philly area restaurants competed for the title of best burger, best taco and (for the first time ever), best chicken wing! This year, Explore Philly was excited to be a part of the judging panel! When it comes to food, we are always more than eager to help out. We got to judge the first burger round. Each burger sample was judged on its taste, look, bun, meat and originality. All restaurants were kept anonymous so that the burger tasting would be fair.…
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Spring Was in the Air (and the Food) at the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival Preview Party
Story, photos By Jill Beckel The 2017 Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival Preview Party featured cuisine from Rittenhouse Row’s best restaurants, cocktails from their best bartenders, informal modeling of spring trends from Rittenhouse Row member boutiques and salons, and a silent auction with Rittenhouse Row experiences and merchandise. Located at the Hyatt at the Bellevue, food and beverages were provided by: 24 Wood Fired Fare, a.bar, a.kitchen, Alma de Cuba, Barclay Prime, Baril, Ben & Jerry’s, Butcher and Singer, CODA, The Dandelion, D’Angelo’s, Davio’s, Devon, Di Bruno Bros., Garces Restaurants, Lacroix, Marathon Grill, Metropolitan Bakery, Mission Taqueria, Parc, Rita’s Italian Ice, Rouge, Schweid & Sons, Termini Bros. Bakery, Verts, Bar Volver, Wrap…
- Comedy, Dessert, Drink, Entertainment, Events, Explore with Cassie, Food, Latest News, Music, Restaurants, Style, Suburbs
Sing Along and “Howl at the Moon” with Dueling Pianos at The Vault
Story by Jill Beckel / Photos by Cassie Hepler Do you love music, dancing, great cocktails and good grub? Then The Vault is where you should spend your next Saturday night! Located at Valley Forge Casino, The Vault is the area’s newest hot spot for live entertainment featuring Dueling Pianos every Saturday night from 8pm – 2am! Howl at the Moon (a national chain of music-oriented party bars that currently operates in nearly 20 locations throughout the U.S., including one here in Philadelphia) jump-started this weekly event with their opening night at The Vault on Saturday, January 14. With two pianos onstage, two singers kept the party going all night long with a high…
- Art, Beauty, Culture, Dessert, Drink, Explore with Cassie, Food, Latest News, Nature, Restaurants, Style, Suburbs
Autograph Brasserie in Wayne Celebrates Those Who Left Their Signature on American Culture and Cuisine
Story by Jill Beckel, photos by Cassie Hepler If you’re looking for a relaxing night out and an elegant meal you won’t soon forget, Autograph Brasserie is your answer. Their wonderful dishes and cocktails are inspired by France, Spain, Italy and America. The restaurant provides engaging, celebrity photo covered decor with stellar food and a creative cocktail menu coupled with an extensive curated wine and spirits list. Autograph is a modern American brasserie that celebrates those individuals from past and present, who left their signature on popular American culture. Located at 503 W. Lancaster Avenue in Wayne, PA, it first opened in May 2016. Vintage vinyl and signed celebrity photos cover the walls of…
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Carnival Games, Ferris Wheel Rides and Fun with Flyers Fans and Their Families at the Annual Philadelphia Flyers Wives Carnival
Story, photos by Jill Beckel Rides, games, food and fun were abundant at the 39th Annual Flyers Wives Carnival which took place on Sunday, March 13th at the Wells Fargo Center. Among the newly-added attractions were a center-ice carousel, carnival games, and the opportunity to purchase player autographs prior to the carnival. This annual event welcomed thousands of Flyers fans to mingle with players and enjoy a family-friendly afternoon all while supporting a great cause (local charities). To the delight of both young and old, last year’s six-story-high Ferris wheel also returned to this year’s carnival. Fans had the chance to play lots of carnival games including water guns, fun house mirrors, balloon darts, a strongman attraction,…
- Art, Beauty, Charity, Culture, Dessert, Drink, Entertainment, Events, Explore with Cassie, Fashion, Food, Latest News, Style
There’s a New Online Magazine in Town – Explore with Cassie Website Launch Party
The city’s lights and Publisher Cassie Hepler‘s sequined Hollywood disco dress (we heard you Tyler Prete!) sparkled in the sunlight a little brighter on Friday, May 8th from 6-9 p.m. as Explore Philly and Explore NJ officially launched the East Coast area’s newest online magazine. Not another boring blog by any means, ExplorewithCassie.com has multiple writers/photographers sprinkled throughout the city and to the shore. Correspondents currently include Pastry Chef Dana Prophet, Jill Beckel, Whitney Ullman and Elspeth Misiaszek – and more in the making. The IT brains behind the operation is fellow Penn State alum Eric Smith, who also has a background in journalism. The team welcomed invited guests to the Stratus Rooftop…