Entertainment
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Cultivating Leadership: Union League of Philadelpia Hosts The Germination Project’s 2017 Draft Day Gala
“People always say that I have all of these projects, but I really only have one project, and that’s our region.” – Ajay Raju Story, photos by Sharon Kozden The Union League‘s Lincoln Hall was the place to be, where The Germination Project‘s 3rd Annual Draft Day Gala was held. The assemblage included an impressive roster of notable community members as well as an equally diverse lineup of awards, inductions, presentations, performances and more. The gala, chaired by Executive VP and Provost JoAnne Epps of Temple University, introduced (in athletic-draft fashion) the 17 most recent inductees to 2017’s Germination Project’s Fellowship Class as well as the presentation (by Craig Snyder, President and CEO, World Affairs…
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Eighth Annual Audi Feastival Celebrates FringeArts 21st Birthday
Story, photos by Sharon Kozden “I think eating is one of the most delectable experiences of radiant, sweet, sour, hot splashes biting at your taste buds that you could ever have. Now imagine knowing how to maneuver and manage these flavors from a cook’s perspective. Pure power.” – Christopher Staab I’m remembering with gastronomic bliss the evening of September 28th, when Audi FEASTIVAL joined FringeArts for what arguably deserves its reputation as Philadelphia’s “Party of the Year.” For eight years running, an assembly of over 75 of Philadelphia’s renowned restaurants and bars has combined their award-winning fare samplings with FringeArts raise-the-bar, always innovative entertainment, artistic and cultural wonderment. FEASTIVAL first came to light, life and belly (in…
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Take a Walking, Eating and Drinking Chew Philly Tour Through Chestnut Hill
Please feel free to offer promo code EXPLOREPHL for $29/adult tickets to our Manayunk or Chestnut Hill tour. Photos, story by Cassie Hepler Meet the first Northwest Philadelphia food and culinary tour since 2011, Chew Philly. With tours led by the lovely Elyse Castillo, these tours aren’t just for tourists. You can discover one of the many cultural gems and neighborhoods Philly has to offer. Perhaps you enjoy sampling delicious ethnic foods in historic neighborhood or want a taste of that perfect tomato pie, dip your tongue into decadent cappuccinos or lick ages old ice cream from the best specialty shops in Philly. The walking tours make you feel like you can…
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CiderFest Rules Fairmount Park’s Historic Houses in Philadelphia
Story, photos by Sharon Kozden “The older I get, the more I become an apple pie, sparkling cider kind of guy.” – Scott Foley What was Fairmount Park Conservancy thinking on the perfect autumnal afternoon in late September when introducing CiderFest, featuring cider samples from over 20 Pennsylvania cideries, self-guided tours of the six historic houses at Fairmount Park, free house-to-house transportation, live music and pay-as-you-go food trucks? I’d say they had their thinking caps spot-on with the aforementioned perfect confab of fall delights. Proceeds from the event benefitted the “ongoing stewardship, maintenance and promotion of the Historic Houses of Fairmount Park.” That alone was more than enough for this itsy bitsy spider to drink from the…
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Shadow + Flame Hosts Venetian Themed Prospero’s Ball at FringeArts’ La Peg
PROSPERO: “Spirits, which by mine art I have from their confines called to enact My present fancies.” – William Shakespeare, The Tempest, Act 4, Scene 1 Photos, story by Sharon Kozden Ball dropping isn’t always a bad thing. Maybe in the sports’ world it can be, but when it comes to entertainment, you can drop me into any ball or gala, I’m out for a good time. The evening of October 26th presented just such a time, when Shadow + Flame hosted a Venetian-themed (as well as exclusive and limited-invite!) masquerade event at FringeArts‘ La Peg Brasserie. As one deemed an exclusive guest, my initial thought was how to cobble together…
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Crawlin’ with the Undead in Northern Libertie’s Zombie Invasion
Professional make-up artist Sonja Century complies with Sharon Kozden’s request to be transformed into a “pretty goth.” Story, photos by Sharon Kozden “It’s so hard to be careful, so easy to be led Somewhere beyond the pavement You’ll find the living dead.” – Tom Petty, “Zombie Zoo” What better way to spend a Friday the 13th evening than in the company of creepy and grotesquely incorporeal beings intent on feeding on my brain? Ironing my underwear? Navel-gazing? Nope and nope: I was out to get me some “organs that serve as the center of the nervous system.” I didn’t have to travel far to find them! The Piazza at The Schmidt’s Commons in Northern Libertie’s…
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The Turtle Always Wins the Race at Greene Turtle Sports Bar & Grille
Photos / Story by Jill Beckel Explore Philly recently got a chance to check out the brand new Greene Turtle Sports Bar & Grille in North Wales and we had a blast! From tasty appetizers and filling entrees to fancy happy hour drinks, the Greene Turtle has something for everyone. Whether you want to stop in for Happy Hour with some coworkers, have a nice family dinner, or catch the game, the Greene Turtle is the perfect spot. The atmosphere is welcoming, fun and relaxing. “The Greene Turtle is more than a sports bar and grille. We believe in being a community hangout for all ages, that serves great food and drinks…
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Philly’s Real Life ‘Rocky’ Bantamweight Christian Carto, a SugarHouse Sweet Boxing Treat
Story by Kelly Kusumoto, photos by Colleen Cahill On a hot, sweaty August night, Bantamweight Christian Carto TKO’d Phillip Adyaka to remain perfect at 11-0 with 11 KOs and proved he was SugarHouse Casino’s sweetest treat of the night. On the banks of the Delaware River, SugarHouse Casino in Fishtown was bustling with action. Cars filled each parking lot, people were walking to and fro, dining outside and playing inside. The weather was perfect and the mood was right. But no one’s stars were more aligned for a win than the incredibly talented, Philly native, Christian Carto, who at 20 years young is carving out a boxing career he hopes…
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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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6th Annual Dinèr En Blanc Takes Over Franklin Square for Biggest Fête Yet
Story, photos by Tyra Gardner Philadelphia hosted the 6th Annual Diner En Blanc Pop Up Dinner on a summer Thursday in August 2017. This is one of the highly anticipated premier events of the summer with 5,300 attendees starting at 6 p.m. All attendees dress in all white, meet at various designated locations throughout the city from 30th Street Station to the Sugar House Casino, some attendees walked from their locations while others that were at further locations were escorted their by Group Leaders on Chartered Buses. Each attendee was to bring their white fold up chairs, roll up tables, white table linens, white china wine glasses and picnic baskets…





























